When the whistle blows loudly, showing the end of the game and our team's victory, I can't help the loud, euphoric scream that escapes my lips. I dig my fingers into the railing, watching as Jasper starts to approach me, but is intercepted by the other players, who pull him into a group hug. My heart tightens at the sight of him pulling away from me and my smile falters, but I understand the reason for the celebration. With this victory, they are in the semi-finals. Well... I guess I'll wait for you at the hotel...I start to leave the court with slow steps, looking at my hands, at the battle of fingers I do impatiently. The corridor seems so long when you're not rushing, when you're alone...."Hey!" I hear a sharp, loud voice that makes me turn in surprise. I see her blonde hair sway as she strides quickly towards me, with such large strides that she is soon in front of me.I cross my arms, watching the way she stops in front of me with her hands on her waist, puffing out her chest

I lift my eyes from the math book, acutely aware that Jasper is looking at me. He is lying on my bed, hugging my pillow, his face close, as if he wants to smell my scent. And when he notices that he has caught my eye, he gives me a mischievous smile.He really looks like a needy puppy."What?" I ask, lowering the book onto my lap, watching his smile widen even more."I'm just happy, Reddy." He moistens his lips, "You like me."I open my lips to answer him, with surprise, and then my shoulders wilt, as does my expression. Oh, yes, I really did say I like him. And I do, but it's just that... Why did I need to say it when my body felt so hot and reason so far away?"Why are you making that face all of a sudden?" Jasper straightens up in bed, sitting up as if alarmed and anxious. "Don't make that face.""Jasper." I sigh, my eyes softening."Don't you like me?" He asks, putting my single-handed pillow back in place, crossing his legs over the edge of the bed and propping his feet up on the

I'm frozen. I'm afraid Jasper is going to take his hands off me and walk away... But instead, he places a kiss on my shoulder, making my eyes widen slightly."Didn't I tell you, Reddy? It's not your fault." Jasper's voice makes something inside my chest wobble, maybe it's my heart or the defenses I still tried to build."Do you understand what I'm saying, Jasper? I'm not saying I did some kind of tantrum, that I hurt someone or that I feel responsible for guilt on my conscience or anything like that - no, I actually killed someone. Next thing I know, the nanny who abused me is lying on the floor with so much, so much blood... And my hands, my whole little body stained with her blood."Jasper stays silent, watching as I naturally unravel from those words."Do you remember doing it?" He asks seriously, and I just shake my head, denying it... "So it was an accident-""No, you don't understand!" I wriggle, uneasy, my skin crawling... Why don't I just shut up? Why, at the same time that I'

I breathe deeply, once again in that auditorium. There are many other people watching me this time, and unconsciously my eyes are drawn to Jasper, who is in the front row. Now I understand how he is simply able to find me in the crowd, since I can also find him. But this is no time to digress - there is a competition I need to win.I approach my opponent. His expression is serene, but his eyes are steely. I feel slightly intimidated by his presence and the way he looks at me... like he can read me, unravel my thoughts. And when he stretches out his hand, I immediately stretch out mine to shake it."May the best man win." He says, then gives a smile that makes me feel out of place."Yes... may the best man win." I make an effort to return the smile, and then we are released to sit at tables separated by partitions.The last round will take place in the exact same way, yet it has been explained how it will happen. I pay no attention to the voice of the gray-haired man who has already be

Jasper quickly opens the hotel room door while kissing me. Fortunately, there was no one in the corridors because our lips didn't part for an instant. We hurry to the bed and, with my nimble fingers, I reach for the buttons of his shirt to unbutton it, revealing his abs that always take my breath away. I part our lips, searching for air, and fall onto the bed.He takes a firm hold of my red hair, making me raise my eyes to meet his lustful expression... And the husky voice he says next sends delicious shivers down my spine: "Reddy, you shouldn't say such things to me... I'm pure instinct when it comes to you."I open my lips to answer him, but he's already leaning over me, laying me on the bed, sealing our lips while his big hands run down my legs. His palm explores my body over the top of my pants, the rough fabric preventing me from feeling his warmth, moving up to the waistband. When he pulls down my pants, a surprised grunt escapes from the back of my throat and reverberates throu