“Drew needs to see you in his office right away.” Matt, a co-worker at Evolutions, jogs up the last three steps to meet me on the third floor.

I glance at my watch. It’s almost time for my shift to end. I’ve worked with five clients today and all I want to do is grab a shower and head straight to Makenna’s.

It’s Valentine’s Day.

Makenna. All day, I struggled to concentrate on my job, because I’d find myself thinking about her. And honestly, I’ve thought about Ryder, too.

Connections with people can’t be measured in time. We’re only been a few weeks into our relationship, but every evening I spend with them reveals a little more about them and a lot more about me and what makes me happy.

I ascend four sets of stairs, more determined to make this talk with Drew quick. Several clients want to stop and talk for a minute. I’ve been at Evolutions Fitness for years, hired during my sophomore year in college. I know everybody.

When I enter the lobby, Kerri glances up from the computer behind the check-in station. “Drew is looking for you.”

“Yeah. I heard. In his office, right?”

Her gaze flicks to Drew’s office. “Yes. He says it’s important. There’s a visitor in there with him.”

Drew’s door stays open most of the time, but today it’s firmly shut. It’s odd and definitely suspicious for it to be closed. Usually, this would mean someone is getting reprimanded or canned.

But I’m not sure what it means when a visitor is behind the door. Then it hits me.

Maybe he’s found an investor or silent partner for my fitness business since we talked about it last week. I smile and take a deep breath. I can make time for this, my future.

I knock twice and wait.

“Come in.” Drew sits behind the mahogany desk looking relaxed, a smile lingering on his face. His guest faces the desk, not dressed in a suit as I’d imagined some investor type.

The guy turns slowly and gets to his feet. Jared Jameston.

What the ever-loving fuck is he doing here?

He’s dressed in gym clothes, tennis shoes, and a baseball cap. He looks like a guy ready to work out. “Hey man,” he says, all relaxed and chummy. “Good to see you. I was just telling Drew here that I’m ready to get back in shape. Tours do a number on a person’s body.”

His casual tone, like we are friends who slap each other on the back and shoot hoops on Saturdays, throws me.

Drew beams, showing all his veneers. “And we’d love to have you as a client, but I understand why it’s necessary to have sessions out at your place. It’s a miracle you snuck in here today without getting mobbed.”

Drew is obviously a fan.

I study Jared. He wants to unnerve me. Piss me off. “Didn’t expect to see you. So, you’re joining and need a trainer? I’ll be glad to introduce you to some choices. Mindy is the winner of the 2014 US Women’s—”

Drew interrupts me. “You must not have heard me. Jared can’t come here. You’re going to go to his ranch for the sessions.”

This isn’t going to happen. There’s no way in hell I am going to pander to this guy who thinks he can order me around like valet parking. I part my lips in a customer service smile while I shake my head.

“Wish I could, Drew, but my client list is heavy as it is. Like I said, maybe Mindy or Derek? I know they’d both feel really lucky to have Jared as a new client.”

I look at Jared. I am determined to keep this professional, but… If I trained you, your workouts would be so brutal, you’d need to hire a personal assistant to help you sit on the toilet.

Never underestimate an intense leg workout. Men always do.

Maybe I should tell Drew the truth about why Jared showed up today. I don’t even know this guy beyond witnessing his jealousy in the hospital emergency room. And now it makes sense. He’s tracked me down and thinks he can threaten me here in some way.

Drew can fire my ass if he doesn’t get it. But there’s something about Jared thinking I’m afraid of him that rubs me wrong.

Jared laughs low—a sound that makes me want to throw him over Drew’s desk. My pulse jumps in my throat, anger rises hot on my skin. Say one thing about Makenna. Go on. It’s why you’re really here.

He picks up a gym bag at his feet and throws the strap on his shoulder. “I guess if you can’t handle me as a client, I can find another trainer.” He turns to Drew. “Thanks for trying to help me out, man. I’ll see what I can do about those tickets to my April show.”

