Page 4 of Primal Urges

“Three more,” the voice of Satan himself announced, trying to be encouraging but only managing to make things even more hopeless.

He couldn’t give up.

The man had just turned forty and still lifted weights like he was a fuckin’ twenty-five-year-old. This, right now, was a matter of pride. If he didn’t finish these last three reps, it would only confirm to him and everyone else standing around them that Marcus—his old-ass boss—was still a beast and could take down any punk-ass young’un who dared to puff out their chest.

To be fair, Caden hadn’t puffed out his chest. He’d merely asked if Marcus wanted to hit some weights to burn off some of those cupcakes that Alexis brought into the bar last night. They were so sweet and sugary, he swore he could still feel the excitement rolling around in his mouth.

Plus, he needed to maintain his six-pack abs. Women didn’t drool over flab and softness.

Breathing in through his nose, he brought the weights down, then breathed out through his mouth as he pushed the weights up again.

The movement was slow and painful. Talk about getting a nice pump in his chest. He was going to look so ripped after this.

“That a boy. Two more,” Marcus encouraged.

I fucking hate you, Caden thought to himself. Why did his boss have to be so goddamn strong?

“Come on, Cade, almost there,” Ace, another one of the young bucks, cheered.

Great.Another set of eyes to watch his downfall and humiliation if he didn’t finish up the last two reps of his bench press.

He could hear the taunting comments in his mind if he failed.

Can’t keep up with the big guy?

Don’t worry. One day, you’ll be as strong as Big Daddy.

This was now a matter of self-respect.

He took another breath and pushed everything he had into the last two reps. His arms burned, and his lungs felt like they were going to explode from his chest.

“There we go!” he heard his boss cheer as he helped guide the shaky bar back onto the rack.

Huffing, Caden sat up slowly. Sweat dripped down his face.

Stay strong. Don’t let them see how much those last two reps nearly killed you.

His boss gave him a slap on the side of the shoulder, then passed him his water bottle.

“Thanks.” Caden huffed, trying not to show how out of breath and in pain he really was.

“You did good, man. Your form is looking tight.”

Why did his boss always have to be such a fucking nice guy? It made hating him always so damn hard. Not that he really hated his boss. He only hated him when his manhood and pride were at stake. Like right this moment.

“Thanks, boss. You weren’t doing too bad yourself.”

“For an old man, you mean?” Marcus chuckled.

“Hey, forty is not old,” Caden rushed to clarify. He didn’t want his boss to think that he didn’t respect him or that he thought being forty was old.

“Well, from what I hear, being old starts at thirty-two, or even late twenties, like that little prick over there,” he said, nodding over his shoulder at Ace, who was busy checking out some dude as he bent over to pick up a dumbbell.

“Hey, there’s nothing little about my prick,” Ace defended, snapping his head around and glaring at them both.

Marcus and Caden burst out laughing.

“Hey, don’t get all defensive. I’m sure it’s well-proportioned for a guy your size,” Caden joked.

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