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She hit his arm. “Release me!”
He rose, lifting her with him and planted her on her feet. He kissed the top of her head.
“Got to check our pasta anyway,” he said, with a tap on her butt. “See you for the next fitting Kaa-la.”
“Or in the media box,” I quipped back. Damn I meant to tell Sasha I had dobbed her in to The Russian about Nik visiting the media box so that she could be on the front foot. I told her at the door as she saw me out.
“Don’t worry, I can handle The Russian,” she said with a smile. “But about time you did ... I’ve given you his number, so call him, or email him, or do something but invite him ASAP, in case he makes other plans.”
I nodded and swallowed.
“Seriously, you’re going to look gorgeous. He’ll be the luckiest guy alive,” she said, boosting my ego.
“Yeah, sure,” I said with a grin. I thanked her and headed down the stairs, out of her apartment block and back to my car. I should just call him or email him and get it over with. Tomorrow.
*****
I couldn’t believe my luck the next morning; someone up above was looking after me! I went to the gym; I was only working part-time for TheSports Daily and wasn’t due back in the office until nine a.m. the next day. I wasn’t good at being idle and I still liked to train so I headed to Archer’s – it was the best weights gym and there were no pretty boys and girls, it was a serious gym especially for athletes.
I was in the middle of a set of lateral pulldowns when I felt a tap on the shoulder. I turned around and had to look up – that didn’t happen much. And wait for it ... I looked up into the dark, sexy eyes of The Russian. Yes! Thank you, God!
Then I assumed a casual pose because I’m so cool, uh huh, that’s me.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked, conscious that I was smelly and sweaty, but so was he.
“Working out ... it’s usually why I come here,” he said, with one of his sly grins. “Good to see you’re keeping your fitness up.”
“Addictive,” I said.
“Totally agree. I’d rather do weights than run, but the coach is fixated on running. I’m not a runner,” he added.
I ran my eyes over him. “Yes,” I teased him. “As svelte as you are, I can see you’re built for things other than speed.”
He gave me the hint of a smile. “Well, better go shower and get to work,” he said. “Next time, we could spot each other, even though you’re not lifting much there,” he teased.
“Shut up! This is my warm down,” I lied, then I took a big gamble. “I’m on my last set. Want to get a coffee?” I swear the world stopped spinning. I had never, ever, asked a guy out and if he had said no, then that would have been it ... how embarrassing.
“Only if you’re going to shower first,” he said.
I gave him my best ‘what do you think?’ look and he gave me a real, gorgeous, showing-his-teeth smile.
“Meet you at reception in ten minutes,” he said and wandered off.
Yes! I bet he thought I couldn’t be ready in ten minutes; well he was wrong. I powered through the last few in my set with a new enthusiasm I had never shown before in my weights set and headed to the showers.
*****
“What will you have?” The Russian asked as we took a seat at the cafe next to the gym.
“A skinny cappuccino, thanks,” I said, impressed he was going up to order for us. It’s not always a given these days.
“Nothing to eat?” he asked.
“I’ll grab a banana later,” I told him. Yep, that’s me, the poster girl for good health. I was so impressive, I wanted to date myself. I’m sure he could see right through me.
I had the pleasure of watching him at the counter and watching the staff recognize him. One got his autograph on a napkin and the others just batted their eyelashes and flirted outrageously. Good effort girls, worth a try.
He returned and slumped into a seat beside me, winding his legs around mine under the table. We were both tall and had to fight for leg space ... wonderful.
