Page 68 of Reckless Desire

“How?”

I shrug. “Fucking.”

The elevator opens at that moment and a couple of seniors glare at us. Sydney stifles a giggle.

“Is that your answer to everything?” she whispers as we descend.

“Pretty much.” I squeeze her hand. “With you, anyway.”

She shakes her head, a blush spreading across her cheek. I like the playful Sydney, but this half-scandalized one is beautiful too. I’ve been teasing her to help her relax from all the worst-case scenarios in her head, but as we step off the elevator, there is no doubt in my mind this is way more than fucking.

She winds her arm around my waist, and I put mine on her hip. Like two blocks, we fit together.

“Hello, Stuart.” The piercing voice from behind us in the lobby skitters through me like a pesky insect. That’s what the owner is.

“Hello, Gigi.” I steer Sydney toward the exit, hoping to avoid an interaction with the poisonous spider.

“I’m surprised to see you here. With a companion nonetheless.” She catches up with us.

Sydney stops, glances at me to gauge my reaction. I’m not sure what she sees, but she turns to Gigi and raises her eyebrows.

“And why would that be surprising? I’m his girlfriend. Sydney.” She offers her hand and Gigi looks at it with distaste but shakes it.

“Gigi Lafontaine.” She drops Sydney’s hand, andmy girlfriendwraps her arm around me again, placing her other hand on my chest. Claiming me? Perhaps. But her hand also has an immediate calming effect on me. At least to a certain extent, because I do want to strangle Gigi.

“Hard to believe you’re getting domesticated now.” She cocks her head, squinting at me, waiting for the truth. When neither of us reacts, Gigi lifts her chin, her nostrils flaring.

I give Sydney a gentle shove to move away. As far away as possible from this impossible woman and my past, but Sydney mirrors Gigi’s chin lift.

“Find yourself a new toy, Gigi. Nice meeting you.” She grabs my hand and pulls me away.

The October air hits us with sunshine as we step outside. We walk in silence for a moment. I’m riled up from the encounter and kind of dazzled by Sydney’s defense. Because I think she tried to defend me. Claim me in front of another woman.My girlfriend. Never had I thought I needed one of those.

“I’m sorry.” My past would always hang over my head.

“Don’t be. It’s not like we can change the past. I’m assuming she was one of those clients that included a bedroom component as a part of your services.” Sydney bites her lip.

I nod, and she shakes as if she’s just swallowed slime. “Hunter Stuart, you were scoring fifteen out of ten, but this lapse of judgment just pushed you back at least ten points.”

I pull her to me. “I’ll work my way back up,” I promise against her lips.

“I see a lot of fucking in our future.”

The laugh she drags out of me is cathartic.

“I have to hurry to the gym, but come with me if you can.” I don’t want our time together to end.

“If you think you can make me lift weights, you’re mistaken.” She shakes her head with a grin.

“Come with me, beautiful, I promise the only exercise you got was the cardio this morning.” I wink and pull her along with me.

The club is busy, and I lead her to the fitness studio where a group of children greet us with cheers.

“Hey, guys, who is ready to kick ass?” I call.

The boys cheer again and run to set up the stations for an obstacle course.

“What’s going on?” Sydney watches the commotion.

---