Page 11 of The Billionaire's Promise

I bit my tongue the second the words were out.

I hadn't meant to say that. I knew Vance didn't mean to hurt my feelings, but I was a little sensitive about the whole issue. I didn't like to admit that the reason I stopped going to yoga was Brayden's reaction to seeing me in a tank top and yoga pants. After that, I couldn’t stop thinking about the other women in class looking at my giant ass every time I bent over.

I tried to pretend I hadn't said a word and went to walk past Vance to change in the bathroom when he grabbed my arm.

"You are not fat, Magnolia. This is not about weight. This is about you coming with me so we can both get some exercise. That's all. Whatever that twat has been saying that's messing up your head, don't pin it on me."

Automatically, I said, “Don't call him a twat. It's coarse."

"Did he make some comment about you being anything less than gorgeous?" Vance asked, his arms crossed over his chest. I tried not to notice the way the position made his biceps bulge. I shrugged and tried to walk past him. He stepped in my path, blocking me.

"Magnolia, did he? Did he say something stupid and shitty that hurt your feelings?"

He already knew the answer. I wished he would stop pushing. Things weren't great with Brayden. I barely saw him lately, and when I did, he felt more like a roommate than a fiancée. That didn't mean I wanted to talk about it with Vance.

"Can we just let it go?" I asked, tugging my arm out of his grip. “I’ll go change and we’ll go for a run, but don't complain when I slow you down."

Thankfully, Vance dropped the subject. I escaped into the bathroom and changed into the clothes Vance had picked out. I should let him shop for me more often. He had great taste.

I pulled out gray leggings with pink and purple wavy vertical stripes that looked streamlined but whimsical. A matching pink and purple tank top went with the leggings, along with a pink jog bra that would keep my breasts from hitting my chin when we ran. Of course, everything fit, including the running shoes.

I wasn't too sure about the step tracker, but I fastened it on my wrist anyway. I didn't like the idea of anything monitoring my activity, but I did like apps and gadgets, so I was willing to give it a shot. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and left the bathroom, hoping Vance wasn't planning on running that far. If he was, he was destined for disappointment.

My eyes widened as I saw he had a leash on Scout. "Are we bringing the dog? I don't think he runs," I said. That wasn't entirely accurate. Scout could run, and when he did, he was fast, but that was only for short distances or when it related to getting food. Running for the sake of running? My dog was no more into that than I was.

I underestimated Scout's devotion to Vance. He trotted happily beside Vance as we headed for the elevator, looking like he went running every day and couldn't wait to hit the pavement.

"That pink looks good on you," Vance said, sounding offhand. His eyes, laser sharp, skimmed me from head to toe with a focus that made me want to squirm. "Pink doesn't always work on redheads, but it's perfect on you."

I flushed and looked away. "It's a little tight," I said, fidgeting. I hadn't worn anything like this since my last trip to yoga class, and I was self-conscious, especially standing next to Vance, who was six feet of chiseled muscle. He still wasn't wearing a shirt.

"It's not too tight," he said. "You look fucking fantastic. I don't know if I can run with a hard on."

"Sexual harassment, Mr. Winters," I said in my headmistress voice. "Behave." I'm not going to lie and say I didn't appreciate the compliment, but I didn't believe him. The running clothes fit me well, but they were still way too snug on my curvy frame.

"Just being honest." Vance's eyes flicked down to the front of his shorts, and mine couldn't help but follow.

Oh my God.

He wasn't kidding. The long, thick bar of his erection pressed against the flimsy fabric of his running shorts. My cheeks flamed, and my eyes shot to the ceiling of the elevator. Could you fake an erection? I didn't think so, but I wasn't an expert on male anatomy. Did that mean he really did think I looked good?

Doesn't matter, I told myself.Vance is out of your league, he's your boss, and you're engaged.

I was flattered, but that was as far as it would ever go. I wasn't going to look at the front of his shorts again. Definitely not. Maybe once. I snuck a peek and flushed hot all over again.

"You're going to have to stay behind me. I don't want to watch that bobbing in your shorts while we're running." I was trying for my headmistress voice, but I didn't quite make it. Instead of crisp, my words were husky.

Vance chuckled. "Okay, but if I'm running behind you, it's not exactly going to go away. Do you know what your ass looks like in those leggings?"

"Yes," I snapped. "Fat. It looks fat."

"If that's what you want to call it," Vance said, still laughing. "My dick disagrees."

I whirled and pointed my finger at him. "You behave, or I'm going right back upstairs and I'm not talking to you for the rest of the day."

Vance raised his hands in defense and gave me his most innocent smile, all charm and sweetness.

"I won't say another word."