Page 57 of More To Us

Last night, I told her she'd get me in trouble and this is what I was talking about. I'm in trouble because I'm falling for her, too hard and too damn fast. I've known her for less than a week and she's already got me hooked, wanting to see her, constantly thinking about her, making me react to something as simple as her smile.

I'm not ready for this. I'm too young to find a girl that makes me feel this way. When I'm 27 or 28, then yeah, maybe I'll be ready. But right now? It's too soon.

"I'm gonna go warm up on the treadmill," she says.

As she walks away, I check her out. Today's she's wearing neon green running shorts and a white tank top with a white sports bra underneath.

Out of the side of my eye, I notice some guy looking at her. I glance over and see him staring at her ass. She has a great ass, round and perky. And mine. So that guy shouldn't be looking at it. Shit, now I'm the jealous one. What the hell? But he shouldn't be looking at my girl that way. I catch his eye and glare at him and he goes back to working out.

I go over to the free weights and continue my workout. I got here before six so I could get some sets in before Kira arrived. I want to watch her for part of her workout to make sure she gets her form right. The other day, her form was off and I don't want her getting injured.

"Hips straight," I say as she lifts the dumbbells over her head. She finished her cardio twenty minutes ago and I've been having her do free weights before I have to leave for work. She can do the machines after I go. Her form was better on those than the free weights.

"How's this?" She lifts the weights up again and I check her form.

"Your hips are still tilted forward a little." I place my hands on her lower abs and back, moving her into the right position. "See how that feels? That's how you should be lined up."

"Got it." She takes a breath, then does another rep.

"That was good. Did you feel the muscles in your core working?"

She lowers the weights. "Yeah."

"You should feel that each time you lift the weight. It seems like an arm exercise but it also works your core if you do it right." I take the weights from her. "I have to get going. You okay doing the rest on your own?"

"Yeah. Thanks." She goes to pick up another weight.

"That's it?" I smile at her.

"What?"

"Don't you want to say goodbye?" I nod toward the exit. "Maybe somewhere more private?"

She smiles. "Okay."

We go out the side entrance and I back her up against the building and kiss her, and not a short kiss. A real kiss. Then I back away.

"Sorry if I stink but I had to do that."

She laughs. "You don't stink. A little sweat is nothing. I grew up living with three younger brothers. You have no idea how bad that smells."

"Believe me, I know. I grew up in a house with four guys."

"That's true." She laughs again.

"You sure you don't want to come hear us practice tonight?"

"I don't think so. I really need to do some reading for class."

"Would you care if I stop by your place on my way home?"

"Um, I don't know. My roommate might have her boyfriend over again and they always hang out in the living room."

"So we'll go in your room." I smile. "You know, just to talk."

"Uh huh. I'm sure that's all we'd do."

I get serious and look her in the eye. "I need you to know that I'd never pressure you to do anything you don't want to. If you're ever uncomfortable, or want to slow things down, just tell me. I know some guys get pissed about that but I don't. And I never will. So don't be afraid to say something, okay?"

---