Chapter Ten #2
I handed him the iPad pencil. He took it from my hand, brushing the backs of my fingers with the tips of his, and a tremor went through me. His skin was slightly humid. I crossed my legs and sucked in a breath. He handed me back the iPad. Clutching it to my chest, I looked up.
“You’re the first person from the office to come here,” he stated.
"What did you do? Forbid everyone to come here? Why do they know the address, then?"
"For emergencies. They know I don't want to be disturbed here. I come to blow off steam."
My shoulders sagged. "This morning bothered you that much?"
I was doing such a good job. I was maintaining eye contact, and I hadn't let my eyes drop to his chest even once since we started talking, but God, I wanted to. More than that, I wanted to reach out and touch him.
His nostrils flared, but I didn’t think he was angry.
"I'll change and shower quickly. And I believe I owe you dinner."
I laughed nervously. "That sounds like a chore."
He swallowed hard. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. It would be a pleasure.”
"I'll stay here and initiate the process of… Never mind, I'll just do my job. Take your time."
After Colton disappeared through a door—probably to the locker room—I quickly accessed the platform, uploading the picture with his signature. Within five minutes I'd sent it in. Then I had nothing left to do.
I put the iPad in my bag, looking around. A door opened, and I sucked in a breath, but Colton didn't come out. It was his sparring partner.
"Zoey, I need to get home to the family. There are no more clients scheduled today. Colton knows how to close up the place. Tell him to do it, okay?"
"Sure," I said.
The guy looked at me with a knowing smile. Oh God. Don't blush now, Zoey. Could he tell I wasn't here just for work?
"Sorry to bust in like that earlier. I just really needed Colton in person," I explained.
"Yeah, yeah." He winked at me. "You two have fun."
What did he mean? Did Colton tell him something? Was it written on my face that I wanted him?
It was a good thing Colton would come out fully clothed because I didn't think I could be around him if he was naked, sweaty, and all tatted up and not jump his bones. Forget kissing. I would literally jump him.
He came out a few minutes later. His hair was wet.
His shirt looked different from this morning, like it was a bit too small and had stretched.
But even though he was fully clothed and I couldn't even see a hint of his tattoo, the image of him shirtless was dancing behind my eyes. I couldn't forget it.
"Theo left. He said you should close up."
He nodded. "Sure."
"How come you've got the keys to this place?" I asked.
"I'm one of his oldest clients, and we’re very good friends. I helped him set this place up. In turn he gives me the keys. That way I can come even when there's no one here."
"Who do you box with when that happens?"
"A punching bag. It's a very efficient workout."
"I'll say," I replied.
He chuckled. "Would you like me to take off my shirt so you can see that tattoo better? You couldn't take your eyes off it earlier."
I sucked in a breath, nearly swallowing my tongue. "I, um… well, okay, so that was obvious."
"Yeah, it was."
I was just becoming more awkward by the second, which was so unlike me.
"I didn't think anything could stump you," he replied.
"Neither did I, but apparently you have special skills." I frowned. "Look, sorry for ambushing you here."
"Don't worry about it, okay? I appreciate you taking this stuff seriously. But it’s late. You don’t need to put in overtime."
I shrugged, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I usually don’t, but seeing you motivates me."
"Oh?" he asked, cocking a brow.
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant that I've never seen anyone who puts so much effort into what he does. It's inspiring.”
“Some call it obsessive."
"Those things aren't mutually exclusive," I quipped.
He glanced at the bag I’d put on one of the benches and then back up at me. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Pizza, maybe," I suggested.
I had so many questions for him. When did he start doing this? Why did he need to blow off steam after an email from his half brother?
He looked at his phone and said, "All right, I don't know any of the restaurants around here.”
Still scrolling on his phone, he took my bag from the bench. Putting it on my shoulder, he brushed his thumb across my clavicle. My lips parted, and I exhaled sharply. Colton looked up from his phone, zeroing in on my mouth. He repeated the motion before running his thumb up and down my neck.
How could that turn me on so quickly? I felt as if he was touching my nipples or drawing a straight line from my navel down to my clit.
I swallowed hard, trying to breathe in deeply.
"So damn sexy," he said.
I was certain he knew exactly what he was doing to me. He knew I was a puddle of mush at his feet, that he could do whatever he wanted and I’d be fine with it.
He put an arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
It was all the invitation I needed. I immediately put my hands on his rib cage and moved them up.
I'd been dying to touch his chest, and it didn't disappoint.
It was even harder than I imagined. He smelled like a pine-scented shower gel.
I needed him to kiss me more than I needed anything in my life.
And he did, but not in the way I expected.
He lowered his mouth on me, placing small kisses from my earlobe to the corner of my mouth.
He groaned, pressing me even closer to him.
Then he kissed me ferociously with the same passion I’d seen in the ring.
He gave me everything he had, and yet I wanted more.
I wanted all of his passion, and I wanted it right now.
I was often impulsive, but not reckless. But with Colton, I wanted it all.