After we both finished four sets, we moved to the free weights and began doing different upper body exercises together. We started with bent-over rows. I looked at Blake, my shame coming back to me, and said, “Sorry again about how I acted when, you know, I went into heat.”
“Once again, I’m not sure what you’re sorry about.” He looked at me. “I mean, if I were horny and I was sitting next to me, I’d be all over myself too.”
“I acted completely inappropriately. I wasn’t any better than those men you told me about who can’t control themselves when they sense a woman in heat.”
“It’s different for men, though.” He looked at me.
“What do you mean?”
He smirked and said, “Well, unmated straight men will literally want to screw any woman in heat, no matter who she is or what she looks like. They don’t discriminate. Frankly, not much different than men in general, but I digress. Women, on the other hand...” He paused looking at me.
“Yes?” I waited for him to continue.
“They’re much more selective. Most of the time, they only want to mate with men they’re otherwise interested in.”
“Oh,” I replied, feeling myself go completely red.
“Of course, you clearly have excellent taste.” He winked at me.
“Great, all I did was feed your already overinflated ego,” I grumbled.
We switched to curls and lateral raises. Blake looked at me in the mirror and asked, “So, how’s the mate thing going? Seems things worked out as I thought they would.”
“It’s good,” I replied, not knowing what else to say.
“Good. Luke’s a good guy. I knew he’d do the right thing in the end. I’m happy for you.”
“What about you?” I asked.
“What about me?”
“Is there anyone you’re seeing? Or anyone you’re interested in?”
“That’s not really my thing. I just like to play the field. Anyway, right now there’s a lot going on with the Bois Sombre Pack. I don’t really have time for a social life.”
“What’s going on with the Bois Sombre Pack?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. We’ve got it under control for now.”
“I’d like to learn more about your job.” I looked over at him.
“It’s not that interesting.” Blake seemed a bit distant suddenly, giving curt answers, as if he wanted the conversation to end. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. We kept lifting our dumbbells, switching to an Arnold press.
I tried again. “By the way, thanks for everything you did on Sunday. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it,” he replied.
“I’m really grateful. My parents believed your mom when she called.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Blake seemed off and I couldn’t figure out how to get things back to how they were between us. After we finished with free weights, we went to stretch together.
As I got up to head to the locker room to shower before work he said, “Good workout today. Glad I bumped into you.”
I smiled at him, taking in his entire appearance. He was still shirtless, and I couldn’t help but look him up and down. Luke was also very muscular—he’d filled out significantly since high school. But it was hard to explain, I didn’t get the same primal feeling that I did when in Blake’s presence. I stepped toward him and hugged him goodbye. He wrapped his arms around me instantly and held me tightly against his body for a few moments. I enjoyed the feeling of being pressed against him, wishing I could stay like that all day. We finally separated and I walked toward the locker room.
I walked into work at seven thirty, Valerie right behind me. When we entered, Reena was already there after having opened that morning. As soon as I got there, I took my place at the coffee machines, ready for the morning rush.