Drew’s eyes widen, obviously in a panic that we’re losing a celebrity. He comes around to the front of the desk and props himself on the edge. “Aiden, we’ll work out your schedule. Matt can take on some of your regulars so you’ll have time for Jared.”

Then Drew turns away from me and focuses all his powers of salesmanship on Jared. Gives him a spiel about the nutritionist who can also travel to Jared’s house and discuss weekly menus. No problem. And would Jared like to take some Evolutions clothing with him? Maybe some golf balls or a muscle shirt…

My hearing dulls due to the explosion of what-the-fuck in my head.

“Aiden?” Drew’s voice comes back into my consciousness.

I take a deep breath, preparing myself to be fired and lose my boss’s support when I leave this place. Some things are worth professional suicide. “Drew. I’m sorry, but it’s not possible.”

I catch Jared’s expression. He watches me, smug smile on his lips, waiting for it to happen. He never expected me to come out to his house in the first place. I’ve done exactly as he planned.

I issue a challenge with one loaded look. A challenge that he’ll be sorry for trying to fuck with my head, with my livelihood, and with my relationships. My relationship with Makenna might be new, but it already has roots twining deep into the earth.

Jared returns the look. “Maybe he’s nervous about coming out to my place since I’m famous.” He ends his statement with smug smile.

“Fuck you.” The words gunshot from my mouth. Angry adrenaline spews through my bloodstream and I clench my hands into fists at my side. I’d never talk this way in front of a client or my boss. Until now.

I’m a lunge away from knocking that smile right off his lips.

Drew stands abruptly and his chair legs squeal against the tile. “Aiden. I…um…think you need to step out. On second thought, why don’t you call it a day and I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Jared chuckles. “Aiden, you’re a riot. Drew thinks you’re serious. Actually, I thought I’d ask for a female trainer, but knew it’d be funny to mess with you first. Maybe you’d like to come out and shoot some hoops with me. Have a few beers. Talk about women.”

Drew laughs and rakes a hand through his hair. “Jared, you’re the one who’s a riot. You had me going there for a second. I should’ve known.”

I pull in air through my nostrils. Drew’s relief fills me with guilt. He’s caught in the crosshairs of Jared’s little game.

“Sure. Yeah,” I say. “I’ll drop by your place tomorrow. I can whoop your ass shooting some basketball or anything else.”

Surprise flickers across Jared’s features, then he contains his emotions. “I look forward to it. I’ll see you in the morning.” Jared rattles off his address and I type it into my phone.

Drew glances at a wall clock. “Aiden, I’m going to take Jared to meet Mindy before she leaves for the day. So, you guys can catch up tomorrow, right? Oh,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ll be laughing about this later. Aiden should take up acting,” he says to Jared.

I don’t even say good-bye as I hustle outside before I do something I’ll regret. Tomorrow, I’ll set him straight on how much I detest his attempt at mindfucking me.

* * *

The irritated feeling that crawls along my skin won’t disappear as I drive toward home. Maybe going to Makenna’s tonight is a bad idea. The last thing she needs is me asking what kind of psycho she’s involved with.

Was involved with. I need to calm down.

My cell rings and I check the ID and a photo of the caller flashes across the screen. It’s Makenna and Ryder, a photo I snapped at Gunner’s. They’re bending down to examine something on the ground—a dead bug or a rock. Who knows? Ryder is intent on whatever it is he’s found and Makenna gazes at him like he’s discovered he can spin grass into gold. She’s pretending to be amazed and impressed.

It’s the most beautiful thing: her love for her child.

I press the button and it’s too late. I call back without waiting to see if she leaves a message.

“Hi.” Her husky voice holds a smile as bright as a summer sun.

I smile back. “Hi. How was your day?”

“The worst. An advertising company hired me to write a jingle for a commercial, and they keep changing their mind about what they want. They assumed I’d also be singing and…hey, I’m not a one stop shop.” She hesitates. “Whoa. I just unloaded on you. Please remember I normally tell all this to a three-year-old and he responds by asking for cookies. I just want to forget everything negative tonight. How was your day?”

