Training Gia

by Nana Prah

  She’d always been the smart one. The one who knew the information or how to find it. No one, not even the few short-term men she’d been involved with had ever called her anything more than cute. Her steps lightened and she looked down to see if she’d somehow learned how to defy gravity.

  Lamar held the door open and she strode in. Like the rest of the gym, the boxing area had impressed her when they’d toured it on her initial day. She’d never dreamed of becoming giddy at the thought of learning how to hit heavy bags like the others in the room.

  The empty boxing ring beckoned as the instrumental song from the old movie Rocky played in her head. Now all she needed was a flight of stairs to claim victory over. And the ability to not fall out in the middle of climbing them.

  When Lamar looked down at her, he wore a broad smile that brought one to her own face. The space must be one of his favorites. She didn’t ask. Time to gain a hold over her wild hormones. It had to start with her mind. The less she discovered about him the better she’d be able to get rid of the stupid crush she’d developed.

  His grin disappeared. “Make a fist.”

  Gia no longer took offense to the lack of please in his requests. He was the sort of man who got right to the point with no frills. Manners were inferred when she showed up to the session. She squeezed her fingers together in a ball and held it up.

  He did the same with his. “What’s the difference?”

  Tilting her head to the left and then the right, she assessed their fists. “Yours is so much bigger than mine.”

  His laughter drew the attention of the others.

  “And,” she continued, “you folded your thumb beneath your fingers instead of inside, like me.”

  “Very good. If you punch something or someone with your thumb tucked in, you increase your chances of self-inflicted pain and possibly a broken thumb.”

  She mimicked his hand position.

  The hour flew by in a flurry of boxing stances and punches to the air, heavy bag, and to moving hand pads. All interspersed with footwork drills she wished she’d never been introduced to.

  Her shoulders burned and she swore she could feel the bones of her upper arms aching. And yet she didn’t want to stop when he told her to give her final ten all-out punches. Like many punches before, she imagined decking several of her coworkers for doing nothing to help her. The head of human resources got his share. Harrison’s supervisor, who she’d gone to at one point, but who had told her that Harrison was one of the best workers in the company and with a smile sent her out of his office would’ve had missing teeth with the number of hits he’d received. Harrison got the final knockout punch. If only it could be so easy.

  She’d never felt so strong and in control. As if she could take on the world. No fear.

  Her breaths came out in heavy pants as Lamar unstripped the Velcro from her boxing gloves and undid the wraps. The most exhilarated she’d ever been after a workout, the adrenaline buzzed through her. If he asked her to hit something again, she’d do it.

  “That was amazing,” she gushed.

  “Glad you liked it. You’ll feel it tomorrow.”

  She shook her arms. Free of the gloves, they were so much lighter. “I’m feeling it now.”

  “One last thing before you stretch.”

  He grinned at her long groan of anticipated pain. He never smiled more than when he was putting her through some type of drill.

  “Choose a letter. P, S or B.”

  Pushups, squats, and burpees were the three things he liked to torment her with. “None of the above.”

  “Choose,” he said in his more foreboding trainer voice. He meant to sound threatening, but it resonated as sexy.

  “S.”

  Again, the smile surfaced. “Squats. Get to it.”

  She’d driven herself to finish the timed squats. Before he allowed her to stretch her weary muscles the treacherous man also had her complete too many pushups to count and ended the workout with those dreaded burpees.

  The dirty looks and cuss words flowed. “You’re horrible.” It might have sounded more believable if she wasn’t grinning.

  “It’s so you can remember me until we meet again on Monday.”

  “No problem there. My arms will probably scream your name every time I reach up. It won’t stop me from heading over to a seedy bar and starting a fight, though.” She thrust out a jab and then a reverse punch before shuffling her feet. “Giana Ali is in the house.”

  Chuckling, he backed away with his hands up. “Somebody save me.”

  She advanced, flurrying her fists. “There’s no help for the wicked. Take yo’ ass whopping like a man.”

  Faster than she could comprehend, he’d bent and grabbed her legs, swung her over his shoulder, and jogged with her around the room.

  His muscles jostled into her stomach, but it didn’t stop the laughter from bubbling out as she squealed.

  “Unhand me, you brute. This is ungentlemanly-like behavior.” The giggles kept coming as tears filled her eyes.

  “Were you being ladylike when you threatened to whoop my ass?”

  Her ribs hurt so much from laughing that she couldn’t think of a comeback. “I’m sorry?” she asked rather than stated.

  He slowed to a walk. “That didn’t sound convincing.”

  “It’s the best I can do under such extreme circumstances.”

  “If that’s the case then—”

  His words were cut off by her scream as she went flying upward. Before she hit the ground he snatched her into his arms, held her for a moment and then set her onto a mat.

  She had no doubt of his strength, but to experience it with those acrobatic moves awed. Rather than attempt to get to her feet she flopped onto her sweat-soaked back and sighed. “One day I’m going to be strong enough to swing you all over the place.”

