Maybe it had something to do with the most incredible sex of my life—her responsive body had been fucking nirvana to have. But I had a feeling it had less to do with that, and more to do with her falling asleep in my arms afterward.
It was in that moment, with her hand splayed out across my chest and her leg draped over both of mine, I felt it—that settled, sense of belonging. I felt the tension I’d been carrying for years slip away. It was a feeling so intensely right, nothing had ever come close, and nothing ever would again. You can’t touch perfection, let it slip through your fingers, and be content to let it go. I realized I’d be chasing it forever; that feeling.Her.
It was the main reason I’d kept my distance. It was like Connor said—I’d hidden from the moment I realized my feelings for her had changed—and I’d done so because I knew it would be different with her. Knew I wouldn’t want to give her up once I had her, but I hadn’t realized how suddenly those feelings would take root.
But the situation was far from simple. If Connor were anyone else, I wouldn’t hesitate—I’d make her mine before someone else did. Shewasn’tanybody else though. She was my best friend’s little sister, and a relationship with her was out of question—at least for the moment.
Calum was barely hanging on by a thread, the stress of the upcoming tour affecting him in ways he wouldn’t talk about it. I couldn’t risk shaking the boat more, causing another stressor in my best friend’s life.
Connor had plans of her own that I didn’t want to derail her from. Finishing school was important to her, and I didn’t want to distract her from that.
I didn’t know how to play it, so I let her sneak out while I thought about how to handle it. Only problem was, I found it next to impossible to watch her walk away andnotwant more. I just didn’t have a fucking clue on how I was supposed tohavemore without risking everything.
Our band was our brotherhood, and my friendship with Cal and Evan were all tied in together. Telling Calum could very well make the whole tapestry unravel, especially if he didn’t take the news well.
Going back to sleep with all the thoughts rushing at me wasn’t happening, so I got up and dressed in a workout tank and shorts, figuring the gym was the perfect solution to pound out my frustration and confusion.
Sliding my feet into my training shoes, I pocketed my phone, and snatched my wireless earbuds off my dresser before leaving my room. My eyes went back to my bed, to the tangled sheets that still smelled like her, like us.
The hallway was quiet and dark, only the muffled snores of Evan and Calum through their closed doors. I slowed as I passed Connor’s closed door, hearing nothing but silence. I forced myself to keep walking, taking the stairs and heading into the kitchen.
It didn’t look like there had been a party at all. The decorations were all gone, the mess of bottles, red Solo cups, and food cleared away by the waitstaff before they left. No lingering guests remained, as security would have made sure they were cleared out—safely tucked away in cabs back to their homes or hotels.
Over the years, there had been more than a few incidents of guests—mainly of the female fan variety—trying to sneak up to our rooms. I’d woken up once to a mouth on my dick and a face I couldn’t place.
Not as pleasant as you’d think.
We learned our lesson after that, hiring more security to make sure no more unexpected visitors popped up.
But it was a good thing we had security to do that, because if I saw Jason, I didn’t know whether I’d end up thanking him or punching him. Probably both, and neither were viable options. Both would blow back badly on me.
I made my way to the island, opening the drawer that held an obscene number of reusable water bottles. Grabbing one, I filled it using the refrigerator’s filtered water system before leaving the penthouse.
The hallway was brightly illuminated by lights, and the wait for the elevator wasn’t a long one. I fiddled with my phone, talking myself a hundred times out of texting Connor, and instead settled on a playlist. I needed to pause before reacting.
One of the best things about the condominium was the gym located on the first floor. It was strictly for people who lived in the condo, and it was pretty much always empty before seven. It was only five, so I had plenty of time to burn off the restless energy revving in me, to sort out the mess in my head, before anyone else intruded on the space.
The elevator dinged and I stepped inside, taking it down to the main lobby. Leo, the security guard who had worked the night shift for far longer than we’d even lived here, waved at me from behind his security desk positioned near the street entrance to the lobby. I nodded at him, turning to the hallway that led to the gym.
The gym was open at all hours, although at night, only Thomas remained behind the counter. He was part security, part trainer, and night manager of the gym. He nodded at me as I passed but left me alone to work out.
Instead of heading over to the leg press, my attention was drawn to the whirl of the treadmill, and the only other person working out in the gym.
Connor’s long red hair swung in its ponytail as she ran, her sneakered feet slapping down on the treadmill with each quick and powerful stride. She was dressed in a sports bra and skintight workout shorts that scarcely covered the swell of her ass cheeks.
Normally, I wouldn’t eyeball women at the gym. Evan wouldn’t hesitate to try to pick up someone here and hasn’t in the past…but I know why I go to the gym, and it’s not to pick up women.
But…I had my cock inthisparticular woman less than three hours ago and peeling my eyes off her just wasn’t happening. I didn’t even think before changing course, walking toward the empty row of treadmills and taking the one beside her.
Connor didn’t look in my direction as I powered up the machine and started with a walking pace of three miles per hour. She exhaled, as if a little miffed, her eyes finally darting to me, her lips pursed in a way that suggested she’d love to cut into me.
When she saw itwasme,she lost her stride, catching herself on the bars. “Oh, hey,” she said, resuming her pace.
“Hey,” I said back, the corner of my lip pulling up. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”
“Yeah. Calum won’t let me run around Toronto apparently, so he made sure I had access to the gym when I visit.”
“You’re a runner?” I asked, turning my head to look at her and slowly increasing my speed.
