In Too Deep

Chapter 5

The classroom is a big, empty room with some tumbling mats on the floor and it’s buzzing with all the first year students. I head straight for Logan in the center of the room. The instructor hasn’t shown up yet, so people are goofing off. The overhead lights are turned off, but the big windows let in plenty of natural light.

“That was quite a show you put on,” Logan says, grinning at me. It takes me a second to remember that he and a group of guys stood watching my Zumba class. I slug him in the arm. He winces, but his smile doesn’t fade.

Colt faces the class from the front of the room. “Alright guys, let’s get started.”

Everyone falls quiet at once. I lean toward Logan and whisper, “Another second year as an instructor? Can’t this place afford teachers?”

He shakes his head and whispers back, “Colt graduated last year He is the instructor.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” I hiss.

Logan’s eyes scrutinize me. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Colt’s charms already.”

I’m taken aback for a moment, and tune everything out as I try to recover. Colt is a teacher here? He looks our age. But even as I think it, I realize it’s not entirely true. He’s taller than all the other guys in the class, and more filled out through the chest and shoulders. And he carries himself with just enough confidence and edge to make him stand out.

But regardless, he’s an instructor here and he definitely has something going on with Bria, who I know for certain is a student. Isn’t that against the rules? But then I remember Colt specifically saying he didn’t date first years. That’s messed up. Shouldn’t he have said, ‘I don’t date students?’

I blink the thought away and try to pay attention. It’s none of my business. Colt’s giving instructions and demonstrating a few blocking moves with an eager female volunteer. When he’s done explaining it, Logan turns to me. “Be my partner?”

I nod.

Logan and I each stake a defensive stance, with our hands up, guarding our faces, like Colt demonstrated. A second later, Logan’s holding my wrists firmly, then in a quick movement sweeps my legs out from under me. But instead of hitting the mat hard, like I expect, he eases me down gently. I’m lying on the mat, flat on my back wondering what the hell just happened.

“Sorry.” He grins and offers me a hand. I let him pull me back up to standing.

We spend the next few minutes with Logan helping me to learn how to take him down. At first I don’t think I’ll be strong enough, but then he shows me it isn’t about strength, but technique. Element of surprise and a few carefully placed body parts, like my foot behind his ankle and an elbow to the stomach. It sends him off balance and he’s on his knees in front of me. I use my foot to press his chest to the floor.

Colt walks by just as Logan is getting back up to his feet. “Nicely done, Taylor,” he says as he passes by. His eyes don’t linger anywhere for long as he scans the class. He points out bad form, adjusting limbs and nods when he sees something he likes. Logan catches me watching Colt and looks at me quizzically.

I snap my gaze away and focus on Logan, who’s brushing off his shorts.

“So what’s his story?” I nod toward Colt’s retreating back.

“What do you mean?” Logan asks as he demonstrates the next move, a soft knee into my stomach. I fold into it and he uses my hunched position to get me on the ground again.

I lay there for a second, catching my breath. “He’s really an instructor? He’s so young.”

Logan bites his bottom lip and shakes his head at me. “Oh shit. Not you too. Another Colt Palmer devotee.” He frowns disapprovingly, then pulls me to my feet. “He’s nineteen. He graduated from here last year and instead of doing field work, he became an instructor.”

“Don’t worry,” I say. “I’m not a fan. He seems pretty sure of himself.”

“I would be too if I got that much ass.”

I don’t know if Logan’s kidding, but something tells me he’s serious. “This place is crazy. I would think a teacher dating students is against policy, not to mention moral standards.”

Logan huffs. “Since he doesn’t mess with girls under eighteen, or date anyone in his class, no one really cares. Though no other morals seem to be in place, apparently that’s one rule he abides by.”

I guess that’s what Colt meant when he said he didn’t date first year’s earlier. I’m even more bothered that he automatically assumed I was going to try coming onto him. Was he that sure of himself? I would not be one of the dumb ass girls following him around, hoping to be added to his long list of conquests. “What’s with him and Bria?” I ask.

“You seem awfully interested for someone who doesn’t care,” he teases. But I stay quiet until he continues. “He and Bria are sorta together. Well, as much as Colt’s ever been with anyone.”

“What does that mean?”

“He likes the chase. As soon as they give it up,” he tips his head toward the door, “he’s gone.” Logan pulls my wrists behind my back, securing them with one of his hands. “If Bria sticks around, it’ll depend on how long she’s cool being his fuck buddy. Or until he gets tired of her.” He sweeps his foot underneath mine, but this time, instead of being knocked off balance and collapsing, I lock my ankle with his and bring us both to the ground. It’s not a graceful landing, and I know I’ll be sore tomorrow. I roll over on top of him, pinning him to the mat with my thighs. He smiles up at me. “You catch on quick.”

Colt strolls by again and gives me a questioning look. “Taylor, whatever you want to do in your free time is fine, but can you please dismount Mr. Darcy?”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I quickly get off of Logan. I hear a few giggles around me. Once Colt’s gone, I pick up our conversation again. “He sounds like a real delight. Why do girls go after him then if he’s such a dick?”

Logan’s mouth quirks up. “Have you seen him?”

I shoot him a look.

“What? Gay or straight, you can’t fault me for noticing that boy’s cut.”

I shake my head.

“Besides, they don’t always go after him, it’s sometimes the other way around. He likes the chase.” It’s still so strange to me that we’re discussing one of our teachers, even if he isn’t much older than us. Logan continues, “Plus girls like bad boys, right?” I shrug my indifference. “That would explain why I get no play,” he says.

I try to concentrate on the moves I’m learning, but anytime I look at Colt to watch his instruction, I can’t seem to keep my mind out of the gutter, despite what all common sense is telling me. And as much as I try to avoid it, my eyes are drawn to Colt’s form, he’s solid muscle, his jaw is set hard with just a hint of edge. He gives off a distinct, ‘I’m a badass’ vibe. Hard to ignore. Easy to hate.

MJ weaves her way over to me and Logan and bumps her hip against mine, pulling my attention from Colt.

“Lemme guess, you’ve had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Colt Palmer and now you’re feeling the need to shove some ice down your panties.”

“Um, no.” My voice sounds surprisingly confident, though the ice doesn’t sound like a half bad idea. “Well, yes I met him, but the ice won’t be necessary, he makes me want to lash out irrationally.”

“Good.” MJ seems relieved.

“What’s the deal with him, anyways?” Since she brought it up, I don’t feel bad pumping MJ for information too.

Her eyebrows knit together in frustration as she studies me.

I hold up a hand, stopping her. “And don’t tell me ‘he’s nice once you get to know him.’”

She breaks into a smile. “No, actually I was going to say he’s an asshole, but you’ll get used to it.”

MJ and I are going to get along just fine. I grin to myself, realizing that Piper would like her too.