Love's Fun

by Karen Deen

  “It’s more than friends. I know that now, too,” I manage to say with all my effort to sound strong. I mean every single word.

  For the first time in a long time, I want to explore more than friends. And I want to explore it with Xavier.

  14

  Xavier

  WELL, THIS ESCALATED QUICKLY.

  Glad I have some solid workouts booked in this afternoon. Ally is driving me crazy, my emotions are pent up and are going to need to be released. It’s hard enough seeing her, but then saying things like that to this dirty little mind, it sends me thinking on the naughty side every single time. It’s the side of my brain that says stop pussyfooting around and fix my problem by hooking up with Ally right now. The sexy side of my brain has no patience. It is male, after all.

  The other side of my brain I call the sensible side, which I’m sure is far smaller than the sexy side. It’s telling me to ease back, keep flirting but she still needs to take it slow. If I want this friend thing to turn into a relationship, I need to listen to this boring side of my brain. He is definitely the buzzkill in my head.

  “You’re right, it is more than friends. I’m trying to keep it there for you, though. We can do as many friend dates as you need. When you’re ready you take the lead. Okay?” I knew she wouldn’t answer with words. Ally being able to speak to me has come so far already, but I know there are times when I am pushing the edge of the line where she is still struggling. Like now, where all I get is a head nod to tell me yes. Time to lighten things up again.

  “Just so you know, last night I recorded myself sleeping to see if I snored and dreamed at the same time.” Bingo, her giggle slips out and we have moved on from the serious.

  “You did not.” Her eyes are looking at me with wonder, trying to decide if I’m serious or not.

  “I did. I want to prove your ridiculous fact wrong. I knew I would be dreaming, can’t shake you off my mind. Oops, probably shouldn’t have said that. Anyway, so I recorded my sleeping, want to hear it? See if you can hear the snoring?”

  “That proves nothing, crazy man. I can’t sit here and listen to eight hours of you sleeping to see if I hear snoring. Plus, how do I know if you are dreaming at the same time as the snoring.” Her face lights up when her brain is thinking. I can see the logic trying to work out how she can prove the theory right.

  “Listen, I’m snoring. I know I was dreaming, you just have to believe me.”

  “Pfft, how can you prove it?” Does she really want to push that point?

  “Are you sure you really want to go there? I mean, I can tell you, but not sure you want to hear it over coffee.” I’m already adjusting myself under the table. Man, I hope we don’t have to stand and leave just yet.

  “Why, is it scary or really weird?”

  “Nope, nothing like that.” She has not caught on yet to where my head is at. These are the times I realize how innocent Ally really is.

  “I can’t go back to work now until I know if you can discredit my theory. Spill it.” Not sure where this new-found confidence has come from but I like it. There is a bit of sass hiding under there.

  “Okay, if you are so sure then don’t blame me when you decide you didn’t want to know.” Taking a breath. “I remember dreaming about you. Naked and with me in my bed. I could go into detail, but you’re already blushing. Let’s just say I woke up with a painfully hard dick and needed to have a cold shower. So yeah, I was dreaming, baby, that I’m certain of.” Leaning across the table I take her chin and slowly lift it, making her look at me. “You were so beautiful, it was hot. I can’t wait for the real thing because I know it will be so much better than any dream I have.” My thumb is caressing her bottom lip as the breath rushes from her lungs. “When you’re ready that dream will become reality, but there is no rush. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Why can’t I breathe?” she whispers.

  “Because my touch does to you what you do to me, every time I’m near you. This is real, baby.” My hand moves to her cheek and her eyes glaze over, her head dropping into my hand. Not sure she even realizes she’s doing it.

  “Why me?”

  “Because the universe chose you to be mine and me to be yours. Who are we to argue?” I wish she could see her own beauty that is more than just skin deep.

  “I don’t know how to do this, Xavier?” Her unsure whisper is pulling at my heart strings.

  “Me either. We’ll work it out together. Okay?” Slowly her head nods up and down. She is so cute.

