“Slow,” he commanded. “We want it to go real slow on the way down. Believe it or not, the release should be harder than the lift.”
The big man was standing so close to me now that I could hardly breathe.
“Really?” I whispered. “What do you mean?”
He grinned again, totally aware of his effect on me.
“It means that you can lift your arms into the air pretty fast, but when you let go, it’s the controlled release that’s really going to make your muscles work,” he said smoothly. “See? Like this,” he said, slowly guiding my wrists back in place to rest at my side.
I was sizzling now in my secret spot, finding it difficult to concentrate with the man so close. But I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus, staring at our images in the mirror. God, he was so perfect turned around with those sculpted buttocks and strong, curved back. I wanted to press my mouth to the small of his waist, tasting the smooth, salty flesh there.
“I like your outfit today,” he mentioned quietly, eyes dancing. “Real pretty.”
My cheeks grew red again, face flushing. Because I’d worn another tight gym outfit. Today, there were bike shorts that squeezed my jiggly parts in, and a sports bra that held my breasts together, pushing them and lifting them to their best advantage.
“Oh thanks,” I said breathlessly. “I don’t want to wear loose sweats because they get in the way while I run. You know, chafing and all that.”
His eyebrows raised in an amused manner.
“Chafing, huh?” he asked in a smooth growl. “Can’t say I know about that.”
Because Shaft was dressed once more in a tight wrestler’s outfit with dark blue spandex shorts and a loose t-shirt. I took the opportunity as an opening.
“So does Petey’s Place focus on training wrestlers?” I asked curiously. “I think Petey mentioned something about that yesterday.”
Shaft nodded.
“Sure, all of us like to wrestle,” he said casually.
“All of you?” I asked, puzzled.
“Mmm-hmm,” he confirmed. “All of us. Sometimes we wrestle for kicks, but sometimes we compete too.”
“Like a wrestling team?” I asked, carefully lifting the weights again as he steadied my core.
“Sort of like a team,” he confirmed, not meeting my eyes in the mirror. “It’s a club of sorts. A private wrestling club, to be more precise.”
“Oh cool,” I nodded. “Totally get it. My brother used to be in a private hockey league. They only played teams that met certain qualifications and standards. It was cool.”
Shaft still wouldn’t meet my eyes, even though his big form was only inches away from me.
“Yeah, something like that,” he said casually, carefully guiding my arms into the air. “Our opponents have to meet certain qualifications and standards as well. We make sure of it. They’re selected very carefully.”
I nodded with what I hoped was a sophisticated air.
“Of course. You guys must be really good. The guys I saw out there were really ripped.”
Shaft threw his head back at that and laughed heartily.
“Wrestling is about more than being fit,” he said, “although being in shape is part of it. There’s a lot of strategy and skill, as well as certain holds, moves, and submission locks.”
Submission locks? What was that? My eyes darted to his, but he still wouldn’t meet my eyes, instead focusing on helping me perfect my form. Wow, this guy was the best personal trainer ever, and he was doing it for free. Did he have some ulterior motive?
As if reading my mind, Shaft’s eyes flickered to mine then, the blue seizing making my heart jump.
“Sure thing, sweetheart,” he asked. “I’ll want something from you after this is all over. But for now, just relax.”
I nodded silently, flustered. What could he possibly want? Or better yet, what did I have to offer? I was a sweaty, chubby virgin, and he was clearly a man of the world. There was nothing I could possibly give.
But suddenly, time came to a standstill. Could he sense my virginity? Was that what he wanted? I was sweating slightly through my clothes, my curves swaying as I lifted the weights over my head, and then back down. But no, it was impossible. There was no way a guy could sense your virginity just by being around you. That was a scientific fact.
But somehow, I knew that Shaft was different. This man had the senses of an animal, and he could detect things about women without actually seeing, feeling or touching. He had an aura about him that drew females to him like moths to a flame, giving up their secrets. And frankly, I wanted to be that woman. I wanted to give him my all, and shiver as he stroked my sweetest spaces … but how, given that we were work out buddies and nothing more?
CHAPTER FIVE
Shaft
What Lily doesn’t know won’t kill her. At least I hope she won’t pass out from the shock because I’ve got plans for the beautiful brunette. She’s curvy and shy but with exactly the type of body and demeanor that make her a perfect opponent, in the ring and out of it.