Page 219 of The Reluctant Hero

“Lies. All lies. Pathetic miscreants.”

The slew of derogatory slurs that follow is eye-opening. Wow. Maybe he should go back to German. I don’t know if I want to hear what else he has to say.

“A prop for weak egos. If you had taken our suggestion to move out of the class, we would have followed you, and that would have ended it.”

“You told me to hit a treadmill,” I grumble as old anger stirs inside me. Not something cold. This one is red-hot and filled with barbs.

“Your stance was abysmal. You were going to hurt your knees. Lighter activity would have helped you gain the endurance needed for martial arts.”

That smacks my anger in the face with a gentle tap. I don’t know what to do with it. I feel like I just got chastised, and instead of making me madder, I’m left feeling sulky.

“Maybe if I had gotten help, that wouldn’t have been an issue,” I fume.

“The sweats were smothering you. You can’t wear such heavy clothing doing strenuous exercise. You needed to hydrate more.”

“Are you fucking serious right now?” I gasp in outrage. “It was my first time in a gym since high school!”

“I am serious. Are you saying my concern for your health is ajoke? I can assure you, it isn’t.”

I’m not the only person getting pissed off. The knowledge is startling and shifts my point of view. I’m taking a secondlook at his actions and Cade’s for the first time. It’s a little uncomfortable.

It was a subtle hint to get out, but for better reasons than I imagined.

“Why didn’t you say all of this before?” I would have taken it better than the ‘hey, get out’ attitude.

“Cade wanted you safe quickly. You appeared vulnerable to insults. The tactic would have been effective. He didn’t count on how stubborn you are. I told him it was a mistake. He was too busy trying to convince himself you might be a wolf in sheep's clothing to listen.”

I don’t know what to say. I’d call bullshit, but it sounds too right to be a lie.

“I’ll make you a regimen to follow. The gym downstairs is ready to be used. I’d recommend panties and no top.”

“You pervert,” I try to twist and see his expression, but he won’t let go. He adds more weight to my back, almost moving me onto my stomach. The move shifts his erection to the seam of my ass. He keeps talking as if nothing is happening, but my breathing is getting rougher. He’s right there.

I shouldn’t even be thinking about it.

“True. It is self-serving. If I have a schedule for you, I can watch you exercise without anyone else knowing. If not in person, then through the cameras. My own personal motivation to get home. I’ll start you off three times a week. Light exercise. Just enough to make you bounce.”

I don’t have any comebacks for that. What do you say to a man who’s determined to keep you safe and healthy while watching your curves bounce at the same time? And he’s lightly rubbing himself all over my butt as if I wouldn’t notice.

“I’m not doing that,” I sputter out helplessly.

“A tank top would be fine. Wear white.”

“No!”

“Why not?”

“I’m not walking around this place in underwear. Period.” I think that will be the end of it. I had no idea that Jake would happily argue with a wall until it bends to his will. All while tormenting me with his erection. Why am I not protesting that again?

“There is a changing room and shower in the gym.”

“No,” I try to sound firm but my voice is shaking. I’m busy concentrating on not moving.

His lips settle near my ear. He’s effectively caged me in. The gun has moved away from me to make room. I’ve subconsciously shifted the baton away, too.

“I haven’t put a camera in there. No need to see any of the others showering. I’m feeling motivated to change that.”

“I said no, Jake.”

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