The Stallions

He swiped his hands across a paper towel and headed for the door. Outside the men’s room, he paused, staring down the school’s hallway at the long line of lockers that ran the length of the wall. He could almost hear the youthful laughter that used to ring in the air back in the day and it made him smile.

Standing in the hallway, he moved to the glass case that housed the sports awards, admiring the many trophies and mementos the athletic department had amassed over the years. He stopped to reflect on an image of him and the team taken at their senior class sport’s dinner. That time felt like an eternity ago.

With a deep sigh, he turned abruptly, heading in the direction of the door. As he did, he just missed slamming into Catherine Moore, once again avoiding a potential catastrophe.

She laughed warmly, her voice low and seductive. “You saved me again, Noah Stallion!”

Noah’s smile widened. “It does look that way, Catherine.”

“Please, call me Cat. Only strangers call me Catherine.”

“You look beautiful tonight, Cat,” he said as his gaze skated the length of her body.

She wore a knee-length skirt with a yoked waist with tightly pulled gathered material and a full ruffled petticoat beneath it. The color was dark granite partnered with a tailored white blouse and platform pumps in a bright floral pattern on a black background. Her look was stylish and sexy.

She smiled. “Thank you.” She narrowed her gaze on his face. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

He nodded. “I think I’ve had my fill of memory lane trips for tonight.”

She nodded but said nothing as she stood staring at him. There was a heated wave of energy that surged between them. Her gaze was intoxicating, and Noah felt his body reacting. He took a deep breath and held it for a brief moment before letting it out slowly.

“I’m actually headed back to the hotel myself,” she said. “Why don’t you join me? We can grab a drink in the hotel’s bar and catch up without all the noise.”

Noah’s gaze was still connected with hers. He suddenly felt like a snake being charmed. He nodded, completely possessed. “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”

Catherine smiled. “The girls are riding home in the limo. I’ll grab my purse. We can take your car, if you don’t mind.” Her tone was commanding as she turned on her high heels and disappeared back into the gym.

* * *

Camille and Crystal tossed each other a look as Catherine rushed back toward the table.

“Where are you going?” Camille questioned as Catherine grabbed her leather handbag and guzzled down the last of her drink.

“Back to the hotel.”

Crystal looked toward the entrance where Noah Stallion stood staring in their direction. “Are you going alone?” she asked, her expression all knowing.

Catherine grinned. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not.”

Her two friends both shook their heads, amusement painting their expressions.

“It’s about time,” Crystal said. “I was starting to think that all you two were going to do was stare at each other all night long.”

Camille nodded in agreement. “I can’t believe he’s still that shy. Are you sure something’s not wrong with him? I mean, you have been known to date really good-looking men that have actually turned out to be complete freaks. Wasn’t one of your exes a serial killer?”

“He’s not that shy and he’s not a freak,” Catherine answered, “and you know darn well I have never dated a serial killer.” She leaned to hug and kiss one and then the other. “I’ll call you later.”

“I know I don’t need to give you my ‘practice safe sex’ speech, right?” Crystal asked as she hugged her friend back.

Catherine laughed. “I think I’ve got this handled.”

Camille laughed. “Girl, bye! Just go have fun!”

Tossing them both one last smile, Catherine headed toward Noah, her excitement practically beating her to his side.

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