Forbidden Jocks [the step-brother series]

NEXT TIMe? - Maria

Maria POV

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.

“So, Maria, what did you get up to after your shift?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and something else.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how much I should share. But then, what harm could it do? “I went for a swim,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light. “Just needed to clear my head a bit.”

James’s eyes widened, his expression shifting from casual interest to something more excited. “Seriously? You like swimming?”

There was something about the way he asked the question, like it was more important than just a casual inquiry. “Yeah,” I said softly, a genuine smile tugging at my lips. “It’s my favorite thing in the world, honestly. There’s just something about being in the water that makes everything else disappear.”

James grinned widely, his eyes lighting up with a mix of surprise and delight. “Well, that settles it. Next time, we’re going together.”

I blinked, taken aback by his sudden declaration. “Wait, what? What do you mean?”

“I mean,” he explained, leaning forward slightly, “I used to be a professional water polo player, back in the day. Had to stop because of a shoulder injury—rotator cuff. But I still love getting in the water when I can, even if it’s just for a few laps.”

For a moment, I was speechless. The idea of James, the suave, charismatic guy in front of me, being an ex-professional athlete was unexpected, to say the least. “Wow,” I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. “That’s… impressive. I had no idea.”

James shrugged, downplaying it with a modest smile. “It was a while ago, but yeah, it’s something I still enjoy. So, if you’re up for it, we could hit the pool together sometime. Could be fun, right?”

I forced myself to stay calm, even though my mind was reeling at the thought. Swimming with James? This guy, who seemed to ooze confidence and charm with every word? It was almost too much to process. But I wasn’t about to let him see how flustered I was. “Sure,” I said, smiling. “It would be nice to have some company during my laps. And if your shoulder can handle it, we could even do a few passes, see if you’ve still got those water polo skills.”

“Deal,” James replied with a playful wink. “You might regret that challenge, though. I’ve still got some tricks up my sleeve.”

I laughed, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. There was something about the way James looked at me, the way his voice dropped just a little when he spoke, that made me wonder if there was more to his offer than just a friendly swim. Was he flirting with me? Or was this just his way of being charming?

As we continued talking, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. It was subtle at first, just a nagging sensation at the back of my mind, but the more I tried to ignore it, the stronger it became. I found myself glancing around the café with what I hoped was casual indifference, scanning the other patrons to see if anyone’s gaze lingered on us for too long. But there was nothing. No familiar faces, no suspicious stares. Just the usual scattering of students and locals, all absorbed in their own conversations or staring at their phones.

*Get a grip, Maria,* I scolded myself, trying to brush off the unease. *It’s just your nerves playing tricks on you. Focus.*

But deep down, I couldn’t help but think about Henry and Daxton. If I turned around and saw their stubborn, handsome faces watching me from across the room, I was half-tempted to march right over and knock those piercing eyes out of their sockets. Those two were always lurking somewhere, meddling in my life, and the last thing I needed right now was for them to show up here. But no, they weren’t here. It was just a weird vibe, nothing more.

Shaking off the sensation, I forced myself to focus back on James, who was now studying me with that same intense, almost predatory gaze. There was a hint of something in his eyes, something that made my heart race and my palms sweat. Was it just his way of being friendly? Or was there something more behind those looks?

“So,” James said, breaking the silence, his voice dropping into a low, smooth tone that sent a shiver down my spine. “What else do you like to do in your free time, Maria? Besides swimming, of course.”

I sipped my orange juice, trying to buy myself a moment to collect my thoughts. “I don’t know… I guess I like to read, hang out with friends, stuff like that.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a pretty good balance going on,” James said, his eyes lingering on mine a little longer than necessary. “You’re not one of those people who let work take over their entire life.”

“I try not to,” I replied, feeling a bit self-conscious under his scrutiny. “It’s important to have some time for yourself, right?”

“Absolutely,” he agreed, leaning in just a little closer. “But sometimes, it’s nice to share that time with someone else. Makes it more… interesting.”

The way he said the word “interesting” sent another shiver through me, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing. Was he just being friendly, or was there something more to his words? I couldn’t tell, and that uncertainty kept me on edge.

Our waitress, Nadine, returned with a small charcuterie board, complete with a selection of bread, cheeses, and fresh fruit. “Here you go,” she said with a smile, placing the board between us. “Enjoy!”

“Thanks, Nadine,” James said, his voice dripping with that same casual charm that seemed to come so naturally to him. He picked up a piece of bread, spreading some cheese on it before offering it to me. “Try this, it’s really good.”

I took the bread from him, our fingers brushing for just a second, and felt a blush rise to my cheeks. “Thanks,” I murmured, taking a bite. It was delicious, of course, but my mind was too preoccupied to fully appreciate it.

We continued to chat, picking at the food and sipping our drinks, but the entire time, I felt like I was navigating a minefield. James’s comments, his tone, even the way he looked at me—it all felt like he was testing the waters, seeing how far he could push before I pushed back. And while part of me was flattered, another part of me was wary, unsure of where this was going.

“So, Maria,” James said after a while, his voice low and smooth, “what do you think about all this? The new job, the new town… the new people?”

I paused, considering my words carefully. “It’s… a lot to take in,” I admitted. “But I’m trying to make the most of it. It’s an opportunity, right?”

“Absolutely,” he agreed, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. “And I have a feeling you’re going to do great things here, Maria. You’ve got that spark, that drive… it’s really something.”

“Thanks,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. There it was again, that feeling that he was saying more than just the words coming out of his mouth. Was this just harmless flirting, or was it something more? And did I even want it to be more?

As the evening wore on, I found myself relaxing a little, even as the tension between us continued to simmer just below the surface. James was charming, no doubt about it, and it was easy to get caught up in his smooth talk and good looks. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was playing with fire, that there was more to this than just a friendly drink between coworkers.

Finally, as the conversation lulled again and the charcuterie board was nearly empty, James leaned back in his chair, studying me with a thoughtful expression. “You know, Maria,” he said, his voice soft but filled with meaning, “I think you’re going to fit in just fine here. And if you ever need anything… anything at all… you can always come to me.”

I nodded, unsure of how to respond. There was no denying the chemistry between us, but where it would lead, if anywhere, was a question I wasn’t ready to answer.

When James finally suggested calling it a night, I felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. As we stood up to leave, he placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch lingering just a moment too long to be purely platonic.

“Goodnight, Maria,” he said, his voice low and almost intimate. “I’ll see you around.”

“Goodnight, James,” I replied, forcing a smile. As I walked out of the café, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d just passed some sort of test—one that I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to pass.