Page 59 of Irresistibly Wild

“My coach just put me out and doesn’t want to see me until tomorrow. She yelled at me for being unfocused.”

“She’s been yelling at you about that long before we started talking,” he says. “You complain about it every night.”

“Speaking of which…” I adjust my leotard’s shoulder strap. “I didn’t plan on having a boyfriend this season.”

“So, Iamyour boyfriend?”

“You were,” I say, shrugging. “Today will be our last day together, because I’m officially breaking up with you. I wish you nothing but the best.”

“Okay, Tatiana.”

“Thanks for taking this so well. I didn’t think it would be so easy.”

“It won’t be.” His lips land against mine, making me forget whatever I was about to say.

Rubbing his hands against my sides, he whispers, “Get in the car.”

“Wait.” I catch my breath. “I thought you were doing a showcase for the UFC in Vegas this weekend.”

“I am,” he says. “I wanted to come see you first, though.”

I look up at the ballet studio windows, spotting Miss Price. She’s shaking her head as she sips from a coffee mug.

I’m starting to wonder if this is all a test, if I’m supposed to rush back inside and throw myself at her mercy.

She shuts the blinds seconds later.

Before I can react, Travis kisses my neck and gently pushes me onto the passenger seat. Then he moves behind the wheel and drives onto the road.

“How many ‘You’re unfocused’ lectures did she give you today?” he asks.

“I stopped counting at five.” I hold back a sigh. “Does your coach yell at you a lot, too?”

“Mr. Ralph is more of a manager than a coach, but he isn’t the yelling type,” he says. “He gets to me by being sarcastic and giving me blank stares whenever I fuck up.”

“Lucky you. I’m feeling a lot of anxiety lately, so as soon as I take the edge off, I’m sure I’ll perform better.”

“Why are you having anxiety at all?”

“Because—” I bite my tongue. I can’t tell him that his sister and me are now neck and neck in the international standings, and I’m only a few competitions away from knocking her down to where she belongs.

It’s a bit of an unspoken boundary I’ve drawn over the past several weeks: Pretend Penelope doesn’t exist whenever we’re together, no matter how badly I wish I could talk to him about my biggest rival.

“Because what, Tatiana?” Travis asks, coasting into an empty parking lot.

“Because the next three competitions are the hardest ones on my schedule.” I go with the vague approach. “I need to dominate, but I also need to relax. I can’t be at my best if I’m wound up this tight, you know?”

“Somewhat.” He leans over to unbuckle my seatbelt. Then he pulls me into his lap.

“How do you plan to relax tonight?” he whispers against my mouth before kissing me.

I can’t answer. I’m too entranced by the feel of his lips.

“Tell me,” he whispers again.

“Tell you what?”

“How—” He bites down on my bottom lip, gently tugging it forward with his teeth. “Do you plan to relax?”

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