When it’s my turn again, my mind flashes to Connor’s thick chest, and I feel like I’m lacking. The guy’s biceps are way bigger than mine, too, but I don’t focus much on my chest, back, and arms. As a snowboarder, I need power and strength in my legs.
But maybe that’s faulty thinking.
Maybe I need strength and powereverywhere.
While I’m lost in my thoughts, the door to the gym opens once again.
My mouth goes dry as Connor walks into the space. When he sees me, a look of displeasure crosses his face.Weird. I would’ve thought he’d be proud of me for getting in an extra workout.
“Ms. Creedmore. Mr. Montgomery,” he says with a formal nod as he passes our squat rack.
“Connor,” I reply, disrespectfully using his first name instead of ‘Coach Lang.’
Okay, so I haven’t totally gotten the wholerespectful, submissive athletething down quite yet. But I’m annoyed that I’m attracted to him, and doubly annoyed that he won’t open up. I’m used to getting what I want. People don’t tell me no…ever.
A small smirk plays on Connor’s lips as he shakes his head at my defiance.
“Let me know if you need a spot,” he throws over his shoulder.
“Same,” I mutter, not trying to be an asshole for once. I simply offer because of his injury, even though I have no idea what it is he’s supposed to have injured.
Connor chuckles because the truth is that he could veryeasily bench pressme, but the sound goes to my dick, pissing me off even further.
Angel finishes her workout about fifteen minutes later, leaving me free to ogle our coach without prying eyes, and ogle, I do. But I only make it through two more sets before I’m so distracted by Connor Lang’s ass during weighted lunges that I rerack my barbell and angrily grab my water bottle.
If Connor’s not into guys, he shouldn’t be allowed to have an ass so round, high, and tight I could bounce a fucking quarter off it.
I duck into the men’s locker room so I don’t embarrass myself by sporting a boner in front of everyone, including the man who’s making me hard.
Since I still have a ton of time to kill before I have to be at the simulator for practice, I step into the steam room. This part of the men’s locker room is honestly hit or miss as far as crowds go, but mercifully, it’s just me in here this morning.
Finally able to take a deep breath, I allow the wet heat to burn my lungs as my back sags against the cedar planks.
My muscles have barely released the tension in them when the door to the steam room opens. Keeping my eyes closed, I try not to be annoyed by whoever is encroaching on my time and space, until a familiar voice hits my ears.
“Wasn’t much of a workout.”
My jaw clenches at Connor’s words. Is hetryingto piss me off?
“Considering one wasn’t planned at all for today, every rep was extra credit…Coach,” I snark back.
I feel the sweat rolling down my bare chest, and I know if I open my eyes, I’ll see the same thing happening to Connor.
And then I’ll lose it.
Deciding not to risk that, I keep my eyes firmly shut.
Connor takes my response as some sign that I want totalk, but until he starts trusting me with his past the way he wants me to trust him with my future, we’re still at a stalemate for any real connection.
“It was nice to see you working with Angel out there,” he says, causing me to snort.
“I wasn’t workingwithher. I was just sharing her space. All the racks were taken,” I add unnecessarily.
“Why are you so against being part of a team?” he asks, jarring the wooden bench as he takes a seat next to me.
“Why are you so hellbent on avoiding my questions?” I fire back, eyes still closed, my head resting on the plank wall behind me.
“I already told you why I can’t answer them.”
