Page 55 of Fragile

Drat. Now that meant I would have to go back and ask my old landlord Simon to be let back into the property.

Pacing my room, I felt annoyed at myself for leaving something so important there. It had been weeks; would Simon have filled the room yet? It wasn’t the nicest, but the rent was cheap and everyone was strapped for cash these days.

I felt wired and needed to wind down and knew that a workout was the perfect remedy. I changed into my leotard and sweatpants and grabbed my bag. A good couple of hours would allow me to work off some of the calories I had eaten.

As I left my room, there was no sign of Gabriel. Asher and his ‘friend’ were in the living room and were watching TV. Not wanting to appear rude, I chatted for a few minutes and then explained I was going to work out.

Setting my stuff down in the empty room next to the gym, I started to stretch. I thought about how Gabriel’s behaviour toward me had changed so quickly and that mind-blowing kiss.

Initially, it had started as a punishment to prove a point, his lips hard and dominant against mine. As he forced his tongue into my mouth, taking control, I couldn’t help but melt against him, pushing myself up against the solidness of his body. The heat I had felt between my legs had been delicious. It was at that point that he had softened towards me and let down his own guard.

Shaking off the memories, which again started to create havoc with my lady parts, I glanced around the space. It could so easily be transformed into a dance studio and was the perfect size. At the minute, it was pretty basic and filled with old chairs and tables. They were stacked at one side and I used the back of one of the chairs as a barre.

As I limbered up, my thoughts darted to Gabriel’s kiss again. I wondered how it would feel to have his mouth all over my body, for him to settle himself above me and press me into my mattress.

Those images in my head turned even steamier and as I pushed myself harder, I realised my body wasn’t just hot from my workout.

I must have been down there for a good couple of hours, my clothes were sticking to me and I knew I needed a shower.

When I got back up to the apartment, Asher was washing the pots.

“I must say, Mark appears to be making you domesticated,” I said as I approached the kitchen. He pulled the plug out and emptied the sink before turning to face me with a smile.

“He’s a darling but a bit of a neat freak. Almost shit myself when Garrett almost caught us yesterday.”

Leaning back against the counter, his eyes roamed over me. “Good workout?”

I nodded, pulling my towel from my gym bag, and rubbing my face. “I take it you worked out alone?”

The look was back. He was making suggestive comments about there being something between Gabriel and me and of course, he wasn’t miles from the truth.

“Yes, I was alone,” I replied with an eye roll.

His tone was then all serious. “Is there something going on between you and my brother Leo?”

I pursed my lips. “No, at least. I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?” His brow was creased and his eyes drilled into mine. I could feel my face flush.

“I don’t know, it’s complicated.”

“Anything to do with my brother is complicated,” Ash stated, drying his hands on the tea towel.

I gave him a shy reassuring smile. “Anyway, I should get showered.” I was dying to ask where Gabriel was but didn’t as that would only increase his suspicions.

“OK, we’re watching a movie later if you fancy it.”

“We’ll see. I think I’m just going to read and then get an early night,” I explained. “Thanks though.”

“OK, laters roomy.” I smiled and turned to leave but his words snagged me back.

“Oh, and Leonie,” Ash said in a soft voice.

“Yes?”

His expression was serious. “Be careful. With Gabriel I mean.”

I took a deep breath, drinking in his warning but I remained silent and just nodded my head.

---