I fell in love with the combat instructor - Sideswipe - (3)

CHAPTER 3. TRAINING

"We did not start off on the right foot," I heard behind me, just one step away from the door. I turned and drilled my eyes into my familiar, unwelcoming, icy stare. "Can we start over?" he asked, swaying closer. "I am not here to make friends, especially not with males." There was a tightness in his jaws as he flashed me a smile. "We can be friends," he offered, his voice strained, the words forced its way out. "You're very persuasive."

         "And you are very hard to follow." I looked him over in a way I knew would get under his skin. "I have a date with my boyfriend and I don't want to be late, so... goodnight." I walked through the door, and he followed. "Leave me alone, Sideswipe." He did no such thing. 

         His footsteps echoed behind me, relentless as ever. "A date, huh? With the boyfriend you never talk about?" His voice dripped with doubt, that annoying smirk practically audible. "Yes, Sideswipe, a date," I shot back without slowing down, letting the door slam shut behind me as I hit the stairs. "Not that it's any of your business."

         "Everything's my business, sweetheart," he said, easily catching up, his steps mirroring mine. "Especially when you keep throwing it in my face." I stopped mid-step, spinning around to face him, forcing him to halt abruptly. "Throwing it in your face? You're the one who can't seem to take a hint."

         He leaned in slightly, his expression infuriatingly smug. "Maybe I'm just stubborn. Or maybe you're just bad at giving hints."

         "Or maybe you're just bad at taking them," I retorted, crossing my arms as I met his gaze head-on. He chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Maybe I like a challenge."
         "Is that what this is to you? A game?"
         "Life's a game, sweetheart. You should know that by now," he said, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn't quite place—something between teasing and something far more dangerous.

        I stepped closer, closing the distance between us, my eyes narrowing. "You think you can win?"

       His smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Win? Sweetheart, I already have." I scoffed, turning on my heel to leave him behind, but he reached out, his hand grazing my arm just enough to make me pause.

         "You're lying about the boyfriend, aren't you?" he said, his voice softer but no less infuriating. I yanked my arm away, glaring at him with every ounce of anger I could muster. "I am not, you asshole." He chuckled. "Just means I still have a shot," he said, shrugging casually, but I could see the tension in his posture, the way his eyes darkened.

         I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, Sideswipe."

        "And you have no idea how much I like that," he replied, his voice low and challenging. I took a step back, finally putting some distance between us. "Ugh." I rolled my eyes and marched to my car parked outside the gates. "Insufferable prick." He didn't follow me, and I glanced over my shoulder, watching him disappear from the building. It truly was a game to him, after embarrassing him days ago, he wasn't going to stop and it was only a matter of time until he confirmed I had no boyfriend. I knew he was bluffing now. It didn't mean I would do anything to keep up with this lie and rub it all over his face. 

                                               ***

      The next day, I knew he was waiting for me in the lobby, so I took the other entrance and made it to the locker room. I had combat training later today for the first time, and while I knew I couldn't beat him, I wasn't going to make his life easy. I slammed the locker shut, sitting down to tie the laces of my boots. Roxy sat next to me, sighing. "Are you always cranky?" I looked at her. "Are you always a busybody?" Her nose wrinkled in disdain. I got up and walked out, not waiting for any of the others. I sheathed my gun at my thigh and crossed the Main Hangar. It was busy, and Sideswipe was among them. I had never seen his bipedal mode, but he had a sleek design made for speed and agility. I had little doubt he was the fastest of the bunch.