Page 12 of Mr. Red

Both of us have stopped breathing now. All I can think about is holding his jaw in my palms, stroking his arms, tight pecs, and whatever else is hiding underneath his clothes.

Somehow, I get the measurement. Thank you, muscle memory. I grab the chart and walk out of the room as fast as I can.

“Come on, let’s get training,” I order.

~

After completing the initial interview with no other elusive comments, we start the workout. I decided to focus on chest and triceps, strategically picking exercises that wouldn’t be provocative or misunderstood. Let’s face it, today was not the day for pelvic presses with this man. I need to establish respect between the both of us first before we get into those types of movements.

My mind is wandering—thinking of cave man fantasies with this guy is not acceptable. It’s not even about him having a mean moment the other day. I’m going to be one of the owner’s of the gym—I can’t date a client. Besides, he’s not from here, so I doubt he’ll stick around. Imagining him as anything other than a client can’t happen.

Surprisingly, he’s being a complete gentleman. He lets me go first, changes the weights himself, and holds doors. I haven’t been around a guy with such old-school mannerssince...ever. Chivalry has been dead in my life, but I’m glad to see it’s still hanging around somewhere. Not that I would tell him I appreciate it. He already has a huge ego.

“Looks like that completes day one,” I tell him.

“Cool, see you tomorrow.” And then he walks away. He doesn’t give me a wave or second glance.

My shoulders drop from my ears and I let out a breath. I don’t know what I was so worried about. It’ll be easy to train him. As long as we aren’t locked in a room alone.

It’s nice knowing he isn’t always a jerk. Maybe Lana was right and I caught him at a bad time. This attraction towards him will go away. We can be friends. At least, we can be friendly. At the very least we can be acquaintances. My attraction towards him this morning was some sort of a fluke.

Yeah, I have nothing to worry about.

Chapter 9

Scarlett

My four other clients went by fast. I had a yoga class to teach and thought Matt might be there. He wasn’t. I may be feeling disappointed, but that can’t be right. I don’t like him at all. Well, I don’t want to like him. My mind keeps forgetting. He’s confusing me with this nice side that came out of nowhere.

Best to move to Plan B: preoccupy my mind. I can do that. Lana and Paige are coming over tonight for pasta, wine, and movies. I’m rushing home to clean up before they arrive, leaving me no time to think. Perfect.

Forty-five minutes later, Lana walks through the door. Her shoulders are slumped over and the smile she gives doesn’t reach her eyes. She hasn’t been the same since her ex left. She should be rocking her curvy, hourglass figure instead of hiding behind baggy clothes. Her hair is usually down, hitting mid-back in beachy waves, but she chooses to put it up in a messy bun all the time now. I hate her ex.

After a couple minutes, Paige arrives in some sort of designer brands. Her blonde hair is straight, hitting below her chin.

“Hello, ladies!” she announces, giving us a big hug. “I have your boy toys right here!” She holds out two wine bottles, making us laugh.

I grab the wine and head towards the kitchen with thembehind me. I have a one-bedroom cottage outside of our little downtown. It’s small, but cozy. I’ve enjoyed how close it is to trails, the long walkway to the front door lined with seasonal flowers, and my neighbors.

We walk through the small “foyer” past the entry table I never stop dusting. We get to the living room with a chic, cream-colored couch. Paige takes a seat at the high bar separating the two areas on a wooden barstool. If you keep walking down the hall, you’ll find my bedroom and bathroom.

I start pouring wine into three glasses. Water is on the stove ready to boil for pasta. Lana makes herself at home by mixing a sauce concoction I’m sure will be delicious. She has always enjoyed cooking. Paige prefers to eat out, and I cook to have calories. We love when Lana is around.

“I’m dying to know how it went today! You know, with Mr. Red,” Paige starts, while grabbing her wine.

Oh boy.

“It was...interesting. You’ll never guess what I did,” I explain. They look at me, waiting to continue. “I told him coming feels healthy!” My hands rush to cover my face. “I was mortified.”

“Shut up! What did he say?” Paige asks, leaning in with a sly grin. Lana keeps to her cooking.

I put my hands down. “He agreed! Then he said my body could teach him new things.” I take a drink of wine to hide my smile.

“Oh my gosh!” Paige claps her hands together.

“Nothing weird happened after that, thank god!”

“Hmmm, good. Don’t let him walk all over you.” She pauses. “Unless you want him on top of you for a night.”

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