"I'm gonna kick your pretty little ass."

I laughed, turning slightly so that I could face Christian. It was the early hours of the morning and we were huddled in his room; the blankets loose around our naked bodies. Just a few more minutes and then it'd be our practice match against the boys. Christian kept telling me he was going to kick my arse.

"You're not even a midfielder," I whispered, pecking his pouty lips. Christian smiled, the tilt of his mouth forming easily. I loved seeing him happy. I loved him. "It's nearly time for us to get up."

Christian smirked, pulling me closer although there was already no space between us. "Who said I'm not already up?" Bewildered, I raised a brow. Realisation dawned on me when I noticed the tent forming at his lower body. A snort left my lips, and he kissed me, a smile still present on his handsome face. "I'm never gonna get enough of you, you know that?"

I knew that, I definitely did. I never considered myself a sexual person, but Christian proved me wrong. If he felt anything near to what I did whenever he was around, then I understood where he was coming from. "You're turning me into a nymphomaniac," I hummed, sighing when he kissed my neck softly. "Christian."

"I'm not going anywhere, baby." He rolled over me and settled between my legs. I moaned as I felt his bulge pressing against me. His touch was so gentle, so soft. Christian never hurt me in bed, but he was never this gentle. "I love you so much." He ground against me again, swallowing my moans. "My pretty girl. Fuck." I wrapped my legs around him.

I watched as he reached into his dresser to pull out a condom. The skin to skin contact felt amazing every single time. It was like he lit every cell on fire when he touched me. "I love you too, by the way," I added as he set the tiny packet aside.

Christian chuckled, placing his hands on my hips and yanking me forward. I gasped as his mouth found my clit. "Fucking love the taste of you," he growled, sending tremors through my body. I bucked, writhing as he shoved a finger inside of me. It was too much, I felt drunk. When he added another finger, whilst simultaneously suckling on my clit - my orgasm hit me.

Whilst I caught my breath, Christian picked up the abandoned foil packet and removed the condom before slipping it on. He settled over me again, pure adoration shining in his icy eyes. My heart felt like it would burst out of my chest. "I love you," I mumbled because I'd never say it enough.

"Not as much as I love you." And then he slammed into me. I choked on a moan, pulling him closer and nearly screaming when he hiked one of my legs up. The room was filled with wild moans and heavy grunts, the sound of our flesh slapping against one another. "Fucking love being in you." His eyes were trained on where we were connected, watching himself sink inside of me.

I dug my nails into his back, clawing him as he pounded into me. The grip that he had around me screamed possession. I nearly passed out when Christian shifted slightly, hitting me at the perfect angle. I could feel him swell, tremble.

My back curved. "Oh, my God." He pulled back slowly and then roughly shifted forward again. He never removed his gaze from mine, making it all the more intimate. "Faster."

Christian ground his teeth as he moved faster, grip around me tight. He possessed me, claimed me in every way. "Tell me, baby. Where does this cock belong?" I whimpered when he rotated his hips. I could barely get my words out and he chuckled darkly. "I'll tell you." Another rough slam. "It belongs inside you. Wanna know why? Because I'm yours, Eden. Every inch of me belongs to you. And what about you, baby?"

My eyes were moist, my body felt on fire. "I'm yours. Completely yours." He grinned, pressing his lips to mine, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close. Flames of pure pleasure lapped at me, scorching me. My head fell back, and I felt myself squeeze him tighter. He cursed into my neck. "I'm close."

"Come." His voice was like a gun and he pulled the trigger, sending me over the edge. I screamed, shuddering underneath him as he bit my neck, leaving a visible mark. He grew thicker as he moved faster. For a second, his movements wavered and then he stilled, swearing as he let go. "Jesus, fuck."

I melted against him, completely sated. Christian didn't move and just let me hold him. He whispered complete nonsense as I ran my fingers through his hair. Then his alarm clock went off. Christian growled. I merely laughed.

~

My nerves were on edge, and I tightened my ponytail for the tenth time. I was apprehensive and so convinced that I was about to throw up. Yet, I couldn't, because there was nothing for me to regurgitate. I couldn't even manage to eat something - that's how agitated I was. Although it was a practice game, I was still nervous.

Charlie gave us pep talks every chance that she got. Christian seemed to be more clingy than usual, not that I minded in the slightest bit. I loved having him around me all the time, but I had a gnawing feeling that he knew something I didn't. I didn't have a chance to voice my concerns to him this morning, not when he was inside me.

He was more alert and more adamant about making sure I was comfortable. It started on the morning that I had the worst hangover ever, and I couldn't help but feel that my drunken self told him something that I wasn't supposed to. Mary was zero help because she was just as drunk that night and neither of us could remember anything.

Whenever Kenzie passed us, she'd mention something about someone named Ignacio, which confused Mary and me. This morning, the two of us video called the family who wished me luck for the game. Mary then made her way to the bleachers where she'd sit during the game, accompanied by Astrid and Sabrina. Charlie and all the boys were playing.

