STROKED (The Stroked Series Book 1) (35 page)

I sigh heavily, the weight of my job and our relationship resting on my shoulders. “I want this, Reese, more than anything, but I also don’t want to screw up this opportunity Jonathan set up for me. He really did stick his neck out for me to get me this job.”

I can tell he hates that I care so much about Jonathan, even though the last hour hasn’t been the most pleasant of our friendship.

“So what does that mean?” he asks, searching my eyes for answers. “If you want your space, I can do that, I can give you space, Paisley. It will hurt like a motherfucker, but I will give you anything you want. You just have to tell me what it is.”

A smile tugs at my lips that morphs into a laugh. From the crease in his brow, I can tell that’s the last thing he expected for me to do.

“What’s going on?” He looks confused as hell.

“You.” I chuckle. “You have the reputation as the bad boy of the pool, you’re manly and rugged, and have this tattoo that makes women weak in the knees, but in actuality, you are the furthest thing from the image you portray. You are one giant softy.”

He captures me and kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m only a softy with you, baby. No one else.”

With a thoughtful expression, I reply, “You’re right. You’re kind of an ass to Bellini.”

“She deserves it. She has too many people vying to stick their heads up her ass, figured it would be better to ground her. That and she annoys the shit out of me.”

“Stay here tonight and hold me.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to kick me out of your life just yet?”

“Why the hell would I want to kick you out of my life? Because you got in a fight with Jonathan? You were only trying to protect me, Reese.”

“Yeah, but you kind of chose me over him. I wasn’t sure if you were regretting that decision. You two have a history, he means a lot to you, and I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

“Too late,” I joke. “Jonathan and I will figure things out. We’ve had our ups and downs. He may have said some things he’ll regret later on, but we’ll get through it once the shock of it all wears down. I also owe him an apology for putting him in a position he doesn’t deserve.” I sigh and press my hand to my forehead. “Ugh, this is so stressful. Why can’t you just be ‘available’ and not a part of my job? It would be so much easier.”

“Finding your soulmate is never easy, Paisley. The luckiest people have to work at it, because once you find that true match, you will be that much more grateful for the journey you took to find them.”

All I want to do is go all school girl on his ass, melt into his arms, and sing melodies of love and promises I intend on keeping, but I refrain. Let’s not scare the ruggedly charming man just yet with crazy, psychotic girl tendencies.

Instead, I kiss his lips softly, loving how he can be so soft, so sweet, and so thoughtful in choosing his words. “You really know how to lay on the charm. Did you go to finishing school for hot guys to learn that?”

“Three years, graduated with honors,” he jokes, not missing a beat. “You’re telling me my hard work is paying off?”

“If your goal is to make me feel all giddy inside then mission accomplished.”

He kisses the top of my head. “My goal in life is to bury my cock as hard and deep as possible into that sweet pussy of yours as much as I possibly can. Want to help me accomplish it?” Hope runs through his hazel eyes.

That’s one goal I will let him try to accomplish every day, no qualms here.

**Reese**

“Despite the bruised face you still won’t tell me how you got a few days ago, I’m impressed. You’re hitting splits I haven’t seen you swim since you were twenty. Given your age and this being your last Olympics, I’m kind of flabbergasted you’re stronger than ever.”

My coach is right. Ever since I met Paisley, it’s like she’s injected me with some kind of superhuman strength. I feel stronger, lighter, faster, and it almost seems like I’m preparing for my first Olympics.

My body feels fantastic, like it can swim another two hours, but it’s my mind that’s starting to crack, bringing fear to the forefront of my mind, playing with the mental game I’ve worked tirelessly to establish. I keep telling myself, not this Olympics, not this go around. Everything is going to pan out. I’m not going to let outside factors come into my game day prep.

But that’s easier said than done.

I’m trying hard to keep things steady in my personal life but it’s more difficult than I expected, given I’m being forced into a fake relationship with a self-obsessed asshat and hiding a relationship I want to shout to the rooftops about.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about Paisley. She tries to pass off her fight with Jonathan as something that will iron out over time, but I can tell she’s upset, that their little scuffle has put a damper on her usually bright outlook. Last night, although loving and sweet, there was a lack of spark in those steely eyes of hers, which puts a huge amount of worry on my shoulders. I’ve just found this woman; I want the chance to continue to get to know all the idiosyncrasies that make her Paisley.

