But that’s the thing: I’m already in a relationship with Chris, and I love him desperately too. So how can I have these feelings? How can I have such a close encounter, and not even feel bad about it? Like an automaton, I turn back to the dip, but my mind’s elsewhere even as my fingers fly. I have to get a hold of my emotions because if Chris finds out about my forbidden attraction, then all hell will break loose.
2
Chris
* * *
I’ve been at Fast Theory for fifteen hours now. I literally got here at 5 a.m. to train a client, and now it’s 8 p.m. Whoever said being a personal trainer is a cake walk has obviously never worked in the fitness industry because this job is hellacious. Yes, I love helping people look better and feel better about themselves because physical fitness is absolutely intertwined with mental health and emotional stability. But working in client services definitely takes its toll, and now I’m beat.
Fortunately, it’s only a fifteen-minute drive back to our apartment even with traffic, but it feels like it takes a lifetime. By the time I walk inside, I feel emotionally and physically exhausted—all I want to do is to kiss my girlfriend and then relax, letting the stress drain from my bones.
“Patty?” I call, tossing my keys on the table. “I’m home!”
An office chair squeaks as it rolls across carpet, and seconds later, my girl appears. She’s got a pen in her mouth and her hair tied up in a high, bouncy ponytail. Even cuter, Patty’s wearing one of my sweatshirts, sleep shorts, and reading glasses which practically fall off the tip of her tiny nose.
Yet she’s absolutely gorgeous and my heart beats hard in my chest. Mine, I think as I envelop her curvy form into my arms. It doesn’t matter how many times I see this woman; every time is like the first time, and the smell and feel of Patty sends my blood rushing.
With one last kiss to her temple, I set the curvy girl down on the ground as she looks up at me, her chin pressed against my chest.
“Miss me some?” she quips teasingly. I merely tighten my hold on her.
“What were you doing in the office?” I ask, cupping her face in my hands. “Didn’t you just have a test? So why do you have to study so hard again?”
She winces. “Yeah, I know, but that’s the nature of school. You get on the merry go round and never get off. I’ve got another test coming up this week, and on top of that, I had to neglect some of my homework in favor of studying for last week’s exam so I’m doubly behind.”
I shake my head in puzzlement.
“The Wellness Atrium is running you ragged at this rate,” I tell her. “Plus, I don’t get it. You’re studying to be a physical therapist which is a hands-on job so I don’t understand the need for all these exams.”
Patty laughs and her melodious tone fills my chest with warmth. “You’re right, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Besides, it’s just how it is with getting licensed and all that stuff. Exams are a way of life.”
I growl before kissing the top of her head. “Bullshit. They just want to make as much money as possible off their students and they’ll think of any way to do it. That place is filled with thieves if you ask me.”
Patty shrugs helplessly.
“Maybe, but the Wellness Atrium is what it is.”
I merely pull her into my arms again. “You’re going to kick ass on this upcoming test, and the next one and the next one. I know it because that’s my smart girl.”
She laughs again, her breasts smashed against the solid wall of my torso. “I certainly hope so because I’ve been studying hard enough!”
“I know so.” Then, I bend down to kiss her long and slow, tasting the inside of my girlfriend’s mouth. I know this woman will succeed. Maybe Patty’s only twenty-five, but she’s easily the smartest person on the block, and she’s got the looks and sass to match. I’m seriously the luckiest man alive.
I have half a mind to rip off her clothes right here in the living room, and when I pull away, her lips are swollen pink, and her brown eyes dark with desire. But before anything can happen, Patty’s stomach growls like a grizzly bear coming to life after a long hibernation. She blushes when I laugh.
“I don’t suppose you’ve made dinner yet,” I say with an exaggerated sniff in the air. Nope, no savory aromas.
Patty merely sighs and pushes her glasses to the top of her head. “I didn’t because I was too busy playing catch-up with schoolwork.” She frowns, looking up at me. “I’m sorry, babe. I guess I just lost track of time and—”