Stronger (The University of Gatica #4) (6 page)

Chrissy almost regretted she hadn't invited Ryan in the night before, but she wasn't entirely sure how she felt about him. He was all of the things that made her want to get drunk and leave modesty at the door, which was concerning. An athlete like her, he kept his body primed and strong, ready to handle anything his opponents might throw at him. His sense of humor was spot on and his forwardness refreshing and so sexy. But he would be leaving soon. He had chosen Boston for what seemed to be a good reason and nothing would change that. Did she want him to stay? To explore what could be?

They just met. The thoughts were irrelevant.

She sighed as she made the final few steps toward the door of the gym, turning to see if his car was in the parking lot across the street. The red corvette sat front and center, the sight of it causing excitement to swirl in the pit of her stomach.

"You coming in here?" he spoke as the door opened to the gym, his arm bunched with muscle as he pressed the dark glass.

Luckily Jason had dropped her off and left right away. She hadn’t bothered to tell him Coach Jamie wouldn’t be around. "I wasn't sure if you were here. Just looking for your car." She smiled at him and walked in, being careful to not step on his toe with her crutches. She breathed in deeply. The smell of his cologne and soap left her wanting more than she was going to let herself have of him.

"Like the smell of sweaty guys?" He laughed and moved beside her after locking the door.

"I like the smell of you, actually." She smirked and moved to the center of the gym. A quick glance in the mirror gave her confidence that her clothes hadn't become disheveled thanks to the crutches. Her white V-neck t-shirt accentuated her breasts, her shorts tight and short. She would wear something similar if he was there or not, but to say she was dressed to impress wouldn't be a total lie. Her long blond hair was up in a high ponytail, making her look like she was still in high school. She hated that.

"It's Axe's body wash. I read the bottle this morning. Said to get clean only to get dirty again." He laughed and walked toward a stand of balls and bands.

"Well, that's the plan. Working out will make you stink all over again."

"I don't think they were referring to working out, at least not the kind you have in mind." He pulled a long red band from the rack and walked toward her. "Lie on your back and let's stretch out your thigh a little, see where your flexibility is."

"I need to get my chart from Jamie's office so I know what to do."

"I grabbed it and reviewed it. It's on that clipboard by the leg machines." He pointed behind him. "Lie on your back and let’s do this first."

"Are we going to take turns today?" She handed him her crutches and waited until he moved back to help her get to the ground. Clinging to his hands, she lowered herself to her butt. Chrissy laid back as her heart started to race. He was handsome when looking at him straight on, but looking up at him... breathtaking.

He moved to his knees beside her and slipped the red band under her bandaged knee, his fingers brushing along the skin just above the wrap.

"No. I already did my workout. I thought with the events going on tonight and stuff it would be good to get our workouts out of the way and give you time for a nap." He pushed softly on her kneecap as she stiffened. "Relax and let's see how far your knee will go. Have you straightened your leg full yet?"

"No. I've tried, but it's too tight."

"I can loosen you up. Just trust me and let me know if it begins to hurt too much, okay?" His voice was steady and commanding, but soft and drawing her in too deep, too fast.

"Okay," she whispered, unable to speak beyond the lump rising in her chest.

Ryan pressed down carefully, one hand rubbing under her knee, the other putting a small amount of pressure on the top of her knee. He glanced over at her, his eyes filled with question. She panted softly, the fear of pain coming far before the first signs of the actual pain showed up. She nodded and he turned back to her leg. He pushed a little further and she arched her back, her hips lifting slightly.

"Hurt?"

"Yes."

"Then we stop. You're almost there though. I think you should have this in the bag. Let's get you started on these extension stretches and I'll go grab a bottle of water and a towel for you." He sat back on his heels and picked up the band, handing it to her. A loud banging came from the front door before she could answer.

He stood and sighed. "Who the hell is trying to work out on Christmas Eve?"

"Not me," she mumbled and worked to get the band under her knee before pulling slightly. She adverted her eyes to watch him walk toward the front. His legs were more tanned than she imagined them to be, strong muscles lining the length of them.

"Hold on, fuck." He stopped at the door and flipped the lock, opening slightly. "The gym is closed, dude. Come back on Monday."

"Um you're here. Move. I didn't come up here to stand at the door and talk to you, whoever you are. I came to work out before heading out of town."

Chrissy growled and moved to sit up. Drew. He had to be the biggest ass on campus. Known for his attitude and anger problem, the asshole pole vaulter rarely had anyone around him. It wasn't a mystery as to why.

