"Don't be nervous. You're gonna do great."

Great. I nodded absently, glancing around the room at all the eager faces. Shit. I should have been paying closer attention. I normally get out of these weekly staff meetings at the magazine because I'm freelance, but my editor thinks my article idea might earn me a spot on staff.

If only.

I enjoyed my little protective bubble that consisted of writing at home and not attending meetings where I get put on the spot. But how awesome would it be to have job security and my own office?

"Cami?"

I felt like I rambled too much, was too incoherent in my thoughts, but somehow I pulled it off. And that is quite a feat considering I can't stop thinking about Chance.

After the meeting, I rode the elevator down to the main lobby and my mind drifted. I haven't talked to Chance since he left for work two nights ago. I knew he was avoiding me. I'm just not sure why.

I had been working on my article pretty steadily, Shayne and I went shopping and I even met my mom for lunch, so I haven't been home much. I knew Chance had been home when I entered my room and the smell of his body wash wafted through the apartment. But I haven't seen him. And I suspected it was deliberate on his part.

As I stepped out onto the sidewalk outside, I considered my next move. My article was done and Megan loved it. So my afternoon was free. Maybe it was time to force the issue.

.....

"Shit."

My mood is lousy. I came to workout, well to be honest, I'm working out with the hopes of running into Chance without looking like I'm trying. So when I spy him kneeling in front of a gorgeous, fit redhead, her eyes squeezed closed as he massages her calf, I nearly fall off my bike.

"Are you okay?"

I glance down to see Kyle inspecting my shin. I never even saw him approach me. "Yeah," I grumble, trying to untangle myself from the pedal.

"Hold on," he urged. "Let me help you."

I pouted while he tried to get my shoelace free from the gears. I glanced up to see Chance looking my way. I'm surprised he even noticed. I've been here for an hour and he has yet to speak to me. And I'll be damned if I make the first move.

"Finally got it," Kyle smiled up at me and I'm suddenly struck by how kind his eyes are.

"Oh thank you," I gushed. "You saved me!"

We both chuckled at my clumsiness as I tried and failed to dislodge myself from this godforsaken piece of gym equipment. "Don't fall!" Kyle called out as he raced to my side and kept me from doing just that.

We stood there laughing, his arm still around my waist when Chance's voice boomed over us. "You need to get some ice on that."

My eyes drifted toward the sound of his voice, only to catch the back of Chance's head as he stalked away. "You're bleeding," Kyle informed me as he glanced down at my injured shin. "Meet me at the bar and I'll bring the first aid kit."

I nodded absently, my attention still diverted to my jerk of a roommate who had suddenly disappeared. I hobbled over the large bar area located on the far side of the gym. They sold over-priced waters and their smoothies weren't as good as the ones Chance makes. I rarely come over here, but I was eager to hop up onto one of these stools and inspect my poor shin.

I hissed when Chance stepped in front of me and pressed a zip-loc bag of ice to the bruise now forming under the skin. He leaned over the bar and pulled a clean hand towel from the stack. He wiped up the small trail of blood and then wrapped the bag up with the towel. I squirmed a little when he held it against my skin and he let his thumb brush softly back and forth on the underside of my calf. "You should go home," Chance whispered. "It doesn't look like you're having a good day."

I scoffed. "I was having a great day...until now."

His head snapped up and his lip curled into a sneer. "I suppose that's my fault?" he mused.

I glanced away and shrugged. "I guess I'm just shocked you're speaking to me again. I know how much you enjoy hiding from me."

Now Chance laughed and shook his head. He raised my leg and gently placed it on the barstool in front of me. He paused next to me, leaned in close and murmured, "If you only knew how hard it is for me to stay away, you wouldn't be giving me this sassy little attitude right now."

I turned and peered up at him, my brow furrowed tightly as I tried to read his expressionless ocean blue eyes. "You deserve every bit of it. You lied," I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat. "You said you were all in...and then you took off...like always."

Chance's jaw flexed and his eyes narrowed with obvious anger from being called out. I held my breath when he leaned forward, pressing his lips to my temple as he spoke. "Believe me...it's better this way."

When he turned on his heel to walk away from me, I grabbed his wrist...hard. "Better for you?"

Kyle reappeared with the first aid kit, his brow furrowing at the obvious tension between us. Chance huffed at annoyance at his interruption. He scowled at Kyle before grumbling, "You've got work to do. Leave Cami alone."

I released his wrist and reached for the box in Kyle's hands. "Stop being rude to Kyle. He is doing his job."

When Kyle just stood there, frozen as he glanced between me and Chance, I pulled on his hand and gave him an alcohol wipe. Chance stomped off and Kyle's face was full of questions. "Was that because of me?" he asked as he cleaned my cut carefully.

I laughed and shook my head. "Chance is just...being Chance. Don't worry about it."

After bandaging my cut and throwing away the trash, he returned to my side. "I just don't want to make trouble with him. He's my supervisor."

I nodded, knowing that Kyle was a good kid and a hard worker. The last thing I wanted to do was make trouble for him. His slender frame made it surprising that he would work here of all places with these bulging bodies, but he kept busy keeping the equipment clean and helping out wherever necessary. Up until today, I hadn't ever had much of a conversation with him, but today I realized what a sweet guy he was.

