Paxton's Promise (Gloves Off #3)(12)

“Good luck with that, Paxton. She’s strong like bull. But, I think you’re right. She likes a challenge and hates to be forced into a corner.”

“Don’t worry, I know just what to do. I don’t need luck.” I need a f*cking miracle.





I was sitting by the pool when Gabriella finally got back. As soon as she sat beside me, I got up and stretched, making her eyes go wide.

“Where are you going? I just got here,” she remarked.

“Yeah, sorry about that . . . I have plans for the evening. I’ll see you in the morning though, okay?”

“In the morning?”

Stopping by the patio door, I looked back at her. She looked stunned. “I’m probably not making it home tonight, sunshine. There are hash browns and eggs in the fridge, and of course, you’ve got the keys to my Hummer. Have a good one, call me if you need anything.”

Turning on my heel, I went straight to my room and didn’t look back. This plan had to work. She might not give in tonight or tomorrow, but by the end of the week if this didn’t work, I didn’t know what would.





FOR THREE DAYS, Paxton and I had worked out together, but then he always had other things to do, leaving me to my own devices. When I tried to talk to him he was pleasant, but that was it. No flirting. No extra attention. Was he over me? I started to doubt that he really even wanted to finish out the rest of the two weeks. I had thought about just leaving and not coming back, but in all honesty, I didn’t want to go back to my empty apartment.

I guess I could always visit Ashleigh and Ryley in the mountains, but I wouldn’t because I was pissed off. It took me awhile to come to terms with it all, but I was thoroughly upset Pax didn’t want me. I needed to verify his feelings, and soon.

Putting on the skimpiest bathing suit I had, I strolled through the house and out to the pool. Every day after working on the cars, he always walked through the patio door once he was done. He had an old Model T and a vintage Chevy Corvette he was working on. They still needed a lot of work, but he was determined to fix them.

Laying out on one of the lounge chairs, my heart sped up when the music blaring from his garage came to a complete halt. That meant he was wrapping it up. I’d come to learn his routine the past few days. At first, I half expected his house to be overrun by his friends, but no one came by. He was solitary and a creature of habit, just like me.

All too soon, the gate to the pool area opened and he walked through, rubbing a towel across his forehead. He hadn’t noticed me yet, but when he did, he stopped and a small smirk tilted up the corner of his lips. “What’s up, buttercup?”

Okay. Not quite the reaction I was going for, but at least I have his attention. I actually missed our bantering back and forth, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. I got up from the chair and walked toward him, making sure to put a little extra sway to my hips. “I was wondering if you’d be up for a little competition? You know, to get the blood flowing and all. I need a pick-me-up.”

“You don’t say. I’m intrigued. What type of competition are you suggesting?” He smiled and I heard a hint of the old Pax, the one who wanted to devour my body.

I stopped in front of him and tilted my head, making sure to touch him when I said, “A race. First one to swim the length of the pool, wins.”

Before he answered, he unbuttoned his jeans and let them fall to the ground. Clad in his boxers, he smirked. “Last one in is a rotten egg.” He slapped me on the ass and dove into the pool.

I didn’t think twice. I jumped. The water was a little cool, but it felt good on my heated skin. Paxton waited for me at the other end and when I got there he looked at me over his shoulder.

“What do I get if I win?”

My pulse quickened and my breaths came out in rapid pants. I was competitive by nature, but even I knew there was no way I could win against him. I should have thought this through better. “You can kiss me.”

His eyebrows shot up. “And what do you get if you win?”

I hesitated and settled on something non-committal. “Breakfast in bed.”

He seemed a little put off by my request, but shook it off and nodded. “It’s a deal.”

If I was truthful with myself, I wanted to lose. Licking my lips, I kept my gaze on the other side of the pool, the finish line.

“All right. One . . . two . . . three . . . go.”

As fast as I could, I pumped my arms and my legs until they burned. His pool was Olympic sized so it was about twice the length of a normal pool. I didn’t even look at his progress, I just kept going, breathing in gulps of air every few strokes.

When I stopped hearing his arms and legs pounding against the water I knew it was done. He was already at the other end waiting on me. Gasping for air, I held onto the edge of the pool and leaned my forehead against it. I hated to lose.

“You lost, sunshine.”

“No shit,” I growled.

“I need you to turn around.” His voice was right by my ear and I could feel the heat of his body behind me.

Lifting my head, I huffed and turned around, my back to the pool wall. His arms closed me in. “I guess you’re going to want payment,” I whispered, looking down at his lips.

Pressing his body to mine, he grabbed my thighs and lifted me up. I was straddling his waist, but now I had to hold onto him. Almost hesitantly, I wrapped my arms around his neck and tried desperately to breathe without him knowing how bad he affected me.