By the time the cab pulls up outside the gym, adrenaline is pumping through my body. I can’t quite put my finger on why. Maybe it’s the excitement of spending the morning surrounded by male testosterone. Or maybe, just a tiny bit, this place reminds me of Keller.
I dart for the doors and barrel through them as quickly as I can to get out of this weather. The scent of musky sweat and leather assaults me first as I enter, then the echoing of punches being slammed into the punch bags. Thud, thud, thud. Makes me wince. The place is open plan. A boxing ring takes center stage with various mats and punch bags surrounding it. Over in the far corner, there is even a kitted out gym. Straightening my spine, I make my way over to the noisy group of very excited kids, plastering on a big smile. I spot Paula first and give her a little wave and a smile.
She is just the sweetest lady you could meet, rocking long white hair and bright red lipstick. You wouldn’t believe she is over sixty. She is always perfectly put together and manicured. I just hope when I am her age I can look as flawless.
“Sienna, darling,” she gushes as she wraps me in a tight embrace, instantly relaxing my nerves as she does.
“Hey, Paula. Hey, Kiddos,” I excitedly reply, the kids now rushing over to tackle me.
Max, who’s currently wrapped his little arms around my leg, is hanging on for dear life. I know I shouldn’t have favorites, but I have a massive soft spot for this kid and I ruffle his blond mop of hair. He has a heart of gold, yet absolutely no filter when he talks, always making me laugh. He’s had a rough start, that’s for sure, but he’s getting there. His confidence has been building in masses each week.
Bending down, I reach his eye level. “Are you okay, Bud?” I ask gently. He avoids my eyes, shuffling on his feet.
“I’m just nervous. Miss. Paula said if we were good at it, they might let us train. What if I’m bad Miss? What if I can’t do it?”
Oh, bless his sweet heart.
I wrap my hand around his tiny ones. He’s only seven, and has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Max, listen to me. You can put your mind to do anything. The guys here, their job is to help you, not judge you, okay? Just go and have fun,” I answer in a gentle tone. He gives me a perfect wide grin.
“Okay,” he chirps, and with that releases my leg and runs back to the group of boys crowding around the boxing ring.
My body instantly stills, blood hammering in my ears. No, it can’t be. The way my body is reacting, I know exactly who that is.
He has his broad muscular back to me, his tattoos glistening with sweat. With each punch he throws, the room almost echoes. His grunting hits me straight in my core. He is a complete powerhouse. It oozes from him. Every punch is thrown with perfect composure, his muscles rippling with each strike. Despite his height and muscular frame, he moves delicately. He absolutely owns the ring. Of course he does.
The poor guy getting punched seems to, weirdly, be enjoying winding Keller up, laughing in response to each punch that connects. Like a crazed animal, he keeps coming back for more despite the fact he is getting his ass handed to him.
“Is that all you got, big guy?” He muses.
“Fuck off Luca. You know I’m taking it easy on your weak ass.
“Fucking hit me already!” he shouts, his voice bellowing throughout the gym.
Luca, I recognize him. The guy who rudely interrupted us in his office a couple of weeks back. He might be getting beaten by Keller, but he is by no means weak. Not quite the powerhouse Keller is, but he’s fit. Maybe just not a boxer’s standard. Don’t get me wrong. He is a very attractive man, but anyone next to Keller is sub par.
I clench my legs together. God, he is hot, but the way he commands the ring is making me even hotter. A blush creeps over my skin. Thank Christ, he’s too occupied to spot me. I’m near drooling at him.
I can’t rip my eyes away from him. He is mesmerizing.
I faintly hear my name being shouted. It doesn’t matter. I am so engrossed in watching Keller’s every move I hardly recognize the voice getting louder until a large chest blocks my view. I scan my way up the wall in front of me. Christ, is everyone in here a giant? Bright blue eyes search mine with a lopsided grin,
“Something got your attention?” he chuckles.
“Oh, hey” I frown. This is an unwelcome distraction.
He puts out his hand, an invitation to shake. All I can see is the veins popping out of his forearms. That always gets me.
“Grayson- we spoke on the phone,” he explains.
Shit, Grayson! Giving him a small smile, I grab his hand and he takes that as an invitation to pull me into a friendly embrace. It’s honestly like hugging a brick wall. I quickly release my hold and step back. For some reason, I don’t want to upset Keller. That’s assuming he cares, which I doubt.
