Chapter Five
Alex
When I told Josh my plans for training with Olivia tonight, I could tell that he had thoughts he didn’t voice. Still, he did me the kindness of keeping them to himself. Before he left for the evening, he reminded me once again to be careful.
That phrase echoes in my head. I’m not planning on doing anything risky, nor was that on my mind when I offered my help to Olivia. All I wanted to do was give her the tools that she needed to add some variety to her workouts. This wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve offered help to employees or customers.
However, as soon as he mentioned that I needed to be careful, all of the implications of that hit me full force. For the first time since meeting Olivia, the two of us will be truly alone. It wouldn’t be difficult to push the boundaries of our relationship when there isn’t the threat of being seen. I will need to be careful.
The rest of the day goes by sinfully quickly. Thanks to how busy the gym stays, I don’t have time to dwell on my impending meeting with Olivia. My time is split between checking customers in and wiping down machines. By the time the last person leaves, I’ve only got five minutes to deal with the closing duties – whatever I don’t get done, I’ll have to take care of after she leaves.
Sure enough, at exactly nine Olivia knocks at the locked glass door. I tie off the trash bag I’m in the process of taking care of before I walk over to let her in. Through the glass I can see that she’s changed her outfit. She’s still in a combination of athletic leggings and a sports bra, but the colors have changed.
“Right on time,” I say as I open the door and step back to let her in.
“I’m nothing if not punctual,” she says with a grin. “Plus, I’m looking forward to learning something new.”
“So eager,” I say as I relock the door and motion for her to follow me over to the weight rack.
“What’s first?” she asks, apparently leaning into my earlier comment. Her willingness to impress is cute, and I have to swallow down the urge to reach out and touch her.
“The first thing we’ll want to do is stretch,” I say, doing my best to keep my tone professional. “I saw you before you got on the treadmill, so I’m fairly certain you’re familiar with this part.”
“I like to think I am,” she jokes before crossing an arm over her chest.
We speak very little as we warm up. It’s obvious that Olivia takes her health pretty seriously even though she acts casual about it. She’s thorough in the way she primes her body, and I can’t help but follow each movement with my eyes as I mirror her. I have no idea how I’m going to get through this little lesson without crossing some sort of boundary.
“Alright,” I say, rolling my shoulders back as we finish up our last stretch. “We’re going to start with the five pound weight so you can get the basics of form down. Then, once we’re sure that you’re not going to hurt yourself, we’ll work on finding the best weight for you to use.”
“Sounds pretty straightforward to me.” She walks over to the rack and picks up the lightest dumbbell.
I grab the twenty-pound weight so I can give her a demonstration of the exercises first before she tries them. After taking a step back, I tell her to watch, then I’ll help her with her own form. As soon as she nods in acknowledgment, I do a bicep curl, talking her through what she should feel as she goes through the motions.
“Okay,” I say as I set my dumbbell down on the ground, “show me your stance.”
She positions herself, and for the most part, her form is right. I consider trying to tell her what to change, but I know an easier way. So, even though I know that I’m testing my own professionalism, I walk over behind her and carefully touch her arm.
“You’ll want to tuck your elbow in a little more,” I murmur, hyper-aware of how close we are. “That’s it. Now widen your stance just a little bit. Perfect.”
“Yeah?” she asks, sounding breathless as she turns her head to glance at me.
“Yep,” I confirm, forcing myself to step back from her. “Now go ahead and show me what I showed you.”
Olivia gives me a curt nod before slowly straightening her arm. Then, she curls her arm back up just as slowly. She looks at me for approval, and I smile.
“You got it,” I say. “Now show me the other side.”
She does as I request, putting the weight in the other hand. Before she does another curl, I take my spot behind her and tweak her form slightly. This time, I let my hands linger a little longer than I did before. Olivia doesn’t seem to mind, and I decide to take another risk.
“I’m going to walk you through this one since I didn’t show you this side,” I say into her ear, feeling her shiver as my breath ghosts over the shell of her ear. “Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers, leaning her back more firmly into my chest.
I stay still for a moment, soaking in the warmth coming off of her and enjoying the touch of her bare skin against mine. Then, when I can no longer justify the inaction, I move both of our arms together. I go slower than entirely necessary, feeling the way her muscles flex beneath her skin. I want nothing more than to touch her properly, but I know I’m already pushing the limits of this lesson.
