Page 23 of Whispered Promises

Placing the washed cup on the drainer, I turn around and nod. “Okay. See you later.”

Rosy in our space the other night, having dinner and being around each other, felt perfect. But I’m more looking forward to seeing her tonight at the gym for her usual session. Watching her interact with my family is special, but it’s hard to feel noticed when they command so much attention and I’m better at melting into the background.

But here? In a space that feels like mine, even if it’s a room full of strangers, is what I crave with her.

Trying to dampen the building impatience inside me, I let myself shake it off, trying to flick out the tension from my hands so I can focus on getting a workout in before she arrives. I put headphones in my ears, wanting to block out the sounds around me and give off the universal signal of “leave me the fuck alone.”

I go through a series of warm-up exercises on one of the gym mats, focusing on the lower body as today’s target, letting the familiar stretches preoccupy my mind and thoughts.

Walking over to the weights, I load up a barbell and head over to one of the mats that allows me to have a visual through the mirror of the rest of the gym behind me, including the large clock on the back wall.

I rest the barbell across the front of my shoulders and slide my hands across the bar into position, then place my feet shoulder-width apart. Then I inhale deeply. On the exhale, I push my hips back and drop down slowly into a squat until my thighs are parallel to the floor. The familiar burn eases something inside me. Keeping my core tight, I push back up through my heels into a standing position and repeat for a few sets.

By the time Rosy enters the room, I’ve made my way through most of the workout I’d planned, and I’m finishing up my last set on the hack squat machine. Just as I push up from the squat, feeling the burn in my quads as I extend through my legs, she looks over at me. The burn in my legs is nothing compared to the feeling her gaze roving across me ignites. As her eyes continue upward, catching on mine, heat flushes across her cheeks. With a cute, awkward wave, she ducks her head down and walks quickly to the treadmills.

A tight smile stretches tightly across my lips, the act tugging at the disused muscles in my face. Pride hits me, knowing she liked what she saw. A part of me wants to puff up and flex in front of her, if that’s what will keep her eyes on me.

Stepping off the machine, I follow through on a few stretches to loosen up my muscles before I give in to the magnetic pull tugging me towards her.

“Is this treadmill taken?” I ask, wanting to be in her vicinity but trying to respect her possible need for privacy whilst she works out.

“Oh, no, it’s free if you want to use it. Also, thank you again for having me over for dinner last night. It was really appreciated, compared to the bowl of noodles I had ready to microwave at home.” Rosy laughs. Her cheeks blush a soft pink, and she nibbles nervously on that full bottom lip of hers. It’s hard not to let my gaze fixate on it.

Accepting her offer without hesitation, I step onto the machine beside her and start at a slow walk before building up to match her pace.

“You’re always welcome. I liked having you with us for dinner. You should come again,” I say, hoping she takes me up on the invitation and joins us every night, because I need this woman. I need her in a way that should terrify me, but it doesn’t.

It might terrify her, though. I need to edge my way into her life in a way that doesn’t startle her but also cements me so deeply that she can’t imagine me not in it.

Obsessive? Maybe.

I feel a jolt as she quickly glances at me, before turning her head back to focus on her steps. “That’s a really nice offer, thank you,” she mutters, her awkwardness shining through.

I wish I could be inside her mind and see all the thoughts racing around in there. Does she think I don’t mean it? I can do direct, if that’s what she needs to help make the decisions for her, so she doesn’t doubt my intentions. But I don’t want to push too far too quickly, so I leave it for now.

Needing to ease her nerves, I re-insert my headphones, taking my phone out to select a new playlist to walk to and letting the silence settle between us.

An hour later, Rosy’s arm comes up and slows her treadmill down until it stops. Copying the movements, I step off the machine and face her. My brows draw tight as her clasped hands twist in front of her, that bottom lip back between her teeth as she softly chews it.

“I, ah…I’ve finished my walk for the day. So I’m going to head home. I didn’t want to be rude and not say I’m leaving, then just leave and be impolite,” she rushes out.

The need to reassure her pulses through me. I want to lean in towards hers and tug that bruised lip from the punishing grip her teeth have on it.

“Sounds good to me. I’m done here, so we can walk back together,” I reply, not wanting to give her the chance to spin around and walk off without me. Even if she did, I’d be able to catch up to her quickly. But I want her to know that I want to walk back with her.

“Oh, sure, okay. If you’re sure you’re done?” She tips her head up, meeting my gaze and offering me a soft smile.

The need to praise her for feeling confident enough to maintain eye contact surges through me, and I clamp my teeth down to stop the words “Good girl” from slipping out.

“I’m sure,” is my only response as I step up beside her, and we start to walk out together.

My hand grazes against hers, and I feel her fingertips brush back against mine. The lingering touch creates a static in my brain, and I suck in a harsh breath as I battle the impulse to grasp her hand in mine.

I just need to control myself, not crowd her space too much…yet.

ELEVEN

ROSY