Page 7 of Wrecked

The elevator doors open, and we step out of the car. Right ahead of us is a large glass viewing window into the martial arts studio. Shane’s youngest brother, Liam, runs the studio. He teaches self-defense to employees and martial arts to the security hires. Liam’s a world-class champion.

Shane plants himself in front of the viewing window. Reluctantly, I join him.

At first, I see only Liam stretching on the mat, warming up. Sam’s nowhere in sight. But a moment later, Sam walks out of the men’s locker room dressed in a pair of form-fitting blackworkout shorts and a loose, white muscle shirt. He’s barefoot, but his feet are taped.

If I thought he was hot before, now he’s on fire. His arms are leanly muscled, his biceps sleek and firm. His thighs are muscled too, and his ass—fuck! I instantly picture him on his hands and knees on my bed, his ass in the air. Or bent over the back of my sofa. Or in any dozen other positions, just waiting for me to fuck him.

Jesus, I don’t even know if he bottoms. He’d have to if we—

Stop it. He’s off limits.

At first, Liam has Sam go through a series of timed exercises—sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups on an overhead bar. Apparently, Sam passes that test because Liam motions for him to get on the mat with him.

Shane’s attention is locked on Liam and Sam as they circle each other. “You know, he broke both legs in a parachute malfunction.”

“I know. I read his resume.”

“He suffered some pretty extensive injuries. I need to know he can hold his own in a physical confrontation.”

Liam makes a sudden move on Sam, and Sam sidesteps him easily. The two of them resume circling each other.

One of them makes a move, and the other one counters it.

“They seem pretty well matched,” I say.

Shane shakes his head. “Liam’s going easy on him. Still, I’m impressed. Cooper, what do you think?”

He’s looking right at me, expecting an answer. “Sure.” I shrug. “I guess he’s okay.”

Shane frowns. “You don’t sound too enthused. What’s wrong with him?” And then his blue eyes widen. “Oh, my God. Seriously?”

“What?” I try not to sound defensive when that’s exactly what I am.

“Are you into this guy?” Shane looks back into the studio, just as Sam and Liam start grappling with each other.

Sam’s holding his own just fine.

“So, I take it he’s gay?” Shane asks. “Are you sure?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure.”

“No, Cooper! Absolutely not. You cannot get with this guy.”

“You know I don’t mix work with pleasure.”

“I mean it, Cooper. No.”

“Trust me, Shane. You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Chapter 3 – Sam

My right ankle is killing me. So is my left wrist. But my future employer is watching me through a viewing window, so I have to perform at peak level if I want to get this job. And he’s not the only one watching me. Cooper is, too.

That man! Jeez! I’ve never been so attracted to someone before. He’s so everything—he’s handsome in a rugged way that makes me weak in the knees. His low, rough voice sends shivers down my spine. And I have a definite weakness for older men. What can I say? And right now, he’swatchingme.

For a hot moment, at the shooting range, I thought there was a connection between us, and I was excited about the opportunity to get to know him better. And then he threw cold water on the idea when he abruptly stepped back, both figuratively and literally. From there on out, he was all business.

So, why did he offer to drive me here to the office? He said he had business here, but if that were true, why is he here observing my hand-to-hand assessment?