Page 57 of Mountain Grump
My phone alarm beeps from the little purse that’s somehow still hooked over my shoulder, letting me know I have two minutes until my dryers are ready.
Chapter 40
Ethan
Keepingmy promise to that prick, Clark, I walk straight to the small office at the back of the gym and use my key to unlock the door.
I tap the space bar as I drop into the chair, waking up the computer.
Then I type in my password and open the video feed.
The live view of the door shows that the walkway is empty.
I click on the parking lot feed, confirming that Clark’s truck is gone. But I also don’t see Tilda or her truck.
Maybe she parked on the side street, not knowing the lot was behind the building.
Clicking back to the front door feed, I rewind it.
Only I don’t make it to the spot where Clark reaches for Tilda. Because the sight of us… entwined…
I hit Play.
The camera is in the eaves above the door, so the angle shows my back.
My size blocks most of Tilda from view, but her hands…
I lived it.
I felt it.
But seeing it… seeing the way she was grabbing at me.
I watch as her hands slide around to my back.
I can still feel it. Can still feel her hands on my skin.
Can still fucking taste her.
If I’d remembered to lock the door to my office, I’d be tempted to beat one off right now.
But I didn’t lock the door.
And I can bring this video home.
It only takes a few clicks for me to download two videos.
One that shows the seconds before and after Clark tried to touch what’s mine. And the second is everything that happened after.
I email them to myself, then shut down the computer and exit the office.
I’m tempted to go straight home, so I can watch the second video at my leisure, but I go back to the free weights.
I’ve done plenty for the day, but the adrenaline boost of having Tilda’s tongue in my mouth is making me feel twitchy. And I want to burn off that energy before I drive home.
My gaze automatically moves to the mirror, my eyes searching for that purple braid. But she’s not here.
She’s gone.
