~ ~ Beatrix ~ ~

The tawny-haired Adonis headed our way, weaving through the small, quaint tables.  A silence settled in the café and I noticed more than one pair of eyes followed his almost graceful movements.  No doubt this man would have a female and most likely male fan-club not far behind.

But Jesus, this was a bad idea. "He can't train me," whispering to Ivy.

Her head shot may way. "Pfft, why the hell not?" Spearheading me with a look of incredulity.

"Err, because I will be too busy keeping my hormones in check.  Look at him, Jesus Ivy, what were you thinking?" My eyes flicked back to his.

"Exactly! That wall of muscle - my sexually frustrated friend is precisely what Dr Ivy ordered!"

She was crazy, totally and utterly batshit, and I was royally screwed. 

The Adonis kept his eyes on me as he reached our booth. His smirk, which if I was honest, I didn't normally like guys that smirked - cocky had never been my cup of tea. But apparently, he was different. I wanted to nibble that smirk from his delicious full lips and possibly lick him all over.

The muggy heat finally got to me as I sat up slightly to stop my dress cementing to my back. Was it getting warmer in here? Ivy hit the nail of the head regarding air conditioning.

"Hey, Ivy Simcox?" His eyebrows lifted in question, switching between the two of us.

"Guilty." Ivy raised her hand.

Hot guy held out his hand, and Ivy eagerly shook it.  "Finn Wilder," he introduced himself, and a flutter of awareness washed through me, reminding me I hadn't had sex for over a month.

"Yes, you look just—" she paused. "Like the picture from your website." Her head tilted slightly as she gave him the once over, without trying to be subtle. "You're never sure these days if people are who they say they are." 

"What, so you thought I would be some old geezer, balding with a beer gut?"

Ivy laughed.  "I forget how funny Brit guys are." She looked at me grinning, hoping I would agree.  "But Let's just say we're not dissatisfied."

Ivy was attracted to very few men, often preferring the softer delights of the female persuasion.  But as she nudged my leg under the table, I knew she liked him.

He laughed at that, then tilted his head and looked at me for a brief, assessing moment.

"This is Trix, the one you'll be training... personally." Ivy flicked her hand in my direction.

I offered out my hand and he took it firmly as his gaze ran over me slowly, his russet brown, almost black eyes rich with wicked, carnal lights slid over my body before meeting my eyes.  Tightening his grip on my hand, he ran his thumb over mine a few times. 

Stupidly, I wanted to giggle like a some halfwit fangirl.

Someone slap me or pinch me... or both.

"Trix?" he questioned. "That's a new one on me... is it short for something else?"

I nodded a little too keenly. "Yes, christened Beatrix, but everyone calls me Trix or Trixie."  That wasn't true. My dad and my brother had always called me Bea, and so did Cam.  But none of them were in my daily life now, and I didn't want anyone else using that name.  "Please, sit." My hand slid from his.

Remaining stood. "Trixie." He repeated as if tasting it, running his tongue across his lip—the lips I wanted to suck on.  "I like it... and are you?"

"Am I what?"

"As the name suggests—Trixie?"

"Bet your bottom dollar she is!" piped in Ivy. "And real bendy too."

I threw her a warning but shrugged and bit back a smile. "I've been told." Heavens, I was flirting now.

"I don't doubt it." His eyes darkened as his words lingered in the air... what air it left in the room at any rate.

Ivy's gaze flicked between the both of us. Her smugness was choking.

He shook his head, that sexy smirk teasing me. "Before we get down to business and what you want from me. I'm gonna grab a drink.  Do you ladies want anything?"

His cockney accent was rough, yet smooth on the ear and it didn't take long for my imagination to conjure up him whispering dirty words.  I swallowed; my throat almost dry.  "I'm good, thanks." Tapping my cup.

"I'll take a water if you wouldn't mind?" asked Ivy.

"No problem." He flicked his chin up and walked away.  I sat back in my seat and blew out a puff of air. 

