by Whitley Cox
“Yep. Oh, and I like to read comic books.”
“Okay then. And how about your relationship with your family?”
He lifted one shoulder. “Meh, it’s all right. I mean it’s not strained. I love my parents and my brother and sister, but we’re not what I would call ‘close.' I’ve got a good relationship with my dad, but he lives in Hawaii. My mum, step-dad and half-sibs live in Montreal.”
“And have you taken the leave of absence from work your doctor advised?”
“No.”
I tilted my head and lifted an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“Too busy. I’ll do everything else he’s making me do, but I’m not leaving work.”
I decided to ignore this as it was ultimately going to get me nowhere and chose to move on. “Okay. So, I see here that Dr. Ernest has recommended you take up yoga for stress and that I set up a fitness routine for you. Something that you can manage and fit into your life so that it is maintainable once we’re through. I’m also going to set you up with a nutrition plan to help change your diet. After all, changing your body for weight-loss or fitness is thirty percent exercise and seventy percent what you put in your mouth. Are you okay with all of this?”
He lifted one shoulder arrogantly. “Yeah, sure. I mean I don’t want to have another jammer and die.”
“No of course not. I don’t want you to have another jammer either. So, I think today what we’ll do is do a fitness assessment, get your body mass index, body fat content, your body age. I already have the blood work that the hospital sent over, so that’s good. And then I think we’ll do a yoga session for the last hour to de-stress, so we finish on a high note. Did you bring other clothes?”
“No.”
“Well, I think we’ll be able to find you something here.”
“Here,” I said, throwing him a pair of basketball shorts and a loose, white t-shirt. “These should suffice for today.” I grabbed two yoga mats off the rack and led Justin down the hallway toward the studio while pointing to the men’s room on the left. “You can change in there if you want to. I’ll set up in here.”
“Ah, I should be okay.”
Following me into the yoga studio, he removed his shorts down to his, The Incredible Hulk boxers, and kicked off his running shoes and socks. Then he pulled his shirt off over his head, while I busied myself laying out the mats. I tied my long and frustratingly thick dark, red hair back into a ponytail and secured the whispies with a thin black headband I keep wrapped around my wrist. All the while desperately trying not to watch him in the giant floor to ceiling wall mirrors, but it was difficult, especially since he was watching me. Our eyes locked for just a second, then that smirk was on his face again. I rolled my eyes and kicked my flip-flops to the side while unzipping my white hoodie.
He had a nice body considering how little he took care of it. I studied his arms and torso, looking to see where I could add definition and toning. We’d definitely have to lift some heavy weights to build up his delts, traps, and pecs, they were virtually non-existent, but he had nice toned legs and from what I could see a taut little ass.
“You’re going to put me in an early grave with those sexy yoga pants and hot-pink top Miss Black. Are you trying to give your clients a heart attack? Or in my case another heart attack?”
I rolled my eyes again and ignored his come-on. “All right let’s begin with some deep breathing. Stand in the center of your mat, feet together facing the mirror, hands in prayer position in front of your heart.”
I watched him walk over, his big masculine feet with a light dusting of hair on the tops and toes making small imprints on the cobalt blue mat. Big feet, big… My mind wandered for a second and his eyes caught me staring, which of course earned me another large playful grin. But despite all that he followed my orders and we managed to make it through a full hour of yoga. His flexibility was paltry at best and his sense of balance laughable, but I had to give the man credit: he tried every position without a grimace and didn’t roll his eyes or ask to stop. And every time he lost his balance he’d get right back up and attempt it again.
“So, will this work for you then?” I asked as I handed him the proposed schedule that Lacy had printed out. It had us seeing each other five days a week for two hours a day, and four hours on Mondays to allow time to set up his meal plan for the week.
“Yes, uh, I think this should work. Sooooo, I guess I will see you on Monday then. Thank you, Miss Black.”
He extended his hand, and I shook it, our eyes locking again, a small squeeze of his fingers sending a jolt of awareness to my very core. When our hands separated, he offered me a very genuine and surprisingly small smile before nodding at Lacy and turning to leave, placing his sunglasses back in front of his eyes.
“Hey, babe.”
I turned around to see Alexa as she walked up behind me. And without thinking, I immediately grabbed her by the neck and planted a kiss on her lips. She was surprised at first but didn’t pull away. Instead, she deepened the kiss as her hand grazed my hip affectionately. When we came up for air from our more-than-a-peck lip lock I noticed Justin standing just outside the open door; his sunglasses were pushed down onto the bridge of his nose, his mouth open in surprise like an octopus. Smiling, I pulled Lex closer and captured her mouth with mine again, sliding my hand around to cup her perky butt.
“Do you want to go out tonight?” Lex asked as she turned into the liquor store parking lot.
I loved looking at her. She was absolutely stunning: her tanned almost muted copper skin glowed vibrant and youthful, while wild, jet black hair fell in thick, voluminous waves down her back, and big, soulful, dark brown eyes held wisdom far beyond her years. We’re not what you would call a “couple,” we’re best friends and roommates who also happen to occasionally sleep together and have threesomes when we feel like it. She’s my safe place, my rock, my family. And when I find a guy I’d like to sleep with Lex is always there too, making sure nothing bad happens.
