Page 43

HIDE, BELLA

XANDER

September

Bella:

What time do you plan to pick up Milo? I’m at the gym now

Me:

Is it okay if I pick him up tomorrow? Our plane doesn’t land until late, and I’m wiped

Bella:

Of course he can stay! Get some rest. See you tomorrow

Me:

See you

I lock my phone, smiling from ear to ear. Little does she know, she’s going to see me tonight. And with any luck, she’ll like my surprise.

With the season starting, life has been busy, so I’ve had to settle for calling and texting since our day at the park. It’s not ideal, but it’s a vast improvement on our year of silence.

We talk about what she’s watching, what she’s reading. What events she’s working on for Ben. Where she goes with her friends and family. She even told me what gym she goes to, and by now I’ve figured out her routine.

All because she gave me a chance and met me and Milo at the dog park.

She let me hold her hand. That and a kiss to her temple were the extent of our physical affection. Fine by me, though I can’t deny I want her.

I miss her. That’s why I drove straight here from the airport.

It’s almost ten, so the gym is mostly empty, and I slip into the locker room without being noticed.

I quickly change into athletic shorts and a tank that shows off the tattoos she used to love so much.

I’m banking on her still having a thing for them, but there’s always a chance she’ll send me packing.

This new Bella won’t hesitate to tell me off.

As much as I love her newfound feistiness, I’m hoping she’ll let me stay.

The moment I enter the workout area, I home in on her. She’s a beacon, impossible to ignore. She’s on a treadmill, focus fixed on her phone screen, headphones covering her ears.

Smirking, I pull my cap lower and head her way. The closer I get, the more intense the heat in my lower abdomen. It spreads all over my skin, flowing straight to my dick. I want her so damn much, and her tight black leggings definitely don’t leave much to the imagination.

A man strides across the room and takes a treadmill next to Bella. They smile at each other, and she pulls off her headphones. She talks to him but doesn’t slow her pace.

Curious about this interaction, I drift over to the chest fly machine. From here, I have a perfect view of the treadmills—and Bella’s ass.

I adjust the machine, adding weight, then place my feet flat on the floor and sit tall. It’s a good exercise for my chest and torso, but it’s also a good distraction, because the guy is clearly flirting with her.

Instead of giving in to my urge to stomp over there and piss on her leg to mark her as mine—and erasing all the progress I’ve made—I silently observe.

She smiles and responds, but then she’s settling her headphones over her ears again and facing forward. Wow. The way she shut him down is epic. And sexy.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and quickly type a message to her.

Me:

Watching you handle that guy was hot as hell. 10 out of 10. Good job

She grabs her phone and checks the text. I can’t see her face, but I do notice the way her shoulders tense.

Bella:

Where are you?

Before I can stop myself, I chuckle.

She stiffens, stumbling a step. Once she’s steady again, she glances over her shoulder. Our eyes lock for a heartbeat, and then she looks away.

She taps the red button on the treadmill, and as it comes to a stop, she says something to the guy next to her. Then she steps off and heads my way, pulling off her headphones. Eyebrows furrowed, she stops in front of me and puts her hands on her hips.

“Hi.” I grin at her.

Her eyes flare. “What are you doing here?”

“Working out.”

“At my gym?”

“I didn’t know you owned a gym. When did that happen?” I can barely hold back my laughter.

Her lips twitch, but rather than smile, she groans. “Xander.”

I slowly rise to my feet and step closer to her, head lowered. “I missed you, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see you.” Deciding to take a risk, I cup her face. “I haven’t seen you in a week, and it sucks. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Her shoulders sag. “I’m not mad; I’m annoyed.”

“Kinda figured that.”

She chuckles, her focus dropping to my mouth. Her warm, flushed skin heats further, I swear, as she parts her lips. The heat simmering in my gut spreads to my groin, and my dick hardens.

“Wanna play a game?” I ask, my tone gravelly.

“A game?”

“You’ll have five minutes to hide; then I’ll have ten to find you. If I do, I get to do whatever I want with you. If I don’t, you’ll get to do whatever you want with me.”

“If I win, you’ll really listen? Even if I tell you to stop showing up wherever I go?”

No . “I will. You have my word.”

Amusement dances in her eyes, and she breaks into the most beautiful smile.

“Okay.”

I lean into her, my nose brushing hers. “Hide, Bella, and hide well, because if I find you…the word ‘no’ disappears from your vocabulary for tonight.”

Her breath hitches, and her eyes go hazy.

With a smug smile, I take a step back, pull my phone out of my pocket, and set a timer.

“You have five minutes.” With that, I tap Start.

With a slight shake of her head, she backs away. After two or three steps, she turns and takes off.

I’ve only been to this facility once, so I’m taking a risk by limiting myself to ten minutes, but she’s worth it.

Once her five minutes is up, I set a timer for ten.

Then I begin. I pass the workout area and the rooms for Pilates and yoga classes, checking behind every door.

With only two minutes left, panic sets in.

I step into the pool, but the only person here is a man swimming laps, his strokes wide, his head bent.

I shake my head and hurry to the showers. And, thank fuck, I finally find her. She’s standing in one of the shower stalls, her back pressed to the wall.

“It’s been more than ten minutes,” she tells me as I make my way to her. “I won.”

I drink her in, noticing how her chest heaves with ragged breaths, how her hard nipples poke through her sports bra.

“You think you won?”

“I did.”

As I step into the stall with her, my phone vibrates, indicating my ten minutes are just now up.