"Closed means closed. Back up before I lock your cock in the door. Hate to kill off your chances of procreating more sweet boys like yourself." Ryan's voice held a laugh in it and Chrissy couldn't help but chuckle. A fight was sure to start. Drew always seemed to be at the center of a good fist-flying time.

"Who do you think you are?" Drew yelled as Chrissy pulled herself up and hopped toward her crutches, pulling them under her arms and moving toward the door fast.

"Just a dude working out on Christmas Eve. Later." Ryan started to close the door as Drew's hand pressed against the glass.

"I'm coming in to work out. You can move or I'll move you," Drew growled.

Chrissy moved up beside Ryan and lifted her eyebrow. "Drew. The gym’s closed unless you're in rehab. It's Christmas Eve. No one wants to start shit with you, so get out of here and come back on Monday."

Drew laughed as he looked between Ryan and Chrissy. "I see what's happening. Are you guys actually using the machines or working each other out? I'm not going to get in your business. I'll just do my shit and you guys fuck where you need to."

Chrissy didn't have time to react before Ryan's fist plowed into the side of Drew's mouth.

Blood flowed instantly. Drew stumbled back and pressed his fingers to his nose. "You mother fucker. You broke my nose."

"Good. Don't talk to the lady like that. Get the fuck outta here or I'm going to put a serious hurting on you and then you'll make your momma cry at Christmas because you're such a pussy." Ryan moved back, closing the door and locking it. He turned and winked at Chrissy.

"Karma’s a bitch," she responded loudly and moved back down into the heart of the gym as Drew hit the door a few times, cursing loudly.

“Pardon?” Ryan asked.

“He popped the quarterback at a party a while back. Just nice to see what goes around—”

"Comes around,” Ryan finished for her with a grin. “I'm going to stop by Jamie's office and call security to come pick up the trash in front of the gym. Go do twenty of your leg lifts on the machine with five pounds on each leg. It’ll be super easy on your left, but do it anyway. I'll be right over."

Chrissy nodded, flinching each time Drew hit the door. Something was mentally wrong with him. He had a mean streak that vomited hate everywhere he went. He needed someone to whoop his ass each morning just to remind him that he wasn't the king of the world.

"Or he needs a good woman to love him past himself." She moved to the machine and worked her legs out, pausing between reps to see if she could spot Ryan. The call must have taken longer than was intended. By the time he came walking toward her, she was done.

Pulling herself up from the machine, Chrissy turned and smiled at him. "All done. I'm thinking a shower at home’ll work, seeing that I'm not ready to bust it here and have to call for your help."

He laughed and reached out, his fingers brushing down her shoulder. "I think I'd enjoy that far more than you need to know."

"I'm not surprised. How's your hand?"

He extended his hands toward her, his knuckles swollen on both hands. "They are always messed up. Hockey is a full contact sport. When we're not playing, we're beating each other."

"I realize that. I'm surprised you still have all of your teeth."

"Some of them. The rest are implants, but you'd never be able to tell which."

She pointed at him and narrowed her eyes as if analyzing which were.

He laughed and stepped toward her, sliding his hands around her waist and peering down at her. "Let's go loosen up that tendon a little more in the sauna and then we'll go."

"I didn't bring a suit."

"Wear a towel or leave your clothes on if it makes you feel better. I'm not going to try anything. It's just a good practice to get into after you've worked out."

She nodded. Wearing her clothes wouldn't be too bad, but getting sticky in them sounded gross.

"Okay. Get it started and I'll meet you in there." She turned and hopped toward her crutches, picking them up and looking over her shoulder at him. "No trying anything on me. Got it?"

"Scouts promise." He held up his hand in an odd symbol.

"
You
were a scout?"

"Nope."

"Then it has no weight when you say it."

"Oh good. I hate to break an oath. Good to know I didn't make one." He winked and moved past her. "Get naked. I have plans for you." He winked at her again.

Chrissy worked herself out of her clothes and wrapped a large white towel around her body. She checked herself in the mirror and made her way to the sauna, her emotions racing from calm to scared as hell. She hadn't been with anyone since Brent and not that she really expected anything to happen with Ryan, but if he made a move, she wasn't entirely sure she would stop him.

Pressing her fingers to the door, she paused to coach herself to chill out. Ryan moved in front of the window and pressed his handsome face to the small square of glass, the fog behind him making him look ridiculous.

"Talking yourself into it?"

