Page 10 of Until You're Mine
“While that’s some riveting Friday night entertainment and all, as you pointed out, it’s getting late,” I said. “So have a good weekend and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Or do, and consider that a parting sentiment from me.”
While his time telling skills were on point, he needed work on his vocabulary, because instead of leaving, he crossed his forearms and leaned on the half wall that housed my desk. His hands were still wrapped from his time on the bag, and I wished I didn’t find wraps so damn sexy. “Any idea when you’ll be calling it a day, so I know how much longer I have to stick around?”
“Not this again.” I scooted out my chair and straightened, my body protesting after sitting in the same position for too long. One of the reasons I wasn’t going home yet involved the need to expend some energy. It’d been a long time since I’d hit a bag, and I couldn’t wait to swing until my muscles burned. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a really long time, and I don’t need you waiting for me. I brought my gym bag, and I’m just waiting for you to leave so that I can get a workout in.”
His eyebrows ticked together. “You could’ve worked out while I was doing my thing. It’s not like I take up the whole room.”
It sure feels like you do.He managed to rob me of oxygen every time he entered the gym, and the closer he was to me, the harder it was to get enough. He was definitely too close right now, making my lungs work double-time. I’d blame the change of air quality if I could only get myself to believe it.
Shane nudged my arm. “Come on, who are you gonna spar with if no one else is here?”
A mirthless laugh escaped my lips. “I don’t think sparring with you is a good idea.”
“You’re right. It’s agreatidea.” He whipped out the wolfish grin. “Unless you’re scared.”
I held up a hand. “Don’t even try reverse psychology on me. It won’t work.”
He shifted his weight to his other foot and rubbed a hand along his jaw. “Well, looks like we’ve reached an impasse. I can’t leave you here alone, and you can’t get in your workout because you’re too self-conscious around me.”
“You wish.”Disengage.No falling for that, regardless of how much you want to correct him.I grabbed my gym bag from under the desk and put the straps over my shoulder.
His voice took on that singsong quality of someone who’d perfected the art of persuasion. “I’ll let you practice your jabs on me…” He stepped closer, and I had to force myself to stand my ground—no looking weak in front of the Big Bad Wolf. Then he spread his arms wide, and I noticed a line of black script along his biceps—which meant he had a tattoo and not a piercing, although saying anything and getting a closer look was out of the question. “Come on. You know you’ve been wanting to take a swing at me for days. It’s much more satisfying hitting a moving target, too.”
He had me there.
Was I really considering this? The familiartap, tap, tapsounds had been calling to me all week, making me nostalgic for the days when I was just a kid in the gym, a girl among a lot of guys. They’d all taken it upon themselves to show me how to swing, offering tips as I circled the room and tried this move or that one. They taught me to swivel my hips and get more power behind a punch, how to do takedowns that made someone’s weight work against them. I’d never step into the ring with a professional female fighter. I held no visions of grandeur—they were levels and levels above me. But self-defense moves, nice, solid punches, and a couple of takedowns that would drop an unsuspecting guy to his knees or back? Those were in my skillset.
Or they used to be. Honestly, I was kinda mad that I let myself lapse in the self-defense area. I’d gotten too comfortable in my safe bubble, and that was one of the most dangerous positions to be in, one I’d sworn I’d work to avoid.
After hearing about Trey’s plans for the weekend, I was also feeling a little lonely, and I didn’t want to go to Finn’s, feel more alone, and end up being the sad girl who spent Friday night solo.
The other night when Shane claimed he was patient, I wanted to contradict him, but he was letting me work out my wants and worries in my mind right now, no longer pressuring. In fact, something about his stance and expression felt very encouraging. With a hint of taunting, because, well, he was him.
“I’m rusty,” I said. “It’s not like I had a boxing gym membership up north.”
“Good. Boxing gyms are for wusses who can’t handle a real fight in a cage.”
I shook my head. “You’re such a cocky jackass.”
“And you’re a judgmental minx. I thought we already established both of those things. Now, are you gonna show me what you got, or not?”
Chapter Seven
Shane
I’d made it three whole days without giving in to the urge to talk to Brooklyn, but once we ended up being the last two left in the gym, it was only a matter of time before I broke. What could I say? She was ridiculously hot with a spitfire personality I couldn’t get enough of, and I was bored and, in my defense, also left unsupervised. Call it the perfect storm.
I turned as she came out of the bathroom, and my throat went dry. Her hair was up in a high ponytail that displayed the different shades of blond and purple, she had on tiny Lycra shorts that showed off her toned legs and nice ass, and her hot pink tank top hugged her amazing breasts. Nothing quite like seeing a beautiful woman in formfitting workout gear to get your heart pumping even faster.
She grabbed a jump rope. “I’ve gotta warm up.”
I reached over and grabbed one of the heavier jump ropes, ignoring the protest my body gave about already doing its time. I’d love to sit and watch her bounce up and down, but I doubted that would fly, and I didn’t want to blow my chance to get her in the cage with me.
Brooklyn put some space between us and started jumping, and yeah, I took a moment to enjoy the visual.
“Ooh, I still got—” The rope slammed into her legs and she stumbled. “Or maybe not.” She made the shooing motion she was so good at doing to me. “Either turn around or start jumping.”
I swung the rope to one side, then the other, and then over the top of me. Brooklyn got going again and then the whir of the ropes and light smacks of them against the mats filled the air. She sped up, so I sped up. Then she kicked it up a notch.
