Page 26 of A Whole New Trick

She just stares at him. Her lips lower into a deep frown while the guy continues to smirk.

Tell me you’re an asshole without telling me you’re an asshole.

“Hey, man.” I step forward, subtly putting myself between him and Morgan even though he’s still halfway across the room. “Not to be rude, but we were in the middle of a conversation. Is there something I can help you with?”

The guy’s arrogant gaze slides to me. I sense his disdain, but the disrespect fades when he registers who I am. “Wow. Dane Larson. It’s an honor.” He closes the distance between us and holds out a hand.

I stare at the offer for a prolonged second before taking it. I squeeze a little tighter than necessary. “And you are?”

“Aaron. Aaron Burns. I’m a new trainer on staff. It’s nice to meet you.”

I dip my chin and release his hand. “I’m sure.”

His smile fades when I don’t return his polite sentiment.

It’s not because his presence is clearly making my ball-busting nutritionist so uncomfortable she can’t speak, but because I recognize the bastard’s name.

Since the day Morgan showed up at my condo to inventory my food selection, Eli has been trying to goad me into admitting I’m interested in her. He won’t listen when I say it’s been months since we made out at the club—that time has cured us both of the lustful haze that overshadowed good sense that night.

His most recent attempt? He shared the story Morgan told him about her most recent ex. Apparently, the guy was anarcissistic ass who criticized Morgan’s physical appearance. She told Eli his criticisms were hard to deal with at the time, but she’s used them as motivation to support other female athletes and help encourage positive body image values with anyone she works with.

She also told Eli’s his name. And it was Aaron fucking Burns.

I let my cold eyes run over the prick in front of me. Who is he to criticize Morgan’s appearance? Sure, he’s in shape. But he’s of average height and build. He’s ordinary. I could walk onto the streets of Midtown and find a dozen guys who look like him.

Morgan is extraordinary. From her beauty to her intelligence to her toned yet feminine physique, she’s incredible. Any guy would be lucky to be with her. Only an idiot would think otherwise.

Aaron shakes off my dismissive behavior and once again focuses on Morgan.

“Look at you, Morgan. Finally working for a sports team.” His lips curl. I resist the urge to smack the judgmental grin off his face. “But I shouldn’t be surprised, should I? Not when you consider who your father is.”

I have no idea what he means, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t like his tone. Or the way the mouthy brunette doesn’t speak up to defend herself.

I can’t explain what motivates me to do what I do next. All I know is I want to put this asshole in his place, and this is the first thing that comes to mind.

I extend my arm and wrap it around Morgan’s shoulder, drawing her close. “How do you know my girl?”

I feel Morgan stiffen. I squeeze her shoulder, silently telling her to go with it.

Aaron’s eyes narrow. “Your girl?”

“Did you two go to school together?” I ask, ignoring his prying question.

Aaron’s eyes dart between us. When they focus on Morgan, I caress her shoulder with my thumb. She shifts and leans into me. I take it as approval to continue my antics.

“We dated.” His lips flatten.

“Did you? Huh?” I look down at Morgan to find she’s already looking at me. “You never told me you dated a trainer.”

I respect athletic trainers’ work—I do. But I add a dismissive note to the word, hoping to knock this prick down a peg or two.

From the subtle huff he exhales, I’d say I accomplished the task.

Amusement cracks through Morgan’s stoic expression. Softly, she says, “It didn’t seem relevant.”

That’s my girl.

“That makes sense. Our pasts are in the past for a reason.” I look back at Burns. Anger colors his features. It takes all my self-control not to grin. “Don’t you think?”

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