“Do you think you got it?” I ask, not letting go of her, still so dangerously close.
“I don’t know,” she says, something playful in her voice. “I think I need you to show me again.”
“Of course,” I say, unable to suppress my smile at her obvious flirting.
Once again, I guide her through the movement. Her arm is limp in mine, forcing me to do all of the work. She’s soaking up this contact in the exact same way I am. It’s almost too much.
As soon as we finish the bicep curl, I grab the weight from her hand. She turns around almost immediately, a question undoubtedly on her lips. I don’t give her a chance to ask it, though. In a quick maneuver, I put the dumbbell on the floor and cup her cheek with my palm. Then, I bring our lips together in a slow, passionate kiss.
Olivia stays still for a beat, and I worry that I’ve read the situation completely wrong. Then, she responds. Her mouth is eager against mine, and she grabs onto me, pulling herself even closer as she lets me explore her mouth.
Our lips meet, and I can’t help the pleased sound that escapes me at the sensation. I adjust my hold on her, letting my hands drift down her neck. My fingers glide over her sides, coming to rest on her hips, and she gasps as if my touch caught her off guard.
Even though I crave more, I let the moment linger. Kissing Olivia is different from kissing anyone else. The same confidence she carries in every other part of her life is evident in the way she moves with me. While there’s an innocence in how she responds, it doesn’t slow her down or stop her from leaning into me.
I manage to keep control for a while, but the sound she makes—a breathy whine—undoes me. I can’t hold back anymore. I hook my thumbs into the waistband of her leggings and slide my hands around to the back, feeling the curve of her ass. I begin to push them down, but Olivia pulls away, her face flushed with a bright red, her lips a shade of pink that makes me ache.
“Sorry,” she mutters, looking embarrassed.
“You don’t have to apologize,” I reassure her, keeping my hands where they are. She’s still pressed close against me, and I can tell she doesn’t want to move away. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. This is great,” she says, her words stumbling out, making her even more endearing. “It’s just…”
I wait for her to finish, but for the first time, she seems too shy to continue. So I nudge her gently. “What is it?”
“Well…” She hesitates, collecting her thoughts before meeting my eyes. “I’m a virgin. I don’t…I don’t really know what I’m doing.”
“That’s perfectly fine,” I assure her softly, sliding my hands out from her waistband. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. If you want, we can stop right here and just finish our workout.”
She shakes her head quickly, her voice firm. “I don’t want to stop. I just…don’t really know what I’m doing.”
“Then we don’t need to stop,” I reply, my smile widening as her enthusiasm shines through despite her uncertainty. A rush of heat courses through me. “We can just take it slow. I’m happy to guide you.”
I gently rub my thumbs in circles on her lower back, offering both reassurance and encouragement. Her lips find mine again as she stands on her tiptoes, a light giggle escaping her as she presses into me. When she lowers herself back down, her voice is soft but confident.
“I’d love that. Please.”
My hands find her waist again, pulling her against me, and I kiss her harder, deeper. She’s breathless already, and I’m only getting started. I feel that electricity between us, the kind of tension that I haven’t experienced in ages. There’s something about Olivia, something I can’t quite put my finger on, but it draws me in like a moth to a flame.
Her lips part, and I dive in. There’s no thinking, no planning, just instinct. She’s perfect, so soft and warm against me. The sound of her breath catches in her throat, and I can’t help but growl. My hands are already at the waistband of her leggings, pulling them down without hesitation. She shudders at the movement, and that only spurs me on. I’m not asking for permission anymore. I’m taking control, and she’s letting me. She’s inviting it.
She steps out of her leggings and panties, and I pull away just long enough to look at her. The smirk that pulls at my lips feels dangerous, but I can’t stop it. She’s a vision, and I’m hungry for her.
“I just cleaned this bench,” I murmur, my voice low and teasing, as I walk her backward. I know she doesn’t understand what I’m getting at, not yet, but when she’s sitting down on the bench, I see that realization flicker across her face.
Her skin, a little damp from the heat between us, sticks to the faux leather of the bench, but she doesn’t seem to care. I don’t care either. She’s already sinking back, and I’m following, kissing her as I go. I’m giving her what she wants, what she needs—letting go of any pretense, any boundaries. This is pure, unrestrained desire.