“Thank you so much for helping organize this. The kids have been out of their minds.” I gesture towards them, all still engrossed in Keller’s fight. Screaming in excitement at every punch, they are truly amazed. Grayson follows my line of sight.
“Ah, yes, I brought the big guns out to impress you.” He coughs. “You all,” he corrects with a wink.
This man is a terrible flirt.
“Big guns?” I question.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of Keller ‘The Killer’ Russo?”
Genuine shock radiates off him.
“Should I?”
I have, but not for the reason he’s thinking.
“He’s a World Champion HeavyWeight Boxer. Come on, I’ll introduce you. Be warned, he has absolutely no social skills. He’s more used to punching people than actually making conversation. But he means well. Most of the time.”
With that, he wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me toward the ring with a big grin on his face.
Shit, this is going to be a disaster.
I plaster on the best friendly smile I can and try to avoid bringing my gaze to Keller’s. I know with one look from him all shirtless and sweaty, I’ll be in a puddle on the floor.
“Kell! Luca! Quit it. I have someone you need to meet,” Grayson shouts, getting their attention.
Keller breathes heavily, his ribcage moving deeply in and out. Luca spots me first. A knowing grin sweeps across his face as he licks his bottom lip, lapping up the blood dripping down his face. Like Keller, Luca has a darkness behind his eyes. Power radiates from him. Unlike Keller, Luca insights fear in me whereas Keller sparks every cell of my body.
Darting his head around, Keller’s eyes meet mine, his eyes lighting up as I give him a small wave. His attention immediately drops to Grayson’s hand squeezing my shoulder. I can see the hurt flash behind his eyes, and then quickly his entire face turns emotionless, except for his jaw ticking.
I can’t take my eyes off him. For some stupid reason, I think my eyes can tell him that I’m his. That I want his hands all over my body, not Grayson’s. It’s no use. Keller can barely look at me.
Luca rests against the ropes, suspiciously eyeing Keller’s reaction, yet not saying a word. His glance flicks between me and Keller.
Grayson weaves his fingers through mine and leads me up the steps, then lets go of my hand to pry apart the red ropes, urging me to step forward as he places his other hand on the small of my back to help me through.
I can feel Keller’s murderous stare on us from here as he mutters curses under his breath. I straighten my spine. Sod him, thinking he has some sort of claim over me. Why can’t Grayson touch me? I am not, nor will I ever be his property. I inch my chin a notch higher. I’m not letting him get to me. Grayson’s hand is firmly back in place on my lower back.
“Keller, meet Sienna. She organized this charity training session today. Sienna, this is our champ, Keller. Keller, play nice, please.”
Keller grumbles a response. I can’t even make out what he’s saying. Luca stays on the sidelines, taking in this whole interaction. I really hope he doesn’t actually recognize me, but the small grin he’s sporting, and the way his eyes light in amusement, no doubt at my awkwardness, tells me he knows.
Seconds tick by with our eyes clashing while we both refuse to make the first move. It is becoming more and more uncomfortable. The room has gone silent. All I can hear is the rain beating against the glass and the clock ticking on the wall. Now, of all times, the kids decide to be quiet.
“Miss, why are you so red?” Max announces, as the rest of the group giggle.
Now I must be the color of beetroot. I can feel the flush creeping up my chest and across my cheeks. Keller’s clearly enjoying watching my suffering as a deep chuckle escapes him.
I reach out my hand to him. “Hi, nice to meet you, Keller. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to train the kids.” I give him a sarcastic grin.
Not missing a beat, he grabs my hand between his gloves. The leather sticks to my skin as he slowly inches the back of my hand up to his lips, his dark eyes never leaving mine as he softly places a kiss there. I shuffle slightly to clench my legs together. Jesus Christ, this man is insatiable. Then he gives me a little curtsey. How can a man so tall and muscular pull off a curtsey? I don’t know, but he does.
“So lovely to see you again, m’lady,” he drools out in a posh British accent.
I feel Grayson go stiff next to me. Could Keller be any more obvious? He might as well scream, “I’ve already fucked her; keep your hands off,” for the entire room to hear.
Snatching my hand back down to my sides, I turn to Grayson. “Great, well, shall we let the kids get on with the training? I give them two more minutes before they all start fighting each other. As much as I love them, I really don’t have the energy to be dealing with that right now.”
“Right! Everyone pair up, and get over to the mats. Sienna, you’re pairing with me.” Keller’s domineering voice carries over the rest of the chattering. The room now descends to silence.
Well, fuck.
