“Good.”
He shifts his grips, trying to get my attention with some moderately sexy pull-ups. It’s against gym protocol, and I should tell him to stop, but it’s entertaining as hell and he’s wearing a harness. I check with Elijah and Jake, who are on belay, and they’re shaking their heads but seem okay with it. I turn back to the crafty climber and ask, “I’m surprised you’re here for Bear Night. That’s not really your style, is it?”
He settles back against the wall, then swings out to face me, holding on with just the fingertips of one hand and a single foothold, his smile broad and engaging. A shame, really. “I like them on occasion and thought I’d check it out, especially since I can’t get your attention otherwise.”
Oh, that’s charming. “Sorry, cutie,” I say with a small wrinkle of my nose.
Still on only, like, three fingertips, he shakes his head, laughing. “S’okay, sexy. Turns out there’s a couple of bears interested in the two of us, and they wanted to know if we might be up for some play. Told them I’d come up here and ask you.”
Oh hell, that’s a good line. He went and climbed a wall for me; no ambiguity there. I mean… it’s not like it’d be a hardship to double-team a pair of yummy bears with him. “Where are our guys?” I ask, searching the crowded gym below. Jordan might not be so bad after all.
His grin widens and he gestures over with his chin. “Red shorts and bright blue shorts.”
I looked down and find two guys a little older than us, one a brawny six-packer, and the other a round-bellied sweetie with a bright smile… yeah, they’ll do. I pop my brows at Jordan and gesture at the ceiling. He swings back to the wall, and up we climb, though this time he keeps his pace leisurely so that we can reach the top together. My fingers touch the rough-textured ceiling, and I let out a whoop, ’cause that’s what you do when you reach the top.
By this time, I’m pouring sweat and it’s gotten on the handholds enough to make them slickery. I slip once, and then twice, and I find myself relying on the harness more than I’d like, so I stop to gather myself and cool down for a second. I can let the harness take me the rest of the way, but I’d like to complete the climb.
Jordan swings back over to me, putting his hand on the small of my back. “Hey, buddy, you all right?”
“Eh, I’m fine—it’s just a little slippery over here.”
Jordan reaches into his pocket and pulls out a white hand towel and gives it to me. “Here, give the guys a show.”
I smile and gather my wits about me, then slowly run the soft material over my face and neck, then pecs and arms, spending a little more time on my lower abdomen than is totally necessary. The guy in the bright blue shorts, who’s going to be my plaything tonight, lets out a sexy wolf whistle, so I smile and let the towel drop into his hands. He pulls the towel to his face and inhales deeply, rolling his eyes to the back of his head.
He’s going to bury his face in my tennis shoe, I just know it.
As I make the last part of my descent, I spot Heath looking in my direction and he seems… stressed. I get close enough and hop to the ground, and, because I’m an idiot, I look again. Heath takes a deep breath, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d been worried about me up there. That yanks on those feelings in my body that I haven’t yet found a place for. It’s about as pleasant as pulling nose hairs, if you ask me, and just as hard to ignore.
I seriously cannot figure out how I’d let that grumpy bear get up under my skin like that. There are plenty of bears at my disposal, two in particular who’d like to have a go, so my next move has me wondering what the fuck is wrong with me.
Chapter Fifteen
Heath
Having a four-year-old means that I hate, and I meanreallyhate, the song “Baby Shark.” Like, if I could slingshot that song and its memory into the sun, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Which is why I’ve made it Roly’s text notification.
Funny in theory, a little embarrassing on Bear Night. I silence my phone, find Roly’s troublemaker eyes across the gym, and check my screen.
FuckingRoly:hay spb can we hate-fuck again tonight
It takes me a full minute to remember thatspbis Sexy Papa Bear. I blush at the nickname as though everyone at the gym can see the message on my screen.
Heath:Why are you texting me? I can see you.
FuckingRoly:*waves* i know im being subtle
Heath:I’m not fifth-wheeling it with whatever orgy you have planned.
FuckingRoly:*pouts*
Heath:Not. Doing. It.
FuckingRoly:jealous, spb?
Heath:Nope. Fuck whomever you want.
