John's bold words made Grace's face flush. Her heart pounded.
In bed, he was more action than words. Their communications were simple—"be gentle," "slow down." She had thought him a man of few words. Now, she realized he had a whole arsenal of sultry lines, ready to set her on fire.
The air grew thick with tension. She forced herself to stay composed. "Mr. Amster, I think I've made myself clear. The game is over."
His hand stroked her waist. He bit her earlobe lightly. "Are you sure?"
Her body trembled, but she kept her face impassive. "I'm not interested in meddling in other people's family affairs. This is the women's dressing room. Please leave."
John studied her. She wasn't an ordinary woman. She was his first lover. She had enjoyed their time together, yet now, she was cutting him off—calm, decisive, and without hesitation.
"But I'm different from you, Miss Quinn," he said smoothly. "I like to meddle. I like seeing you sweat, clinging to my neck, saying 'no' when you mean 'more.'"
His voice dripped with arrogance. Grace's nerves tightened.
Footsteps echoed outside. Kathy's voice rang out. "Miss Quinn, are you in there?"
Grace was about to answer. Then she froze.
The zipper of her dress had been pulled down. John's fingers lingered near the clasp of her bra.
A gasp nearly escaped her lips.
Her mind scrambled. She liked this man—his body, his scent, his skill. But this? This was reckless. If they were caught, she'd be humiliated. Her body tensed. She bit her lip, eyes pleading.
John smirked at her nervous response. "Miss Quinn," he murmured, voice low and teasing, "I want you to know, I'm the one who decides when the game is over."
His breath was warm against her skin. A shiver ran down her spine.
Outside the door, Kathy's voice is coming closer. "It's weird. I saw Grace come in. Where is she?"
Kathy, growing suspicious, reached for the doorknob.
Grace panicked. "Kathy, I'm just changing," she called out.
Her voice shook.
She gripped John's suit, trying to steady herself.
Kathy kept talking to her. "Grace, I think Jimmy's dad is the most handsome one here. Don't you agree? He's tall, has that rich, mysterious vibe… and, oh my God, his body proportions? Perfect!"
Gossip was second nature to ladies. Normally, Grace would play along. But today, the man in question was right in front of her. Touching her. She could barely breathe.
Kathy knocked again. "Grace, how many abs do you think he has?"
The tiny room felt suffocating. John's lips trailed her neck. Her dress slipped further down. She held herself high, trying to maintain composure, but her breath grew unsteady.
"I… I don't know," she managed to say.
John chuckled. He took her hand, pressing it to his waist. "Count them."
Her palm met solid heat.
Her fingers traced the ridges of his abs. His skin was warm. Slightly damp. Her heartbeat roared in her ears.
Kathy giggled outside. "Guess! Six or eight?"
Grace swallowed hard. "Eight."
"I thought so too! He's lean when dressed but ripped underneath. He is purely your type, right, Grace? All masculine and sexy?"
Blood rushed to Grace's cheeks.
She remembered. Back when she found out her ex cheated, Kathy had comforted her. She had jokingly pointed at a TikTok video of a shirtless guy with six-pack abs. "That's my type," she had said. "Full of sexual tension."
Now, standing in front of John, those words felt like a death sentence.
"Alright," she forced out. "I need some more time. You can go back first."
"OK."Kathy's footsteps faded.
Grace exhaled, relieved.
But she relaxed too soon.
John leaned in. His dark eyes burned into hers. "Baby," he murmured, "so you like guys like me."
She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, her hand was in his.
He guided her fingers downward.
The cool metal of his belt buckle met her skin.
Heat surged through her.
John held her waist with one hand. With the other, he caressed her wrist, thumb brushing over sensitive skin. His voice was low, deep, intoxicating.
"Baby," he whispered. "Unfasten it for me."