“We’ll go out tonight. Somewhere nice,” he says, sighing into my hair.
Kode Sterling may have wanted Rain Noles, but he’s falling for me. That can be enough.
Chapter 22
KODE
“Make sure you contact them. Ms. Noles will be using my personal human resources department until she has formed a staff of her own. Thanks, Sharon,” I say, hanging up with my assistant.
She’s a bitch, but she’s badass at her job.
Scrolling through my messages, I see I have yet another new message from Rain.
My Perfect Girl: Are you avoiding me? We’re going to talk, Kode. Text me or call me back.
She has sent three text messages since yesterday, wanting to meet up alone. I’m not stupid. She’s pissed about me going after Pete alone, and now she wants to sit me down and scold me like a kid. I should probably change her name in my phone. She’s not my anything. Never was. And I’m learning that perfect is overrated.
I’m not wasting time with Tria to go get reamed by Rain. No thank you.
My phone buzzes in my hand, and I grin when I see the name on it.
My Sexy Girl: I’m heading home right now to do some work. Leo is coming over, and I’m fairly positive he’s going to do a few backflips when I show him everything in writing. The lawyers are still tweaking the fine details, but we should be signing everything soon. I’ll see you later tonight. Thanks for this weekend.
Damn. She left when we got home to run some errands, but I thought she’d be coming here when she got done. Something was off yesterday. I’m not sure what, but she wasn’t as… free?
Usually she hands herself over to me like there’s nothing holding her back. Yesterday she seemed distant, and everything felt a little forced. I’m sure it has a lot to do with her nervousness over her business. It’s real for her now, and the adrenaline has worn off, making way for the reality that can be daunting. That’s why I’ve gotten her a team together. They’ll help make this launch go seamless.
I decide I’m overdue for a training session with Jax, so I head over to his studio. He’s working with a few women when I get there, all of them eyeing him like they want a bite.
Rolling my eyes, I walk his way, and he excuses himself from the admirers who are fanning their faces.
“I swear you get more ass than a rockstar,” I say as we head toward the mats.
He laughs while shaking his head, and the women move to the workout equipment, not moving their eyes off us.
“Still with the hottie?” he asks as I start stretching.
“Yeah. Just got back from New York.”
“Sounds serious. Long weekend together? Or did she invite herself?”
“It was planned. My idea. Long story, but damn good weekend.” Until she started stressing out, it was a damn good weekend. I can help her with anything she needs, so I wish she’d just come over and let me work on it with her.
Christ. I’m the one who sounds clingy.
“Did you ever screw her sister? Or was it one of those friend-zone things?”
I really need to quit talking to him about my shit.
“Never screwed her. Friend-zone hell more like it. But it all seems to be working out for the best.”
Tria is so much better for me in so many ways. It’s shocking at the things we have in common. And she wants me. No one else even draws her attention in the slightest.
Jax stops talking when we start working out, and he kicks my ass a few times, since my head is a little groggy from the weekend. After a solid two hours, I’m pouring sweat and breathing like an out-of-shape pansy.
Jax mocks me when I drop to the mat to sprawl out, and I flip him off without bothering to lift my head to glare at him. When my phone blares some girly song from my gym bag, I silently curse Tria. When the hell did she do that?
“Dude,” Jax says through his laughter, “nice tune.”