  I can sit here all day staring into those eyes and touching her, but I can hear that sensible voice in my head yelling at me to pull back again.

  “Now let’s finish our coffee and get you back to work. Before your sister comes looking for us chasing the coffee you promised.” Slowly I lean back and take my hand away. I don’t want to. The energy that was passing through it slowly disappears.

  So much for lightening up the moment. I fell straight back down the rabbit hole. I manage to keep the conversation light for the rest of the coffee date. Walking back to the office, we keep chatting about plans for the rest of the day. Approaching her building, I plan on walking her up to her office but again she declines. I need to find out what that is about. That’s for another time.

  “See you in the morning.” Ally looks at me waiting for my answer.

  “Wouldn’t miss it. Thanks for the coffee.” I can’t resist a kiss, leaning in and placing one on her cheek. Lingering there a little longer than a friendly kiss. As I pull away, I see the happiness on her face. She enjoyed it just as much as I did. “Next time I’m walking you to your office, no arguments.” I slowly slide my hand out of hers and back away from her as she enters the building. Still looking over her shoulder at me. With a face that is glowing. My work here today is done. Now time to go work off that tension that is sitting under the surface. Anyone would think I’m a teenage boy again.

  ***

  If there’s one place in this world I feel at home in, this is it.

  Loud music pumping, weights clinking, smell of sweaty bodies. More than anything, it is the energy you find in the air in a gym. People using their mental and physical strength to improve themselves. It’s no competition with other people. You are just working against yourself. Trying to drop that weight, or increase that fitness, get back to where you want to be. Determination and loads of it, buzzing through the air.

  “Hey, big brother. What’s on the agenda for tonight? Want to grab some dinner and run over plans for the next few weeks? There are a few things we need to sort out. Or are you playing lover boy with Alesha? I’m still in shock after you told me your big secret. You’ve never wanted to date a quiet woman like Alesha. You better not play her like the others.”

  “Not a chance. This is different, I promise you that. Now, can we not stand here in the middle of the gym discussing my love life?”

  “Okay, back to my question then, what are you doing tonight? Can we get together to go over a few things we need to sort out?”

  “Sure, come over and I’ll cook some dinner. I’m training with Kane when I get home, so just come over when you’re ready.” Nat has keys to my apartment just like I do for hers. It’s come in handy a few times when she has locked herself out. Plus, there was that one time I left my keys at the girl’s house, after doing a quick morning runner while she was still sleeping. I sure as hell didn’t want to have to go back and get them. I rang Nat who met me and let me in. I then rang and changed the locks. Costly exercise for sleeping with a chick I should have just walked away from at the bar. There was obviously a lot of alcohol consumed and I ignored the sensible little man in my brain. This woman was a stage-one clinger. From the moment I pushed into her, she had us married off and a house with the white picket fence. Not my scene and I knew I needed to abort that night as quick as humanly possible. That’s why there was no way I was going back for my house key.

  “Do you want me to bring anything with me? I can go past the shops on the way th
ere. While you and Kane are beating each other up with the gloves.” Nat is wiping down the equipment our clients have just been using before the next ones arrive.

  “No. Thanks but I need to grab a few things for myself. I’m out of beers and a few other things. If you beat me there, just chill out, I won’t be long.” I know what she is like. As soon as she arrives, she’ll be in the kitchen trying to sort out dinner. Nat loves to cook. Constantly tells me how much better than me she is. One thing our mother made sure before we left home was that we knew how to cook. Not just basic meals but to really love to cook and be adventurous with what we make. I enjoy it but not as much as she does. I won’t admit to her, but Natalie is an awesome cook and better than me. Sometimes when I walk into her apartment, the smell from the kitchen makes my mouth water.

  “Who have we got left this afternoon?” Nat asks as I am looking at our bookings.

  “George and Francis will be here any minute and then Luke has booked in. Not sure if he is here to train or to check me out because I took Ally out a couple of times. You know, playing big brother and all that.”

