As the cooking class drew to a close, I was a little bit sad. I’d had so much fun with him in the casual yet intimate environment. We’d seemed to click so easily, so naturally, I didn’t want our time to end.
“Where do you wanna spend the remainder of your cheat day?” I asked, leaving the question open-ended.
Donovan took my hand and led me down a narrow staircase, into the bustling City streets. “I’ll show you.”
The anomaly of yesterday was over, and it was much colder now. For a brief, fleeting instant I thought of Brody… of his motorcycle, and how warm and powerful it felt vibrating between my legs.
Then I glanced back at Donovan and pushed those thoughts away.
We walked for several blocks, holding hands, laughing and flirting and enjoying more conversation. Donovan was like a different person now. Gone was his stern expression, the unforgiving demeanor I always saw at the gym. He was happy now. Smiling constantly, and listening attentively to everything I had to say.
“You’re a lot more friendly,” I finally chuckled. “While we’re out on a… you know…”
“A date?”
“Yeah,” I smiled. “That.”
“Maybe I’m just trying to impress you,” he said. “Would you rather I give you the scowl?”
I looked up and there it was — the face of utter seriousness. The drill-sergeant expression that always came whenever I missed a set, or phoned in a rep, or showed up after a canceled appointment.
He squeezed my hand and he was smiling again. “This is my natural look,” he grinned. “I save the scowl for when I need it.”
“Well I like this Donovan a lot better,” I said, squeezing back. “In fact—”
My sentence died as he pulled me in and planted his lips against mine.
Ten
HOLLY
I melted into him willingly, my body going to putty in his big, strong arms.
Oh God…
The kiss was intense! Hot and passionate and so, so amazing. Every nerve ending in my body tingled as I reached up to slide my arms over his shoulders. I was left standing on my toes, kissing him back, my tongue exploring his sweet mouth as my nostrils flared with the most incredible scent of aftershave or cologne…
Everything disappeared. The City, the streets, the people walking along the sidewalks — nothing else mattered but the feeling of Donovan’s arms around my body and his lips against mine. The kiss could’ve gone on for ten seconds or ten years, I really couldn’t say. All I knew was that by the time it was over, I was left woozy and jelly-legged.
“I’ve been wanting to do that,” he said, “for a very long time.”
I tried to swallow but couldn’t get past the lump in my throat.
“W—Why didn’t you?”
“Partly because of Eddie,” he said, still holding me close. “Ever since I started working at Crunch Time, he’s been watching me like a hawk. But also partly because of… well, other things.”
We were face to face, pelvis to pelvis. The idea that the only thing separating us below the waist were a couple of layers of clothing was wholly distracting.
“What other things?” I asked breathlessly.
“I’ll tell you about it sometime,” smiled Donovan. “Not tonight though.”
We walked some more, our body language much more intimate now. I was leaning into my sexy trainer. Locking arms with him as well as holding his hand.
Is this really a good idea?
The voice I’d identified as ‘cautious Holly’ nagged in the back of my mind. She whispered about the potential pitfalls of dating my personal trainer. Of how I was already avoiding Malcolm at the workplace… and how if things went south in this case, I’d be avoiding someone at the gym as well.