Page 127 of Changing Rules

“Atmygym?”

“I didn’t know you owned a gym. When did that happen?” I can barely hold back my laughter.

Her lips twitch, but rather than smile, she groans. “Xander.”

I slowly rise to my feet and step closer to her, head lowered. “I missed you, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see you.” Deciding to take a risk, I cup her face. “I haven’t seen you in a week, and it sucks. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Her shoulders sag. “I’m not mad; I’m annoyed.”

“Kinda figured that.”

She chuckles, her focus dropping to my mouth. Her warm, flushed skin heats further, I swear, as she parts her lips. The heat simmering in my gut spreads to my groin, and my dick hardens.

“Wanna play a game?” I ask, my tone gravelly.

“A game?”

“You’ll have five minutes to hide; then I’ll have ten to find you. If I do, I get to do whatever I want with you. If I don’t, you’ll get to do whatever you want with me.”

“If I win, you’ll really listen? Even if I tell you to stop showing up wherever I go?”

No. “I will. You have my word.”

Amusement dances in her eyes, and she breaks into the most beautiful smile.

“Okay.”

I lean into her, my nose brushing hers. “Hide, Bella, and hide well, because if I find you…the word ‘no’ disappears from your vocabulary for tonight.”

Her breath hitches, and her eyes go hazy.

With a smug smile, I take a step back, pull my phone out of my pocket, and set a timer.

“You have five minutes.” With that, I tap Start.

With a slight shake of her head, she backs away. After two or three steps, she turns and takes off.

I’ve only been to this facility once, so I’m taking a risk by limiting myself to ten minutes, but she’s worth it.

Once her five minutes is up, I set a timer for ten. Then I begin. I pass the workout area and the rooms for Pilates and yoga classes, checking behind every door. With only two minutes left, panic sets in. I step into the pool, but the only person here is a man swimming laps, his strokes wide, his head bent.

I shake my head and hurry to the showers. And, thank fuck, I finally find her. She’s standing in one of the shower stalls, her back pressed to the wall.

“It’s been more than ten minutes,” she tells me as I make my way to her. “I won.”

I drink her in, noticing how her chest heaves with ragged breaths, how her hard nipples poke through her sports bra.

“You think you won?”

“I did.”

As I step into the stall with her, my phone vibrates, indicating my ten minutes are just now up.

Her pupils dilate.

“I won,” I say.

She sighs. “Then what will it be? What do you want from me?”

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