From his dirty-blond hair and breathtaking smile, to the abs from heaven and the irresistible V in his waistline, everything about Bodi Olympic-gold-medalist Banks screams hot piece of @$$.
Yet there’s more.
Dark shadows lurk behind his soulful, serious eyes.
I’m enamored. He’s captured me.
How can running an art foundation with Bodi Banks turns into a slow-burning, epic romance, even though he tries to push me away at every chance? How can I stay away from a broken, routine-driven man whose soul cries to be forgiven for a crime only he believes he committed?
Or is that a lie?
**STROKED LONG can be read as a stand alone.
“This is so good, Bodi. At first I was nervous about all the veggies but this crust is amazing, really crisp with a cheesy flavor. Where did you get it?”
And here is my little secret that will blow her mind.
“It’s actually ground-up cheese and cauliflower.”
“Cauliflower?” she asks in disbelief. “There is no way that is cauliflower.” She takes no time in turning the slice in her hand over to take a look at the crust. “How could this be cauliflower?”
“Veggies can do weird things.” I take another bite, loving my cauliflower pizza.
“Typical Bodi Banks. Skips the carbs for some kind of magical cauliflower crust. Where do you get your discipline?”
I shrug. “I guess I’ve just become accustomed to it.” More like obsessed but she doesn’t need to know that. My obsessive-compulsive personality has fixated on certain things: eating healthy, training, keeping the house impeccably clean, and locking the fucking doors . . . three times.
Taking another bite, she talks with her mouth full. For some reason, I find it adorable. “I wish I could become accustomed to eating veggies like you, but my body seems to enjoy a doughnut over a carrot.”
“Ah yes, I remember your love for doughnuts.”
“How do you . . .?” Her voice trails off as recognition falls over her face. “Ugh, that damn Lauren tempting me with a doughnut. I could still punch her tuna box. How humiliating. I’m sorry you had to see me sweat over a pastry like that.”
“It was impressive.” I chuckle.
Her mouth flies open in shock, the corners of her lips tipping up in mirth. “Are you making fun of me?”
“No, I’ve just never seen someone work that hard for a doughnut. Quite the accomplishment.”
“Oh my God.” She laughs and shoves my arm. “You’re making fun of me.”
“And showing up to a swim class in a two-piece?” I tsk her with a shake of my head.
“Hey.” She holds up her finger. “I showed you how it could be a one-piece.”
“Yes, who can forget the moose knuckle?” The horrified but fun-loving look on her face makes me laugh out loud, not just chuckle or *gulp* chortle. No, I laugh.
“I don’t know if I like this Joking-Bodi. He seems to remember too many incriminating things only to use them against me later.”
“Regular-Bodi would remember the same thing. At least Joking-Bodi is more fun to be around.”
Shit, why did I just say that?
“I like both Bodis,” Ruby says without skipping a beat and finishing off her pizza, putting me at ease once again.
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