Page 27 of Merrick

She caught the expression on his face and went still as stone. His eyes lifted to hers and the meaning was clear. And because it was, she knew it was time to cut and run. She had never run from anything in her life, but it was time to regroup and decide what to do next.

Finishing the wine, she was about to put the glass down and make an excuse to leave, but he anticipated it and made his move.

“You mentioned you do some kick boxing,” he rose and came around to pull her chair out.

“Yes. I…”

“I want to show you something. It will not take long.” He promised, knowing that was a damn lie. He wanted to keep herhere, persuade her to stay, kiss the wine off her sexy lips and suckle on her breasts.

He wanted to give her a taste and have her wanting more. The need to have her was so powerful, he was surprised he was still able to stand.

She allowed herself to be led away from the balcony through the dining room, along a winding hallway, past several doors before he stepped forward and pushed open a massive oak door and into a room that literally took her breath away.

He smiled secretly when she made a sound, he hoped would accompany her release when he brought her to the peak.

“Oh Lord!” She breathed as she turned into a tight circle and took in the wonder of it. She used the gym at the precinct often. And she had set up a little gym at home because she loved to workout. She had even gone to public gyms. Planet Fitness had all sorts of equipment, but nothing in what she had seen compared to this room.

There were weights, muscle training machines, strength training equipment, but what had her almost weeping was the boxing ring, the hefty punching bag, the wide mat on the floor for a quick sparring. There was everything here to get a good and honest workout without leaving the room.

“There are workout programs.” He called out a command and had the large screens coming to life with instructors, issuing out orders.

“Why?”

“I am regularly active. I sit in an office for most of the day and getting older means working harder to maintain muscles and strength. I intend to beat the odds. My nephew Michael comes over and we have competitions. He is like me and indulges the old man often. We box, spar and workout together.” He glanced at her comfortable boots.

“Want to give it a shot? See if you can take me down?”

She looked down at her jeans with regret.

“This is not appropriate…”

“I have clothes.” He intervened swiftly. “Michael is slim – not as slim as you are, but he has clothes here inside the locker.”

“Of course you have lockers” she murmured wryly, really tempted. “But I would not dream of wearing someone else clothing.”

“There are some new ones. Unless you really don’t think you are any match for me.”

He said the magic word and almost laughed at the look that came over her lovely face. Christ, all those emotions flashing across her expressive face. He wanted to see passion there, passion for him, riding all over her.

“Let’s change that, shall we? Where do I change?”

Relief, sharp and sweet tumbled through his body like a flood and had him striding quickly towards the locker to grab clothing. “There is a bathroom through there. Another one to this end, I will take that one.”

“Prepared to get your ass kicked, Pendergast.” She was already in fight mode.

“We’ll see.” Excitement and anticipation coursed through him as they parted.

Inside the gray and green bathroom, he had to sit on the stool for a spell to get his rioting thoughts under control. He was aching for her. Leaning back against the wall, he pressed a hand over his throbbing cock, a shudder running through his body.

He would have her on the floor, sliding over her into her - he broke off abruptly, realizing he was heading into dangerous waters.

Hissing out a breath, he lunged to his feet and started to get ready.

“Where do we start first?” He asked briskly as she came back into the room. He had to force himself not to react at his first sight of her. She was wearing black skin shorts that did not quite reach her knees and as he suspected, had very strong tapered legs. The t-shirt was a bit loose, but he could see the outline of her sports bra and her nipples.

“The ring!” She bared her teeth as she headed for it.

“You need helmets and gloves.”

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