by Lexy Timms
“Just making sure the boundaries are clear.”
She leaned back against the back of her chair, and looked at him through half-lidded eyes. “You're quite the character, Parker. I read your Rich & Single interview, you know.”
“A lot of people have read that interview.”
“A lot of people know a lot about you.”
“People like to believe that, but they really only know what you tell them. Every word of that interview could be a lie.”
“I'm sitting across from you, arguing about a challenge that will give both of us enough publicity that we'll be turning people away at the door, and you're making sure that I'm sticking to ethics. I think that a lot of what you said in that interview is true.” Her smile softened a little. “You're just a big teddy bear under all that muscle.”
His eyebrows drew together. “I’m not fucking a teddy bear, thank you very much. I'm just... Not as much of a hard-ass as I make myself out to be. You know how it is. You've got to have a persona for this kind of work.”
There was that grin again, all teeth. Jennifer stood, and started for the door, pausing at the last minute to look over her shoulder. “Trust me. There's nothing personal about how much of a hard-ass I am, Parker. You'll find that out really fast.” She opened the door and stepped through. “I'll be in touch.”
The door shut again behind her.
Chapter 6
Well that had been eye-opening, to say the least.
Parker sat in the chair behind his desk and watched Jennifer cross the room through the wide glass windows that framed the door. She moved like someone with a purpose, long strides eating up distance, and didn't stop to look at any of the people working out. No nonsense, then, but that had been kind of obvious.
He tipped his head back against the top of the chair and stared up at the ceiling, considering.
What the hell was he supposed to do with a challenge like that?
The question of whether or not to take her up on her ultimatum had been a big one before. Now, the stakes were higher. If he didn't answer her challenge, there was every chance she would go around telling people that he was scared to prove his slogan, that maybe he couldn't really get anyone fit. The idea made Parker growl, his fingers curling a little tighter around the arm rests.
No. He wasn't going to let her do that to him and his business. He'd worked too hard to get where he was, and he was not going to let anyone, least of all Jennifer Leandra and her silly little challenge, stand in his way.
He dialed Jackson's number.
“Jackson,” came the answer after a single ring. “What is it, Parker?” There was a click, and the sound of fingers against keys, like he was looking for something on his computer, or maybe like he was just multitasking. Jackson wasn’t really the single-focus kind of guy. “Our meeting is tomorrow, isn't it?”
“Yeah,” Parker said. “Our meeting’s tomorrow. But Jennifer Leandra showed up here today.”
The sound of fingers on keys abruptly fell silent. “At the gym? What was she doing there in person?”
“Extending her challenge again. She wants to run a long-term fitness contest, to make me prove that I really can make anyone fit. And maybe to prove that she can, too. Who knows”?”
“What did you tell her?”
“I didn't give her a concrete answer, if that's what you're asking. I know better than that. We're going to talk about it and make the decision tomorrow.”
“Except that you've already made the decision. I've known you for years, man, I know what you sound like when you're set on something.”
Parker reached up and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, head dipping forward. “Yeah,” he admitted, a little sheepishly. “I have already decided. But, really, there's no way around it. We're going to have to take her challenge, or I'm going to look like I'm afraid to answer it. And I'm not going to let anyone think I'm afraid of a little healthy competition.”
“A little healthy competition?” Jackson scoffed. “Not sure that's what I'd call it, but I guess it's up to you. And you’re probably right.” He sighed. “It’s not like it won’t be good publicity, as long as we handle it correctly. We’re not doing bad on exposure, but a little more won’t hurt. I’ll make sure that we’re set up for it.”
“Thanks, dude. Knew that I could count on you.”
“Always, Parker. See you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
He hung up.
***
“Okay,” Jackson said, closing his laptop and looking over the top of it at Parker. “I think we’ve got it all settled. “Any other questions or comments before I get this rolling?”
Parker shook his head. They’d gone over the whole plan pretty extensively already and, all respect to the man who’d been his best friend since college, these kinds of meetings weren’t exactly high on his list of favorite activities. He was ready to get out and do something else, and he was sure Jackson could tell.
“I think I’ve got it down pretty clearly. I’ll start getting the trainers to spread the words to their clients, getting everyone excited. And we’ll go from there.”
Jackson grinned at him. “Good. I’ll have my team on spreading the word that we’re looking for someone to get a free training session with you. That should have people lining up at your door faster than you can say ‘please.’ And the guys will be here tomorrow to film the video of you accepting her challenge, so we’re good to go on that.”
“Great.”
Parker stood, glad to be up out of the chair, and stretched. Jackson, on the other side of his desk, also rose, and began packing his papers and his computer into his laptop case.
“You ready for this, Parker, really?” He asked as he snapped it closed, finally looking up.
He needs to get better hair gel or something, Parker thought as he watched. His blond hair kept slipping into his eyes. He didn’t suggest it. That wasn’t exactly the kind of thing you usually said to another guy. “I’m always ready,” Parker said, pulling on a grin. “You know me.”
