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“Your progress is astounding, Knox,” I tell my client after wrapping up our session. “You can be proud of yourself.”
He’s been seeing me for a while now, and he’s progressing faster than any of the other guys I train. I honestly don’t know how he does it, but he’s determined as shit. Like the curvy blonde I met earlier...
“Thanks, man. I guess Harper is partly to blame. Every time she lays eyes on my naked body, she melts into a puddle.”
My eyes glaze over at the thought of Erin reacting like that to me. “Wow. Must be nice.”
Knox towels his sweaty hair dry, laughing. “Met a woman?”
“What? Why?”
He throws his head back, an even bigger laugh bursting from him. “Dude, you look all lovey-dovey, and you hardly said a word today.”
I shake my head in embarrassment. “Really? I thought I had it together.”
“She’s that amazing, is she?”
“I never said there’s a she.”
Knox shakes his head, clearly not believing a word I’m saying. “It’s okay. When I met Harper, I couldn’t think straight for weeks. Not that she gave me a lot of time to form a thought, if you know what I mean.”
“I get it.” I laugh. “You guys are so in love, it’s hard to miss the picture you’re painting.”
“When you meet the one, she’s all that matters, right? Have you guys acted on your feelings yet?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Feelings? Dude, you’re going way too fast. We haven’t even talked that much yet. I want to, of course, but we’ve only just met.”
“Ha, so I was right! You’re smitten.”
“Shut up and go get a shower,” I say with a grin.
He shakes his head, laughing. “Sooo smitten. Anyway, day after tomorrow, same time?” he asks, grabbing his stuff.
“Yup.”
“See you soon, man.” He walks away, then stops right before rounding the corner to the showers. “Oh, and don’t let her get away. Trust me, you’ll punch yourself if you do.”
I give him a lame thumbs-up before heading to my tiny office. Knox was just kidding. Erin and I don’t know each other that well. I’m not smitten with her. Is it true that she’s been consuming my thoughts every second since I left her at that table? Yes. But does that mean I want her?
Hell, I don’t know. I do hope she calls me with a proposal sooner than later. Whatever number she throws at me, I’m going to accept it. I’d even pay her if it meant I could be her personal trainer.
Since I have an hour left before my shift ends, I decide to tidy up the gym. It’ll be good to distract myself for a while.
I’ve been working here for two years, and I love my job. The variety is nothing short of amazing. I train people one-on-one, teach fun group classes, and help clients who want to do more heavy stuff like advanced weightlifting.
I flick my gaze to the big clock on the wall. It’s almost ten. Most people have gone home already, even though we’re open until eleven every day. Only the die-hards are still around, running on the treadmill and sweating while doing pull-ups on the bars at the far side of the room.
With a fresh cloth and a can of antibacterial spray, I head to the exercise equipment and wipe every machine clean. It’s repetitive work but so simple that it’s meditative. I love this part of the day when I get to be alone and let my thoughts wander to nowhere in particular.
The hour flies by. I wave the last clients goodbye as they trickle out of the gym, then lock up the place. I’m about to hop onto my motorcycle when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
I glance at the screen. Unknown number. I never answer those. Nine out of ten times, it’s someone trying to scam me into buying something I don’t need or convince me to subscribe to a service I don’t want. My finger hovers above the accept call button. What if it’s Erin wanting to make me an offer? I can’t risk not talking to her. Besides, what marketeer calls at eleven in the evening?
“Hello?” I cautiously greet the unknown caller.
“Jason? It’s Erin, from the aerobics class earlier?” She formulates the information as a question like I’ve forgotten about her already and she needs to remind me where we met.
“Hi.”
“I’ve been mulling over your offer. I’d like to pay you to be my personal trainer, in full,” she says.
“Erin, I don’t want you to go into debt for me.”
She laughs. “I won’t. I’m hoping you’ll let me pay half upfront and half in a few months.”
I pretend to think about it, even though I already know my answer. “Okay, that sounds like a reasonable deal.”
I hear her sigh of relief. “Thank you. I promise I’m good for it, and you’ll get your money.”
“When do you want to start?”
“As soon as possible. The wedding is in four weeks, and I’d like to get toned by then.” She pauses for a moment. “Would tomorrow suit you?”
I punch my fist in the air. Hell yeah, tomorrow would suit me. I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. “Um, sure, although that might be a tad too fast. We do have to go over a list of questions first. I need to know everything about your fitness goals and history to draw up a program perfectly tailored to your needs and goals.”
She hums an approval, and the soft sound makes my dick stir. “This is going to sound a bit weird, but I don’t want any delays starting this fitness program. Perhaps you could swing by and give me the list? That way, we’re all set to start tomorrow.”
Wow, she’s eager. Not that I mind. I can’t wait to teach her a thing or two.
“Now?” I ask, trying to make sure I didn’t misunderstand.
“Unless it’s too late? I’m sorry, I overstepped. You probably need to get home.”
“No,” I say in a low voice. “Give me your address, and I’ll be right over.”
“Do you know Cub Road?”
“Yeah.”
“My house is at the end of that street, on the small dirt road leading to the woods.”
I whistle. “And you live there alone? Aren’t you scared?”
She laughs, making my dick stir again. “Scared? Trout Creek is hardly the epicenter of violence. I’ve never felt unsafe here, not even when there’s a power outage. Plus, living in a remote spot comes with its perks. I get to see deer graze in my yard every morning.” She giggles. “If I get up on time. I’m not much of a morning person. God, I’m blabbering on, aren’t I?”
I smile. The way her words keep spilling out is fucking adorable. “That’s okay.”
“Anyway, I’ll see you soon. I’ll unlock the door for you.”
“See you in ten minutes,” I reply, anticipation building inside me at seeing her again.
I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s stealing my heart.