;with love and patience, nothing is impossible

"Where are you taking me?"

"You'll see."

When I asked him this question from the passenger seat, I didn't expect him to bring me to an empty basketball court beside the beach, however, it was a nice surprise, and definitely more up my street.

What I didn't like was that he pulled a purple and black basketball out of the trunk, giving me his signature mischievous smirk paired with a cheeky wink.

The sun had already set and said it's goodnights before allowing the full, frosty looking moon to appear. Stars poking holes in the dark navy sky above us. Soft waves crashing against the shore being the only sound.

It was peaceful here, almost tranquil.

After Maddox insisted on opening my door for me, I hopped out where he proceeded by lacing his fingers within mine and pulling me towards the deserted court.

"Are you expecting a one on one, while I'm sporting my finest Jimmy's?" I deadpanned, trying my hardest not to show how amused I was.

"We'll do a free for all." he replied, bouncing the ball with one hand as he led me towards the hoop. "I promise to go easy on you." He finished with a glance backwards and a cheeky wink.

As much as I didn't want this date to go well - and trust me, I didn't - being around Maddox is giving me some insight other than what I already conjured up in my mind.

Yes, he's a baller, and yes, I'm attracted to him, but no, I will not break my rule for him.

My pride wouldn't allow it.

During the meal, I gained a certain level of respect for Maddox, for one; he could of name dropped his father and uncle with their NBA superstardom - but he didn't. And secondly, when I had my little outburst, he didn't lose his cool or throw a tantrum, he simply changed the topic of discussion. Thirdly, when I tactfully brought up the fact I knew he made that party up, he didn't lie, he admitted it and owned that shit. I liked that.

Most importantly, he doesn't take him self so seriously. I was firing comebacks left right and centre, not once did he flinch or sulk.

Not many guys can handle my tongue, but seems Maddox has a tongue just as quick as mine.

Maddox lines the shot up and shoots, of course the ball goes in the hoop, rattling the metal chains.

"So if you're taking English lit, what job title are you going for?" he asked, capturing the bouncing purple fireball and pouncing it to me.

"You can't laugh." I warn him, looking up to the high hoop and aiming.

"If I laugh it's because you missed your shot." his baby browns twinkling beneath the street lights.

I shoot the ball, at first it bounces and twirls around the ring of the hoop before falling in.

"I want to be an author." I admit, side glancing him to see his reaction.

Pulling the ball into his chest.

"An author, huh?" he pulls a solemn nod, raising his arms and hurling the ball into the hoop.

"I could see you being a writer. Black rimmed glasses, coffee cup in hand, head stuck in a laptop." he smiles, turning to me and following my movements as I reach out to catch the ball.

"You think all writers wear glasses, drink coffee and bury themselves in a screen?" I retorted. Throwing the ball and missing.

Maddox chuckled. "I guess." He shrugged tucking the ball under his arm. "I mean, don't they?"

He had a point. "I mean, I do, but that's just me, doesn't mean every writer is the same, just like all Ballers ain't the same, am I right?" I smirk in triumphant.

A light aura glazes over him. "I guess you are, Bella." his smile was so cute and genuine. "Now come here, let me show you how to shoot like a pro."

Before I had to the chance to take in what he just said, Maddox was behind me, my arms wrapped in his as he held on to the back of my hands and raised them up, trickling the ball from his grip to mine.

The solidness of his body pressed firmly against my back, heat radiating off him warming me up and sending a burning sensation to my cheeks.

With his chin resting on the top of my head, he mumbles, "okay, focus on where you want the ball to go, don't tense your wrist," he jiggles my wrist to make it go floppy, to which I giggle. "It's all in the wrist, make it lazy." I loosen up, keeping my eyes fully fixed on the swinging metal of the chains. "Now push and shoot." with that, he pushes my wrist up, which causes me to tip toe.

The ball goes in, I erupt in a cheer, throwing my arms in the air and turning around to face him with a huge grin, but Maddox remains still, hooded eyes looking down at me with pure desire. His tongue slips and sweeps across wetting his lips.

"I love the sound of your laugh, it's beautiful." his husky voice being the only thing I can hear, no more waves, no more bouncing basketball.

One huge hand reaches up and tucks a curl behind my ear, his fingers lazily brushed the skin of my neck. I can't help but notice his brown eyes sparkle, flickering between my lips and my gaze.

I want so badly to kiss him, but I can't. I know for a fact that if I kiss him now, I'll melt and buckle to his knees.

I drop my gaze to floor, avoiding all eye contact as I misguidedly step backwards.

"Tori," he sighs.

"We can't end this night with a kiss, Maddox." my voice doesn't even sound like mine, it's gravely and raw.

"I'm getting tired of you shutting down on me and pushing me away like you don't want this as much as I do." his tone was rough and irate. "Why? Why do you do it?"

