by E. L. Todd
My lips were still slightly parted from the intensity of the feeling. I never had strong chemistry with anyone else, not like I did with Arsen. He was the only man who could make me melt, who could keep up with me, who could drive me crazy until I screamed in passion.
“It’ll have to wait until we’re home.”
“Why?” I whispered.
“I’m not going to fuck you where other people can see you.”
“Why do you care?” I challenged.
He left the question hanging. He pulled away then grabbed my wrist, taking me with him. Then he interlocked our fingers together, gripping me tightly like I might float away.
After we walked inside, I spotted my friends.
“Girl, you look smoking hot!” Denise looked me up and down. “Spin around.”
I made a pose while I turned.
“Damn, look at that ass,” Charlotte said.
I waved it off. “Oh, knock it off. You guys always look hotter than me.”
Denise laughed. “Yeah right.”
Charlotte laughed too then narrowed her eyes at Arsen, who was standing slightly behind me. His arms were by his sides, and his shoulders looked broad in his jacket. Even though he was clothed, it was obvious his body was chiseled to perfection. His body was flawless, and he knew how to use it. His blue eyes were hypnotic to any woman who looked at him.
Charlotte’s jaw dropped. Then she fanned her face. “Oh my…”
“So he is real?” Denise said. Her eyes were wide while she stared at him. “Wow.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, he is.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him with me. “Why would I make that up?”
“You make up a lot of stuff,” Denise said, still staring at Arsen’s face.
“I do not,” I argued.
“She does, actually,” Arsen said with a sexy grin.
I hit his arm playfully. “No, I don’t.”
Charlotte stared at him like he wasn’t real. “What’s a guy like him doing with a girl like you?”
I put my hands on my hips. “What about all that stuff you just said about me looking hot?”
“Not the same level of hot.” Denise shook her head slightly.
I rolled my eyes, embarrassed that my friends were openly gawking at Arsen.
He extended his hand to shake Charlotte’s. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Whoa, Arsen does have manners.
She shook his hand. “You too. But I’m surprised you’re Silke’s boyfriend.”
Arsen always rejected that title, saying we could never be together in a traditional way. But he didn’t correct her. I was surprised. Then he moved to Denise and introduced himself.
Both of my friends were floored by Arsen’s raw sexual magnetism. He was good-looking and charming, at least when he wanted to be, and he made a good first impression when he tried.
We moved to the table and Arsen sat beside me.
“Beer?” he asked me.
I nodded. “Sure.”
He left the table and headed to the bar. When his back was turned to me, I got a peek of his ass.
My friends both looked at me with stunned faces.
I smirked and released an elated sigh. “I know…”
“He has trouble written all over him, but wow, he comes in a pretty package,” Charlotte said.
I sighed again. “I know…”
“He really has a motorcycle?” Denise asked.
“He never goes anywhere without it,” I answered.
Denise studied him at the bar.
“Could you not check out my boyfriend’s ass?”
“Sorry,” Denise said with a laugh. “Got carried away…”
“Well, this is awkward…” Charlotte sipped her drink, looking guilty.
“What?” I asked.
“Hunter is here. We told him we’d hook you up with him,” Charlotte said.
“I told you I was bringing Arsen,” I said.
“But you’ve said that hundreds of times,” Denise argued. “We honestly thought he wasn’t real.”
That presented a dilemma. “Oh well, I’m sure Hunter won’t be too put out about it.”
“Let’s hope so,” Denise said with a shrug.
At that moment, Hunter came to the table with a beer in his hand. He flashed me a smile, his eyes lingering on my chest. “Wow, Silke. You look…wow.”
I felt my cheeks blush. “Uh, thanks.”
Hunter stared at me for another second before he recovered. “It’s great to see you.” He pulled me in for a hug.
“You too.” I returned the embrace then pulled away.
He left his beer on the table then turned his gaze on me. “I can easily say every guy in this bar hates me right now.”
Charlotte smirked and covered it with a sip of her drink.
I knew I should tell him about Arsen. “I know Denise and Charlotte said this would be a date but…”
Arsen set our beers down then eyed Hunter with a dark expression. He didn’t say anything, just staring him down.
Hunter followed my gaze then turned to Arsen. “Who’s this?”
“Arsen.” I decided to give Arsen a taste of his own medicine. I gave him a meaningful look.
Arsen’s eyes narrowed in anger but he didn’t react in any other way. His jaw was clenched tightly.
“Nice to meet you.” Hunter extended his hand to shake his, assuming I would never have any type of relationship with a guy that looked like Arsen.
Arsen eyed his hand for a moment before he took it. “Yeah.” Then he quickly pulled away.
Hunter turned back to me. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“I already got her one,” Arsen said darkly.
“Oh.” Hunter hid his annoyance. “Want to hit the dance floor?”
