Maybe it was Dylan’s intense gaze, or Cash’s dashing smile, or the way Red obviously licked his lips when he drank me in from head to toe.
Their attention was intoxicating.
To my surprise, I didn’t mind it one bit.
I cleared my throat, willing my pulse to steady. “Please don’t mind me. If it’s alright, I can maybe take some pictures of you for the spread while you practice?”
Cash nodded. “Sure, but only if you promise to take pictures of me on my good side.”
I grinned. “And which side is that?”
“All of them.”
Dylan snorted. “I didn’t realize you were trying to get into comedy.”
“Fuck you, man. I’m hilarious.”
Red simply rolled his eyes and started back toward the center of the ring, eager to resume his training. Or ignore me. Judging by the way he kept glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, I figured probably not entirely.
“Here,” Dylan said, offering me his hand. “You can stand on the edge of the platform outside the ring. It’ll give you a good vantage point.”
I smiled, happily accepting the help. The warmth of his rough palms beneath my fingers sent a shiver down my spine.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, my chest a little tight.
Balanced on the outer edge of the ring and leaning against the ropes, I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures.
It certainly was an experience, to say the least, watching two massive, sexy men working up a sweat with their rippling muscles on full display. They were ducking and dodging, throwing powerful jabs and crosses. They were strength, speed, and impressive ferocity.
I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
Maybe —just maybe— I could see the appeal of being a spectator of this particular sport.
“So,” I said casually to Dylan as I continued to snap away. “You said you’re here helping them with drills.”
“That’s right. Their coach is stuck in Salt Lake doing… Actually, I don’t know what he’s doing. Bob was supposed to be here weeks ago to oversee their training. I could tell how anxious Red was getting, so I figured I’d help out in the meantime.”
“Red? Anxious? I’ll be the first to admit I can barely get a read on the guy.”
Dylan nodded. “He’s not that complicated. You just have to know what to look for.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.”
I scrolled through the pictures I’d taken. I had a growing library of beautiful action shots to choose from.
“So, how’s Winona?”
I peeked at him through my lashes. “Oh, she’s fine. She’s married now, has a couple of kids. Lives in California with her family.”
“That’s awesome,” he said, sounding genuine. “And what about you? What did you get up to the last ten years?”
I laughed softly. “Not much, unfortunately. I’ve kept my nose to the grindstone hoping to climb my way up the career ladder, but so far, no dice.”
Dylan’s brow furrowed slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s not all bad. You know what they say. Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life or whatever.”
He cast his eyes back to Red and Cash, looking a bit… blank.