Page 46 of All Twisted Up
“Five eight…and a quarter,” I muttered, straightening my back, standing to my full height. I wasn’t tall and I definitely wouldn’t consider myself scrawny, but I had to admit, Nash’s workout routine was inspiring. He lifted an eyebrow but didn’t say anything as I turned away, trying to ignore his smirk and put a single plate on each end of the bar before stretching out on the bench. Nash stood behind my head, looking down at me. I hadto admit, the view of his shorts from this angle, was pretty awe inspiring. I almost wanted to sit up and applaud.
“Thought I’d spot you,” he muttered, probably realizing the same thing as he broke eye contact, glancing quickly away.
“Thanks.” I tried not to focus on the outline of his dick as I lifted the bar from its cradle and began my lifts. I was sweating and winded by the time I’d finished my reps. Lifting the bar for the last time, I felt familiar tremors in my arms as Nash helped settle it back into the cradle. Sitting up, I smiled at him, wiping my face and taking a sip of my drink. “It’s been a while since I’ve done that.”
“You did well…for someone who hardly has the time to work out.” Nash moved over to his own bench a few steps away. He glanced around and picked up his shaving kit, handing it to me as I joined him. It was heavier than I expected. Then again, I knew what was inside. “You’re going to have to hold this and keep an eye out as I do my lifts.” He glanced at the two men doing deadlifts in his peripheral vision before looking back at me with a serious expression on his face. “You understand what I mean, right?”
I nodded quickly, frowning a little. “Yeah.” I paused for a second before leaning down. “Aren’t you going to need a spotter?”
He eyed me critically. “No offense, but I doubt you’d be able to spot me, Joshua.” The way he followed his comment with a lazy smile made me feel a little better. I was beginning to think my protector was genuinely a nice guy.
“I’m not insulted. You’re right.” When one of the big, burly guys walked over, Nash spun toward him so fast, he stepped back. The guy held up both hands in a placating gesture.
“You need a spotter?” he asked Nash.
“No need, thanks.” I noticed Nash wasn’t even trying to be friendly.
The guy looked over at me and smirked before turning back to Nash. “I’m only asking because I don’t think your friend here is gonna be of much help.”
I flushed with embarrassment as Nash glanced at me. He turned back to the man, narrowing his eyes at him.
“No, really, I don’t need your help, thanks,” Nash repeated. His tone was borderline rude as he gave him the brush off.
“Okay,” the guy growled. “No need to bite my head off.” He turned and walked away, rejoining his companion about ten feet away.
I leaned close to Nash. “Maybe we should just go,” I whispered.
He reached out and put a hand on my shoulder. “It’s fine, Joshua. You worry too much.” He patted my cheek so softly it was almost a caress. I stared into his beautiful eyes and swallowed. He was close enough to kiss. The touch of his hand and his proximity relaxed me more than I wanted to admit. When he broke eye contact and dropped his hand—immediately breaking the spell—I mourned its loss.
He sat down on the bench and began to lift as I stood behind his head. Every so often, I caught him glancing at my bulge just like I’d done. I really hoped I hadn’t been as obvious as he was being.
I held onto the shaving kit as Nash did his reps, trying not to stare at his gorgeous body. The way the cords stood out on his neck and the sweat wetting his shirt, was sexy. In fact, I found everything about him sexy. I tried not to stare at him but by the time he’d finished at the bench press, I needed a cold shower.
Nash was red faced when he finally set the bar back in its cradle and sat up, straddling the bench. He nodded thanks as I handed him his Gatorade. He drank deeply and after watching him swallow several times, I forced myself to look away. I needed to get away from him.
“Joshua?”
I glanced back. “Yeah?”
He frowned. “You doing okay?”
I swallowed hard. “Oh…yeah, sure. Just a little tired.” I lifted my arm and deliberately sniffed my pit. “And a little gamey, you know?”
He chuckled as he stood up holding out his hand. I blinked at him. “My shaving kit?”
“Oh, shit.” Apparently, my brain was leaking out of my skull as I struggled not to get hard just from the smell of his sweat. I handed him the kit, and he eyeballed the room before leading the way back to the locker room. I went directly to the locker where I’d stored our packs but he stopped me with a hand on my shoulder.
“You don’t want a shower?” He held up his towel.
I glanced around the empty locker room before frowning at him. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
He nodded at the shaving kit in his hand. “I’ll protect you.”
I shrugged. “Okay, if you’re certain.”
He stepped closer and looped an arm over my shoulders. “If you’d rather wait, it’s fine. I always shower because when I come out of the gym, I stink like a pig and the seats in the Jeep are leather.”
I wanted to tell him he smelled amazing to me, but I simply nodded. “Sure. That only makes sense.” I opened the locker and after we’d gathered fresh clothes from our bags, followed him to the showers. He handed me the kit, and I smiled at him.
