I looked at him in surprise. There was no bravado, no playfulness in his tone. Only complete sincerity as far as I could tell. “Okay,” I replied, despite knowing I never would. “See you around.”
He looked up at me as I stood with my purse over my shoulder. “Definitely.”
And with that one word that somehow coming from him was more of a sensual promise, I scurried from the coffee shop, trying to find my feet.
It took me another week to go back to the gym. I’d even gone so far as to see about joining the gym across town and had been shocked when they’d told me they weren’t accepting new members. So here I was, standing in the parking lot on Monday morning after dropping Riley off at school. I wasn’t going to let a cocky, hot-as-hell biker keep me from my goals. Or so I was telling myself.
I strode inside with more confidence than I felt, relieved when there wasn’t a Viking warrior anywhere in sight.
With a sigh, I went about my workout. I took it pretty easy, knowing I needed to ease back in and trying not to be frustrated that I was nowhere near where I used to be. Still, it felt liberating to move my body, to sweat out all the stress and loss of the last several weeks.
I was walking out to my car, digging through my bag for my keys, when I stopped short. Cash was leaning against my car, his muscular arms crossed at the chest, dressed in gray sweats that hung low on his trim hips and a black tee that molded to his muscular frame.
“What are you doing?” I sputtered.
“You didn’t text me.”
“No.” My tone implied his statement was crazy, which it was. “I barely know you. And I can get to the gym just fine by myself.”
His gaze swept down my frame, taking in my running leggings and tank top with an avid interest that had me fighting to do the same with him. “I know you can,” he replied, his gaze meeting mine once again. “But I’d like to spend time with you.”
“Time with me?” I sputtered, taken aback by how unapologetically straightforward he was. This was a man who was used to getting what he wanted.
“Time with you.” He nodded.
I let the momentary pleasure of that sweep over me before I straightened my spine, determined to get a few things straight. “Listen, I don’t want to be rude, but based on our first few interactions and what I’ve heard, I really don’t think I’m what you’re looking for.”
His nostrils flared. “I see. So a strong, smart, hot as hell woman isn’t what I’m looking for?” he challenged.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “A single mother dealing with a lot of personal shit who’s not interested in a one-night stand,” I countered.
“Interested in that too,” he murmured without missing a beat.
I looked at him doubtfully, sure my words would have deterred him.
“How about this?” he bargained when it was clear I was at a loss. “How about you actually text me next time? It’s just a text, Layla,” he pressed when I didn’t respond.
I sighed. “Okay,” I agreed before I could think better of it.
“But this time you mean it,” he prompted with a raised brow.
“This time I mean it,” I grumbled, and he grinned in response.
****
“Layla.” The unfamiliar voice caught me by surprise as I picked up a few things at the grocery store on my way home.
I turned to find the lawyer, Marty, following me up the aisle.
I inwardly groaned. Something about the man gave me a serious ick vibe. The fact that he used my first name also struck me as unprofessional when I’d been a client. How my nan had hired him in the first place was beyond me. Though, she wasn’t quite as with it in her last few years.
“Hi,” I replied, hoping we could keep this to a brief exchange.
“How are you and Riley settling in?” he asked, his dark eyes staring at me so intently, I had to fight the urge to squirm—and not in a good way.
“We’re fine, thanks,” I replied, throwing a box of cereal in my cart. “I’m in a bit of a rush,” I added apologetically, and it wasn’t a lie. I wanted to pick Riley up from school rather than have her go to aftercare, and I had work to finish up first.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course. We’ll be in touch.”