“Since my fucking brother and his ball and chain decided to open their own medical practice.”
I gave him a confused look.
“He’s opening the practice and having friends and family there to celebrate.” His expression was deadpan.
“Okay, number one, I wouldn’t describe his wife as a ball and chain in front of him. Number two, you have a brother?” My research on Luke hadn’t indicated he’d had any siblings. In fact, the number of articles I read about Luke McConnell hadn’t brought up much on his past. All I knew was that he grew up somewhere in the Northwest.
“Yeah.” He brushed past me.
“What do you mean, yeah? And why isn’t that in your bio?”
“‘Cause it’s no one’s business, got it?” He roared, spinning around to face me.
It was enough anger to stop me in my tracks, but not nearly enough to stop me from wondering what was going on. I’d found it strange it was so difficult to find out information about Luke’s past from write ups and articles on him. Anything having to do with his life before joining the NFA was vague and nebulous.
“How did you meet your old trainer?” I questioned.
Luke’s lips pinched. “Didn’t I tell you conversations about Banks were off-limits?”
“You did, but that’s obviously not stopping me from asking.”
He grunted. “You’re a bigger pain in my ass than he was.”
“Thank you.”
He shook his head, lowering it and for the first time, ever, I think, I caught a glimpse of a genuine smile on his lips. Not one of those cocky smiles he often gave right after saying something totally uncalled for, but a smile that wasn’t forced. Unfortunately, before I could get a full look at it, it was gone. Like it never even happened.
“Let me finish this green shit and then you can tell me what the workout for today is.”
“You’re going to enjoy today’s workout and I’m sure that green shit, as you put it, is going to give you more energy than you think. Also, what day are we leaving next week to head to the opening?”
Again, his look was poignant as he stared at me as if I had three heads.
“We aren’t going anywhere, sweetheart. I am going to Williamsport by myself to meet my brother and his wife at their office. Eat a meal and then bring my ass back out to the West Coast.”
I nodded. “Right. All of that sounds great except for the part where you’re going alone.”
“I don’t need a date.”
“Great because I’m not offering to be your date. I am your trainer and you’re training for a very serious fight. Which means, you don’t get to take any days off except the ones I’ve already scheduled for you.”
“Fine. Give me the workout and I’ll do it while I’m away.”
I shook my head. “That’s not how this is going to work. As your trainer, especially as your new trainer it would be detrimental to the development of our relationship for me not to be present at your workouts… our trainer-trainee relationship.” I emphasized the last part, more for my benefit than for Luke’s. I hadn’t missed the shiver that ran through my belly when I said the words ‘our relationship.’
“You’re not coming with me to Williamsport.”
“I am.”
“Don’t you have a job? Besides this one? How are you going to take days off?”
“I own the company. I’m not scheduled to work any events next week. My business partner will be back, and she’s more than capable of handling any last minute events that come up. Paperwork and meetings can be handled through email and videoconferencing, if necessary. So, it looks like I’m all yours.”
Luke’s eyes darkened when I said those words and I quickly stepped around him, moving toward the floor mat where I was going to begin his workout session, so he wouldn’t see the way my nipples reacted to that look in his eyes.
“You’re not bringing your ass to Williamsport,” he insisted, following me.
“This morning’s session is going to focus on arm locks and takedowns,” I responded, ignoring his comment.
