One Insatiable(14)

“Look, I get it. Mercy’s hot. It’s how I know a member’s gay — if he don’t notice Mercy.” He sits and makes a note on the large calendar in front of him.

“I don’t understand.” He’s coming straight out of left field.

“Hell, she’s sexy as all get out, but she’s Off. Limits. You get me?” He finishes writing and cuts his eyes up to me. “Keep your mitts off Mercy.”

What the f*ck? For starters, I won’t mention how my mitts were all over Mercy night before last — and how much she loved it. I’m more curious what the hell is going on with this chick and why.

“Off limits.” I repeat, doing my best to stay neutral. Still, my curiosity is overwhelming. “Like a princess.”

“Exactly.” His brows lower over his dark eyes. “Mercy is one of the blue bloods in this town. I don’t know why she’s slumming with us, but she’s a good worker and clients like her. Piss her off, and you’re fired.”

“I see.” Humans don’t order me around. Ever. Still, I keep my voice level. “I’m not looking to piss off anybody, and I’m not interested in Mercy.”

It’s possible that’s a lie. I haven’t decided.

Andy relaxes and even cracks a small smile as he stands. “Right. I’m sorry if I seem stern. Just had to give you the warning.”

The warning? What the f*ck does that mean?

He reaches across the desk to shake. “We good?”

Try as I might, I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice this time. “That girl is safe as the crown jewels.”

I’m ready to go out there and find out what the hell crawled up her ass. Only, I guess I was just told to stay away from her. Shit.

“Hey, I’m not pissed or anything,” Andy continues. He’s around the desk on my side now, patting my shoulder. “Seth stopped in to tell me you’re a good spotter, and he never compliments anybody.”

“I guess that makes things even,” I say, heading for the door.

“Chalk it up to on the job training.”

He can chalk it up to whatever he wants. I’m calling it a day. “See you tomorrow,” I say.

“Monday,” he calls from behind me. “Gym’s closed on Sundays. You know. God.”

“Right.” I wave and head out the door, wondering what I’ll do with an entire day on my own. Seems like a good time to get to the bottom of this place, so I can get back on the road.

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Boundaries





Mercy


Andy’s Gym is one thing I will miss when I leave Woodland Creek. It’s quirky and fun, and it’s the first place I really spread my wings outside of Dylan’s control. I got to know residents of the town, and I became something of a leader.

I arrive a half-hour before self-defense class in case Sally shows up for strength training. I hadn’t set a definite time for us to meet, so I have no idea when to expect her — a situation I plan to remedy today.

As I make my way inside, heading to the juice bar to stash my bag and pick up my nametag, I bump into Jim. Funny, simple Jim.

“Ready to hit me with your best shot?” I tease, giving him a wink.

“No, dude.” He shakes his head, eyes round. “I would never hit you.”

His sweet response makes me smile. “It’s just an expression. I know you’re only pretending to attack me.”

“Still… You defend yourself pretty hard.”

“I try not to.”

“It’s weird, you know,” his head cocks to the side. “You’re really strong to be so little.”

“It’s all the strength training,” I deflect. Can’t have him knowing the real reason for my unusual strength. “You know, the kickboxing and stuff.”

“Oh, dude! Andy hired a boxer yesterday to help with the men. He’s a real cool guy.”

Interesting. Andy didn’t say he was looking for help. “Really?”

“Yeah, and he’s living in the apartment above my Aunt Doris’s garage.”

“That so?” The bell above the door rings, and the small blonde enters. A timid smile curls her lips when she sees me, and I wave her over, hoping to put her at ease.

“Yeah, I’ll introduce you if—”

“After class, okay?” I give Jim a wink and head out to meet my client. “Sally! Hi!”

“Hi, Miss Mercy.”

Putting my arm around her shoulder, I give her a brief hug. “I told you, it’s just Mercy. I’m only twenty-three.”

Her eyes brighten. “That’s how old I am!”

“See? Come on then.” I turn and lead her back to the weight room, thinking through a course of training that won’t be too hard for a beginner. “In the future, we should probably do these sessions after self-defense so you’re not too tired for…”

The words die on my lips as we enter the small weight room. The staccato Pow! Pow! Pow-pow-pow! of gloves clipping the heavy bag draws our attention, and I freeze on the spot. An incredibly sexy mountain of a man I immediately recognize is in the corner, giving the boxing set a run for its money.

With every precise jab, his muscles ripple across his shoulders and arms. His biceps flex, and I can feel them in my fingertips. He circles to the side, and I see the line in his square jaw move beneath the shadow of his beard. I can’t help a shiver remembering how it felt against my skin.