Page 25 of Wickedly Played

“How are things with Max?”

I try to stop a groan from falling from my lips. “He’s fine.”

Stella clicks her tongue. “I have a wild idea!”

Groaning, I push the button to make my treadmill go faster. “Your ideas usually get me into trouble.”

She lets out a musical giggle. “I’m going to come over tonight and we can cam together. Show it on both of our platforms.”

“Do you need some sub space, honey?”

“Yes! It has been a week since we last played together. I miss you.”

Twisting my face, I agree quickly. “I need you, Stella,” I murmur. Stella and I have fantastic chemistry together. We’ve never dated, but we are electric together.

“I would like for you to tie me up and punish me.”

“Careful, Stella. I normally charge for these kinds of conversations.” My breath is coming in harder as my chest feels the burn from the run.

“I will bring my ropes and butt plug.”

“I can’t wait.”

“When are your other guards coming back?”

“They should be getting cleared soon. I’m hoping to add them on under Max’s supervision.” As much as Max hurt me, he’s been doing a great job with my protection.

There’s a knock on the gym door, causing me to hang up with my friend. “Yes?”

“Sweetness,” Max’s voice calls through the door.

This is the last thing I need.

“I’ll see you soon, lover,” I reply to Stella as I hang up the phone.

Yanking a towel off the treadmill, I press thestopbutton on the machine before hopping off it. After opening the door to seeing Max wearing a pair of loose sweatpants and a tight tank, I swallow my tongue.

It has been a long month of pretending this man doesn’t give me a constant case of wet panties. I have done my best pretending I’m not affected by his charm, his broodiness, or his in-your-face sexual appeal. I’m only a woman after all.

“Max, what can I do for you?”

His blue eyes trace my sweat-covered body and settle on the little pair of shorts I’m wearing. I usually have a video going for my cam business when I’m working out, but Stella called instead.

“Uh,” he stammers. “Fuck. I wanted to know if I could get a workout in.”

Looking him up and down, I wave a hand into the gym. “Don’t you live here, too? Of course, you can come in.” My eyebrows move up and down suggestively. I am fucking with him, and I don’t care.

I step away from the door to walk over to the mats and begin stretching out. My legs are kicked out in a split when I hear the low groan from behind me. After a quick look over my shoulder, I see my bodyguard with his eyes slammed shut.

“Max, my regular guards should be back soon. Do you want me to call them to come over, and you can get a break?” My voice is breathy and sounds desperate. The truth is, I need a break from whatever the fuck is going on here.

Even though he guards my body, I have done a good job of not speaking to him. I can’t hear what he has to say after he and I almost had sex, and he was thinking of a different woman. There is no doubt in my mind that we both have a mutual attractionfor each other. However, the rejection I felt before is enough to make me hesitant to act on it again.

He throws a look over his shoulder as he begins to lift. “I don’t need a break.”

“Fine, be stubborn,” I retort.

He drops the weights down in front of him before stalking over to me on the mats. “What is it you want from me?”