I flicked on the light switch located outside of my office, illuminating the entirety of the gym. We were surrounded by a large space, at the center of which is a boxing ring, of course. To the right of the boxing ring was the open mat space where classes such as Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga were held. At the far side of the gym were three doors that led to rooms where other martial arts classes along with kickboxing and some yoga classes were held.
“Anyway, I’m not here to talk to you about coffee.”
“And don’t start giving me shit about last night’s fight either.” I entered my office that was mostly encased in windows from three different sides so I could look out at the gym from my desk, tossing my keys onto said desk.
“Fine, then let’s discuss trainers.”
My body went rigid with tension. “For fuck’s sake.”
“You knew this conversation was coming, Luke. It’s been—”
“I’m the last person you have to tell how long it’s been,” I said while glaring at him.
“Fine. I won’t tell you how long it’s been. I will say it’s time you seriously consider taking on a new head trainer.” Lenny’s voice grew louder as I pushed past him, out of my office and over to the area where we kept the punching pads and hanging punching bags.
“Luke, we’ve gotten at least ten different inquiries over the past month.”
I didn’t say anything as I stood with my back to him, pushing my fingers through a pair of fighting gloves.
“The trainer who called about the job last week would be a great candidate. There are three resumés on your desk right now. Hell, even Greyson has been vying for the position since he started here.”
I grunted, knowing Greyson, my newest Karate instructor, wanted the position as my head trainer.
“The kid’s too fucking wet behind the ears,” I said.
“Fine. And the three local trainers who’ve been calling? Any one of them would be perfect for you.”
“How the hell do you know that?” I refused to look in Lenny’s direction.
“I don’t, but if you give them a shot they could work out. At least try one.”
“Or, try me instead.”
I spun around on my heels at the intrusion of a woman’s voice and came face to face with the deepest pools of brown eyes I’d ever seen. Not deep as in dark—which they were—but deep as in a fucking oasis lived in them. I immediately grew angry at the invasion.
“Who the hell are you?”
She didn’t appear alarmed or thrown off at my demanding tone. Instead, those very full, plump lips that were coated in a warm pink color spread into a smile.
“My apologies for interrupting and surprising you both.” Her gaze shifted to Lenny before moving back to me. “But the front door was unlocked, and I assumed that meant you were open for business.”
I waved a gloved hand her way. “Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re about an hour early for the women’s kickboxing class. It doesn’t start until nine-thirty. Shelly will be here around then to get you signed up and all of that.” I turned to Lenny, thinking this woman would go on her way.
“Oh no, I’m not here to take the kickboxing class.”
Again, I moved my annoyed gaze to her, lifting an eyebrow.
“Then?”
“My name is Syd Quinn and I’m interested in training. More specifically, being your head trainer,” she said with a straight face.
Pausing, I looked this woman over from head to toe, making sure to avoid her eyes. She stood at about five-foot-six. Her hair was pulled back into a bun that displayed her long neck and impeccably clear tawny brown skin that damn near glowed.
She wore a navy blue pants suit that, while professional, did absolutely nothing to hide the small waistline, flared hips, and thick thighs many of the so-called models on Instagram had to go under the knife to achieve. One look at this woman and forget about alarm bells. An entire fucking orchestra of warning sounds exploded in my head.
That was when I looked at Lenny, who remained silent the whole time and finally I got it.
“That’s a good one,” I stated before bursting out in laughter. I laughed until my stomach muscles tensed up and tears sprung to my eyelids. “You almost fucking had me with that one.”
