Page 34 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess
“Yes.”
"No electrolytes?"
“I was just planning to hit the gym and didn’t bring anything else. At the gym you can refill bottles, but here there’s just water.”
Alex grabs another bottle and a black towel from the bench, wipes his face, then pours some of his drink into mine.
“Let me guess—you only had that fruit for lunch today?”
“And the salad. And the wrap.”
He gives me a scolding look. “No protein? No shake? No sports drink? Not even a banana?”
“I didn’t have time.”
“No wonder you’re so weak.”
“Hey…” I protest weakly.
“Drink first. I’ve been here longer. If you want to keep going, fine, but not too much. Not on an empty stomach.”
“But I did eat…”
“At lunch. Are you trying to starve yourself? That’s not how muscle building works. You’ll just lose water, and your body will start eating away at what little it has left—your muscles. You’ll gain weight and lose muscle mass,” he lectures, then takes a drink from his bottle.
“I know. I just didn’t have the headspace for it today. I only came here to hit something.”
“Rough day, huh?” he asks, amused.
“You could say that.”
“Wouldn’t it be something if your boss walked in right now and you could punch him instead?”
“Mr. Blackthorn isn’t here, though.”
“You could take it out on me, instead,” he suggests. His smile is stunning, and of course, I instantly smile back.
Damn. I was trying to keep it together!
“He hasn’t done anything to me, but his son…” I trail off, giving him a look.
“The one who invited you to dinner? Yeah, that sounds terrible. Awful boss.”
“He’s probably fine. I’m just frustrated with myself.” Not entirely true, but a solid excuse. I only drink after he nudges the bottom of my bottle with his fingertips, forcing me to put it to my lips.
“Exercise helps with that. But prep is key. I wouldn’t want you to burn out.”
“Someone’s thinking practically.”
“I always do. Princess.” Of course he calls me that now.
“I think I’ll head out. I’ve only been here about twenty minutes, but that’s enough. The frustration’s gone.”
Desire, on the other hand, is not—and I need an ice-cold shower as soon as possible. The last thing I need is to picture my boss naked.
“What are you doing?” I blurt when Alex strips off his shirt and tosses it on the bench.
“It was just getting in the way.” He takes another drink, giving me a perfect view of his toned torso. Every inch is perfectly defined. And those hip bones, those abs that flex with every slight movement...
