Page 13 of Quake
The woman came backon Thursday. Then she was there on Saturday. Then the following Tuesday.
I lingered after hours, hiding in the office and stuffing around with paperwork that I’d usually leave until the next morning.
That first day, I happened to be looking out of the office window as she ghosted through the roller door and lingered at the back of the class. Her posture was hunched, her gaze averted, but she was striking, even in a group of women who were far more athletic and confident than she was.
She’d scraped her black hair back into a messy ponytail, pulling it away from her heart-shaped face, and she looked entirely different wearing a tight pair of leggings and a singlet. I could hardly remember what she’d worn the other day since her shattering eyes had overshadowed everything else until it was all I remembered.
After a week, I was so transfixed with the notion of keeping an eye on her progress, I’d forgotten all about my meddling parents. I guess something good had come out of my unusual fascination so far. What was it about this woman?
I stayed in the office for the entire duration of each class, not wanting to intimidate the poor girl, and watched how she was doing, which wasn’t very good. I didn’t expect her to be a ninja, but some sense of the basics should’ve been there after a few sessions, especially since Tommy had paired her with one of the regulars.
She was falling behind, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it at all.
Thursday came around, and I was staring out of the office window at the studio below when Tommy came in and began messing with the filing cabinet.
“Juliette,” he said, watching me watching the goings-on below.
“Huh?”
“That’s her name.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “You interested in her?”
“I’m interested in helping her,” I shot back.
“Really? I’ve never seen you show an interest in helping any woman who’s come in here looking for training in self-defense. Even when it is bloody obvious there would be a line out of the door…if you know what I’m sayin’.”
Scowling, I turned my attention back to the woman—Juliette—and I immediately found myself looking at her tits. I hadn’t thought the notion of asking her out had crossed my mind, but maybe it had. Did I even want to ask her out? Or was it just physical? I didn’t know, but it was truly more about helping her overcome whatever had her scared. I looked at her and saw all those other things, but the look in her eyes that day…I’d never forget it.
“You’re overlooking her,” I snapped, not wanting to discuss with an employee the ins and outs of what my dick wanted, no matter how much I liked the guy. “She’s falling behind even with that girl partnering her. She’s shy, so she won’t come forward and complain or ask for help. You need to open your eyes, Tommy.”
“She’s a perfect candidate for personal training,” he said with a smirk.
“Don’t look at me like that, you fuck,” I growled. “Do your fucking job.”
“Feedback taken with a grain of salt,” he shot back. “But I still think it’s worth askin’ her. I’ve got the time. Do I get points for initiative, boss?”
I narrowed my eyes, not liking the twist of jealousy that was poisoning my guts. It was his job, and he was taking the initiative, but I didn’t like it. I knew Tommy’s game. He wanted to train Juliette, butter her up, make her attached to him, and then fuck her. Take advantage of her vulnerability. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d overlooked her on purpose for this very reason.
“No,” I declared. “I’ll train her.”
“You don’t train with clients,” he complained, raising an eyebrow. “You only train the fighters.”
“So fucking what?” I asked, bristling.
“I’ve already built a report with her,” he said, his hackles rising. “She’ll agree. She’s into me.”
“We’re an inclusive place here, Tommy,” I said, staring him down. I didn’t give a shit that he was twice my size and could knock me out with one punch. I cared about his attitude. “No matter age, weight, ability, orgender. Beat is not a place to cruise for a quick fuck. Especially not when it could genuinely harm a vulnerable woman. If your balls are itchy, then go scratch them someplace else, and with someone who truly wants it. Manipulation doesn’t make you a man. You’re a great teacher, mate, but don’t let your prick do the thinking for you.”
Tommy looked as if he wanted to throttle me, and I didn’t blame him, but when he calmed down, he would see I shaved a foot off his ego for his own good. He was amazing at his job and had a natural ability for teaching, but work and play—meaning sex and objectifying the women who sought sanctuary here—didn’t go hand in hand. Not at Beat.
“Don’t you have a class to teach?”
He scowled, an unmistakable flare of rage in his eyes. Not good when he was about to go downstairs and teach a class of impressionable young women, Juliette included.
Before I could reign him in, Tommy strode from the office, forcing me to follow and blow my cover. He thundered down the stairs with me on his tail, and when we reached the bottom, I pulled him up.
“Hey.” I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Just a friendly reminder.”
“Sure thing, boss,” he said, some of the tension leaving his jaw. “Can’t get anythin’ by you, you asshole.”
