Chapter 3 #3
He snorted as if I’d just shot off the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “It’ll take a lot more than being entangled with a beautiful woman to cause me any permanent physical injury. Besides, I’ve done this kind of thing before.”
I honestly wasn’t certain if I wanted to ask him about when or why, so I chose not to. “Well, good for you, but really, you can get off me anytime you’d like.”
His grin provided a sweeping opportunity to see his dimples, which drew my attention from his dazzling eyes to his strong, square jaw that was covered in the sexiest two-day stubble.
Plus, there were his cheekbones that were an amazing draw to his handsome face. Wait. What was I saying?
At that critical moment where it seemed he was perfectly content with me lying underneath him, I realized the stranger was none other than the object of my naughty fantasies the night before. A hockey player.
Since he wasn’t moving, I tried to offer a reminder that my tiny body was still plastered under his huge one by pushing my palms, hands arched so my fingers wouldn’t touch, against his chest.
Another jarring effect ripped through my arms, this time not from the crushing blow but from a jolt of current. What a shock. I’d heard about energy before and even kismet, but this was ridiculous.
At least he got the idea, shifting his hips first, which proved to drive me a little bit crazy. He finally rolled onto the balls of his feet, standing while remaining close. Talk about being rewarded with a long, tall view. The man was muscular in all the right places, especially between his legs.
Oh, my gosh. Had I just thought that way about a stranger? I turned my head away, squeezing my eyes shut in hopes that maybe he hadn’t caught wind of what I’d been thinking.
Barely peeking told me otherwise, his entire face still covered with a huge grin. He held out his hand, offering to help me up. I was eager to ignore the gentlemanly act, but knew if I tried to stand by myself, I’d look like some clumsy bird.
The second time we touched wasn’t nearly as intoxicating, but definitely a touch for the record books and one I’d remember long on cold… dark… nights.
Oh, I needed to get some sleep and to stop igniting fantasies.
“Thank you.” I pulled my hand away even though he acted like he’d prefer otherwise, noticing water dripping from every inch of his slickened body. He was far too handsome for the sex-starved girl that I’d become.
At least I found my senses, taking a step back to give myself a little breathing room. “Sorry about that.”
Oh, that was classy and clever.
“No problem. Any day is a good day when I can save a chick’s phone.” He held it out, offering me a daring look.
He was definitely handsome, his dimples giving him a more approachable look, even wet and especially with his thick hair hanging in his eyes. How did he even see when he played the game? “As I said, thank you.” As soon as I reached for it, his dimples increased in size.
When he pulled the phone further away, I frowned. “But I need payment for my chivalry.”
“Payment.” Was he kidding me?
“Yep.”
At least now I could sense his arrogance and took another step away, folding my arms as I did. “What kind of payment?”
“Well, how about a drink?”
“It’s not even seven in the morning,”
“Okay,” he mused, nodding a couple of times. “How about a cup of coffee? Maybe a protein shake? You look like a protein shake kind of girl.”
“What does that mean?” My question came out a little more demanding than I’d wanted.
Suddenly, he was flustered, narrowing his eyes until he had a furrowed look on his face. “I just meant because you work in a gym.”
Nice save. I shook my head. “Nope. Gotta work.” He looked so disappointed I almost thought about conceding.
Don’t do it. You made a promise.
Yes, I had.
His frown rivaled mine and as he mulled over another suggestion, that allowed me time to peruse his sculpted body. There were several phrases that came to mind including wow, oh-my-God, and my personal favorite I’d learned from my mother, built like a brick shithouse.
About as unclassy as could be, but totally accurate. Hard bodied in all the right places, thighs that were bigger around than my waist. Just studying his barrel chest would take time, a total work of art.
I pressed my fingers against my lips to keep from smiling.
“Alright. How about your name then? Am I at least entitled to your name?”
I thought about his request, wrinkling my nose as I did. I could swear his expression reminded me of a golden retriever. I could almost picture him wagging his tail. Oh, hell, no. Another moment of heat wrapped around me, including plunging directly into my core.
“Fine. Clementine. Now, can I have my phone back?” A fake name would do.
He took a few seconds before slowly lowering his hand and placing my phone ever so gently into my fingers.
“Thank you.”
With a nod, he took a step back then swooped his arm. “Catch, sweet Clementine.”
I managed to catch my earbuds, half laughing as I did.
Without another word, he spun on his heel and started to walk away. “Wait,” I called, shocked I did. “You didn’t tell me your name.”
“You’re right. For that you’ll need to agree to go out with me.”