Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
COLT
I’m sprawled on my bed, the late-afternoon sun bleeding through the curtains in thin, warm stripes.
I’m supposed to be filling out paperwork for the freelance coaching gigs I was thinking about applying to.
You know. Being responsible.
I can’t help but keep thinking that I need to up my game, and get my life together or whatever.
But my brain is pretty stuck today, and doesn’t give a shit about getting said life together.
All I can really think about is Elena. There’s her mouth and her breath. Her eyes.
The way her body pressed against mine in that gym at six-thirty in the goddamn morning when we finally crossed the line after weeks of tension bubbling over.
My phone buzzes beside me.
I reach for it lazily, see her name, and I’m already buzzing.
But then I open the message, and I swear something in my soul ascends straight out of my body.
Elena in lacy black lingerie, showing off her curves for days, in a pose that should be illegal in twenty-eight states.
A low, involuntary noise escapes me.
“Jesus Christ,” I whisper to my empty bedroom.
Instantly, I’m hard.
Like—no warm-up set needed.
Just straight to max weight.
Just a little something for you, her text reads.
I drag a hand down my face, and actually mutter out loud, “Are you trying to kill me, woman?”
I type back:
Colt: I’m trying to get work done. Trying to work on one of those gigs you helped me find. And, you know. Because Damien is up my ass now after the shenanigans we pulled.
It takes her two seconds to reply.
Elena: Oh really? Sorry to hear that…we’re hiring at our company right now if you need a backup plan and those coaching gigs aren’t biting yet.
I snort.
“Of course you are.”
I pull up her company’s website anyway, because apparently I’m a masochist.
Colt: Sales. Interesting.
Elena: Yeah, it’s boring but it pays well. Corporate, you know? I mean I’m kinda joking. Kind of not though.
Colt: Sounds thrilling.
Total lie.
But I’m more interested in her than the job.
My eyes slide back to her photo.
My entire body lights up again.
Colt: So when am I going to see you again? Since we don’t have a Thursday session this week.
Another fast reply.
Elena: Not sure. I have some things going on this week. Work is super busy. I’ll let you know.
Oof.
I’ll let you know.
Straight to the ego.
Classic. Maybe she really is busy, but the whole ‘casual’ thing rings in my head.
Colt: Yeah. Let me know.
I should stop there, focus on work, and generally be a grown man.
But no.
My self-control has been missing since the moment she kissed me against that cold brick wall.
So I type:
Colt: And hey… that shower thing you did was hot as hell. Worth it for the repercussions.
This time she responds immediately.
Elena: We should do it again.
A grin tears across my face.
Colt: Agreed. This time…your turn.
I stare at the photo again.
Her curves, her confidence, her goddamn smirk.
I shift on the bed, trying to get comfortable, which is pointless. I am absolutely not getting any more applications done today.
I heave a heavy sigh and let my head thump against the wall behind me.
Football gave me concussions, not subtlety.
But even I can tell I’m in way over my head.
I pull the company website back up, scrolling lazily.
Sales jobs.
Corporate bios.
Her office address is listed.
And that’s when the idea hits me.
It’s a stupid, reckless idea.
An idea that would make Damien’s head explode clean off his shoulders.
But also?
Not gonna lie, it’s a pretty fun idea.
A bold idea. Though possibly…immature.
A “you only live once, dumbass” idea. I grin to myself, my pulse picking up.
“Alright,” I mutter to Diesel, who strolls in. “You busy with hiring, Elena? Well let’s play.”
You know, when in Rome, and all that.
I mean, when dating a hot corporate woman who wants to keep things on the casual level?
Well, I may as well have some fun.