Page 68 of Crash
“Me and my aching thighs thank you,” I said, backing away. Getting hot and sweaty with a hunky AUFC fighter?Yes please.
He ran his hand over his face and shook his head. “Tonight.”
He was totally doing his command and conquer thing, and all I could do was nod.
“Tonight,” I replied, my coffee mug almost slipping through my fingers.
I was looking forward to it.
**
“Wow.”
Lincoln stood in the middle of Ash’s home gym looking awed. My brother had the full setup going on since he was such a junkie.Weights, a treadmill and bike, punching bags and mats—the whole kit and caboodle.
I stood beside him in a T-shirt and shorts, my feet bare, ready to get started with my humiliation. He still had his Pulse shirt andEverlastshorts on from work like he was always ready to go flex his muscles if he needed to. You know, like how Superman wore his costume underneath his suit in case of bad guys.
“It might be the shit,” I said, “but I don’t have a clue what to do with any of it.”
“Well, what do you want to achieve? General fitness, skill or something else?”
“I reckon not dying after running five meters would do the trick.” I glanced at him awkwardly. “Maybe some self-defense?”
He smiled and turned toward me. “You’ve got it. Grappling with the lady.”
I slapped him in the arm. “Lincoln.”
“Can’t help it, Vee. You’ve awoken the beast.”
Shying away, I bit on my bottom lip. His beast? He’d well and truly awoken mine.
“To start, we should get some meat on those bones,” he declared.
“Are you implying I’m—”
“Sexy as hell?Yeah.” He pointed to the mat. “Come here, and I’ll show you where to start.”
I gave him a look and assumed the position. To start off with, he showed me some basic stretches that had me twisting and turning in all directions. Then he made me lift some of those little weights to build strength in my arms, and to my horror, he commanded me to do squats—which he took great enjoyment out of—followed by a set of sit-ups where I could hardly get myself up of the floor. I practically rolled around like a useless lump, but all he did was hold my ankles and kneel over me with a stupid grin on his face.
“You’re enjoying torturing me,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Nup,” he retorted. “I’m enjoying watching you bend over and watching your boobs bounce up and down. Torture never came to mind.”
“You’re such a man.”
“You’re such a woman.”
I sat up and scowled at him. “What’s that meant to mean?”
His eyes darkened. “It’s meant to mean you’re fucking hot when you get sweaty, Vee.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, I leaned forward. “Look who’s talking.”
“You like sweaty men?”
Biting my lip, I nodded. “Mmm…” Before his lips could meet mine, I stood and laughed.
“Wicked,” he said, rising to his feet. “You’re having way too much fun with this.”
