I take a few steps backward, saying nothing. I turn and walk back towards the guesthouse feeling victorious. When I get inside, I peek through the front window, making sure I’m hidden from the curtains inside. I watch Lance as he looks around. From his expression, he almost seems lost on his own property. He looks towards the guesthouse, and I quickly hide away from the window. After a few moments, I peek outside again, and he is walking back towards his home.
Yeah, fuck off!
I walk into the guesthouse and pick up a phone on the kitchen counter. I call Anna Green.
“Hey, Elle,” Anna says. “Do you need something?”
“More nachos with extra cheese, please.”
I can hear her say “No problem” as I bring down the receiver, almost breaking the phone.
Fuck this town, and everyone in it.
Chapter 4
Jaxson is huffing loudly with each repetition he makes lifting the fifty-pound dumbbells. Each bicep curl looks like it will make his arm explode from bulging muscles. I’m completely captivated by it as I lift my ten-pound weights.
It was his idea to work out together. I didn’t really feel up for going out after getting the letter today, but he insisted on seeing me. He smiles at me as he grunts one last rep.
I’m very pleased that I accepted his workout request, now that I think of it. I need to take full advantage of having a full gym close to the guesthouse.
Jaxson takes a towel and wipes the sweat from his glistening chest.
Again, I find myself pleased to be working out with this muscled superhero who decided to work out shirtless.
“What’s our next exercise?” he asks me with a smirk.
I’m almost too captivated by his body to answer. “Well, you know how to have a better workout then I would.”
“How about you spot me doing some chest exercises?”
I laugh. “You’re probably going to lift a thousand pounds. How exactly am I going to spot you?”
“I only take on what I can confidently handle.” He smiles at me again. I usually don’t think corny flirting is too hot, but when that guy is shirtless and looks like Jaxson, he can say anything he wants and still be dead sexy.
We walk over to a dumbbell rack. He grabs two hundred-pound dumbbells and sits at a bench.
“You only take on what you can handle, eh?” I say laughing.
He smiles and leans his body backwards, keeping the weights at his chest. When he is lying down on the bench, he tells me to put my arms under his elbows. I do, and he extends his arms out and begins lifting the weights. He grunts again with each rep, and I must admit, it sort of turns me on.
“You shouldn’t be so loud,” I say. “People may get the wrong idea if they hear you.”
He finishes his set and sits back up. I clumsily try and spot him back to his starting position. He doesn’t really require my assistance, but smartly lets me think he does.
“I don’t mind.” He points at his towel, and I throw it at his face playfully.
He continues with another set of chest presses. I watch his muscles in adoration with every flex they make. It amazes me how every movement makes his chest barrel out. I grab his towel and start to pat his chest down as he continues his set.
“Sorry, you’re all sweaty. Can’t have that.”
He finishes his set and looks up at me. “I need more than a towel. I think I need a shower. Do you think you may be able to help me in there too?”
I nod my head playfully and bite my lower lip. I lean over him on the bench and kiss him. “I didn’t show you the showers when I gave you the tour of the gym. How dumb of me. How about I give you a better tour?”
I take his hand and lead him towards the changing rooms.
Jaxson notices the large boxing ring in the back of the gym and lets go of my hand. “Now this is pretty cool. Fucking rich people. Cain has an actual boxing ring in his gym? I wish I had a set up like this back home.” He turns and looks at me. “Care to go a few rounds with me in the ring?”
Before I can answer, a loud noise startles me from behind. I turn, and Lance is in his workout gear, looking at Jaxson with a smirk.
Lance points at the ring. “Children aren’t allowed to play in there.”
“What did you say, Cain?” Jaxson says quickly.
“You definitely shouldn’t go in the ring if you already have hearing problems. I’m a nice guy though. If you want to go a few rounds, I can show you what would happen.”
“What would happen, exactly?” Jaxson folds his large arms, making sure to flex them as he does.
Lance smiles. “Boxing is an art, unlike tossing a ball around like a beast. You go in there with someone, you need to understand who they are. Are they going to lead with a right? What’s their footwork like? All of this you have to figure out as quickly as you can, before your opponent does it with you.”
Jaxson smiles back. “So, you think you figured me out, Cain?”
“I think boxing is an art, and you’re still finger painting.”
I put my arm against Jaxson’s chest. “Who cares about him? Let’s go.” Jaxson nods his head.
Lance waves his head side to side. “Don’t you guys need your showers? The changing rooms aren’t intersex, by the way.”
We leave the gym after our encounter with Lance. I decide to shower at the guesthouse, but Jaxson says he wants to call it a night. I’m not sure if the rise in testosterone got him out of the mood, but I understand.
I walk Jaxson back to where his Jeep is parked, holding hands. When we get to his vehicle, he