I touched his forearm as I struggled to get down from the barstool. "You won't get into trouble. I'll tell whomever how much you've helped me today," I promised him.

He rolled his eyes and I couldn't help but notice how his neck flushed. "You don't have to do that, Cami," he insisted as his hands gripped my waist and I slid down to stand in front of him. "Chance is already mad and..."

"I'm not scared of him," I replied a little too defensively. "I can deal with him."

For the next hour, I followed Kyle around as he completed his duties for the day. I was over my workout and all of Chance's dirty looks. Where did he get off being mad at me for talking to anyone when he had been ignoring me for days? His words rang through my brain over and over. It's better this way.

The only thing that could make things better for us would be to talk about what's holding him back. And it didn't seem like we would be doing that anytime soon.

....

As I walked through the building, shutting off lights and turning off the electric equipment, my mind kept churning over my conversation with Cami. Her harsh glare didn't go unnoticed by me the first time I caught her staring from across the room.

I knew I couldn't avoid her forever, but dammit, I was trying. The night I left her standing by the door, the night I swore to her I was all in, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Working the night shift left me so much time to think and it all resulted in one decision.

I can't be with Cami.

She was too good, too sweet to be tarnished by someone like me. The things I fantasized about doing to her would push her away. I couldn't let her see that side of me. I'd been so in control around her so far, but she was becoming bolder, needing more of me.

How could I bear myself to her when what's inside me was so ugly?

Fuck. I sighed to myself as I checked the men's locker room one last time and made my way to my office. I had been in a shit mood all day. I didn't like the way Cami smiled when she was around Kyle. I didn't want her anywhere near him but I was in no position to stop her...or him.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't asked me if she was single a few months back. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't know what a good kid he was or how deep down, I knew he would be what she needed.

Not me. Not some fucked up mess who should've never started getting her hopes up. I couldn't be her boyfriend. I couldn't get serious with her like she wanted.

A knock at my office door had me coming out of my dark thoughts. "I'm getting ready to head out. Is there anything else you need me to do?" Kyle cocked his head, timidly trying to read my mood.

"Everything's done," I grumbled. "I just have to check the ladies' locker room and then I'll be heading out too."

"I think Cami's still in there."

I nodded and clenched my jaw. I thought she was already gone. "You're free to go then."

Kyle gave me a head bob and a smile, but didn't make a move. "And we're good?"

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. "I didn't mean to be a dick to you. I'm just very protective of Cami. You wouldn't understand."

Kyle stood a little taller, crossing his scrawny arms over his chest. "I understand a lot more than you think. And whatever little mind game you're running on her, isn't doing her any favors."

I scoffed, "Oh okay. One afternoon with her and suddenly you know what she needs?"

He didn't back down. If anything, he stood a little taller when I rose from my desk. "Maybe I do. Or maybe I just didn't like the way you talked to her earlier. Either way..." he paused and sighed deeply. "She's a good girl and she seems to like you so...stop fucking with her head."

"That's not what I'm trying to do," I argued, crossing the room to approach him.

"Hey."

We both turned to find the subject of our argument standing outside my office. Her gaze darted back and forth between us. "What's the problem?" she demanded angrily, now zeroing in on me. "I told you to quit being rude to Kyle."

Kyle smirked and ran his hand over his mouth to try to cover it. And I hated the way his eyes drifted over her bare legs as she stood there wrapped in a towel.

"Did you need something?" I growled.

Cami tightened up her towel a bit and scowled at me before turning to face Kyle. "One of the sinks is backed up and overflowing on the floor in there. Can you go take a look at it?" she inquired sweetly.

Kyle's eyes lit up as he nodded in agreement. "I'll get my tools," he told her eagerly.

Oh hell no. Does he think he's going back in there with her? No fucking way.

"I got it."

"It's my job," he argued.

"Go home, Kyle. I'll take care of it."

Kyle shook his head and gave me a dirty look. This kid wasn't dumb.

"I guess I'll talk to you later?" he smiled hopefully at Cami.

She returned his smile and my stomach sank when she said, "Yeah. Just text me."

Kyle's face brightened. He squeezed her shoulder and dropped a kiss on her cheek before sliding past her on his way to the front door. Her gaze followed him until I stepped closer and growled. "Show me which sink."

Cami rolled her eyes as she turned and led me across the hall. The floor was soaked and I was almost regretting sending Kyle away. Maybe I should have just held Cami hostage in my office until he was done.

"I'm gonna go take my shower," Cami sighed as I looked over the sink and hoped I could locate the problem soon.

I glanced up and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes looked sad and my stomach twisted with regret. "We should talk after."

"Oh okay," she scoffed sarcastically. "I mean what would be the point of that, Chance?"

When I simply stared at her, she continued sassily with her hand on her hip as it jutted out. "Why discuss anything? If all you wanna do is lie to me...make me promises you have no fucking intention of keeping...then don't bother! I don't want excuses, Chance. I don't want anything!"