“I’d love to.” Making Arsen admit his feelings for me was always a pleasure.
Arsen growled, but it was so low no one heard it but me.
“Cool.” Hunter took my hand and led me onto the dance floor.
We danced together and shared a few laughs. When he held me close, I felt Arsen’s gaze burn into me. The jealousy emitted across the room, penetrating every inch of my skin. I knew he was fuming, pissed that some other guy was touching me. Arsen worked so hard to act like I didn’t mean anything to him. He fed me lies about all the women who stayed at his place. He claimed I meant nothing—less than nothing. But I knew it was all an act and he needed to knock it off.
A shadow passed over me then moved between Hunter and I. When I looked up, I saw Arsen looking down at me with a pissed expression on his face.
I gave him an innocent smile. “Three is too many to tango.”
“Then make it two.” He grabbed my hips then grinded against me, dancing so close we were a single person. His face was close to mine and he looked into my eyes, the same way he did when we made love. One hand moved down to my ass and he gripped me tightly, claiming me in front of anyone who could see.
I moved my hands up his chest while I danced with him. Dancing was similar to sex. People moved when their partner moved, and the connection between their minds was prominent. Passion drove them forward, guiding their swaying hips and moving legs.
His lips moved to my neck and he kissed me. Then he ran his tongue up my throat to my ear. “I wanted to fuck you the moment I saw you in that dress. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“No. I already knew.” I gave him a playful smile.
He smirked back. “You’re a little full of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I want to be full of you.” I gripped his ass and squeezed.
A quiet moan escaped his lips. “Stop trying to act like a bad girl. You aren’t one.”
“With you, I am.”
He gave me a serious look. “No, you’re a wonderful girl, too good for a loser like me.”
I kissed the corner of his mouth. “You aren’t a loser.”
“Let’s not do this,” he said seriously.
“Do what?”
“Pretend I’m something I’m not. I like it much better when you understand what I really am.”
I gripped his jacket and yanked him closer to me. “I understand exactly what you really are. You’re the one who doesn’t.”
His eyes narrowed and he clenched his jaw. But he didn’t say anything.
“Let’s stop playing games, Arsen. You want me all to yourself. Just admit it.”
His hands moved around my waist. “No, I don’t. You should be with someone better for you.”
“But I want you.”
He eyed Hunter by the table. “You should be dancing with him, not me.”
“You’re the one who interrupted us.”
He stopped moving and just stared at me. “I did, didn’t I?” The resignation in his voice told me something was off. He was hurt. A million thoughts were circling through his mind but I couldn’t tell what they were. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I prefer you over him any day.”
“But you shouldn’t.” He dropped his hands then stepped away.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Silke, we’re done. I mean it this time.”
I rolled my eyes. “Every time we get close you push me away.”
“There’s a reason for that,” he said darkly.
“Then tell me. You say you aren’t good enough for me. Instead of repeating that over and over, just change the parts of you that you dislike.”
“It’s more complicated than that…”
“Arsen, knock it off. I’m sick of hearing this speech.”
“Then I’ll make sure it’s the last time you hear it.” He looked me in the eye before he stepped away. “I’m sure Hunter will take you home…”
I gripped his arm and held him in place. “Don’t do this. You hurt me every time you do.”
He breathed hard then pulled his arm away. “Then forget about me.”
“But I don’t want to. Why don’t you understand that?”
He clenched his jaw, the anger coming out. “Why don’t you understand I’m not right for you? I keep telling you this but you don’t believe me. I can never be a boyfriend to—to anyone. Stop trying to get me to do things that aren’t possible.”
“But they are,” I said firmly.
“No, they aren’t.” He gave me a final look. “Goodbye, Silke.”
I couldn’t count the number of times we had this conversation. He left so many times, only to come back at some unearthly hour. He kept doing it over and over again. I was sick of the pain and torture, but I continued the cycle with him, hoping one day he would break it. “Fine. Whatever.” I turned around and headed back to the table, not looking at him again.
I sat at the table and talked to my friends like nothing had transpired. If Arsen wanted to act like this, fine. But I wasn’t going to let him hurt me, let him disappoint me like he had all the other times. Arsen had unusual needs. At random times when we got too close, he needed to push me away. If that was what he needed, I would give it to him.
***
“Thanks for giving me a ride home.” I reached the door then pulled my keys out of my clutch.
“No problem.” Hunter put his hands in his pockets and shifted his weight from side to side. Something was obviously on his mind.
“Well, goodnight.” I turned away.
“So, are you with Arsen?” he asked. “Because he was there…then he wasn’t there.” He raised an eyebrow.
I sighed as I looked at him. “Um, it’s complicated…”
He nodded his head slowly. “I know how those go.”
“Yeah.”
“So, can I ask you out or should I not ask you out?” he asked hesitantly. “Because I really can’t tell.”
