Page 43 of The No Try Zone
He blushes. Actuallyblushes, the tops of his cheeks going ruddy above his beard. It’s ridiculous. “I…had an accident.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Elaborate.”
“I’d rather not.”
The way he says it makes me second-guess everything. “Oh,” I blurt, embarrassed. “Right. Of course.” He literally injured himself having sex. I’m an idiot.
He must read the expression on my face because his own morphs into one of horror. “Oh my God. No. Nothing like that. I’ve just…” He blows out a breath before pinning me in place with his eyes. Those beautiful, unrelenting eyes.
I stop breathing.
“I’ve had a string of bad luck. Since…Vegas. And last night I tripped walking around my living room.”
Exhaling, I fight the smile that threatens to erupt. “You tripped in your living room? On what?”
He mumbles something I don’t hear.
“What?” I step even closer. I could touch him if I wanted. Professionally, of course.
“Nothing,” he says, louder this time. “I tripped on nothing.”
“Literally nothing?” I clarify.
“Literally,” he deadpans.
I laugh softly. “Karma’s a real bitch, isn’t she?”
His eyes darken, the green deepening to the farthest reaches of the forest. “I don’t know, Sam. I’m beginning to think I’m getting everything I deserve.”
I clear my throat. “Right. Well.” I clap my hands in a desperate attempt to bring some professionalism to this conversation. “Let’s get you on my table and let me take a look.”
His eyes flare. “You?”
I throw my arms wide. “Do you see anyone else?” I turn and gesture for him to follow me, not giving him a chance to answer.
“I never see anyone but you down here, you know.”
“And your point?”
“Given that I oversee him, I’d like to know where your boss is.”
I don’t bother answering because I’m not one to get anyone into trouble. But Colin’s not wrong. My boss is rarely around. Once he understood what I brought to the table, he made himself scarce.
I lead Colin into the PT rooms, picking the one farthest from the workout space so that no one knows he’s back here. I know without asking that he wants privacy – he’s supposed to be infallible, and seeing their coach in any kind of prone position isn’t what any player wants.
That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.
I’ve flipped the switch to warm the table by the time Colin appears in the doorway, his gaze darting everywhere but me.
“I should wait till tomorrow,” he says. “I’ll be –”
“You will not wait and you will not be fine,” I interrupt, then pat the mattress. “Get up.Now.”
We stare at each other, the silence growing thick, before he relents and steps forward. He favors his right leg so much it hurts to watch him. He sits on the table, then reluctantly lowers himself down when I make aget on with itgesture.
Once he’s settled, I step close. “May I touch you?”
His gaze snaps to mine and heats.
