Chapter 16
Sixteen
Kaden
I wanted to kiss her. All of my thoughts drifted back to her as soon as I twisted the knob on the shower and stepped into the water.
Everything about Val was intoxicating. Her smile, the way she looks down and bites her lip when she’s nervous, the confident energy she radiates, the way she smells.
There were even times when I was explaining things to her I can tell she already knows and is just listening to be polite. It all does something to me.
What was I thinking? Training her should have never been on the list of things I agreed to, but of course I couldn’t help myself.
I was supposed to be a professional, yet here comes Val, challenging me and testing my limits to see how far I’d go.
I still didn’t even know much about her, but I felt a strong sense of urgency, knowing she could protect herself but still desiring to be her protector.
I continued to stand there, with my head tilted back letting the water pelt my face and cascade over the rest of my body.
The steam coiled around me and the heat helped loosen up some of the knots which had formed throughout the day.
My eyes may have been closed, but her face was a vivid picture painted in my mind.
Her submissiveness on the mat while we trained was reigniting a part of me left dormant for a long time.
It reminded me of when Isabella and I had first started dating, the dynamic and raw passion we had for each other was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
Eventually, we fell out of that. Mostly because of my accident and the fact she developed a resentment toward me she never wanted to talk about.
We pretended everything was great until she couldn’t pretend anymore.
I just didn’t want to unintentionally make Val a rebound, and I definitely didn’t want to shift my focus away from fighting again. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us.
She would understand though, wouldn’t she? Val had already left her entire world behind in Arizona to pursue this dream.
For what reason? I still don’t know, but I was going to find out.
I cranked the handle of the shower into the off position, grasping the towel I had left on the hook just outside and dried off before wrapping it around my waist. Stepping out of the shower, the steam had already dissipated and I made my way over to my locker.
Arlo had invited me over to his house tonight, but time had slipped away so we made plans to meet up at The Rocky Top Cavern.
They had some of the best wagyu burgers in town and I wasn’t about to pass up time with my best friend.
???
Arlo took a bite of his steak. “So you do like her, you dirty dog.” He chuckled while chewing on his food. “I knew it.”
I sat back in my chair and took a sip of my soda. “But I can’t go there, right?” I paused. “It wouldn’t be a good look as a trainer, or for our company.”
He shook his head and gulped down some of his water, chewing on a piece of ice.
“Bro, I am going to need you to get something through your thick skull.” A serious expression came over Arlo as he looked me dead in the eye.
“You deserve to be happy, and if this woman is the one who makes that happen, then who am I to stand in the way? Besides, you wouldn’t be the first trainer to date his trainee. ”
I couldn’t help but laugh as he raised his brow at me. “You’ve dated one of your trainees? You haven’t trained a woman in-”
He cut me off. “Exactly.”
My brows furrowed together. “So what would have happened with Val, had I not agreed to take her on after-hours?”
“Then I guess it would have been sayonara sweetheart, sorry you moved here for nothing.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You know I have a hunch for these things and Val is persistent enough, she would have gotten her way eventually.”
I choked on my burger. “You’re telling me.” Val was one of the most stubborn women I had ever met. “So I should go for it?”
Arlo just sat there and nodded. “You should also be completely transparent with her… about everything.”
Everything.
This meant opening up and inviting her into my world.
A place where I have found a deeper level of intimacy than I had ever imagined, built on a foundation of communication, boundaries, and a shared understanding of power.
A world where I enjoyed creating scenes as a form of art and self-expression through bondage and sensory play.
A world where trust must be earned and respect and honesty were a must and in return…
it offers a connection, truly unique on its own.
If I was going to pursue this, I definitely needed to be completely transparent with Val, and hope she didn’t think I was a freak. I’d need to earn her trust but it would be nice being in a relationship with someone who was understanding and accepting.
“You’re right,” I said calmly as I nodded my head. “You don’t think it’s too soon after Isabella and I-”
Arlo cut in. “I think when you know, you know. I’ve seen the two of you on the mat working out and sparring, it’s flawless. There’s a connection there, I can feel it – the other guys can feel it – you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t see where this could lead.”
“You better be right man.” I pulled out my phone and pulled up Val’s number and sent her a quick text.
Me: Hey Val, this might seem super random, but I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go out sometime?
Ding.
Arlo glanced down at my phone and smiled. “That didn’t take long.”
I could feel the heat building in my cheeks as I noticed her message.
Val: I’d love to go out with you sometime. I’m free tomorrow night.
I confirmed our date and slipped my phone back into my pocket. “Alright, mister matchmaker.” I pushed at Arlo’s shoulder. “Now, you’ve done your good deed, it’s time for you to spill the tea about your love life.”
Arlo began sharing about the woman who he had been seeing. They seemed pretty serious, and most importantly, he seemed happier than he had ever been. Things were going well at the gym, he was getting ready for a big fight, his love life appeared to be perfect.
What more could a man ask for?