  That got a snicker out of him as he towered over her. “To be honest, I’d like to see it.”

  She placed her fingers in his when he reached down to help. With the combination of her effort to stand and his strength she landed with her chest pressed against him. She grabbed his shoulder to steady herself. And then she froze as electric currents sizzled through every inch where they touched. Her gaze began and ended on his tantalizing mouth. So close. All it would take was a lift onto her toes to press her lips against his. Would they be firm or cushiony? Maybe both.

  Sensations exploded in her body as she took in a shaky breath. The mixture of whatever cologne he used and his natural musk had her inhaling again.

  When had his hand slid to the small of her back, or her nipples erupted to press against the hardness of his chest? The warmth in her lower belly drove her hips forward and when she encountered his hardened reaction against her abdomen, her eyes fluttered closed with a moan. The rapid pumping of her heart at the knowledge that he was attracted to her echoed in her core.

  The front of her body went cold as he peeled himself away. He licked the lips she’d wanted to taste and cleared his throat. “You did well today.”

  She smoothed the back of her fingers across her damp forehead. What had gotten into her? She’d thrown herself at him. Granted the initial contact hadn’t been her fault, but she’d been tempted to climb him so she could fulfill the fantasies that had been taunting her ever since they’d first met. Backing away hadn’t even been a remote possibility.

  “Thanks.” She darted a glance around, struggling for something, anything to say as her skin burned enough to heat the enormous space. A couple of the guys who’d been training turned away with knowing smirks. Face ready to combust with embarrassment, she returned her attention to Lamar who had his hands in his pockets.

  “I really enjoyed the boxing.”

  “I’m glad,” his voice sounded unaffected by their encounter.

  Disappointed at his response, she lowered her gaze. Not willing to discuss that time stopping moment between them, she had no choice but to follow as he started the trek to the exit.

  �
��What are you up to for the weekend?” she asked and then wished the floor to open up so she could escape. They never talked about their present personal lives. She hoped he didn’t think she wanted him to ask her out. Even though she did.

  If he found her question intrusive, he gave no indication. “Some of my club guys are fighting on Sunday in an amateur MMA competition.”

  “Sounds…exciting.” She was relieved that he hadn’t mentioned going out with one of the women who openly winked and grinned at him during their sessions as they passed by. He tended to respond to the gestures with a general friendliness rather than returning the flirtation.

  “You should come with us,” he invited.

  Opening and closing her mouth several times was the only response she could come up with. Had her will just manifested? What the fuck was he doing to her that she’d begun thinking in metaphysical terms?

  He scratched a thumb along his jaw. “If you want. I’m sure you have lots of better things to do, but it would be a cool way to check out the sport. There’s nothing like watching it live. Especially when you know the participants.”

  “But I don’t know them. Unless you’re fighting?”

  “No.”

  How could she have forgotten that he’d been forced out of the UFC? She’d watched the bout online. He’d been winning until the third round when his opponent’s elbow had connected with his temple in a hit that made the crowd gasp just before his head banged onto the floor. It had been the last fight of his career.

  She wished she could turn back time and warn him about it. Tell him not to participate because he’d be knocked out for a full minute before regaining consciousness and sent to the hospital.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”

  He shrugged and pressed the scar on his eyebrow. “Shit happens. Anyway if you’re up for it on Sunday, give me a call so I can pick you up. I’ll be spending most of the time with the guys, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the fights.”

  Gia refused to let herself think he’d asked her out. The pride in his sport and students had stimulated the invitation, not the need to get to hang out with her outside of his gym.

  “I’ll see what’s happening.” It wasn’t necessary to let him know she had nothing remotely fun planned for the weekend. Especially now that baking was out of the question. Hanging around him would be awful. It would lead to her wanting him even more than her still pulsing body did even after a gentle, but firm rejection. The answer to the invite was a swift and firm no, but she kept that to herself. He probably hadn’t even meant it.

  “I didn’t save your number and my phone is in the locker.”

  He held up his cell. “No problem. I’ll send you a message.”

  “Okay.” She waited until he finished tapping in the text. “I’m sure you have lots to do, so I’ll see you later.”

  His wink set her heart thumping as she turned and walked away. Of course she stumbled as she felt his gaze.

  She smiled recalling the heat in his eyes and his firmness against her. Not that he’d do anything about it, especially considering how much he prided himself on his professional reputation. And that’s the way it should be. Wanting something more personal with the great Lamar Pearce would be futile.

  Chapter 10

  “I went to all of my sessions with Lamar this week, and I kind of ate healthy,” Gia gloated on the long-distance video call to Trista in Italy.

  Her sister grunted. “You’d better be, after how much I paid for it. How’s it going? You look happy.”

  She recalled the message she’d read when she’d retrieved her phone from the gym locker.

  Spend the best Sunday of your life watching the greatest sport in the world. Live! Lamar.

