"So... tell me about your date with that hunk of yours," Mr. Clayborn asked as I exercised his leg.

I knew he would ask me about last night. It was only a matter of time. I looked away from his leg and at him with a smile. "We had a nice time."

His bushy brows bunched together. "That's all you're going to tell me? Surely there must be more to tell," he replied, with hopes in his eyes I would have told him about the entire night with Gunner, which there really isn't much to tell.

I lowered his leg, then lifted his other leg, moving it back and forth and up and down.

He frowned. "So what you're trying to say is that it wasn't such a nice time."

"Mr. Clayborn, we had an excellent time! But we didn't do much for me to even talk about it."

"Aria. Please. Quit calling me Mr. Clayborn. I've been telling your stubborn ass for five years to call me by my first name. Do you need some Ginkoba memory tablets? Or, do you need a good ole spanking for you to listen? I'll bet that your boy toy would love to spank you," he snickered.

Boy toy?

I shook my head, giggling. "I know what your name is. I'm just used to saying it the way I have been all these years."

"You make me sound so important. Like I'm some rich fellow by saying my name that way. God only knows I'm not that important. And I'm not rich, that's for sure. If I were rich, the ladies here would be at my feet, sucking my toes, and giving me their furburger, wishing to be my gal," he grinned, then waved his hand over his face. "Hell, I can't even get a woman to look at me. They all know that I'm a poor ole man with nothing to offer them. All I have is my big ole wiener schnitzel. And damn it, anyhow? They don't want that either. So, call me Walter for my sake and yours, please."

"Yes, Walter," I teased in his ear.

"Hallelujah!" He looked up at the ceiling and raised his arms, holding his hands together, praying. And then he clapped excitedly. "Finally! A woman who listens!"

I giggled, lowered his leg, then helped him sit up so I could listen to his heart. "I'm not dead yet. So it's obviously beating right."

Shh, I hushed. "I'm trying to listen to your heart here."

"I have a heart. A big heart. Just nobody wants to see it."

"I know you have a heart. I see it. I hear it."

He removed my hand, lifted the diaphragm of my stethoscope, then placed it at his mouth and spoke into it, causing me to jump. "Tell me everything about your date. And don't you dare leave anything out," he insisted.

I frowned while removing the diaphragm from his hand. I placed it against his back, then insisted he listens to my instructions. "Take a deep breath, then exhale for me... again... and again."

He tilted his head back, looked at me, and then stuck out his tongue. "Tell me, woman. You had sex. Didn't you," he emphasized, grinning ear to ear.

I cannot believe him right now.

Wait, yes, I can.

He's a dirty ole man who wants to know my business and love life. I have to give him credit, though. Because when I broke it off with my ex, he was there to talk to me about it. He also had me see we were never meant to be. But to speak to him about my sex life? There's no way! 

That's personal.

Very personal...

"Oh my God, Walter. No! I did not have sex with Gunner. He didn't even kiss me for crying out loud," I irritatedly admitted. Then dropped in the chair beside him and rested my face in my hands.

"Was it you who turned him down, or did he turn you down?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know what happened. Before entering my house, his mouth lowered to mine. But instead of kissing me, he only slid his lips along mine. While doing so, it energized my entire body. It was reacting in ways I never even had felt with my ex. But then he pulled away and told me to have a good night, that he'll pick me up after work."

"Give it some time. He'll kiss you. I saw how he was looking at you yesterday. His eyes told me a lot and how much he likes you. It sounds like he's a gentleman, wanting to be sure he's doing the right thing and not jumping right in and doing something you'll regret later. It's a man thing."

"He teased me is what he did," I groaned.

"Did that tease make you wet?"

My eyes widened, my mouth dropped, and I scolded, "Walter!"

He chuckled. "Well, did it?"

"I'm not having this conversation with you."

"Yep, he made you wet... are you still wet thinking about him and that tease on both sets of lips? Do I need to find myself an oar?"

"Hush."

"What else happened?"

"He took me out on a bike ride."