  “Please do not make this a pissing competition with him. You would do the same if it was me, so just take the questions and be polite. If you really like Alesha, which I think you do, then you need to have a great relationship with her brother. Got it?” Hands on her hips, I can tell by her stance that this is one of those conversations that I am supposed to listen to.

  “Yes, Mom. I’ll play nice. Luke seems like a good guy, so I can’t see any drama. Anyway, you’ll be here to referee, won’t you?”

  “You’re ridiculous. I’m not protecting you from making a dick of yourself. There is only so much this twin-sister bond covers. So how did coffee go today?” Her expression softens when she wants to know how Alesha is. “Were you a gentleman?”

  “How can you doubt that? You know me better than that. Of course I was. I’ll never be anything but a gentleman to Ally. Not a chance.” I was annoyed she would even think I’d be anything less than that.

  “You really like her. She’s different than all the others, isn’t she?” Her voice is soft and caring. The one she brings out when she knows I need my twin sister and not just a friend. Someone who knows the real me.

  “There is something about her that has me, Nat. I can’t stop thinking about her. She lights up the room when she walks in. I want to spend every minute I can with her. I don’t know how to deal with all this. You know I have never felt like this with anyone else. It’s like she just cast a spell on me with her eyes the first time she looked at me. I know that sounds like all girly crap. I don’t understand it all, but what I do know is that woman has me wanting her bad. I’ve got to try to hold back. She’s not the sort of woman who you can rush. This is a whole new world for her, too.”

  Natalie stares at me, a look of shock plastered on her face. Her mouth slightly open like she was about to say something but then stopped.

  “What’s wrong with you? You’re never lost for words.”

  “Today I am. Xav, I had no idea how infatuated you are with Alesha. I could tell you liked her, but this is really serious. Not just a normal ‘get her into your bed’. Not even a casual relationship. You’re looking to get to know her because you want more. Holy shit. I never thought I would see the day. What is even more frustrating is that I was supposed to find love before you. Why do you get to be first all the time?” Putting my arm around her shoulders, I can’t help but feel that, although she is joking, part of her is serious. She wants to find her prince. He just hasn’t arrived yet. He will have to be pretty awesome to pass my brother test, I can tell you that. My sister only deserves the best, nothing less. It’s her reward for putting up with me for all these years. I know I’m not easy to love.

  “Nat, your prince will come. When it’s right he will turn up. It will be when you least expect it. You will know it’s him. Take it from me. It’s like a train hits you at full speed. Then you are running behind the last carriage trying to catch it to join the ride.” I am glad I’m fit because I feel like I’m running flat out at the moment, trying to get us both on the train and we are close, just not quite there yet.

  “Yeah, yeah. We’ll see. Here comes our next two clients so no more soppy crap. Let’s get moving.” I knew that was Nat’s way of stopping the conversation that was getting too deep for a gym chat.

  I poked her in the ribs and jumped sideways. “You started it. Now get back to work, slack ass.”

  ***

  The next hour passes quickly and before we know it, Luke is in the gym and striding across to where we are.

  “Hey, man. How you doing?” He has his hand out shaking mine. “Hi, Natalie, how was your day?”

  I’m not the slightest bit worried about Luke. I know he is protective of his two sisters, but he seems to be also a little laid back. We got on well the other night at the bar and nightclub. He knew I was checking out Ally, it’s not like I was very discreet. He didn’t warn me off then, but let’s see what happens today.

  “Hey Luke. Ready to be worked hard? No easy options in my gym.”

  “Then I’m in the right spot. Nothing beats a good hard workout. You hanging around, Nat, or am I just being punished by Romeo here?” And there it is. The first comment about Ally.

  “How about we get out whatever you, as the big brother, feel you need to say now, so then I can concentrate on making you suffer.”

  Chuckling, Luke has a grin that tells me he is cool with this whole thing. “Good idea. Simple, man. You hurt her, I will kill you. If that is not enough, then Grant and Zach will step up and God help you if my father gets hold of you.”

