The Matchmaker's Playbook

“Exhausted.” She laughed. “But I love that feeling.”


“It’s the best,” I said, my throat suddenly dry as her eyes fell to my mouth.

“So”—I put some distance between our bodies—“I’ll help you stretch and—”

Blake’s eyes widened as she jerked her head to the right, as if to say, Look!

David was making his way toward us, head bobbing to the hip-hop pounding from his phone. I’d always assumed guys like him listened to Josh Groban. Hell, he even looked like a taller version of him.

“Stay calm.” I grabbed her leg and quickly pushed against it so that it was getting stretched toward her head, then placed my body over hers, my legs in between hers. Basically we were doing a Kama Sutra move with clothes on and no happy ending. Damn it.

Nodding, Blake closed her eyes and let out a little moan. “Ouch, that hurts.”

“Sorry.” My fingers fumbled as they moved down her calf to her thigh. “Shit, you’re tight.” Her muscles quivered beneath my fingers as I slowly massaged.

“Yeah,” she breathed. “Right. There.”

I dug deeper with my hands, then continued stretching her until we were nearly chest to chest. She arched as my hand found the knot.

“Sorry.” I shared a wince with her as I continued massaging.

“Feels amazing.” The knot relaxed, and I moved on to her next leg. “Oh.” She nearly came off the mat.

“Doesn’t the PT help you guys out with this?” I asked, trying to keep my hands focused on actually stretching her, instead of moving from her muscles to parts that didn’t need stretching.

“He’s groped me three times,” she grumbled. “I think he takes his job a little too . . . personally.”

“Kick him in the nuts next time. I’m sure you could blame it on your incredible reflexes.” I pushed harder as I completely straddled her one leg while lifting the other high above her head. My body was really enjoying the stretch, but not because it was relieving tension. If anything, it was creating it, and it wasn’t like workout clothing was very forgiving. All she had to do was look down and she’d see just how excited I was to help her out in any way possible, day and night, night and day.

“Blake?” A deep voice interrupted our stretching session. I glanced up and dismissed David with a quick smirk, the kind guys give each other when they know the other dude is jealous and can’t do shit about it.

“Oh, hey.” Blake leaned up on her elbows as I lowered her leg. “I didn’t see you there, David.”

“You look . . .” He pointed at her body and swallowed slowly, his eyes drinking her in with obvious interest.

“Exhausted,” she said. She burst out laughing and grabbed my hand. “Ian really knows how to work me.”

I nearly burst out laughing at the rage that crossed David’s face. How dare I touch his friend! Just to piss him off, I kissed her hand and winked.

“You know”—David leaned down into our space—“if you ever want any extra help . . . at the gym, you could always ask me.”

“Oh.” Blake glanced between me and David. “That’s nice of you to offer, but—”

“I think I’ve got it covered, David.” I leered suggestively.

“Well, the offer still stands.” David pushed to his feet and slowly backed away. “It was great seeing you, Blake. You look . . . really good.”

She glanced down at her tits.

Which in turn made me and every other male within a fifty-mile radius join her in mutual admiration.

“Thanks!”

I nearly groaned when she popped her shoulders, making her chest bounce a bit. My hand twitched, along with my dick.

“Uh.” Poor David looked about ready to swallow his tongue as he moved his hands to the front of his body and nodded. “Well, see ya.”

Dirty little prick was covering his junk.

He immediately went to the bench press and loaded 275 on the bar. Really, dude? He was going to be in a world of hurt if he didn’t at least warm up.

But the Jolly Green Giant was sneakier than I expected. He didn’t pretend that we weren’t watching. If anything, he knew we would be.

Sly Jolly Green Giant. I frowned as he started pumping the 275 like it wasn’t a big deal. He stood, chest puffed out, and glanced over at us as if to say, Oh, you’re still here? Watch this.

He added another thirty pounds.

He had no spot.

Had to hand it to him. He was an idiot, but he was a strong idiot.

“Wow,” Blake breathed. I glanced at her wide eyes as they bobbed up and down with the cadence of his pump. Oh, hell no.

Grinding my teeth, I nearly mauled her right then and there. Was she seriously impressed with that douche? The line between personal and professional was blurring right before my very eyes, because I wanted nothing more than to pin her against the wall and sink myself into her.

I was caught in a situation I’d never been in before. A situation where the girl and the guy doing their natural I’m man, watch me roar—oh my, look how strong you are thing actually made my chest hurt.