I swallow onerous, attempting not to consider how shut he’s or how his scent overpowers my senses. He smells like leather-based and spice, heat and comforting however a serious turn-on all on the identical time. I need to bury my face in his neck and inhale till the scent is imprinted on my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I swing ahead and hit the bag with a thump.

“That is it!” Porter cries, giving me a squeeze. “Excellent, sweetheart. Do it once more.”

I obey, throwing one other punch, this time a bit more durable.

“Nice! You are a pure.” He laughs, and it makes me really feel heat.

He guides me via the motions, having me repeat the identical motion over and over. As soon as he is glad with my kind, he has me throw a number of punches in the direction of him whereas he holds a blocker. I haven’t got lots of energy, however I am happy with how a lot better it feels after having the proper directions.

“Alright, I’ll depart you to apply that whereas I seize some weights,” he says, turning and strolling in the direction of a close-by shelf. I watch him go, admiring the way in which his shirt hugs his broad shoulders, his waist tapered down, the right curve of his?—

“Oh, and Bailey?” Porter calls, not turning round. “You’ll be able to put your arms down now.”

I whip my gaze away, and I can really feel the redness creeping over my cheeks. I don’t know how he knew I used to be watching him, however I am mortified.

Mortified, however for the primary time shortly, feeling so a lot better about my ex challenge. Even when Porter is simply my coach, one thing about him makes me secure. Protected and alive in methods I’ve by no means felt earlier than.

Porter is likely to be bother, however I believe he is the great form of bother.

* * *

“You seem like you’ve got been run over by a bus.”

Renae has been my good friend since I moved to Chicago, possibly my solely actual one in all the metropolis. I moved right here simply final yr to attend the College of Illinois for sports activities drugs, and now that faculty’s out for the summer season, many of the different college students in my dorm are going dwelling.

For me, although, it is not that simple.

I’m the oldest of 4. After I was eight, my father left my mom for one more girl and we hadn’t seen him since. After I nonetheless lived at dwelling, there was barely room for all of us. Now that I’ve moved out, my youngest sister, who needed to share her room with Mother earlier than, lastly has her personal area. It will break her coronary heart if I moved again and she or he was compelled out of her new room.

So when the man I had been courting for 2 months recommended I simply stick with him for the summer season and return to the dorms subsequent semester, it appeared like the right plan. At first, Ian promised to be a gentleman—he even stated he’d sleep on the sofa so I may have the mattress. However because the day of move-in grew nearer, he bought weirder and weirder. Pushy, wanting to the touch me greater than I used to be snug with, the entire 9 yards. I used to be beginning to panic about residing with him, even for a short time.

My savior got here within the type of Renae, a classmate residing in a rental home owned by her household for mainly free and who had ample room for me. After I confessed to her that I used to be beginning to actually fear about Ian, she instantly provided me a spot to remain. I’ve by no means felt extra aid than at that second.

It additionally freed me to interrupt up with Ian, which I instantly did. He did not take it nicely, and that was when the stalking started. Which led me to the door of Brooks Boxing Health club and into the arms, actually, of Porter Brooks.

Which then led me to look, apparently, like I would been hit by a bus.

“It is not that dangerous,” I inform her, sinking on the sofa subsequent to Renae and combating again a wince of ache. I’m going to be so sore tomorrow.

“Uh-huh.” She snorts. “Inform me once more about the way you went in for coaching and ended up being the star pupil for a tall darkish and horny boxer?”

I roll my eyes. “It is not like that.”

“Oh no? So that you did not get a full-body blush when he was standing behind you along with his arms in your hips? I can see your face, Bails, and it is a useless giveaway.”

She’s proper. Simply the reminiscence of him pressed in opposition to me makes my cheeks develop crimson once more.

“He is a very good man. A gentleman.”

“Yeah, a gentleman who desires to fuck your brains out.”

I choke on my sip of tea, my eyes going vast. “Renae!”

“What?” she asks, shrugging. “You’ll be able to’t inform me that he would not. Each little element you’ve got instructed me makes it look like he is a wolf and also you’re a primary steak.”

“He’s not!” I cry, setting the mug down and standing.

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