Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Lately I’ve felt like I’m failing at a lot of things. Maintaining my distance from Lexi has proven pretty fucking impossible, especially with her working so closely with the defensive line. All the self-control I usually possess when it comes to my career and my life seems to go out the window when she’s around. It’s no different tonight.
I should go out with Peggy and Hollis and some of the team. But I don’t want to—and not just because I’m in no mood to watch my daughter and my best friend try to keep things PG on the dance floor. I’d rather hit the treadmill and run out my frustration, especially since there’s a good chance my favorite coach will do the same.
“You sure we can’t convince you to come?” Hollis opens the door for Peggy, who’s club ready in her dress and heels.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” she asks.
“I’m going to hang back tonight.”
She frowns. “Again?”
“I’m just not feeling it, kiddo.” Not a lie. Skipping nights out has become a habit of late. I don’t need to watch over her anymore. And I want her to have fun with her friends.
“Come for one drink,” Hollis suggests.
“Nah, I’m good.” I rub my green apple on my T-shirt to shine it. “You have fun. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Peggy kisses me on the cheek, and they leave with Hemi, Dallas, Tristan, and Flip. I change into my workout gear and take the elevator to the hotel gym.
I’m not disappointed. Lexi is already there. But she’s not alone. There’s a guy chatting her up on the treadmill to her right. He’s tall and lanky. Definitely a suit, based on his haircut and outfit. Lexi doesn’t notice me at first. Neither of them do.
She’s in her usual gym uniform of running shorts and a loose tank. Although when it’s just her and me, as it often is these days, she loses the tank and runs in a sports bra. I like to think it’s for my benefit, and also to torture me.
“How long are you in the city?” the guy asks.
“I fly out in the morning,” she replies.
“How early? Maybe I can take you for breakfast?”
Lexi chuckles. “It’s an early flight.”
“You could come back to my room, and we could order room service instead.”
Half of me wants to laugh at this guy’s gall, and the other half would like to take Lexi back to my room, strip her naked and withhold orgasms until she’s begging for release for giving this guy a shred of her attention. I stride across the room and hop onto the treadmill on the other side of her. “Did you make a new friend?”
She sucks in a shocked breath. “Roman.”
The guy looks between me and Lexi, clearly trying to figure out who we are to each other.
I smile darkly at him. “You’re not her type.”
She gives me a disbelieving look that jacks me right up.
“Is this guy your boyfriend?” Business Guy asks.
I grin as Lexi stumbles over her response.
Business Guy stops his treadmill and grabs his towel with a shake of his head. “Careful with this one. She’s a game player.”
I laugh. “Don’t worry. I can handle her.” I grin at Lexi’s incredulous expression. “Isn’t that right, angel?”
Business Guy pushes through the door with a huff.
“Seriously? What the hell, Roman?”
“I’m not wrong. I can handle you.”
“That was… You’re so… That was out of line!” she snaps.
“I’m sorry, did I read that situation wrong? Did you want to go back to his room with him? Should I stop him?” I hop off the treadmill.
Lexi grabs my arm, her nails biting into my skin. “What? No! Have you lost your mind? What if he recognized you? Or me?”
I turn back to her. She’s still holding my arm. “He probably watches golf, not hockey. And yes, Lexi, I’m losing my fucking mind over here. That guy is lucky he walked out with all his damn teeth still in his head.”
Her eyes heat. “I’m capable of handling myself.”
I smirk. “Not as good as I am.”
Her mouth drops open. “Oh my God. What has gotten into you?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You are what’s gotten into me, Lexi. You think I like being like this? Always on edge. Out of fucking control?”
“What’s your plan, Roman?” She props a fist on her hip, expression defiant. “Are you going to jizz a circle around me every time someone flirts with me?”
I arch a brow.
She frowns, but her eyes flare a moment later. “I mean piss a circle.”
I give her a heated once-over. “Are you sure, Lexi?”
“You can’t—” Her fingers flutter to her throat. “We work together.”
I lean in, voice dropping to a whisper. “Doesn’t change the fact that I know what you sound like when you come.”
Her breath quickens. “You’re playing dirty.”
“And you’re not? You were chatting up some guy, even though you had to know I’d end up on the treadmill next to you just to be near you.”