I climbed out of her sleek little red Miata. “I don’t know,” I said. “Do you want to?” My own Jeep was in the shop, so Lex, who’s the head pastry chef at a cute little bakery and is usually off work by three, had come to pick me up.
“Well, I just got a text from Chad saying that a bunch of them are going out to The Fig for dinner, and they want to go dancing at that hot new nightclub up the street afterward. Want to do that?”
I nodded and fought off a sudden yawn. “Yeah, could be fun.”
“So how was work?”
We walked into the liquor store, and immediately male heads and a few female ones turned and took in the vision that is Lex: all big breasts, rocking ass, long legs and curves that won’t quit. And the worst and the best thing about her is that she’s the most down-to-earth and least vain person I’ve ever met. Truthfully, she has no idea how gorgeous she is.
“It was pretty good,” I said. “I have a new client. He’s handsome as hell, super rich and is a serious playboy. He can’t help but hit on anything and everything that walks. I practically caught him delivering pickup lines to a lamppost until he realized it wasn’t just a really thin woman.”
“Dear God, is he stupid too?” she asked with a throaty laugh, picking up a bottle of red wine to read the back label.
I shook my head. “No actually, I don’t think he is. I thought that he might be. You know, a rich boy spending all of Daddy’s money without a care or concern in the world. But I actually think he’s self-made and pretty smart. He’s an investment banker who owns a bunch of buildings and a few clubs and restaurants in town as well. But he’s one of those guys that just can’t turn it off. You know? He’s just always on, always joking around, but at the same time, he’s attached to his phone like it’s another appendage. He answered it three times during our session and was constantly texting and checking his emails even after I asked him to give his phone to the front desk. I can’t figure him out.”
“So is that why you sucked my face off when I p
icked you up?” she asked, giving me the side-eye as she scrutinized the wall of beer.
I managed a rueful smile. “I just needed to send him the message that I wasn’t interested. Thanks by the way.”
She shrugged. “Anytime. How about vodka? Hey, let’s get some Galliano and orange juice and make Harvey Wallbangers!”
“Yeah sure, whatever...” I trailed off, my thumb wedged sideways between my teeth as I wandered aimlessly up and down the aisles. “I just can’t figure this guy out. You know? He doesn’t work out, eats shit and has no stress release besides sex… what’s his deal?”
“You also can’t stop thinking about him. Or talking about him. Maybe his other stress release is humor? Should we grab some beer?” She tucked the bottle of Galliano under her arm and wandered back over to the microbrew section.
“What?” I chased after her. “I’m not thinking about him, or his stupid hair or stupid blue eyes…” She gave me a wry look. “But you make a good point about him being constantly on.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Come on, let’s go pay for our booty and head home to change. I want to wear my new dress, but I need you to help me accessorize.”
Other Available Books by Whitley Cox
Love, Passion and Power: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 1
Love, Passion and Power: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 2
Sex, Heat and Hunger: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 3
Sex, Heat and Hunger: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 4
Hot and Filthy: The honeymoon
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 4.5
True, Deep and Forever: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 5
True, Deep and Forever: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 6
Lust Abroad
Hot Dad
Quick & Dirty
Book 1, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Quick & Easy
Book 2, A Quick Billionaires Novella
Upcoming in 2018
Quick & Reckless
Book 3, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Hard Hart
Book 1 of The Harty Boys
Hard, Fast and Madly: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 7
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank who have helped me on this daunting journey to becoming a published writer. First and foremost, my friend and editor Chris Kridler, you lady are a blessing, a gem and an all around amazing human being. Thank you for your honesty and hard work.
Jeanne St. James for doing the first beta-read for me, your notes, brutal honesty, insight and ideas were so helpful. You really are my sister from another mister. Thank you, Shannyn Leah for your beta-read and encouraging words, you’re such a wonderful person. Thank you, Justine and Krista for your beta-reads as well. I love that I can hand you the rough, unedited stuff and you’ll read it and give me your feedback. Thank you.
Tara at Fantasia Frog Designs, your patience with my indecisions when it comes to covers is appreciated. You never disappoint.
My Romance Writer’s Behaving Badly Blog crew, I love being part of such a tremendous set of inspiring, talented and supportive women. Thank you for letting me learn, lean on and join the team.
My street team, Whitley Cox’s Curiously Kinky Reviewers, you are all awesome and I feel so blessed to have found such wonderful fans.
The ladies in Vancouver Island Romance Authors, your support and insight have been incredibly helpful, and I’m so honored to be apart of a group of such talented writers.
And lastly, of course, the husband. My rock, who proposed on Christmas because he wanted to be able to remember the date. It was the best Christmas present EVER. You are my other half in every way. Thank you for your unwavering support and love. I love you.
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About the Author
A Canadian West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have a spirited toddler, a brand new baby and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn't end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it's not quite wine o'clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes.
A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role playing, these books have everything we need to satisfy the curious kink in all of us.