“So how long is this going to be?”
“Three weeks.”
Jordan thought it was going to be the longest three weeks ever.
* * *
The next day, Senna woke up early and got ready for the day. The hotel she booked wound up being the crappiest place she’d ever slept, despite reviews online stating the contrary.
“Stupid shills,” she mumbled to herself as she got out of the rental car at the Vale family dojo where Jordan said he would be. When she came inside, she was greeted by a younger man who looked like he could be related to Jordan. Except where Jordan’s hair was a deep, rich auburn, this man’s was pitch black. And where Jordan’s eyes were a striking deep brown that almost looked red in some lights, this man’s were dark as night. But both had the same straight nose, high cheekbones, strong jaw and tall, muscled build.
“I’m Asher,” he said. “Nice to meet you. Sorry, my brother isn’t here. I’m manning the fort until he gets in. Once he does, I have to head out to get a few things done,” he replied cordially.
“Pleasure to meet you, Asher. Are there not any classes today?”
“Oh, there are, just not until the afternoon on Sundays. Morning attendance was pretty abysmal, so we moved all the classes after one.”
“Ah, I see. Mind if I wander around until he gets in?” she asked.
“Suit yourself. Let me know if you need anything,” he replied, going back to his work at the desk.
The dojo was an interesting mix of old and new. It had the feel of a much older dojo, one that had been used for decades and perhaps seen several generations of fighters. But the equipment was new and in good condition and the building was well kept.
As she pondered what it must have been like for Jordan to grow up training here, the sound of a back door closing loudly interrupted her.
“Hey, bro. You’re late,” Asher said to Jordan as he walked in, without looking up from his work.
“Sorry for breaking your heart and all that. I was out running,” Jordan replied unapologetically.
“Next time you’re running, make sure you get here faster. You have company.”
Jordan indeed looked like he’d been running. Or maybe even sprinting. His rippling muscles glistened, almost as if his body had been covered by cool morning dew. He was shirtless, and he looked even better in person than he did on TV. Perfectly defined abs came up to two huge pectorals, and his biceps and shoulders were large and cut. On one arm, a dragon snaked its way from his shoulder down to his elbow.
She groaned mentally, thinking he was the kind of guy that would run shirtless around the neighborhood. But the rest of her body responded to him instantly. Like there was a raw magnetism drawing her to him.
Keep it professional, Senna.
“Did you miss me?” Jordan asked as he grabbed a towel and hung it on his neck.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she retorted. “We have work to do.”
“Do we now?” he asked nonchalantly, walking out onto the mat and beginning to train.
“Don’t break my stuff while I’m gone,” Asher called to Jordan, grabbing keys and heading out. “It was nice meeting you,” he said with a nod to Senna before walking to the door.
“Mmmkay, pumpkin,” Jordan replied with a casual wave, mocking him. Asher gave him a short glare and then left.
“So I have a schedule planned out for you,” Senna said, focusing on business. Jordan ignored her, so she removed her shoes and walked out onto the mat in the hopes it would get his attention.
“Schedule…” Jordan muttered, trailing off, clearly in his own world centered on him and the bag he was currently pounding. He dodged, coming in for another jab combo.
It was getting hotter by the second. Senna suddenly felt the need to loosen the collar of her blouse.
“Yes,” she continued. “Tomorrow there’s a sports festival promoting local teams, clubs, and dojos in the community, and you’ll be going to it. Then later this week, there’s an MMA fighter promo event where you need to make a showing. This weekend, there’s a local tournament I want you to attend. I imagine fans of yours will be there. I also have interviews with different TV stations scheduled intermittently around those.”
“Boring,” Jordan replied with an audible yawn, then resumed his workout.
“This is what I’m being paid to do. Find ways for you to interact meaningfully with your fans and with the community so you can repair your damaged reputation.”
Jordan paused for a moment. “Honey, I’ve never even had a reputation worth caring about before. What makes you think I want one now?”
“Because you want to have a successful career.”
There was no response. Only the sound of Jordan’s strikes against the bag, the thump-thump sound echoing through the dojo.
After a long while with no answer, Senna decided to change subjects.
“Why do you give your brother so much grief?” she asked plainly.
The workout stopped immediately, and Jordan stopped the bag from swinging on its chain and then turned to face Senna directly. He stood at his full height, completely intimidating and irresistibly sexy, dark reddish-brown eyes showing shades of brandy and wine.
For a prolonged moment, Jordan surveyed Senna, looking her up and down. She could feel a blush creeping over her cheeks as he watched her, as if he were undressing her with his eyes.
Senna had always been a curvy girl, and in her childhood, she’d received a lot of jabs from her peers and her siblings about it. But gradually over the years, as she left home, got a degree, and became increasingly more successful at her job, she’d been able to stop caring about what other people thought and accept there was nothing wrong with her body.
But now, seeing the raw, unmitigated lust in Jordan’s eyes, she felt like she was the most gorgeous woman alive. She felt warm all over, and part of her ached to have him touch her right here, right now.
But reason prevailed, and she opened her mouth to kindly ask Jordan to stop his leering, when he interrupted her suddenly.
“Let’s get lunch,” he offered confidently.
“I don't date clients, Mr. Vale. It’s my policy,” she replied, standing up straight in the hopes of appearing more intimidating.
He seemed unaffected.
“You do eat food though, correct? Or are you actually a robot?” he asked. She wasn’t sure if he was teasing or being serious.
“No, of course I eat. What kind of question is that?” she replied incredulously.
“Then lunch. Fifteen minutes. I’ll meet you outside,” Jordan said, walking off and ending the conversation before she could get in another word.
Senna was flabbergasted. Never before had someone come on to her so strong and decisively. She was used to men being overtly douchey or backhanded and trying to make it look like she would want to hook up with them.
She tidied the papers in her folder and closed it, holding it close to herself while her body cooled off for a moment. It would be a lunch meeting, she decided. No more, no less. Then she headed to her car to turn on some air-conditioning and wait for the fighter who was already proving too much to handle.
Alpha Hero on Amazon
Also by Terry Bolryder
Bearstone Park Series (Standalone novels)
A billionaire tech mogul, a movie star, and an Olympic snowboarder come back to Bearstone Park and find unexpected but wonderful mates.
Bearllionaire
Bearlebrity
Bearthlete
Polar Heat Series
A matchmaking papa bear sets his three shifter sons up with women on a Caribbean island.
Bear-ever Yours
Some Bear to Love
One in a Bear-llion
Remem-bear Me (Dad’s book)
The Alpha Series
Alpha Games Serial (Novellas with cliffhangers between volumes)
An alpha female returns home to the pack mates she left and finds herself choosing between three alpha ma
les in this paranormal romance serial from Terry Bolryder
Alpha Games Boxed Set
Or buy separately:
Alpha Games 1
Alpha Games 2
Alpha Games 3
Alpha Games 4
Alpha Rogue Serial (Novellas with cliffhangers between volumes)
An MMA fighting shifter meets his match in his exciting paranormal romance serial from Terry Bolryder.
Alpha Rogue Boxed Set Sale
Or buy separately:
Alpha Rogue 1
Alpha Rogue 2
Alpha Rogue 3
Alpha Contender Serial (Novellas with cliffhangers between volumes)
A average human woman finds out she’s a desirable female alpha and ends up in a mansion with ten possible suitors in this paranormal romance serial from Terry Bolryder.
Alpha Contender Boxed Set Sale
Or buy separately:
Alpha Contender 1
Alpha Contender 2
Alpha Contender 3
Alpha Contender 4
Thanks so much for reading!
Terry
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