Forbidden Jocks [the step-brother series]

VIRGIN MIMOSA - Maria

Maria POV

I parked my mom's old car in the nearly empty lot, the sound of the engine cutting off echoing through the quiet campus. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the quad, and the cool evening breeze carried the faint smell of autumn leaves. It was a typical Tuesday night, the campus winding down as students headed off to dinner or settled into their dorms. But here I was, about to step into something that I wasn't sure was a great idea.

As I walked toward the café, I noticed how still everything seemed. The last traces of sunlight filtered through the trees, painting the cobblestones in warm hues of gold and orange. The few students still out were mostly in pairs or small groups, talking in hushed tones. The campus had a kind of serene beauty at this hour, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by a calm that made the world feel a little smaller, a little more personal.

The café itself was softly lit, the warm glow from inside spilling out onto the sidewalk. I could see a few patrons scattered around, most of them hunched over their laptops or chatting quietly. It wasn’t busy, which was a relief, but it also made me more nervous. There would be no crowd to blend into, no distractions.

As I pushed the door open, the bell above it chimed softly, and I scanned the room until I spotted James. He was seated at a table near the window, the setting sun casting a soft halo around him. He looked up as I walked in, a smile spreading across his face, and for a moment, I felt my heart skip a beat.

James was dressed up, more so than I’d expected. Dark jeans hugged his frame, and his navy-blue shirt was rolled up to the elbows, revealing strong forearms that seemed almost too casual for this setting. His hair was tousled in that perfectly imperfect way that takes more effort than it looks, and his smile was a megawatt one, the kind that could easily knock a girl off her feet.

I swallowed hard, feeling a faint blush creeping up my cheeks. *Get a grip, Maria,* I told myself, mentally scolding my racing heart. *This is not a date. It’s just a drink with a colleague. A colleague who happens to be my boss.*

But no matter how much I tried to remind myself of that, the flutter in my stomach refused to go away.

“Hey, Maria,” James greeted me as I approached the table. His voice was warm and inviting, and he stood up slightly from his chair as if to welcome me. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Hey, James,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady as I smiled back. “Thanks for inviting me. It’s… nice to get out for a bit.”

“Definitely,” he agreed, gesturing for me to sit. “I thought we could celebrate your first day properly. You did a great job today.”

“Thanks,” I said, sliding into the seat across from him. The chair was cool against my skin, and I could feel the nerves creeping up on me again. “I’m still getting the hang of things, but it feels good to be doing something new.”

“New beginnings are always exciting,” James said, his eyes never leaving mine. “Especially when you’re as good at the job as you are.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the compliment, though I tried to brush it off. “I just hope I can keep up the pace. There’s a lot to learn.”

“You will,” he said confidently. “I can tell.”

The conversation flowed easily for the first few minutes, a mix of small talk and casual banter. We talked about the café, the usual crowd, and the best times to avoid the rush. James told me stories about some of the regulars, each one more amusing than the last, and I found myself laughing more than I had in a while. It felt good, relaxing even, to just sit and talk without worrying about anything else.

But then, as the conversation lulled, James leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. “So, Maria,” he began, his tone shifting slightly, becoming more curious. “You mentioned earlier that you’re new to town. How are you finding it so far?”

“It’s been an adjustment,” I admitted. “But I’m starting to get used to it. The campus is nice, and the people are friendly.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re making friends already,” he said, his gaze a little too intense for comfort. “I mean, you seem to know some pretty important people already.”

“Important people?” I repeated, confused. “What do you mean?”

James tilted his head slightly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “I’m talking about the captain and vice-captain of the most famous basketball team in Kentucky. How do you know Henry and Dax?”

My heart skipped a beat again, but this time for a different reason. *Of course,* I thought, *he’d notice that.* But I forced myself to stay calm, to play it off as casually as I could. “Oh, them?” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “They’re… well, they’re actually my almost-stepbrothers.”

James raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Stepbrothers, huh? That’s interesting. How ‘almost’ are we talking?”

“Almost,” I replied, keeping my voice low. “As in, our parents are engaged but not married yet. So, yeah, they’re kind of my brothers… I guess.”

He grinned, the expression turning more mischievous. “Brothers… right.”

“No, really,” I insisted, though my voice wavered just a bit. “I mean, yeah, it’s a little weird, but it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Hey, I’m not thinking anything,” James said, raising his hands in mock defense. “I just didn’t expect it, that’s all. The twins are kind of a big deal around here. It’s impressive, knowing them.”

“Yeah, well,” I said, feeling a little flustered, “it’s not all that glamorous, trust me.”

Before the conversation could get any more uncomfortable, James waved over a waitress—a petite girl with a pixie cut and a bright smile. She approached the table with a friendly, “What can I get you two?”

“I’ll have a glass of red wine,” James said, glancing at me as if to encourage me to do the same.

I hesitated, feeling the pressure. But then I remembered who I was, where I was, and most importantly, how old I was. “I’ll just have a Virgin Mimosa,” I said, offering a polite smile.

The waitress chuckled. “Your orange juice is on its way,” she teased lightly, before jotting down the order and heading off.

James raised an eyebrow at my choice, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he looked at me with a kind of curiosity that made me squirm a little in my seat.