After Colton disappeared through a door—probably to the locker room—I quickly accessed the platform, uploading the picture with his signature. Within five minutes I'd sent it in. Then I had nothing left to do.
I put the iPad in my bag, looking around. A door opened, and I sucked in a breath, but Colton didn't come out. It was his sparring partner.
"Zoey, I need to get home to the family. There are no more clients scheduled today. Colton knows how to close up the place. Tell him to do it, okay?"
"Sure," I said.
The guy looked at me with a knowing smile.Oh God. Don't blush now, Zoey.Could he tell I wasn't here just for work?
"Sorry to bust in like that earlier. I just really needed Colton in person," I explained.
"Yeah, yeah." He winked at me. "You two have fun."
What did he mean? Did Colton tell him something? Was it written on my face that I wanted him?
It was a good thing Colton would come out fully clothed because I didn't think I could be around him if he was naked, sweaty, and all tatted up and not jump his bones. Forget kissing. I wouldliterallyjump him.
He came out a few minutes later. His hair was wet. His shirt looked different from this morning, like it was a bit too small and had stretched. But even though he was fully clothed and I couldn't even see a hint of his tattoo, the image of him shirtless was dancing behind my eyes. I couldn't forget it.
"Theo left. He said you should close up."
He nodded. "Sure."
"How come you've got the keys to this place?" I asked.
"I'm one of his oldest clients, and we’re very good friends. I helped him set this place up. In turn he gives me the keys. That way I can come even when there's no one here."
"Who do you box with when that happens?"
"A punching bag. It's a very efficient workout."
"I'll say," I replied.
He chuckled. "Would you like me to take off my shirt so you can see that tattoo better? You couldn't take your eyes off it earlier."
I sucked in a breath, nearly swallowing my tongue. "I, um... well, okay, so that was obvious."
"Yeah, it was."
I was just becoming more awkward by the second, which was so unlike me.
"I didn't think anything could stump you," he replied.
"Neither did I, but apparently you have special skills." I frowned. "Look, sorry for ambushing you here."
"Don't worry about it, okay? I appreciate you taking this stuff seriously. But it’s late. You don’t need to put in overtime."
I shrugged, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I usually don’t, but seeing you motivates me."
"Oh?" he asked, cocking a brow.
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant that I've never seen anyone who puts so much effort into what he does. It's inspiring.”
“Some call it obsessive."
"Those things aren't mutually exclusive," I quipped.
He glanced at the bag I’d put on one of the benches and then back up at me. "What are you in the mood for?"