Page 22 of My Little Secret

I picked at something invisible on the arm rest. “You could have told me the night we met.”

“Yeah, right. I was talking to my celebrity crush. You think I wanted to ruin the way you were looking at me? If I had told you, you would have walked the other way.”

I looked up at her. She was right. “Well, now I have to walk the other way.”

She frowned, almost pouting. “Don’t say that.”

“What are we supposed to do? You’re a liability now.” I dragged my gaze up to meet hers. It was the truth. “How do I know you aren’t using what you’re learning against me?”

Her face paled. “I would never. That is outrageous.”

“How do I know?” Blood streaked through my veins. This was the real meat of the matter. “I have to protect my career, too. I get that you’re doing your job. But this is a fucking conflict of interest.”

She covered her face with her hands. Her voice came out muffled. “I know. I know. I just…I can’t stay away from you. I honestly only meant to buy you a drink and say hi. I didn’t think any of this would happen.”

“Why the hell did you buy me a drink?” I scoffed. This little detail had been nagging at me since I found out she was more than acquainted with the MMA schedule. “You know as well as anyone that I can’t drink during training.”

“I was trying to get you to notice me,” she wailed.

“Well, it worked.” I crossed an ankle over my knee. “We even fucked. Great job. Maybe Brute sent you to distract me so he could win the match.”

Her face flushed. “He would never. Not even to win the match. Trust me, this was all my doing.”

It was hard to stay mad. Even when nothing made sense and the right path forward was unclear…I still wanted to be around her. I didn’t want this to be goodbye.

“Well…I guess that’s it then.” Her voice came out watery, as if maybe tears weren’t far behind. My heart cracked a little. “Now you know. I’m a shady gym rat who lures men with alcohol and sex.”

I laughed despite her somber tone. “Oh, come on.”

“This secret is safe with me,” she went on, sliding her coat on. “What happened between us will never figure into my brother’s career. I promise you that. And you can smear me in the news if I break that promise.”

I tutted. “Sadie—”

“I really think you’re awesome, Hawk.” She sniffed and stood, her mouth turned into a cute little frown as she buttoned her coat. “It’s why I didn’t want to ruin this. But that was just me being hopeful.”

“Take off your coat.”

Her glittery green eyes slid to meet mine. “What?”

“Just stay.” I said it with a sigh. There was no way around it. I wanted her. Still. It thrummed through me, pushing me to make this decision even though it made no sense. She’d lied to me. Willingly withheld information. I’d found out only because I spotted her. Irritation flickered again, but her nearness made that all melt away, like sunshine on snow.

Sadie was something else. I didn’t quite understand it…just needed more of it.

“But don’t we have to stop this?” She gestured around her, at whatever this was.

“Yes, we do. But tomorrow.” I leaned forward, grabbing her by the hips. She stepped toward me hesitantly, as if maybe this was a joke.

“Tomorrow?” Her voice sounded miles away as I smoothed my palms over the tops of her thighs, feeling that familiar wash of lust and nostalgia. Sadie was new to me, but she felt like coming home. And I couldn’t say no to that. So I’d indulge just one more time.

“God, we’re dumb,” she said quietly.

“Yeah.” I undid the buttons of her coat slowly, nodding up at her. “We sure are.”

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