Page 53 of Power Twist

“Maybe,” I grumble between heavy breaths. “It's true though, right?”

“Sometimes I’m afraid for our country.” Grabbing my water bottle I chuck it at his head. Catching it midair, Trey twists the top off, takes a sip, and sets it in his cup holder. “Meeting with the Russians is a bad idea. Not only because of the press you'd get but also the danger involved. It's a hard no.”

“Pretty sure it's a solid yes.”

“Pretty fucking sure it's a fuck no.”

“Guess I'll just have to go alone, then,” I snap. Jamming my finger against the speed button, I push myself into a jog. “You can't tell me what to do, Trouble.” At his silence, I look over, finding his features hard, nostrils flaring. “I know you mean well, but something tells me I need to do this.”

“I thought Birmingham told you to cancel the trip.” Not missing a step, he grips the hem of his black dry-fit T–shirt and rips it over his head before tossing it to the floor. Sweat gathers between his defined pecs and beads along the soft tan skin down his back. Back and forth his arms pump, moving him faster and faster along the treadmill. His chest rises and falls in rapid succession, keeping me transfixed on the demigod beside me. “Mess?”

“Hum?” Not looking away, I sigh at the beautiful man. “You're so pretty.”

“I'm a hard-ass,” he fake growls while flexing his biceps. “Do you need a reminder, baby?”

“Fuck yes.” Now my sharp breaths stem from something other than my forced cardio.

“Later, promise.”

Lower lip forced outward, I huff and turn back to the machine.

He chuckles. “Needy little thing. Now, back to OPEC. Birmingham said to cancel that trip.”

“I'll just happen to forget to cancel it and end up going.” With the hem of my gray tank, I swipe the building sweat along my upper lip and forehead.

“It’ll piss him off, that's for sure.” His face breaks out in a wide smile. Eyes meeting mine, he nods. “Let’s do it.”

“I have another great idea.” Brilliant actually, and I'm pretty sure he'll agree.

“Hit me.”

“How about we stop this boring cardio and opt for a more… group cardio session up in my room?” The last word is barely out of my mouth when his palm smacks the emergency stop button, halting the treadmill’s spinning belt in an instant. “Guess that's a yes?” I say with a giggle.

Instead of responding, Trey hits my own emergency stop and hauls me off the treadmill with an arm around my waist. We’re nose to nose, our heaving chests meet with each deep breath.

“That's a hell yes, Mess.” His sweat-slick fingers slide through my hair, catching in the thick locks. “Like I could ever say no to you.”

“You do,” I say with a pointed look. “All the time.”

“When I'm working, yeah, but today is my day off and I can do whatever I want.”

“Whatever?” I ask, anticipation lacing my breathy one-word question.

A mischievous smirk pulls at the right corner of his lips as his eyes blaze with desire. “Come on.”

Eagerly I pad behind him, our fingers interlaced as he tugs me along, ready to get my version of a perfect cardio session started.

The moment the door closes and the lock snaps in place, Trey’s lips are on mine. Hands cradling my cheeks, he deepens the kiss, pouring intensity and passion into it with each slide of his tongue along my own. Already my heart races, my breaths shortened.

I hook my thumbs inside the elastic band of my running shorts and hastily tug them and my underwear to the floor, blindly stepping out of them before toeing off my tennis shoes.

Trey’s lips vibrate against the soft skin of my neck with a laugh. “Eager?”

“Very. It’s been too long.”

“Agreed, baby. Now let’s finish what you started.” Gripping the hem of my tank top, he quickly lifts it over my head and tosses it over his shoulder. My snug sports bra proves to be more of a challenge, but with a frustrated grunt, he maneuvers it carefully over my breasts and drops it to the floor.

“Damn, you’re beautiful,” he says as he scans my naked body. Instead of shying away from his close inspection, I brush my fingers down the slopes of my breasts, along the curve of my waist, and across my hips. “And a tease.”

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