When it was Cam’s turn to lift, Stryker spotted for him. Cam was lifting much heavier weights than I could handle if something went wrong.
I stood back, admiring Cam as his muscles flexed, wondering how I had gotten so lucky as to be the one who was out with him. The looks of admiration and desire for him from the other women working out around us weren’t lost on me. Nor were the looks of envy and daggers they shot me. Any one of them would have changed places with me in a heartbeat. Several of them were much prettier than I was. Maybe I should have been insecure. But Cam, bless his sweet, humble heart, seemed oblivious to them.
Cam was a student of lifting weights, and Stryker was pushing him. Training us while we were on a date hadn’t caused Stryker to alter Cam’s rigorous training routine, as far as I could see. He loaded the barbells with a punishing number of heavyweight discs and handed Cam dumbbells that were so large they frightened me.
“Toria, stand over here so you can watch Cam’s form as he lifts,” Stryker said. “We’ll start by working his biceps. See how his elbows are close to his body as he curls the weights…”
I tried to pay attention to Stryker’s explanation of why Cam’s form was superior. I really did. But Stryker’s instructions faded away as I focused on Cam and his gorgeous, glistening muscles. As Stryker pointed out the perfection of Cam’s lifting and the muscles he was working, I found myself distracted more by the muscles and Cam’s intense concentration.
“Look at the way his bicep bulges.” Stryker pointed.
Oh, I was already highly aware of how it bulged, believe me. I didn’t need any encouragement to look, but I was happy for the opportunity to stare, gape, and drool openly. All right, maybe not drool, not openly.
“Come here.” Stryker waved me over. “Come on. Don’t be shy.” He grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me right next to Cam, so close I could see him sweat.
Have you ever been in a store where you know you’re not supposed to touch, but you have an overwhelming desire to? My hands itched to feel Cam’s muscles. I put my hands on my hips to avoid temptation. “Very nice.”
“Cam, hold that curl,” Stryker said. “I’m going to use you as an anatomy dummy while I explain the physics and theory behind these exercises.”
Physics wasn’t usually my thing. In this case…
Stryker grabbed my hand and moved it toward Cam’s flexed bicep. “Go ahead. Touch him. Right here.” He placed my hand on Cam’s muscle.
Maybe I imagined it, but I thought it hardened even more beneath my touch.
Stryker placed his hand over mine and curled my hand around Cam’s bicep. “Feel that?”
I nodded. Is he kidding? Yeah, I feel that. All the way to my toes.
“Good,” Stryker said. “Lightly rest your fingers here and feel how the muscle moves as Cam lowers the dumbbell. Cam, slowly. To the count of three. One, two, three. Excellent.”
Cam’s face was tight. His muscles quivered as he lowered the weights. Sweat was dripping down his brow.
“See how and feel how his arms aren’t locked?” Stryker pointed. “Look at how the bicep is elongated now and the…” He was just talking anatomy muscle gibberish to me now.
I wasn’t a med student. I really didn’t care about the names of various muscles, bones, and tendons. I just wanted to flirt with Cam.
Poor Cam. He was sweating bullets now.
I couldn’t help myself. Using the towel that was draped over my shoulder, I dabbed and wiped his forehead like I was his manager or something.
Our eyes met. I grinned at him.
Stryker’s face gave nothing away, but his posture said he was damned pleased with himself and the great job he was doing wingmanning for Cam.
Yeah. I saw through his game. Good job, loyal trainer, true friend, and gym wingman. I should have such good people surrounding me. Judge a man by his friends? Yes. Cam was winning on that score.
“All right,” Stryker said after working Cam through the full set of bicep curl reps. “Very good. Stretch it out, Cam. And then we’ll watch you bench-press something impressive so Toria can see how the different muscle groups move firsthand…”
I’d been so eager to see Cam again—and, bonus, I love working out—that I’d quickly agreed to this workout date without thinking things through. When I’d had time to think it over critically, I came up with plenty of reasons a workout was a bad idea for a second date. Besides the obvious body anxiety, how could we get to know each other in a training session?
