Page 25 of Spinning Out Of Control

My voice comes out a little more arrogant than I meant, but oh well. He’s lucky I didn’t tell him to take the bronze medal and shove it.

Warren cocks his head, lips pursing in an amused smile.

“Such a pest, trying to annoy me by preying on my patriotism. I appreciate the attempt, but I’m a dual citizen. Besides, I’ve been in California for more than half my life. I’m Team USA, baby.”

He winks, and I scowl. God, why does it sound so good every time he calls me a pest?

Fuck it. He can take his stupid sexy accent and shove that, too.

“Anyway,” I say, shaking away my annoyance. “Jeslyn has been hard to pin down from a distance.She’s been taking my calls, but I don’t think I’ll get a yes out of her unless I can sit her down and persuade her in person.”

“So, you’re going to New York.”

“Yes.”

“Well, thank you. I appreciate you keeping me informed.”

I take a deep breath, dreading the next part. But I made a promise to myself–and to my therapist, after I admitted to feeding the rumor mill–that I was going to be a bigger person. I was going to keep an open mind and not burn my bridges. Bringing on new teammates is a big decision. A scouting trip like this is something Jonathan and I would have done together, even if he left all the actual work and final hiring choices up to me. I owe it to Warren and to Spin Sync to give him the same courtesy I would have given his predecessor.

“I wanted to know if you’d like to come to New York with me,” I say through gritted teeth with all the enthusiasm of a dirty cat at bath time.

He opens his mouth, then shuts it again.

“Seriously?”

“Yes. It’s something Jonathan would have done. Scouting and onboarding new team members is delicate work. I can handle it on my own, but you’re in charge. Regardless of my personal feelings about you, I’d appreciate your input on the matter. And it never hurts to have a second set of eyes on a trip like this. We’re going for Jeslyn, but there could be others, too.”

I almost expect some push back. I haven’t been kind, and if someone called me a stupid British twat-waffle and told a bunch of strangers that I couldn’t get it up, I certainly wouldn’t be keen to hop on a cross-country flight with them. But Warren doesn’t hesitate, not even for a moment. He pushes to his feet, meeting my eyes.

“Alright, then. When do we go?”

For a moment, I’m stunned. Fuck, he smells good. Like sage and spice and the peppermint toothpaste on his breath. Standing in front of me while I sit on his desk, he’s the perfect height. Tall, but not a giant. If I were to drop to my feet, I’d have to rise to my tiptoes to wrap my arms around his neck. But like this, we’re almost equals. Face to face, hip to hip. The perfect alignment for kissing.

My eyes drop to his lips, full and soft like pillows. They’d felt so good on my skin. I don’t think I’d ever been kissed the way Warren kissed me. Fully, passionately, like the only thing that mattered in the world was the fusing of our mouths. Looking at those lips, remembering the way we’d been together, it makes my head spin. My emotions swirl in my chest like the cream I poured into my coffee this morning. Longing. Desire. Resentment. Pride. I feel it all.

“How’s next Friday? My brother’s football team will be in town to play the Redwoods and his coach gave him permission to skip the team hotel and stay at my place. I’d like to use him as free labor to water my plants and feed my fish.”

“Fish? You have a fish?” Warren asks, his nose scrunching.

“Yes, I have a fish. He’s a golden half moon Betta named Pancakes, and he’s my son,” I say, lifting my chin. I’m not ashamed of my love for Pancakes. I’m proud to be doing my part to uplift the lonely single fish-ladies of the world. Why should cats get all the attention?

“Ugh,” he groans, gagging dramatically.

“Excuse me? Do you have a problem with fish or something?”

“Yes. They’re vile creatures that don’t belong in tanks or dinner plates. They belong far away in the sea where I don’t have to see them.”

Warren shudders, and it’s the exact kick in the ass I need to shake off the feeling of wanting to lean forward and kiss his stupid, beautiful mouth. I can’t be sexually attracted to someone I’m supposed to dislike and who hates my son.

“Betta fish don’t live in the sea, Warren. They live in rice paddies and slow-moving streams.”

“You know what I meant, you pest. Forget it. Your brother can feed the–” he pauses, gagging dramatically “the fish, and we can convince Jeslyn to join the Spin Sync team. What airline are you flying? I’ll book a seat.”

I throw my head back, letting out a loud guffaw.

“I don’t think so. You’ve got big boy money, call up the hangar and book us a jet. I’m not spending six hours on a commercial flight sitting next to you.”

Warren smiles, leaning in to place his hands on the desk, framing my hips while leaning in closer.

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