Page 39 of Judging Duke

Clearly in the zone, Simon continued, his muscles straining with the effort.

I stood and stared, salivating at the sight.

I didn’t know many people here, mainly sticking to Marc for my company, but when I spotted a guy I knew to be gay strolling towards Simon, I made my move, arriving just as Simon finished.

After handing him his towel and bottle, he glared at me.

Did he still hate me?

Funny how this year, I’d seen Simon more than I had in the past fifteen years. Was the universe trying to tell me something? Was she pushing us together?

All that voodoo stuff, ghosts and spirits, fated mates and all that crap, I was not a believer.

But this was ridiculous.

My witty comeback had obviously floored Simon, as he’d said nothing since. He’d gulped from the bottle, his eyes neverleaving mine. His pupils were wide, the brilliant blue barely visible.

I fidgeted under his scrutiny, not used to such an inspection. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but the urge to either run or approach him warred inside.

“Lost for words?” he asked, finally catching his breath. Mirth danced in his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Just amazed you lasted so long.”

His eyes flashed, and the smirk he wore dropped slightly.

What was that about?

“Nothing wrong with my staying power.” He wiped his neck with the towel, his muscles flexing.

“I’ve seen better,” I countered.

“Yeah? I bet you wouldn’t last five minutes. You’re not exactly built.”

“Not always about how big you are, but how you use it, I’ve always found,” I said cockily.

Tension crackled between us, spanning the few inches that separated us.

How had we got so close? I hadn’t moved…had I? But there was no mistaking we were closer than before.

I could see the flecks of navy in his eyes, the clear beads of sweat still dripping down his face, smell a faint trace of coffee on his breath.

“You two need to get a room.” Marc’s voice broke the silence. “Either fight or fuck.”

“What?” I asked, backing away. “Fuck him? Not likely.”

“Like I’d let you,” Simon replied. “I’d rather shut it in a gate than let you anywhere near me.”

Slightly put out by his last comment, I turned to leave.

“I wouldn’t touch you if you were the last man on earth,” I threw at him.

What were we doing arguing like school children?

“Again, like I’d let you,” he yelled as I retreated to the changing rooms.

“Aren’t you going to finish your workout?” Marc jogged to catch up with me.

“I’m not in the mood.”

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