Walter's face lit up brightly, and it made me smile.

"Was it one of those bicycles made for two? You know, my wife and I had one. We rode that bike all over town every night before going to bed." Then, smiling, he shook his head. "Those were the days..." he happily emphasized. He also looked like he was in awe as he thought about it some more. Walter may like to tell people he doesn't miss his wife, but I know him better than he lets on. He misses her terribly.

Just last week, before I came in the room to take him to breakfast, I caught him talking to his wife's picture, telling her how not a day goes by that he doesn't think about her, and how he couldn't wait to be called home so that he could be with her.

But knowing Walter and how he thinks of me as his own, he doesn't want to worry me. So Walter's only trying to show that he's tougher than he really is. And that's okay.

I won't let on that, I know.

"A motorcycle ride, not a bicycle ride," I giggled.

He snickered. "My bad... so, Aria," he said, his eyes widening and curiosity in his voice. "Did those loud pipes turn you on? I had a motorcycle once, and my wife always said the vibrations tickled her crumpet. It also made the woman so damn horny that she'd attack me after we got home from a ride. So I guess you were a bit turned on yourself. And then when he teased your lips, your other set of lips felt they got teased, too," he chuckled. "What a guy. He's working you, you know... he's working and prepping you good. Smart man."

I shook my head. This man really is something else.

"I don't think Gunner meant to tease me," I admitted, tilting my head back and eyeing the ceiling, thinking about what happened that night. "Something stopped him from kissing me. Because he almost did a couple of times, then like a light switch, he'd back off." I shrugged a shoulder. "I thought maybe I had bad breath or something to where I blew into my hands, smelling my breath to make sure that's not what it was."

He snickered.

"I think he's toying with you. Gunner wants to get you so horned and revved up that it'll be the best damn kiss you've ever had once your lips finally meet."

My shoulders lowered. And then I pouted. "I guess it's only been like four to five days since we met. Maybe you're right. Gunner may think it's too soon, and he wants to be sure it's what I want. Or vice versa."

"I'm always right, Aria. Trust me on this one... Okay, so what else did you two do?"

"We went out to dinner, and then I embarrassed myself like I always do when I get nervous."

Walter knows how nervous I get around people I don't know, so it didn't surprise me when he folded his arms against his chest and smirked while asking, "What happened?"

I heavily sighed, still embarrassed by what happened. "I hit Gunner in the face with one of my crab parts while trying to crack it open... twice, that is. But then the second time it happened, he caught it."

He laughed.

Now he looks serious. Almost like he's thinking hard about something.

Great. What's on this old man's mind now?

Do I really want to know?

He raised his hand, made a fist, and pointed. "I have a suggestion for you. Next time you're to go out with him. Why don't you satisfy yourself with one of those vibrating tools before seeing him? So you'll be relaxed and satisfied before the date begins." He smiled proudly. "A? Sounds good, doesn't it?"

He thinks he's so funny.

"I'll be seeing him after work. Plus, there won't be any time from the time I get off work to when he picks me up to do anything like that. Not to mention. And like it's any of your business. But I don't own a vibrator; it's also something I wouldn't do, either."

Using his hands, he motioned them towards the door. "Go take a break. Run to the store and buy yourself a nice, big vibrator. And don't you be going cheap on one of those either. You won't be happy. You'll want to be satisfied until you get the real thing." He held up his hands, raised his eyebrows as far as they would go, and smiled after giving him a dirty look. "I'm only trying to help. Don't be embarrassed; it's a part of life."

"No thanks," I groaned, pushing myself up and off the chair. "Are you ready for lunch?"

"Is he coming for lunch, too?"

I shook my head. "No. He said he'll be here at five."

"How much do you wanna bet he'll make an appearance for lunch? Maybe to bring you a beautiful bouquet of red roses."

I don't think so. We just met.

"Red roses mean love. And there's no love between us."

"Okay, fine, that's fair. Unfortunately, it's too soon for you two to be in love." He paused, looking as if he were thinking hard about something. Then he smiled as I wrapped my hands around the wheelchair handles. "But I'll bet you anything that he'll show up, and he'll be bringing you flowers. Perhaps with lavender-colored roses?"

