Page 52 of Cheap Shot
“I don’t know.” I sigh, flopping back on the couch and staring at the ceiling.
A few hours ago, I had a million and one reasons for why things between Cole and I wouldn't work, most of those based on the fact that I believed he wanted nothing from me but a quick lay. But things have changed now that I know he’s been looking for me. Not only looking for me, but bribing little old ladies to commit a crime just to snag my phone number. No one goes through that much trouble for something they aren’t the least bit interested in. Logically, I know this, but I can’t get the rest of me on board.
“Let me phrase it a little differently for you.”
“Okay, I’m listening.”
“Has he gotten under your skin, too?”
Judging by the fact that our second meeting in the locker room this morning has been the only thing I’ve thought about for most of today. How my breath caught in my throat every time someone walked through the training room door, hoping it was going to be him scowling down at me. Sure, he has gotten under my skin, but is taking a chance at whatever this is worth losing the job of my dreams? That’s the cusp of my problem because I have no freaking idea.
“I don’t know,” I say again, dropping my chin to my chest and answering her as honestly as I can. “But I can’t stop thinking about him. Hell, instead of taking a shower and getting ready for work tomorrow, I’ve been sitting here, yapping with you about our nonexistent relationship.”
She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “And that’s okay. You don’t need to have an answer to every question you’re asked immediately, you know. You can take time to figure it out.”
I nod my head slowly, giving her hand a return squeeze and forcing a smile. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“That’s what I’m here for, Shell my Belle.”
I plant a wet kiss on her cheek before pushing to my feet. “Can I take a shower now?”
“Of course.” She makes a show of grabbing her nose. “I can smell you all the way over here.”
I grab one of the throw pillows off the couch and toss it at her head, causing her to fall back on the couch in a fit of laughter.
Stacey and Kyle may be right. There is the potential of there being something between Cole and me. All I need to do is take a leap of faith and see where it goes. But if I’m being honest with myself, I’m terrified. One thing I’m not ready to admit out loud to anyone. The other thing is that I know in my gut that whatever this is between Cole and me isn’t over. Not even close. Not only that, but it has the potential to change my life forever. I’m just not sure if it's for the better or the worse.
ChapterThirteen
Cole
The gym smells like rubber mats and sweat, and the overhead lights hum faintly above us. I’ve been here since before sunrise, doing cardio and keeping my mind off the woman who now walks in like she owns the place.
Michele.
Fuck, just speaking her name in my mind does things to my body neither of us is ready for. My eyes lock with hers as she flashes me a shy smile, wiggling her fingers at me in greeting.
“I just need to drop off my stuff, and we can get started.”
“I’ll be here waiting,” I respond, wincing slightly at the cheesiness of the phrase.
Thankfully, Michele doesn’t notice, giving me time to scan her body, committing today’s torture device—I mean, outfit to memory. Tight black leggings, Timberwolves staff hoodie, tablet in hand. Hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, no makeup, all business. And yet somehow, she still knocks the breath out of me just by existing in my peripheral vision.
“You never came back to the weight room yesterday. I thought you didn’t want to waste any time getting started.” She doesn’t look at me, her eyes focused on the tablet in front of her.
“I got an unexpected visitor in the locker room and needed to get out of here. No one wanted to be subjected to my foul mood.”
“What could have pissed you off so much you’d bail on training?”
Instead of answering, I drop to the floor, spreading my legs a little over shoulder-width apart and dropping my ass down as low as possible before thrusting my hips forward slightly. I can feel the pull in my groin almost immediately, repeating the motion a few times before chancing a glance over my shoulder.
I chuckle softly as Michele’s eyes are focused on my ass. I repeat the motion a few more times. I watch her face as her tongue peeks out of her mouth, and she runs it across her upper lip. Fuck. I lean back on heels, discreetly adjusting my cock in my sweatpants before snapping to get her attention.
“Wipe the drool off your chin.”
Her hand goes right to her chin before she catches herself and pretends to brush something off her face.
“I wasn’t…” she begins, shaking her head slightly before coming around to face me. “Anyway, you didn’t answer my question.”
