CHAPTER THREE
There was no need to reason to go to the arena the following day aside from the fact Aaron wanted a good workout and it was the best gym in the area. He belonged to the one in his building as well but he’d always loved the team gym and he was hoping that some of the guys might be there. Better yet, he hoped that Holly was there even though she’d told him that her focus was on yoga. He could tell in the pictures too. Her legs were toned and body lean with the perfect curves, showing that she didn’t starve herself or be unhealthy about things.
Aaron cleared his mind of the thoughts as he entered into the lower level and took an elevator to the top, using his key to get into the building. There was usually someone here to prepare for one of the many events going on or just handling orders for them. He was already dressed for the gym and walked into the large room with his bag, glancing around the room as he decided what to do. It was fairly empty except for someone on the treadmill in the corner and he looked closer to see red curls bouncing as he grinned. She was here.
Aaron settled on weights to start, sliding in his ear buds as it seemed she had done the same. He set the high weight that he’d stuck to his whole life, since his arms were fine and he wouldn’t give up everything. He grabbed his cold water and rested back on the weight bench against his towel, shirtless in only a pair of workout shorts now. He’d noticed that Holly was wearing figure hugging tiny shorts and a fitted tank top as she walked, moving her head along to some beat. He tried to forget that she was there looking that good and started lifting smoothly as he let his breath in and out. It felt good to strain his muscles and he pushed himself today since he might just stick with weights and a little treadmill. He was just finishing when he looked up to see her looking down at him, her eyes bright and wide as she watched him set the bar back and reach for his water. “Morning.” Holly greeted him, reminding him of the news story as he tried to fight his attraction towards her. “Easy for you to get here too?”
“I walked. How about you?” Aaron replied easily, enjoying the way she skimmed over his body slowly.
“Yep. I have a place with a roommate close to here. I can actually afford it now that I have a decent job.” She smiled at him as she pressed the towel around her neck up to the sweat that was pooling in her hair. “Thank you for that.”
“You had all of the qualifications. Just try to keep the guys away from you.” Aaron warned her lightly as his eyes darkened.
“It takes one to know one, right?” She shot back in her own teasing tone, catching his gaze with a smile. “I encountered a lot of that in the other job, Aaron. I handled it and I’ll handle this. I might be younger, but these testosterone- minded players are not my thing.”
“What is your thing?” Aaron asked her, unable to stop himself as their gazes locked.
“I like older guys personally. Someone who can balance me.” Holly said, pressing her full lips together. “I was never into those quick casual things, since I like to actually talk as well.” She let her eyes rest on his abs for a long moment. “I used to have a crush on you in high school, you know. Posters and the whole thing. It was always kind of my goal to work for the NHL.”
“High school? I guess it went away and you met better guys?” Aaron asked her, sitting up to look at her with deepening eyes.
“Nobody can compare to a hockey player.” Holly told him, smiling at him. “Why didn’t you coach instead of jump right in?”
“I thought about it after everything went down. When the team came up for sale, my dad and I talked about it and I figured I’d try. I know my stuff and I can guide these guys.” Aaron replied, taking another swig of water. He dared to look down her body at the dark purple shirt that was tight against her body and the shorts that showed off those legs as she moved from one foot to the other. “I can’t not be involved in the sport. It’s my life.”
“I knew that when you played. There was a magic to your skills.” Holly complimented him as he looked back into her face. “I was very sorry when you announced your retirement.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” Aaron told her, reaching for his own towel. “Would you like to go get some lunch? Neither of us have to work until tomorrow before the game.”
“Is that against the rules or something?” Holly’s voice was a whisper as he glanced around the room to see some of the guys walking in.
“I can keep it to myself if you can.” He replied softly as he looked back up at her. “All done here for today?” His voice was louder now as she smiled at him and nodded. “Be safe out there.”
“I’ll meet you out front in a few.” Holly mouthed as she greeted the others with a warm smile. “How are you all feeling today? Nothing’s causing a problem right?”
The guys responded with various forms of hello and that they were feeling fine before she hoisted the bag over her shoulder and told everyone goodbye. Aaron chatted with them about the game next day and the early practice, telling them to play their best and listen to their coaches. The guys knew what they were doing. He stood about ten minutes later, pulling on a shirt before he told them goodbye and left the room.
Holly was waiting by the front doors downstairs dressed in a simple black dress with a thin jacket pulled over it. It was warm right now, unusually so in the city. She had her hair loose around her shoulders and she glanced at him with a shy smile. “Did they suspect anything?”
“They were too busy watching your ass on the way out.” He replied dryly as she shook her head.
