“Please don’t tempt me,” I plead as his hand comes to rest on the side of my neck, his thumb brushing along my jaw. “Because I’ll give in.”
Vox gives me a sinful smirk as the left side of his mouth draws up in a crooked smile. “Why, Connor,does that mean you find me irresistible?” he teases, lightening the mood.
Vox’s playful attitude helps reset my brain, gently bringing back my awareness of our situation.
“Unfortunately,” I deadpan, making Vox smile even wider. “But you already knew that.”
God, his smile is so bright it could eradicate all the darkness in the world.
“I might’ve recognized the look in your eyes once or twice,”he says, licking his lips, still only an inch from my face. “And of course, coming in your boxers because of me was also a pretty dead giveaway.”
“It changes nothing, Vox.” I look away and try to turn my head, but his hand grabs my jaw, forcing my eyes back to him.
“Wrong. It changeseverything,Coach.”
I snort. “You’ve been calling me by my first name since I arrived, andnow,inthismoment, I’m ‘Coach’?”
Vox, and that wicked grin, will be the absolute death of me. I’m sure of it.
“What can I say? The forbidden appeals to me.”
Of course it does. Vox never met a challenge he didn’t love…or fight tooth and nail to win, for that matter. But I’m not interested in becoming a conquest for him to claim victory over. Nor am I interested in losing my chance at a future with Patterson Performance for a wild night…regardless of how unforgettable Vox would make it.
I try to take a step back, but Vox’s arm clamps down even tighter across my back, pulling me flush against him. I’m still breathing hard, unable to stop my ill-timed erection. He runs his hot mouth along my stubbled jawline to my ear, nothing but his breath ever coming in contact with my skin.
It’s fuckingtorture. And I want more.
A shudder of need rips through my body, which, of course, Vox feels.
“Are you going to be okay by yourself tonight?” he asks, finally removing his arm and stepping back. The loss of contact leaves me stunned for a second, and without meaning to, I step forward, returning to his personal space.
“Depends on your definition ofokay,” I answer truthfully.
“Get some rest,” he commands, walking toward the door. “If you need anything, call me. I’ll see you slopeside tomorrow morning.”
He walks out of my cabin a second later. The most shocking part is that I’m confident his offer for me to call him wasn’t sexual at all. He was making a legitimate offer in my time of need…and I don’t know what to make of that.
It takes every ounce of effort I have to brush my teeth and set my alarm before falling into bed. However, I manage to muster enough energy to wrap my hand around my cock once I slide between the sheets. It’s not more than a few pumps before I’m spilling my release into my boxers for the second time in as many days with the memory of Vox’s breath hot against my skin.
Worn out mentally, emotionally, and physically, I strip my sticky boxers off, do a sloppy clean-up job, and sleep in nothing but my T-shirt and hoodie.
And when I pass out, I sleep like the dead.
The following morning,I make my way to the slopes we’re training on with my coffee in hand. I’m nervous about how this is going to go.
Today’s slopes are open to the public, so our skiers will have to work around tourists and guests of the lodge, which I don’t love for obvious reasons.
I try my hardest not to scan the faces of the boarders as I approach, looking for the one that will make my heart race, but I fail. Like a heat-seeking missile, my eyes land on Vox immediately.
It’s clear he’s already taken a couple of laps. His goggles are pushed up on his helmet, and he’s in his signature bright orange Patterson jacket, sweat dotting his forehead.
To my amazement, he’slaughingwith Grey, Renner, and Trent.
Since both of my designated athletes are in the circle, I find my way over to them. Grey sees me first as I’m coming up behind the rest of the group.
“Coach Lang! Glad you’re here! I’m sending Renner with Trent and Gibson today to work on Big Air with Montoya.”
“Oh, uh, sure,” I say, caught a little off-guard. “Who else is coming with me, then?” I ask, avoiding Vox’s eyes, already dreading having to interact with him around a different teammate. Renner is easy and has such respect for Vox that working with the two of them is actually a joy.
