Ever since the morning sickness finally backed off two weeks ago, I’ve been embarrassingly horny. Poor Koda can barely look at me sideways without me practically climbing him like a tree.
“Earth to Charlotte.” Sarah waves a hand in front of my face. “You’re doing that thing again.”
“What thing?” I blink, trying to focus on her instead of the mental image of Koda’s hands on my body.
“That glazed-over, sex-drunk expression you get whenever he texts.” She grins wickedly. “Seriously, it’s like watching someone get high in real time.”
I feel my cheeks burn hotter. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you don’t.” Sarah starts walking toward her car, and I fall into step beside her. “So what’s the plan for the showcase? Are we going to be partners or what?”
“Of course,” I tell her. “Who should we use as our model?”
“Actually, I was thinking that my cousin Jade would be perfect,” Sarah says, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “She’s been wanting to go lighter for ages, and she’s super reliable. Plus, she’s got that gorgeous, thick hair that would be amazing to work with.”
I feel a wave of relief wash over me. “Really? She’d be willing to let us do a full transformation?”
“Are you kidding? She’d love it. She’s always been my guinea pig growing up, and she actually enjoys being the center of attention.” Sarah pulls out her phone. “I can text her right now if you want. Get it locked down before anyone else panics about finding a model.”
“That would be amazing,” I say, grateful to have one less thing to stress about.
Sarah’s already typing away on her phone, then looks up with a grin. “Done. She’s already texting back—she’s totally in.”
Before I can respond, she’s pulling me into a quick hug.
“I’ll text you later with all the details,” she says, heading toward her car. “Go celebrate that B+ with your mountain man!”
I wave as she drives off, then dig my keys out of my bag. The afternoon sun feels warm on my face, and for the first time in weeks, I actually feel good. Great, even. The nausea is finally gone, my grades are improving, and I have a solid partner for the showcase.
My phone buzzes again, and this time Koda’s message makes me bite my lip:
*Been thinking about you all afternoon. About how you taste. How you sound when I make you come.*
A gush of wetness coats my panties. I glance around the parking lot to make sure no one can see the probably ridiculous expression on my face.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m in my car and on my way to Koda’s job. Koda mentioned he had training sessions this afternoon at Worthington Sports. Maybe I can surprise him. The drive across town takes fifteen minutes, my anticipation building with each mile.
The gym isbusy when I walk through the glass doors twenty minutes later. The receptionist, a blonde woman in her twenties, looks up from her computer with a professional smile.
“Hi, I’m looking for Koda Wilde,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual.
“Oh, he’s in the back training area.” She points down a hallway lined with motivational posters. “Just follow the sounds of someone getting their ass kicked.”
I laugh and head in the direction she indicated, my heart rate picking up with each step. The hallway opens into a largetraining area with boxing rings, heavy bags, and various pieces of equipment I can’t even name.
I spot Koda immediately.
He’s in the ring with a younger guy, holding thick padded mitts while his student throws combinations. Sweat gleams on Koda’s arms and chest where his tank top doesn’t cover, his muscles flexing as he absorbs each punch. His dark hair is pulled back, and even from across the room, I can see the intense focus on his face.
Man, he’s sexy.
I lean against the wall to watch, content to admire him until he notices me. It doesn’t take long. His eyes find mine between combinations, and his face immediately lights up with that smile he reserves just for me.
“Time,” he calls to his student, pulling off the mitts. “Good work today, Mario. Same time Thursday?”
The younger man nods, grabs his water bottle, and heads toward the locker rooms. Koda ducks under the ropes and strides toward me, that predatory grace I love so much evident in every step.
“This is a nice surprise,” he says, pulling me against his sweaty chest for a kiss that makes my knees weak.