“Good. It was good,” I lie, because how can I tell her that her ex and I will probably come to blows in the morning? Later. Later I’ll calmly explain how that motherfucker is going to be sorry he messed with me.

“What time are you coming to get me to visit Nonna?” Makenna asks. “Mama wants to spend time with Ryder so we could actually go alone.”

“About that. I went by to see Nonna during lunch. We don’t have to go.” I brake behind a long line of commuter traffic. It’s Jared’s fault that I’m stuck going five miles an hour now.

“Oh,” she says and the weight of a long day comes through in that one word. Her house sounds quiet. No television or kid noise in the background.

My earlier mood flees, chased away by her voice.

“But I was wondering if I could still see you. I’d love to spend time with you alone. We could stay at your place or go somewhere. Whatever you choose.”

She’s silent. I imagine her sitting on her sofa, tight little T-shirt and jeans that hit low enough to show me a sliver of pale skin. Bare feet tucked under her. Toenails painted glittery gold, something I’d noticed last night before I left.

She dresses like a tomboy, but her sparkly toes tell me that she’ll do the unexpected. All her frills hide underneath a tough exterior.

More silence and I hear her brain asking what this means and if she can let herself or what I expect.

It was the alone comment that put the question mark in her decision.

“Ok,” she says. “I guess I could do that.”

Her hesitation hurts a little, that she has to think about it. She was more than willing to go and play fiancée for Nonna.

“Great.” I accelerate with the commuters who now pick up speed. “I’m going home first to clean up. I’ll see you in an hour.”

“Bye,” she says.

I’m impatient and the traffic gets on my nerves. I arrive home later than I’d planned, giving me only minutes to shower and change.

Settling into the driver’s seat, I head toward Makenna’s house. I’m quickly becoming obsessed with her.

I’m not stupid. I know it’s too soon. I’ve had two serious girlfriends in my life and both relationships lasted less than a year. I knew those girls inside out—quirky habits, birthdays, time of the month, what ticked them off and got them off.

Makenna. I know so little about her. Nothing, really, in comparison. But I am hungrier for her than anyone I’ve ever met. When she laughs, the sound caresses my ears like a hot lover. The way she’s selfless when she’s with Ryder, or the way she coddles Nonna, or the work she’s doing at the shelter.

I pull into Makenna’s driveway ten minutes late. The porch security light is on, a detail that’s worried me all day. I’m officially an old man, obsessing about safety and well-lit porches. Next I’ll be checking the boards on her steps.

I resist bending down to check for rotting boards as I walk up the four steps to her landing and front door. I only knock once and she opens it.

“Hey.” She waits for me to come inside.

I hand her a box of candy. “For you. All coffee flavors.”

She blushes and damn, if it’s not the hottest thing. This woman, so bold most of the time yet she blushes over a gift.

“Thanks. Ryder will think it’s for him.”

“I’m sure you’ll share. Took a box over to Nonna at lunch today. She did not share.”

I wait for her to close the door. It gives me time to take her in and I don’t hide my roaming gaze. She wears a concert T from Jelly Bean Queen, skinny jeans and boots that reach to her knees. My hands could easily span her waist, her hourglass figure more pronounced with her shirt tucked into the tight jeans. Her hair is loose, falling in these spirals along her breasts. Her breath quickens as I take my time looking at her.

“You look great.” I hold her gaze and adrenaline kicks into my bloodstream, jacking up my heart rate. Her lips part, the tip of her tongue wetting her lower one.

“Thanks.” She looks away, then back to me. “How is your grandmother? Good?”

I laugh, thinking about the way Nonna dug into her chocolates. “She’s better. She said she can’t wait to see you. Actually, she demands it, like some queen summoning her subjects.”

Makenna nods. “Well, in her defense, she thinks I’m her future granddaughter-in-law.”

“Anything to keep her happy.” I listen for a second. Nothing. “Where’s Ryder?”

“I went to get him, but Mom wanted to keep him. She insisted that she needs to have him sleep over.”

All night. Oh, the things I could do to you with eight hours on our hands. I’d make you understand how much I want to be with you. Make you know how special you are.

