The Naughty Collection

by Ruby City Books

  “Beautiful morning isn’t it,” Denise shouted. Toni pretended not to hear, preferring instead to focus on her music. But Denise wasn’t going to have that. She leaned in closer as they ran, so close that Toni could smell her mango scent, and shouted in her ear. It was so loud that Toni was almost shaken off-balance. Reluctantly, she pulled her earphone out and replied.

  “Yeah, it is, nice and peaceful,” she said ironically.

  “It’s nice to see that you’re sticking to this, how many months has it been now?”

  “Three I think.”

  “Mm, I know how difficult it is to get up in the mornings for most ordinary people. I’m used to it though, it’s always been my philosophy to get a good start to the day. That way I don’t have to feel guilty about relaxing later on. I’m sure you feel the same way.”

  “Oh of course, I just love getting up in the mornings,” Toni lied. As they jogged Toni noticed that Denise was getting slightly ahead, so she increased her pace. This led to Denise increasing her pace. Both knew what they were doing but neither one would admit it, or show any sign of weakness.

  “Have you gotten the invitation to Bradley and Dean’s party?” Denise asked.

  “Of course, it should be fun. I like we have these regular parties.”

  “What are you planning to make?” Toni shot Denise a dirty look.

  “I don’t know yet, how about yourself?”

  “I’m not sure. It might be time to bring out my famed potato salad again, although it came together so hastily last time that I really don’t remember what I put in it.” Toni glowed and her brow furrowed. She looked at the horizon ahead and she could feel her blood pumping fiercely through her body. She increased her pace and Denise matched her.

  “I’m sure people will love it just like last time,” she said through gritted teeth.

  “I’m sure you’ll find something cute to make,” Denise replied. Both of them were speaking breathlessly as they pushed themselves harder and harder, and soon enough they were outright sprinting. A man walking his dog was blindsided by them and thrown into a whirl as they passed him. Their feet slapped against the ground and their lungs felt as though they were going to burst. Side by side they ran full pelt, completely missing out on the beauty of the scenery around them. Filled by a competitive fury they were almost screaming by the time they had come to a stop, and to Toni’s dismay it was she who faltered first.

  Sweat dripped from her forehead and she was bent over with her hands on her thighs, gulping in mouthfuls of air. Denise remained standing with her hands on her hips, just as sweaty as Toni.

  “You shouldn’t bend over like that, it’ll give you cramp,” she said. Toni glared at her, and despite not wanting to do anything she advised she did in fact stand up. Toni pulled out her water bottle and swished some liquid around in her mouth. The refreshment was needed and she and Denise stood there, panting, like exhausted cowboys in a stand-off.

  “Well that was a good workout,” Denise said.

  “I know, I’m feeling good,” Toni said, having to pause after every word.

  “It was nice seeing you again. We’ll have to do this more often,” Denise remarked before turning away and jogging. Toni threw up her hands as she watched Denise disappear into the distance. Her own legs were aching and all she wanted to do was to rest, but she couldn’t let Denise win like that. It was the same thing every morning. Sometimes Denise didn’t join her, instead she just ran off into the distance and made a point of doing laps around the block long after Toni had finished her circuit. Toni tried to continue but her legs were like jelly, and she didn’t have the same iron will of Denise so she slunk back to her place, defeated.

  After grabbing a shower she settled on her couch and watched a bit of television, only to wince as she saw Denise run by her house. The other woman made a point of pausing to stretch and Toni watched with disgust as the sweaty, glistening body clad in tight running clothes made a performance outside her home. Then, Denise continued running, and Toni just felt awful. She couldn’t let Denise keep beating her like that and she hated that no matter what she did Denise somehow managed to burrow her way in. All through the day she thought about what else she could do to improve her fitness and general wellbeing, and then it occurred to her – yoga! And if she went to a random class there was no way that Denise would be able to follow her. She checked online and found one that was happening that very night, so in the evening after enjoying a light and healthy dinner she packed her exercise bag and made her way to the gym where the class was being held.

  She’d tried to go to the gym when she first began her new lifestyle but it didn’t really agree with her. She felt so self-conscious with everyone else working out around her, especially because they all seemed to know what they were doing when she had no idea. Mostly though, people seemed to be chatting and taking pictures of themselves rather than working out and she wondered what the point of it even was. After a few sessions she gave up and preferred to work out at home, so coming back after all this time was a strange experience. It was an odd thing, she thought, a large building with shared exercise equipment where strangers came to get all hot and sweaty with each other. Most people as well only seemed to use it on a casual basis, and only a few hardcore bodybuilders could be seen. As she walked through she tried not to breathe in through her nose too much as she hated the smell of the grimy sweat, but then she saw Denise working out and she stopped in her tracks.

  Of all the gyms in all the world of course Denise had to be at that one at the exact time Toni was there. Would she ever be rid of this parasite? Ugh. Her mood took an instant downturn and she tried to weave in and out of the equipment to make herself obstructed, but a couple of people came towards her and she was forced to halt her forward stride. She glanced over nervously at Denise, and breathed a sigh of relief as it appeared that her nemesis still hadn’t seen her. Toni marched forward, eyes darting towards Denise as she went along, praying and hoping that she could just make it through without being spotted. The walls were framed with mirrors though, and just as Toni made it to the end of the room she heard Denise cry out.

