Page 5 of Burning Embers
I poke out my tongue. I only get called that by my mother. “I know. Damn it, why can’t I dono-strings-attachedsex?”
She scrunches her nose. “Believe me. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” Her cheeks blossom a cute shade of pink. I can’t envision her having an occasional hook-up—not when I’ve seen how she is with Charlie. He dotes on her and their daughter, Selene; it’s quite beautiful to watch. My heart squeezes in my chest. Once upon a time, I dreamed I’d have a family like that, adamant I didn’t want to become a carbon copy of either one of my parents.
I came from a workaholic father and a distant mother. When I told them I was breaking off the engagement and pregnant, my mum was beyond bereft.What would her friends think?The whole ordeal, along with my anxiety over being a single parent, made me question who was in my life.
“I’m starting self-defence classes,” I blurt out, not wanting her to feel awkward about her confession.
Sophie raises a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “Oh?”
I nod. “Yeah,” I say, smiling while I don my apron to begin my shift. “Maybe my trainer will be hot.”
She gives me a wicked grin, and I head in back to start cleaning.
Chapter Four
OLLY
I quickly tie my laces and begin pulling out the mats, making sure everything is ready for my next appointment. I haven’t been able to get a blonde haired, green-eyed beauty off my mind since I watched her drive away from the bar the other night. I shake off thoughts of her fresh summer scent, needing to get focused for my next client.
I grab some extra towels from the array of oak cabinets that take up one wall, the rest a seamless sea of mirrors. The ceiling is open to the rafters height above, yet the space is cosy, comfortable. This room works perfectly for one-on-ones, and my clients are less self-conscious without the sometimes-ogling bodybuilders from downstairs watching them train. Private and away from the main gym. It’s easy to become intimidated by what everyone else is doing. This is secluded without being claustrophobic.
Majority of my clientele are women, and the money I earn from giving these lessons goes straight to the charity I support.
Kneeling to wipe a spot off the mat, I hear the creak of the door opening and closing behind me. “Just a moment,” I call out, but the sound of footsteps moves closer, and a familiar scent invades my senses.
Impossible.
My eyes dart to the reflection in the mirror. Rachel.
I stand and turn to face her. She’s in yoga pants and a tight-fitted top, and I strain to keep my eyes focused on her face.
“Have I got the right room?” she asks, looking around, not even ahello.
I bridge the gap between us. “If you’re here for the self-defence class, then yes.”
She points at me. “You’re the instructor?” she asks, the skin along her throat blotching slightly.
“That would be correct.” She’s fidgeting, and I don’t know whether to grin or grimace. “Listen, if you’re not comfortable, I can see about getting one of the other guys to teach you.”
Her eyes spring to mine and go wide. “God, no, I was surprised to see you. I didn’t know you workedhere, too.”
I take her bag from her hands and walk it over to the bench. “I work out here and run a class from time to time.” I also have a share in the gym, but it’s neither here nor there. I point to her hands. “You need to remove your jewellery,” I say, glancing at her necklace. She slips off her ring and unclasps her chain before striding back to her bag.
“And your watch,” I say as she comes back towards me.
She shakes her head, her ponytail whipping around. Something stirs, and I think of what it would be like to wrap it around my fist.Shit. I cough.
“Oh, no. I never take it off,” she says, covering it with her other hand.
I look heavenward.Please give me strength. “Rachel, it’s health and safety. I don’t make the rules.”
She taps her foot, and just when I think she’s going to give me shit, she unclips the strap. I hold out my hand. “I can put it in the office.”
She bites into the pink plump flesh of her lower lip, and I almost groan out loud. “Please be careful. It was from my grandmother.”
I nod, turning away from her, heading for the door by the full-length mirror. The links are warm from her skin. I turn it over to have a look before I lock it in the safe, letting out a low whistle—easily a good four grand for this watch.
I notice an engraving just as I put it down.You are stronger than you realise.
