Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs 1)

I make my way to the upper floor and stepping on a treadmill, I start at a slow jog to warm up. I can still hear the gym’s generic music and turn up the volume on my own playlist. Focusing on my breaths, I look down below at the meager amount of students who braved the early hours to get some exercise in before class.

A flash of red draws my attention, and for a moment, I check out the sexy ass swaying across the lower floor.

Damn, the girl looks good in tights.

Then my eyes land on her face, and seeing that it’s Jade, the attraction I felt a second ago fizzles a little.

The speed on the treadmill increases, and I have to switch from jogging to running. Jade makes her way over to a row of punching bags, and after putting on a pair of gloves, she begins to lightly bounce around while taking jabs at the bag.

I watch as her blows grow harder and faster. By the time I’m done running and sweat is pouring down my back, I’m not sure if my heart is pounding from the exercise, or from watching Jade beat the shit out of the bag.

I wipe my face and neck before taking a swig from my water bottle, then head down to the ground floor. Jade’s so focused that she doesn’t see me coming, and it allows me another couple of minutes to watch her.

I’d be a robot not to admit that all sweaty and flushed, Jade looks fucking hot. Glancing around the gym, I notice I’m not the only guy staring at her. One of the juniors stopped training altogether. The weights are forgotten at his feet while he watches Jade with drool practically dripping from his open mouth.

Fucker. He better not get any ideas.

I take a couple of steps forward to catch the junior’s gaze, and the moment his eyes focus on me, I shake my head.

All the guys on campus know not to fuck with me. With a light shrug, he resumes his workout.

That’s one down.

I turn my attention back to Jade. She’s stopped punching, and with her chin raised, her eyes bore into me.

Feeling annoyed that my morning routine has been interrupted, a frown forms on my brow. “Is that seriously what you’re going to wear for your workouts?”

A puzzled expression crosses her features then she glances down at the tights and sports bra. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”

“It fits like a second skin, Little Bean.”

She gives me a skeptical look. “Seriously, Hunter? That’s the damn point of exercise clothes, so the fabric doesn’t get in the way.”

“Yeah, but it… it’s too tight. It leaves very little to the imagination.” I glance around and scowl at the first guy I catch staring. Flustered, he swings around and rushes to the other side of the building.

You better run, fucker!

Jade shakes her head and lets out an aggravated huff. “Get lost, Chargill.” She punches the bag once then glares at me. “Before I forego the bag and lay into you.”

That reminds me.

“Great idea. Let’s spar.”

Jade’s body stills, and she looks at me with surprise widening her eyes. “Now you want to fight me? Wasn’t the last time enough?”

Raising my eyebrow in a dare, I ask, “I’m offering you the chance to beat me up, and you’re asking questions?”

She gestures to the headgear and gloves. “Well, get ready, so I can kick your ass.”

After putting on the gear, I hold a head guard out to Jade. “You too. I won’t be holding back today.”

Jade smirks as she swipes the thing from my hands. “I hope you’re ready to have your arrogant, lying ass handed to you.”

Stepping onto a mat, I begin to jump lightly. “Give it your best shot, Little Bean.”

Jade watches me jump around, and I probably look like an idiot. Let’s face it, I’m no professional.

I move forward and jab her shoulder lightly. “Come on. Let’s do this before class starts.”

Another minute passes, then Jade darts forward. She lands a punch against the side of my head and twisting her body around me, she disappears behind my back. Turning to see where she is, I’m not fast enough and take another blow to the head before she does that thing where she sweeps my legs from under me. Landing hard on my ass, Jade quickly follows. When she straddles me, I try to throw her off by turning onto my front and pushing myself up on my hands and knees. Jade’s like a damn spider monkey, and I can’t get her off. Wrapping her arm around my neck in a chokehold, she begins to squeeze. “Tap out.”

I shake my head, which only makes her tighten her grip. “Tap out, Chargill. The girls are watching, and it will be disastrous for your dating game if you were to faint like a pussy.”