Page 10 of Puck King
Everleigh put her hands on her hips and walked towards me. “What’s the problem then?”
“Everleigh, I’m six foot four. Mike was a big guy and he was strong enough to get the job done. I’m sure whoever you hired is great at her job, but I need someone strong.”
Everleigh balled her fists at her side and I could see the veins in her very toned arms popping. “She’s got excellent reviews.”
“I don’t give a shit, Sis.”
The sting on my good arm almost rivalled the pain of the dull throb in the bad one. “Ouch.” I rubbed at my bicep where Everleigh had just punched me.
She shook her hand. “Strong enough for you?”
“Point taken, but…”
The person on the other side of the door knocked again. Everleigh brushed me off and rushed to open the door. The woman standing in the doorway towered over my sister and looked like a retired volleyball player.
“Colton, this is your new acupuncturist, Alison.” Everleigh stepped out of the way and gestured for the woman to come in – a little more extravagantly than was necessary. “Come on in, Alison. There’s a massage table set up next to the stretching mats.”
Alison extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. King.”
I wondered if my face was as red as hers. Everleigh hadn’t given me a choice, and now I had to play nice with someone who wasn’t going to be good enough for the job. I didn’t like needles and I didn’t believe in acupuncture. When Alison shook my hand, she squeezed a little harder than was necessary. Was she trying to prove a point? “Likewise,” I grumbled. The woman’s eyes narrowed and on anyone else, her auburn hair and matching freckles would’ve been cute. But combined with her death stare, she looked fiery and angry.
“I think there’s been a mistake.” I let go of her hand and resisted the urge to shake it after the vice grip level greeting.
Her cheeks turned pink. “What kind of a mistake?”
Could I be honest with her? Could I tell her that I didn’t like needles, or believe in what she did for a living? “I don’t need acupuncture at the moment.”
“Colton.” Everleigh’s voice was low and growly. I kept forgetting that she was technically now my boss, not just my bossy sister.
I sighed. “It’s just, I’m particular about my physiotherapy.”
Alison took a deep breath. “I’ve heard.”
“You’ve heard?” I wondered how long she’d been at the door and what exactly she’d heard. I already had enough problems with the press. I didn’t need this woman telling them that I was a dick to my training team.
Everleigh cleared her throat. “Mrs. Parson…”
Alison held up her hand. “It’s Miss Moffat.” She squared her shoulders to stand taller. I’m six foot four, and she was tall, maybe even six feet. She spoke to Everleigh, but her eyes pierced into mine. “I heard what your brother said. I think that he’s right.”
“What?” Everleigh and I both spoke at the same time.
Alison put her hands on her hips, and through her t-shirt I could see her breasts pressing at the fabric of her sports bra. The woman had a 1990s supermodel body like Cindy Crawford or volleyball babe Gabby Reece. “He’s totally wrong about the strength thing. I’m strong enough to deal with anyone.” She zipped her windbreaker over her chest and pulled on her gloves. “We’re not the right fit because I don’t work with assholes.”
Whoa. I blinked hard and took an involuntary step back.
Everleigh clapped her hand to her mouth to stifle her laugh. “I think you’re perfect.”
I sighed. “I’m just used to Mike, and he didn’t think I needed acupuncture.” I paused and then added, “I’m sorry.”
Her ‘I don’t believe you stare’ softened. The apology was genuine. I never wanted to hurt or insult anyone, and she must have felt that, because her hands dropped to her side and her shoulders seemed to relax.
“How about this?” She walked past me and a waft of vanilla from her hair made my cock involuntarily pulse, my body’s response to her smell catching me off guard. She was pretty, but totally not my type. She patted the massage table. “Give me one hour. If you still want someone stronger, I won’t be offended. But you have to give me and my modalities a chance.”
Everleigh glared at me and I knew that I had to say yes.
Six
Alison