The sound of my rapidly racing heartbeat pulsates my ears. I can feel my eyes stinging but I can't blink. Topping it all off my hands clam up and my throat turns drier than the Sahara.

It's coming. The word vomit. "Because it's easier to hate then it is to love." I spit.

A humourless laugh leaves Maddox's throat. "Wow.. You never struck me as a girl that took the easy way out." his head is shaking, nothing but disappointment radiates from him. "Can't you see how fucked up it is? That you'd rather hate someone than love them?" his eyes are a mirror reflecting his hurt feelings, in return sending my heart to clench like never before.

"Because I've been in love." I scoffed, humourlessly. "And I've been hurt to the point of self destruction. I can't put myself through that again, and with you.." I blow out a deep breath.

"With me what, Tori?" he demands, stepping closer. "With me, what?" his body stops in front of mine, so close, so tall and masculine. "Say it."

"Maddox.,"

"Say it, Tori."

"With you it's inevitable, okay?!" I spit.

"You think I'm going to hurt you?"

Instead of responding, I nod, again dropping my head to avoid all eye contact.

I didn't wanna see the pity in his eyes, I didn't need it.

I walked through hell with Jack and I'm still standing, strong - not so much fearless but no one is invincible, right?

I hate being vulnerable, it's a pet peeve of mine. Why open yourself up for someone to waltz in and stomp all over your heart? It's like you're legit asking them to hurt you and walk away unaffected while you're still scooping up the remains.

"You're so fucking stupid." He sighs.

With a spit second of those words leaving his mouth, one godzilla sized hand cupped my jaw, the pad of his thumb rested under my eye, his long fingers wrap the nape of my neck. Before I could say anything, before I could suck in a breath his lips were pressed against mine.

A spine tingling sensation ripped down my back. The way he's seducing me with his hot and talented mouth has me melting like an ice cube on a summers day. This guy is kissing me with the most hunger and passion I've ever experienced, his tongue slicks over mine gently caressing my taste buds and drawing a moan deep from my throat.

"You like that, huh?" I can practically hear the smirk against my lips.

I'm kissing Maddox Hunter and I'm not gagging.

Huh.

Who'd of thought it?

✫✬✫

It's been three days since my date with Maddox, and after he stole my phone to save to his number - texting it so he had mine - he's been none stop sending me kissing memes.

As hard as I tried to resist, I caved in and replied, with middle finger gifs - bad move on my part as it only fuelled him to do it more.

I was laying on the sofa, in a pair of grey and white animal print cotton bottoms and a white tank, flicking through Netflix wondering what to watch.

The girls headed out to some party on frat row, since their attempts to nag, blackmail and bribe me they took the defeat and left without me, all while sulking and slinging curse words my way.

I was about to click on some cheesy romcom when my phone dinged - with a frustrated sigh, thinking it was Maddox - I grabbed it and was pleasantly surprised to see it was from Eli.

I haven't seen much of him recently and god knows I missed the overgrown loof.

OMW, get snacks ready, I'll bring beer!

I leapt off the sofa in search of a cardigan and my slides. Since no one was going to be there, there wasn't much of a reason to change, not that I would of even if it was sprawling with ballers from floor to ceiling.

Picking up my phone, keys, purse, and beer, I headed out to my car and took the short drive to the baller house.

Eli answered the door within seconds.

I held up two six packs of buds that we had in the fridge. "Hope you got Twizzlers!"

My brother laughed, stepping aside and letting me in.

"So what was the sudden PBders invite for?" I asked lightly, placing the cold bottles of beer on the coffee table that was already filled with sour gummies, chocolate bars and a tub of my fave ice cream - Ben and Jerry's cookie dough.

"A guy can't ask his sister over for their tradish bingeing without being grilled?" he jokingly pointed out, sinking into corner of the L shaped sofa.

"Aw!" I cooed. "you missed me!" I pinched his cheek after flopping down beside him.

Peaky Blinders was already set up on the huge flat screen TV, paused on the first episode of season three.

This is something we used to do back in New York. Spend hours on end watching one episode after another until one of us fell asleep from a snack coma. It all started with Narcos, then Lucifer, onto House of Cards, 13 Reasons Why [which Eli's made me promise to take to the grave] and so on.

Benji Eddins got us onto Peaky Blinders - he's an old friend of mine and Eli's from back home in England, the only friend that bothered to stay in touch with us after all these years.

"Do you think something bad is gonna happen on Tommy's wedding day?" I asked, biting off a piece of Twizzler and chewing it excessively.

"This is the Shelby's were talking about," He side eyes me with amusement. " Of course it is."

Eli pressed play and off we go to the races.

My brother is sipping a beer in the corner seat, while I'm laid the opposite side, my feet tucked under the pillow by his side.

"Elijah?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"