Underneath the table, Zack's other hand finds its way to Anna's knee, sliding up along the inside of her leg with deliberate slowness. The fabric of her white skirt provides little barrier against the heat of his touch. "This is not helping me concentrate on purchasing our phone covers," he whispers against her neck, his breath warm against her skin. "Evey time you touch me like that, I forget what I am supposed to be doing."
Anna hand moved up Zack's thigh. "I will wait then…" she says teasingly. His jaw clenches as her hand drifts higher up his thigh, her fingers brushing dangerously close to the noticeable bulge straining against his jeans. The teasing promise in her voice makes his control fray at the edges. "Don't you dare," he growls low enough that only she can hear him over the cafeteria chatter. His free hand grips the bench seat beside him tightly to prevent it from wandering further south. His dark green eyes bore into her with a mix of warning and desperate longing. "Waiting is not an option here, Anna. If you keep touching me like that, I am going to drag you into the janitor's closet five minutes ago." The threat carries no real menace– just raw honesty about how easily she reduces him to caveman instincts. He shifts uncomfortable on the bench, hoping none of their classmates notice the obvious tenting in his pants caused by her playful torment.
"The let's wrap this lunch up," Anna said with a satisfied smile. "I am not very hungry anyway." Zack's expression immediately shifts from frustrated desire to relieved determination. "You are right. Lunch is officially over." He stands abruptly, his movements are jerky, clearly affected by Anna's teasing touches under the table. The bulge in his jeans is now quite noticeable as he pulls out his wallet. "Electronics store first," he announces with finality, grabbing both their trays and dumping them in the nearest trash can without a second glance. "Then wherever we can be alone for five minutes without getting caught." His competitive nature surfaces again in his need to get them out of this public setting where he cannot properly respond to her advances. He takes he hand firmly, pulling her up from the bench and steering her toward the exit. "Move it," he says under his breath, his grip possessive as he navigates them through the crowded cafeteria.
At first Anna is too shocked to respond, she was expecting he would pull her into an empty classroom or a storage room somewhere, but as he pulled her down the hallway towards the school buildings exit, it became clear that he was done with the rest of the school day. She considered protesting and being reasonable as always, but deep down she didn't care about classes or homework either. She felt the familiar heat building between her legs, her desire for Zack overwriting her sensibility. Once they were in the parking lot, she says breathless, "You are trouble you know that. A bad influence." Despite her words there is an excited smile on her face.
Zack's lips curve into a predatory grin at Anna's breathless accusation, his grip tightening on her hand as they cross the pavement toward his car. The afternoon sunlight catches the defiant glint in his green eyes. "Bad influence?" he echoes with mock innocence. "Is that what we are calling it when you are the one challenging me to lead you into trouble?" He unlocks his beat-up car with a sharp click of buttons, gesturing for Anna to get into the passenger seat. "Besides," he continues climbing in behind the wheel and starting the engine. "You love being in trouble with me. Your whole face lights up whenever I am corrupting your perfect little world." His hand rests on her thigh as soon as she is buckled in, thumb drawing lazy circles against her bare legs.
"Maybe I do," Anna said teasingly. Zack's smirk widens at her admission, his thumb pressing more firmly against her thigh as he pulls out of the school parking lot. The afternoon traffic flows around them while his attention remains fixed on her face. "Maybe?' he repeats sceptically, his free hand coming to rest on the gearshift between them. "There is no maybe about it, Anna. You have been chasing trouble since you convinced me to jump off the swings when we were six." His green eyes flick down to where his hand is resting possessively on her leg, then back up to meet her gaze directly. "And trust me, I am not complaining. Watching you turn into this gorgeous, confident woman who knows exactly what she wants from life? Best thing that has ever happened to my otherwise miserable existence." The car stops at a red light, giving Zack an excuse to shift closer in his seat. His fingers trace higher up her thigh toward the hem of her skirt.
For a moment Anna looks at him half breathless, before saying, "Really? That is how you see me?" Zack's expression softens completely at the vulnerability in her question. The teasing edge disappears from his features, replaced by something far more sincere. He reaches over to cup her cheek gently, forcing her to meet his intense green eyes. "How else am I supposed to see you?" he asks quietly, the usual bravado gone from his voice. "Since day one you have been the only good thing in my life worth fighting for." His thumb trokes softly along her jawline as the car idles at the red light. Behind them, horns honk impatiently but Zack seems oblivious to anything beyond this moment with her. "You are beautiful, Anna. Inside and out. And yes," he leans closer until their foreheads are almost touching. "I see you as the one person who actually gives a damn about me despite all my bullshit."
"Wow," Anna said softly. "Thank you. You have never really said anything that nice to me while I had all my clothes on..." Zack's Cheeks flush slightly at her observation, a rare crack in his usual tough facade. He lets out a short, embarrassed laugh and runs a hand through his blond hair. "Yeah, well, I guess I am better with my clothes off," he admits gruffly, pulling away from the intersection. His hand returns to her thigh instinctively, fingers tracing idle patterns on her bare skin.