Page 45 of High Stakes

“What the fuck is going on?”

She raises her arms over her head slowly and tips to one side, all the while being supported by Mr. Muscle. She smiles wide, “Sorry, did we wake you?”

“Obviously.”

“This is Cal, my personal trainer. Cal, this is my landlord.”

I arch a brow,landlord.“You have a personal trainer? Since when?”

“Believe it or not, Aiden, you don’t know everything about me.” She turns, bending so I get an eyeful of her backside. I have no doubt this is some kind of game to show me what I’m missing, but believe me, I already know. “I’ve neglected my sessions since all the stuff with my dad, I’ve decided to get back on it and Cal here is amazing at working my body hard, aren’t you Cal.”My god is she flirting?Cal grins, his eyes running over her body in much the same way as mine. He wants her.Almost as badly as I do.

Bella

Cal works me hard and as I drop down on the grass and stare up at the sky, I wonder why I do this to myself. My lungs burn and my legs ache. Cal grabs my left leg and rests my foot on his thigh while rubbing my muscle. I groan, it feels good. “So, was that guy just a landlord?” he asks casually. I smile to myself. Cal’s made no secret he likes me, and I’m not complaining because he’s gorgeous. His body is perfect, sculptured by the Greek gods according to Aria. Maybe I should just . . . I give my head a shake, what the fuck am I thinking. I can’t sleep with Cal out of the blue. That would be reckless.

“Yes,” I finally answer as he rubs my other leg.His hands do feel good, I muse.

“And you’re still single?” he asks.

“I am.”

“Yet you still turn me down,” he teases.

I grin, “I don’t want to lose a good PT.”

“You’re killing me here, Bella,” he says, holding a hand over his heart.

Maybe I should. Maybe getting rid of my virginity, will put an end to the turmoil I currently feel.Maybe I would stop craving Aiden if I just moved on.

“Yah know, my place is just over there,” nods Cal as if reading my mind. “We could warm down and then have a coffee? Look at sorting out a proper food plan?”

I put my hand out for him to pull me up. “Lead the way.”

Cal’s place is a typical bachelor pad. One couch, a television and a coffee table with cup rings staining it. He gets out the laptop and stands at the kitchen worktop. “I have a food plan drawn up,” he tells me, and I stand beside him to look it over. His little finger brushes mine and I inhale sharply. There’s a definite spark.

“What about you?” I ask, turning so my back is resting against the worktop and I’m facing him. “Are you still single?”

He grins, “Yeah.”

My mobile beeps, distracting me. Cal takes his attention back to the laptop and I pull it out.

Aria: Aiden said you’ve started sessions with Cal again. Everything okay?

I roll my eyes wondering why she’s spoken to Aiden.

Me: Yeah, I’m good. I’m at his place now.

Aria: The last time you worked out, was because you were depressed. Should I be worried?

Me: Don’t be ridiculous. I need a boost. Besides, he’s fit ??

Aria: Okay, officially worried because you don’t even sound like you right now.

Me: You were right last night, Ari. I am too good for Aiden. Fuck him. Cal is flirting and I’m not against it.

Aria: So now you’re moving on to Cal?

Me: I’m considering losing my burden to a nice guy that I have no connection with.

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