Page 93 of The One
A gentle silence settles between us, the hum of the engine filling the car as he waits for me to say something more. The concern in his eyes isn’t something I’m used to, at least, not from someone like him. And somehow, it eases a part of me I hadn’t realized was still wound tight.
“I’ll remember that,” I say softly, giving him a small, grateful smile. “Now, will you tell me where we’re going?” I ask, relieved we’re not immediately heading out for a run, or so it seems.
“To one of our gyms,” he replies, easing the car down the long driveway as the first of the entourage vehicles moves ahead. “It’s a little further away, but it’s quiet, and it has a huge, empty parking lot.”
An empty parking lot? Why would that matter?
Mateo must sense my questioning gaze because he turns to me, amusement sparking in his eyes as he takes in my expression.
He chuckles, low and warm. “Today,dolce mia, I’m teaching you some basic self-defense. And afterward, you’ll learn to drive. I never want you to feel helpless again.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Mateo
After my chat with Tiero this morning, I have to know if Mari has a crush on me.
The idea distracts me more than I care to admit, and I’ve caught myself rolling my eyes at it more than once. Am I really acting like a teenager, getting all worked up because someone says a beautiful girl might be into me?
She definitely seems nervous around me, and she blushes. But I’ve always chalked it up to her being shy or to my position inla famiglia. I figured she was just being respectful, maybe a little intimidated, and nothing more. I never once considered that it might actually be about me.
Now, with Tiero’s words echoing in my head, I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to her reaction than I realized.
The half-hour drive flies by. Conversation with Mari flows easily once her nerves settle, and I find myself completely absorbed by her sweet voice. She lights up when she talks about her love for design, her hands moving expressively, eyes sparkling. Around her, I can’t help but smile most of the time.
Flanked by the two cars escorting us, I pull into an empty parking lot. Rom and his team will wait outside while I train with Mari, then have their own workout while I give her a driving lesson.
We wait in the car for a moment as Rom and his team do a quick sweep of the gym. When they return with a thumbs up, I grab the backpack with water and towels from the backseat and get out of the car.
Mari follows, stepping up beside me. My hand reaches out for hers, but I stop myself just in time.
What’s come over me?
For starters, we have an audience, and more importantly, I don’t hold hands. Ever.
I redirect my wayward hand to the small of Mari’s back, guiding her toward the gym. I feel her warmth through her dress and have to remind myself to stay focused.
This is a training session. I’m teaching her self-defense, nothing more.
Inside, the gym is empty, its dim lighting and padded floors giving off an air of intimacy and isolation.
I drop the backpack on a nearby table, and Mari bites her lip, hesitating a moment before she tugs her dress over her head, revealing tight-fitting black boy shorts and an azure blue tank top that contrasts perfectly with her olive skin.
Every curve of her body is on show.
My pulse speeds up with every inch of bare skin she reveals, and my normally rational brain is corrupted by my heating groin area.
My insides contract as unbidden thoughts of how I yearn to explore every inch of her delectable body thrust themselves into my consciousness.
Mari is unaware of my staring because she’s looking anywhere but at me. She shyly pulls on the hem of both her shorts and shirt to make sure they’re covering as much as possible.
God, is the air-con working in this place? It’s hot in here.
I march to the controller and adjust it a couple of degrees down. I’ll need it. When I turn back around, Mari reaches her arms above her head and stretches, showing off a strip of skin between her top and shorts.
Is she trying to fucking kill me?
To hide my growing erection and to regain some semblance of control, I walk to the center of the room, sensing her gaze on me, wide-eyed and expectant.
