Page 115 of Embriagado

“Of course I remember you, Officer. Sánchez, was it?”

Reaching forward, he took Gabriel’s hand, and my mouth turned bitter at the sight of them exchanging handshakes. A few months ago, I worried Ariyan would find out shit about Gabriel out of pure fear, as the dude was a total madman. But now, it wasn’t worry twisting my guts, but something else. Something much darker that nearly made me rip Gabriel’s arm off. Thankfully, they broke the handshake before I did.

“It’s nice to see that you two are still in touch after you quit,” Gabriel said, eyes on me.

I bet Nacio and his big mouth told him I quit my job at the hotel.

“Yeah, well, I’m back working there, so…” I rubbed the back of my neck when his brows pulled together.

“You are?”

“Yeah.”

“Since when?”

Before I could answer, Ariyan cleared his throat, and we both looked at him.

“If this is a bad time, I can come back later.”

“No,” I cut into his words, nervous he’d leave. “We’re already done, so I’ll lock up here and be free.”

I didn’t miss the way Gabriel’s eyes shot to me. Clearly, he hoped our little training would lead to something more physical. So I wasn’t surprised by the nasty frown I’d just received. He probably wasn’t hyped over me staying here alone with a guy as hot as Ariyan, which explained why he offered to help me close the gym just now. Only I rejected the offer, telling him to go home.

“Are you sure?” he tried again.

“Yeah. But thanks.”

Disappointment crossed his face. “Okay… We’ll catch up some other time?”

I hated that he still loved me.

“Yeah, sure.”

Nodding to himself, he got out of the ring and grabbed his bag from the floor.

“It was nice meeting you again,” he told Ariyan.

“The pleasure was all mine, Officer. And please, come by the hotel again. I’d love to invite you for a friendly drink.”

I swore under my breath at his act, my feet tapping the floor as I anxiously waited for Gabe to get the hell out of here. I was dying to know what Ariyan had come to give me, and the more time Gabe stole, the more impatient I became. But after lingering for a few more seconds, he finally got his ass moving, and the moment he was out of the gym, I jumped over the ropes, landing on the floor with a loud thump.

Overly excited and with a dumb smile on, I stepped closer to Ariyan. But before I could spit out a single word, he lifted his hand in front of him.

“You reek.”

I shrugged. “Well, I just practiced for six hours straight.”

He grimaced.

“Just… wash yourself or something. You smell like a wet dog.”

That made me snort, and I brushed my hand over my jaw, trying to hide the smile.

“Fine, I’ll go wash up.”

I walked over to the locker room, surprised when he followed me there.

“Are you going to stay and watch me shower?” I asked, already starting to undress.