Page 56 of Unravel Me

Dammit. She’s fucking killing me.

I walk up to her before putting my palm on her cheek. She releases her lip on her own and relaxes her head into my hand, eyes closing as she hums appreciatively.

Fuck yes. This is what I want from her. To find comfort in me. To let it all go and just be.

“That’s my girl. Relax.”

She steps forward on her own and rests her head on my chest. I love our height difference, she fits so easily against me. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly.

“I’m proud of you, baby.”

“For what? I’m a fucking mess.”

“No, you’re not. You’re so strong. Are you kidding me? Look at you, you’re a goddamn queen, Ivy. You’ve been handling so much on your own for so long, but now I’m here. I’ve got something that I think is going to make you feel better. Trust me?”

She looks up at me and gives me the most gorgeous smile.

“Yeah. I trust you, Sawyer.”

And if that isn’t fucking music to my ears.

“Good. Now put some workout clothes on and let’s go see your surprise.”

I watch her jiggle her shoulders a little in excitement. She turns to walk away, and because I can’t fucking help myself, I smack her towel-clad ass.

I pull into the parking lot of Dom’s gym and look at Ivy in the passenger seat. She’s wearing a pair of tight black running leggings and a bright pink sports bra. Her long black hair is in a high ponytail, and hell if I can’t stop myself from imagining whatit’d be like to wrap it around my fist while she’s on her knees in front of me. I adjust myself with my left hand as I throw the truck into park.

“We’re going boxing?” she says as she wiggles in her seat and claps her hand in front of her face. Right now, she looks so much like the young girl I fell in love with.

“We’re going boxing. You gotta lot of energy you need to expel. Maybe this’ll help.”

“It helps you?” she asks, “usually I go on a run when I need to clear my head.”

“Hell yeah, it does. The boys and I are still coming here weekly to knock each other around. Especially me and Dallas. I think it’s what’s made us so close. We can deal with the other person better if we get to beat the shit out of each other every so often.” She laughs, but I can tell she understands.

“C’mon, let's get inside.” She reaches down and pulls her hat out of her bag and goes to put it on. I reach over and pull it from her hands, tossing it behind me out the window into the bed of the truck.

“You can’t work out in a hat. You don’t need it.”

“I do need it! Sawyer, I don’t want everyone to notice me. I know it was fine with Ms. Nettie and Hannah, but can we just keep it quiet?”

“Trust me. Let’s go.” I jump out of the truck and round the front as she’s climbing out and slamming the door. I reach for her hand and practically drag her into the gym.

Just like Dallas had texted me, Dom is waiting for us at the front desk and the place is empty. Dom’s gym, formally named Knockout, has been around forever. Dom’s dad was a former boxer who opened this place long before we were born. He was in an accident that left his left hand permanently disfigured, officially ending any chance he had of becoming a professional. Dom’s been running it the last few years. He’s five years olderthan Dallas and I, and we all grew up coming here and learning how to box.

“Hey, Sawyer. This your woman?”

“This is Ivy. Ivy, Dom. Not sure if you two remember ever running into each other or not. Thanks for clearing the place out for us. Want to get her stretched out and teach her a few things without all the eyes.”

“You’re good. You got an hour before classes start comin’ in. That work?”

“More than works. Thanks, Dom. I owe you, man.”

I put my hand on Ivy’s lower back and guide her further into the gym. She’s doing that nervous tic, wringing the life out of her hands in front of her. I lead us to a mat and face her.

“Let’s stretch and then I want to teach you a few self-defense moves before I unleash you on a punching bag. I want to make sure you can defend yourself, and I also want to make sure you’re punching correctly so you don’t break your hands or wrists.”

“K. I’ve got this.” She shakes out her hands at her sides, rolls her neck, and begins working herself through stretches that look more like tortuous yoga poses. My dick threatens to bust free of my athletic shorts while watching her stretch her lean, tight body through the motions. She spreads her legs in front of me, bends at the waist, and leans to one side, her arms reaching and holding her ankle. Her perky, full ass is on display, her leggings clinging to her and leaving nothing to the imagination. I groan. Loudly.

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