28. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Vi : beware - Lina saw me coming out of your condo. She knows about us
Jake : what?! Can I call you?
Vi : can't - going into a meeting now, but I wanted you to know. She said she'll keep our secret
Jake : thanks for the warning. Talk to you later
Gabe : I'm going back home tomorrow but I have a few hours free here in Bogotá. Anything I can do on the phone or online to prep for the party?
Vi : I think we're mostly ready. Now it's about making sure everything goes smoothly for the set up.
Lina : Has anyone confirmed the drivers that will go pick up the Chilean guests from the airport?
Jake : Yep. Each of them have last names and flight numbers to keep an eye out for. The hotel rooms are booked, too.
Gabe : I'll call them. Check that they're all comfortable with the plans and ready for the trip
Lina : We're only a month away from the party. Everything should be ready to go now. Let's make sure all the i's are dotted
Gabe : Am I missing something? I thought everything is on target
Vi : Everything is
Jake : All is good, but I'm going to change the subject. There's an open mic in two weeks at the same karaoke place we went to recently. I want to sign up
Vi : YESSSSS
Jake : Can you all make it?
Vi : YEEESSSSSSSSS
Gabe : I'll make it happen
Lina : Me too. I would love that
Gabe : You're playing your own music? The Friday before the party?
Jake : Yes. I know it's not the best timing but I hope you can make it.
Gabe : I'm so proud of you. Of course I'll be there.
Vi : We'll cheer you on
Jake : Lie to me if you don't like it
Lina : My gut tells me we will like it
Vi : Same
Gabe : And we would be there to support you even if it's not music we usually listen to
Jake : That only makes me want to impress you more
Lina : Don't worry about that. We're impressed already. Are you kidding me?! You WRITE MUSIC
Jake : …
Vi : We'll love it. I'm confident
Jake : Let's just… wait and see
Gabe : As you wish
Vi : Just know we'll be there for you
Jake : I know
Jake
I went into the gym that morning with a smile already on my face. Vi had texted me to let me know what time she would be there, and seeing her stretching on the mat came as no surprise.
The opening of the door must have caught her attention. Her hand went right into her ear; she took an earbud out and offered it to me.
"Do you want to share?" she asked. "My book is getting really good, if you know what I mean."
I smirked and closed the door behind me. It didn't have a lock, but I dropped my bag at its feet to block it— it would buy us a couple of seconds, at least.
In just a couple of steps, I reached her, ignored her hand, and wrapped her in my arms. Holding her tight, I gave her a long, deep kiss.
Her response was instant. Both arms went around my neck and she stretched high to kiss me better; in her tennis shoes, she didn't have the aid of her heels to match my height.
She was tall but I was a giant— in my head, the fact was another sign of how she was made for me. The way she immediately mirrored my need was an even better one.
Our lips still touched when I ended the kiss; we swayed in the spot in a mimic of a slow dance. I sucked on her bottom lip. She pushed her pelvis onto me.
"Fuck, Vi. I don't think I can get enough of you."
"Is that a no to the audiobook?"
There was enough light coming through the windows that she had forgone the cold ceiling lights. Between the warm, golden sun rays of the early morning sun and the bright smile she gave me, I didn't think I would need artificial lamps ever again.
And to think only a few weeks before I thought I wouldn't get those, unless she directed them at someone else, and I stole it for myself.
I recorded the moment in my mind. The warmth of her skin under my hands, in the patch of skin between her sports bra and workout leggings; the softness of our bodies melding together. Affection in her eyes and my own quickened heart.
She leaned on me and I would never fail her. It was the only reason why I didn't simply melt in my love for her. The fact we wore gym clothes and were technically at work occupied practically no space in my brain. Every firing synapse cared about one thing only— that Vi was in my arms.
"We'll save that for another time." I walked her back until she hit the wall. "Today I want to be the one whispering sexy things into your ear."
She gasped as I pushed into her. I let my mouth slant with hunger.
"And we probably want to hear if anyone is approaching," I added. "Though that might be a responsibility I leave up to you."
I bent down to kiss her neck. A mix of perfume, shampoo, and clean sweat smell invaded my nose, and I drew it in. I ran my nose up the tempting curve; the faint echo of her heartbeat made itself known on the delicate flesh.
I groaned. "I'll be too busy making you forget about your book. Making you feel like you're in your own romance novel of a life."
"Holy shit." She slid an inch down the wall, like her bones had turned to jelly.
Her hand flew up to cling from one the hangers meant for bags and clothes.
I chuckled. "You might need a bit more purchase than that hook, lovely."
"And you want to leave me in charge of detecting intruders?" Her free hand grabbed a handful of my shirt and pulled me closer. "I can't be blamed. I can barely think right now."
"Mmmh. Tell me more." I dropped to my knees and kissed her tummy. Lower.
She moaned. I used my teeth, light over the stretchy fabric of her leggings; one of my hands shot up to fondle her breast, the other braced on the wall behind her.
"You're on your knees." Her whisper came out rough. "I love it when you're on your knees."
"Imagine what I could do if I could have you naked right now."
"Maybe we could take this to the shower room—" she tried, but stopped herself.
Her eyes opened wide in panic. I hadn't heard anything, but the way she pushed at my shoulders told me enough. I fell into my ass and lifted my legs to hide my erection; she stepped away from me and took a random resistance band from the shelf close to us.
I shook my head and pretended to cough; Vi did a weird stretch with the band over her head. The door opened, my bag sliding over the floor without any resistance.
Okay, then. The bag wasn't protection at all.
