sophisticate

Self-Control Is a Foreign Concept

Chapter 1: Temptation in a Sweaty White Undershirt

Kaylie sat primly in the parents' viewing room of the Rock, her tan legs crossed demurely at her ankles, her white skirt skimming her kneecaps. She tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind an ear and folded her hands on her lap.

She was alone in the viewing room. It was a Sunday, Kaylie's one day off. The fact that she was even at the Rock at all was ridiculous. For years, Kaylie had practically lived for Sundays, for freedom, for a break from the daily grind of gymnastics.

So why the hell was she here at the Rock, on a Sunday, at the ungodly hour of eight-thirty in the morning, no less? Well, Kaylie knew why. Her parents, as her co-managers, had scheduled a meeting with Sasha to discuss Kaylie's career and her preparation for Worlds. And Sasha, being annoyingly punctual and energetic as usual, had decided that there was no better time for a meeting than early on a Sunday morning. The three adults were in Sasha's office now, while Kaylie had been relegated to amuse herself elsewhere.

And oh, what a way Kaylie had found to amuse herself. The Rock was empty of gymnasts on this Sunday morning – empty except for one surprising early bird. Austin Tucker.

The Rock's very own recent Olympic gold medalist was just now practicing on the rings, seeming to be very deeply in focus. His rugged face was strained as the defined muscles in his arms performed feats that had to be inhuman. The tight, white fabric of his thin undershirt had gotten soaked through from perspiration, and his shirt had become peculiarly see-through…

Stop, Kaylie commanded herself, shaking her head firmly. This is Austin Tucker! Austin Tucker! Obnoxious, cocky, inappropriate asshole Austin Tucker, the boy you absolutely can't stand. He's hideous. Disgusting. Not at all attractive. Kaylie repeated that mantra again in her head, or at least she tried to, but she kept getting stuck somewhere in the middle whenever Austin would go upside down on the rings, and his sticky white shirt would ride down, exposing just a little of his...

What the hell was wrong with her?

Kaylie bit her lip. Austin Tucker was a pig, a cocky, immature pig. Kaylie had no time for distractions like him. She was the National Champion, for God's sake. It was her job, as team captain, to set an example for her teammates. And that example meant very strictly having nothing whatsoever to do with boys. Especially not irresponsible, reckless, powerful, strong, hot boys like Austin Tucker.

Oh, God. Had she seriously just let herself think that Austin was hot?

And…oh God. No, no. This couldn't be happening. Kaylie gripped her skirt tightly, feeling her breaths coming quicker and quicker. Oh, no. She was about to start hyperventilating.

Austin had dismounted from the rings and was now very purposefully striding over to the viewing box. Shoot. She had thought that he hadn't noticed her presence, but it was now very clear that he had. In fact, Austin was staring straight up at Kaylie with that insufferable grin on his face, an alarming twinkle in his blue-grey eyes.

Was he coming up to talk to her? Oh, yes, he was definitely coming up to talk to her. Damn! He was coming up to talk to her! Kaylie shut her eyes firmly, wishing desperately that she was still in her comfortable bed and that this was all a dream and that her mother would wake her up in a few minutes with hot tea and that Austin Tucker was not walking through the door of the viewing room right now, clad in a skintight undershirt, sweat glistening all over his body.

Her eyes fluttered open. Nope, he was still there. In fact, he had gotten close to her…precariously close. Kaylie was sitting in the second row of seats, and Austin was standing near the front of the box, just one row away.

"Nice to know I had a private audience viewing my practice," drawled Austin. "It really motivated me out there, knowing that you just couldn't stay away."

Kaylie scowled, something she tended to do a lot whenever she was within 100 feet of the impossible Austin Tucker. "Yeah, dream on, Austin. I'm just waiting for my parents to be done talking to Sasha." It sounded like a pathetic excuse when she said it, even though it was the truth.

Austin took a step toward her, grinning widely. "Well, then let's hope their meeting runs long."

Rolling her eyes, Kaylie glared at her nemesis. Really, maybe she could at least attempt to take him seriously if he weren't such an incorrigible flirt all of the time. She was sure he must do this with all girls, but it seemed that any time he got near her, all that came out of his mouth was innuendo after innuendo.

"Actually," Kaylie began, "I'm really hoping that it ends right about now, because I don't want…" She trailed off as she took in the sight before her, barely believing what she was seeing. Austin had had crossed his burly arms and grasped the hem of his translucent shirt, slowly bringing it upwards and exposing his ungodly six-pack. "I don't…want…" she sputtered, grasping for words. Finally, she gave up. "What the hell are you doing?" she demanded.

Austin sent her his trademark smirk. "Relax, Captain Cruz, I'm just taking this off." Indeed, shirt was completely off now and Kaylie was making a heroic effort to keep her eyes on his leering face. "It's all sweaty, see?" He tossed the sweat-drenched shirt at her.

