Page 51 of The Billionaires' Prize

“Is your shoe untied?”

“What?” I look down at my sneakers.

He shrugs a lean shoulder. There’s a smattering of hair at the center of his chest, and his skin has the faintest glow. So, the geek boy gets out into the sun occasionally.

Good to know.

“You just seem to be having trouble staying upright.”

There it is again. That little hitch at the corner of his mouth that makes me want to lick him. Kiss him. Shove him to his knees.

Focus.

“Just a little tired.” I give a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.

Let him make of that what he will.

“Wanna increase the incline?”

No. Not really.

Not waiting for an answer, he presses the button, and the machine whirs as it lifts the front end.

Fine. That’s how we’re gonna play this?

“What are you at?” I ask, using a hand to steady myself as I lean over and glance at the numbers on his screen. I change the pitch on my treadmill and immediately feel the burn.

We run in silence for another minute. Then another. I’m so damn sweaty, but it feels good to push myself. It’s been a while since I’ve had a training partner. Someone to keep the competitive spirit alive.

Outside the windows, the city wakes while we run up imaginary mountains. This isn’t so bad. It’s not a beach run along the coast, but hearing his footsteps slapping the boards next to mine is nice.

Until he increases the incline again.

“You got a death wish?” I mutter.

He huffs a laugh, then uses his towel to wipe his face. “Just figured I needed to up my endurance.”

His eyebrow cocks up.Gotta keep up with Katherine,it seems to say.

He’s not wrong. I jab the button, and my calves wish I didn’t.

And on it goes. We raise and lower the incline and increase and decrease the speed. Maybe it started out as a friendly jog, but Gabriel is competitive to his core. It’s etched into every line on his stupidly handsome face. The way he swings his arms. Squirts water into his mouth. Wipes his chest with the towel.

I almost fall flat on my face when he does that.

How would I explain the rubber burn?

We should probably ease up if we don’t want cramps later. Or if we have any hope of being able to please Katherine tonight. Which is probably a little presumptive of me, but a man’s gotta think ahead.

Gabe’s phone rings, and he slaps the big red stop button.

Oh, thank god!

I lower the speed, trying to act like I’m not dying. And in truth, I should walk this off and have a long sesh with the foam roller.

“Yeah?” He swipes the towel down his face again.

Pecs glistening, he sucks in breath after breath, angling the phone up, away from his mouth, only to drop it back into place again.

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