One to Love (One to Hold 4)

“Yep. Just starting out, dreaming of mansions in Miami, yachts, a sexy blonde on each arm. One blown knee later, I had nothing. No money, no college degree, no woman. Nothing. It was all over.”

My stomach tightened sickly. I didn’t need his sob story added to mine. I already felt like shit. “That’s tough,” was all I said.

“Fuckin right it was tough. I went from the penthouse to the outhouse. I worked as a bouncer, a bodyguard, the whole time killing the pain with blow. Then I met Tammy, and she wouldn’t let me kill myself.”

Nodding, I was ready to go. I wasn’t looking for a woman. Or at least I was trying hard not to look for a particular woman... who worked

in this gym. “That’s good.”

“Its better than good. Know why I call myself Rook? Some racist, sonofabitch redneck nickname?”

I didn’t know how to answer that question, so I didn’t.

“The Rook is the smartest bird in the whole species,” he continued. “They use tools, they can be taught to speak, they recognize music... they’re survivors. I’m a survivor. When I was a player, they called me The Rookie, someone who’s new, ignorant, inexperienced. I’m not a rookie anymore. I’m a Rook. What are you?”

I glanced down at my hands, thinking about his words, wondering if he knew what was hidden beneath my shirt. It was impossible, but I supposed with a few phone calls he could’ve found out my story.

“I was Slayer,” I said. “Now I’m Slayde.”

“Slayde? A malaprop of slain. Are you dead?”

I thought about that. Yes. When I put down those gloves, my life ended. Only now I wasn’t so sure. I had been dead or close to it up until two nights ago. Then something happened, something powerful enough to bring me back.

Rook seemed to understand my internal conflict, and he backed off. “Think about what I said. I like keeping the gym fresh, new blood, new offerings. When you’re ready, let me know. In the meantime, keep my shit clean and my stuff put away.”

Blinking back to the moment, I nodded and went to the door ready to call it a day. I was finished anyway. Opening it without looking, I stepped into the hallway nearly colliding with Kenny.

My stomach tightened, and everything stopped. She was in a different outfit from the one she’d worn all day with her clients. Her hair was still up, but a bit of it hung long over her shoulder like a dark purple ribbon. I wanted to run my finger under it. That cute dimple appeared, and Shit! I wanted her.

“Sorry,” she exhaled a little laugh. “I think I ran right into you.”

“It was my fault. I didn’t look where I was going.” She smelled sweet, like sugar. I probably smelled like toilet cleaner.

“Hey, I-I wanted to thank you.” Her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink, and I felt that surge of desire move from my stomach to a lower region. “You saved me the other night. Then you just disappeared. Are you Batman?”

She released another, softer laugh that hit me hard. I wanted to make her laugh again. I wanted to bury my face in her delicious scent, taste her body, see if it was as good as she smelled, wrap her hair around all five of my fingers.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” I managed to say.

She smiled again. Her thick, dark lashes made her blue eyes glow. Or maybe they glowed all the time? “I’m not disappointed. I’m serious. Thank you.”

“I just did what any decent person would do. That guy was hurting you, and I...” I didn’t say I wanted to kill him. But I did.

She leaned against the door and cocked her head to the side. “Would you maybe consider...” she hesitated. “Would you be willing to teach me some of your moves? I mean, your technique?”

My brow lined, and she quickly continued. “I was thinking about it yesterday. If you could show me some punches, maybe some self-defense stuff, I could protect myself.”

“Someone your size could never fight off a guy like that.” I answered without thinking, and I could see her disappointment. “You could try, but you’re better off carrying mace or pepper spray.”

Her pale pink lips pressed together, and I wondered if they were as soft as they looked. “Would you still teach me? I could meet you in the mornings, before everyone gets here. Like we did today?”

I wanted that more than anything. “I don’t think so. Sorry.”

Those lips lifted at the corners, and the sly look in her eye slayed me. Ironic. “Well, I’ll be here in the morning doing my regular workout. Maybe I’ll see you.”

I didn’t answer. I could only watch as she pushed through the door and made her way to a shiny new Honda in the parking lot.

As sure as I was standing, I’d be here in the morning.