“I’ll come watch you practice more. These shorts make it all worthwhile,” I tell Nikko, then I smack his ass. He squeaks, looking shell-shocked and terrified, as I turn and prowl to the door, grinning at the fighter as I move past him.
I’m still grinning as I walk out. Julies sees me coming and arches an eyebrow, a knowing look on his face as he glances at the locker room behind me. “I take it we’ll be coming back here more often?” he asks. It’s his way of trying to find out what I’m doing.
I glance back at the locker room, unable to contain my smile. “Maybe, but that’s up to him.” I nod at Charlie and Nikko’s dad and then turn away. “I’ll meet you at the car. Don’t keep me waiting.”
The last remark is aimed at Nikko, even if he isn’t in earshot.
The ball is in his court now. I’m curious to see what he will do.
TWELVE
Istand, wide-eyed and frozen, as Trent’s head turns back to me as Zia passes him. My mouth slams shut as he grins, shuts the door, then stalks my way.
“Well, well, Nikko, do you have a new friend?” he teases.
Turning away, I grab a towel and shove my shorts down, throwing them in the basket before I hurry to the showers. I close the curtain and crank on the water, trying to ignore my body and heated cheeks.
The curtain jerks open with an audible slick, and I glance over my shoulder at him. Modesty isn’t really a thing in the gym, not when you’re training side by side, but I really don’t want him to see my hard-on right now. It will only make his teasing worse.
“So the rich guy, huh? That’s your type? Surprised that you’re his though, you know?” He leans there, wiggling his eyebrows as I groan.
“Trent,” I snap in warning.
“Just saying.” He lifts his hands. “No judgment here. He was hot as hell. I’m down for anything, you know that. Maybe don’t let your dad know you are eye fucking the sponsor though. I don’t think he’d care that he’s a guy, more that he’s a distraction,” he jokes as I grab the soap and throw it at him.
Chuckling, he ducks and shuts the curtain, then I hear another shower start farther down.
Frowning, I lower the temperature of the water, making it as cold as it can get.
I stand under the freezing spray, but it does nothing to cool the desire Zia awoke in me.
God, I wanted him to kiss me.
Groaning, I aim the spray at my face.
Snap out of it. You have training to focus on.
Trent is right. If my dad found out, he would kick my ass. Boxing is life to him. He knows I want to be a champion and would do anything to get me there. I also know the sacrifices he has made and the ones I will have to make.
That means no distractions, and Zia Xander is a big distraction.
Glancing down at my hard dick, I groan loudly. “Please go away.”
It doesn’t.
I shouldn’t be here.
I pace in front of the clothing store, eyeing it then walking away before coming back. The truth is, what Trent said stuck with me—not about the distraction thing, I’ve lost enough sleep over that, but that I’m not Zia’s type.
I’ve spent days worrying.
I’m probably not. He’s from an entirely different world. He undoubtedly likes classy, put-together guys. I don’t fit that type. I glance down at my worn hoodie, shorts, and kicks, the most expensive part of my outfit. I don’t wish to change for anyone, but I want to impress him, even a little—hence the designer store looming above me.
I have some savings, and I shouldn’t splurge on stuff like this, but I want to look good for him. I desire to see his eyes widen like they did when he looked at me in the locker room. I’ve never really owned any nice clothing like this. I can’t even remember the last time I boughtmyself anything, never mind new clothes. I should take care of my appearance, though, and he is a stark reminder of that fact.
I bite my thumb as I glance at the store and the guard at the door who’s watching me, a rope across the entrance. Fuck, I don’t fit in here, and the look he is giving me says he knows it. It practically screams, “I know you’re poor. Go away, peasant.” I turn away in embarrassment and quite literally collide with someone. I reach out to steady them, step back with a dipped apology, and skirt around them, keeping my head ducked in shame.
“Nikko?” The voice sounds surprised, and my eyes widen in shock when I turn around.