Lavender roses? Is there such a thing?

I pushed his wheelchair over to the bed and looked at him, puzzled. "Lavender? Why lavender?"

He smiled like he knew something. I do have to give it to him; the man is intelligent. So if this does happen, I'm sure it'll freak me out.

I helped him into his chair, and then I started wheeling him over to the cafeteria, thinking about what lavender roses meant.

"You still haven't figured it out, have you?"

"No. I've been thinking of all the different color roses and their meanings, but lavender is one color I've never seen before. Not for roses, anyway."

He looked up at me. "Lavender-colored roses mean a few things. It can mean wonder, enchanting, or even mysterious. But it mostly means love at first sight. So, if you truly caught Gunner's attention, you grabbed his heart. So because I know he likes you, he'll be bringing you lavender roses."

Huh.

Interesting.

"I'll even bet you my dentures," he said, grinning.

"I don't want your dentures, Walter," I giggled. "So, I guess we'll see what happens."

"Hearing aids?"

"What about them?"

"I'm asking if you want to bet my hearing aids if you don't want to bet me my dentures."

"No," I giggled again. "I won't bet you anything."

"That's because you know I'm right."

Finally, we entered the cafeteria, and I immediately pushed him to an open table, then left him there. After yesterday, I didn't need him embarrassing me in the food line again.

While standing in line, I occasionally looked towards the doorway, curious whether the old man was right about Gunner making a surprise visit. I still don't think he will, not after he mentioned having to prepare himself for an upcoming fight this weekend.

Then again...

I spoke too soon.

Gunner's here, sitting at the table, conversing with the old man.

Great, I can only imagine what Walter is saying to Gunner. Now I better hurry and get my ass over there before the old man embarrasses me.

God only knows I do enough of that on my own.

I placed the last item of food on his plate. Then I headed over to the cashier, handed her his card, then rushed over to the table. Mr. Clayborn looked away from Gunner and over at me as I slid his tray in front of him. And he was mischievously grinning from ear to ear.

Now I know he was talking to Gunner about something. His grin says it all.

He's in trouble.

Big. Big. Trouble.

"Hello, Aria... look who decided to join us for lunch... what did I tell you?"

"I hope you don't mind me joining the two of you for lunch," Gunner queried with a smile that started melting my insides.

"I don't mind. But I thought you had to work out today?" I asked as I sat on the chair.

He nodded. "I do. But I told my manager and trainers I needed a break and had to do something quick."

"And what would that be?"

Old man Clayborn chuckled, then muttered something I could barely hear. I turned my head towards him and pointed my finger at him. "What? I didn't say anything. I may have thought out loud, so it wasn't meant for you to hear," he said quickly.

I looked back at Gunner, and when I saw him leaning the other way and bending towards the ground, I bit down on my bottom lip. Then my eyes shot over to Walter after seeing Gunner lifting a box.

Don't tell me the old man was right again.

"I wanted to stop by and bring you this," Gunner said.

"Told ya so," Walter said excitedly and happily.

Gunner set the box onto the table slid it towards me, proudly saying, "Open it."

I looked from the box, to Walter, then back at the box, twisting my lips.

It's not flowers, that's for sure.

The box isn't the correct size.

"Open it, Aria. He's waiting... and so am I," Walter anxiously said. So I opened it, then tilted the box towards me to look inside, shaking my head when I saw what was inside.

"Your very own gloves," Gunner said.

I hope he doesn't think I'm going to get in a ring and fight like him because that'll never happen. But what a sweetheart for him buying me these. "Thanks."

I giggled, looked at old man Clayton, then leaned forward. "I should have bet you. You were wrong."

His lips curved upward, then he pointed at me, tsking me. "I'm never wrong," the old man hinted.

Knowing there was more inside the box, I reached inside and removed the clothing. "You didn't have to buy me these."

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't."

"Don't argue with him," Walter hissed.

