Off Limits(112)

“Yes, but not in that way,” she answered. “I’m going to get out there and do some stuff that I haven’t in a long time. Who cares if my arms get a half inch bigger or anything?”

“Not me,” I said, pondering. I remembered what an athletic Alix looked like from her high school days, and I thought she was just as beautiful with the added size. “If you need help, you want me to spot?”

She shook her head. “I’m not going that heavy. I need to remember how to move first, and I’ll take it easy. Yoga for a warm-up, then some light movements to get familiar again, and finish with a nice soak in the hot tub. What’s your plan?”

I thought about it. Part of me wanted to take it easy, since it had been a week since I’d really been home and able to exercise the way I wanted. But, I also knew there was another voice inside me, the one that enjoyed inflicting pain, the sadist. It was the side that I keep under control when I’m with Alix, and the side that let me be a good boxer when I let it loose somewhat, but I knew someone I could turn it loose against that would never complain. “I’m going hard tonight, so I’ll probably meet you in the hot tub later. It’ll take me close to an hour though.”

“That’s fine, I’ll be there,” Alix said, walking away. I watched for a moment before turning, and letting the dark side inside me out just a little bit. Adrenalin and power flooded my veins, and the barbell called. Time to go to work.





Chapter 19





Alix





The next day, after sleeping in for what was late for both of us, Kade prepared a sumptuous brunch of oat pancakes, maple cured bacon, and poached eggs with a green juice smoothie that left me relaxing on the living room sofa and happily patting my stomach. “You’re spoiling me again,” I sighed, sipping the rest of my smoothie. “Not that I mind.”

“Didn’t think you would,” Kade said. “By the way, after talking to Dad and Layla, you want to go shopping again? Then this evening, I had an idea if you’re open to something a bit highbrow.”

“What are we shopping for?” I asked, watching Kade out of the corner of my eye. The night before we hadn’t made love, but instead just slept peacefully, waking up spooned together and refreshed. “I’d love to go shopping, just curious.”

“Well it won’t be for anything nearly as entertaining as last time,” Kade said. He finished off his drink and set it down. I immediately got up, taking the plates from the coffee table. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Spoiling me is one thing, but I really want to help out around here too,” I said, looking down at him.

He looked into my face for a moment then laughed, shaking his head. “Okay, but I’m not just going to sit around while you do everything. You did good last time so I can’t say no, but I don’t want to be some chauvinist cad either.”

“Good,” I agreed happily. “So what are we shopping for?”

“Your bedroom,” Kade said. “Nothing outlandish, but there’s a good store around here called Fred Meyer, kind of a one-stop everything sort of place. Freddie’s was Wal-Mart before there was a Wal-Mart. They’ll have what we need so that you can personalize the room, make it have a few more touches of you around there.”

I nodded and started washing, glad that Kade was nearby. Even though we weren’t naked or making love, it was the little things that left me happy, like the way his shoulder would rub against mine while we worked. When the last knife was washed and the last spoon put away, I turned and gave Kade a kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck. “So what do you think Derek will want to talk about?”

“I suspect he’s been asked to run for office,” Kade said, “and has finally accepted the invitation. Knowing him, it’ll be something big too, not like the Laguna City Council. If it was just that, he’d have emailed us.”

“Well, let’s find out,” I replied, wiping my hands on the tail of my t-shirt and looking down. “Think I look plain enough for a casual Saturday?”

“Yes, but you’ll need to get dressed up for tonight,” Kade said, giving me no more hints. “If I’m in love with the most beautiful woman in the entire country, then in at least the little way I can, I’m going to show off my luck.”

“Considering I want to do the exact same thing, we can be each other’s arm candy perhaps, although not as much as I want.”

Kade’s smoldering look told me everything I needed to know on that, and I went over to the phone to dial up Derek’s number. Putting it on speaker, the two of us sat down on the couch, holding hands as we waited. Mom picked up. “Hello?”

“Hi, Mom, it’s me and Kade,” I said, rolling around in my mouth the good feeling of speaking to my mother without years of misplaced bitterness involved. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, honey, it’s great to hear your voice!” Mom said, practically bubbly.

I had to laugh, it felt so good to hear Mom happy and not worried about me calling. “Come on, Mom, we talked only a few days ago, remember? I ended up bawling and crying over the phone while saying I was sorry?”

“And if you keep reminding me, you’re going to have me bawling over the phone this time too,” Mom said.