The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝟻𝟽|

Kohl Warren

I'm sitting here, completely soaked from the pouring rain, staring blankly at the rain covered pavement. My back is pressed against the cold metal of my car, but I barely feel the chill anymore.

It's been a good thirty minutes since Leia disappeared inside, leaving me alone with her words still ringing in my ears.

'I can't trust that.'

Such a simple sentence, but it cuts through me like a knife. She acts like she's protecting herself from me, like I'm some heartbreaker waiting to shatter her world.

But I'd rather off myself than hurt her. I'd tear out my own damn heart if it meant protecting hers.

I promised her I wouldn't give up, but with each rejection, it feels like a thousand large knife's piercing my heart.

I can't help but wonder if this time will be the last straw, the one that breaks me completely. And yet, despite the ache in my chest, I can't bring myself to walk away.

I must look like a complete idiot, sitting out here in the rain, waiting for a girl who may never want me. But love makes fools of us all, doesn't it? And right now, I'm the biggest fool of them all.

The door to the building swings open, but I don't even bother to look up. It's probably just some schmuck who ain't Leia. I don't even have the energy to drag my sorry ass back home.

I hear the footsteps approaching, and as I turn my gaze, I spot fuzzy black slippers treading through the rain-soaked ground, revealing dark-skinned legs. It's Leia.

My eyes widen, and a surge of warmth courses through my body. She stands before me, tears marking her round cheeks, she sniffles, with her adorably cute nose, while her emerald, green eyes gaze downwards at me.

In the rain, her white t-shirt clings to her, exposing her dark nipples, and her SpongeBob shorts are now completely drenched.

As she wraps her arms around herself in a way that oozes sexiness, her messy curly hair, stylishly tied in a bun, becomes saturated by the rain.

"Why are you still here? Huh?" she asks, her voice rough and filled with a hint of tears. It tugs at my heart, just a little, I'm lying, it tugs a hell of a lot.

"I told you I'd stay the whole night if I had to," I reply, my voice raspy. She scratches the back of her head, a clear sign of her nervousness.

"I have something to say, and you better not interrupt until I'm done," she commands, and I obediently nod, leaning back against my car as the rain continues to pour down on us.

My gaze involuntarily drifts to her perky nipples, on full display, as she takes a deep breath. Damn, she shouldn't look so sexy right now. It hurts.

"The person you fall in love with has an ability to control everything. They hold all the power in their hands - they can either embrace your love or toss it away like yesterday's trash," she blurts out, leaving me perplexed.

Where is she leading with this? And why does it feel like my heart might just shatter into a million pieces?

"I don't want you to have the final say on what happens to my love," she confesses, causing my heart to skip a beat at her words. "But I'm not in love with you yet, so I guess it's cool until that point."

"Until that point?" I inquire, raising an eyebrow as she crouches down in front of me, her hair sticking to her face from the rain.

Her eyes, a mix of nervousness and vulnerability, are locked with mine as she nervously clutches her trembling legs.

"I'm willing to give you a shot," she says, her voice soft but firm, causing a surge of happiness to course through me.

It's like hitting the jackpot in a game of chance. The warmth that engulfs me is almost suffocating. "But here's the deal - if I ever do fall in love with you, even a little, I'll take a step back," she concludes, her words trailing off as if she's unsure of her own resolve.

It's not exactly the stuff of fairy tales, but beggars can't be choosers. My heart is doing a wild dance in my chest, the rain adding a rhythmic beat to the mix. I'm willing to take whatever she's offering. I just don't want us to end up as two strangers passing by.

"That works for me," I manage to say, my voice gruff with emotion as I push past the lump in my throat. The rain continues to pour down around us.

I get back on my feet as she does the same, I brush a strand of wet hair away from her face, noting the droplets of rain clinging to her long lashes.

Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, making her look more alive and vibrant than ever. Despite the rain, her black curly hair is still shining brightly, framing her face like a halo.

As I lean down to kiss her forehead, I can smell the sweet scent of strawberries mixed with the rain. Her skin feels warm against my lips, sending a shiver down my spine. I wrap my arms around her, feeling the slight tremble in her body as she hugs me back.

Her tiny arms fit perfectly around me, making me feel like a giant in comparison. I can't help but smile at the contrast between her delicate frame and my own, feeling a surge of protectiveness towards her.

"Nighty-night, Ice Queen," I tease, before I start to walk away.

But her grip on my arm stops me in my tracks, surprising me with her sudden boldness. Her lips are slightly pouted, giving her an innocent yet alluring look that I can't resist.

"Don't go," she stammers, her voice trembling. A smile plays on my lips, mingled with a hint of lust.

"Sleep with me?" The raw emotion in her voice tugs at something deep within me, stirring up a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

"Just sleep," she says, yanking her hand from my arm and pointing a manicured nail directly at me. I let out a raspy chuckle and nod in agreement.

I follow behind as she confidently struts towards the entrance of her dormitory building, her long, wet hair clinging to her back in a way that's alluring.

The rain has finally stopped, but our soaked clothes leave puddles on the carpeted floors as we make our way inside.

I can't tear my eyes away from her as she sways her hips, seemingly unaware of the effect she's having on me. Her flawless ass is like a magnet, drawing me in closer with every step.

We climb the stairs together, my gaze never straying from her, even as we reach her floor.

Entering her dorm, I can't help but notice the pristine white walls and the marbled white kitchen that greet us. Ari flashes me a smirk from her spot on the spotless white couch, while Leia rolls her eyes and leads me into her room.

As the door shuts behind us, the white color scheme of her room surrounds us, almost blinding in its purity. A dresser stands against one wall, with a shelf above it that holds a pink piggy bank, a quirky touch in an otherwise immaculate space.

"You can go ahead and shower first, it's right in there," she says, pointing towards a bathroom door. I know I shouldn't be this thrilled, considering she made it clear that once she falls in love with me, she'll take a step back. But damn, I'm just so damn happy that she's giving us a chance. I can't help but feel a rush of affection towards her, even though I try to hide it.

"We're not exclusive, just keeping it private," she mumbles, her cheeks flushing slightly as she avoids my gaze. I smile at her shyness, finding it adorable.

I'm perfectly fine with that arrangement. I want the whole world to know that she's mine, but it's alright because she doesn't want that.

And I'll do whatever it takes to give her whatever the hell she desires. Even if it means keeping our relationship a secret, I'll do it with a grin on my face and love in my heart.

(How do we feel about this chapter?) ->

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