Thanks to Dina and Meren for betaing

"Evening, Ezra."

"Good evening, Mr. Larabee." Ezra closed his eyes briefly before lashing out with his foot. Returning to his original position, Ezra glanced at his superior. He had been enjoying his work outs in the evenings in the gym located in the basement of the Denver ATF federal building at a time most would be with family, friends, or lovers. But lately whenever he worked out, Chris Larabee would arrive a few minutes later. Normally Larabee preferred working out earlier in the day with Vin Tanner, the team's sharpshooter. But Vin was on medical leave after a raid left him with a broken collarbone and cracked ribs.

Ezra wished Larabee would go back to his normal workout time. It was hard enough dealing with the temptation the man presented in the office fully clothed but a Chris Larabee wearing nothing but black workout shorts was proving to be even more of a temptation. From the heated looks Larabee had been giving him, it was something he was perfectly aware of.

Larabee walked to the edge of the mat that Ezra was practicing his katas on. Trying to remember that he was here to work out and not to melt into a puddle of drool, Ezra brought his left fist against his chest with his right arm extended. Quickly he switched hands in a lunging punch. Just as quickly he switched back.

His workout was not having the desired effect of relaxing his mind and body. Not with Larabee standing there watching him.

"That doesn't look like karate you're doing."

"You are correct, Mr. Larabee. It is a combination of judo, aikido, and karate with some t'ai chi thrown in. My sensei believed that I should be able to handle most forms of martial arts considering the line of work I am in."

"I was taught some hand-to-hand in the Navy. Usually spar with Vin to keep in practice. Well, I let him mop up the mat with me." Larabee' s lips curled in a rueful grin. "Would you like to spar with me?" Larabee added, almost as an afterthought.

"Of course, but..."

"Think of it as a chance to beat up your boss without having to worry about being fired."

Ezra stopped his workout. "Very tempting, Mr. Larabee, but..."

"I bet fifty bucks that I can beat you."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"You are on, sir."

The smile that Chris gave him as he turned and walked into the locker room made Ezra wonder if he should have accepted the challenge.

"I believe that you now owe me one hundred and fifty dollars, Mr. Larabee." When Ezra had won the first match, Chris had challenged him to a second match, double or nothing.

"One more," Chris said from where he lay face down on the mat.

Ezra bent over, putting his hands on his knees, trying to slow down his breathing. "I have already beaten you twice."

Chris rolled over on his back. "We could make it interesting."

"How?"

"Make it for something we both want. What would you want, Ezra?"

Solitude and peace of mind. But that would mean no longer sharing his workouts with Chris Larabee. Ezra ran his hand through his hair. Chris would soon return to his morning workouts when Vin Tanner returned to duty in a few more weeks. But he did not think he could resist the temptation that was Chris Larabee much longer. It would be better for him if Chris would return to his normal workouts now.

"When I win, I want you to return to doing your workouts at the time that you and Mr. Tanner normally did them."

Chris sat up. He held out his hand to Ezra who helped pull him to his feet. Blue eyes met green. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

Wanted, no. Needed, yes. "That is what I want."

"Agreed."

"What do you want, Mr. Larabee?"

"You. In my bed. For as long as I want you there."

Ezra pulled away from Chris. "You're joking."

Chris gave him a weary smile. "I know you want me. What have you got to lose?"

Besides my heart? The offer was tempting but he didn't want to have sex with Chris. He wanted to make love with him.

Ezra turned and started to walk away. "My decision stands."

"Fine. When's our next work out?"

Ezra stopped. It would be so simple. Larabee was good and fought hard but he had been defeated in each of their matches.

He turned back. "Let's do it."

Chris straightened, his eyes no longer weary. The smile that Chris gave him made him realize that he had been duped.

"On second thought, I decline." He turned away, picking up his towel from the floor.

"Never thought you'd be a chicken, Ezra."

"I am not." Ezra turned back around. "I know when I have been conned."

Chris shrugged. "Fight or not fight. The bet stands."

Ezra knew better than to argue with Chris. He had allowed himself to be conned. He bowed to his opponent. Chris returned the bow, and then dropped into a fighting stance.

The match began.

They no longer sparred. They fought. Chris pushed Ezra to his limit. He jumped back as Chris tried to sweep his legs out from underneath him. Chris fought with a ruthless efficiency, using the skills learned as a Navy SEAL. Ezra attacked with finesse and parried Chris' attacks automatically.

He swung at Chris with his right fist. Instead of ducking or blocking the blow, Chris caught his fist in his hands. Chris' mouth creased in smug satisfaction as he swept Ezra's right leg out from underneath him.

Ezra landed on his back. Chris swarmed over him, pinned him to the mat with his body. Ezra felt Chris' arousal against his thigh.

"I win." Chris grinned at him, nose to nose, his breath fanning his face.

Stiffening his body, wiping all expression from his face, Ezra said, "Get off of me."

"Sure you want me to that?"

Ezra brought his hands to Chris' chest, fight to ignore the feel of Chris' skin against the palm of his hands. "Yes."

"I don't think so." Chris dipped his head down.

A smile tugged at the corners of Chris' mouth as he pushed himself to his feet, then held out his hand to Ezra. Ezra hesitated a second before accepting Chris' help.

Chris didn't release his hand when he regained his feet. Instead he tugged Ezra closer. "Plan to spend this weekend at the ranch." He released Ezra's hand and turned away, heading for the locker room. Halfway there he turned back around. "Don't bring any clothes. You won't need them."