He needed to feel that she would still be around after their agreement ended. Agreement. Nick sat up in the bed. They didn’t have an agreement. She didn’t ask for anything in return, and he hadn’t offered. Nick pushed his hair out of his face. Why did she agree?
Kalilah returned holding the bag from the bakery and two glasses of orange juice. She placed the items on the night stand and opened the curtains and blinds to let some natural light into the room. Nick was happy that he’d already fixed his clothing. He was even happier that she was still completely naked.
Nick imagined how great it would be to be that comfortable in his own skin. And her skin was wonderful. The sunbeams bounced off her curves giving her an almost ethereal glow. He felt honored to be able to see her body in its natural state. He ached to touch her again. Somehow, he knew now was not the time. Her usually open gaze still seemed…guarded. Nick was well-versed in guarded.
“You’re staring,” She said. Nick flushed.
“Your body is amazing.”
A quick twitch of her lips was the one indication that she’d heard him. Kalilah made no moves to cover her body. She grabbed her glass of orange juice and took a sip. The she looked in the bag for what she wanted.
Nick had no doubt that she would find something she liked because he had filled the bag with all her favorites. She didn’t give any indication that she noticed. She closed her eyes as she chewed and savored her food. The quiet Kalilah unnerved him. Nick decided to focus on filling his belly as well.
She spoke between bites. “Text me your address. I will come get you after I take a nap; we’re going on a field trip.”
Nick nodded. “Uh…okay.”
He was hoping to nap with her, but it sounded to him like she was kicking him out. He stood up to leave. He looked back at her sitting on the bed eating. He picked up his glasses and sighed.
“What is it, Nick?” Her tone was curter than usual.
“I…uh. Nothing.”
“Spit it out, Nick.”
Nick turned and looked at her. “It’s just…you’re sending me home. I wanted to nap with you.” Hold you. Nick looked down. “I seemed to have annoyed you, but I’m not sure what I did.”
Some of the tension relaxed out of her shoulders, and her gaze softened a little.
“I’m not annoyed; you didn’t do anything. I’m not kicking you out. You said you weren’t tired.”
He was tired, and if he went home, he would go to sleep. What she didn’t understand is that he just wanted to be with her. If she said she was going hula dancing right now, he would put on a skirt. He couldn’t tell her that right now. It was too soon.
“If we’re being honest, I didn’t sleep well last night either.”
She smirked at him and patted the bed.
“Lie down.” She was still completely naked and unashamed.
“Are you…”
She cut him off. “Nope. Not putting on clothes until I feel like it. Are you ever going to take off your clothes?”
Nick knew it was an honest question and not a jab, but he couldn’t help but flinch. Her big brown eyes never missed a beat.
“Sleep now. Talk later.” Nick allowed his eyes to take in their fill while she closed the curtains.
He felt her climb in the bed next to him. She grabbed his arm and wrapped it around her side. He rested his chin on the top of her head as he spooned her. He smiled. Nick was exactly where he wanted to be. In her bed, surrounded by her scent, with her in his arms.
They’d only napped for two hours, and it was some of the best sleep Nick had had in a long time. Kalilah had insisted that they remain on schedule. He had no idea what was on the agenda for the day, nor did he care because all he wanted to do was snuggle up under Kalilah and relax. However, her perfectly shaped brows were set in determination and concentration as she drove to God knows where.
He didn’t have a good feeling about their destination since, at her insistence, he was currently wearing basketball shorts, an old t-shirt, and running shoes. If his wardrobe didn’t fill him with suspicion, the protein smoothie she made him drink would have certainly set off his warning bells. He wasn’t stupid, she was about to make him do something physical. He couldn’t back out because she drove.
Nick sighed and looked out the window. He’d fallen for the oldest trick in the book. He couldn’t escape without his car. He glanced at her profile. She was nibbling on her bottom lip and drumming her fingers on the steering wheel.
On the bright side, they were spending time together like he’d wanted, and he had the privilege of watching her walk around in those second skin workout leggings that women seemed to love. He also happened to know that she was wearing a thong because he had a front row seat when she shimmied into it. His cock twitched at the memory.
“What are you thinking about?” She slid him a sideways glace, keeping most of her focus on the road.
“Your thong.” He answered honestly, and surprisingly unabashed.
She nodded, unfazed like he mentioned the weather. “The thong itself or what’s underneath it?” She asked with a straight face.
Nick threw his head back on the headrest and rubbed his face. “Please stop, or I won’t be able to get out of the car.”
Kalilah shrugged. The sunlight reflected off her skin giving it a soft glow.
“You brought it up. Plus, it’s not like I haven’t given you full access; it’s your choice when you want to access…or shall I say, enter the aforementioned area.”
“Kalilah!” Nick groaned.
It’s official; his cock was at full mast. It was like a heat seeking missile. It ached and throbbed, as it looked for release. His basketball shorts didn’t help conceal his condition, and now all he could think about was burying himself in her moist heat. He hoped it would feel as good as he thinks it would. Nick took a few breaths, attempting to regain control over his hormones. He felt like a pre-teen. He was losing the battle.
