TWELVE
Alicia
What the fuck had I agreed to? Why the fuck had I agreed to it on Monday? Seeing Cain every day for his treatment was starting to get to me. Why had he and Duncan agreed to pay me everyday weeks in advance? My head was in a constant swirl with everything happening. I had taken the time throughout the rest of my days to push the thought of Cain from my mind, but I was unable to. Every time that I touched his body, I could feel him tense and it was more than anyone else did under my touch. Considering what Cain did for a living, I would have thought he was not so sensitive, but upon occasion he would squirm like an anxious schoolboy.
But the closer Friday had gotten, the more the anticipation had built up in my chest like a bubble that would not pop. Each day that I spent at the Hard Knocks gym for that hour was torture. Cain laid on the table, stretched out and now that he was moving back in the ring again, I could tell that his conAdence was sky high. Each day this week he was improving and there was more movement coming back into his kicks, with more conAdence and precision after each strike.
HRND KO1CKS 33j
It was rewarding to see his growth, moving back to something that he had once resembled, even though I was terriAed to see Gust how far he would go. His knee was not bothering him much, and if it did, I was there to numb the pain and to get him back on his feet again. Since I had agreed to go out with him, even though it was not a date, Cain had been more responsive to me. Either that or he was feeling better about his existence. I thought that having him back in the ring was helping more than it was hindering.
Whilst Michael TiYord had been a similar client, it had enabled me to grow familiar with what Cain needed to do on the road to recovery. Rs I watched Cain work the pads, I was understanding more about his body and what he was trying to achieve. I could tell that he was still very gentle with me, but that was better than what Michael had done. Contact inGuries were very much a thing in Muay 4hai and the last thing Cain needed was another setback.
’et right now I wish I had a setback that could keep me from going out with him. When I had left Cain this morning, there had been something bubbling underneath the surface of his skin. Was it excitement or was it something more? Either way, I had left him like I always did, but this time felt diYerent. Oerves were creeping in and I did not know how to handle them. I had to go through with it.
I was now home on Friday afternoon after a few more clients had come throughout the day. ’et as what was becoming a regular theme, I could not get Cain out of my head. 4his was breaking every rule in my book, but I wanted to do it. I wanted to be unprofessional, Gust for once. Had listening to 4ammy been a bad idea? Most likely, but I was doing it anyway.
I had not been on a date in months, and even though I wanted nothing more, something told me that Cain was going to force that to change. What had he planned? We were going out for a drink, but what did that mean for him? I had seen his behaviour before with the Melissa girl and could only assume what they had gotten up to that night, but I could tell
33J M.R. DRNKE, MR44 MEMEMRN1
that she was only bad news. I hoped that she was no longer anywhere in Cain5s orbit.
Knowing that the negative thoughts about Cain5s past would ruin my mood I pushed them aside. We all had a past. Whatever he had done in his would not be the worst thing that I had heard of. I sighed to myself and stood in front of my mirror, questioning every single one of my life decisions. Why was I like this? It had taken an hour for me to straighten my hair, all of that eYort Gust in an attempt to impress this man? Who the fuck was I? It was not a date. Was it?
I stood in front of the mirror and asked it to tell me the truth, but all I could get back from it was my own vacant stare. My eyes moved down away from my face and my shoulders were the Arst thing I noticed. 4hey were strong, rounded from years of training and working in the practice. My deltoids were like smooth river stones beneath skin marked with three freckles forming a perfect triangle.
’et despite my good form, they did not look intimidating, at least not in the way that Cain5s did. Uust capable. My arms were not carved or showy like a bodybuilder, or a Aghter, but at least there was shape there, even if it was only quiet deAnition. I wondered what Cain thought of me when I had rocked up to my Muay 4hai class and had attempted the workout. Wait, why the fuck did I care what he thought?
4he tight red dress that clung to me said otherwise. 4his was not a date, but there was a part of me that said this was. I wanted to look my best, Gust so Cain could see what he was missing out on. I was putting way too much into this, but whatever. How often did I manage to actually get out of the house apart from work? Besides that, I was most interested to see if Cain could remember this red dress that he had seen me in previously.
