Page 4 of Strict Daddy

He pushed a card into my quivering hand, and then, he turned and left, his toned ass disappearing into the gym's depths.

Submit.

I collapsed onto a nearby bench, my heart still pounding in my chest. What had just happened?

I’d flirted with that guy, hadn’t I?

Completely out of character, Poppy.

But as I sat there, my mind replaying the way his hand had touched my chin, I couldn't deny how alive I'd felt in his presence.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try one session? I could always back out if it got too intense, right?

I looked down at the card. Byron Adonis, Personal Trainer and Lifestyle Coach. The card was thick and luxurious, like him. I slipped it into my pocket, my fingers tingling from where they'd touched his.

As I made my way home, I couldn't stop thinking about his heated gaze, the feel of his strong hands on my hips. What would it be like to truly submit to him? To give myself over, body and soul?

There was only one way to find out.

Chapter 2

The scanner beeped rhythmicallyas I ran the items across, my mind far from the monotonous task at hand.

Beep.

I pictured Byron's piercing blue eyes.

Beep.

I felt the ghost of his strong hands directing my posture.

Beep.

His deep voice reverberated through my body...

"Excuse me, miss?" A gruff voice interrupted my reverie. "I think you double-scanned that."

Heat flooded my cheeks as I looked up at the annoyed customer, then down at the register. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I stammered, quickly voiding the extra charge with trembling fingers.

As he left with a grunt, I exhaled shakily, trying to regain my focus. But my thoughts kept straying to Byron and his mysterious gym. I reached into my pocket, fingering the sleek edges of his business card.

Complete Surrender.

The words thrilled and terrified me.

"Everything alright, Poppy?" My manager's voice startled me.

Joan was one of those people who lived and breathed their work. You could just tell that she adored supermarkets. Most likely, she had a room at home set up like one, with products lining shelves and bright lights blasting all day long.

I plastered on a bright smile. "Yes, just a bit tired today."

She eyed me suspiciously but moved on. I knew I needed to pull myself together, but I couldn't shake the intoxicating pull Byron seemed to have on me. I had to know more.

When my lunch break finally arrived, I bee-lined for the staff room, craving a moment alone with my racing thoughts. But before I could even sit down, Mia—the only person at work I was anything close to being friends with—plopped into the chair across from me, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Spill it, girl. You've been totally spaced out all day. What's his name?"

“What? I don’t know what you mean!” I was a terrible liar.

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