  Toni halted and closed her eyes, cursing the universe for plaguing her with this unstoppable woman.

  “What are you doing here?” Denise said, wiping her brow with a towel.

  “I was just coming her to see what it was about. I thought I’d step up my game a bit, you know, I don’t want to start coasting.”

  “Good plan, good plan, you’ve always got to keep pushing yourself. That’s what I’m doing. Can’t afford to relax for a second.”

  “Yeah.”

  They stared at each other awkwardly.

  “I guess I’d better let you get back to your routine,” Toni said when Denise didn’t make any moves to leave.

  “What are you going to be working on? I should tell you that the best equipment is in here. That way is just the classes and then it leads to the really heavy weights but I wouldn’t go back there if I were you, that’s only for the most dedicated people. Why don’t you come with me and I can help show you what to use.”

  Toni huffed. If she agreed she’d be forced to spend the evening with Denise and miss out on the class she was looking forward to, but if she told Denise what she was doing…well, she supposed there was always the chance that Denise wouldn’t come. After all she was in the middle of her own exercise routine.

  “Actually I did have a class booked. I thought I’d start some yoga, so I’m just going to head off to that. I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing.” She smiled in an effort to be polite and then spun away, hoping to leave before Denise could latch on to her. A forlorn hope.

  “Oh yoga?! I’ve always wanted to try that I hope you don’t mind if I tag along.”

  “Actually I-”

  “It’s so spiritual isn’t it? I’ve always considered myself a spiritual person. I used to read a lot of books on meditation but I get so busy nowadays is difficult to find the time. This will b
e fun I’m sure. It’ll probably be like when I used to dance. I hope my body will be able to take it.”

  Of course she used to dance, Toni thought, was there anything this woman couldn’t do?

  She could hardly back out now, although her enthusiasm for the class had severely diminished. The two of them walked along the corridor. Toni looking with interest at the other classes going on until they reached the proper room. Toni opened the door, and Denise abruptly entered.

  “You’re welcome,” Toni muttered under her breath. They set their bags down at the edge of the room and walked to a couple of free mats. The class was populated with women and men of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some of whom should never have been allowed near yoga pants, but that wasn’t any of Toni’s business. The room was well-lit with a high ceiling, and tinted windows gave the outside world a mysterious look, almost as though they weren’t really supposed to be seeing it. Denise started stretching, so Toni did the same. Everyone else was minding their own business as they stood by their little mats. Toni’s was purple, which she found pleasing, and the texture was firm yet soft as she pressed down against it.

  “I’m glad I bumped into you today. I really should have done this sooner. I swear I get so wrapped up in my own world that I often forget there are classes here.”

  Toni made no comment in response, she just limbered up and got ready for the next hour. She hoped it would be relaxing because bumping into Denise had made her tension levels rise, and it would take a miracle worker to bring them down to normal levels. That was when he arrived, and if ever there was a miracle this man was it. He opened the door and strode to the front of the room. Toni’s eyes were locked on him and her jaw dropped. He looked as though he had been sculpted from the essence of masculinity. Tight shorts stretched over his thick thighs and a thing vest left little to the imagination. His torso was in the shape of a ‘v’ and it was like his body was an arrow pointing down to…Toni flushed. Her heart fluttered as he stretched and showed off his biceps. He looked like a god. His short black hair was tidy, aside for an errant lock that drooped over his forward in a playful manner and he was tall, with a perfect physique that set the primal part of Toni’s soul aflame with desire.

  She wasn’t the only one staring either. Other members of the class were all transfixed by him and Toni wondered whether some of them had come for the yoga or were actually here to gaze at that fine specimen of a man. People murmured to each other in wonder. Then she turned around and saw that Denise had that same look of lust in her eyes. Toni almost flew into a jealous rage, and it took her a few moments to settle down.

  “Welcome one and all. Just to let you know this is the beginners’ class for yoga, in case any of you wandered into the wrong room. By the look of it though you’re all in the right place. Quite a good turn out today actually. I’m glad you’re all here, I’m Peter and I’ll be your instructor over the next few weeks. This is a casual class so if you can’t make one week it’s no big deal. Also feel free to invite other people you know. We run a number of classes through the week including ones for intermediates and experts so if you want to find out about any of those ask me after class or ask at reception and they will have a flyer or a leaflet or something. Today I’m going to start you off with some basic positions to ease you into things and we’ll go from there.”

  Even his voice was like honey and as the words dripped out of his mouth Toni melted. His eyes moved over each of them and when they locked with hers she saw that they were a deep blue, like a lagoon in which she wanted to swim. The class started but Toni could barely concentrate. In front of her was the man of her dreams bending and stretching, and beside her was the woman of her nightmares moaning as she stretched her lithe body out. Of course it was for show because things came easily for Denise, whereas Toni was struggling slightly. She could see how things were supposed to work but her body wouldn’t quite do what she wanted. At least she wasn’t struggling like some of the other people though. Many of them were pushing their bloated bodies to the limit and had to make a tremendous effort to prevent themselves from falling over. The class was supposed to be relaxing yet many of the people were having to put a great strain on their bodies, and Toni wondered whether it wouldn’t have been better to have a fitness limit on the class. At least then she wouldn’t have to be surrounded with their heavy grunts and breathing.