“Did you decide what you want to do? Go out or stay here?” I manage to keep my voice neutral, so she won’t hear the silent plea.

I catch her gaze as it flicks to the sofa and back to me, like a trap she doesn’t want to get caught in. “Out. If it’s OK with you. There’s a band I’d like to hear at Dastardly Bastard’s tonight.”

I mask my disappointment. Dastardly’s will be loud. Busy. We’ll probably have to sit at the bar at this hour. I’ll have to share her attention with the band, the people, a drink. “Sure,” I say. “My favorite place.”

She grabs her bag quickly, as if I might change my mind and shove her onto that sofa to finish what we started.

Luck follows me tonight. We’re able to park a block over from the bar. The place isn’t standing room only and I ask for a booth in the back. I grab Makenna’s hand and weave through the crowd as I follow the hostess.

I don’t let go of her until we’re there. She slides down the cushion to the middle and I wait, letting her know I want to sit beside her instead of the opposite side. I scoot in close to her. Not pressed against her like a lover, but near enough. “Hungry?” I ask, placing my mouth at her ear so she can hear above the music.

She shakes her head and soft hairs brush against my face. “Just a Coke,” she says, turning her head to answer and realizing too late how close her face is to mine.

Her eyes widen, a flicker of desire making her pupils dark and large. Her breath hitches and she turns back to the front. She picks up a paper menu from the stand at the end of our table, turns it over, and studies it even though she’s said she isn’t hungry.

I look at her mouth, the bottom one all full and pouty by nature’s design. “Change your mind?”

She’s careful now, turning her head only a fraction. “No. Just curious.”

I order drinks, chips, and dip. Instead of the waitress who took our order, Harper delivers it. “Hey guys,” she yells above the wailing guitar solo.

“Hey,” I mouth and wish we’d gone somewhere quiet.

Harper places both drinks on the table along with the appetizer. She lowers her tray and points somewhere.

“What?” I ask.

She leans down and points. “Leo. Josie. There.”

Leo and Josie stand at the end of the bar, holding drinks and looking for a place to sit. I nod to Harper that I see them and she leaves.

Leo, Harper’s boyfriend, was a good friend all through high school and college. It seems that Josie, the girl who followed her brother everywhere during childhood, still hasn’t outgrown the habit.

I wave at them and they head our way.

“Care if we join you?” Josie yells.

“Go. Ahead.” Now the band has switched from the 80’s music and I might be relieved, but no. They are playing a Jared Jameston tune.

Josie and Leo slide into the seat across from us. Leo gives a lazy smile. I wonder how his sister conned him into coming.

“I’m Leo,” he says to Makenna. He points to his twin. “Josie. My sister.”

“Oh. Sorry.” I place my hand high on Makenna’s back. “This is Makenna.”

Josie grabs a chip and I nudge the basket closer to her. We wait out the loud music and finally it stops, because the band decides to take a break.

“I thought that would never end,” Leo says.

“It wasn’t too bad.” Josie wipes her fingers on a napkin. “Makenna, what did you think?”

“Mak,” she answers. “Everyone calls me Mak.”

Josie looks at me and lifts an eyebrow since I didn’t introduce her that way.

“Everyone,” Makenna says, “except Aiden.”

I shrug. “She tells me to stop and I will.”

She doesn’t. Instead, she returns to the question. “Those guys should play their own songs. Their own stuff is better.”

“Makenna’s a song writer,” I add like an honor roll parent.

Leo nods, staring at Makenna with new interest. “You have to stay true to your own vision.”

“Leo’s a writer. Novelist. Blogger,” Josie says. “We all went to school together. You want to know any secrets about Aiden? You let me know.”

“Josie should be careful since I know quite a few of her secrets, too.” I scoot a little closer to Makenna. My thigh presses against hers and I drape my arm over her shoulders. “Josie was my first kiss. Middle school. She walks up and lays it on me in the cafeteria in front of everybody.”

Makenna grins. “And what did you do?”

