Page 66 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

“I’m…” His lips twitched as I searched for an appropriate adjective. “Good.”

So, that was a freaking lame reply.

“Just good?” His eyebrow curled upwards as he shot me a slow smile. “Well, I’ll have to get on Rhett’s case, make sure he ups his game.”

“No, don’t do…” His smirk made clear he was just joking. I crossed my arms and cocked my hip, fixing him in my gaze. “The date was amazing, thanks for asking. The food was incredible. There was a really cute dog there, though not as cute as Bronson.” The dog barked in response. “And Rhett is a really good kisser.”

“He is, is he?” I expected Rhys to back off, perhaps look disappointed, but instead, a heavy arm went around my shoulders, steering me over to where Mandie was preparing for our session. “Care to do a comparison?”

My feet slowed, then stopped.

“Um… what?”

I was trying hard to be a cool girl and kissing Rhett spontaneously fit that bill, but kissing Rhys in the gym just to see who was better?

“Let me and Bronson take you out for a coffee afterwards,” he said, squeezing my shoulders and then turning to face me when we got to my sister. “We’ve been going down to the beach a bit.” I sucked in a breath, ready to lecture him about that. “At his pace, of course. I follow his lead.” His thumb brushed my neck, forcing me to shiver. “When he’s done, if the vibes are off, I bring him back. Been working well so far. I reckon the pup would like to show you how well he’s doing.”

“Using a dog to get me to agree to a date?” I said, but Bronson stepped forward, looking up at me as if wondering how I could possibly say no. Turns out he was right. “OK, but fair warning, I’m not sure how far I’m going to be able to walk after Mandie is finished with me.”

“Go easy on her,” Rhys told my sister. “Maybe focus on arms today. Or legs.” His eyes slid down to take in my new leggings. “That’ll give me an excuse to carry Katie when we go out afterwards.”

Mandie had thoughts, lots of them, but as she approached, he sketched a jaunty salute and whistled to Bronson to get the dog to follow him.

“Two dates in one day.” Her elbow came to rest on my shoulder until I shoved it off. “You go, girl.”

“Just taking your advice.” I turned to look at the array of free weights and equipment she had set up. “Is there any way to turn me into someone new without it hurting quite so much?”

“Pain is just weakness leaving your body,” she said, handing me a weight. “OK, let's see your bicep curls.”

Right now,I wished Mandie hadn’t taken Rhys’s advice. My arms felt like wet noodles, but as she was putting the weights away, he was there.

“How we doing, slugger?” Rhys asked, running his hands down my arms, looking at my hands.

“I wouldn’t touch me,” I groaned. “I’m all sweaty and gross.”

“Horses sweat, men perspire, and women glow, that’s what my nan always said.” He continued his inspection of me, then when satisfied, mopped my brow with a hand towel he’d brought over. “Babe, you’re glowing. So, ready to go to the beach?”

“Ready to hit the showers.” I looked up at him wearily. “I’m not sure the beach is on the cards this afternoon.”

“Have a shower and see how you feel afterwards.” The towel was put around my neck, a bottle of water placed between my fingers. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

“You’re going out with him,” Mandie announced when we got into the showers.

“I went on a date today,” I whined. “I peopled and I exercised. Isn’t that enough?”

“A date with a hot guy who’s only got eyes for you and owns your soul dog?” She yanked her sports bra off. “This is the kind of date Dave should’ve taken you on.”

So that meant I needed to say yes. I emerged from the shower damp, in clean clothes, and feeling somewhat shy. Probably because Rhys was watching the door to the change rooms and started walking across the floor as soon as he saw me.

“We came in your car,” I hissed at her. “How am I getting home?”

“Rhys will take you.” Mandie grinned when he got close. “You can drive Katie home, right?”

“My pleasure.” He had Bronson’s lead in his hands and the dog was stamping his paws on the rubber floor, eager to get going. “Shall we?”

Chapter34

Rhys

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