Staring at my figure in the mirror, I sent myself an encouraging smile. I could do this. I worked hard, everyone knew that. There was no reason to discredit myself or my capabilities. Grabbing my bottle, I took a sip of water in an endeavour to soothe my withered throat.

The door to the locker room opened with a creak, and I froze. Everyone was supposed to be outside preparing for the game. It was the only reason I stayed behind, thinking that I'd be alone and free to panic as I pleased.

"You should just give up while you have the chance."

I spun on my heel, stare reaching the green eyes belonging to Ashley. An unintentional shiver worked through me at the sheer hostility she transmitted. Her golden locks were pulled into a neat ponytail and her makeup was impeccable. I had no idea why she needed to wear any since she was going to sweat, anyway.

Or maybe I just forgot that Ashley didn't sweat.

"Leave me alone, Ashley," I grumbled. A dispute with her wasn't on my to-do list, and particularly not before a game. My heart was already beating a mile a minute, and I was so frightened that I was going to pass out.

I thought that she was avoiding me. Clearly, she wasn't. She probably decided to try and get in some last words before Caleb kicked her off the team once he found evidence.

"What?" she spat, walking closer. I discerned how snug her uniform was, and I repressed a shudder. Since I was the smallest on the team, my uniform was the most loose-fitting. I probably looked like a potato sack compared to her. And I despised it. "You know you don't belong here, Eden. You should just run on home to your Papachka."

Her tone was deriding, and I cringed, resenting that her words trickled with virulence. "What is your problem with me, Ashley? Seriously. I've done nothing to you-"

She cut me off with a hiss. "Nice try playing the victim, bitch. You know what you did. That striker position was mine, yet you just waltzed in here like the clumsy little idiot you are and snagged the position right away. You're the reason I don't even like this team anymore, and I can't wait to see it fail."

"Ashley," I articulated in a more neutral tone this time. I wondered why she wanted to sabotage a team that she was on. I remembered Caleb's words, that she was feeding information to our rival team. "I'm a pacifist, I don't like violence and I definitely don't believe in putting others down. I swear to you, if I'd known that you wanted that position I would've declined it, would've done anything to avoid confrontation like this."

"You expect me to believe that?" she jeered. "You must be a bigger idiot than I thought you were. All you've done since coming to California was take everything I've ever wanted. That striker position is supposed to be mine. This team is supposed to be mine. Christian is supposed to be mine."

I halted, mouth going drier than before. "Is that what this is about?"

"Of course that's what this is about!" Ashley blurted, green eyes flaming with wrath, and I had to choose my words precisely. Any improper move could act as a propellant to the inferno inside her. "You think Chris likes you? He's just doing this to make me jealous!"

"Is that why he told me he loves me?" I queried innocently. Wow, Eden. Way to go and spill gasoline to the already roaring fire.

Ashley growled, stepping closer, which provoked me to move back. Her eyes caught the hickeys Christian left on me earlier and she growled. "He doesn't love you. You're not even his type. Look at you." Ouch, well, if that didn't sting. "Chris was happy with me before you came along. If you had just stayed out of the picture, we both know that he would've come back to me. He always does. And he will."

"Christian is not a puppet," I assured her adamantly. "He makes his own decisions, and he stayed with me long before I even stepped foot on Californian soil."

She snorted dryly. "He's gonna get bored with you and you know it." My eyes flashed for a second and she caught it. "There you go. See? You know he won't be with you for long. Chris always went for the tall, leggy blondes. Does that sound like you, Eden? No. It sounds like me."

Her words offended me in a way I couldn't explain. I despised the way she was talking about Christian. "You know, he's not the manslut you make him out to be, right?"

"Honey," she fabricated a pout and gazed at her nails. She was definitely going to break one on the field. "You don't know the half of it. Before me, Chris fucked anything with a pulse. I was the one who tamed him. I'm the one he came to when he was sad. I'm the only one who can make him happy."

My fingers began trembling, and I stretched for the pack of peppermint gum on the counter. I hadn't been chewing gum as frequently as I used to, and this would be the first time in a while. I shouldn't be letting her words get to me, but I was. And it made me feel inadequate. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Tell me why I'm still on the team," she blasted back, and I bit my lip. "Chris could've gotten rid of me a long time ago, but he didn't. Because he loves me. You'll see that once he kicks you to the curb. Deep inside, Eden, you know that I'm the only one who can give Chris what he wants. He's gonna tire of doing everything in bed. He's a man, Eden. He's gonna get bored and come back to me. Because between you and me - I had wild and passionate sex with Chris. Many, many, many times."

My restraint snapped. And Ashley must've apprehended it because she lurched for me. She sheathed her slender arms around my neck and cut off my air supply. Coughing, I stepped onto her foot and she screeched, gripping my gum pouch and throwing me with it. The peppermint balls scattered all across the floor and I slipped on some.

