Monday morning comes in a rush, and I find myself in front of Tyler's MMA gym. I still don't know what I'm doing here, but I guess it really doesn't hurt to check things out, right? After all, I promised Kayla and him I'd be here.

Leaning on my car door as I take a sip of my caramel macchiato, I let my eyes roam over the Audax Martial Arts's exterior. I remember the buzz when it first opened, but never really paid any attention to it since I've never been into MMA or any other kind of fighting activities.

I have to say I'm impressed, though. With its big off-white walls and massive tinted windows, the place oozes elegance and power. Much similar to its owner, I'd say.

Sighing, I aimlessly start scrolling through Instagram when I see Kayla's face pop up on my screen. "You're fifteen minutes late," I answer the call. "Please tell me you're on your way."

"Please, don't kill me but one of our suppliers screwed with an important order, and grandpa dear is ready to kill me," she rushes to explain. Her grandparents own a small flower farm two hours south, and Kayla has been helping them manage it for a few years now. It's one of the most beautiful places I've seen, and I know how much work it is.

"Remind me to never agree to your craziness on a Monday morning again." I sigh, looking for a place to throw my empty cup so I can leave.

"I'm so sorry, Andie. I promise I'll make it up to you." I hear the remorse in her voice and let out a small smile. I know how work has been crazy for her lately.

"It's okay. I need to run some errands nearby anyway..." I walk to a trash can near the entrance, hearing Isaac's voice in the call's background.

"You're the best, Andie. I'll call you later," she says before hanging up.

Throwing my cup away, I text Colby, saying I'll meet him and Bruce for lunch to talk about my new role at the bar.

A second later, I hear Tyler's voice in front of me and my brows shoot up.

"You came," he says, removing his aviators from his eyes and hitting me with his intense brown eyes.

"Oh! Hi, uh..." I clear my throat, looking around as I try to think of an excuse to leave.

"Let me show you around." He motions to the door, without really giving me a chance to say no.

"Right! Yeah... Sure... How are you doing?" I force a smile out of my lips as my mind tries to conjure possible ways to kill Kayla.

"Glad you're here, actually. I was not sure you were coming." He holds the door open for me, and I feel my cheeks going hot.

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt to check things out, right?" I shrug, mimicking his words from the day we met.

He smiles, his eyes shining with a mix of curiosity and humor. "Let's get inside."

As we stroll through the gym, I'm genuinely impressed by its interior, which lives up to the promise of its eye-catching exterior. One side of the space is dedicated to an impressive array of weight machines and various exercise equipment, all neatly organized.

Turning my attention to the opposite side, I'm greeted by a striking sight – around thirty punching bags, suspended in a strategic layout. They invite fitness enthusiasts to unleash their energy, and the rhythmic thuds of punches and kicks create a dynamic soundtrack to the gym's vibrant energy.

The thoughtful design of the gym becomes clear as we seamlessly transition between different workout zones. The layout caters to diverse preferences and fitness goals, which seems to allow members to tailor their experience based on their individual needs.

The lively activities and the hum of conversations fill the air and Tyler doesn't say much apart from pointing things out.

A moment later, though, he's guiding me to a ring at the far end of the place.

"Self-defense classes are about knowing how to protect yourself from a potential attacker." He leans on the ring, his eyes studying mine. "It's about assessing your surroundings, identifying danger, and knowing what to do when confronted with a threat."

"I bet men don't need to worry about this kind of stuff, huh?" I look around, the sound of people exercising nearby calling my attention.

"Our classes are mostly compounded by women, yeah," he says, and I feel his eyes on me, but mine are tracing the ring.

"Are you an instructor too?" I skip a glance at him to find him looking at me with a curious look on his face.

"Kind of, yeah." He crosses his arms, his posture relaxed but alert.

"You were ready to punch those guys..." I meet his gaze, remembering the day we met, and he tilts his head to the side.

"They were ready to attack you."

"I know." I close my eyes for a second, the embarrassment and fear from that day still fresh.

"You don't have to worry about confronting an attacker in the beginning. You'll mostly learn about improving your body language, being more aware of your surroundings... Being more confident... Things like that."

Confidence. Right.

Well, that struck a nerve.

Being confident is something I know for sure I've never mastered in my life. I've never confronted my father after all these years. I've never fully worked towards my education. And right now, I have no idea if I'm doing things right or not with Marcus.

And then there's Bruce offering a management position when I don't even have a college degree. I know I said yes and that I will do everything in my power not to disappoint him, but there's always this little voice in my head saying I will screw up, somehow.

"I've been working in that bar for four years. I can't believe I left the bar by myself that late. As fucked up as it is, I should've known better." I sigh, hating how vulnerable it makes me feel.

"Come here." He jumps into the ring and offers his hand to help me inside.

"Hell no!" I shake my head, a nervous laugh leaving my lips.

"Let me teach you something simple. Something you can use today."

"Oh, no! I really appreciate it, but you must be busy and..."

"I wouldn't be offering if I didn't mean it." His lips curve in a heart-stopping smile and his eyes connect with mine in a way that makes something inside me go all mushy.

No! No! No! I cannot have a crush on this guy! I admit I was curious about him at first, and that he is really attractive, but I wouldn't even know what to do with him. He's probably in his late twenties or early thirties, and by the looks of it, he has his life figured out. The exact opposite of me.

"What are you afraid of?" he asks.

"Who says I'm afraid?" I raise my chin, and he lets out a knowing smile.

"The constant raising of eyebrows, the way you're clutching your bag, the tightness in your shoulders..." His eyes soften, and a deep feeling of embarrassment washes over me all over again.

God, I thought I was so over this.

"I'm not–" I start, but he interrupts me, his hand pressing over mine.

"Let me teach you." He squeezes my hand, putting enough pressure to make the now familiar electricity between us crack to life. "And then you'll see for yourself what self-defense is all about."

Contemplating him with narrowed eyes, it finally sinks in why I'm so resistant to taking these classes. It has nothing to do with self-defense itself, as it's obviously something great. But it has all to do with the way Tyler makes me feel.

The strength and demand he exudes are almost tangible. His powerful frame spurs an uncontrollable response from my body. He's the opposite of every guy I've ever been attracted to, and yet I can't look away when his eyes lock with mine.

I've learned to read my fair share of people over the years, and Tyler radiates power and control– two things that often turned me off from other men.

He's like a bunch of matches waiting to burn, and I know I shouldn't be playing with fire.

"Come on, Andie," I hear him say, the dangerous purr to his voice sending a shiver down my back.

Damn! This guy is trouble!

And I must be going crazy as I squeeze his hand back, prompting him to pull me up in the ring.

_____

A/N: We all knew she wasn't going to be able to resist him, right?

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XOXO

Celeste