“I know that none of this is really what you’re used to. Training isn’t usually a competitive sport in your area of the field. I’m just saying that it might be harder than you think it’s going to be.”
Instead of laughing, like he could have, Parker actually gave his partner a serious look. “Hey, I’m not afraid of hard work. If anyone knows that, it’s you.”
Jackson shook his head, finally smiling, even if it was only half a smile. “I’ve had to keep up with you for the past six years. I know exactly how hard you work. But she seems kind of mean. Like she’ll run you over if you get in her way. Just saying.”
“I have no doubt she would outright murder me if she thought it would help,” Parker answered.
The other man laughed. “You see what I mean?”
“If you had to get murdered, though, there are worse views.”
Jackson straightened, holding the laptop case in one hand, and gave Parker a look that said he didn’t find the joke as funny as Parker did. “Seducing her is not part of the plan, Parker. Keep it in your pants. Or don’t. Just don’t try to get into her pants.”
“Not even a little bit?”
“It’s your funeral.”
“Oh, come on, she can’t be that bad.”
“She’d probably eat her hookup after. Like a praying mantis.”
“You act like she’s evil. She’s just a woman with ambition, Jackson. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Did I say there was?” Jackson brushed his hair back out of his eyes and looked across the desk at Parker. “All I’m saying is, watch yourself. Not every woman you meet is going to fall into your bed, and it’s better to give up on some of them before you start.”
“Dude. When’s the last time you got laid? Never mind. I don’t really care. We’re going out tonight, and you’re going to have a drink and chill. Because you are way too uptight.”
“I’m not uptight, and I have things to do ton
ight if we’re launching a new social media campaign tomorrow.”
Parker could have argued that first point, but he decided it was probably better just to let it go for now. “Fine. This weekend, then.”
Jackson pulled his phone out of the front pocket of his laptop case and glanced through it, probably checking his schedule. “Okay,” he said finally. Reluctant. “This weekend.”
“I knew you’d come around. I’ll drop by and grab you on the way to the club. We’ll find someone who will take you home and help you remember how to relax.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“I’m an awesome wingman.”
“You’re a terrible wingman. They’re always using me to get to you.”
It was an argument as old as their friendship. Parker laughed, and reached out to clap Jackson on the shoulder as he walked past on his way to the door. “Seriously, dude. Don’t worry about it. It’ll be fun.”
“If you say so.”
“Get out of my office and go be a pessimist somewhere else.”
He gave Jackson a shove, and Jackson, grinning, stepped out into the main room of the gym.
“All right. I’ll see you later, man.”
“And you.”
Jackson walked away, looking totally out of place between the workout machines in his suit and tie, and Parker shook his head. Still laughing, he went to get ready for his next client.
***
The video crew showed up the next morning between his cardio class and his first home call appointment. They set up in the corner of the gym where they could put lights on him while he did bench presses, and spritzed him down with water to make it look like he’d been sweating, despite his protests that he could have just done the reps. Why fake it when they could catch real action on camera? Apparently Jackson had told them not to listen to him, because the director didn’t seem even a little intimidated, and eventually Parker sighed and went with their plan. They were the professionals.
Then they handed him a script.
“No.”
The director looked up from where he was fiddling with one of the cameras. “What do you mean, 'No'?”
“I mean I'm not going to read someone else's words when I accept this challenge. It's my company. The challenge was to me. It's bad enough that I have to stage a workout. I'm going to answer the challenge myself.”
“You know Jackson wrote the script?”
“I don't care.” Parker set it down on top of the director's chair. “Jackson knew when he wrote that script that I wouldn't read it, so I don't know why he bothered.”
Actually, he knew exactly why Jackson had bothered. He was probably sitting in his office laughing while he imagined Parker's reaction, and the director's reaction to Parker. Bastard was going to pay for that sometime when he least expected it.
Parker stretched out on the weight bench and waited for the rest of them to get with the program.
“No script, then,” the director said, in a tone that told Parker he'd probably be having words with Jackson. He turned to the crew. “Lights. Camera. Okay. And. Action.”
Parker lifted the barbell, grunting a little with the weight of it, and straightened his arms. It was a familiar motion, as routine as any of the others from his workouts. He lowered the weight back to the bars that held it in place, and then lifted it again. Lowered it. He sat up, and looked into the camera. “Six years ago, when I started my company, all I owned was a set of weights and a car. I worked from clients’ houses, because we didn't have the funds to set up our own space. Back then, people didn't always believe me when I said that I could make anyone fit. But then they watched us, and saw that we were serious about our business, and that I was serious about my slogan. We can make anyone fit, and now I'm going to prove it.” He shifted slightly and narrowed his gaze just enough to send a look that was serious and sexy at the same time. “Jennifer Leandra, you called me out. Well, I'm accepting your challenge.”
He grinned, wide and friendly, not at all like the sharp smile that Jennifer had given the camera in her own video. “I can get anyone fit. Can you?”
He leaned back against his hands, and the director called cut.
“Okay, Parker. That was... really not bad, actually. You want to run another take?”
