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Now, all of a sudden, Jerry is meek and respectful. What a joke! "Porter, sir. I was just helping her correct her stance, that's all."
Porter strides towards us, his eyes locked on Jerry. They're dark, and his jaw is clenched, his hands in fists. His muscles are coiled, and suddenly, he explodes into movement. He's faster than anything I've ever seen, and before I can process what's happening, he's shoving Jerry away.
"Bailey, go," he barks out.
I scurry behind Porter, hiding myself, but I'm watching them from the safety of his massive, broad back.
"Sir, really, there's been a misunderstanding—" Jerry says, but he's silenced by Porter's fist colliding with his cheekbone.
The crack of Porter's knuckles against Jerry's jaw rings out and echoes through the gym. It's followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground, and my eyes are wide as I watch Porter grab Jerry's shirt by the collar, dragging the dazed man toward the door.
"You're fucking banned," Porter growls. "If I see you anywhere near my gym or Bailey, I'll call the police. And that's if you're lucky. If you're not…" He jerks the smaller man up until they're face to face, and Jerry can see the ice-cold fury in Porter's whiskey-brown eyes. "I'll handle you myself."
With that, he unceremoniously shoves Jerry outside. Jerry is too groggy to argue, and he stumbles out onto the sidewalk. Keith, who had stood by the entire scene, comes over and pulls the door shut, flipping the 'Open' sign to 'Closed'.
"That was crazy," he says, looking at Porter with a mix of awe and fear.
"I won't have predators in my gym," Porter snarls. His jaw is tense, his whole body still.
Keith nods. "Understandable. I'm going back to the desk. Yell if you need anything."
Keith walks off, leaving me alone with Porter. The energy radiating from him is still violent, and he doesn't seem like he's cooled off one bit. He stalks to the center of the gym, climbing into the boxing ring there. The entire gym is silent, the other people working out frozen in place.
"Listen up!" Porter announces, and he has everyone's full attention. "That kind of behavior will not fly in my gym. Everyone is welcome until you fuck up. This is my place, my territory, and I will fuck up anyone that steps outside of the line. I will protect my clients, my employees, and my place. Got it?"
There's a murmur of agreement, and Porter nods.
"Good," he says and jumps back down.
He makes his way toward his office, and I trail after him, my heart still pounding. I don't want him to disappear without acknowledging me. Not after what he just did. Not after he just saved me.
Once we're behind the doors, I let my guard down.
"Porter, thank you."
He whirls around, and his expression is feral. "Come here."
His voice is a growl, and my heart picks up speed. I take a step closer, and Porter takes one step toward me, his pace faster. I should be scared by the fire in his eyes, but I’m not. In fact, the only place I seem to find safe is with him, and that realization makes something intense shoot through me. A primal need for him and a heavy, liquid anticipation.
He takes one final step and then, he's on me. His hands wrap around my waist, and his lips are on mine. I melt into his body, giving myself over to him, letting him kiss me exactly how he wants. His tongue slides into my mouth, and his teeth nip at my bottom lip.
My hands slide under his shirt, and my palms press flat against his bare skin. Porter's skin is hot, and the contact between us only makes both of us burn hotter.
"Bailey, baby," he whispers.
His hand moves lower, grabbing my ass and squeezing, and the sensation makes desire spark to life between my thighs. My panties are already soaked, and I'm desperate to get even closer to him. But Porter's phone rings and the sound makes him break away.
"Fuck," he mutters.
He reaches into his pocket, pulls his phone free, and answers.
"Yeah?"
I step away, trying to control my ragged breathing, and Porter listens to the speaker.
"Alright, I'll be right out." He hangs up, and his gaze shifts to me. "Baby, that was the contractor. I have to go out back and accept a delivery. You can stay here or I can drop you home if you'd like."
I shake my head. "Stay."
