Andy’s Gym is one thing I will miss when I leave Woodland Creek. It’s quirky and fun, and it’s the first place I really spread my wings outside of Dylan’s control. I got to know residents of the town, and I became something of a leader.
I arrive a half-hour before self-defense class in case Sally shows up for strength training. I hadn’t set a definite time for us to meet, so I have no idea when to expect her — a situation I plan to remedy today.
As I make my way inside, heading to the juice bar to stash my bag and pick up my nametag, I bump into Jim. Funny, simple Jim.
“Ready to hit me with your best shot?” I tease, giving him a wink.
“No, dude.” He shakes his head, eyes round. “I would never hit you.”
His sweet response makes me smile. “It’s just an expression. I know you’re only pretending to attack me.”
“Still… You defend yourself pretty hard.”
“I try not to.”
“It’s weird, you know,” his head cocks to the side. “You’re really strong to be so little.”
“It’s all the strength training,” I deflect. Can’t have him knowing the real reason for my unusual strength. “You know, the kickboxing and stuff.”
“Oh, dude! Andy hired a boxer yesterday to help with the men. He’s a real cool guy.”
Interesting. Andy didn’t say he was looking for help. “Really?”
“Yeah, and he’s living in the apartment above my Aunt Doris’s garage.”
“That so?” The bell above the door rings, and the small blonde enters. A timid smile curls her lips when she sees me, and I wave her over, hoping to put her at ease.
“Yeah, I’ll introduce you if—”
“After class, okay?” I give Jim a wink and head out to meet my client. “Sally! Hi!”
“Hi, Miss Mercy.”
Putting my arm around her shoulder, I give her a brief hug. “I told you, it’s just Mercy. I’m only twenty-three.”
Her eyes brighten. “That’s how old I am!”
“See? Come on then.” I turn and lead her back to the weight room, thinking through a course of training that won’t be too hard for a beginner. “In the future, we should probably do these sessions after self-defense so you’re not too tired for…”
The words die on my lips as we enter the small weight room. The staccato Pow! Pow! Pow-pow-pow! of gloves clipping the heavy bag draws our attention, and I freeze on the spot. An incredibly sexy mountain of a man I immediately recognize is in the corner, giving the boxing set a run for its money.
With every precise jab, his muscles ripple across his shoulders and arms. His biceps flex, and I can feel them in my fingertips. He circles to the side, and I see the line in his square jaw move beneath the shadow of his beard. I can’t help a shiver remembering how it felt against my skin.
Chin tucked against one broad shoulder, he’s so focused, so powerful and intimidating, I don’t even realize I’m staring or my breath is shallow. All I can think about is the meadow, me on his lap riding hard, him behind me, pounding as I moan in ecstasy.
“He’s good,” Sally whispers at my side, pulling me from my erotic daze.
“Y-yes,” I say, clearing my throat. My whole body is on fire.
The staccato pops stop, and Koa notices us as well. He straightens, lowering his gloves, and his dark brow flinches slightly over his green eyes. I know he’s as surprised to see me as I am to see him.
He picks up a towel to wipe his face before walking to us, and I step back, my emotions swirling in my chest. He’s not supposed to be here. I already decided he needed to keep going. He needed to stay a hot memory. Someone like Koa in Woodland Creek will only distract me, weaken my resolve to leave this place, and I have to leave here or I’ll never be free.
“Mercy…” his low voice is a tingling vibration in my chest, but I fight against it. I have to fight him the same as I fight D
ylan, even if it’s for vastly different reasons.
Stepping forward, I draw on all the frustration I feel at being a prisoner in this place, at being alone in that mansion, ordered around like a slave, my dreams always dismissed as silly.