“I kissed her back. And then Leo said he would kill me if I ever kissed his sister again. So, I made sure I stayed away from her.”

Leo winks at Makenna. “Who’s the writer now? I think you’re changing the story. I remember you complaining about my sister embarrassing you and could I please stop her from hanging out with us.”

Makenna relaxes against me. “I can tell you guys have been friends for a long time. Must be nice to still know each other.”

Josie twirls the paper umbrella in her drink. “We don’t, really. Aiden here tonight is like a bald eagle sighting. He used to date a different girl all…sorry. It’s my third drink and I guess I forgot who I was talking to.”

Leo sighs. “It’s her last drink. I’m cutting her off.”

Makenna grins. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t think he’d been alone since your middle school romance. And we’re not—”

I cut in. “What she means to say, Josie, is that she’s confident in my attraction to her. I know you’re still pining away for me after that sixth grade kiss, but you and I are over.”

Leo checks his phone. “Harper’s off the clock. She’s texting me. Are you guys hanging out here for a while?”

Makenna straightens and my arm slides off her shoulders. I glance at her. Her eyes narrow at something across the room.

“What is it?” I turn and scan the room so I can find the source of her irritation.

“That guy over there. The one in the black leather jacket near the bar. I know him.” She continues to frown.

“Yeah? Who is he?”

“He works for Jared as a bodyguard. I swear he’s been staring at this table for a while. He’s not drinking or talking to anyone. He’s spying for Jared. I know he is.” She’s like a dragon ready to spew fire. I make a mental note not to piss her off. Ever.

I grab her shaking hand underneath the table.

Jared shows up where I work. His guy follows us to a bar. He’s put a tail on me or the both of us.

“Who’s Jared?” Josie asks, oblivious to any tension in her three-daiquiri-glow and happily munching the last of our chips.

Makenna sucks in a breath and flips the guy off. “Can we go?”

Leo and Josie both turn toward the other end of the bar to see the unlucky recipient of the bird.

“Sure.” I get out of the booth and wait for Makenna as she puts on her jacket. We say our good-byes to Leo and Josie and head toward the front.

I glance around for the guy in the black jacket. He’s gone and probably reporting back to his dick boss. We exit Dastardly’s and head to the parking lot. Stopping suddenly, Makenna turns around to look behind us.

“Aldo better back off.” She returns the way we came, zig zagging through the people and making it difficult to keep her in sight. By the time I’m beside her, she stands jabbing her finger into the chest of a big dude.

“You tell Jared that I’m a grown ass woman who knows what she wants,” she says. “If I ever see you again, I’m turning you into the cops for stalking. Do you understand?”

“He’s worried about you,” the guy says in a gentle voice. He doesn’t seem fazed.

“Aldo, I mean it.” Makenna pokes him another time before I can stop her.

Aldo nods once and backs away. “I’ll tell him.”

“Good.” Makenna swivels and continues to the car as if nothing’s happened.

I need to tell her about Jared showing up at Evolutions. “You all right?”

“Yeah. I…” She stops walking and turns to me. People on the sidewalks go around us. “I hope you don’t think my life is a wreck. I bet you’ve never dated anyone who had an ex sending spies out to follow you.”

“You’ve got me there. It’s a first,” I tease. “But I can handle it.”

“All I want is to take care of my mom and Ryder, you know? But for once, I wanted to do something selfish. Something that just feels good for me. Because if you can’t tell, I really like you. Now I’m scared you’re going to think it’s too much of a hassle to be with me.”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

“Oh, Aiden Alesini. You’re the sexiest man I know. Kiss me,” she demands. “Really kiss me.”

Before I can say a word, she pulls me by the collar down to her mouth. Her mouth is cola-sweet and eager. She moans against my lips and the vibration revs me up automatically. I kiss her deeper, my tongue reveling in the velvet of her mouth. My hands itch to feel every inch of her body.

“Get a room,” some jerk hollers.

She breaks away, breathing hard. Her hands shake as she drops them from my shirt. “Ok. Let’s go to my place. I’ve got things I want to do to you.”