Page 13 of Black Roses

He looks dejected. “See you later, Piper.” He grabs his towel from the handlebars, throwing it over a shoulder.

In the mirror behind the televisions, I watch him walk away. His blue running shorts are wet with sweat, causing them to mold and stick to the globes of his ass. His broad back takes up more real estate than two normal-sized men put together. His muscles ripple as he stretches his neck from side to side, his frame tapering off to a slim and fit waist. My eyes then travel down to his calves. They arechiseledmuscle, toned and tight, even when he stops walking to speak with someone.

“Nice, huh?”

I startle at the feminine voice and then realize I’ve been caught staring by the woman on the treadmill next to me who has slowed to a walk.

I shake myself out of whatever world I was in and answer her. “I guess.If you’re into that sort of thing.”

“Honey, who isn’t into that sort of thing?” She pins me with her thoughtful stare in the mirror.“Oh, unless you’re gay.I know that’s the ‘in’ thing these days with you young kids.Doesn’t bother me at all.In fact, my niece is gay.” She smiles. “Hey, she’s about your age—”

“No, ma’am, I’m not gay,” I cut her off.Why do people keep saying that?“I’m just not interested, that’s all.”

“Oh, that’s too bad,” she says. “He’s a nice boy, young Mr. Lawrence.And a mighty fine football player, too.”She wipes her brow with a towel. “He sure is focused, that one. In all the times I’ve seen him run on the treadmill, I’ve never once seen him remove his earbuds.” She winks at me. “Until today.”

“He’s a friend of the family,” I tell her.

She nods with a smile. “Oh. I guess that explains it then. Well, enjoy your run.”

“Thanks.” In the mirror, I watch her walk away until she passes Mason, who is now talking to Trick. His eyes catch mine andhesmiles. I immediately shift my gaze back to the television while I finger the keypad until I find the medieval castles once more.

After my five miles, I head back to the locker room only to find Mason still talking with Trick. I try to sneakby,but they’re blocking my path. Mason shoves his bottle of water at me. “It looks like you need this.”

I eye it with disdain. “I have my own. Thanks.”

“Whatever.” He proceeds to down the rest of it and then tosses it into a nearby trash bin. “So, you really think you can beat my time in the marathon?”

I glance over at Trick, who is watching our exchange. Her eyes widen and she nods at me, giving me a healthy dose of self-confidence.

“Yeah.I think I can beat your time.”

“Care to make a friendly wager on it?” he asks.

I think of my meager bank account compared to what must be his monumental one. I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh, come on.” He nudges me with his sweaty elbow and something strange happens to my insides. “If you’re so sure you’ll win, what does it even matter?”

“Aren’t you rich enough already,Mason? I don’t know why you would want to win fifty bucks from me—which, by the way,isprobably more than I can afford.”

“I’m not talking about money, Piper.ThatI take very seriously. I’m talking about a date.” He looks over at Trick and gives her a wink before returning his attention to me. “If I win, you go on a date with me.”

My confidence fades, along with all the color in my face. I try to recover quickly. “I thought you didn’t date.”

“I don’t.All the more incentive for you to beat me.”

I do my best to remain composed. “Dating you is no prize, Mason.” There is no way I would go on a date with him.Or anyone, for that matter.“But for the sake of argument, what would I get if I win?”

He laughs at my stab. “What do you want?” A prodigious smile cracks his face as he awaits my reply.

I can’t believe I’m even contemplating this. I shouldn’t be. I know better than to take a bet from any man. But damn it, I want to beat him. I want to wipe that testosterone-laden, egotistical, self-serving grin off his face. I look at Trick. She’s smiling and holding up all her fingers as she mouths‘ten minutes’at me.

Feeling bold, and taking my strength from Trick, I blow out a breath and concede.“Fine.But can I get back to you on what I want?”

“I’ll tell you what, Princess. You don’t even have to pick your prize now. It won’t matter anyway, because you have no chance of winning, but if you do—you can have whatever you want. The sky’s the limit.”

I roll my eyes at his narcissistic ass. Like he could give me what I really want. It’s just like a man to think he can swoop in and save the day.

On tired legs, I walk past him into the locker room and turn around one last time. “For one, I want you to never call me Princess.”

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