Page 13 of Phoenix's Redemption

LIAM

The next few days passed in a blur of hard training. Sophie was a tough trainer, pushing me to my limits. Every jab, every kick she instructed me to refine, felt like her way of breaking down the walls I built around me. Tension, sexual and otherwise, crackled between us. My unspoken words followed me around everywhere.I want you. No, I need you. I want to have you forever.

Shoot, I had it bad for her. I knew Sophie was attracted to me, too. Did it go beyond physical with her? Could we be more than each other’s secret?

After another grueling workout session, I found myself sitting in one of the saunas, letting the warm mist form around me. The door creaked open and in walked Sophie, wearing nothing but a small, white towel wrapped around her body.

“Uh, Sophie?” I wondered if she realized this wasn’t an empty room.

Steam swirled around her like a cloak. The towel clung to her curves like a second skin, emphasizing the contours of her body in a way that left me more turned on than I'd ever been. The way the soft terry molded to her hips, the dip of her waist. My cock twitched beneath the towel tied around my waist. It was as if her body was calling out to me, whispering to remind me of the secrets she shared last time I saw her without clothes.

Lust surged through me as I imagined running my hands over every inch of her.

My heart raced as the door closed behind her, but I kept my expression neutral. I even tried to tease. “Didn’t you see the sign on the door? This room’s occupied.”

"You've been distant," she said softly, her voice cutting through the humid air. "What's on your mind?"

“You want to know here? Now?” I hesitated, unsure how to respond. Sophie was perceptive, and I knew she wouldn't let me off the hook easily. Gathering my courage, I spoke up. "It's just... I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I knew the moment the words left my lips, there was no turning back. Sophie's gaze softened, desire flickering in her eyes. She took a step towards me as the steam curled around us like a veil.

“Liam, I've been feeling the same way."

Some big and bold guy I was. Maybe I was tough in the ring, but I was absolute garbage at holding my feelings in when it came to this mystery of a woman. “You have?” I reached out, my hand trembling as I cupped her cheek, feeling the heat of her skin beneath my fingertips. Her breath stalled in her chest as she looked at me, eyes darkening to a rich brown. They were heavy with what I hoped was desire for me.

The truth was, any hope of keeping things professional shattered in that instant. I strained to hear Sophie’s soft voice. "I know we shouldn’t even think about this.”

I could tell she was trying to remind herself of our promise. “Probably not,” I agreed. “But clearly, we are.” Her cheek was warm against my palm. For a second, I forgot everything else - the ring, Jack, the upcoming competition. In that moment, it was just us. “So much for promises.”

“If I’m honest, I didn’t like making that one, anyway.”

I glanced up at her, liking the lighter tone in her voice and the bit of humor dancing in her eyes. “Well, if it makes anydifference, I’m off the clock, so technically this isn’t a work violation.”

Her laugh made me catch an endorphin high. "Cute, but we know what this is.”

“Do we?” I wanted to hear what she thought of this, what she thought of us. “Tell me Sophie.” My voice became quiet as hope and curiosity competed with humor.

“I could simply turn around and leave you in here,” she teased me instead, tracing invisible lines across my chest with her fingernail.

“Mm, you could.” I smiled through the tickling sensation. If she kept that up, my towel was going to be hanging from my cock. “I already got this sauna all warm for you.”

Her hand skimmed down my stomach. I watched her small brown fingers come to rest on the bulge beneath the towel at my hips. “Did you get this ready for me too?”

"Yep, all warmed up and ready to go."

She chuckled, her fingers tracing the outline of my erection through the towel. "Since you clearly worked so hard, I might just have to take you up on that offer."

Her words laced straight through me, all the way to my cock. My heart shot pulses down to it. I knew I couldn’t hold back from her.

I grabbed Sophie's waist, pulling her close to me. Even through her towel, I felt her slim, supple curves melt against my body. Her warmth was like a second skin. Her tongue danced with mine as we explored each other's mouths. Her hands wove into my hair. The clean scent of her perfume filled my nose while passion flared up, tamping down on my other senses.

I reached behind her, lifting the towel from her body. Despite the heat in the room, she shivered as it fell to the ground.

Her naked form never stopped being amazing to me. The sheen of her skin shone on her toned legs and arms. “You’rebeautiful, Sophie.” My fingers traced the faint scar on her leg, the lines of her hips, trailing up to cup her breasts through the misty air. She moaned, soft, against my lips.

As we broke apart for air, she leaned against the wall beside us. She traced the lines of my torso with appreciation. Her touch sent heat waves through me. Sophie's hands slid down my chest, lower and lower, teasingly, until they reached my hips. She gave a light tug on the towel, making the head of my cock spring free. Her eyes widened at the sight of me hard and ready for her.

She leaned in, licking lightly at her lips as she made her way closer to me. Every part of me craved her touch.

---