He hesitated.
“Look, I’m not going to say trust me, but will you at least understand that I know exactly what you mean when you say you don’t do well by yourself and there are things that you can do to help that.”
A childlike grin spread across his face. “You mean we’re going to have more of the sex?”
She laughed. “No, not this time. But it is physical. And I figured since we spar so well we should take it to the next level.”
He gave her a curious stare but he conceded. “What time should I be ready?”
…
As if asking Carson what her plan for the evening wasn’t weird enough, giving her free reign to make the plan was even more ludicrous.
She asked him to pack a bag. A bag with a change of clothes and some running shoes. He had no idea what he’d just gotten himself into and when they rode up to the brown-brick building, he couldn’t believe his eyes. A boxing studio. She had taken him to a boxing studio.
They parked their bikes side by side to the left of the front door. There weren’t very many cars in the parking lot, which was probably a good thing since he’d never boxed a day in his life. He didn’t like being made a fool of, especially in front of a woman, even more importantly in front of Carson. He had done his best to be King of the Castle, professionally, and in the bedroom. But now, this might change her entire perception of him. And he didn’t know how that was going to play into the rest of their deal.
“So, you box?”
She shrugged. “When I have time.”
“And here I was filling all of my idle time with random women and sex when I could have been boxing all along.”
“Don’t be sarcastic.” She flipped her hair to one side. “Five minutes in that ring and you’ll be wondering why you never thought of this yourself.”
He groaned. “I think we should just stick with our original plan. You have a bed at your place. I think we should use it.”
“Are you afraid?” She leaned over and rested her arm on the front of her bike. Had the truth had settled in his eyes? “You’re afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.” His voice was just a little too high for his liking. He cleared his throat. “This just wasn’t a part of our deal.”
“Well, I’m going in. I’m here three times a week and sorry, but you’re not going to interfere with my workout.”
She unhooked her bag from the back of her bike. “Are you going to wait here or will I see you tomorrow?”
She played a hard game. Neil didn’t want to admit that he wanted to spend time with her.
“Actually, I’m curious to see you in action. I’m sure you fight like a girl.”
She cocked her hip and shot him a dirty look, then gestured to the front door. “Let’s go, hotshot.”
Carson led the way into Kick Box, nodding to almost everyone in the place. She really did come here three times a week. He knew how hard she worked. Factor in that and all the time she spent here, she really didn’t have time to date. Which was fine with him. He wasn’t in the mood for competition.
After signing him in as a guest, Carson showed him to the men’s locker room where he changed into his black basketball shorts and red T-shirt.
When he wandered into the studio, she was already changed, her hands jabbing at the speed bag.
Damn she looked sexy. In black short-shorts and a black tank top, her breasts were hugged in and slightly up, the barely noticeable cleavage was just enough to get his mind thinking of all the times he nibbled and sucked on them. Of how just a few hours earlier he had come all over them.
“Harrison? You in or out?”
He walked over to where she stood with another man, older, fifty maybe, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin.
“Neil, this is Arty.” She pointed at the old man. “He’s going to give you a few lessons while I’m in the ring.”
Neil held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Arty. I’ve boxed before, so don’t take it easy on me.” He was strong and athletic. How hard could it be?
“I never do.” He smiled and patted Carson on the bottom.