She’d increased the speed on her treadmill by another small increment and was handling it well. She was a strong girl, which I was glad to see. Not a silly, vain thing like some of the women who came to work out.
“It must be nice to have a sibling. I am an only child. Raised by my mom. Who didn’t really want to be a mom.”
“I hear that,” I said, thinking back over my own situation.
We got off the treadmills to take a break. Grabbing water, we sank into some seats in the lounge area.
“Thank you again for rescuing me from that creep. I really appreciate it,” she said.
Christ, even her sweat smelled great.
“It was my pleasure. He was clearly assaulting you. He’d better not come by the bar again.”
“Geez, I hope not. Unless you happen to be there,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head. “So much for online dating.”
“So why’d you do it? I mean, you must have guys asking you out all the time.”
She shrugged and shook her head. “Not really. I mean, I meet a lot of people at the bar, but most of them are old timers. You know, regulars who’ve been going there forever. Besides, work is not the b
est place to look for dates, you know?” she asked with a laugh.
“Try telling that to my brother. He chases every pretty girl who walks in here. I keep telling him to watch it, but he never does.”
It was nearing closing time and the gym was clearing out.
“C’mon, let’s go back to the office,” I said.
We ran right into Jack.
“Garnet!” he said, giving her a big bear hug. “How’s my favorite bartender?” He always knew exactly what to say. He stepped back to discretely check her out. She didn’t even notice, but I knew him, and how he operated. I had to admit, I felt a twinge of jealousy at his easy way with her. But I knew he’d never go for a woman I was interested in. We didn’t cock block each other.
“Jack, good to see you. Come by the bar some time,” she told him.
He looked at me. “Linc, how come we haven’t been by the bar in a while?”
“Cuz Jack, we’ve been working like dogs. But Garnet’s right, we need to get over there more often.”
Just then, the office door flew open.
It was our receptionist. “Hey, I just made the rounds and it looks like everyone’s gone. I’m gonna head out, okay?”
Jack stood to leave. “I’m outta here, too. I’m exhausted. Linc, will you close up on your way out?”
“Yup. Just lock the door behind yourselves,” I said.
When they were gone, I offered Garnet a beer from the small fridge we kept in the corner. I opened two and handed her one.
“Cheers,” she said, and we clinked bottles. “You guys should be really proud of yourselves.” She waved a hand, encompassing the view below. “You’ve accomplished a heck of a lot. The club is freaking gorgeous, and it’s in a great location. You’re going to be hugely successful. I just know it.”
Damn, it was nice to get a vote of confidence. “Thank you. We’ve worked our asses off. I really do hope you’re right.”
“I know I am,” she said with a tilted head and a small smile. That was all I needed. I’d been dying to kiss her for two damn hours. So I leaned in for the kill.
Her lips were soft and tasty, just like I knew they’d be, and she hungrily accepted my searching tongue. I pulled back until my lips were barely touching hers and realized her breaths were coming long and hard, like mine were beginning to.
“Garnet, you taste so good,” I murmured against her mouth.
She responded with a light moan.