Her pupils dilate.

“I won,” I say.

She sighs. “Then what will it be? What do you want from me?”

Eyes locked on hers, I take a step closer. “Take off your clothes.”

She sucks in a breath, her lips parting. My dick grows hard, but I stay put, unmoving.

To my utter fucking delight, she tugs off her sports bra, pulls down her leggings, takes off her sneakers and tosses everything to the floor outside the shower, all without looking away from me.

I zero in on her full tits first, her pebbled nipples.

Then I continue my perusal, memorizing every inch of her flat stomach, her round hips, her long, tan legs.

I can worship every inch of her body, and it still won’t be enough. I’ll always want more of her.

I shuck off my clothes and shoes, adding them to the pile on the floor before I turn on the water. Once steam drifts around us, I grip her waist and pull her against my chest. I honestly lose sight of all rational thought when she’s around.

“The water is too hot,” she whispers against my neck.

“Because I’m hot,” I tease her.

“You’re horny.” She pulls back and splays a hand over my chest. Then, with a seductive smile on her luscious lips, she slides it down to my shaft. “You’re so, so horny.”

Groaning, I fist her hair and tilt her head back. “Of course I am. I’ve waited a year for this. I haven’t been with anyone since you left.”

She blinks, a little O on her lips.

I cup the back of her head and duck so we’re eye to eye. “You are the only girl I want, Bella. You’ve ruined me for everyone else, and I don’t fucking regret it. It will always be you.” I lick my lips. “Have you been with anyone else?”

“No.”

She rises onto her tiptoes and molds her mouth to mine, kissing me hard and fast. It’s addictive and full of passion.

I give all of myself to her. Fingers tangled in her hair, I deepen the kiss, my tongue curling around hers.

Moaning against my lips, she strokes my dick.

At the tip, she squeezes hard, then slides her hand down my shaft and starts over.

I move my hips, matching her rough jerks, my breaths rough, shaky.

Even a simple hand job feels like fucking heaven because it’s her hand wrapped around my dick.

Every time with her is better than the last. Exciting, alluring, passionate.

Especially after a year apart.

“Stop,” I growl, gripping her wrist. In one quick move, I spin her around and clutch her hips, my fingers digging into her flushed skin. “Bend over.”

She eagerly obeys, tipping at the waist and pressing her palms to the wall. With my crown at her entrance, I grab her shoulder and lean over, sinking my teeth into her flesh.

She moans, bucking her hips in a way that almost makes my cock slip inside her.

Almost.

I drag my hand along her shoulder blade and down her spine, only stopping at her lower back. I push down, making her arch further. Then I thrust my hips, seating myself to the hilt.

She tips her head back on a moan.

Fuck . She’s so warm, so tight, so welcoming.

I set a rhythm, keeping my pace slow and steady, relishing the way her channel beckons me deeper as I slide my hand around her hip and find her clit.

“Xander,” she moans, dropping her head between her shoulders. “More.”

Warmth courses through my body, setting my skin aflame. My heart hammers inside my chest as I work her clit and pound into her, giving her more, just like she asked.

She moans louder, the sound echoing off the tiles.

“Fuck,” I groan as her walls contract. “Baby, you feel so good around my cock.”

“I’m so close,” she whispers, the sound barely audible over the water pounding against the floor.

I yank her hips back, teeth gritted. My cock trembles inside her, and my balls draw tight.

“Oh God,” she cries out, her pussy spasming around me. She tenses for the briefest of moments, and then she shudders as her orgasm overtakes her.

Two thrusts later, I let go, spilling my cum deep inside her. A guttural groan lodges in the back of my throat as her pussy milks me dry. It’s heaven.

I slowly rock my hips against hers, having no desire to pull out. My dick is exactly where it belongs.

She’s mine.

The sound of a door slamming shut tears me out of orgasmic bliss. Without hesitation, I pull out, haul her to my chest, and shield her. I wait, heart hammering, but no sound follows.

“W-we shouldn’t have done it here,” she stammers, skirting me. She picks up her sports bra and yanks it over her head, but her body is wet, making it almost impossible to put on. The way her hands shake doesn’t help either. “Fuck.”

I turn off the water and scoop up the rest of our clothes before I inch closer, grasp her wrist to stop her, and hold out my tee. “Take it. It’s long enough to cover your butt.”

She pushes my hand away and snatches her leggings from my other hand. It takes determination, but she forces them on, then adjusts her bra.

Gaze averted, she picks up her shoes then turns away. Before she can move, I step in front of her.

“Someone probably saw us,” she says. “We need to leave.”

“Wait.”

“Please, Xander, let’s just leave. I don’t want to be caught.”

I pull her to my chest, hugging her tightly. “I’m sorry, babe. I should’ve known better.” I bury my nose in her wet hair and close my eyes. “It was stupid?—”

“Stop.” She sighs, sagging against me. “I should’ve known better too. You weren’t alone in this.”

A chuckle rumbles up my throat. “I definitely wasn’t. That orgasm was fucking mind-blowing.”

“And now you’re being cocky.”

I lean away, studying her face. “I thought that was one of the qualities you loved about me.”

Instead of responding, she says, “Can you please take me home?”

“Of course.”

“Will you stay?”

My heart flips over itself, but I school my expression. “If you want me to, I will.”

“I just want to talk.”

“Then we’ll talk.” I peck her lips then pull back and grasp her hand. “Let’s get you home, Bella.”