I’d been completely wrong. The truth, as I now saw, was that it was pure genius. Surviving Stryker’s brutal, ruthless workouts had created a bond in us. We’d been able to view each other’s physiques from every angle. We’d learned to trust each other. Goof off with each other. We’d learned how hard the other one worked and how fun competing with each other could be. And that wasn’t even counting the bonus pleasure-inducing endorphins.
Now here I was, thanks to my earlier meeting with Lazer, wearing more makeup than I’d ordinarily planned. That very makeup was smearing. I was drenched in sweat, and so was my date. But aside from possibly last night, I couldn’t remember ever having a better time with a guy on a date so early on. This topped last night only in that the more I got to know Cam, the better I liked him.
I couldn’t believe I’d actually kissed him. Yes, it had been cheating. But all’s fair in love and war. Even all sweaty, he’d tasted good. I wanted more of that. From the way he looked at me, he did too.
Unfortunately, the workout was preserving my chastity. I was on wobbly ground now. Exhausted, but happy. And determined, no matter how much I desired him, to give this relationship the best shot at success by waiting those five dates before sleeping with him. I did not want to blow it with this guy.
At the end of the workout, Stryker said, “Did I succeed? Have your appetites returned?”
“Absolutely.” Cam patted his stomach and elbowed me. But the look he gave me sent tingles down my spine. He had an appetite for more than food. “Agree with me before he puts us through more paces.”
I laughed. “I’m famished. Absolutely delirious with hunger.”
Stryker nodded. “Mission accomplished.” He handed us each a fresh towel to mop ourselves off with. “Cam, I’ll see you on Monday.” He smiled at me and shook my hand. “Toria, pleasure meeting you. Come see me again sometime.”
I nodded and thanked him for the workout. Stryker excused himself to go preside over the torture of another client—I meant workout—leaving Cam and me standing, suddenly self-conscious, by each other.
Once again, I didn’t want the date to end. This was becoming a habit. But I had places to be. I needed a shower badly, and…
“I suppose after just killing ourselves to work last night’s dinner off, asking if you want something to eat would be a bad idea? We don’t have a history of limiting ourselves well. But the smoothie bar here is excellent. Smoothies just fill in around the edges and replenish important vitamins, protein, and electrolytes we burned in the workout. When you get down to it, they aren’t really food at all. More just a beverage. But the café‘s great, too.” He lifted his brow and gave me a hopeful look.
I bit my lip. “A smoothie sounds lovely, actually. And not nearly as dangerous as a Brazilian rodizio, but—”
“But?”
“Just a quick one.” I glanced at my watch. “I think I can squeeze that in. I have to run soon. I promised my sister I’d stop by today and visit my niece and nephew. She’s expecting me.”
He took my hand. “We don’t have any time to waste. This way.” He led me to a bright, packed, modern smoothie bar. “What’s your pleasure?”
You. That was my gut reaction, which I kept to myself as I studied the menu. “A number one with a protein and immunity boost. Skip the kale. Too filling.”
“You got it.” He ordered one for himself and me and pulled out his gym card, putting them on his tab. He led me to a small, round table in the corner of the cafeteria. “Tell me t
he truth—what did you think of Stryker?”
The full truth was too convicting. I wasn’t going to give away that I knew the game Cam and Stryker were playing. “He’s a genius trainer.”
Cam nodded. “He is.”
It felt good to sit and drink something besides water. “This smoothie is delicious.”
He nodded and looked amused.
“What?”
He leaned forward across the tiny table. “You have a dab of smoothie.” He pointed to the corner of my mouth.
“Where?” I leaned toward him, playing the game.
He leaned closer until our faces were inches apart. He rubbed his thumb across the corner of my mouth and slid his hand around the back of my head. I closed my eyes and tilted my head. And then his lips came down on mine.