Kalilah stopped at a red light. She looked at Nick with an expression full of mischief. Her big brown eyes slowly slid over his erection. The heated glance felt like a caress. Nick could feel his sweat start to prickle his pores. Nick made a mental note to research if anyone had ever died from sexual frustration.
“You know.” She licked her lips. “I could help you with that.”
Great. Now all he could think about was her soft, full lips doing wonderful things to his balls. At this rate, he wouldn’t have to research anything; he’s definitely going to die from blue balls. Self-imposed blue balls to boot.
His tombstone will read, “Here lies the loser idiot that didn’t have sex with the girl of his dreams because he didn’t want her to see him naked.”
Kalilah’s phone started ringing. Nick sighed from relief. Apparently, the good Lord knew he still had things to do. Kalilah told whomever called that they were almost there; Nick had yet to find out where ‘there’ was, but he would find out soon. Kalilah parked in front of a gym, and Nick’s heart sank along with his boner. He was not the biggest fan of physical exertion; Kalilah must have seen the question on his face.
“Nick, I can’t help but notice that you are not comfortable with your nudity.” Nick felt the heat rise on the back of his neck.
“Or, you’re more comfortable than normal with your nudity,” Nick countered. Kalilah looked heavenward to control her annoyance.
“Maybe, but you’re more uncomfortable than the normal person with your nudity. Speak now, or forever hold your peace. Do you have some sort of deformity, crazy scar, or bad burn? Or, do you have something you want to hide like a third nipple or a Hanson tattoo? If the answer to my questions is no, then you may just not like the way you look naked. If that is the case, you’re getting out of this vehicle and going into that gym.”
Nick felt extremely confused. She was being bossy and calling him out on his shit. Instead of being annoyed or throwing her a comeback, he was fighting the urge to pull her in his arms and kiss the gloss off her lips.
Kalilah was walking in front of him, and the trip to the gym was worth the view.
“Focus, Nick.” She said without looking over her shoulder.
Nick grinned. “I am focused.”
She stopped and turned around. “On the wrong thing.”
She smirked. Then she was serious and looking him in the eye. She had that look on her face – the one that he had learned and didn’t like. She was about to tell him something that he didn’t want to hear.
“Here’s the thing. We are not having partially clothed or extra dark room sex. I want to be able to see you, and I want you completely naked.”
This was going to set them back weeks. Nick looked at his feet. She bent so he could see her face, and he refocused his attention back to her. She grabbed his hand and continued.
“I’m not trying to change you. This is your concern, not mine. You remained fully clothed this morning in a completely dark room. So, your issue is either here…” She pointed at his torso. “Or here.” She pointed at his head. “Either way, believe it or not, working on your body also helps your mind.”
Nick nodded. She was right. He’d much rather workout than have someone analyze his mind and thoughts for an hour a day. He just knew he was out of shape; this was going to physically hurt.
“Okay. I’ll focus.”
She smiled. “Good, because I want you to want to lose it. I don’t want to feel like I’m forcing you. If that was the case, I could have completed my mission this morning.”
She looked at him seriously again.
“One more warning. She is extremely beautiful. It’s okay to look. I know we are not a couple but trying to mess with Natalia or my sister would really piss me off. Got it?”
Not a couple. Complete my mission. He sighed inwardly; he still had a lot of work to do. The main reason behind this deal was to make her his. He told himself to be patient. They’d done a lot in two days. She really could have taken him this morning, and he would have asked for more.
She was right; this isn’t how he wanted to do it. He had to make sure that just in case his efforts to keep her don’t work, he could at least lose his virginity in style. Nick set his shoulders in determination. From that moment on, he would be working on crafting the body he’d always wanted. Nick was so focused on the cold water that she had just mentally splashed on him that he almost missed important information. She started to walk in the building.
“Wait! Who is Natalia?”
She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Your new personal trainer, silly rabbit.”
Chapter 9
N atalia de Costa was just-stepped-out-of-a-swimsuit-magazine, kept-men-up-at-night, don’t-need-make-up, I-get-everything-for-free… beautiful. Nick was momentarily struck stupid as she strode towards him with long, thick, wavy hair flowing down her shoulders and cascading down to her waist. Nick could almost hear the music from a movie playing.
She wore black workout leggings and a hot pink sports bra which showed off her perfectly toned abdomen and sun-kissed olive skin. Nick could have sworn that her hair was blowing in the wind. She fixed him with a 10,000-watt smile; her green eyes were open and friendly. Natalia extended her arm to shake his hand and greeted him with slightly accented English.
Nick opened his mouth, closed it, and then opened it again. Her beauty was unnerving. He’d at least gotten used to seeing Kalilah before he’d spoken to her. Nick felt Kalilah’s finger push up on his chin to close his mouth. Natalia used Nick’s momentary paralysis as the time to hug Kalilah. That made it worse, his mouth went dry. Kalilah and Natalia touching. Damn.
“You must excuse him,” Kalilah apologized. “He’s a little shy. He’ll loosen up in a little bit.”
Natalia nodded understandingly. “I’ll grab my clipboard so we can get started.” She walked back to the desk in the corner. Nick bit the inside of his cheek, of course her ass would be perfectly toned.
