Chapter 2
TWO
brADLEY
I’m waiting outside the gym when a weary-looking Molly walks up on January 2.
“You’re late.”
She glances up and frowns at me, her brow puckering in that way that always makes me grin. “How can I be late? The gym isn’t even open yet.”
“True, but”—I make a production of checking my watch—“they were supposed to open two minutes ago.”
“It’s the day after a holiday. I think we can cut them some slack.”
“I don’t know…” I pull a face. “Taking it easy on the first day of a challenge isn’t any way to win it. Unless, of course, you aren’t up to the challenge.”
Her pale green eyes narrow even more. “I’m up to the challenge. I also believe in showing people a little grace.”
“Funny, I don’t think you’ve ever shown me much grace or cut me any slack.”
Her brow twitches. “Maybe I only believe in giving it to people who deserve it.”
“Ouch.” I wince. “It’s a good thing you picked ‘work out three times a week” instead of ‘be nicer’ as one of your resolutions.”
“I’m always nice—to people who deserve it,” she adds before I can protest.
Damn, but she’s fun to get riled. Not only do those dazzling eyes of hers heat up like flames, but her luscious lips are particularly full when they get all pouty.
That’s to say nothing about the way her chest rises up and down when she’s trying to contain her annoyance with me. One of these days, I wonder if I’ll piss her off enough to make them pop out of her top. That would be a sight. They’re already distractingly plump when they’re covered by layers of clothes. I can only imagine their unrestrained perfection.
I’ve spent a lot of time imagining their unrestrained perfection…
I know. I’m a dick. I’m purposefully pissing off a colleague. And I’m doing it for lusty purposes.
I can only imagine how pissed off—and gorgeous—Molly would get if she knew exactly what was going on in my mind—and in my groin—every time I made her mad.
A vision of her fiery eyes and heaving chest comes to mind. My dick twitches.
Molly’s frown deepens. “What are you staring at?”
I blink with a start and shake my head. “Nothing.”
“Really? Because it seemed like you were staring at something.”
Fortunately, the front door of the only gym in town, located in the community center, clicks open. Thank God. I doubt I could have come up with a convincing explanation for why I was staring at her. At least not with so much blood pooling in my dick.
We simultaneously turn to walk in the door and our shoulders bump. Heat rushes through me even though it’s below freezing.
Clearing my throat, I open the door wider and motion for her to enter. She does not move.
“What?” I ask. “Ladies first.”
Her eyes narrow. “How do I know you aren’t going to slam that thing on me?”
“Why would I do something like that?”
“So you can”—she rubs her nose—“I don’t know, give me a hamstring sprain and knock me out of the competition before we’ve even started.”
“You don’t think I’d do that. Do you?”
“Maybe you would.” She lifts her shoulder. “I’ve never known you to be chivalrous before.”
“Yeah, but have I ever been a giant dick who would purposefully hurt you? No, wait.” I hold up my hands. “Don’t answer that.”
If she says yes, it’ll only piss me off. The idea of myself—or anyone causing her even a moment of pain—makes me furious.
And unlike the woman driving me senseless, I don’t look gorgeous when I’m angry.
Jaw clenched, I try to smile. “Even if I wanted to cheat on our bet—which I don’t—I couldn’t sprain your hamstring with the door.”
At least, I don’t think I can.
“I would never hurt you.” I take a deep breath. “Now, would you get the fuck inside before we both turn into fucking popsicles?”
“Ooh, someone’s a little spicy before his workout.” She wiggles her eyebrows—and her luscious behind—at me and saunters past. “Yes, sir.”
A vision of pushing Molly up against the wall in the steamy shower as she says ‘yes, sir’ pops into my head.
“Fucking, hell,” I mutter to myself following her inside.
How can I be this hot and hard when it’s so damn cold?
***
Thirty minutes on a treadmill does nothing to ease my boner.
If anything, watching Molly’s face grow more flushed as long strands of hair plaster her skin puts even more salacious thoughts in my head. Thoughts of what it would be like to work up a sweat with her. Naked. In bed.
Panting for breath, Molly hops off the elliptical across from my machine. As she does, her breasts bounce under her sweat-plastered shirt.
I miss a step and grab the handles on my side to keep from biffing it.
Molly gapes at me in concern, a towel pressed against her neck. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I wish I, or better yet my tongue, was the towel wiping the sweat from her neck.
Jealous of a towel. What the hell is wrong with me?
Placing my feet firmly on the sides of the treadmill, I turn the machine off.
“So.” I take a long gulp of water to cover the sudden huskiness in my voice. “Weights next?”
Molly blanches but takes a deep breath. “Sure.”
“What do you like to do?”
She chews her bottom lip, and I’m so distracted, I almost miss what she says. “Honestly? I don’t think I’ve lifted a weight since high school gym class. Most of my fitness happens out on the trails. I’m… at a bit of a loss here.”
She could have fooled me. So far, she’s embraced this, the first of our resolutions, with the same determination and dedication she has for her business.
“That’s okay.” I shift from one foot to the other. “I can help you.”
“Help me?—”
“Would you just trust me?” I can’t quite keep the irritation out of my voice. “I told you I’d never do anything to hurt you. I’m a lot of things. I’m not a liar.”
“No.” She rubs her lips together thoughtfully, which only adds heat to my burgeoning desire. “You’ve always been honest. A smart ass, but honest.”
“You think I’m smart? That’s so sweet.”
“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes and points at the closest weight-lifting bench. “Just show me how to use this damn thing so I can kick you—and your smart ass—to win the bet.”
Chuckling, I quickly follow her orders. I know this is supposed to be a competition. In theory, I shouldn’t help her. But, truth be told, as much as I’d like to land that new agent’s business, I want Molly to like me more.
Hell, maybe even one day I can get her to admit that she wants me as much as I want her.
After I give a few instructions, which she listens to without suspicion, Molly reclines on the bench. I stand on the other side of the bar ready to spot her. It gives me the perfect position to view the weight’s rack and hers.
“How much do you want to start with?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” She shrugs, making those gorgeous tits lift with the movement. “I feel like I could start with 150 pounds or so.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Are you sure? That’s kind of a lot for a beginner.”
“I climb mountains all the time. How hard can this be?”
“If you’re sure?—”
“I am.”
I shake my head, but brace my legs on the ground and lift the bar from the catch. I give a slight grunt.
“Sorry, is this too heavy for you?” Molly asks sweetly.
“We’ll see who the smart ass is in another minute.” I wait for her to wrap her hands around the bar, her fingers brushing mine as they get into position. “Ready?”
She takes a deep breath and nods resolutely. “I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” She sighs. “Let go.”
“Okay…” I release my hold.
Molly’s arms—and the bar—immediately drop. I grab hold again before it hits the safety catch.
She cringes and clamps her eyes shut.
My heart races. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Just a bruised ego.” She pops open one eye. “Maybe I should start with something lighter.”
“Maybe you should.” Bringing the bar back into the starting position, I remove a weight from each side. “There. That’ll be more your speed.”
Nodding, she takes a deep breath and puts her hands back into place. At her nod, I release my hold and she keeps the bar steady. She sucks her bottom lip under her teeth. Her green eyes sparkle with determination.
It’s a look that’s so breathtaking and so Molly. My cock once again springs to attention.
Maybe it’s because of all the blood draining from my brain and into my groin. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had my coffee yet. Or maybe, Molly’s eyes are just that stunning.
Whatever the reason, I’m not paying attention when Molly lifts the bar to begin her first repetition. And, apparently, I removed too much weight. She lifts the bar too fast and knocks it straight into my dick.