He finishes the workout and approaches me, and I try to return to reality. He stands in front of me, attempting to regulate his breathing. His chest rises and falls, and glistening beads of sweat trace a path down his neck. I follow it with my eyes down to his sculpted abs.
He bends down and picks up his shirt, and the scent of his cologne mixed with his masculine sweat reaches me. I don’t know how to describe that smell except as a tingling sensation all over my body. It’s electrifying. I want to run my hands through his damp hair, pull his mouth down between my legs, and let him taste me.
He wipes the sweat with his shirt and stares at me.
“Want to try?”
Fuck. Did he hear me? Did I speak out loud? “What?”
“Do you want to try?”
The training. He’s talking about the training. Of course.
Calm down, Sloane.
“I don’t know Taekwondo.”
“I figured. But you can try some basic kicks. I mean, if you want to learn.”
“Okay. I won’t get hurt or anything?” Maybe it will help calm my raging libido. Release some energy.
“No. I’ll watch over you.” He looks straight into my eyes.
My heart skips a beat, and I stand, moving closer to him. “Don’t I need shin guards like yours?” I point to the pads covering his hands and legs.
“I think you’ll manage without them the first time.”
“Are you implying I can’t kick hard?” I place my hands on my hips, pretending to be insulted.
His eyes twinkle with amusement. “I’m sure you can. If I remember correctly, you’ve already kicked someone in the balls. I hope I can keep mine safe.”
I smile and wave my hand forward. “Go ahead.”
He teaches me a front kick, then a sidekick, and I kick, trying again and again.
“This is harder than it looks,” I admit, my breath heavy from the effort of trying to imitate him.
“I’ve been training for years. It’s your first time,” he encourages me. “You’re doing well.”
He takes something that looks like a pad and attaches it to his arm with straps. “Try to aim here.” He places his arm low in front of me, and I do as instructed.
“Good. Again.” He challenges me, raising his arm a little higher. I reach it but fall on my butt.
“Oof.”
“You okay?” A worried look appears on his face and he hurries to me.
“Yeah. Luckily I have a padded butt.” I chuckle.
He extends a hand and effortlessly pulls me to my feet. “Your butt is perfect,” he blurts out and turns his back to me.
My eyes widen. I didn’t imagine that, I’m sure. He just said my butt is perfect. He’s looked at my ass.
He turns back around. I’m trying to figure out what just happened, but his face is stoic, as always. “Shall we continue?”
I nod. “Show me that spinning kick you did before.”
“Spinning hook?”