finish punching you before you fire back. If he starts to tee off on you, unload your hands quickly and break up his combo right away and move out.” Colin yells. “Don’t just sit there in a defensive position.” The rowdy guy has already hit me with two punches and plans on throwing more so I start throwing back right away. I throw quick punches to break up his focus as best I can and move away.
“STOP!” Colin yells. The burly looking man drops his hands as do I and we both turn to face Colin. “Elle, go cool down, I think that’s good for today.” Big burly man fist bumps me and shoots a lopsided grin at me before exiting the ring. I crawl out and head to the treadmill for a five minute cool down walk, while toweling the sweat from my brow and neck. I’ve improved so much since I came back I impress myself. Giggling at the thought a towel swats my ass.
“What’s so funny Ms. Parks?” Colin teases.
“I was laughing at myself.”
“I don’t see anything to laugh at.”
“I impressed myself today. Then I thought that’s pretty ridiculous to think of yourself and it made me laugh.” I explain trying to not sound like a lunatic.
“You should be impressed you did awesome today. Hell, I’m impressed.” He beams.
“You’re just saying that because you’re the teacher.” I joke. He pulls the rip cord from the treadmill making it halt suddenly and catches me as my step falters. “No, Elle, I mean that. You’re amazing.” His hazel eyes bore into mine as if he’s trying to will me to accept his words. I kiss his cheek and snort before pushing out of his arms and letting him know I’m going to shower and change.
As is routine now he walks me to the shop, kisses me and waits until I’m safely inside before heading back to the gym. I take a few minutes getting everything up and running before heading out back to put the finishing touches on some arrangements for the display case.
The day passes quietly with a steady stream of people entering and exiting. Some looking, some buying and some curious window shoppers. By six thirty I’m out back touching up my make-up and hair. Colin should be here shortly to pick me up. John, his new lady friend Sarah, Ben and Jenna are meeting us at the local bowling alley for a night of drinking and ball rolling. Bowling’s never really been my thing but I’m not terrible and the guys all seem to really enjoy it so we agreed that this Thursday we’d make an exception to our try something new night and hit the bowling alley. The bell above the door chimes letting me know that Colin’s out front waiting on me.
“Be right out!” I call. I scoop up my purse, throw on my coat, lock the back room door and greet Colin with a fierce hug.
“You’re chipper. Good day?” He asks bearing that killer dimple.
“Yup. Plus we get to see everyone tonight.” He leans down stopping a centimeter from my lips and smiles teasingly. Before he has a chance to hold out on me any longer I push up, grabbing the back of his neck to pull him the remaining distance and let my lips crash into his passionately. His lips are cold from walking here and he tastes like mint.
“Don't start what you can't finish little lady.” He growls in my ear as his lips move across my jaw line inching down my neck.
“Who says I can't finish?” I tease trying to keep my wits about me. His lips are delightfully distracting.
“We have places to be.”
“Let’s go then!” I chirp and pull away from him. The look on his face is priceless, like a little kid who’s candy’s been taken away.
“Tease.” He jokes.
“How do you know? The night’s still young.” I wink and head to the door leaving him cursing under his breath about bowling.
This is our last Thursday night gathering for the month. Christmas is a week away and I have barely been able to contain the excitement of Colin’s gifts. I managed to put aside my nerves after going through Colin’s phone to get his parents phone number and call
“STOP!” Colin yells. The burly looking man drops his hands as do I and we both turn to face Colin. “Elle, go cool down, I think that’s good for today.” Big burly man fist bumps me and shoots a lopsided grin at me before exiting the ring. I crawl out and head to the treadmill for a five minute cool down walk, while toweling the sweat from my brow and neck. I’ve improved so much since I came back I impress myself. Giggling at the thought a towel swats my ass.
“What’s so funny Ms. Parks?” Colin teases.
“I was laughing at myself.”
“I don’t see anything to laugh at.”
“I impressed myself today. Then I thought that’s pretty ridiculous to think of yourself and it made me laugh.” I explain trying to not sound like a lunatic.
“You should be impressed you did awesome today. Hell, I’m impressed.” He beams.
“You’re just saying that because you’re the teacher.” I joke. He pulls the rip cord from the treadmill making it halt suddenly and catches me as my step falters. “No, Elle, I mean that. You’re amazing.” His hazel eyes bore into mine as if he’s trying to will me to accept his words. I kiss his cheek and snort before pushing out of his arms and letting him know I’m going to shower and change.
As is routine now he walks me to the shop, kisses me and waits until I’m safely inside before heading back to the gym. I take a few minutes getting everything up and running before heading out back to put the finishing touches on some arrangements for the display case.
The day passes quietly with a steady stream of people entering and exiting. Some looking, some buying and some curious window shoppers. By six thirty I’m out back touching up my make-up and hair. Colin should be here shortly to pick me up. John, his new lady friend Sarah, Ben and Jenna are meeting us at the local bowling alley for a night of drinking and ball rolling. Bowling’s never really been my thing but I’m not terrible and the guys all seem to really enjoy it so we agreed that this Thursday we’d make an exception to our try something new night and hit the bowling alley. The bell above the door chimes letting me know that Colin’s out front waiting on me.
“Be right out!” I call. I scoop up my purse, throw on my coat, lock the back room door and greet Colin with a fierce hug.
“You’re chipper. Good day?” He asks bearing that killer dimple.
“Yup. Plus we get to see everyone tonight.” He leans down stopping a centimeter from my lips and smiles teasingly. Before he has a chance to hold out on me any longer I push up, grabbing the back of his neck to pull him the remaining distance and let my lips crash into his passionately. His lips are cold from walking here and he tastes like mint.
“Don't start what you can't finish little lady.” He growls in my ear as his lips move across my jaw line inching down my neck.
“Who says I can't finish?” I tease trying to keep my wits about me. His lips are delightfully distracting.
“We have places to be.”
“Let’s go then!” I chirp and pull away from him. The look on his face is priceless, like a little kid who’s candy’s been taken away.
“Tease.” He jokes.
“How do you know? The night’s still young.” I wink and head to the door leaving him cursing under his breath about bowling.
This is our last Thursday night gathering for the month. Christmas is a week away and I have barely been able to contain the excitement of Colin’s gifts. I managed to put aside my nerves after going through Colin’s phone to get his parents phone number and call
Similar Books
