Page 26 of Never Till Now

“Lauren,” I call out, but she doesn’t turn around.

The tiny one looks my way and points, confused. Lauren’s friend turns with a smirk and tugs on Lauren’s hand before making her way over. Lauren slowly turns and reluctance fills her stride. Is she avoiding me? I head back into the room to finish setting up. I should really get better at learning people’s names, but people are always alternating in drop-in classes. The red tinge on Lauren’s cheeks is either from yoga or blushing. The fact she was reluctant tells me it’s the second. But why? She’s had no problem telling me exactly what she wants in the bedroom and now she won’t even say hi.

“Whatcha thinking so hard about, coach?” The tiny one cuts through my thoughts.

I need to get a grip. That’s the second time I’ve zoned out about Lauren today.

“Hey!” I smile. “I’m trying to go over each circuit.”

“It’s Tessa, by the way.” She laughs and sets her bag down. “I work with Lauren, who has only taken this class twice.”

“I’m Adam.” I don’t know why I gave out my name.

Her eyes go wide and dart back and forth between Lauren and me. “No. No way you’re that Adam.” She clearly reads the mortified confirmation across Lauren’s face. “Why would a hotel heir teach here? I take it you do it for stamina and not money?”

“Okay.” Lauren raises her hands. “I do not talk about you except when Tessa asks a brief question at work.” Someone’s getting defensive and it’s the cutest thing I’ve seen in a while. “And I answer brief.”

“Nice hoodie.” I ignore her defense and flash a wicked grin. “I remember the moment before I tossed it to you.” Her mouth drops and fuck me if I’m not enjoying every moment of this. “Are you cheating on me with yoga, Blondie?”

“After the hike and various activities, I needed something easier on the body this week.”

Tessa chuckles. “Yeah, coach doesn’t seem like the easy type.”

“Okay.” Lauren turns and looks over her shoulder at the door. “I’m going home.”

I can’t focus the entire class. I jog past Lauren’s on the way home and see her light on. Should I knock? She would have texted or invited me if she wanted to see me. I do mental calculations of the time frame we’ve fooled around and conclude it’s that time of the month. A time I have no idea about besides bitchiness or a crying sister through the years. I’m well acquainted with the cravings and mood swings growing up with a sister who’s barely a year older.

God, I feel fucking dumb right now. I should just go home and sleep because work is going to be hell tomorrow. Instead, I find myself jogging down another street to collect a few things. I reach her door with a tub of gelato and three different bags of potato chips. She gave me the code the other day so I didn’t have to keep buzzing up. Her eye covers the peephole when I knock, and a moment later, she lets me in. Her fresh face smiles in confusion. The black sleep shorts match her tank top and instantly I want to run my tongue along her exposed collarbone. She ties her wet hair up and my eyes drop to the sliver of skin as her tank top lifts. I clear my throat. That’s not why I’m here.

“Unannounced booty call?” she states, confused.

“Nah, I just came to drop this off and apologize if I humiliated you tonight.”

“You didn’t have to buy me ice cream.” She smiles and takes it anyway.

“I’ve observed my sister long enough.”

“What?” She laughs.

“Math is my job. My calculations have me thinking it’s that time of the month.”

“I guess that’s why they pay you the big bucks.” She giggles and instinctively I want to wrap her in a hug.

I refrain.

“Anyway, it’s late and you work tomorrow, so I’ll let you sleep.” I reach for the door handle.

“Isn’t doing this something a boyfriend would do?”

“I wouldn’t know.” I shrug. “Obviously I don’t mean it in that way. I’ll call this my daily act of kindness.”

“Anything to fill your ego, Charmer.” She smirks and steps forward, crowding my space.

“When you brand me with a name like that, it’s only right I live up to it.” I place my finger under her chin and tilt her lips to mine. Despite the fact I know what's happening in her panties, my dick responds to her soft kiss. “How does period sex work?”

She pulls away, shaking her head. “That’s one experience I’ll never know.”

“Noted.” I open the door. “Night, Blondie.”