  For a fraction of a second her overenthusiastic eyes had seen the word love. She’d been on the cusp of flipping out when she’d read the message again. Yeah, live made a lot more sense. Lamar wasn’t the type to throw out the L word casually. And why would he say it to her? They had a business relationship. Her having wanted him to kiss her didn’t change that.

  What would be the point of her going? So she could watch his sexy behind in a leadership role which would make her like him even more? No thanks.

  “It’s better now that he’s been pushing me.”

  Trista paused in applying a deep red color to her lips and stared unblinking at the screen. “You like the harder workouts?”

  The discovery of her enjoying the challenge had surprised her, too. “Yes.”

  Trista returned to her make-up. “So what made him change?”

  “I told him the workouts were too easy.”

  “You didn’t actually tell one of the best UFC athletes in the world that he sucked as your trainer.” Trista held up a palm. “Give it to me.”

  Laughing, they did a virtual high-five.

  “How’s work?”

  Gia tried to maintain the smile. “It’s the same.” Almost. Harrison had been assessing her in a different manner lately. She could see the gears turning in his manipulative head trying to figure out a way to goad her since she no longer reacted to what he said or did. Well, not as severely as she had before. It still made her squirm on the inside to be on the receiving end of unwarranted malice.

  “What’s happening that you still aren’t enjoying your promotion?” Trista tapped her chest. “How can I help? Anyone I need to have a chat with?”

  Gia grinned knowing that Trista meant it. Trista would leave them crying for mercy, but she’d appear weak having her baby sister stick up for her.

  “It’s getting better.” And it was. Kind of.

  “Or you could quit. Get another job that you enjoy more. You’re brilliant.”

  There was nothing like the support of a sister. “This is the perfect job. You know how much I love dealing with home appliances. I’ve been there for the longest time and I just got my promotion. I’d have to leave Boston in order to find a similar place to work and I can’t do that.”

  “Because of me?”

  “Mostly.” Trista was the closest family she had. Their parents had abandoned them to a nanny for years at a time while they did their sociology research in remote areas of the world.

  Yes, Trista travelled, but she always returned to the city that had brought her fame. Trista wouldn’t leave and neither would she.

  “Besides, Boston is the most awesome city in the world.”

  Trista giggled. “No doubt.”

  “I’ll figure something out at work to make things better. I know I will.” She had to.

  Her sister’s tonsils showed when her mouth gaped open. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you say something optimistic. I like the positivity. I knew he’d be a profitable trade-off investment, but who would’ve guessed that he’d pull through so quickly?”

  Gia frowned not understanding. “What?”

  Trista averted her eyes. “What?”

  “What did you mean by trade-off investment?” The comment made no sense. What concessions had been made? It should’ve been a straight pay off to have Lamar work with her.

  Her sister waved a hand. “Nothing. I’m starving. You know how I babble when I’m hungry.”

  She let go of Trista’s odd comment even though alarms were still ringing in her head.

  “There’s a party tonight.” Trista aimed the phone at a mirror. “How do I look?”

  Why did she bother to ask? “Stunning, as usual.”

  “Thanks.”

  Her sister would have every guy in the room vying for her attention. Not that Gia was jealous, but just once she’d like her romantic life to flow as effortlessly. For men to flock to her.

  If not the whole population of males, then one in particular.

  Call, text or leave her alone? Lamar tossed the options around as he scrolled through his messages. None had come from Gia. He rolled his shoulders to release the tightness. Didn’t he have anything better to do on a Saturday evening than to figure out if he should
contact Gia?

  Nope. Her answer about attending the match tomorrow was critical. For logistic purposes, not personal. He had to plan the ride situation.

  The attempt to distance himself from her during their sessions had failed. The woman was too damn engaging. And she listened to him as if she cared.

  Lamar just wanted to get to know her a little better. Exposing her to his world of MMA would be a bonus. Was that so wrong?

  El and Suarez had invited him to hang tonight, but he’d declined. Not only was he sore from the training that coach had drilled him with that morning, but he didn’t want his friends questioning him. He sensed their suspicions of his hiding something. Last week Suarez had asked him straight out what was going on, but he’d dodged.

  He couldn’t always hide the scrapes and twinges of pain that training wrought. Some part of his body always hurt. Something he hadn’t missed during his hiatus.

  The approach of the fight date had him concerned that they’d announce it early. It would be better for his people to find out from him. He’d reveal the truth about his return to the cage soon enough. His determination was strong. Once he set a goal, he had no other inclination than to meet it. Without a doubt, he’d reenter the circuit and become a champion again.

  At the risk of sustaining permanent brain damage?

  The question had been pestering him for the past couple of weeks. Infusing a discrete doubt in his plan to fight.

  He sighed and switched the channel on the television until he landed on a classic Kung Fu film. A moment later his thoughts returned to contacting Gia.

  What was it about her that set him so off balance? Yesterday he’d been a second away from crossing all boundaries and kissing her after their playful interlude. Her shallow breathing through parted lips, tight grip on his arms, and taut nipples poking into his chest had been a bold invitation. He’d lit up inside like fireworks with the realization that she was attracted to him.