I go to give Tristan a hug. “What’s with the surprise visit?”

“I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by the campus.” His eyes keep darting to Hana’s closed door.

“So, you and Hana?” I ask, more nosy than anything else.

“Yeah,” he takes a deep breath, then asks, “How are things here?”

“Good,” I say then catching Hunter’s gaze on me, I correct myself, “Actually things are great.”

Hunter gives me a warm smile that has my insides doing cartwheels.

It’s because you’re happy that things are better between you.

Lies, all lies, but I’m not about to admit the truth to myself.HUNTERGetting my cardio session in on the treadmill, my eyes scan over the lower floor. Yeah, I’m secretly hoping Jade will start working out in the mornings again.

Just as I slow my pace to cool down, Jade walks into the gym. I watch her look around before she makes her way to the punching bags.

Stepping off the treadmill, I grab my towel and wipe over my face and behind my neck. Pulling my water bottle from the holder, I take a deep drink as I walk toward the stairs.

“Hey, Hunter,” some girl greets me on my way down. I just nod my head, my eyes on Jade. She’s pulling on a pair of gloves.

Today she’s wearing black and purple tight-fitting pants, with a matching top. I still don’t like the tight as fuck outfits, but it’s gym clothes, so I just have to deal.

Coming up behind her as she jabs at the bag, I can’t resist the urge and slap her ass.

“Oh, my God!” she snaps, and spinning around, her arm is already in swinging mode. My hand shoots up, and I block her punch inches from my face. When Jade’s eyes focus on me and recognition sets in, she begins to ramble, “Hunter! I’m so sorry. I thought you were some jerk looking for a beating. I didn’t mean to almost hit you.”

Meaning it as a joke, I say, “Wouldn’t be the first time you take a swing at me.” I instantly regret my words when a shadow settles over her features. Her lips begin to form the words, but I interrupt her, “Don’t apologize, Jade. It’s in the past.”

“Okay,” she murmurs. Then she darts forward and wraps her arms around my waist in a tight hug. “Another one down,” she teases as she pulls back, making me grin at her.

Jade’s eyes sweep over my body, then she asks, “I didn’t see you when I came in, but it looks like you’re done with your workout.”

“I just finished a cardio session,” I explain. “You in the mood to spar?”

Jade tilts her head at me, a smile tugging at her lips. “Do you seriously want to get on the floor with me?”

Get on the floor with me. Those are the only words registering right now as heat sweeps through my body, sending my blood rushing through my veins.

I’d be stone cold and dead not to admit that I find Jade attractive.

Okay, fine, more than attractive.

She’s every man’s wet dream.

The thought makes me scowl at the students around us to make sure no one is ogling her.

“Yeah.” I have to clear my throat when the word sounds like my voice is breaking all over again.

“Okay.” Jade gives me a don’t cry later look and grabs protective headgear.

I strap on a pair of gloves, and once I have my own headgear on, I move onto a mat. “Show me what you’ve got, Bean.”

A wide grin breaks over her face, and she jumps closer, tapping me on the shoulder with her glove.

I roll my eyes at her. “Come on, don’t hold back now.”

She takes a swipe at my feet, but I bounce backward, letting out a chuckle. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”

Like a lightning bolt, she darts forward, and before I know what hit me, my ass is on the floor, and Jade straddles me. She tries to push my arms down on the mat, and I almost fight back, but then I feel her on top of my cock, and I freeze.

It feels like someone took a defibrillator to my heart, shocking the damn thing into overdrive.

Jade wiggles happily on top of me, and yanking my arms from under her hands, I grab hold of her hips to keep her still. “You do not want to wiggle on top of me right now,” I warn her.

Jade stills, and her eyes widen. When my words register with her, she darts up so fast that my hands are still hanging in the air where her hips were a moment ago.

“Oh, God,” she gasps. She does a weird little dance, then rips the gloves and headgear off. “Ahh…” She does the same awkward two-step, then grabs her towel and water bottle and makes a run for the exit.


Tags: Michelle Heard The Heirs Romance