Parker shook his head. “Nope. I think we got what I needed to say, and I've got an appointment in twenty minutes that I've got to head out for. Thank you for your time.”
He got up, and moved past their little huddle and out into the main part of the gym. That had been surprisingly painless. Of course, that probably had something to do with the fact that he hadn't had to memorize a script. He waved to one of the trainers just coming in, and stepped through into his office to get his things for the next appointment.
By tomorrow, half the country would likely know that he had taken Jennifer Leandra's challenge, and that was likely to get a little messy. That stuff he’d said to the woman interviewing him for Rich & Single about the city being too noisy for him was probably going to be twice as true pretty fast. So for today, he was just going to spend one more afternoon enjoying the quiet of his usual routine.
Tomorrow, he’d worry about the rest.
Chapter 7
The sound of a chair sliding out close enough to be heard over the noise of conversation from the surrounding tables pulled Parker out of the article he was scanning over lunch. He looked up to find Jennifer Leandra sitting across from him.
She was not, for once, wearing spandex workout gear. Instead she was in a shirt that left her shoulders and arms bare, and flowed over the curves of her breasts and hips in a way that made Parker really want to take it off her. Preferably somewhere that he could take the rest of her clothes off her, too. He realized he was staring, and dragged his eyes up to her face. When they met hers, she was smirking at him.
“Having trouble?”
“Like I’m the only guy you’ve ever had stare at you.”
“Not at all.” She dropped one hand to rest on the table and tapped a fingernail against the wood, raising an eyebrow in his direction like a challenge. “Doesn’t make it any less rude.”
Parker set his phone down. “What are you doing at my table, Jennifer? Can I help you with something?”
Jennifer laughed. “I’m just here to chat. I wanted to say that I saw the video you sent out. Not half bad. A little short, but it seemed totally you.”
He was starting to understand why Jackson disliked her so much. “Is that it?”
Her eyebrows lifted. “What? Did I hurt your feelings? All I did was point out that it’s kind of rude to stare when my face is up here.”
Parker sighed. “Tell me something, Jennifer. Do you have any interest whatsoever in being friends with me?”
“Friends?” She let out a sharp little laugh. “No. That’s not really my intention. I was pretty sure we’re supposed to be rivals, actually.”
“So I’ll ask again, then what’re you doing here?”
“Oh, I don’t know…” She toyed with the salt shaker, rolling it back and forth on its bottom edge. “Just rattling some cages and seeing what shakes out, I guess.” Her eyes lifted to his again, and she grinned. “Wouldn’t want to let you get too comfortable, after all. What kind of challenger would I be, then?”
“The kind that isn’t annoying?”
“Honestly, I think you only feel that way because I’m not going to let you get in my pants.” Her head tipped slightly to the side. “Admit it, Parker, if I crooked a finger at you right now you’d roll into bed with me so fast your head would spin.”
“Who said I wanted to fuck you?”
She snorted. “Please. It’s written all over your big, dumb face.”
The teasing about staring was one thing, but he wasn’t going to sit there and say nothing while she insulted him. He shook his head, jaw tightening. “That’s enough. Whatever it is you’re here to try to do, I’m really over it. Get up.”
“It’s a public place.” The
grin she hadn’t dropped widened. “I’m not doing anything that you can really report me for.”
“Fine. You stay. I’ll go.” Parker tucked his phone into his pocket and stood up.
“Oh, come on. I don’t really think you’re stupid, Parker, or I wouldn’t have picked you to run the challenge against.” She rolled her eyes. “And I didn’t come in here to chase you away from your table. Sit down. Eat your fucking lunch. Sheesh.”
No way was he going to sit back down at the table like she’d just called him to heel. Leaving meant she’d pushed him out, but at least he wasn’t her lapdog. Parker picked up the rest of the food, closing the box it was in on it, and started for the door. He heard her chair scrape again against the floor behind him, and then her footsteps following, because of course it wasn’t going to be that easy to get away from her. Jackson was probably right. If he ever had sex with her she really would murder him in his sleep.
“Parker,” she said as they stepped out onto the sidewalk and he turned to head back toward the gym. And then, louder, “Parker.”
He turned into an alley that cut between the buildings on this street and the next and made for a faster route back to work, and she followed. For a moment, he thought he was going to outpace her. Then a hand brushed against his arm.
Parker abruptly stopped walking and turned, spinning around to face her and taking a step in her direction. Jennifer took a step back, and then another. He followed, and her back hit the wall of one of the buildings that framed the little graveled space. She looked up at him with wide eyes, and an expression that wasn’t entirely displeased.
“I mean it, Jennifer,” he said, pressing one palm to the wall, though his other hand was busy with the takeout box. “Why are you following me around?”
She tipped her head back a little to meet his gaze from under her eyelashes, and he felt a palm stroke up the outside of his thigh. “Maybe I just like to get you hot and bothered.”
Parker caught her wrist in the hand that had been pressed up against the brickwork and pulled it away from his body with just enough force to make a point, careful not to hurt her. Jennifer laughed, and pushed against the pressure until he just let go and stepped back.