Chapter Three #2
Slipping both hands into the roomie front pocket of my hoodie, I touch the stun gun for reassurance.
I have a good feeling I’m going to need it once we get outside.
Hopefully not before, though, because I don’t think dragging him through the athletic club while he’s immobile would go over very well.
At that point, people might pull their eyes off their phones and actually notice.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but ogling Ryder McKay’s tight ass in those little shorts just became my new favorite thing to do.
The plant’s leaves rustle in front of me as I let out a soft, breathy sigh.
Okay, so I might find him fairly attractive, but it doesn’t matter.
I have a job to do, and there’s no way I’m letting some man’s firm tushy get between me and the Phantom Orchid.
I don’t care how toned it is. Or how, ah, well-endowed he might be. Because damn, those shorts hug his assets.
Nope, don’t care one iota.
Forcing my gaze up, I watch them throw punches, and when Lincoln’s fist makes contact with Ryder’s jaw, knocking him off-balance, I audibly gasp.
Fuck. Slapping a hand over my mouth, I drop down a little lower, hoping they didn’t hear.
Thankfully, they keep right on fighting, completely oblivious to me.
There are a couple more times when Lincoln gets the upper hand, hitting Ryder with his ham of a fist or causing him to jump back, but I’m impressed with how well Ryder holds his own against the former champ.
After a half an hour or so, they wrap it up, and I check the corner of my mouth for drool. Even though they’re the ones who have been sparring nonstop, I’m the one overheating and sweating like it’s my damn job.
Waving a hand in front of my face, trying to cool off, I watch as they hop down from the ring, and head for the locker room.
Exactly what I was banking on. Slipping out from behind the tall plant, I follow them, making sure to keep my distance, and ready to duck out of sight if one of them happens to turn around.
Their deep voices drift back to me as they talk, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. They’re too far ahead.
Outside of the locker rooms, they pause, exchange a few more words and bump knuckles.
Lincoln heaves his gym bag over his shoulder and heads toward the exit.
I couldn’t have planned this anymore perfectly.
I was a little worried they’d both shower and I’d have to handle things a little differently. But this is playing right into my hand.
It’s the perfect, albeit risky, scenario. But I live for a good thrill, and a surge of adrenaline spikes through my veins.
No doubt about it, grabbing him when he’s most vulnerable and not expecting me is going to work to my advantage. And what better way to do that than barge in on him when he’s in the shower, naked and unprepared?
Plus, I get a little bonus treat for myself—an eyeful of all that delicious, rugged male body which I know is going to live rent free in my head from now until the day I die.
The men’s locker room looks huge, but it’s relatively quiet. Exactly three minutes after he disappears inside, I pull my hood tighter around my face, duck in and follow. I hear the faint sound of running water and head toward the shower area where there’s a line of private stalls.
Steeling myself with a deep breath, I walk right up to the only occupied shower and pluck the stun gun from my pocket. And wait.
The moment the water shuts off, I boldly reach out, grab hold of the curtain and yank it open.
A surprised, very naked Ryder spins around. The angry frown on his face seems to melt away as his brown eyes lock on me. For a distracted moment, my attention shifts to the drop of water sliding down… down… down.
Holy. Freaking. Wow. There’s just so much to look at, but his very generous cock seems to be the star of the show, on full and glorious display. I’ve heard the term “show-er” before, but this takes it to an entirely new level. Well-endowed is an understatement.
Focus, a small voice chides.
Right. Lifting the stun gun, I aim it at his package, which he quickly covers. “Hello, Ryder,” I purr, covering my British accent and lifting the cuffs in my opposite hand. “I’m going to need you to put these on. Now.”
Naked and dripping, he has the audacity to send me a lazy smirk. “Mind if I put some clothes on first?” he drawls.
Dammit. I can feel my skin flushing, and I jerk the stun gun at his bag on the bench. “Hurry up.”
I try not to watch as he drags a towel over his wet body, slowly drying off. Not missing one single drop. He sure seems to be taking his time. A bold move when I could have him writhing on the floor in pain in an instant.
Chewing my bottom lip, I shift from one boot to the other, trying not to watch as he dresses. Why is he moving so slowly? When he’s finally dressed in jeans, a Henley and boots, he eyes me closely.
“Fancy meeting you here, Miss Diamond.”
Crap. So much for him not recognizing me.
He’s even sharper than I realized. I’m always so careful to vary disguises.
And to make sure I normally conceal my true appearance all the time.
Yet he knows it’s me. Immediately. And we’ve barely spoken less than a minute in the past year.
How does he know? I mean, sure, my disguise isn’t the best and totally half-assed, but he connected the dots far too fast.
Those are questions for another time. Someone could walk in here at any second.
“Put these on.” I shove the cuffs at him, and he reluctantly takes them. Our hands brush, and I do my best to ignore the contact. But there’s no denying the jolt of awareness that hits me. It makes me feel off-balance, not in control, and I can’t have that.
“Why? Are you kidnapping me?” There’s a teasing note in his voice.
“As a matter of fact, I am.” I hit the button on the stun gun and it crackles. He seems to be weighing his options. But he needs to understand he doesn’t have any. “You have three seconds,” I warn him, hitting the button again. It sizzles with a crack of electricity. “Three… two—”
He slips the cuffs on his wrists, snapping them closed.
“Good boy,” I murmur silkily. “Now, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to cover your hands with your jacket and walk out the back door without making a scene. Can you handle that?”
“What’s the alternative?”
“I zap you in the dick.”
“Cover hands and walk out the back door. Got it.”
My lips twitch as I toss his jacket over his cuffed hands.
“I would like to know what’s happening.” He arches a dark brow. “And exactly how big of an idiot I’d be to trust you.”
“You’d be a bigger idiot not to trust me.” I give the stun gun an ominous wave then grab his bag and nod to the exit. “Let’s go. And if you try anything, I promise you’ll regret it.”