"Basically." She moved back as he opened the door. Leaving her crutches against the wall outside the room, she reached for him to help her get in. He moved in and picked her up, Chrissy letting out a soft yelp. Her towel shifted, exposing the majority of her thighs. She reached down quickly and pulled at the terrycloth.

"Hot," he whispered, moving to sit her down on one of the benches. "Give the heat and steam a minute to get into your pores and then I'm going to rub that muscle and tendon down for you."

"Any reason to get your hands on me..."

"Hell yes. Is there any chance of getting my hands and mouth on you?" He laughed as she gawked at him. He had balls the size of the stadium, his own confidence beyond sexy on him.

"Hush."

"Yes Ma'am." He sat across the room from her.

His towel covered his waist, but a t-shirt covered his chest. He reached back and pulled it off as if hearing her thoughts. She bit her lip, trying not to tell him how very much she enjoyed the sight of his defined chest and abs. His skin appeared smooth and hairless, the only dusting of his dark hair running from his taut stomach into the confines of the towel. Chrissy closed her eyes and let her head drop back as she reclined on the uncomfortable bench. Hormones raced through her chest and around the pit of her stomach, so many inappropriate images beckoning her to simply invite him over.

"So are you going to spend the night with me? It's scary in that big house. I was hoping for company."

She opened her eyes and rolled her shoulders. "You just want someone to throw at the monsters if they come for you. Let them eat me while you're running away."

He chuckled, shrugging his large shoulders. "I’d whoop the monster’s ass and eat you myself. Sounds like a much better deal."

Heat rose in her chest and covered her neck. She lifted her hand to rub the discomfort before shaking her head at him. "You have no filter."

"I'm an open book. I want you and I'm not at all afraid to let you know that. Games are for children." He stood and took a tentative step toward her, his look almost predatory.

Chrissy moved to her elbows, concern washing across her. "What’re you doing?"

"Coming over to rub your leg. Tell me if you're spending the night with me tonight."

"No sex."

"Fine. No sex, unless you want it."

"I don’t.”

“Ah, your mouth says no but your eyes, they tell me a different story.” He straightened. “I promise to be a proper gentleman.”

She stared at him for what seemed a long time. Finally she sighed. “I guess I can come over. That means you're coming to the lame Christmas party with me?"

"Is Jason okay with that? I don't want to mess up someone's holiday." He hesitated. “Did you just say it was lame?”

"He doesn't know, but I'll talk to him this afternoon." She ignored his second question.

"I'll come. It’s part of the deal. Enough talking. Lie back and let me sooth that muscle for you."

She dropped back on her back as he moved to stand above her. His eyes dragged down her, lust covering his beautiful face. He moved the towel up a little on her right thigh as she stiffened.

"Just relax. Close your eyes and rest. I’m not going to do anything sexy."

She did as he said, the soft brush of his fingers on her knee comforting. The unwrapping of the binding hurt a little, but she could tell he was going slowly to ensure the least amount of discomfort to her. She opened her eyes to watch him, unable to miss the opportunity to see him up close again. His finger pressed into the tender meat of her knee, rubbing and pulling as he seemed to slip into a focused pattern.

"Good?" he whispered, his voice airy as if he were lost in the moment.

"Yes. It feels really good. You're gifted. You should be in physical therapy."

"Mmmhmmm." He slid his hands away from her knee, one down toward her shin, the other up her thigh just a little further. "Your skin is so smooth. Just beautiful."

Chrissy reached out and brushed her fingers along his side, wanting to know if his skin was as soft as it looked. A soft sound of appreciation left her as she closed her eyes again. He was like silk. Dangerous.

His touch left her leg as she opened her eyes. He moved toward her head, leaning over and sliding his fingers into her hair as he lifted it slightly and leaned over, his lips hovering above hers. "I want to kiss you. Tell me I can."

"You don't seem like the type to need permission."

"Good enough." He leaned in and pressed a firm kiss to her lips, his tongue brushing along the opening of her mouth as if asking for entrance. She reached up and locked her hand behind his neck, opening her mouth and sliding her tongue past his. He groaned into the kiss, his arms moving down to encircle her back and pull her up a little more.

The kiss was hot and wet, his teeth nipping at her lip as he paused to look down at her. Chrissy sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, the sound of them panting with untapped need filling the room around them. Ryan brushed his nose along hers before going in for another long kiss. He used his tongue to emulate sex, the slow methodical licking deep inside her mouth driving her mad. She moaned when he broke the kiss, the word 'more' on the tip of her tongue.