"Violeta?" Stephanie came into the gym. "I thought you'd be here."
Vi's assistant gave me a weird look; not surprising, since I sat on the workout mats, looking at the wall, without any clear task at hand.
"Ab crunches." I cleared my throat. "Warm up for cardio."
"Everything okay?" Vi asked, distracting Stephanie from my explanation.
Luckily, the awkwardness and nervous laughter that built in my throat killed my hard on swiftly.
I bit my lip and did my best not to let out a chuckle.
"I tried calling you," Stephanie said. "But I wasn't comfortable leaving it at a voicemail only. I decided to come check here just in case— I wanted to give you a warning."
Her tone was confused more than serious, but a foreboding feeling crawled up my spine anyway.
"What's going on?" Vi dropped her arms. The resistance band hung from her hand, brushing the rubber mats under her feet in a defeated caress.
Stephanie stole a glance at me.
"Go ahead, Steph," Vi reassured her.
"Andrew is here," was all Stephanie said.
All mirth evaporated into mist. I didn't plan to scramble to my feet, but I did so anyway. Belatedly, I hid my fists in the pockets of my loose basketball shorts.
Vi didn't gaze my way. "Did he say what he wants?"
"He brought flowers. Again." Stephanie pursed her lips to the side. "He said he'd wait for you."
My nostrils flared. I turned my eyes to Vi, studying her reaction closely.
Vi crossed her arms and gave me a single, quick glance.
She nodded in the direction of her assistant. "Tell him I won't see him— that he can leave, please, Stephanie. I don't think he'll make a fuss—"
"Call security if you need to," I said.
Vi pressed her lips together and sent me a reproach with her eyes.
"You won't have to, Stephanie," Vi insisted, "but thanks for the warning."
"Sure." Stephanie nodded, and she was almost successful at hiding a smile. "I'll come back if there's anything else you need to know."
"Thank you." Vi checked the smartwatch she used for her workouts. "I should be at my desk in forty-five minutes, like usual."
"See you soon." The assistant left the gym, the door closing with a soft click behind her.
Vi and I turned to each other in a stare off. We both crossed our arms and squinted at each other.
"This shouldn't be the fight you talked about during our trip," I said. "Because you should agree this is top creep behavior on Andrew's part."
"He's not a creep. He's unwelcome, and is not ready to hear it."
"He should have listened the first time," I hissed. "One thing is to be a sore loser, another to ignore the answer you gave him! What will it take for him to believe you?"
She clenched her jaw, keeping her chin high. "He thinks he's groveling. Andrew and I talked about it when he learned how much romance I read. He thinks it's what I want, but it isn't— not from him."
The last three words were a balm to the heated blood running in my veins. I had known she wasn't interested in him, and still it helped to hear it again. It didn't make me worry for her any less, though, because I didn't trust him .
"What will it take for him to stop?" I asked. I had been grinding my teeth on and off during our discussion, and I shifted my jaw from side to side to loosen up the muscles and give them a rest.
"I'll get my lawyers to send him a letter of some sort. It's the next logical step before a more official document like a legal restriction."
I shook my shoulders to release more of the strain clutching every major muscle group. Vi still watched me with serious eyes.
I gulped. "Should I grovel for this little show, then?"
That made her lips curl at the corners. "Maybe. It would be cute."
"I'm worried, that's all." I took a tentative step her way. "But I remember what you said— you don't want me fighting your battles."
I took another step, and she lost more of her fighting stance.
Her smile grew a millimeter. "You do make for a sexy bodyguard."
I frowned but gave her a flirting smile. I was almost within reach of her. "You wouldn't turn down this imposing giant, right? I know how to fight and with all the fluff covering my muscles, he wouldn't see it coming."
I took my last step. She put her hands on my shoulders, where she squeezed.
"I don't know." Her eyebrows furrowed like she was really unsure, but the slant of her mouth betrayed the humor she still tried to hide. "Your shoulders really give you away."
"Mhh." I leaned down halfway to a kiss, but didn't try. Didn't push it. "I'm sure that's a good thing?"
We locked eyes, and it broke her resistance. Her warm, melty brown eyes sparkled.
She gave me a quick kiss. "Fine. I appreciate that you care enough to be worried."
"Of course. You're precious to me, Vi."
Tension left her in an instant, like she was a doll and the strings keeping her upright had all loosened up at once.
"Fine! All right," she said. "You're forgiven. That line is a winner. You can stop."
"I don't want to stop." I tried to bring her close, but she took a step back. "If I could, I would keep you in my arms forever. I would whisper sweet things only for you to hear, until all you knew is how much I adore you."
"Gaaaah." She walked backwards toward the shower. "Don't tempt me. I'm going to be late for work."
"You're the sun and I'm a planet caught in your gravity field. For light years ahead."
"Love to hear it but, now? I'm going to be late for work. Maybe write a song about it?"
She grabbed her bag from the floor by the bench. I hadn't seen it before, and I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, either.
She pointed a finger at me. "Don't follow me into the shower room."
"One kiss."
"One kiss?"
"Two."
"Don't get greedy."
"One, then." I approached her. "But a good one."
"Stephanie could have caught us!"
"One good one— final offer."
She laughed. "Fine!"
Laughing, I brought her close and kissed her hard— then soft and lovingly, because that's how kissing her precious mouth should be, too.
She smiled at me and locked the door to the shower room, just in case, and I laughed. I took a shower, too, planning for a quick workout in the evening to make up for my morning distractions.
Still, I waited for her to get ready, and I made up an excuse to take her to her office.