“You’re good at it.”
You look damn good doing it, too.
She licks her lips. “I do it for the mental release.”
“Understandable.”
I wish she’d walk over here. Would I smell that sheen on her skin if she did? I want to find out, but I can’t bring myself to kick off the wall I’m leaning against. Coming in was risky enough, and I’m in no position to throw caution to the wind.
“Do you work out a lot?” she asks, flipping it over to me.
Small talk. I can do that.
“I took a liking to boxing when I was in high school.”
Her brows jump. She’s impressed. “Boxing?”
“Have you heard of it?” I joke, enjoying the scoff that comes out of her next.
“I have, actually.” She walks closer. “A bunch of people beating up on each other.”
“It’s a sport.”
She frowns. “One you participate in.”
Okay, maybe she’s not impressed.
I smirk. “Is that disgust I hear?”
Her eyes glow under the release of her yoga session. “Maybe.”
“Why’s that?”
She shrugs. “I’ve never understood it.”
“There’s a science to it.”
She stops in front of me. Her frown morphs into a tiny lift at the corners of her mouth. “How’s there a science to beating the crap out of people?”
“For starters, you need to hit them in the right spot. Have to know their weak spots, endurance, balance, and stamina. You need to know what it looks and feels like when the opportunity arises for a K.O.”
“All of that sounds so very exciting,” she croons sarcastically.
“Maybe you should try it sometime. Really get a feel for it before you judge it.”
Hell, I’d be happy to be the one standing behind her, watching her form, correcting it when needed. My hands would be happy to cup her waist and have control. Or be the one taking her hits.
“I’ll stick to yoga.”
“Whatever you want.”
She repositions her mat against her hip and points toward the door. “I should…”
I lift a hand for her to lead the way and follow her through to the open gym area. I wait until she’s almost gone to call out, “If you ever change your mind…”
She nods. I don’t miss the corner of her lip lifting the tiniest bit when she glances back at me. “I know where to find you.”
Exactly.
