Just by looking at his chiseled arms and chest accented by his fitted shirt and the perfect way his jeans hugged him, it was obvious he knew his way around a gym. His outfit left little to the imagination, and I couldn’t decide if that was a good or bad thing for me right now. The dusty particles of my gift tingled beneath my skin, parched and eager to come out and play.
“Do you train at a gym in town?” Cutting into my own thoughts, I slapped a blanket of calm-the-fuck-down on my dried-up ability. It was latching onto my attraction and being much too encouraging.
“I used to but now I have my own business in the neighborhood. I do group training three times a week in the mornings outside the community center and then have private clients.”
I bet he had lots of clients wanting one-on-one sessions.
The idea of working out seemed impossible when I could barely think straight most days, much less try to move my body in some coordinated way.
His jaw ticked a moment, accentuating the steely angle edged in blond-and-silver stubble. It also didn’t help that this entire exchange had made me acutely aware of the fact that I hadn’t had sex in manymoons.
Many, many moons.
Sweat beaded on my forehead, and I smoothed it back into my hair.Is this what a hot flash feels like?Would it be awkward to start fanning myself right now?
Yes. The answer was a big freaking yes.
“That’s amazing. Maybe once I get my life together…” I laughed at my current state and how silly I must look trying to carry on a conversation with a hot trainer that probably had clients throwing themselves at him all day, begging him to demonstrate hip thrusters.
Not that I was currently imagining him doing hip thrusters…
Fine, maybe I was.
“You should join in for our morning group. It would be a great way to meet other people from the ’hood. You can even bring the witchling with you,” he said with a wink that sent a jolt straight down my spine. “There are a few other moms who come and really enjoy it.”
Of course they do.
“I’ll think about it,” I replied with a smile that curled into a sleep-deprived yawn.
“I’m so sorry if I disturbed you from getting some much-deserved rest. Enjoy the dish for breakfast, dinner…whatever. It’s meant to be enjoyed anytime, really.” He flashed a small but dazzling smile, and I had to remind myself the dish meant to be enjoyed was the casserole sitting on the countertop.
“Thank you,” I choked out, trying to wrangle my gutter-wandering mind.
Curse you, hormones.
Lynx beamed, a glint in his eyes that was all too knowing.
Could he hear my thoughts or read my gift? I had never met a witch who could but that would be super awkward right now.
Aspen began to fuss over my shoulder, and I picked up my bouncing again.
“I almost forgot. Let me put my number in your phone. That way if you need any help unpacking, or anything at all, I can pop over,” he offered.
Yes, because I’m sure you want to spend your spare time with a sloppy new mom and her tiny banshee.
Just before I was about to politely let him off the hook, he added, “I’m happy to do it.”
“Okay, cool.” I cradled Aspen into my chest, bouncing as I searched for my phone, not remembering where I’d put it last. Lynx spotted it first on the counter and brought it over to me to unlock. He tapped in his number and handed it back with a smile so magnetic it would be impossible not to want to be pulled into his orbit.
Heat coursing through me, I switched Aspen to my other shoulder. Then I watched Lynx walk out the door, slowly closing it behind him. Once shut, I leaned up against it, shaking my head at myself.
What the hell was that?
I looked at my phone.
Lynx Caven
I probably would never use the number, but it was nice of him to offer. At least I had a name to go with the fantasy.
