“I didn’t realize,” she murmured, looking at the large gym as though seeing it in a different light. “You’ve done a really good job.”
“Thanks.” I was genuinely pleased she thought so. “Have a good workout, let me know when you’re leaving.”
“I will,” she replied, and I sensed a glimmer of disappointment that our time together was ending so soon.
Good.
That way, when I started pushing harder as I undoubtedly would, maybe she’d be prepared to put up with me. Because I knew I’d only be able to keep myself at arm’s length for so long.
****
“I think you’re turning me into a green smoothie drinker.” Layla wrinkled her nose three days later as we sat in the bed of my pickup truck in the gym parking lot. It had become a routine, one I liked a hell of a lot. I’d meet her at the gym after she dropped Riley off, and after her workout, we’d spend some time together—time that was increasing day by day. Bribing her with smoothies or coffee helped, and I planned to use everything in my arsenal to get more time with her. The more time I spent with her, the more I liked her, the more I wanted her. She was incredibly smart but also soft and sweet in ways that made me want to eat her up.
I reached over and wiped a bit of smoothie that remained on her full lower lip. My cock hardened at her quiet intake of breath. “There are worse things,” I murmured. For a moment we just stared at each other, and it took everything in me not to lean in and kiss her. But that hesitation in her eyes was still there, and though it went against my nature, I forced myself to be patient. Reluctantly I pulled my hand away, appreciating the gorgeous blush on her cheeks.
For a while we sat side by side in comfortable silence. “Do you know that lawyer, Marty?” she asked out of the blue.
“I know of him. Why?” I demanded, trying to keep my tone in check. Ever since Gunner had mentioned that he’d been pushy with Layla, it had been on my list to pay him a visit.
“Nothing, never mind.” She shook her head.
“Layla,” I prompted. “What?”
“Something just strikes me as off about him, and I was wondering if that was typical.”
“Off how?”
She shrugged. “My nan had her affairs very well in order. All he needed from me was a signature. I had Gunner check it over, actually,” she added, telling me something I already knew. “But I keep running into him. And he keeps referencing being in touch. It’s a bit weird, is all.” She shrugged. “Or maybe I’m misreading the situation?”
“It’s fucking weird,” I confirmed with a grimace. “I’m going to take care of it.”
Her eyes grew comically round. “What? No, no way. That’s not what I was suggesting. I just wanted your input. Ugh, I shouldn’t have said anything.” She groaned.
“You definitely should have said something,” I refuted. “The guy is a fucking snake, and I don’t want him anywhere near you or Riley. He approaches you again, I want to know about it,” I commanded.
She rolled her eyes.
“Layla. I mean it,” I insisted.
“Okay,” she agreed finally. “Has anyone told you that you’re a bit intense?”
“Never,” I deadpanned.
She laughed out loud, and I soaked up the gorgeous sound.
“Though truthfully, most don’t see that side of me as much as you.” I shrugged.
“Why is that? I’m just lucky?” she teased.
“No.” I shook my head, reaching over and wrapping an arm around her, pulling her in close. “You’re special.”
****
I pulled up in front of the law offices of Martin Greenstein later that afternoon and eyed the modern building located on the outskirts of town in surprise. The place looked brand-new and high-end. From everything Gunner and Max had told me, the guy wasn’t the sharpest. They’d gone to high school with him, and he’d followed them like a lost puppy until they’d kicked him to the curb. Years later, he’d tried to become the club’s lawyer and been turned down. But from what I saw, he was doing all right for himself.
I strode in to the large reception area, eyeing the closed door with Marty’s name embossed on it.
“He in?” I demanded of the wide-eyed receptionist.