How do you describe a kiss? It’s more the emotions behind it than the mechanics that make a kiss wonderful. More how much you like the giver. How open you are to him. As for mechanics—Cam knew how to kiss. His pressure was insistent and exciting. His lips were warm. His mouth was cool from the ice of the smoothie. He tasted deliciously tropical. His tongue knew what to do with mine. And he had the timing down, kissing me just long enough to leave me wanting more.
When he pulled away, our eyes met. His sparkled in the bright café lights as we grinned at each other.
Fingers cold from clutching my smoothie, I clasped his hands across the table. “I had a great time today. To be honest, I had my doubts. I didn’t think anyone could work up an appetite in me. Somehow you succeeded.”
I left Stryker’s part out, intentionally leaving the innuendo. And yes, it was true. I hadn’t found anyone since Adam who’d stirred up an appetite and desire for a relationship again like Cam just had. And personally, I was savoring the longing.
“I did too.” He squeezed my hands. “I think a date this fun deserves another. What do you think?”
“I’m in absolute agreement.” I smiled at him, genuinely happy, and sorry I’d have to run all too soon. “You’ve set the bar for dates awfully high.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
“You can top exercising with Stryker, the city’s best trainer?”
“Watch me.” His grin was cocky and adorable. “When are you free? When can I see you again?”
I mentally ran through my calendar and week. As a small business owner, I didn’t really even get weekends. I had a fight on my hands and a busy week ahead. All of that paled against my desire to see him again. I wanted to see him again immediately, but… “Saturday?”
His face fell almost comically. “Saturday is a world away. I don’t think I can bear to wait that long. It sounds like your schedule is tight. If I may suggest something?”
I nodded. “Agreed. Saturday may as well be a lifetime.”
His smile returned. “Experience with Stryker’s workouts has taught me—you’re going to be awfully sore in the next few days. I know a good spa right here in the city that will give you a massage that will make you feel not only human again, but fantastic. And you can squeeze it in in as much or little time as you can find—an hour? It will be worth it, just in making you feel human again. Consider it an investment in your productivity.” He gave me a hopeful look.
“Oh, a massage.” He was speaking my language. I love massages. “An hour or two?”
He nodded.
I bit my lip and raced over my schedule again. “Tuesday? I could break away for a few hours in the late afternoon.”
“I’ll book it. And I’ll take Saturday, too. Are you up for an adventure and some pampering?”
He’d just trapped me into committing to two dates, but I was happily ensnared. “Yeah. I like adventures and pampering. Sounds good. What do you have in mind?”
“A surprise.”
“I like those, too.”
“Good.”
I glanced at my watch as I reached for my smoothie. “Shoot. I need to run.”
He nodded and stood as I slid out of my chair. He took my hand and pulled me into a quick, hot, sweaty kiss. Even the smoothies hadn’t cooled us down. Ardor like this was hard to tame.
Fortunately, I’m one of those women who like their kisses, and their sex, hot and sweaty.
“Tuesday,” he said when he pulled away. “I’ll text you the details.”
8
Toria
I’m not actually the kind of person who likes to shower at public places like gyms. I grabbed my gym bag and purse from my locker, sneaked out, headed home, showered there, and drove to my older sister’s house in Maple Valley. It took me over an hour to get there. Traffic was a bitch. Typical for the Seattle metro area.
By the time I arrived, dinner was ready and on the table. I had a few hours with Kellie, my brother-in-law Sam, and the kids before the children went to bed and Sam headed out for a night with the guys. That left my sister Kellie and me to our night together.
We’d planned to watch a movie, but Kellie quickly took control, also typical. She wanted to talk.
“Thank goodness those two went to bed easily tonight. Those little bugs will wear you out.” She sat cross-legged on the sofa with a glass of wine to soothe her nerves. A day of mothering wore her out and wasn’t the best endorsement of future motherhood. If I’d been smart, I should probably have been scared off the idea.
But though Kellie complained voraciously, and I saw firsthand that her life wasn’t glamorous—but then, neither was mine—I wanted a husband and children for myself. And suddenly Cam’s face inserted itself into that dream. Some people don’t believe in instant love or love at first sight. But not me. As someone who’s experienced it before, I’m a believer. In regard to love, when I needed sunshine, I got sunshine. And I needed it now.
