Page 25 of From Wink to Kink

Huh?

“You saw me? You were spying on me? Damn, Brooks. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but that is stalking behavior?—”

“I… it’s not like that. I saw you… from a distance… when I was boarding my bus.”

“What bus?” I ask.

“The bus that transports people from the airport, here.”

I shrug. “Didn’t even know there was a bus. My agent set up the limo so I could travel in style.”

“Of course,” she mutters. “Too good to take a damn bus.”

“Now wait a minute—” I start to say.

But she crosses her arms and looks to the other side of the room. “Could you please put some clothes on?”

I look down at myself. “I have clothes on.”

"Okay, okay. I’m done with these games. I'm leaving now," she announces, her voice slightly higher than usual. "And we will never speak of this again. Ever."

And with that, she slams the door shut, leaving me alone again.

But I hustle to pull the it back open and call after her. “Yo, Ruby Brooks, you can cut the joke. I know the guys put you up to this. Good try though.”

I shut the door and collapse onto the bed, a laugh bubbling up from somewhere deep in my aching abs.

Of all the people to be recruited for a practical joke and walk in on me half-naked and yoga-destroyed, it had to be her. The universe, as well as my teammates, it seems, both have a twisted sense of humor.

I head to the shower when there’s a knock on my door. Maybe this is housekeeping. I gather my dirty laundry to hand over.

But it’s Ruby. Again.

“What do you mean joke? And the guys?” she asks, scowling.

I throw my head back and laugh. “They put you up to this, right? Showing up here, in my room? They’re such morons, thinking they can pull one over on me. Jesus.”

I shake my head.

“The guys… you mean the team?” she asks, puzzled.

“Yeah. Who else?”

“They… had nothing to do with this. There’s no joke being played. This is a real-life clusterfuck, our being here at the same time and being assigned to the same room.”

I look at her for a moment, dirty laundry still in my arms.

No way. Those douches aren’t behind this?

I’ll be damned.

“I’m going back to the front desk for my own room and do not plan on setting my gaze on you again this week. If it can be helped.” She scowls at me and with a huff, turns to drag her luggage back to where she started from. I watch her bump down the walk way, not entirely convinced someone isn’t playing a joke on me.

Whatever.

As I finally drag myself to the shower, I can't help but grin. Maybe this retreat won't be so boring after all. After all, nothing spices up a wellness journey like a little mortification and the glare of someone who hates your fucking guts.

And Ruby Brooks? She might think she's immune to my charms, but I saw that blush. This week just got a whole lot more interesting.

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