Hooked_Uncaged MMA Sports Romance
Page 16
Craddock walked the length of the gym with his eyes focused on the girl that had stolen his full attention. She was smiling, goddamn, she smiled this shy sort of way. And then — what the hell? A set of shoulders partially blocked his view, pissing him off.
There he was. The Preachers Son had zoned right in and was lifting something up for her, a box or some shit, then he started crawling around. What the hell was he doing? The saint of all the Bible was probably trying to look up her skirt. Craddock quickened his pace that asshole better get clear of her.
“You trying to get a free peek there, Powell?” Craddock stepped in front of the brunette just in case Powell was copping a look.
“What? Of course, I wouldn’t ever…” The big man was under the desk struggling with something and sputtering an answer.
“Excuse me, Zeke’s helping me find the outlet.” And Craddock felt a hand on his arm. It was the brunette. The cells in his arms jumped where she touched him, and he turned to look at her. She moved her hand off him too fast, like she felt it too.
She moved her hand from his arm to her hip and fixed a tough glare at him. He wanted to kiss that look right off her face. Shit, this girl was under his skin fast.
“Zeke is it? First names already? Well, what’s your name?”
“Cassidy.”
“Be careful Cassidy, he may wear a gold cross, but he’s no more trustworthy than any of the guys in here.”
“Except you, I’m guessing.” She gave him attitude right away. He was used to fawning and eyelash batting, but not this one. No, she was not immediately susceptible to his muscles.
“Most of all me.” Craddock detected the slightest upturn on the corner of her lip, she wasn’t totally immune to his charms. Good.
“Well are those muscle decorative or can you get that box and bring it over here so I can hook up this printer?” And her sass turned to a bit of shyness as she added. “I can’t reach it.” She was so fucking cute.
“Well aren’t you bossy?” He stepped closer and moved across to where the printer box sat on a shelf behind her. On his way to the shelf, he came within an inch of her and breathed in deeply. She was perfectly still maybe even scared like moving would provoke him, so he got a good nose full of her scent. She smelled clean. Nothing smelled clean around here, and there was something else, something all her.
She didn’t move, but he saw her blush. It was less than two seconds of time, but he’d made his point, he’d started the primal process of letting Zeke, and the rest of them, know he was top ape. She let him do it too, whether she knew it or not, she let him stake a little claim right there. Score one for Flynn. He moved on and grabbed the box down with one hand.
“Where do you want it, boss?” He held it in his big palm in front of her like it was a pizza box.
“Just there on the desk.” At this point, Zeke was up and jockeying with him to get Cassidy’s attention. Forget it, Zeke, you’re not getting anywhere with her, he thought.
“Why don’t you back off, Flynn, she’s not like the sluts who you usually hang with.”
“Fuck you very much, Zeke.” Flynn took pleasure in shooting the insult to his rival in all things. Zeke didn’t take the bait and addressed pretty little Cassidy. Craddock felt his nostrils flair. He didn’t want Zeke talking to this girl and he logically knew he had no right to say it, but there it was in his head. She’s going to be mine, Zeke.
“Sorry Cassidy, this is how he is. Let me know if you need anything else, okay?” Zeke gave her a big holy smile. She smiled back, a small one, but it filled Craddock with a hot poker of rage behind his eyes.
“Thank you. I’m all set, I think. It was nice to meet you, Zeke.” Her voice was deeper than you’d expect, Craddock noticed.
Zeke walked out of the gym and left Craddock and Cassidy facing off at the desk. Craddock thought Zeke had made a poor strategic decision right there, never leave a girl you’re interested in alone with Craddock Flynn. The thought brought a smile to his lips.
“Okay, well, why don’t you get going? No one’s looking up my skirt, and I’ve got work to do.” Not quite yet, Cassidy. He was determined to get a little more time with her.
“So you work here now permanently?”
She nodded, and he was happy as hell. She’d be right here in his very gym for him to enjoy. This day was looking up. He moved in closer, and honestly, this time, it wasn’t on purpose, she had a pull, wow, what the heck was this about?
Cassidy backed up and nearly ran into the shelves behind her. None of his usual lines seemed quite right for this one. He didn’t really have a plan, except he was going to get closer to her. She looked him in the eyes and didn’t seem intimidated. He reached out without thinking, meaning to touch that gorgeous hair.
She smacked his hand down. “Keep that hand to yourself if you don’t want to lose it, Craddock Flynn.” The color in her eyes flashed a little lightning at him. Oh, those eyes. He almost wanted to make her mad some more to see them flair.
“How about the other one?” He lifted his other hand and touched her silky hair on the other side. Her eyes widened in surprise. His hands were quick. Cassidy wasn’t the first girl to learn that.
A hoarse, familiar voice interrupted his attempt to get as close as possible to Cassidy.
“Oh, Miss Cassidy, you have full authority to kick him or any of these assholes in the nuts if they get fresh. Or let me do it if you’re too sensitive. In fact, you can look it up, nut busting is approved conduct in the Great Wolves Gym employee handbook.”
“Thank you, Whitey. I’ll finish this tomorrow if it’s okay?”
“Yep, see you tomorrow, girlie!”
And with that little opening, Cassidy slipped out of Craddock’s orbit and out the door. She was gone, but he knew it wouldn’t be for long. He also painfully realized he probably needed another shower, or at least one of the slutty blondes, as Zeke called them, to work some things out.
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