“I want a premium feature. Not for tomorrow, but perhaps the next day. As soon as you can fit me in.”
He whistles, and I hear him shuffling papers in the background. “Which bad boy are we going to be spotlighting?”
I love the way he assumes I’ve got the goods, but not his assumption that it’s a bad boy. I know I’ve become the girl with the magic touch as far as spoiled players go, but there are other things I’d much rather be known as.
“Jase Rawlins,” I tell him.
“Oh, nice.” The cogs are whirring in his brain. He knows anything with Jase will be controversial right now, and controversy sells. “Keep talking.”
“I’m working on a piece. It isn’t finished yet, but I can have it to you tomorrow. It comes with man candy action shots, and the real winner—one of him coaching disadvantaged kids.”
Aiden thinks for a moment. “I like it. Get it to me by twelve tomorrow, and the spot is yours. Provided, of course, that you come up with the publicity gold I think you will.”
“Have I ever let you down, Aids?”
“Don’t get cocky, Lee, there’s a first time for everything.”
“Kisses, bye.” I hang up before he has a chance to ask me on a date, as he invariably does. He’s a nice guy, but he just doesn’t do it for me. And honestly, I don’t think I’m his type either, which is probably why he persists in asking. He knows I’ll always say no.
Heading back to the main room, I pocket my phone and claim a chair in the corner, far enough away from anyone else that no one talks to me. I grab my notebook and start bullet-pointing ideas for the article. Every now and then, I glance up to check the action, and to get my fill of Jase. A smile is permanently stamped on his face, and he’s glistening with a sheen of sweat. I can’t get enough of the way his muscles move as he demonstrates kicks, punches, and rolls. They’re bulging and lean and fucking glorious.
When the class finishes, he waits for the kids to leave, speaking to a few of them as they pack up, then he makes his way to me, wearing a heart-stoppingly sexy grin. I flutter on the inside.
“So?” he asks, flopping into the chair beside me. “What do you think?”
“This is amazing,” I reply honestly. “I can’t believe you do this.”
He slants a look at me. “Because I’m just a dumb jock?”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “I’m a bit judgey sometimes, sorry. If you’d had the same experiences I’ve had, you’d probably be the same.”
He straightens, suddenly alert, his eyes narrow. His intensity sends a shiver down my spine. “Like what?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry, that’s not the point.” I wave my notepad at him. “This is pure awesomeness and I’ve got a contact who can get you a feature on Sports Daily in two days’ time.”
The grin is back. “Seriously?”
“One hundred percent.”
“And I get to check what you write first?” he confirms.
“Nothing goes in that you’re not comfortable with.”
He holds up a palm and I high five it, not worrying for once about how sweaty he is. “Thanks, Lena.”
“No problem.” I lean forward. “Seriously, it’s so great what you’re doing here. How did you get started?”
He glances over at the center manager. “We’re getting the eyeball. Why don’t you come to my office so the next group can use the room?”
I get to my feet and follow him into the hall, my eyes dropping to his firm butt as we walk. “You have an office?”
“Nah, they just let me use it while I’m here.” He holds open a door and waits for me to enter. I feel his gaze on my ass as I pass by and wonder if this is payback for ogling him. “Have a seat.”
“There’s only one,” I point out.
He paces inside and closes the door. The snick of the latch gives me all kinds of crazy ideas about what I’d like to do to him now that we finally have privacy. Not that I should. Nothing has changed from yesterday. He’s still my client, and I need to keep a professional distance. But if I’m completely truthful with myself, seeing him with those kids eased my mind with regards to my other concern—the one about him being violent. Anyone who can be so gentle with a four-year-old girl is surely not a vicious person, regardless of his line of work.
“If I sit now, I’ll seize up,” he says. “Need to keep moving for a while.”
