Claimed Before Christmas

Who is this guy

I raise my beer and clink it against his. “To my first year as a high school gymnastics coach and resort coach too. Let's hope for a winning season.”

I’d been talking to Phila one day, telling him how much I missed being part of the game even though my playing days were over. He mentioned that the local high school needed a new gymnastics head coach and thought I’d be a natural fit.

Not long after, I interviewed, got the job on the spot, and made the move. Since my new place wasn't ready, Phila offered his guest room for the summer.

“I’ll drink to that. And to you finally moving into your own place next week,” he laughs, and we clink bottles again.

“Remind me never to build from scratch again. They’re a month behind, but they’ve guaranteed me the keys by next Friday. Either way, I appreciate you putting up with me. It’s a good thing I got here early, though; those new kids were a total wreck during the rehearsal. I thought I was going to have to pull triple-sessions just to get them in shape.”

Phila laughs as he shuts the grill. “No problem at all. Julian was gone all summer, so the house was too quiet anyway.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, rolling my eyes. He and his wife have been anything but quiet. They like chatting; I’m not sure if they’re always that high-energy or if it’s just because their son was away. “I’ll go check the front to see if he’s back. You keep your eyes on those steaks. Remember the last time you got distracted?” I say this just as his wife, Lanette, comes up behind him and pulls him into a hug.

“I remember eating takeout because the grill turned into a charcoal pit,” Lanette teases. “Good thing I didn’t marry you for your cooking.”

Phila turns and pulls her into a kiss. Taking that as my cue to get out of sight of the love birds, I head back inside.

I’ve tried to give them space this summer, but seeing them like that always stirs a bit of envy inside me. I’ve never felt that kind of pull toward anyone before—never even thought about wanting a real partnership.

They’re older than me, so I tell myself I have time, but at thirty, you’d think I would have felt something close to love by now. As it stands, I just look for temporary distractions, and the guys I’m with always know the deal: no attachment. Back then in my college days and the pros, my head was always in the game. I thought once I retired I’d look for something serious, maybe start a family, but it’s been a year and I haven't felt that spark with anyone.

Walking through the living room, I spot the birthday decorations and a Star Wars cake sitting in the center of the table. What kind of eighteen-year-old would want a Star Wars cake? Maybe a mix-up at the bakery? I lean in and see the name Julian written in blue icing. The last time I saw him, he was eight years old, obsessed with space and trying to explain black holes to me.

I’m looking forward to seeing him again. I wonder if he took after Lanette. If so, Phila is going to have his hands full. Lanette is tall, lean, with dark hair and striking eyes—the kind of look that turns heads. If Julian looks anything like her, Phila is going to be chasing girls and women away from his porch all year.

I turn the corner, still thinking about their family, and run straight into someone.

The impact knocks us both back, and I end up landing right on top of him. I brace my weight on my forearms, making sure I don't crush whoever I've knocked down. I’m a big guy, and I’ve kept all the muscle from my days in gymnastics in shape.

“Damn, I’m so sorry,” I say, pushing up to look at him.

Suddenly, my heart hammers against my ribs. The guy pinned under me is an absolute knockout. It feels like I’ve never actually seen anyone before this moment. Dark, messy hair frames his face, and deep, intelligent eyes stare up at me through a pair of thick-framed glasses.

He’s leaner than me, but his body feels firm and perfect beneath mine. He raises an eyebrow, his legs shifting slightly beneath me. It’s only then that I realize how we’re positioned: it was me settled right between his thighs, pinning him to the floor. “Don’t worry about the apology,” he says.

His cheeks flush to a soft pink, but a smirk tugs at his lips, revealing a pair of perfect dimples.

I don't know who it is—or maybe it's Julian who was supposed to be dropped off—and as much as I want to stay right here, I don’t want Phila walking in on this. I sit up, bringing him with me and helping him off the hardwood.

His hands find my neck instantly, as if he doesn't want the contact to end. I’m not about to turn down an invitation from the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and that’s saying something, considering the people I hung around in the resort.

I guide us into the shadows of the hallway; the hallway is tucked away from the main view. He presses his hips against mine, his lean frame fitting against me perfectly. He’s shorter than me, but the way he carries himself tells me he can handle whatever I give him.

The chemistry between us is instantaneous. I need to know who this is. “So, I shouldn’t feel bad about nearly f*****g someone I'm not supposed to?”

“Not if this is how you plan on making it up to me,” he murmurs, his body humming against mine. He’s bold, even though his face is still flushed. He looks almost innocent, but the way he’s looking at me says otherwise.

God, who is this guy? Has he mistaken me for someone else? I haven't felt a rush like this in years. My mind has been so buried in the new coaching job that I haven't even thought about a social life. Some of the other staff members had been dropping hints at me, but I wasn't interested. This guy, though? He has my undivided attention.