Luke is in the ring sparring with another guy. His shirt is off, and I’ve never seen his beautiful body so ripped. He’s been working out hard, giving this dream everything he has, and his hard work is certainly showing now. Every muscle is pumped and ready for action. The sinewy cords are flexing and straightening with his every breath, his every twist and turn. The beads of sweat run down his chest, over every ripple and bump of his abs, until they find the perfect V that disappears into his shorts.
I’m standing here drooling like I’ve never seen a shirtless man before. The thing is, I haven’t seenmyman look like that before now. Where has my mind been? I feel like the worst girlfriend-slash-fiancée in the world. I haven’t been here at the gym to support him because I’ve been so focused on my own ambitions.
When Tom rings the bell to signal the end of the round, Luke trots to his corner to get water and I approach the ring. I see his eyes cut toward me, but he quickly looks back at Mack. Then his head jerks in my direction and his mouth gapes open.
“Hey, baby! What are you doing here?” he asks, obviously surprised to see me.
“I missed you,” I admit. “I had some errands to run in the area, and I have a whole five minutes to stop and see you before I’m officially late. But it’s so worth it to me,” I say as I rake my eyes over him again.
I do believe I just made my man blush. What about that.
“Put your mouthpiece back in and get back out there.” Mack orders.
Luke flashes me his sexy grin, and I know without hearing the words that he’ll pay me back for this later tonight. I can’t help but smile back because I’ll gladly pay the price for him. He leans over the ropes and so thoroughly kisses me, right in front of everyone, that I’m positive my body is about to erupt into flames any second now. My toes are curled, my hands are clenched around his neck, and my chest is heaving with needful breaths.
“Have a good day, beautiful,” he winks, and Tom puts Luke’s mouthpiece back in place.
Now I’m the one who’s blushing at all the catcalls and “get a room” comments being shouted in our direction. Luke’s mouthpiece can’t contain his laughter, and his opponent has joined in on the fun. At my expense. Luke props his arms on the top rope, crossed at the wrists, and his eyes gleam with mischief.
Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I snap a picture of him before he moves. He is the vision of perfection, and all I can think is I don’t want to miss this while I’m out on the road. The thought chokes me up with emotion, and I know I have to leave this gym before I change my mind and go to Vegas with him.
“Just so you know, I’m collecting the rest of what you owe me when I get home tonight. You better be ready for me,” I challenge.
His eyebrow slowly quirks up, and his smile becomes even more sensual than before. Even with that plastic guard in his mouth, he is the most stunningly gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. He motions for Tom to take it out again then lowers his voice so only I can hear him.
“I’m always ready for you, baby. Stay home today and I’ll prove it to you. All day long.”
I can’t breathe.
He’s smirking knowingly.
Everyone is looking at us expectantly.
My face is glowing red.
I’m flustered and can’t think straight.
“Be careful driving to the studio. I’m all yours when you get home,” he adds before Tom puts the mouthpiece back in Luke’s mouth again.
With that, the bell rings and Luke’s back to sparring. I stand, my eyes transfixed on him for several more seconds. My heart battles with my head and with my body that’s still humming, I might add, before I finally leave for my destination.
I’m definitely late now, but I reason that it won’t matter since my set is shorter than the others. Besides, I have to wait until they finish their sets before Travis and I can practice together anyway. Winding through traffic, running through yellow lights, and avoiding the known hot traffic spots, I finally make it. I’m only ten minutes late—okay, fine, I’m fifteen minutes late.
As I get out of my car, everyone is walking out the front door of the studio and all eyes are on me. Feeling the weight of their stares and questioning eyes is a little unnerving.
“What’s going on?” I ask no one in particular.
Katelyn chimes in before anyone else can. “So glad you could join us today, Andi,” she says sarcastically. “We’re doing a full rehearsal, and the label reserved the arena for us. We’re obviously late leaving now. Let’s go, everyone.”
With that, we all climb into the back of a stretch SUV limo. One whole side of the vehicle is lined with bottles, glasses, and small refrigerators. The other side is a long, comfortable bench that resembles couches instead of car seats. They wrap around the back of the vehicle, giving the impression of a sectional sofa inside a car. Small lights scattered throughout the vehicle illuminate the white and charcoal gray interior.
This is riding in rock-star style.
“I’m sorry I was late, guys. I had no idea we were doing this today. I had to run some errands this morning that couldn’t wait,” I announce to the group.
“It really isn’t a big deal, Andi,” Travis assures me. “I’d pulled up just before you did. Katelyn is just too good at her job sometimes.”
“All the time,” Katelyn chimes in without ever looking up from her phone.
We all chuckle at her reply in an easy manner.
“Yeah, Andi, don’t sweat it, girl. If you let this dictate your life, it’ll run all over you,” Cami adds. “Do what you need to do, when you need to do it, and everything else can wait. Fifteen minutes is nothing in the grand scheme of time.”