  Peter was calm and patient though. After showing them examples of the different positions he walked among them and gave advice to everyone, no matter how easy they were finding it. He was quick with his praise as well. Toni strained her eyes to keep gazing at him. Occasionally he would turn his back to her and she got an eyeful of his buns of steel. All of a sudden she was filled with a deep hunger and desire, something that she hadn’t felt since Ryan had broken up with her. She’d spent so much time focused on herself that she hadn’t had time for romance. There had been a few dates here and there but they had all been blind dates that her friends had insisted upon and they ended as you would have expected. No one had managed to replace Ryan in her mind, until now, and as she took the position of a crab Toni found her mind wandering to a place where she and Ryan were alone, peeling off their exercise clothes and she was showing him just how flexible she could be.

  Then Denise moaned again and her fantasies came crashing down. Toni looked over and saw that Denise had a perfect form. Toni tried to force her body to mirror the other woman’s but her back started to ache and her muscles throbbed. Peter was coming closer and soon he would be around to them. She couldn’t let Denise be more impressive than her, not this time. Toni wasn’t going to let her get away with it.

  Peter’s voice grew closer as he gave words of encouragement to the other people on Toni’s row. When he came to her she was able to smell the sweet scent of his aftershave. He didn’t smell like other things in the gym. He smelled clean, and that led to her thinking about what he must smell like when fresh out of the shower, and then she thought of him merely clad in a towel that was oh so close to falling off…”You’re doing well, good form, you need to keep your back like this though,” he said as he placed his hands on her body. One went underneath the middle of her back while the other lay flat on her stomach. His hands were large and strong, his fingers stretched across her body and she felt a tingle shoot through her. She gasped as he put pressure on her and shifted her position slightly. He looked up and smiled at her.

  “That’s better,” he said with twinkling eyes. She thought she was going to melt. She managed to hold the position he had shown her and she bit her lip in thanks to God that she hadn’t made an utter fool of herself. But then she heard him go over to Denise.

  “You’ve done this before haven’t you? This is perfect form, I’m very impressed. I think maybe we have a star pupil here.” Toni bristled with frustration. How she would long to her him speak about her in such admiring tones. She craned her neck to look over at the two of them and was filled with envy as she saw Denise flutter her eyelashes at Peter. She was in fact so envious that she created an imbalance in her equilibrium and found herself collapsing. Her arm gave way and she waved it about to try and regain some support but there was no time, and before she could plant her hand firmly on the ground her whole body crashed to the floor, and to her dismay everyone turned around and stared at her. Including Peter. And Denise. Toni blushed as she scrambled to her feet. Peter came to her aid and held out his hand. She took it and he hauled her up. As his hand wrapped around hers she felt a surge of electricity crackle within her.

  “Are you okay?” he said. She nodded, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. She brushed her hair along her ear and looked up at him coyly. He smiled that easy smile of his again and she caught a glimpse of his immaculate white teeth.

  “Just take it easy at first, it happens to the best of us,” he said as he patted her softly on the arm and carried on making his rounds. Toni smiled and circled her foot on the ground as she returned to her mat, and this time she didn’t bother lookin
g at Denise because she didn’t want her good mood spoiled. The rest of the lesson was much the same. Peter taught them different things then came around to offer his advice, although by the end of it Toni was beginning to tire of his continued praise for Denise. She managed to not make a fool out of herself again though and when the end of the class came she took a bit longer getting ready than she needed. She hoped to get a few moments alone with Peter, but of course Denise wouldn’t let that happen. Still, Toni wasn’t going to be dissuaded, so once most of the rest of the class had departed she went up to Peter.

  “Sorry about earlier, and thanks for checking that I was okay. Thanks for everything really, it was a good class.”

  “I’m glad you think so, I’ll be seeing you again then?”

  “Most definitely!” she said excitedly.

  “And don’t worry about falling over. I used to be such a klutz that it took me ages to master these things. Shows anybody can do it I guess. It’s actually really good for curing clumsiness, if you keep at it.”

  “I’ll be sure to practice at home then,” she said, although she couldn’t ever imagine him being clumsy. It was even hard to believe that he walked like mortal men. Surely he should have glided, or flown like some kind of superhero.

  “Are you ready to go?” Denise asked, coming up to them. Toni cringed.

  “Oh, and here’s my star pupil,” Peter said. Toni almost growled.

  “I don’t know about star,” Denise said, tossing her hair back and letting her hand slide down Peter’s arm. Toni could have thrown up.

  “Yes, I’m ready, let’s go,” she said flatly. Denise looked slightly disappointed at having to say goodbye to Peter so quickly, and Toni was certainly sad but she didn’t want that temptress to put Peter under her spell. Toni dragged Denise away.