Element, Part 1 (5 page)

Ryan looked up at her. His eyes drooped down and his bottom
lip stuck out over his top lip.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have —” She wanted to kick
herself for asking him that question.

“It’s okay.” He let out a slight smile.

Natalie whispered low under her breath, “I didn’t mean
to...”

Ryan leaned forward. “I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. The
music’s too loud.”

The straw fell from her hand.  He was only inches away from
her face. Her heart pounded and she broke out in a sweat. Why did he make her
feel this way?

“Oh, nothing,” she muttered.

“What? I still can’t hear you.” He moved closer to her,
brushing up against her. His scent engulfed her, hitting her like a tidal wave
that she couldn’t stand up against. The smell of sandalwood and ginger filled
her airways. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in every ounce of
Ryan’s virile smell. A tingle danced up her spine and her head whirled, causing
her to lose focus. Something took over her. It was the same sensation she had
earlier that day. Her body swayed back and forth causing her head to feel heavy
and her body to feel light. She grabbed Ryan’s leg for support.

“Whoa.”  She closed her eyes, trying to gain her sense of
balance.

“Are you okay?” Ryan asked.

After half a minute or so her equilibrium stabilized and the
dizziness went away.  When she opened her eyes she saw that Ryan had his arm
around her.

“Natalie, are you alright?” She heard the concern deep
within his voice.

She nodded. Why did being in his arms make her feel so safe
and secure? She noticed she still had her hand on his leg. She needed to let go
but couldn’t. Not because she thought she’d fall over but due to the
uncontrollable attraction she felt for him. 

Lise turned to her. “Nat, are you okay?”

She let go of his thigh, even though she didn’t want to.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s been a stressful week. You know with finals and…”

“Are you sure you’re okay? This is the second time you’ve
done that today, at least in front of me.” Ryan narrowed his eyes at her.

She had no idea why this kept happening to her. He couldn’t
be having this type of effect on her. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t that
weak. No guy could do this to her. It had to be something else.

“I started taking this new supplement a few weeks ago and I
think it’s giving me some weird side effects or something.” Natalie searched
her mind, trying to figure out the source of her dizziness.

Ryan didn’t seem convinced. “Maybe you should call your
doctor, and maybe you shouldn’t drink.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” Natalie glanced at her nearly
empty glass.

“Just take it easy.” He patted her bare arm and then allowed
his fingers to linger on her skin. It sent chills across her body. She didn’t
know how to respond to his touch and before she could say or do anything he
moved his arm and rested it behind her on top of the seat.

“Are you drunk already?” Lise narrowed her eyes at her. She
sounded irritated rather concerned about her well-being.

Natalie gasped. “No Lise. I’m sober. I got dizzy again, like
I did earlier today. That’s all.”

Lise lurched back, placing her hand against her chest.
“Sorry, my mistake. Do you want to leave or go outside?”

By the sound of Lise’s voice, Natalie knew she didn’t want
to do either.  “No, I’ll be okay.” Natalie snapped back.

A waitress appeared. “Can I get you guys anything to drink?”

Sal nodded at the waitress. “Yes, a couple of waters, two
Cokes and —”

“I’ll have another mojito. And yes, I want the real stuff.” Lise
handed the waitress her empty glass.

“Okay. I’ll be back.” The waitress scribbled down their
order and walked off.

Lise turned to Sal. “Seriously? That’s what you guys are
drinking? Soda?” Her eyes widened.

Sal let out a slight smirk. “Yeah, anything wrong with
that?”

Lise sat back. “No.” It took her a few seconds before she
turned to Sal and asked, “Is it okay that I ordered a mixed drink?”

Sal shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself.”

Natalie glanced over at Ryan’s drink. The entire time she
thought he was drinking alcohol with his cola. What college guy doesn’t drink?
Boy, did she misjudge him. No alcohol. Impressive.

She saw him glance down at her legs and then back up at her.
“So, do you workout?”

Before Natalie could answer Lise jumped into the
conversation. “Does she? That’s an understatement. That’s all she does is go to
the gym.”

Ryan chuckled. “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s
good to exercise. I can tell by the muscles in your legs that you can probably leg
press me.” His eyes traveled up and down her body.