He released her and moved back, his hand pressing against the front of his towel. "I'm going to have to stop or I'm not going to stop. You're much too delicious to just have one small taste of Chrissy Harris."

She moved to her elbows, unsure of what to say. She wanted more and yet this wasn't the place or the time. "Help me up. Let's get out of here and get ready for tonight. I need a hot shower.”

“And I need a cold one." He laughed and moved to help her up, pausing to press his hands to her thighs as she sat up and turned toward him. He moved into the space between her legs and pulled her rear toward him, her body flush against his. His erection pushing against the softness of her body clear up to the middle of her stomach caused need and desire to blossom in her like she'd never experienced before.

"See what you do to me?" He leaned down and brushed his lips by her neck, stopping at her ear. "Tonight you can tell me no, but you'd better mean it."

He moved to kiss her softly before moving back, and opened the door. He extended his hand toward her as she worked to get her towel down enough to cover her own intimate spots. She moved onto shaky legs, her hurt knee loose enough to hold a little bit of her weight. With careful hops, she made it past him and into the hall to grab her crutches.

"Get dressed and I'll meet you up front." Ryan reached over and brushed his hand down her back and over the curve of her butt. "So fucking hot, girl."

He turned and walked into the men's locker room, his towel dropping just before he turned the corner. Chrissy reached up and pressed her hand to the wall beside her, the perfect curve of his naked ass leaving her gasping softly for air. She turned and pressed her back to the wall, her body aching for him. This wasn't good. A night alone in his father's house and all she could think about was him above her, working hard to make them both explode into nothingness?

"Shit," she whispered and moved to the women's locker room. Cold shower it was. For both of them.

He dropped her off at her dorm room, not too many words spoken between them. They had agreed to going to the party and then back to his place, but Chrissy was too consumed in the fantasies that might be played out to really converse over anything. He would pick her up at five and they would head out to Manhattan to her uncle’s house.

She needed to call Jason, but she hated to face the music. He was likely to be pissed and there wasn't really any way around it. Chrissy walked into the building, the halls empty, the world quiet. Elizabeth was most likely gone, her parents overbearing and controlling from what she could make out. She needed to spend a little more time getting to know her new roommate. The girl needed a friend and Chrissy was more than happy to step in.

She moved into the room, Elizabeth standing by the window.

"Oh, I thought you'd be gone." Chrissy let the door close behind her as she moved to her bed, dropping down and sighing loudly.

"My folks had a big party to go to tonight, so I decided not to head home until tomorrow. The fewest days possible with them is best for all of us." She smiled and moved to sit on her bed. "How are you? I feel like we've been blowing and going, not seeing each other too much."

"Good. I've been working out my knee at the gym with Ryan."

"Coach Phillips’ son?"

"Yeah. He's so much cooler than Jason gives him credit for. He's coming with me to my Uncle's party tonight. Jason's going to be there. You should come with us."

"I don't know. I don't want to crash your party. I'm good just staying here."

"You're coming." Chrissy picked up her phone and turned to lie down on the bed. It took a few minutes to get her leg in the right place, but a few extra grunts and wiggles and she relaxed. Elizabeth needed to get to know Jason. Nothing would probably come of them, but he was going to be in her life as Chrissy's roommate for at least the next two years. Her brother would graduate in May, but his Master’s was next on his list of things to do.

She dialed his number as Elizabeth slipped into the bathroom.

"Hey. You okay?" His deep voice filled the line.

"Yeah, just wanted you to know that Elizabeth and Ryan are coming with us to Uncle Marc's."

The line went silent for a minute. Chrissy held her breath, waiting for the explosion.

"Ryan who?"

"Coach Phillips’ son. I've been working out with him this week and he's a cool guy, Jason. He doesn't have anywhere to go, and he's coming with me."

"Yeah, okay. I don't like it, but I've heard a few things this week that make me think I might have given in to preconceived ideas about the guy. Not sure I like him, but whatever. You and Elizabeth need a ride?"

"Ryan's picking us up. We'll meet you there at six. You might have to bring Elizabeth back to the dorm when we're done."

"Where are you going to be?"

"Ryan's taking me out."

"On a date?"

"Yeah, on a date."

"Awww hell. I
was
going to give him a chance. Now forget it."

"Awesome. Love you. See you tonight." She hung up and laughed at the sound of him yelling her name. It was sure to be a fun and overtly adventurous evening. Now... what to wear?