Page 6 of No Mercy
Yes! It’s the perfect idea. I reach into my pocket, ready to text Mandy 9-1-1 but as I do, I find it empty, the image of me throwing it across the car comes to mind.
Well, fuck. There goes that brilliant idea.
I watch as Axel walks in front of me, and I can’t help but stare as his muscles strain against his grey gym top, highlighting every ridge beneath the thin material. My eyes follow the way his back flexes with each movement of his arms as they cause a ripple within his top. A flutter of excitement fills me at the thought of being wrapped in his embrace, his arms holding me tight.
I shake my head, realising what I’m thinking.Get a fucking grip Eva.
I’m so caught up in staring at the man in front of me that I didn’t notice my feet failed to move. It isn’t until Axel turns his head to raise an eyebrow at me that I snap out of my gaze.
“You good back there?”
Heat floods my cheeks as I jog to catch up, choosing the option to ignore his question in hopes he didn’t notice the way I was staring.“Nice weather today, isn’t it?” I ask, breaking the silence in typical British style. Whenever in doubt, talk about the weather. He looks at me with a confused expression.
“Yeah, I guess it’s okay.”
Thankfully, the silence doesn’t last for long as the music from inside tries to break the glass doors in front of us. Axel steps in front of me to pull the door open and gestures for me to go first. Even though it was a small gesture, it catches me by surprise. I can’t remember the last time someone held the door open for me, let alone a stranger I just met.
Stepping through, I take in my surroundings. The sound of weights clashing against the floor mixes with the blaring music we heard outside, which I recognise as “Weddings and Funerals” by Royal & the Serpent. A personal favourite on my own playlist. Men and women are scattered across the gym, too absorbed in their routines to even notice us enter. The walls are a deep black, while the floor is covered in a mix of grey and white patterns with their logo in the middle of the mats. As I’m looking around, I see a man running over to Axel from the other side of the room. Except when he gets closer, my body freezes as I inhale sharply.
Carter fucking Ashford.
His photo from my file didn’t do him justice for how he looks in real life. He has the kind of face that lingers in the mind, angular and sharp, with a jawline that looked like it was carved from stone. His skin had a golden hue, catching thewarm light as it illuminated his defined cheekbones and narrow nose. His short, tousled hair was a sandy blond, slightly messy, his piercing eyes seemed to study everything as they shine. He comes to a stop in front of us, and a faint smirk tugs up at the corner of his lips as his gaze flickers between me and Axel.
“Back so soon, brother?” He asks Axel with a smile before turning to look back at me. “Ah, are you our mystery visitor that’s been sitting outside for nearly a week?”
My mouth opens to respond, but no words come out. I look at Axel as they both stare at me, waiting for me to reply. Feeling the weight of their gaze as I stand here like a blubbering fish.
“She sure is. She’s here to have a look around and potentially sign up,” Axel replies. I smile at him, silently thanking him, which he acknowledges with a nod.
“Well, welcome to Ashford Gyms. I’m Carter,” he says with a friendly smile.
Oh, I know who you are.
“Eva,” I reply quickly, noticing a sudden shift in Axel’s stance.
His jaw tightens, and his gaze turns slightly colder the longer his brother stands in front of me. Clearly getting impatient. Carter, oblivious to the tension, continues with the cheerfulness in his tone. “Do you want me to show you around? I just finished my last session.”
At the mention of Carter possibly showing me around, I catch Axel drumming his fingers against his leg. I glance at him, feeling a pang of unease at the sudden shift of his energy.
This is my chance.
Slowly, I step backwards, making my way towards the door.
“No thank you, I actually better get going,” I respond before turning to Axel. “Thank you for bringing me in, it was lovely meeting you,” I say with a small smile before turning and walking away.
Just as I reach to push the door open, his voice stops me. “Wait, how do I find you?” He asks with desperation clear in his voice. I glance back to see him still standing next to Carter, who is still smiling at our interaction. “You don’t,” I respond before pushing through the door, welcoming the sudden rush of fresh air that fills my lungs.
I waste no time descending the stairs, trying to get away as fast as possible. “Don’t look back. Don’t look back.” I whisper to myself while I run towards my car, my heart racing with every step. I quickly slam the door shut, locking it for extra safety before releasing a shaky breath. That waswaytoo close for my liking.
Fumbling for my keys, I turn the engine on trying to make a quick getaway as I make sure no cars are coming. Once my car pasts the gym, I feel my body slump into the driver's seat but the second I check the rear view mirror. It’s like my heart is crying for me to go back when I spot Axel staring after me from the gym entrance.
What the hell is going on with me?
My eyes flicker to the air freshener hanging below from it as my name stares back at me. I can’t help but laugh at myself for being so stupid.
The little fucker, that’s how he knew.
Relief washes over me at the fact he isn’t some crazy stalker, but something else lingers inside. Something I’m not sure I want to know. I turn the stereo on in the car, using it as a distraction from everything that just happened, as I drive back towards the office. I already know Mandy is going to tear me apart for not calling her back sooner, but once I tell her everything that happened, she’ll forgive me. I hope.