Now I felt terrible for leading Hunter on. “No. Arsen and I are complicated and confusing, but we’re together and we’re going to stay together.”
“It didn’t seem like that at the bar.”
“Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“Well, he’s a lucky guy.”
“He is since I put up with his bullshit all the time.”
He chuckled. “Apparently.”
“I’m sorry, Hunter. Nothing is going to happen between us. But I do think you’re a wonderful guy.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “And thanks for the compliment.”
“Anytime.”
“Well, goodnight.” He stepped away and headed to the stairs.
“Goodnight.” I unlocked my door then walked inside. Once I was alone, I kicked off my heels then leaned against my door, exhausted from the night out. Arsen gave me whiplash sometimes, so I rubbed the back of my neck like I was sore.
Then I heard the distant sound of a muffler. I could recognize that noise anywhere.
I opened the door then peeked outside.
In the distance, a man in a black helmet took off on his motorcycle. I only caught a glimpse of him, but he was wearing a black leather jacket.
And a pink helmet was attached to the back of the seat.
Chapter Five
Theo
I added weights to the bar then lay underneath it. “You spotting me?”
Conrad moved over me. “I got you. Are you sure you can do it?”
I rolled my eyes. “Just keep your hands under the bar.” I grabbed it then did a few presses. It was more weight than I was used to, and I immediately felt the strain in my muscles.
Conrad kept count. “8…9…one more.”
I did the final press and felt my arms shake. Then I moved the bar back to the rack. Conrad guided it down.
“Switch,” Conrad said like the blonde host at that speed-dating thing.
I shook my head. “Don’t ever say that word again.”
He laughed. “Bad memories, huh?”
“One chick told me about all the stuffed animals she had and what their names were.”
“How many did she have?” Conrad lay on the bench then slid under the bar.
“Twelve.”
He gripped the bar and laughed. “Twelve? How do they all fit on her bed?”
“You think I asked?” I kept my hands under the bar while he did his reps. “I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.”
“Yeah, there’re better ways to find chicks.”
“Like the internet,” I said. “What are you doing about Beatrice?”
“I don’t have a damn clue.” He did the set then racked the bar. “She’s different. I can tell.”
“Different how?”
“She doesn’t like to be hit on. I need to spend time with her without her realizing I’m interested. You know, play it cool.”
“You’re really going to make that much effort?” I asked incredulously.
“Did you see how hot she was?”
I shrugged. “She was but no chick is worth that much time.”
He sat up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I have a feeling she is.”
“You really like her that much?”
“Definitely.”
I changed the weights on the bar.
“Anyone new in your life?”
“No,” I said with a laugh. “There’s never anyone new.”
He wiped his hands on the towel. “How’s work?”
“Good. It’s been busy.”
“A lot of people are learning martial arts?” he asked incredulously.
“You’d be surprised. It’s a really good workout and it’s not boring.”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Why would you be here if you were getting such a good work out?”
I rolled my eyes. “I still need to push myself.”
“Breaking a stack of wood with your forehead doesn’t suffice?”
“Why don’t you stop talking and just come in and give it a shot?”
He shook his head. “And wear one of those white robes? Nah, I’ll pass.”
“The chicks dig it.” I wiggled my eyebrows.
“Buff chick
s, maybe.”
I rolled my eyes. “Martial arts isn’t body building, idiot.”
“I still like my girls lean.”
“We’re looking for a new instructor, actually. We’re holding interviews.”
He grabbed his protein shake and took a drink. “How do you interview someone for a job like that?”
“Fight them.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“Yep. How else do you assess their skill set?”
“So, if they lose, they don’t get the job?” Conrad asked.
“I wouldn’t say that,” I said with a laugh. “But we take everything into consideration.”
“I guess that’s cool.” He finished the shake then put the bottle on the ground. “Should we do legs next?”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
***
After I got to work, I headed into the training room and set up the table. We had three people applying for the new martial arts position. Our last guy moved to be closer to his fiancé so we were short-handed.
“Any of these guys promising?” I asked as I looked through the resumes.
“They all seem the same.” Chan sat beside me then opened his notebook. “Their skill in battle will define their worthiness.”
He always talked like a fortune cookie. “Okay.”
“I want you to fight them so I can watch.”
“Make sure they sign a waiver.”
“They already did.” He tapped the pile of papers on the desk.
“Then we’re ready to go.”
At four o’ clock, Cindy brought in the first candidate.
He was a burly man with tattoos all over his body. They were on his arms and legs. I assumed they were also in places we couldn’t see. After he shook hands with us, he took a seat across from us.
“Name?” I asked.
“John.”
Chan interviewed him, asking him about his previous work history and what he learned from each place. He seemed more interested in the jobs that weren’t related to martial arts. I wasn’t sure why. When the conversation was over, I stood up.
