Matchpoint

Chapter 23:

We stand outside the conference room. It's just Dom and I. Everyone else, the press, my parents, the rest of our team, also seated inside.

When we get in there, it'll just be Dom and I sitting at the table staring out over the crowd. To say I'm anxious is an understatement.

"Fuck." I breathe out, pacing back and forth in the hall. There is no one around, but Dom, the last person I need to be around me whilst I'm freaking out.

"Clove, chill." His voice is soft, but not helpful. I turn to him, my hands on my stomach, my body shaking.

"This was a mistake," I gasp. "If I go in there and announce that I'm your coach, there is no going back."

"Getting cold feet?" His hands come to rest on my shoulders, and he slowly turns me around so that I'm staring up at him. "It's okay, we can readjust your rules, maybe that'll make you feel..."

I do something stupid. I do something reckless. I do something bad.

His jaw is sharp against my thumb. Lips, soft against mine.

I don't know why I do it, but suddenly I'm kissing Dom, pulling him into me and scrunching my fingers into his hair. I pull away slightly, my eyes searching his, the confusion clear in his green eyes.

Dom breathes deeply against my mouth, eyes darting between my eyes and my lips. My breathing grows deeper, but I don't pull away.

Without another breath, Dom pulls me back into his mouth and covers my lips with his. Our kiss is turning intense, I can feel my head lulling backwards, but that doesn't stop Dom from holding my neck and angling me back towards him.

I gasp as he sucks on my bottom lip, nibbling softly before slipping his tongue into my mouth. We're both dominant personalities. We're both fighting for control.

Dom's the first to pull away. It takes me a second to come to my senses, but once I do, the heat floods through me. Shit, what was I thinking?

Dom smiles down at me, a pleased look on his face. He's so smug I want to slap him.

"That..." I gulp. "That can never happen again."

Dom sweeps a hand through his hair and shrugs nonchalantly. "We'll see about that, Clove."

"It won't, it can't." I say sternly, and Dom chuckles.

"You initiated that, or did you forget after such a mind-blowing kiss." He snickers.

"I shouldn't have kissed you." I slap my hand to my forehead and begin to fiddle with my hands again. "Can you fix your hair?"

I don't mean to snap, but all I see are my fingers in his hair, pulling at the orange locks. Dom chuckles again and continues to toss his hair so that it's not as messy.

"Chill, Clove." Dom bumps me softly, and I can't help but notice the affectionate look in his eyes.

"No one can know." I point a finger at him, and he raises his arms in innocence.

"It's fine, I can be your secret." Dom says suggestively.

"You don't get it, Dom," I look around and jab in the chest softly. "This, a relationship between us, it can't happen. Especially now."

Dom's tongue sweeps over his lips and nods slowly. "Got it." He shakes his head and turns back to the door. It's weird how quick my opinion changes because now I'm desperate to be in there rather than out here.

I take a step so I'm stood beside him. Our arms lightly brush, and he glances down at me. "Thank you," he whispers, and I look at him questioningly. "For agreeing to be my coach." He elaborates.