Strike to the Heart(8)

I shook my head. “No, I have what I need here. My plan is to eat a light meal and work out in a while. After that, I’ll load up on some carbs. I love any excuse to eat pasta.”

“I can help you out with that workout.” Zane waggled his eyebrows.

~ * ~ * ~

Jo

I increased the speed on the treadmill and my ponytail whipped me in the neck. I glanced over at Zane. His speed was faster and he’d set the incline higher. I was surprised to feel the urge to match him. I usually saved my competitiveness for the tennis court.

Zane caught my glance. “I want to take you out.”

“Out where?”

“Out, out. For a meal.”

I pushed the button that controlled the speed and amped it up a notch. “I told you already. I’m going to load up on pasta and go to bed.”

“I didn’t mean tonight.”

“Oh.” How weird that I felt disappointed. I expected him to insist more, but if he had, I wouldn’t have liked his pushiness. I wasn’t comfortable with the mass of contradictions Zane was causing inside me.

Sweat broke out on Zane’s forehead. “Another time?”

“Thursday. I don’t have any matches Thursday. I have practice and coaching in the morning, but I could do a late lunch.” Maybe I didn’t have to back off. Maybe I could keep it light.

“A late lunch it is then.” He flashed a smile at me.

We ran side by side. The minutes ticked by on the console. Zane’s feet thumped against the belt. A sheen of sweat covered his skin. I wanted to lick it off so badly. I wanted to bite and nibble every square inch.

I shook my head and forced my eyes forward, trying to bounce the distracting thoughts out of my mind. My face tended to give away what I was thinking, and I hoped Zane wasn’t looking my way.

My program ended and the treadmill slowed. I walked for another minute to cool down and hopped off after the belt stopped. I headed over to the mat. Spreading my legs, I stretched.

“That’s a nice view.”

My heart lurched as Zane’s voice sounded behind me. I swung around to face him. “I’m trying to stretch.”

“Don’t mind me at all. I am totally into you stretching. A lot.”

My face heated and I knew I was blushing. I never blushed. But my irritation couldn’t make it past the burning arousal heating my body. “Zane!” His name was almost a hiss. I glanced around, but we were alone in the gym.

~ * ~ * ~

Zane

Jo had one fine ass, and those yoga pants didn’t hide a thing. I wanted to tackle her to the mat and rip the sports tank right off her. Then I’d pull her waistband down and—

“Zane!” Jo hissed. It was a hissing whisper. How did women manage to be loud and quiet at the same time? I’d never figured that one out.

“Do you want to go back to your room? We could finish your workout there.” The question hung in the air. Jo looked torn.

I shook my head. What was I thinking, interfering with her training routine? I knew better than anyone how important it was to go through the routine—to prepare not only the body but the mind, too.

“Jo, I’m—”

“Yes.”

That was it. A simple yes. My cock was iron hard against my leg. I grabbed her hand and hustled her to the elevator. The doors opened and no one was inside.

Jo slipped her key card into the slot and hit the button for her floor.

I took her hands in mine and pushed her to the wall, stretching out her arms. My body pressed into her and I kissed her. I let all my hunger out, devouring her lips and grinding my hips against her.

The elevator dinged and came to a stop. I moved away as the doors opened. An older couple stepped on.

I stared at Jo. Her face was flushed and her lips swollen. Strands of escaping hair from her ponytail stuck out in every direction. She looked beautiful. Ripe. Mine for the taking.

The elevator stopped again and we exited, hustling down the hallway. Jo jammed her key card into the lock, but the lights stubbornly refused to turn green. Her hand was shaking.

I took the card from her and unlocked the door. We pushed inside and the door slammed shut behind us.

We stumbled toward the bed, stripping on the way—our clothes flying in every direction.

Jo crawled onto the mattress and I was right behind her. She went to flip onto her back, but I held her in place on her hands and knees. I rubbed against her ass. “I can’t wait.”

Jo wiggled her ass. “I don’t want to wait, either.”

I pulled her pants and panties down to her knees in one motion, then fished in my pocket for the condom I knew was there. I opened my pants and ripped open the packet. I rolled it on and nudged between her legs. Reaching up, I pulled out the band holding her hair. Blonde strands spilled over her shoulders and back. My hands grasped her inner thighs and pushed her legs apart.