Ashley lunged towards me, and my entire body hit the cold ground. I winced as my elbow contacted the floor. A fist came into my view and I barely had enough time to gasp in surprise before it landed a heavy blow on my jaw. My head snapped to the right by the sheer force of it.

I lifted my knee and hit her right in the crotch, watching as she rolled to the side, a whoosh of air leaving her mouth. Before I could make a run for it, her hand clasped around my ankle and yanked me back, my palms scraping against the floor. A loud howl escaped my bruised lips as she stomped on my stomach. I could feel the tears streaming down my face, yet it didn't feel as if I was crying.

Ashley lunged towards me again, and I rolled over, but not fast enough. A scream tore through the air as her manicured nails sliced through some skin on my right cheek. The pain shot through my entire jaw and I cried out in agony.

I swung my fist back and gave her a right hook to the jaw, watching as she toppled over. My legs worked quickly as I straddled her and wrapped my hands around her neck. Once again, I swung my fist back and this time I aimed for the philtrum; the area between the upper lip and bottom of the nose.

I'd read somewhere that attacking that area may cause unconsciousness or death. I was really hoping for the former as I didn't want to have someone else's blood on my hands at the mere age of nineteen.

Her head lolled to the side, and blood dripped onto the ground and onto my hands. I guess I did have someone else's blood on my hands. Reaching forward, I checked for a pulse and sighed in relief when I realised she was still alive.

The adrenaline left my body once I realised I was no longer in danger and I began sobbing hysterically. My shoulders shook with every sob that forced its way out. It felt like there was a drill at the back of my head, causing it to vibrate. I was gasping for air that simply wasn't there.

I was abruptly yanked to my feet. "Eden, calm down." I twisted around. Wrath clouded my perception, and I felt the scorching sensation behind my eyes. Pain seeped out of every pore. Charlie enveloped her arms around me and dragged me into an embrace. "It's okay, babe. I'm here. Calm down for me, Eden. Please, take a deep breath, angel."

A sob got stuck deep within me and I didn't know how to get it out. Everything stung. I glimpsed to my left to see Caleb attempting to revive Ashley. My tears wouldn't stop. The cut on my cheek stung like hell and my jaw hurt from the punch Ashley gave me.

"I'm sorry," I muttered to Charlie. "I know I just ruined everything-"

Charlie cut me off by holding me again. "It's alright. You did nothing. We'll speak about this later, I promise." She pressed a kiss to my head.

"What the fuck happened here?!" Coach Greg bellowed as he stepped into the room, eyes filled with fury. A shudder ran through my body and I tried to hide in Charlie's embrace. Behind Coach was the rest of the team. Kenzie peeked over his shoulder, frowning at what she saw. Mary appeared from behind her and when she spotted me, she placed a hand over her chest and gasped. She knew exactly what I was going through.

Christian pushed his way through the crowd, looking at Caleb who helped a now conscious Ashley to her feet. His eyes then darted to me. He took in my cheek and probably bruising jaw. "Eden-"

I pushed out of Charlie's hold and made my way towards him. His arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me off from the ground as I sobbed into his chest. When Ashley lunged for me, it made me relive that night. For a second she wasn't Ashley Danvers - she was Peter Baylor as he leapt towards me with a gun.

Charlie ushered the rest of the team out as Coach Greg yelled, "you're both in serious trouble!" He pointed to me and Ashley. I didn't care. I couldn't even force myself to care. I just wanted to leave. I wanted to leave the locker room. I wanted to leave California.

Coach Greg didn't even finish his lecture, but Christian already left the room with me in his arms. I didn't open my eyes because they stung and instead I clung to him. When we finally stopped, I peeked through watery eyes to see that we were in his office. Christian set me down on the desk, but I wouldn't let him go.

"I'm not going anywhere," he murmured against my hair, and I let him get a first-aid kit from one drawer. "You're bleeding." His jaw was clenched as he took out a bandage and some ointment. The scratch was long, I could feel it stinging from my cheekbone all the way to my chin. I winced when Christian applied the ointment. "I'm sorry, baby."

I sat still as he put the thin bandage in place. "I didn't mean to-"

"I know," he whispered, running a soothing hand down my back. I couldn't explain to him what happened. For a moment, just for a moment, I was back in that cupboard and being attacked by Peter Baylor. But I could tell by the look in Christian's eyes that he knew exactly what I was going through. And I didn't have the energy to ask him how he knew. "Ashley's not going to get away with this."

"But we're both going to get suspended," I hiccupped. "Charlie's team is-"

Christian shushed me. "She has substitutes. Don't stress yourself out, baby. Please." He held me tighter, and I noticed my breathing became normal again. I was calming down. "It's gonna be okay." He kept repeating the words over and over again until I felt my eyes droop and eventually, I passed out.