Page 14 of Point Proven
CHAPTER SEVEN
THORNE
Ikept a steady pace, my sweat-laden chest rising and falling with each breath. The droplets coated the treadmill I was running on, something I knew Oren would undoubtedly get onto me about. But if I were drenched whenever he elected to check on me, I knew it would serve as a fine distraction.
Knocking my knuckle against the toggle, I bumped the speed up a couple of notches. I focused on the steady bounce of the wire settled at the back of my neck, my headphones blaring with some song I hadn’t bothered to learn. Oren recommended I check out a handful of running playlists instead of exercising in silence, something he claimed was ‘sociopathic,’ but I found it rather grounding.
With a lengthened, intentional exhale, I dropped my attention to the time—25:32.Fuck, I’ve been running for that long?
Where the hell was Oren?
As if my thoughts summoned him, he stepped into my line of sight. Dressed in that same apron he’d…attemptedto make cake in, he leaned against the doorframe. Tongue swiping against his lower lip, he took his time scanning me, that glint appearing in his cerulean irises.
Tugging on my earbud, I pulled it free. “Yes, dove?”
“Oh, no, keep going. The view of your ass is phenomenal.”
Intentionally bumping up the speed again, I increased my pace. “You just came to observe then?”
“I wanted to let you know we’re having company soon. Simon and Liam are on their way here, and Simon didn’t sound too well.”
My forefinger met the red button, the treadmill slowing to a stop. Snatching the small towel I’d wrapped around the handle, I wiped my face as I stepped from the platform. “What do you mean?”
He blew out a breath, but the waver in his gaze gave everything away. “Simon said he’d provide details here andonlyhere, but the way he said it to me? It can’t be good.”
Fuck.
Keeping myself composed, I closed the gap between us. Sweat dripping from my skin, I planted my hand against the doorframe above his head. “Well, it gives you a reason to cook. Yeah?”
“Why do you think I’m wearing this?” Picking up the material, he shook it with a brow raised.
“That’s exactly why I said what I said, dove.” I smiled, leaning down slightly. “How about a sweaty hug?”
He grimaced, taking alargestep backward, only to be met with the opposing wall. “No.”
My lips curled more as I filled the space he’d retreated from in one measly stride. Caging him in with both arms, I craned my head to the side. “Oh? You seemed rather interested when I was on that treadmill.”
“Yeah, you were at adistance. It’s nice to admire things from safety, you know.”
Both of my brows lifted.“Safety?”
Smirking, he dipped his chin in a nod. “Mhm.”
Without giving him time to react, I wrapped my arms around him and hoisted him off the ground. Tossing him over my shoulder with ease, his entire front side came into contact with the sweat he was so heavily trying to avoid.
“You were saying?”
A gag rolled through as his fists greeted my back. “T-Thorne, put me down!”
“Your attempt at a back massage is a two-star at best.” Carrying him from the training room, I made my way up the stairs and into the living area, refusing to let him go even as he continued to squirm in my hold.
“Ugh! You stinky, sweaty, bastard!”
“Do we not sweat when wefuck?What is the difference, Oren Graves?”
“I’m always on top?—”
“That’s a lie. There have been a handful of times where I have taken that position.”