"Yes, I did. And you'll need those for tonight," Gunner enlightened some while leaning closer. "I washed them already, so they're all good to be worn right away."

"What if they don't fit?"

Now that's a stupid question. Gunner already knows my size.

"They'll fit." He leaned over to the other side again and lifted another box, setting it on the table. "This is for you, too."

"I'm telling you... I'm always right," Mr. Clayborn babbled.

I opened the box, and after seeing what was inside, I glanced at Walter with widened eyes. How did he know?

"I'm right, aren't I?"

"Walter..."

"Let me see what you got," he begged, grinning.

I looked at Gunner, then melted when his gorgeous smile and wink messed with my heart and mind.

"I figured you could use a smile. And to do that, I wanted to buy you something to show I like you."

"Lavender roses," I said under my breath, lifting the flowers inside a beautiful vase out of the box. When I lifted the vase higher, I was in immediate awe after noticing my name etched into the vase. "Wow, thank you, Gunner."

"Now, kiss the damn woman."

"Walter!" I squealed. "Can't you behave?"

"Yes."

"Then behave yourself," I scolded.

"I don't want to behave myself right now. That's for people not like me. But, anywho, I want to witness your first kiss," he winked.

***

I had a feeling Gunner would be picking me up on his motorcycle, so I brought the clothing he bought for me. After my shift was over, I quickly changed, then headed outside. And I was right; the man was waiting for me on the bike.

He got off his bike, reached for my belongings, placed them into his saddlebag, and lifted the helmet, handing it to me. "Would you like this?"

I shook my head.

"Are you sure? We'll be riding around town to get to the gym."

I looked at the helmet, then him, and then back to the helmet, thinking about how I see drivers in the city driving like maniacs—assuming they're the only ones on the road and always cutting off other drivers. Finally, I reached for the helmet while looking at him. "I think I'll wear it today."

"Good girl," he said, then helped me put it on.

Good girl? What does that mean? He's the one who's been telling me how I needed to start breaking the rules.

"Am I not allowed to break rules tonight or something?"

"You can do whatever you feel like doing; why?" he asked, looking puzzled by my question.

"Because the tone in your voice said otherwise."

"As I stated the other day. You only break the rules when you feel you can. If you're not comfortable doing so, stick with the rules," he winked.

Before taking me to the gym, he rode us around town. And at every stoplight we'd stop at, he'd lean backward, his back against my chest while rubbing my leg.

He's fucking teasing me again; I just know it.

Finally, we got to the gym, and I immediately headed to the locker room to change. But before changing, I sat on the bench, looking at the clothes Gunner had bought, wondering why he bought me these and the roses.

I thought about what Mr. Clayborn said about the lavender roses meaning; Wonder. Mysterious. And love at first sight.

I finally put on the clothes, then stood in front of the mirror, checking myself out.

I feel sexy.

I look sexy.

I have tits.

I have hips.

And I have an ass.

Is he trying to send me a message?

No. No... These are just clothes for me to wear while working out. To keep me cooled off, to wick away the sweat. And to help regulate my body temp.

God only knows I need that right now.

Because it seems like every time I'm around Gunner lately, my body temperature rises.

I heard a knocking around the corner and turned my head.

"Are you changed?"

"I'll be right out," I responded, looking at myself in the mirror again.

I grabbed my new gloves and then headed to Gunner. But as I turned the corner and saw him. I stopped after seeing the way he looked at me. Those warm, chocolatey eyes of his. So dreamy and melty. And so very welcoming.

Bedroom eyes.

Oh God... he wants me.

I want him.

It's way too soon.

Way. Way. Way too soon.

He walked me into the pre-workout room, where he had me warm up, and once I was, he walked me over to a punching bag, explaining and showing me how to punch and kick it.

"Got it?" he asked.

I nodded. "I think so."

"Start punching," he ordered, while stepping to the side of me.

I punched.

He laughed.

"Harder," Gunner pushed.

I punched harder, but apparently, it wasn't hard enough because he started laughing.