As she swung around to walk away from me, I snapped. I shifted my body and grabbed her upper arms, pressing her between me and the end of the lockers. "You don't want anything?" I mocked. "You don't want me?"

"Stop it," she protested weakly, wriggling in my arms. I released her and eased back a bit, allowing her the space to step away if she wanted to. She held my gaze for a moment and then shoved me.

I laughed and stepped back more, holding my hands up in surrender. "Go then if you don't want me. I don't need to force you. I can tell by the way you're breathing...the look in your eyes, you still want me, Cami."

"I don't," she panted. "I hate you."

Her chest was heaving and her pupils were blown wide open. I closed in on her cautiously, knowing she could smack me across the face at any time. "You don't hate me," I whispered in a low, gravelly voice. "You just wish you did."

I pressed my flattened palm against the lockers behind her, leaning over her, lowering my face to hers. I trailed a single fingertip between her thighs, skimming over the super soft skin there until my hand was hovering just below her sex. Her hips bucked forward as her back arched. It took everything in me not to press my fingers inside her, spread her wide and make her come all over my hand.

But I wanted to make a point.

When I pressed my forehead to hers and pulled my hand away, her sexy eyes snapped open. "I thought you didn't want me?" I smirked.

With one more shove, she stomped away and held her towel tightly against her body.

.......

I grumbled the entire time I worked on the sink. It was pretty difficult to concentrate knowing Cami was showering nearby. Her cocoa butter body wash scent was touching every corner of the locker room. It was impossible not to think about her.

I knew I should go wait in my office for her. I knew I should leave. But my feet wouldn't carry me that way. Instead I found myself moving toward the sound of the water. I told myself not to look for her. The idea of finding her wet and completely nude had my cock hardening in an instant.

When I rounded the corner and found Cami standing under the steaming spray, I froze. I had seen her naked that night in my room, but nothing had prepared me for this. Her arms were raised, buried in her hair. Her back was to me, so I could admire the way the soap slid between her shoulder blades, along the curve of her spine, pooling for a moment in that cute dip above her ass.

That ass.

Cami's body was so plump and perfect. I loved that she had curves. I had to ball up my fists to keep from crossing the room and touching every inch of her soft skin. Everything about her was calling out to me.

My heart was pounding so hard. I knew it was wrong to stand here staring at her, especially because she was already so mad at me. But fuck, if I couldn't walk away.

My whole body went rigid when she turned to face me. Her eyes were still closed, hands pushing water away from her face as she rinsed the last of the soap away. I still had time to walk away. I could still save myself from the embarrassment of being caught with my hand in my shorts. Literally.

Cami's eyes snapped open and she gasped when she found me staring. She mouthed my name, most likely shocked I would be doing something so vulgar in front of her. And oh how I wished seeing her say my name didn't turn me on further, but it did.

When she raised her hands, I mistakenly thought she was going to cover her body. Instead she gripped both breasts and squeezed them roughly. The water was still pouring over her, the steam indicating how hot it was. But the way her nipples had suddenly hardened would have made me believe the water was ice cold.

I small whimper escaped through her lips as she caught her nipples between her forefingers and thumbs, plucking them beautifully. "Chance," she breathed out.

I couldn't tear my eyes away or stop holding my cock in my hand. When her fingers skimmed down her stomach and disappeared between her folds, I groaned loudly. She didn't look away when I pushed my shorts down around my ankles and wrapped my fingers around my throbbing erection.

Cami eyes rolled back and she nodded when her hand began rotating little circles around her clit. She opened her legs a little wider and I could see that pink, glistening skin. I gripped myself tighter, running my thumb over the tip as I stroked myself closer to climax.

We were both so caught up, so mesmerized watching the other, it was like the rest of the world ceased to exist. In that moment, it was only her and I. I wanted to be closer to her, to be able to see the expression on her face. But I feared making a move. I didn't want her to run. I didn't want her to remember she was angry with me.

"Oh!" Cami called out, struggling to keep her eyes open as her back arched and her legs shook. Her climax sent her body jerking forward, her body succumbing to the pent up desire brought about my her fingers buried in her sex.

Seeing her release sent me into a tailspin, my hand violently stroking, snapping against the base as my release crept closer. Her gaze met mine as her body still shuddered. Cami licked her upper lip once, her eyes dropping to my hand and in that instant, I exploded.

My body went rigid as my climax took hold. I saw her smile at me as I spurted my release over the wet floor. I cursed loudly, letting my head fall back and wondering when the last time I had come so hard.

I struggled to regain my normal breathing as Cami turned to face the shower spray, leaning against the wall with one palm. I put myself back in my shorts before grabbing a clean towel. She sighed when I stepped up behind her, reaching around her to shut off the spray and wrapping the towel around her wet body.

I smiled against her shoulder while she let me hold her. I used both hands to rub over the towel, feeling her body while drying her at the same time. I didn't want her to turn around and find her anger had returned. I didn't want her to regret what we had done and tell me what a mistake it was. So I did the only thing I could do.

I walked away.

....

A/N: sorry kids! It won't be an easy road with these two but I hope you'll stick around to see what's next! Thanks for all the love and shoutouts on IG. Love to you all!