I can feel her heart racing as I push her gently back onto the bench, her body becoming pliable beneath me. She’s lost in this moment, in this experience, and I love that she trusts me enough to let go. It’s an overwhelming power that courses through me—knowing that I’m the one taking her there, pushing her past what she thought she knew about herself.
I can’t stop kissing her. Her mouth is an addiction. But slowly, deliberately, I trail my lips down her jawline, her neck. She gasps as I kiss along her pulse, and I know I’m making her lose herself. But it’s not enough. Not yet. I need more.
I move lower, my hand slipping up her inner thigh, teasing, testing her, and then I feel it—her heat. Her wetness. She’s ready for me. I slide my fingers through her folds, and she gasps, arching into me, her breath catching.
I can’t help but smile against her skin, feeling the way her body reacts to me. She’s completely undone, and I’ve only just begun. I slide my fingers deeper, coaxing her response, and she can’t hold back. The sound that leaves her lips—soft and desperate—makes my pulse quicken.
I take my time, letting her feel every movement, every shift of my hand, and when I feel her body tense, I know she’s close. Her breath comes faster, but I’m in no rush. I want to savor this. She’s never been like this before, and I’m going to make sure she knows what it feels like to let go.
But then, just when I think she’s about to come undone, I pull my hand away. She whines, the sound so wanton, so desperate, it sends a surge of need through me. I could watch her unravel all day, but now it’s time to show her just how much more I can do.
I slide down, pushing her thighs apart, my breath warm against her skin. When I press my lips to her inner thigh, she shudders, a soft gasp escaping her. It’s almost too easy to make her lose control. But I’m not about to let this end too soon. I lave at her core, drinking her up eagerly.
I look up at her, a smirk pulling at my lips. “You taste so good,” I murmur, my voice thick with desire. I can’t get enough of her, and I’m going to prove it.
She looks at me, her chest heaving as she clings to the bench, her hands tangled in my hair. I dip lower, my tongue swiping through her folds, feeling the heat of her against me. It’s better than anything I could have imagined. She’s all I can think about, and I want her more with every passing second.
The way she moves against me—her hips, her breathing, everything about her—drives me wild. I feel her body tense again, her grip tightening in my hair, and I know she’s close. But I don’t stop. I can’t stop. She’s going to come for me, and it’s going to be everything.
Her voice is a breathless chant of my name, and I feel her whole body shudder as she falls over the edge. The pleasure is overwhelming, and it hits me harder than I expected. She’s trembling beneath me, her body spasming with the intensity of her orgasm, and I don’t stop. I keep going, pushing her further, deeper, until she’s gasping, her hands tugging at me to make me stop.
Finally, I pull away, but the sight of her, breathless and undone, is enough to make my heart race. She’s perfect. And for a moment, I can’t think of anything else, but her. For a moment, my brain tells me she’s mine even though the logical part of me knows she’s the furthest thing from it.
I look down at her, my chest heaving as I catch my breath. She’s a vision, her legs still spread beneath me, her body still twitching with aftershocks. I can’t resist. I need to kiss her again, to taste her on my lips.
I rise up, and she pulls me into a kiss. She tastes like herself, and it’s filthy, but it’s so good. I can’t get enough of her. I want more, but I know we’re not done yet. There’s still so much I haven’t shown her.
“How was that?” I ask, my voice low and teasing. I can’t help it. I want to hear her say it.
She smiles a breathless, satisfied smile, and says, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt better in my life. That was incredible.”
I can’t help but chuckle at that, but I’m already thinking ahead. “We’re just getting started,” I say, looking at the clock. “But maybe we should save the rest for another time.”
She nods, her eyes bright with excitement. “Maybe,” she says, and I can’t help but feel a surge of pride.
I’ll show her more, I think. So much more. But tonight, I’ve given her a taste. That’s enough for now.
Chapter Six
Olivia
I’m sitting at my desk, staring at the endless rows of numbers in the spreadsheet, when Alex walks into my office. I glance up and give him a quick smile, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at the sight of him.
He looks good today—again, as he always does—his shirt a little more fitted, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his hair still slightly damp from his morning shower. There's an easy confidence about him that I can’t seem to shake, and I don’t want to. It’s like a magnet, pulling me in without even trying.
“Olivia,” he greets, leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto mine. His voice is warm, and I can’t help but feel a small shiver run through me at the sound of my name. He smiles, and I catch myself smiling back.