My makeup was light, and nothing too heavy. I did not know what Cain had planned and if I knew him, he could have had anything in store for us. Especially seeing as he had texted me only moments ago. Rll he had told me was to be ready at seven. 4he text came through and my phone lit up
HRND KO1CKS 33P
as I gave myself one Anal look in the mirror. Rgain, knowing Cain I knew it was smart for me to choose 6at black shoes that went with my dress. Oot that I imagined I would be doing any running, but better to be safe than sorry.
Cain5s text was simple. It was nothing more than a picture of a pinned location that was close to the city. It was a park, Gust outside the city that overlooked it. I had been to the Nathdowney CliYs many times, but something told me this time would be diYerent. Uust what adventure did Cain have cooking up?
Meet me here.
So, Cain was not a perfect gentleman. 4here was an apology, but I still had to And my way there. Did I drive? Oo. It was a Friday night. Finding parking in the city would be a nightmare. Whether I got an “ber or not, still meant I could leave at any time. But something told me I would not want to be leaving early. 4here was an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Was it excitement, dread, or something else?
With one Anal look in the mirror, I nodded, satisAed with how I looked. I was hotter than what I had been the last time I had gone out with 4ammy, and if Cain was not impressed, I had nothing more to give. I plugged the request for an “ber to the location that Cain had requested, and within minutes I was on the way. Rs the city lights passed by overhead, I realised what the feeling was. Why was I anxious? 4his man was a client and nothing bad was going to happen to me.
4he ride into the city was not that far, and I could not shake the knot that was tying even tighter in my stomach. I was staring out the window, searching for Cain. 4he driver5s T”S was getting us closer to the location that Cain had sent me and I wanted to scream. ”art of me also wanted to climb out of the car before we got there and I wanted to run home. I exhaled, but I could feel sweat already spreading across my chest. Fuck. 4he car was airconditioned and I was cool, but I somehow still felt like I was in the middle of the Sahara Desert.
33V M.R. DRNKE, MR44 MEMEMRN1
4he “ber was slowing down, and my breath was catching. I did not realise at Arst, but I was breathing louder than the air conditioner vents. 4he driver turned around to look at me, and I stopped as a man came into view, standing on the side of the road. Fuck there he was. It was almost to the meter. How long had he been standing there for? Uust like with his strikes, I was getting the impression that Cain was more precise in more than Gust Aghting.
7Here you go.
I realised the car had stopped. Cain had spotted me and there was no getting out of it now. 4here was no going back. I could tell the “ber driver to take oY, but Cain would not let me live it down. He approached the car and extended his arm to pull open the door. Sweet, but absolutely not what I wanted at the time. But who was I to say no to him? He popped his head into the car, his smile contagious. Even though I wanted to throw up, I could not help but stare at him, even if I felt like a goldAsh. My mouth opened, and I did not know what sound was going to come out of it.
7Hi, how are you?
Cain5s eyes lit up and I could feel them running over every inch of my skin. 4he car light was shining overhead and illuminated me, but shadows kept him in darkness. I felt like I was being examined, and the way he spoke to me conArmed it. Cain5s voice was low, soft and direct.
7I5m good. How are you, Rlicia?
I had been conAdent before I had left home, but now that I was sitting in front of him, I wanted to melt. I could smell him as his scent made its way into the car. It was deAnitely a cool, fresh zersace that he wore, not strong or overbearing but Gust enough so that it reached me. It was permeating my nostrils, and I Gust wanted to get closer to him. Fuck, I Gust had to hold it together.
7’eah, I5m doing okay.
7’ou look fucking beautiful.
HRND KO1CKS 33;
1kay. 4his was already going south and faster than I could keep up with. I had to course correct and get it back on track. 7Don5t get the wrong idea, Cain. 4his is Gust an apology for your poor behaviour, not a date.
7I know, this is my apology. I5m going to make it up to you.
7We could have Gust done something simple that doesn5t feel like a date.Cain narrowed his eyes at me, with his deadly little smirk forming across his mouth. 7’ou keep saying those words a lot, Rlicia. It sounds like you5re trying to de6ect onto me.
7I know what this is. Do you?
71f course, I know what this is, but come this way.
7What have you got planned?
7’ou5ll see. Come with me.