The Lance Temptation Read Free Page A

her onto his lap amidst hoots and whistles from his friends. Farah’s initial surprised expression became a smile and a laugh. She pushed on his chest playfully, jumped off his lap, and kept moving.
    I glanced upward and saw Lance and what could only be his brother. Both of them were watching Farah, and Lance had his arms open toward her. I took a deep breath. Even from where I was, I could see how hot he looked. I chewed my lip. What was I doing? I was prepping for a major guilt attack. But how would it look if I didn’t go up there? Farah would be annoyed.
    And I’d told Lance I’d be there.
    I took the steps slowly, climbing the bleachers as if they were Mt. Everest. While I climbed, I glanced down at my T-shirt and jeans and despaired of my choice of outfits. Next to Farah, I looked like I was ready to dig latrines at the local wilderness camp.
    When I arrived, Farah was already sitting between the guys, laughing hugely and tossing her hair. Lance saw me approach. “Cecily, right?”
    Farah slapped him on the arm. “It’s Emili. How many times do I have to tell you?”
    She leaned in toward his brother. “I hope his stupidity isn’t genetic.” And I swear she fluttered her green eyes at him. She put her hand on his arm as if staking a claim. “Emili, this is Pete.”
    â€œHey, Pete,” I said, slightly out-of-breath. I glanced at Lance and sat down in front of him.
    We were nearly to the top of the bleachers, giving me a bird’s-eye view of the colorful mass of spectators below. I spotted Jeannie, whose mother was supposedly taking us home. She was chatting it up with her groupies. Not too long ago, I would’ve been down there with them. A pang of regret squeezed my heart, but then I realized who was sitting right behind me. Without Farah, Lance would be nowhere close. Ditching old friends for Farah was paying off exactly like I’d hoped it would.
    The game began and we settled in. I felt a bit silly sitting in front of the three of them by myself.
    â€œPete, how come I haven’t seen you at other games?” Farah asked.
    â€œDidn’t know how good the scenery was going to be,” came his answer.
    Farah giggled. Actually giggled . I nearly burst out laughing myself. I’d never heard her giggle in my life.
    Lance stretched out his legs, dangling his feet across the bench where I sat. In one smooth move, he lifted himself down to sit next to me. We didn’t touch, but every cell in my body was on alert. With great effort, I kept my eyes on the game.
    â€œEnjoying yourself, Cecily?” He spoke next to my ear. I felt his breath on my cheek.
    I swallowed. “Yeah.”
    â€œYou smell good,” he said, and shifted so his leg touched mine. I stiffened, forcing myself to keep my eyes forward.
    â€œIt’s the perfume,” I said, ignoring the warmth from his leg.
    â€œI figured.”
    â€œI make it.”
    â€œYou make perfume?” I could tell by his tone I’d surprised him.
    â€œYeah. It’s not so hard.”
    He moved again, his leg pressing more firmly into mine. “You like football?”
    I took a quick breath. “Sure. It’s a cool sport.”
    Oh, please. Did I say football was a cool sport? Smooth.
    Lance snickered softly. “Yeah, a real cool sport.”
    We continued to sit, legs touching. I’d never felt so deliciously miserable in my life.
    â€œHow badly do you want to see this game?” I heard Farah ask Pete. Oh no, she couldn’t, she wouldn’t leave me stranded here, sitting next to Lance and feeling like the biggest misfit who ever drew breath. But I knew she would.
    â€œNot so much,” he answered and chuckled. “What do you have in mind?”
    I stopped breathing and my entire body tensed.
    â€œYou have a car, don’t you?” she asked with undertones I didn’t even want to think about.
    â€œHave car, will travel,” he