And then there is Bellini to worry about.

“Two more days until you leave for San Antonio. Are you feeling good?”

“I am.” I continue to towel off, letting the sun dry my skin as well. “I’m feeling healthy, strong, and calm.”

“Good. The next two days we’re going to push you harder than before. Make sure to hit the chamber after each practice and refuel. It’s more important than ever right about now.”

I smile at my coach and grip his shoulder. “I know, Coach. This isn’t my first time.”

“But it’s your last,” he says sadly. “I want it to be your best.” Isn’t that the fucking truth?

“Me too.”

“How’s your mental game?”

Of course Coach Fern would ask about that. He knows it’s my biggest weakness; it’s the sole reason why I don’t have a gold medal sitting in my trophy case back home; it’s the reason I’m known as the biggest choke artist in Olympic history, and the reason why I’m breaking my neck this last go around in the pool.

“Solid,” I answer, knowing damn well he can tell when I’m lying.

Eyeing me skeptically, he says, “What is it? Don’t tell me it’s a girl.”

I wince, knowing the number-one rule with Coach: do not let the female race affect my swim. From day one, he’s been adamant about it.

“Shit.” He chuckles and guides me over to the bleachers where we both take a seat. His reaction is light-hearted, something I wasn’t expecting. “I was wondering when this day was going to come. You’ve finally broken my number-one rule. Hell, I’m proud of you for making it this far. Is it that Bellini girl?”

I shake my head, feeling like I’m about to let down my coach. He’s been like a second father to me growing up. I don’t want him to make him think less of me. “Can you keep this between us?”

“Who the hell am I going to tell? You’re my number-one project, Reese. Do you really think I’m going to ruin that for a little gossip?”

“True.” I laugh. I clear my throat and continue. “Uh, everything between Bellini and me is fake.”

Silence sits between us for a few seconds. “Oh, thank God.” Coach Fern let’s out a long breath, causing me to chuckle next to him. “I knew you had more sense than to hitch yourself to that haggard witch.”

“Don’t give me too much credit. Pretty sure I’m falling for her assistant, my assistant.”

“Paisley?” Coach asks, and I nod with confirmation. “Well, I can see that. She’s quite the looker and seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I’ve seen the way she looks at you, but then again, I’ve seen how almost every girl looks at you. That damn tattoo you got on the off-season has been my worst enemy.” I laugh some more. “But you’ve lasted a long time, never bringing girls into the mix. What’s changed?”

“Everything,” I reply, leaning back on the bleachers, letting the sun caress my body with its rays. “I’ve never felt like this before with a woman. I want to protect her, take care of her, be with her every fucking second of the day.”

“Sounds like love,” Coach says with a twinkle in his eye.

“I have a feeling it’s getting there, and I haven’t even known her that long.”

“Sometimes you just know. So what’s the problem? She’s your assistant? Just fire her, problem solved. Let’s get you back into training with a clear mind.”

“It’s not that easy.” I chuckle. Coach always tries to find the easiest solution to every problem. “She’s had a rough go of it trying to get a job in TV production. This is her one in with Wally Rose Productions and she’s doing great at it, so she doesn’t want to burn the bridge. Plus, there is Bellini to consider.”

Coach purses his lips together and stares out at the pool, pondering my current predicament. Sighing, he pats my shoulder and says, “Well, you’re in a bit of a clusterfuck.”

Laughing, I reply, “As if I didn’t know that already.”

“You can’t make it easy on us, can you? You always have to have something up your sleeve to throw a wrench into our plans.”

“What’s life if it’s not a roller coaster?” I ask.

“A pleasant merry-go-round with no drama.”

Isn’t that the fucking truth?

***

“Ten more, come on, man,” Hollis calls out, pushing me to my limits in the weight room.

I’m dragging ass today, especially after my morning workout. My training regimen has picked up drastically and even though I was feeling great this morning, I’m starting to feel my age. Two-a-days aren’t as easy as they used to me.

“Fuck,” I breathe out on my last rep of pull-ups, lowering myself down to the training room floor.

Hollis pats me on the back as I’m bent over, trying to let my beating heart even out. “Dude, you’re looking old today.”

“I’m feeling old,” I reply. “Thirty-two is no joke.”