"Shit, you're right Ivy.  It's hot in here, I think he's burned up all the oxygen."

Ivy snickered. "And getting hotter... that needle only goes one way with him in the room." Her hungry stare followed Finn's arse. "Man, that's one fine specimen of man... edible or at the very least, snackable!"

This was my cue to step away.  Nip her plan in the bud. As I would get nowhere with his Adonis-like hotness constantly tempting me.  "Why don't you ask him out.  Train you."

Silence, a pause and I continued. "And I've not seen you tempted by a man for over a year."

"Nah-ah." She shook her head.

And one mure nudge... "Plus your ass could do with some work if you keep eating Nutella by the jar-full!"

"Ha... sly wench! I know what your doing"

"What? A true friend is always honest and looks out for you." I picked up my coffee and took a sip.

"You don't fool me and I'll have you know I could crack nuts between my fine ass cheeks!" She nudged me. "And sorry to burst your bubble, but I've got a date with one of our neighbours."

"Who?"  We'd only been there a few days, having stayed at a hotel the first few nights after landing, all expenses covered by Peterson Publishing.

"Estelle, the red-head next door.  Girl is candy on a roll.  We're going out tonight. So don't expect me home."  She nudged me.  "That leaves you free." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Huh?"

"Ask Finn out for a drink or over to our place... you can discuss work out plans and let him check out your measurements."  

"Seriously Ivy?"

"Yeah, you show him yours and he can show you his... only fair." She winked.

"Jesus Ivy. Quit it already.  We've only just met him. And nothing suggested he was interested in me that way." 

A slow smile spread across her face. "Ah-hu."

She was incorrigible. "And quit smiling like that—it makes you look crazy."

"Whatever sister... deny it all you want, but I saw the way he checked you out.  He wouldn't say no. In fact, his imagination was all over you.  I bet it was bending you over this table assessing if your ass could crack his nuts."

My mouth dropped. "Ivy, I don't know the guy!" I tried to keep my voice low.  "He could be a serial killer for all we know?" I huffed. "And you know I'm done with relationships. The end game now is my career. No distractions." And Finn Wilder could easily be a distraction or worse a temptation.

She tutted. "I'm saying screw the guy—not marry him."

"Need I repeat it Ivy—Serial Killer!"

She laughed. "Yeah, but what a way to die, huh?"

"Shush, he's coming back."  He sat in front of us, sliding a bottle of water toward Ivy and unscrewing the cap on his.

"So, you said you were both from Canada?"

I nodded. "Ivy is a born, bred and very proud Canadian. I'm returning to the UK."

"Is that a Chelsea accent I hear hidden in there?"

"Yes, you're not wrong.  Originally from Chelsea, I grew up there until leaving for Uni. And been in Canada for the past four years, working."

"Nice.  Planning on staying in the UK—or is this a short-term gig?"

Me and Ivy both shrugged.  My end game was to start my own publishing house and if that didn't pan out, move onto Moore & Tally's or Bookworm publishing.

"So tell me, Finn, what can you offer a girl?"  asked Ivy, openly flirting.

At this point, I think I zoned out as I let my eyes do the talking.  He was fit, that's for sure, again not usually my type. He would have had a good five inches on me height wise.  And those muscular arms that put the sleeves to his tee-shirt to the test were inked with nicely intricate detail.

But still—Not my type.

"How does that sound?" he asked.

Ivy nudged me.  "What?"  My chin jerked up, eyes wide. "Sorry, I got lost for a moment."

A devastating curl lifted his top lip.  "Don't stress, Trixie, it happens." He quirked an eyebrow as his eyes slid down, pausing a little too long on my breasts. I was thankful I'd worn my push-up bra today, not massively big breasted... but enough to stoke the imagination.

But I didn't follow what he was saying. "You lost me—What happens?"

His eyes twinkled with mirth and his voice hinted of laughter. "You were checking me out."

"I was not!"  I was so, and my cheeks flamed.