At one time I’d been so close to having the dream. Close to having a husband, at least. I loved children. At two and four and a half, my niece and nephew were adorable little bugs, as Kellie called them.
“Soooo. Who’s the guy?” Kellie eyed me over her glass as she took a sip, closed her eyes, and sighed with happiness. “Tell me all about him.”
I laughed. “Who’s the guy? I’ve known him for two days and had exactly two dates with him. What all do you think I can tell you?”
She opened one eye. “Naïve baby sis.” Her grin was devilish. “Is he well hung?”
I nearly spat out my wine. “Hung like a horse.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes.
“Liar. You have no idea.”
“Did you miss the part where I said we’ve had two dates?”
“Dates aren’t a requirement for judging hungness. I knew how well Sam was—”
I held up my hand. “Uncle. TMI. That’s you, not me. I’m the good girl of the family.”
She laughed.
“Seriously. Ashley, our matchmaker, has a rule—no sex until five dates, two months, or exclusivity. Break that rule and woe unto you. You’ve succeeded in having sex for fun, not finding a life mate. How to succeed in love, according to Ashley. She’s written a bestselling book on it.”
“Good for her,” Kellie said. “I’ll look it up. You’re forty percent of the way to the goal line. You like this guy. You’re hot for him. It’s written all over your face. If you’ll take some advice from your big sis, cure yourself of the itch. Get those five dates in ASAP and then see if he’s worth keeping.”
I laughed. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a corrupting influence?”
She shrugged and refilled her glass. “Never.”
I shook my head. “Consider yourself served.”
She laughed. “Seriously—has the matchmaker made a difference? Could you have found this guy or better on your own?”
“Obviously not,” I said. “I mean, I didn’t, did I? This was my first match, and things are going pretty well.”
“First match. Immediate sparks.” She grinned at me over her wine. “Either beginner’s luck or she’s as amazing as advertised.”
Kellie had been excited for me when I told h
er about meeting Ashley and signing up for her dating database. She looked pleased with herself and had that smug trust-your-big-sis look on her face. “You’re being awfully tightlipped about this guy. What’s the problem? Don’t want to jinx it?” She raised an eyebrow.
Kellie was two years older than me. Neither of us were particularly superstitious, but we’d had a running joke about jinxing relationships for as long as I could remember. We had as many rules to follow for not jinxing things as Ashley had for making a relationship succeed. Getting too excited about a guy too soon was rule number one.
“I’m not ready to bring him home to Mom and Dad yet,” I said. Which was only partially true. Yet being the operative word. Sometimes you get a feeling about someone. You just know things are right from the very beginning. I felt that way about Cam. But no, I didn’t want to jinx it. I’d had enough of jinxes.
Kellie sighed dramatically. “All right. No jinxing. If you’re not going to spill on how well hung he is, you can at least tell me something boring. What does Cam do for a living?”
“He’s a tech millionaire. He developed a dating app.” I described it, realizing that what I knew about was mostly what I’d read. Cam hadn’t actually talked about it much or what he was doing now, since selling it. Probably counting his money.
“That app? That Cam? I’ve heard of him. He’s loaded.”
It was hard to tell whether she was impressed or jealous or both. Sam was a good guy. He made a good living, and so did Kellie. But they were by no means multimillionaires.
“Judging by the app and his connection to the matchmaker, he should be an expert dater, then.” Kellie swirled her wine and lifted an eyebrow. “How are his moves? He must have made some?”
“He’s been a perfect gentleman.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” she said. “No chemistry?”
“Chemistry in spades.” I told her about our dates.
Since she was “an old, married mom” now, she listened intently, living vicariously through me and peppering me with questions—Where does he live? Does he own a home? How does he spend his days? What’s he working on now? Does he want children?
Mr. Accidental Rival_Jet City Matchmaker Series_Cam Page 7