Page 64 of Heart Taker

I couldn’t help myself.

I want him. I’m going to be the one to break his icy control.

Instead of ruminating about Damien and reckless choices, I got back to my workout.

Ten minutes turned to twenty, then thirty. I was drenched in sweat by the time I was done with my full circuit, tired but feeling calmer than when I first walked in here and spotted Damien. I thought nothing could compare to him in a tailored suit but seeing him in shorts and a tank top rivaled for top spot in my spank bank. The only thing better would be getting him naked in my bed. Probably a hotel out of town if we wanted to be careful.

I hit the shower, but I ignored my hard-on. Unlike our locker at the rink, where we had a communal shower room, the ones here were stalls. I had privacy and time to rub one out, but I wanted to wait. Damien was worth it.

Once I was cleaned up, I headed for my truck and was on the road to Burlington.

Verdant wasn’t busy, but most Tuesdays rarely were, so I spent most of my time confirming upcoming appointments and taking care of the monthly bookkeeping. Until Darby rolled into work.

“What are you up to later?” he asked, stepping into my personal space and giving me a flirty grin.

What we’d had was fun, but I wasn’t interested in a repeat. Not anymore.

“I’ve got plans.”

I’m going to kiss my coach… fuck, the very idea had me so horny I had to hide my hips behind the counter.

“Are you seeing someone?” Darby added.

“Define ‘seeing.’” I chuckled. “It’s brand new. I don’t know what it is yet.”

Ain’t that the truth.

“Who is he?”

“I can’t say. He’s not out.”

“Ugh, please don’t tell me you have feelings for a DL guy,” Darby warned.

I didn’t know how to describe what was happening between me and Damien. We hadn’t done anything yet, and I was already consumed with thoughts about him. I’d never felt such a pull towards a guy before, like if we didn’t touch soon, I’d go out of my freaking mind. Bad enough I’d wanked off to fantasies of him last night until I came all over my sheets. Seeing him in the light of day only made the wanting worse.

“Doubtful,” I replied.

Sex I could handle, feelings for a guy… I had no clue.

“Well, if you change your mind,” Darby continued, “and you need a distraction, let me know.”

I glanced at him. “We’re better off as friends, don’t you think?”

Darby gave me another long look and finally stepped back.

“That works, too,” he replied. “For what it’s worth, I hope this guy treats you right.”

“Like I said, I have zero expectations.”

“If that’s true, why don’t you want to hook up with me anymore?”

“I don’t… I don’t know.”

How could I explain it? I wanted Damien. No one else.

Darby gaped at me. “Shit, you really like this guy.”

I swallowed hard and nodded.

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