The Player. Akhona Bota

wishing the earth would open up and swallow her. She hoped Sizwe wasn’t going to do something to embarrass her.

      “For those of you who don’t know, this is the rugby player Sizwe Bala, a valued member of the Bulls,” the manager explained to the crowd. She seemed as thrilled as he was. Hlobo got the feeling that whatever Sizwe was about to do, they were in cahoots. This frustrated her. Not knowing what was going on always annoyed her. Who liked to be in the dark and be the last one to know things?

      During the time she had been with Sizwe, she had noticed that he enjoyed being the centre of attention. After all, he was a celebrity, something she had never aspired to. The idea of having your private life made public all the time just didn’t sit well with her. Already, tabloids had snapped pictures of her and Sizwe out on a date and published them with headlines like:

      Rugby player Sizwe’s new girlfriend! Sexy Sizwe dates an accountant!

      Fortunately nothing major had been published about their relationship yet.

      “Here with Sizwe is his girlfriend, Hlobo Sondlo,” continued the manager.

      At the mention of her name Hlobo squeezed Sizwe’s hand.

      “And now, everyone, our rugby star has an announcement to make.”

      Hlobo was getting really annoyed. What would Sizwe be announcing? Her head couldn’t find any answers, so she just stood there like any other woman would in her position. She watched as Sizwe let go of her hand, leaving her alone with everyone’s eyes on her. She felt her chest heaving heavily and there was an acidic feeling in her stomach.

      He took the microphone from Ekhaya’s manager, who backed away, leaving only the couple in the spotlight.

      “What is going on?” Hlobo whispered, her heart beating faster and faster.

      “You’ll soon see,” Sizwe said.

      She held her breath as he took a small box from his pocket. It looked like a ring box, and sure enough, it was!

      Sizwe went down on one knee, opening the box. The most dazzling diamond ring Hlobo had ever seen sparkled under the silver moonlight. It outshone even the brilliant stars spread across the dark sky.

      “Hlobo, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” Sizwe asked in a hoarse voice.

      Oh, this moment was so perfect. She wouldn’t change anything about it. The longing in his face melted her heart. She couldn’t hold back her tears. The moment completely blotted out her surroundings. The people encircling them no longer existed. It was just the two of them: Hlobo and Sizwe. How could she refuse his offer?

      As Sizwe held out the ring towards Hlobo, he was praying to God that she would accept it. He might be dubbed South Africa’s sexiest man, but he still feared that she might turn him down. Hlobo was quite unlike any other woman he had ever met. She had a mind of her own and she loved him for who he was. Her beauty had held him spellbound from the minute he met her and the way she made his blood rush rapidly had convinced him that this was true love.

      “Yes,” she breathed, barely audible.

      “Huh?” he enquired, turning his head to hear.

      This time Hlobo raised her voice. “Yes, I will be your wife!”

      Sizwe slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. Ululations erupted and the Zulu girls danced to the rhythm of the drum. Everyone applauded.

      After splashing a kiss that felt hot as fire on Hlobo’s mouth, Sizwe said, “Thank you.”

      It was then that she realised she had opened a new door in her life: the door of marriage! But it didn’t scare her at all. In fact, it felt absolutely right to her. Being Mrs Sizwe Bala would be a gift from heaven. She couldn’t have chosen a better man as her husband. Sizwe was incredibly hot, but better still, he was a caring gentleman! What woman in her right mind wouldn’t want such qualities in a man?

      When they were back in their room after much dancing and celebration, Hlobo couldn’t stop admiring her ring. Even under the dimmed electric lights it shone brightly, and it fitted perfectly on her finger.

      “Don’t worry, it won’t go anywhere,” Sizwe joked as he came in from the bathroom.

      From where she was sitting on the bed, Hlobo eyed him. He was standing there like a mighty warrior, his arms folded over his vast chest.

      “I knew there was something you were hiding from me. I just didn’t know it was this,” she said, glancing at her ring again.

      “So you were genuinely surprised?” he asked, looking pleased.

      She nodded her head. She had only realised he was going to propose when he went down on one knee.

      “It was a most wonderful surprise,” Hlobo said. She got up and walked to him. She softly placed her lips on his mouth. He didn’t react at first, allowing her to play with his lips. Then he responded to her gentle kiss by increasing its intensity. She was stripped of her last bit of control when he put his arms around her and held her tightly.

      Hlobo surprised even herself when she abruptly broke the sweet, delicious kiss.

      “I want us to make love, Sizwe.” Her voice was soft but full of desire. This was something huge for her. Sex had always made her a little nervous. Thinking of her and him doing it had made her feel even more uneasy, although that was what she had wanted all along.

      Sizwe looked into her eyes and could see that she was sure. There was no need to check with her whether it was okay. So he took control once more.

      He possessed her by cupping her face in his hands and kissing her again. She had always found his kisses heavenly, but there was something unique about this one. It was spicier and more possessive. His strength enveloped her as he drew her hard against his body yet again. She knew she was safe with him.

      His kiss burnt her mouth, his tongue explored it and went to all the right places. Then his hands crept up her legs, running over her smooth and delicate skin, higher and higher until they disappeared under her dress. Hlobo took a startled breath but he kept on kissing her.

      In no time Sizwe’s hands came back, pulling her panties down from under her dress. Cool air hit her exposed private parts, already hot and full, swelling with ecstasy. A sizzling sensation ran up and down her spine like electricity buzzing inside her.

      Next to go was her dress, followed by her bra.

      Soon she stood there naked, her nipples springing up.

      “My God, what have I done to deserve you?” Sizwe gasped, staring at her.

      “You tell me,” she said confidently.

      “Better yet, I’ll show you what I’ve got,” he replied with a naughty wink.

      But before he could deliver on his promise, Hlobo took the lead. She pulled off his golf shirt and stared at his dark upper body. His shoulders were immense, his arms all muscle and his abs chiselled. She ran her fingertips over them and they bumped up and down like a car on a rocky path.

      Sizwe scooped her up as if she was a mere feather. He took possession of Hlobo’s mouth again while carrying her to the bed. He gently put her down on it. Then he tugged off his jeans and underwear. She gasped as his long and erect penis hovered above her. Like the rest of his body, it was truly amazing.

      He carefully positioned himself between her legs and started to kiss her again. She closed her eyes as he began to press against her without entering her temple. Sizwe took his time. He let the tension build until they could bear it no longer. They simply had to become one.

      Simultaneously they opened their eyes and then he raised himself slightly. While looking deep into her eyes, her very soul, he gently lowered himself into her.

      Hlobo’s head reeled and her body arched. She wanted all of him. And that was exactly what he gave her. He filled her up and asked, “Are you comfortable?”

      She nodded and he