Hot Pickle - J.J. Knight Page 0,41

look up at each other, we both say the same word simultaneously.

“Franklin.”

“What’s he saying to you?” Max asks.

I sigh. “He wonders why I wasn’t there for his evening show. Apparently, he placed.”

“That’s what he told me!” Max says. “It’s what he’s always wanted.”

“He might qualify for the same show you’re going to next week. That open he was at today has higher standing than the one you did two weeks ago, and he already has a history.”

“Even better,” Max says. “He and I can go together. Today was a bummer without my best bud. We did this together.”

Then his eyes meet mine. “Oh. Right.”

“Exactly,” I say.

“He’s asking me to celebrate with him tonight,” Max says. “I can put him off.”

I reach out and squeeze his arm. “He didn’t ask me to celebrate,” I say. “I think you should go with him. This is big for him. He’s been waiting three years for it.”

Max steps closer to me. “But it feels like I’ve been waiting three years to be alone with you.”

A thrill zips through me as he pulls my body close to his. The night is cool, the parking lot quiet since the final event is still going on inside the arena.

“Are you going to compete next week, though?” I ask.

“Probably,” he says. “It’ll be fun to level up with Franklin.”

I shift the collar of his jacket. “I’m going to see you plenty this week. In fact, I should see you tomorrow, to prep for the new tan.”

His grin is infectious, and his white teeth flash from the streetlamp. “Are you saying you’re going to have those lovely talented hands all over me?”

“That, I can guarantee.”

He leans in to kiss me, and my heart soars. There’s no rush here. We’re at the best part right now, everything full of promise. His career will go where he wants, or he’ll let it go.

But we’re already on a journey that isn’t going to end regardless of where his bodybuilding future falls.

And I love having something to look forward to.

The next day, I have many things to think about as I wait for Max to arrive for his tanning session.

His searing kisses from the weekend have kept me up at night. How his hands roved my body. His blatant desire.

But I’m not sure what I’m ready for.

I’ve been worried about our tanning sessions. He’s always naked. He hasn’t been able to hide his attraction to me, even as I played coy with him. It’s like Sofia said, the balance of power is all off.

Except I have an idea on how to make things more equitable between us. Show him, without a doubt, where we’re headed.

My heart hammers so hard when he knocks on my door that I’m not sure which is louder.

When I open it, Max takes a moment to look at me. “Has it only been a day since I’ve seen you?”

“Just one.” I close the door. “How was the celebration with my brother?”

“Surprisingly fun. We went bowling and ate giant cheeseburgers, buns and all.”

“My brother can be fun when he wants to be.”

Max takes my hand as we head into the room. “He’s been my friend for eight years. I admit it feels weird to keep something so big from him.”

“Do you think you’ll tell him soon?”

“I think that’s a decision we have to make together.” He reaches out and trails his finger from my shoulder to the inside of my elbow. My body thrums with the low, steady hum of anticipation.

“So, is this where I get naked?” he asks.

“You’re still here in a professional capacity.”

“I’m here to do your bidding.”

My heart hammers. So, do I do this risky thing or not?

My voice wavers a bit as I say, “Then get behind the screen and take your damn clothes off.”

I watch him retreat to the corner of the room.

When he’s out of sight, I decide, yes. I’m going to do it.

Skin for skin. Well, mostly.

And I slowly drop away my own clothes.

19

Max

I’ve shoved my clothes into my bag and am digging around for the modesty pouch when Camryn calls from the other side of the screen.

“Remember, we had that problem with the modesty pouch pulling the color off on you. If you’re okay with that, we can skip it today. I’ll hold it aside as I work, letting it dry before I do each side.”

My cock jumps at her words. I’ve been able to handle myself during the tans lately, but this time, if she touches me, there’s no chance.

Plus, there’s