He chuckled, letting me know I hadn't fooled him. "Yeah, you were." He raised his bottle and took a drink of his water, but those enticing browns stayed fixed on mine. "You were clearly undressing me."

Ivy spat out a mouthful of water, and my eyes widened as my girlie parts started a pep rally under the table. He was full of himself.  He wasn't wrong, but damn, who says shit like that?  "Excuse me?"

He shrugged, throwing his hand through his wavy hair.  "Nothing to be ashamed about."  His smirked slowly morphed into a full-blown smile to reveal beautifully white straight teeth that I unexpectedly pictured nipping my ears.  "But tell me, Trixie—do you like what you see?"

Fuck! 

My nipples were practically drilling through my bra, and it didn't go unnoticed by him.  He placed his drink down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His eyebrows lifted and his voice deepened. "I like what I see."

My toes curled, but my God, could he get any more conceited?  Smug bastard. 

Smug sexy as fuck bastard! I quickly amended.

His phone buzzed as he pulled it from his pocket.  His smiling face slowly fell into concern. "Bollocks. Sorry ladies, I need to shoot off.  My old nana is coming out from the hospital today, broke her hip twelve weeks ago and I want to be there when my Dad brings her home."

Well, that was unforeseen.  There was a sweetheart hidden in there. Not all arrogance and cockiness then?

He rose from the table, swiping his bottled water, re-fixing the lid in place.  "Listen, how about we meet up tomorrow at six am and go for a run and see what comes of it.  Test your stamina and discuss a plan that works for you?" His eyes once again scanned me, like he could see through my dress.  "It's free and gives me the opportunity to get a good feel for what will work for you."

Yeah, I didn't doubt the word feel.

"She'll be there!" said Ivy before I spoke.

"Great, Hyde Park.  Six it is."  His smile was back, and I didn't think many could resist it.  "I'll wait near the pond on the South side, yeah?"

Why not, what could it hurt one run?  Plus, Ivy wouldn't let it rest until I agreed.

And I preferred early mornings. "Sure, six. South-side pond.  Got it!"

An unruly delight hung in his eyes. This was a man who loved the chase just as much as he enjoyed the capture.  He sucked in a satisfied breath, holding my gaze for a few seconds more before he tipped his chin and turned to leave and brazenly, my eyes glued to his full round arse. 

And damn, bloody curse Ivy, acknowledging that every attempt I made to myself that he couldn't be my trainer flew out the window—who was I trying to kid here.  He intrigued me and maybe, just maybe, it might be fun to take him out for a drive... test his stamina! 

My god—what was wrong with me?   Perhaps it was sexual frustration.  I didn't normally go a few days without seeing Sean and Sadie, and if I was honest.  I missed the sex and toys just didn't cut it.

As he disappeared out of sight, we both leaned back against the cushioned booth and blew out hard breaths, but it didn't take long for Ivy to compose herself and turn on me.

"He could charm a girl out of her panties in no time...sorry—knickers." she sniggered. "So my work here is done."

"Work?"

"Yup. That's your sex problem sorted."

"What?" I should at least try to pretend to be scandalized.

"I know you get cranky when you've not been laid.  And your inner slut is practically panting."  She took a drink of her water.  "And you start the new job on Monday. We need you in tip-top form... top of your game.  First impressions and all that shit."

She wasn't wrong.  I needed to be on top of my game.  "I'm not having sex with him Ivy."

Ivy didn't look convinced. "We'll see," she teased in a sing-song voice. "I wouldn't bet against it."

"Don't hold your breath, I know his sort.  He flirts with anything with a pulse and lives and breathes a playboy lifestyle."

"Again, I'm not saying marry him or rush out and buy promise rings.  Use him for those depraved cravings of yours."

Ivy had made a good point and my thighs clenched at the idea of using him just for my pleasure.  "I won't deny there is something about him."

"Yeah, something that makes you want to ride him like a pony!"

I huffed, rolling my eyes.  Change of subject.  "Talk me through some more of my new staff."

She gave me a wicked smile before reaching for her bag, pulling out another file.  "David Saunders..."