Natalie hesitated. “I don’t know about that but I’ve been
working out really hard lately. I guess it’s paying off.”

“Maybe we could workout together. You could train me.”

Natalie snickered. “Are you sure? Me, train a football
player?”

“Yeah, why not? I’m thinking you may be able to show me a
few things.” Ryan smiled and then winked at her. It caused another surge of
adrenaline to hit her blood stream. Why did everything he say or do drive her
crazy?

“I’ll warn you now. Be prepared. She’ll kill you, like she
did me.” Lise smirked.

“I think I can handle it.” Ryan kept his eyes focused on
Natalie.

Natalie ignored Lise’s comment. “Sure, anytime.” She had to
look away before her face got any hotter.

The waitress came back with their drinks. “Two waters, two
cokes and a mojito.”

Sal handed her a few bills folded up before anyone could
offer to pay. “Keep the change.”

“Thanks,” the waitress said and then walked off.

“Thanks, Sal.” Lise took her drink and began slurping it
down. Natalie took her ice water and downed it. The coldness numbed her mouth
and the heat lifted from her cheeks.

“To answer your question from earlier, I did have an
athletic scholarship but I lost it when I got injured.” Ryan rubbed the
condensation on his glass with his thumb.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Are you okay?”

Ryan nodded. “Oh yeah, I’m fine now. I had to take a year
off from school to have surgery and get my head back together. I decided that I
would transfer and start fresh. It’s been the best decision I’ve made so far.”

“That’s good. So, you don’t play anymore?”

“Not too much. It’s not worth the risk. The doc said that I really
messed up my ACL and if I hurt myself again I’d be on crutches forever or
walking with a cane. That was enough for me to decide to hang up my cleats.”

Natalie felt bad for him. It must have been disappointing to
have his dream destroyed. She remembered how happy he looked after winning a
big game. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know it must suck.”

“Yeah, it did. I had to learn to move on and trust that
there is something bigger in life planned for me.”

“I admire your passion for life. It kind of reminds me of
something my grandmother always tells me.”

“What’s that?” Ryan gulped down half his drink.

“To never give up on your dreams or goals. If a door closes,
another one always opens.”

“Exactly. But I have to admit it wasn’t easy and it took
time and a leap of faith.”

“I can only imagine.” She glanced down at her glass, shaking
the ice around.

“So, you still want to be friends with me even though you
know I’m not a big football star any longer?”

Natalie winced. Did she seem that shallow? Then again, he really
didn’t know her that well. “That doesn’t matter to me. I mean, don’t get me
wrong, I’m sorry that happened to you but I ummm… like talking with you
regardless.”

Ryan smiled and leaned in closer to her. “Thanks. I hope
you’re being honest.”

For a split second Natalie wondered why he would say
something like that to her. His eyes told her why. Fear plagued him, like it
did her. She didn’t have to ask what happened to Jennifer. She knew she left
him because of the injury.

“I’m not like other girls, Ryan. In fact, I really don’t
even date. My last relationship was horrible.” Natalie sighed heavily. She
noticed her hands weren’t shaking any longer. Finally, she was beginning to
feel somewhat like herself around him.

“I’m sorry to hear that. So, you know what it feels like
too.”

“Yes, I do.” Natalie looked back up at Ryan. She felt
herself being drawn closer to him. She watched the movement of his lips. They
looked so inviting, full and plump. He talked but she didn’t hear anything he
said. At that moment, she heard an Italian accented voice speak.  

“Is that you, Natalie? What are you doing here dressed like
that…and wearing all that makeup?”

Natalie turned to see her worse nightmare, Tony. He stood in
front of them with two girls hanging on each of his arms, dressed in his
typical metrosexual attire. Looking at his dark brown hair, she knew he spent
thirty minutes perfecting it into a perfect mold. A sick feeling formed in the
pit of her stomach. She fought the urge to jump up out of her seat and attack
him. She was better than that.

“It’s a public place. I can go wherever I choose,” Natalie
replied confidently. 

“You’re with him?” Tony pointed his index finger at Ryan and
let out a smirk.

