“I can’t believe you’ve been hiding him at work. That is not the body of an analyst,” Natalia said to Cayla, her eyes never leaving Felix’s muscular ass.
“I’d never noticed, honestly.” Grumbles about “bullshit” and “hogwash” came from the girls. “I’m serious! I’d only noticed his looks a couple months ago, and I’d congratulated him on being extra hot. True story. Ask him.” Cayla words slipped off when Felix turned in their direction.
Holy fuck. Cayla had no idea Felix’s body was so insane. He was downing a bottle of water like his life depended on it. His throat muscles worked while the sweat rolled down his neck, his sculped chest, and his chiseled abs that tapered into a delicious v and disappeared into his shorts to accompany his happy trail. How in the hell did she work with him for five long years and not notice all his Spanish hotness?
Dex grabbed a bottle out of the cooler; she knew instantly that God gave her blinders because she was destined to experience Dex.
“Notice the timeline, Natalia?” Kalilah laughed before continuing. “Cayla didn’t notice Felix until Dex broke her the hell off.” Cayla could muster up some righteous indignation, but it was pointless. Kalilah was right, and she had other things on her mind.
“Yup. Dex hit it for the first time on my lunch break, and I’d deemed Felix extra hot the moment I returned to work.” Kalilah and Natalia laughed with wide eyes and mouths agape because that was the last thing they’d expected Cayla to say.
“Looks like we are finally rubbing off on her.” Natalia smiled like a proud momma.
Cayla’s eyes shifted back to Dex. Now that she’d made it six whole days without jumping on his man parts, she was ready to exhibit some personal growth. She was still unsure of the future, but she had to call a spade a spade. She was being difficult with the no dating rule. How could she be willing to jump his bones in private and refuse to go out with him? Wasn’t he getting all the benefits without the bonding? What sense did it make to be against dating him? Why was she so willing to spread her legs for a guy she acted like she didn’t want to be seen dating?
Just then, Dex poured the rest of the water on his head, soaking his blond locks and chest. She was instantly as wet as his hair and chest. Oh, that’s why. Dex let himself into the house to use the restroom. That was her cue. She slipped in behind him and waited near the do
or.
“I thought we talked about this,” he admonished gruffly when he reappeared.
“I didn’t come in here to jump you in the bathroom in someone else’s house with everyone outside. I wanted to talk to you. Ask you a question.”
His hands were on his delicious hips, his posture defensive. “Shoot.”
“Are you able to take off this weekend?”
“You mean like tomorrow and Sunday.”
“And Monday, if you don’t mind…”
“I didn’t say I was taking the time. Why would I need to?” He cuts her off, his tone was curt and challenging.
Cayla rung her hands, her eyes cast down to her toes. She didn’t like this abrupt version of Dex. She liked the other version. The animalistic, flirty Dex.
“Never mind. It’s crazy last minute. Forget I mentioned it.”
Dex tilted her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eyes. His demeanor was softer than a few moments prior. “Ask me what you were going to ask, Cayla.”
“I wanted to know if you would go on a weekend getaway with me? I have everything planned. Lodging, activities, and dates…”
She trailed off, Dex was still silent. His face was blank, not giving any indication of how this conversation was going. Cayla would be mortified if he turned her down. Her bravery was waning. She took a step back.
“Are you saying you want to date me?” Dex voice grew huskier with each syllable. “Are you suggesting we do something other than fuck?”
“Yes? Well, no.” Cayla corrected quickly. Just hearing him say the word gave her one-hundred different fantasies. “I’m saying we should date IN ADDITION to sex.”
Cayla glowed from inside of her body out to her fingers and toes; Dex had just smiled at her for the first time in a month. A genuine smile. A smile tinted with sexy promises. The old Dex was staring back at her. Her heart raced, suddenly overcome with an emotion she didn’t want to explore.
“I’m sure I can move some things around,” he took a step closer to her, making her throb with a look. “If you’re sure that’s what you want.”
Nodding, Cayla decided to keep her mouth shut; she was willing to jump him, sweat and dirt be damned.
“Send me the details,” Dex’s retreating form told her. He stopped before opening the door and looked back. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
Dex loaded up his car with their bags for the weekend. His nerves zipped through his body firing on all cylinders. It was finally happening; he and Cayla were taking a step in the right direction. He’d missed their conversations before all the bullshit. Dex had gotten a glimpse of what it was like to be together when his home – or should he say Kalilah’s home – was being renovated. The first few days were bliss; he had her before bed and woke up to her in the morning.
It would have been perfect if they were in the same place, emotionally. As it was, they were light years apart; Dex was in love and ready commit, while Cayla was just accepting the notion that they should date. His nerves turned all the way up. What if he slipped up this weekend and told her how he felt? That could be disastrous. Or worse. The fear that he’d been blocking since she’d invited him jumped in the driver’s seat and took the wheel. What if she retreated? Again.