“Hey, Alex,” I reply, trying to focus on the screen in front of me, but it’s useless. I can feel his gaze on me, and it’s like a spotlight, making everything else fade into the background.
“I was wondering,” he begins, his voice a little softer now, “if you’d be interested in grabbing dinner tonight. I know a great place—Vito’s. It’s the local Italian restaurant. The food there is amazing.” He pauses, a hint of something mischievous flickering in his eyes.
“Really?”
“Yup, even Marlon Henderson went when he was here. He actually met the waitress he ran off with there.”
He walks into the room and takes a seat on the edge of my desk, just a little too close. The proximity makes my pulse quicken, but I try to keep it steady, trying to act normal, like his presence doesn’t affect me at all. But I can feel the heat radiating off of him, and I know he’s aware of it.
I raise an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. “This town has the best lore. I met this girl the other day. She’s married to a firefighter, and get this—her best friend’s dad. It’s crazy.”
Alex laughs, shaking his head in amusement. “That’s a good one, but you’re just scratching the surface, Olivia. Cherrywood Village is full of stories like that. Everyone knows everyone’s business, and no one minds sharing their gossip.” He leans in a little closer, his voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. “There’s talk of mafia presence around here, you know? And the girls? They’re always running off with the men here.”
I can’t help but smile at the way he says that, his tone playful but carrying a trace of something deeper, something I can’t quite place. He’s teasing me, but there’s a challenge in his eyes, and I know he’s not just talking about other girls. His words linger, and for some reason, they feel like they’re meant for me.
He winks at me, that charming, confident smile of his spreading across his face. “I think you know exactly the kind of pull a Cherrywood Village man has.”
I laugh, trying to play it cool, but the heat that rises to my cheeks betrays me. “Oh, I’m sure.”
I try to sound lighthearted, but inside, I can’t help but feel a little electric at the thought of what he’s insinuating. We both know there’s a lot more between us than just friendly banter. After what happened in the gym the other night, there’s no denying it.
I swallow hard, suddenly aware of the space between us. The air feels thick, charged. My heart skips a beat, but I don’t know what to say. Instead, I just give him a smile, the best I can muster, despite the rush of emotions that flood my chest. He’s right. There’s no pretending anymore.
“Text me your address,” he says suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. He pulls out a small notepad from his pocket and grabs the pen from my desk. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Don’t worry about anything else. Just send me your address.”
I glance at him for a moment, still processing everything he’s said. “Okay.”
He scribbles something down on the pad and hands it to me, his hand brushing mine briefly, sending another shockwave through me.
I take the notepad, glancing at his number written on it before looking up at him. His eyes hold mine for a moment, and there’s an intensity there that makes my breath hitch.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he says, standing up to leave. He gives me one last look, that same confident smile still playing on his lips, before turning and heading for the door.
I stare at the door for a long moment after he leaves. My heart is pounding in my chest, and my thoughts are a chaotic mess. I’m not sure what I just agreed to, but it feels like everything is changing, like I’m stepping into something I can’t undo.
The rest of the day drags on, the hours feeling like minutes, but I can’t focus on anything. My mind keeps wandering back to Alex. I try to tell myself this is just a dinner. Just a chance to get to know each other better, but I know better. It’s not just that. Not with him. The way he looks at me, the way he touches me. He’s made it clear that he wants more. And I want more, too. I know it, deep down.
By the time I get home, I’m a bundle of nerves. I want to look good for him, but I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. I want to be relaxed, confident—like I’ve got this. But I’m anything but relaxed and so far from confident. My heart is racing, and every little thing I do feels like I’m overthinking it.
I take a long shower, letting the hot water pour over me, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. I know I’m walking a fine line here, crossing boundaries I’ve never even considered before, but after what happened in the gym, after what Alex and I shared, there’s no going back. The lines have already been blurred.
I decide on a simple black dress, something that hugs my body in all the right places but isn’t too revealing. I want him to see me, but I don’t want to give him everything too easily. I want him to work for it a little.
When I finish getting ready, I pull out my phone and send him a text with my address. My fingers hover over the keyboard for a moment, unsure of what to say. But in the end, I keep it simple.
It’s Olivia. Here’s my address.
I hit send before I can second-guess myself, then sit back, trying to control my breathing. This is it. There’s no turning back now.