Increasing the speed on my treadmill, I focused my mind on the upcoming paintball games rather than the sweaty body a few feet away.
The other teams were filled with killers and not the cuddly sort like from the crew. Enforcers and the Rutgers twins and that guy Lenny who licked his teeth when he saw Raven for the first time. I needed to be on the top of my game if I wanted to avoid embarrassing myself. Damp panties and dirty thoughts weren’t helpful.
Except Saint looked like a warrior god next to me. Running at a steady pace, he watched the overhead TV. I wanted to watch it, but Saint proved a better view.
We worked through the final half of a Frasier episode before someone entered the gym. I looked back to see the freaky tall enforcer whose name I didn’t remember. Saint never turned around or slowed his pace.
“Go away,” he said in a hard voice. “Ocupado.”
The guy left without saying a word.
“You really don’t like sharing,” I laughed.
Saint glanced at me and grinned. “No, I really don’t. I did that for you though. Figured you didn’t want a guy checking you out.”
“I am very vulnerable.”
Saint’s grin widened. “So very vulnerable.”
“Thanks for protecting me then.”
Giving me a nod, Saint returned to watching TV and kept running for another twenty minutes. I increased my speed twice until I was at a light jog. My knee was just starting to act up when Saint began his cool down.
Stepping off the treadmills, we stared at each other. I hated how my body reacted to the sight of his sweaty body. I also loved how my body reacted. Arousal both made me feel dirty and happy.
“I know we were goofing off earlier, but I really am attracted to you,” I said, forcing out the words.
“I know,” Saint said, grabbing a towel and wiping the sweat from his neck. “If I was into guys, I’d be attracted to me too.”
Rolling my eyes, I stomped towards the door. Before I got too far, Saint pinned me between him and the treadmill. I was ready to complain until I noticed his dark gaze.
“It’s more than the highlights, isn’t it?” I teased.
“It’s nothing personal,” he said in a hungry voice betraying his words. “I have a thing for women with flushed cheeks.”
I forced myself to hold his gaze, needing him to see me. One day very soon, this amazing man would be gone from my life. Knowing I would suffer for not knowing him, I held his gaze until he leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “Temptation is a bitch.”
“It’s just the flushed cheeks,” I muttered.
Saint’s lips caressed my temple, sending shivers through me. All those warm feelings landed between my legs. Panicking, I backed up, but the treadmill kept me from escaping. Saint finally shifted to the side, so I could flee.
I hurried to the door before pausing to think about why I was running. I wasn’t afraid of Saint. I was afraid of how he made me feel. I feared my body’s reaction. Running from my demons wasn’t an option. Closing the door, I faced Saint.
“Temptation really is a bitch,” I said, crossing my arms over excited nipples.
Saint nodded, handing me a towel. “I doubt it’s natural for people like us to be friends.”
“What do you suggest then?”
“Nothing. I’m just spitballing.”
Giving him a smile, I followed Saint from the gym. We stood on opposite sides of the elevator then avoided each other in the apartment. Once cleaned up and dressed, Saint focused his gaze on me. I saw immediately how he was hiding behind one his bland masks.
“There’s a meeting this afternoon to organize our paintballs teams. We should pick up Chinese after I get back tonight.”
I looked around the apartment then grabbed my bag. “I’ll be back later then.”
“You can hang out here, if you want.”
"I have things to do. The girls are getting together and Winnie texted to see if I could drop by. I'd rather do that than wait for you."
"I guess."
Knowing he was in a weird mood, Saint likely worried I wouldn’t return. Or maybe he was hoping I wouldn’t. The vibes coming off him ran both hot and cold.
“I could take my stuff and sleep at my house tonight.”
“Is that what you want?” he asked casually.
“Is it what you want?”
“I’m okay with whatever you decide.”
Frowning, I placed my hand on his arm and demanded his attention. “I don’t want to decide. I want you to decide.”
“Fine,” he said, taking his keys from the table. “You’ll sleep here tonight.”
“Well, alright then. If you're leaving, I'll go run errands. We'll meet up later for dinner.”
Grinning, Saint opened the door. “See how easy that was?”
“Yeah, just like pulling teeth.”
Saint grinned wider, but said nothing. He remained silent all the way to the parking garage. Only when I climbed on the Harley did he regain his voice.
“Be careful,” he said.
Glancing at Saint, I was again hit by the realization that one day soon he would be gone. I gestured for him to come closer and Saint obeyed.
“I like Chinese food,” I said, caressing his cheek.