Page 28

I get on the treadmill closest to the door she’ll exit, hopping on quickly. Setting the speed to seven, I pray I don’t pull something from my lack of a warmup.

Moments pass, and the small drift from the door hits my ankles. Her closeness makes the hair on my sweaty legs stand immediately.

When she’s finally out, I can’t help but crane my neck in her direction. Stealing just one more glance to hold me over for the evening, it becomes one with her own.

A scoff to match is immediate, and without a second thought, she fumbles for the zipper of her open sweatshirt, closing off any extra skin so my eyes don’t wander.

I clear my throat louder than necessary, not letting my eyes leave hers, even for just a second. “Nice moves.”

Pretending to give a fuck about the mile and some change I’ve managed to crank out, I focus all my attention on her. Running on the treadmill is significantly harder when your body is aimed one way and looking the other.

When she doesn’t reply, I pull the emergency card, bracing myself over the slowing band. I smirk when I see how white her knuckles are on the door, yet she hasn’t walked through it.

“Unbelievable,” I hear her mutter under her breath.

“That doesn’t sound like a thank you.”

I stroll my way to her, not wanting my large strides to take up too much of the little time I have with her.

“Still brainless, I see.”

Her snicker grows louder, her front still facing the exit.

“Still beautiful, I see.”

I’m a few steps behind her, and even with sweat glistening on her skin, her sweet scent douses every inch of this small community gym.

Faint laughter vibrates from the beautiful woman in front of me, and I can’t describe how tingly my insides get at the sound.

“I’ll take your laugh as a thank you.”

She lets time slow between us. Using it to decide whether she wants to banter.

Banter with me, baby.

When she finally turns to look at me again, my breath catches. She’s everything. A natural masterpiece. A luminous vision. Pure beauty dressed in loose cotton.

“More like fuck you,” she hisses.

Her tone is gruff, like cursing takes more energy than she has, but she spares every last bit of it for me.

“Eh, a win’s a win.”

Her perfect green eyes roll just slightly, and a jostle from beneath my shorts forces me to rock between the balls of my feet.

“You should be careful coming in here so late by yourself.”

I lift my watch to glance at the time as her deathly stare sears into me.

“It’s eight, not after midnight,” she fires back.

“Can’t ever be too safe.” I shrug. “I can always come sit and watch—protect the door.”

I can’t help but be playful, though I’m serious about what I said. I will guard the fuck out of that door if I have to.

“You can’t just watch people without their permission.” Her hand finds her hip, eyes narrowing on mine.

“Give me permission, then.”