Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 88656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“I figured we’d just do the afternoon training session tomorrow so that we can sleep in a little. I never like to train early after I smoke.”
“Do you smoke often?” I asked the question cautiously, nonchalantly, not wanting to seem judgmental.
“No. Just every now and then when I need to take the edge off, or if I have an injury it helps with the pain. But when I finally get a pro fight scheduled, I’ll have to make sure it won’t show up in a drug test just before or just after the fight. The Nevada Athletic Commission doesn’t outlaw pot exactly, but you just can’t have over a certain amount of THC in your system 12 hours before or after a fight.”
“I see you’ve done your homework,” I said with a laugh.
“Well, I needed to know if it’s something I had to cut out completely. I would, of course. It’s no big deal.”
Vanessa huffed in the dark. “Are you guys going to talk business all night? You’re harshing my mellow.”
We both ignored her comment and continued to talk business.
“You don’t do any kind of steroids or anything, do you?”
“Hell, no.” He sounded genuinely offended.
“Well, a lot of publicists are hired to clean up the mess after an athlete has tested positive for PED’s. I’m just doing my homework.”
“You must really be high if you think I’d do that shit.” He pushed the covers down to the tops of his thighs, exposing his upper body to me. “Feel this.” He flexed his arm, and I reached out and squeezed. “All natural, baby. And this…” He indicated his torso. Even in the dark, I could tell he had his muscles tensed for me. “You wanna see what a real man feels like? Feel that,” he coaxed. Vanessa giggled from the other side of him, and I think he elbowed her, which made her giggle even more.
I dropped a hand onto his chest, soft rasp of hair beneath my fingertips. His pecs were like the plates on a suit of armor, but warm and silky to the touch. The little hollow in the center of his chest beckoned to me. I dipped a finger into it then ran the backs of my knuckles down the bumpy terrain of his eight-pack, marveling at the perfection of them. Before I knew it, the pads of my fingers had begun to idly explore the crisp texture of his happy trail.
I could blame the weed or the alcohol, but the truth was I liked the feel of his body. It sent a lightning bolt of need all the way from my fingertips to my dick, and all I could do was turn my brain off and feel. God, did I ever want to feel… I was in the zone, where all was sensation, and there were no consequences— only actions. My fingertips just barely grazed the band of his boxers, running along the edge, slipping under the fabric just enough to separate it from his skin.
“Where you going with the hand there, chief?” Kage’s voice was low and breathy, with a seductive undertone that sent my need soaring right off the charts. But his words brought me to my senses. Reminded me of where I was and what I was doing, and to whom I was doing it.
“Sorry,” I muttered, snatching my hand back. “I’m really stoned. I don’t think I know what I’m doing.” I thought I ought to change the subject before he figured out I liked it. “Uh, back to the steroid question… I didn’t mean any offense, Kage. Professionally speaking, I just need to know what I’m dealing with at all times so I don’t get blindsided. I need to know you inside and out in order to do my job properly. I won’t judge you no matter what.”
“Professionally speaking?” He sighed, and I thought I detected a hint of disappointment. “Because that’s your job? To not judge me?”
“Exactly. It’s my job.”
“That’s what I thought.” Kage definitely sounded disappointed. Possibly even a little pissed off. “You know what they say about all work and no play?”
“It makes Jack a dull boy?”
“Who the hell is Jack?” he slurred. “I was talking about you. All work and no play makes Jamie boring as fuck.”
That smarted a little; I won’t lie. But Kage was high— we all were— and things were being said and done that might not seem the same once we sobered up.
“Well, work is all I have right now. I’m in a strange place with absolutely no one to talk to, no friends, no social life. What do you expect? I had hoped to get to spend a little more time with you. Maybe you could tell me a little bit about yourself. As it is, I have to pick up bits and pieces from the grapevine, and I don’t know what the hell to believe. And you’ve got me stuck down there in that cubicle half the time, or sitting on the sidelines watching you sweat. Then the other half I’m in my room working on your social media presence, or getting kidnapped and taken out to be someone’s jailbait… uh… bait.”