The fitness room door slammed shut, causing me to pull away, the noise startling us back to reality as Marco came around the corner. Out of the entire detail, he and Trevor were the two I’d found any grudging respect for. Surprise registered in his reflection in the mirror. He hadn’t seen anything damaging. He hadn’t seen anything that couldn’t be played off, but his wheels were still turning.
“Thank God,” Dani said. “Finally, someone who can give him some real opposition. I don’t think I’d survive if he challenged me to a sit-up competition.”
She grabbed her water bottle and her towel, heading for the door.
“Don’t doubt yourself, Athena. You were competition enough.”
I watched her leave, her damn butt swaying in those tight yoga pants, her body perfectly sweaty in a way I knew would welcome me if we fell into bed together right at that moment. The heat between us was going to be impossible to ignore, but that was exactly what I had to do in order to keep her and everyone else safe. I couldn’t be distracted.
Dani
BACK TO YOU
“Overthinking every word and I hate it.
'Cause it's not me,
And what's the point in hiding?
Everybody knows we got unfinished business.”
Performed by Selena Gomez
Written by Allen / Van Elsas / Premnath / Warrington / Gomez
I headed out of the hotel fitness room with my entire body in flames. I didn’t even have to think about putting my earbuds in as the elevator door opened. I was already completely and one hundred percent in a different world. Even so, I was grateful the car was empty, allowing me to stand by the doors as my mind and body returned to the room I’d just left.
My heart had leaped into my throat when I’d seen Nash standing there, his loose workout clothes not hiding anything about him. His dark eyes hooded as he took me in. His face coated in a five o’clock shadow that had turned into 5:00 a.m. growth. Burn and boil had been Bee’s words, and that was exactly what he did to me just by examining me.
His hands on my body as he’d corrected my form during my pull-ups had the smell of him flooding my senses. It was something uniquely Nash. Like salty seawater and earthy pine trees. Air and water and land merging together just like the SEAL teams were so well known for. A heady smell that made me forget everything but the square cut of his jaw I’d kissed and the unforgiving lips which had bruised mine so beautifully.
It was the impressed look on his face mixed with the tone he’d used that had me accepting his challenge. I couldn’t resist the urge to match him that had filled me. My only wish being that I’d actually had enough muscle to keep up with him so I could have shocked him further.
When I’d finally caved, rolling over after the seventy-fifth push-up, I’d been lost, studying him as he continued to move. He’d looked like he could keep going forever. His words, “as many as needed,” had rung in my head. I’d felt like I’d lost my everlasting mind watching his beautiful body work. Muscles flexing and unflexing. Cuts that were always defined, outlined more, etching themselves into my brain.
It was what had me sticking my wet finger in his ear as a way to break myself out of the sexual tension he’d wrapped me in. I hadn’t expected him to give chase. I hadn’t expected him to push me against the wall, making my whole body light up like a flare being sent. S.O.S. I needed help, but no one was coming to rescue me.
The wet drag of his finger over my face and neck should have been gross. It should have been the most disgusting thing in the world, but it had only turned me on more, proving just how ridiculously senseless he made me. The pressure of his hands, the body that was slammed against mine with hard parts everywhere, including the part that had made me moan.
The elevator chimed, and I stepped off into the hallway.
My body was shaking, but it wasn’t from thoughts of Fenway.
Nash wasn’t anywhere near me. I’d left him floors below, and yet, I swore I could still feel those damn green lasers following me to my door. I was in serious trouble if he was going to tag along on this tour with us. I wasn’t sure I could continue to pretend to hate him.
But it was easier than allowing myself to like him.
♫ ♫ ♫
I successfully avoided any interaction with Nash for the rest of the day. According to Lee, he was holed up in the room with Tanner, arguing the ten pages of changes he’d suggested they make to their security. I wanted to smirk because, to Nash, they wouldn’t be suggestions at all. They’d be requirements.
As I was packing up my computer to go back to my room before getting ready for our long night at the venue, Brady sat down on the tabletop, feet swinging, watching me.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Just wondering how ignoring the hottest man alive is going for you, babe,” he said with lips quirking.
“You’re not supposed to be calling anyone, babe, remember?” I scolded, ignoring the rest of the comment.
He tweaked his leather bracelets. “I’m mostly broken of the habit. And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Was there really a question?” I asked, putting my bag on my shoulder and heading toward the door of the suite.
He started laughing. “You do have it bad if you’re deflecting and running.”
“Please. There’s nothing between the Otter and me.”
There couldn’t be. Mac would hate us both, and who knew what Tristan would think.
Marco made a grunting noise from his position near the door, and my eyes narrowed on him. Brady picked up on it immediately.
“You have the goods and holding out on me, Marco?” Brady jumped off the table, walking to stand next