Kaylie shrieked. "Ew, gross!" she screeched, batting the shirt away from her face frantically. She hissed. "Wow, that was really mature. You continue to be such a great role model."

"Why, thank you," replied Austin, crossing his arms over his well-defined chest. "That means a lot, coming from a self-appointed exemplary role model like yourself."

Raising her eyebrows, Kaylie countered, "Yeah, well, at least I set a good example. Unlike you, I don't stay up all night partying and drinking. I actually focus on my training."

"Well, it depends on your definition of training," Austin clarified. "Mine happens to involve getting pretty flexible, too." He winked. "Between the bed sheets, that is."

Kaylie sat up prissily in her seat, tilting her chin upwards. "See, this is why I can't stand you. Would it kill you to be serious for once?"

"Hey, hey," Austin said, advancing toward her soothingly. He straddled the chair in the row in front of her – even though Kaylie's row was higher, their height difference put them on eye level. "You wanna talk about serious? I'd say a gymnast has to be pretty serious to come in and train at seven on a Sunday morning."

Kaylie stared at him in shock, hardly believing what she was hearing. "You got here at seven?"

Austin shrugged. "I'm not all play and no work," he teased. "Unlike some people, I seem to have found a pretty good balance between the two."

"Wow," Kaylie conceded, mildly impressed. "I guess I may have underestimated you."

He raised an eyebrow provocatively. "Don't worry, Kaylie, at least now you know. Although you should know that it's basically impossible to overestimate me in…certain areas," he bragged, looking downward suggestively.

She blushed. It was just so…so stupid, how he made her feel as uncertain as a twelve-year-old girl again. She should be used to egotistical boys making sexual comments and flirting with her. Kaylie had thought she was, until Austin Tucker came along. Everything about him unnerved her. He had thrown her comfort zone right out the window, not to mention the concept of restful nights. No, ever since Austin had entered her life, Kaylie could count upon only one thing – tossing and turning each night after sleepless night, desperately trying to think of anything but the obnoxious Olympian.

"What's the matter?" Austin asked solicitously, leaning his head nearer to hers. "Cat got your tongue?"

Kaylie shook her head furiously, her hair whipping her in the face. She tried to think of a way to respond but all she could think was oh my god sweaty torso glistening muscles powerful arms sculpted stomach oh my…

"I can help you with that…" Austin trailed off gruffly as he leaned in and brought a calloused hand up to Kaylie's delicate face.

Her sharp intake of breath seemed to spur him on. It was like she was frozen in time, a pretty little statue, just sitting back in her cushioned seat, eyes wide as Austin traced an unidentifiable pattern on her cheekbone. His fingertip was rough against her downy skin, and she hated that even the simplest, most innocent of touches could be nearly enough to undo her completely.

His breath was hot against her cheek and she fought so, so hard to keep her eyes open, to keep her back against the back of the chair…

…but Kaylie's self-discipline had always only extended so far.

As Austin's large hand cupped her cheek, she leaned into his gentle touch, eyelids fluttering shut. Encouraged, he brought his other hand to her shoulder, pulling her toward him insistently. His hot breath trailed down her face, settling somewhere just a fraction of an inch away from her mouth and, God, she wanted to kill him now more than ever but she wanted to kiss him even more.

The nearness of his lips to hers was slowly making her go insane. She was literally falling into an exquisite sort of madness, and she didn't know how much longer she could take it. A soft whimper fell from her lips as she felt his sweaty torso brush her arm, and that seemed to spur him into action.

He met her lips gently but persistently, easing her into the kiss. She felt as though she was falling into him, and although she was sitting down it was all she could do for her knees not to buckle. His grip on her body strengthened as he supported her, and her fingertips curled ever so slightly against his chest.

He was unrelentlessly gentle, and shockingly, it was her and not him who was finally frustrated enough to deepen the kiss. His lips were enveloping her mouth, his tongue was sending tremors throughout her body, and in all of her sixteen years of living, she had never felt so much before. It simultaneously terrified and exhilarated her.

His intent kisses felt better than gliding through the air on the uneven bars, her whole body suspended in the air, weightless. She finally knew what it was like to fly. Her world was soaring, spinning, imploding, and all she could do was kiss him back harder, losing herself in an abandon that was definitely not befitting of a team captain.

When his hand brushed her hair back in a soft gesture so tender that it made her want to cry, she knew that they were entering dangerous territory. He was tending to her bottom lip, sucking on it gently, when she suddenly and abruptly pulled away, her eyes wild and dark.

Austin stared at her, disoriented, heaving ragged breaths. He looked irresistible at that moment, and that was how Kaylie knew she had to get away from him immediately.

Jumping to her feet, incredibly flustered, she shakily exhaled, "I…I have to go." Kaylie ran past the rest of the chairs, leaving her purse abandoned on the seat next to her, focused only on exiting the room as quickly as possible.

She decided to wait out the rest of her parents' meeting in the car.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I always appreciate reviews.