  I’m laughing at Luke and Nat is standing there not knowing what to say or do. “I didn’t expect anything less. I don’t plan on hurting her, man. Just the opposite. Your sister is special and all I want to do is make her happy and see her smiling.” I’m dead serious as the words come out of my mouth.

  “Then we have no problems. She needs someone to help her see the world. She might be quiet but is a good person underneath. Just take it easy with her. If it helps, watching her the last few days, she is totally off balance. It’s pretty funny to watch. She likes you, man, and she doesn’t know what to do with that.” Luke sticks his hand out for mine. We shake to show there are no issues between us, as long as I do the right thing.

  Nat breaks the silence between us. “Are you two going to stand around all afternoon or do you plan on training? I’m leaving you to it. Luke, I’ll catch you next time. Xav, I’ll see you at your place later. Try to stop chatting like women and get into it, will you, before the hour’s up.”

  “Yes, boss,” we both reply at the same time.

  Natalie grabs her water bottle and towel, and is off towards the locker room. She can read me better than anyone in this world. Time with Luke today is what I need. A good workout and time to find out more about the woman who is rushing into my life at the speed of lightning.

  “Let’s get you warmed up and then we might get into some boxing and weights to finish. Sound good to you?” I need to burn energy and boxing is the best way to do it for me rather than stand and watch other people training while I’m instructing.

  “Perfect.”

  Time started to move quickly, and we were through the hour before we knew it. I thought about asking Luke several questions on Ally, but every time changed my mind. Part of me wants to find out all there is to know about her. My heart tells me, though, I should learn it from her. Get to know her through talking to her, not what other people say. I know if Ally listened to what other people say about me, she wouldn’t be getting to know the real me. Not many people know the real me. One thing the workout did, was help me to wear myself out. By the time I go home and train with Kane, I have a chance of sleeping tonight.

  “Thanks, Xavier, that was an awesome workout. Need to keep in shape to keep my woman happy.” His whole face lights up as he mentions Zoe.

  “What’s the go with you and Zoe?
Last night you looked like you were going to eat her alive on the dance floor, or fuck her there. One or the other.”

  Luke chuckles as he is rubbing the sweat off his body with his towel. “Long story. Last night was the night I’ve waited a very long time for. Now everyone knows she’s mine and I’m never letting her go. When you know, you know. Nothing can change it.” He is looking at me making sure I get the hidden meaning to his message.

  “Yeah, I’m quickly discovering that. Happy for you, man. She looks like a great woman, and the way she was looking at you last night, she seems as happy as you are.”

  “She is more amazing than you’ll ever know. Speaking of my hot girlfriend, I need to get moving so I can get home to her. Not sure on my plans for the next week, I could be away for a few days. I’ll be in touch, though. We need to do this again, it was great.”

  “Anytime, Luke. Call me when you’re ready. I enjoyed it, too. Nice to get my own workout at the same time. Got a feeling there are going to be plenty of days I’m going to need to burn off excess energy.” I give him a wink.

  “Too much information. Remember, she’s my sister. Things I never want to hear. Got it?”

  Laughing, I smack him on the shoulder as we both head to hit the showers. I like Luke and it’s comforting to know he’s on team Xavier with Lilly. Now to convince Alesha to jump onto team Xavier, too.

  15

  Alesha

  AMAZINGLY, I’M AWAKE way before the alarm is set to go off. Knowing I’m about to see Xavier has me wide awake and ready to go for the morning.

  Standing in front of the bathroom mirror brushing my teeth, I start to wish I had taken Lilly up on her offer to go shopping. I want Xavier to look at me and think wow. How do I manage to keep his interest from the other women in the gym? Walking around with shorts that should be called underwear, the ones that creep up your butt cheeks every time you squat down. Or the sports crop tops they wear with nothing over the top. The glistening of the little diamond they have in their belly button ring, or the little butterfly or rose bud tattoos that are peeking out of the top of their gym pants that you know go down onto their tight ass. They are like a little tempter for any guy to wonder where that picture leads to.