Natalie turned away to see Lise’s mouth fall open. She
looked at Natalie and then back to Ryan.

Ryan took Natalie’s hand. “Yes, as a matter of fact, she is.
Excuse us. We were just going to dance.” His stern voice had just enough
sarcasm to send Tony the right message. When Ryan stood up, he towered over
Tony, not only in height but in physical size. Tony didn’t back down. He
laughed under his breath and shook his head.

Natalie didn’t think twice. She immediately got up to follow
Ryan. She turned her head in disgust as she passed by Tony. She heard him smirk
but didn’t turn around to acknowledge his high school behavior. When they
stepped onto the dance floor Ryan swung her around to face him, pulling her
body close to his. He held on to her hand while allowing his other hand to drop
to her waist. Was he doing this to make Tony jealous or did he really want to
dance with her? She suspected both.

“Thanks for saving me. I really appreciate it.” Natalie’s
heart raced and she struggled to breathe. Every muscle in her body tensed, not
allowing her to move. How come every time he touched her, he had this effect on
her? What was it about him?

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m guessing that’s your ex.”

Natalie nodded. “He’s a total jerk.”

“You don’t have to tell me that twice.” His eyes fixed on
hers and it stirred something deep within her. “Natalie. Natalie.”

“Uh huh,” she muttered, gazing into his eyes. He had her
into a total trance.

“Relax. You’re too stiff. Do you know how to salsa dance?” Ryan
took a step back.

“Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I forgot the steps.” She watched how
his feet moved back and forth. His hips swayed from side to side and she had to
concentrate to keep her focus.

“Just follow my lead.” He pressed his body firmly against
hers, directing her movements.  It didn’t take long for her to catch the rhythm
of the beat. Lights flashed bright colors of red, blue and green all around
them, bringing the dance floor to life. Every movement of Ryan’s body against
hers overwhelmed her.

“You’re doing great,” he said spinning her around. He held
on to her hands and laced his fingers through hers. He lifted their arms,
raising them above their heads and then pulled her closer to him. When he
leaned over his breath warmed her cheek and she fought the temptation to kiss
him. A deep need formed inside of her, striking every part of her body. Even
those she didn’t know existed.

She needed to control herself but couldn’t seem to pull
away. She had to stop while she was ahead. Something kept drawing her toward
him; an uncontrollable and irrepressible force. Forgetting all about the
consequences of a broken heart, she ignored her own rules. The sweet sensation
made it too good to walk away.

Ryan lowered their hands and guided her body to rock back
and forth against his in a perfect medley. Her hair swirled around his face,
capturing and locking his body to hers.

“Where’s all that air comin’ from?” Ryan whispered into her
ear.

“I don’t know.”  Natalie hadn’t noticed how windy it had
become until he mentioned it. She didn’t care. She didn’t want this body
rocking experience to stop.

“Damn, Natalie you are so…” His breath was ragged and warm
against her ear.

It sent a shiver across her body and a strong gust of wind
surrounded them. The more she tried to pull away, the stronger the air became.
The wind seemed to interweave a blanket around them, binding them closer
together. She looked up, trying to find the source of the air.

“Your body feels incredible.” His lips brushed against her
earlobe, igniting every nerve ending in her body. 

She couldn’t control herself any longer. She allowed her hands
to roam across his chest, taking in every part of his muscular contours. “So
does yours,” she breathed heavily.

Ryan took her hands in his and put them around his neck.
Their eyes locked once again and she felt his heart pumping in tune with hers.
Her lip quivered as she drew closer to his mouth. She could taste the salty
beads of sweat that outlined his upper lip. She opened her mouth and felt a
gust of wind move through her body.  The weird sensation trickled down her
veins to all her extremities leaving her feeling light and airy.

She ignored the light-as-a feather sensation and followed
Ryan’s movements. Their lips locked and her body shivered with excitement. His
lips were moist and hot. She kissed him deeply and passionately. In a matter of
seconds, her body went limp and desire filled every part of her. She knew where
she wanted this to go. Her mind told her to stop. Oh, but everything else told
her not to.
What am I doing?
It took all of her strength to stop kissing
him.