Hopping up on the bar, Hollis starts counting out reps with ease. “I wonder what it will be like to live in my thirties. Maybe I will grow a goatee, maybe go Tom Sellack on people’s asses and sport the mustache.”

Mind you, he will be thirty next year. He talks about it as if it’s some far-off concept.

“You would look like a giant dickhead,” I answer honestly, working my way to the ground for some plank work. I lower to my elbows and balance on my toes, stretching out along a mat, hovering inches above it. Wasting no time, I press the start button on the stopwatch on my wrist so I can time myself properly.

Huffing out his pull-ups, he says, “Maybe, but a dignified dickhead at that.”

Finishing up his reps, he hops off the bar and comes next to me to start his planks. Sweat pours off my brow as I exert my body at the end of my workout. I balance on one arm and pull the hem of my shirt up to wipe my forehead, welcoming the cool air that hits my burning abs.

“What are you doing the rest of the day?” Hollis asks, trying to distract us both from the plank work we’re doing.

“My girl is coming over later. We’re going to hang out. I want to soak up as much of her as possible before I leave for camp. I also have a production meeting to discuss more Rio shit.”

“Is her roommate still being a dick?”

I told Hollis all about Jonathan’s asshole ways the day after the fight, going into great detail about him being a massive dick to Paisley. We both agreed that’s not how a friend treats another friend, despite how frustrated or annoyed you are. Hollis then started going into a theory that didn’t settle well with me. He’s convinced Jonathan has feelings for Paisley and that’s why he’s being such a dick.

Not wanting to even think about that possibility, I ignored his theory, but of course, being the jealous prick I am, I kept harping on it, letting it ferment in my mind until I couldn’t take it anymore and asked Paisley if she thought he was in love with her. Not my best moment. I looked like an ass but I had to know. She told me there was no way that was even possible given their past history, but I still have my doubts. Why else would a guy blow up like that? Was it really over her job, or was he jealous?

Either way, he didn’t have a chance in hell of stealing Paisley from me. I would make it my mission to make sure that never happened in case he did have feelings for her. To hell if I would be the loser at the end of the romantic comedy who lost to the “best friend.” Fuck. No.

“Yeah, he’s still being a dick. That’s why she’s been spending so much time at my place. Not that I’m complaining. I prefer it that way, actually. I just feel like she’s holding back from me a little. Despite how much I hate it, I know her relationship with Jonathan is important, and ever since their fight something’s been missing.”

“Do you think she has feelings for him?” Hollis chuckles, knowing damn well I don’t care for his stupid jokes that jab at me.

Shifting my weight to one arm, I lift my opposite hand and punch Hollis in the shoulder causing him to topple over and laugh out loud.

“You’re such an asshole,” I grumble as my time is up. Falling to the mat, I turn over on my back and look up at the ceiling. “She doesn’t have feelings for him. They’re just friends.”

Still laughing, Hollis says, “I know, but fuck it’s fun messing with you.”

“Hey,” the distinct deep voice of Bodi Banks says from above us. Looking skyward, Bodi stands in front of us, clutching his water bottle, a towel slung over his shoulder. He looks like he just got done with a workout himself.

“What’s up, Bodi?” I ask, standing to my feet.

“I have a question for you,” Bodi says, getting straight to the point. He’s never been much of a talker, at all actually. He’s a nice guy but very quiet. When he’s in the pool, he listens to his coach, does his workout and leaves. There is not much socializing on his end. But I’m the one with the poor image, probably because Bodi’s work at the local Boys and Girls Club is more known than my charity work. Pretty sure he volunteers every Thursday.

“Are you asking him out?” Hollis asks, standing up as well. “I tried already today and struck out, but you’re thicker than me, maybe he will give you a chance.”

Hollis and Bodi, now there’s a couple of men that never got along and not because Hollis hasn’t tried. Bodi just doesn’t get Hollis’s sense of humor. There is something dark and twisted about Bodi, you can see it in his eyes. He’s . . . jaded. I know he lives in the area, lost his parents when he was young, and he’s very, very private about his personal life. Oh, and his sister is an artist. Paisley informed me of that little tidbit, that and his sister is in a committed relationship with Paisley’s new friend, Lauren. But that’s all I know about the man, as he’s fairly mute.