Kalilah stepped into his line a vision and broke his trance. “Shit. I did it again, didn’t I?” Nick whispered.
Kalilah nodded. “Yup. I’ll let you make it this time. She is extremely hot. I stared at her for a while when we first met, and I’m completely straight. Are you going to be able to focus and answer her questions?”
Natalia leaned over to make her hair fall forward and started to wrap it in a bun. Nick felt Kalilah nudge him.
“Huh? Yeah. Sorry, I’ll focus.”
Natalia came back and tried again. This time Nick’s brain made him return the shake. He tried to smile, but it looked like a grimace.
“Thank you for coming today, Nick.” She turned to Kalilah. “Are you coming back to me, as well? We can do a couple package.”
Kalilah shook her head. “We’re not a couple. And my thighs are still scared of you.”
Natalia laughed. He would have noticed how pretty her laugh was if he didn’t feel suddenly sad. There it was again. Not a couple.
“Girl. You and your thighs will love me if you trust my process. It’s only been two weeks; I’ll get you back in here. In the meantime, I’ll see you at girls’ night.”
Natalia focused her attention back to Nick and gestured to the area behind him.
“Let’s go ahead and get your stats. Then we’ll talk about your goals, okay?”
Nick followed Natalia’s lead as she took his height, weight, and body fat percentage.
“Now for your measurements and before pictures. You will need to take off your shirt. It will allow you to see your progress.”
Shit. Nick felt his heart drop into his stomach. Taking off his shirt was the last thing he wanted to do. That was the whole reason why he was here. Surprisingly, his apprehension did not lie in Natalia seeing him as he was. It was Kalilah.
Kalilah noticed his hesitation. “Natalia, this will take about an hour, right?”
Natalia nodded. Nick could tell that she knew something was off but wasn’t quite sure.
“That is correct. You’re leaving?”
Kalilah nodded. “Imma hop next door and get a mani-pedi while y’all sweat it out and such.” She waved and left the gym.
Natalia’s astute eyes shifted from the door to Nick. “She’s never seen you without your shirt?” Here we go. Nick shook his head. She nodded. “I see. Okay, let’s see what you’re hiding.” She motioned with her hands for him to lift his shirt.”
Nick sighed and took off his shirt. Natalia studied him with the same interest of a doctor looking at her patient. She took the necessary measurements and pictures.
“Okay. Talk me through your issue.” She looked at him with sincere green eyes.
Nick pulled his shirt back on. “I…uh. Well…I just don’t like what I see. I’m pale, hairless, and soft.”
Natalia nodded. “Well, I’ve see a lot of guys without their shirts and while you are not the best, you are nowhere near the worst. In fact, it wouldn’t take long to get you in the right direction.
“You would have to do exactly what I say. This process requires dedication. Also, some women prefer a smooth chest, so that is one thing you can take off your list. Two, just spend a little time outside. Like fifteen minutes a day without your shirt, and you’ll get a natural glow and the recommended dose of vitamin D.”
She pointed at him so he would pay attention. “Notice I said fifteen minutes. You can still wear sunblock if you are going to be outside longer than that. Another suggestion is to go for a quick swim. That’s cardio and sun time.”
Nick nodded. He felt a little better about himself. If he could fix his body issues in a few weeks that would be perfect.
“Okay. Will I get a meal plan or something?”
Natalia nodded. “We will discuss your meal and exercise optio
ns. It will depend on how toned you want to be and how fast.”
Nick looked her in the eyes. “Very cut. Very fast.”
Kalilah admired the peach color on her freshly pampered feet and hands. She even killed time by getting her eyebrows cleaned up. She was ready to go back and check on Nick. She took her time and went on a leisurely stroll, peeking in the windows of the stores but not going in to shop. She hoped he was ready because she was hungry.
She was also slightly annoyed and didn’t want to admit it. He looked at Natalia as if she was the only woman he’d ever seen. He even had the nerve to be speechless. To be fair, she knew he would be floored when he saw her which is why she’d warned him.
However, it still didn’t hurt any less. Plus, he’d most likely do what Natalia asked. It was part of her success. Not only was she a good trainer and nutritionist, she had the ability to wrap her male clients around her pinkie finger. He’ll be quoting her in no time.
Kalilah opened the door to the gym and steeled herself to see Nick ogling Natalia. Instead, she saw a very sweaty and tired Nick slinking off with the gym bag she made him pack.
“He’s going to take a shower,” Natalia informed Kalilah, then her green eyes sparkled with amusement. “He must really like you.”
Kalilah looked at her surprised. “Why do you think that?”
Natalia laughed and ticked off reasons with her manicured fingers. “Well, for one, he signed up for my Morning Platinum Package. Two, he took whatever exercise I threw at him. Three, he cares what you think about his appearance. Four, he upgraded his package to include two extra evening sessions. He is a man on a mission. He must really want to get you in bed.”
Kalilah laughed and nudged her. “Well, for starters, your platinum package is expensive, but it still would not make a dent in his money, like not even a little. Two, he needs to do this for himself; he needs a confidence boost. He is paranoid about being in his little brother’s shadow.”
Take It Page 10