“Let them. They’re a great bunch of guys but I’m not into anyone that way.” Holly assured him as they stepped out onto the crowded sidewalk. “What do you like? I’m vegetarian so that might complicate things a bit.”
“Not at all. How about we cab it to Blossom?” Aaron offered, trying to lean that way a bit himself.
“Let’s walk.” She challenged him and he grinned at her.
“It’s nice out. This has been a good Fall.”
“Lead the way.” Holly secured her bag on her arm and started down the sidewalk as she remained silent for a moment.
“Is this going to be a problem?” Her voice was hesitant as he looked at her.
“Lunch?” Aaron asked, needing her to tell her what she wanted.
“Maybe. You’re my boss, Aaron. I work for you. I know that I’m not supposed to date any of the players even though anyone in the industry knows that it happens. I assume that goes for the boss as well?” Holly questioned as he looked forward. “I don’t want to risk your job or mine but I was risking that going to the interview. I knew that I was attracted to you.”
“I knew that I was when you walked into the room. I want to kick all of their asses when they look at you the way they do.” His confession was low and rough as he watched her shiver, her nipples forming into hard points as the breeze blew the jacket open.
“So we’re doing this,” she said slowly, looking at him for a long moment.
“I want to if you do.” Aaron told her, watching her blush and nod. They kept walking, talking softly about their lives as the city faded around them. She didn’t talk about the attack, though he didn’t expect her to. Aaron just wanted to know what she was comfortable with as a result of it, since he wasn’t known to be gentle in bed. Aaron also kept his private life under the radar so he doubted she’d know anything about that, knowing that it wasn’t as wild as anyone had heard anyway. She was complex and smart, observing so much about life for someone as young as she was.
They reached the place and he opened the door for her as someone walking out called out his name. Aaron stepped outside to greet the crowd of two guys and two girls, taking a picture for them as he watched Holly wait inside with a smile on her face. He didn’t expect a lot of paparazzi around for himself, but he had a habit of being careful.
This was wrong for both of them to do on some level. It was forbidden, but he’d deal with that later. Once he was inside, they ordered tea and their entrees as he looked at her face in the sun. “You are so damn beautiful. No wonder the boys get distracted when you are around. How do you handle so much attention?”
Holly frowned and sipped the iced tea as it was set in front of them. “I focus on work, Aaron. I am not here to get promoted because I slept with someone as I’ve had that offer in the past. I turned it down. I can admit that some of the men I’ve worked with are very handsome and my friends have asked me how I resist them in what they call an intimate situation.” She shook her head. “Seeing them in pain isn’t intimate to me. It’s time to work to make them better for the next time out there or the next day and to help the doctor.” He frowned as she spoke, realizing how shallow his time with the therapist had been as he looked back. “I don’t want to be with you for my job. I am just really attracted to you.”
She was honest about it and he appreciated that over the ways other women had approached him, seeing her heart on her sleeve. “I think we should keep this completely outside of work, to be honest. I am going to be around a lot, in part because of you, but they won’t know that. I just want to see the team grow and that’s what they’ll know.” They shared a long look as their food came, heated and wanting as she forced herself to look down at the food with a deep breath.
He felt a little nervous as they ate, asking more questions about the UFC as she answered them with a lot of laughter. It had been very fun for her when the guys were working out or preparing for a fight, but the actual events were tense for her. She’d sat in the front row with the rest of the crew, ready to run and do whatever needed if someone decided to fight nasty. Holly was actually a fan of the newer rules of fighting in hockey, which made him chuckle. Aaron wasn’t a big fighter in his time but he liked a little badmouthing on the ice here and there.
They paid the bill and walked out to head to their part of town, comfortable as they walked closer together but didn’t hold hands. Aaron wanted to but he wanted things to look professional for the public since she’d already been through so much. Once they reached his building, he asked her where she lived as they paused on the sidewalk. It was a few blocks further and he licked his lips as he looked into her eyes. “Want to come in? I can order in some dinner later and we can get to know each other.”
“I…should we?” Holly asked, her green eyes heavy with need as she stared at him. They both knew what would happen if she said yes, and he nodded.
“I won’t do anything that you’re not comfortable with, Holly.” Aaron promised her, telling his cock to calm down as it hardened painfully. “I'm not that guy.”
“Yes. I want to.” They walked into the building as he greeted the doorman and led her to an elevator. “This is a nice building.”
“I bought the apartment a few years into playing with the team. It suits me.” Aaron replied, wondering what her apartment looked like as he realized he might not see it at all. He pushed the button for the twentieth floor as her eyes widened, moving a bit closer to her in the empty car.
“Mine is just on the third floor.” Holly admitted, watching as he joined their hands together with the same eyes.