"Give it all you got, Aria," he pressed, "you're not going to hurt the bag. Just look at the bag and picture it as something that pisses you off—think of what or who pisses you off."

I stared at the bag, trying to think about what pisses me off. Then my ex and his secretary came to mind. My brows formed to one, and then I started punching. At first, I started beating the bag softly, but then something came over me, and I started going to town—punching it harder and harder the more I punched.

"Impressive..." he gloated happily. "Now try kicking."

I couldn't do that because when I raised my leg to kick the bag, I fell to the ground—earning another laugh from him.

"Stand back and watch me."

He makes kicking the bag look so easy.

"Now, you try."

I tried again, fell, then got back up and continued trying until I got the hang of it. Next, he had me mixing it up—telling me to continue thinking that bag is whatever pissed me off the way I hit the boxing bag earlier—wanting me to punch, kick, punch, having me repeat it over and over until I had no feeling in my arms or legs.

I needed a break and something to quench my thirst. "Can I rest a minute and get a drink of water?"

"Five-minute break is all you get. Otherwise, you'll cool those muscles too quickly, and then you'll cramp up," Gunner warned, handing me a bottle. "Here, take a drink of this Gatorade before entering the ring," he winked.

I chugged the Gatorade, and it slid down my throat perfectly, quenching my thirst and instantly cooling me down.

Next, he walked us into the ring, where we stood toe to toe, while he instructed me on how he wanted me to punch him.

"No headgear?" I asked.

He smiled, then chuckled. "There's no way I'm hitting you. You'll only be hitting me, so I won't need the headgear for what we'll be doing. I'm used to getting hit, remember?"

"Okay..." I said nervously.

He adjusted my stance, and then he adjusted my arms, explaining how they're supposed to be. Then he ordered me to punch him like I was upset with him. "Get pissed, Aria. Show me how mad you can get," he demanded when I barely hit him. Since he wasn't wearing the headgear, I couldn't bring myself to hit him. "Come on, Aria... hit me."

"I can't," I said, while bouncing up and down.

"Hit me," he ordered again.

"I can't!"

"Aria hit me!"

Fine...

I swung, punching his left side of the face, his head quickly snapping to his right.

"Do it again... Only this time, I want you to punch the other side."

I punched the other side of the face and saw a smile form when his head turned once again from my punch. "That was a good hit," he said, amusingly.

He walked around, stepping directly behind me. His arms wrapped around my body, instantly activating my inner core to rise in heat and to throb like there's no tomorrow. He leaned over my shoulder, explaining what to do if someone came up from behind and grabbed me like he was now. The only problem was I liked how he was holding me. So I didn't feel like doing anything he asked.

"If someone were to come up from behind, they'd most likely cover your mouth so you can't scream. Or, they'd cover your nose so you can't breathe, causing you to pass out. If they grab you from behind, one thing you could do is you could drop all your weight, making it harder for them to attempt anything. But if you ever see their hand, try finger pulling by grabbing their index and middle finger with your one hand and using your other hand, grab their pinky and ring finger and then pull as hard as you can. Another thing you can do is pull on their ear," he explained by showing me. Then he spun me around to face him.

"Now, if they come in front of you, you'll want to punch them in the throat... right here," he added, pointing to where to throat punch. "Also, another step you can do with the attacker, while they're either in front or behind you, is to walk backward. Eventually, the two of you will fall... like this," he said, holding me—having me walk backward until we fell, with Gunner lying on top of me. Our eyes locked together, with his face mere inches away from mine.

"Now what?" I whispered, both our hearts beating rapidly against one another's and his hot breath fanning my skin.

I couldn't wait for him to kiss me any longer, so I roamed my hands up to the back of his head and then pressed his face into mine—kissing him desperately. Long and hard. Then his tongue slid along my bottom lip, and when I parted my lips, he forced his tongue into my mouth. And just as our kissing got more heated, someone yelled, interrupting us.

"Gunner, are you in here?"

Are you fucking serious right now?

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!❤🤞❤🤞