CHAPTER FOUR
Mandy
I blinked up at him slowly, shaking my head.
“No, of course not. That’s why I was putting these up. I’m an instructor there.” I smiled, realizing how gorgeous Stephen really was. He was tall, over six feet, and had that lean muscular body that I thought was sexy. I hated the guys that hung out at the weights and just got bigger and less human by the day. It was disgusting. Stephen was cut in all the right places and had perfect messy brown hair that most men could never achieve. His hazel eyes were wide and deep set. He stared down at me. “How old is your son?” He didn’t look old enough to have a kid that was old enough for my camp.
“Brandon is seven. He’s been watching a lot of tennis, and I thought that he might like to play it. This goes for four weeks?” Stephen asked as I nodded slowly. I knew that in addition to being gorgeous, he was also one of the most important people in the company. I wanted to make a good impression on him. “Are you planning on working out?”
“I didn’t bring anything to wear today for it. I didn’t know about the gym,” I said as he looked a little disappointed. Then I remembered something and grinned.
“Let’s talk about the camp after I get a run in. I’ll be done in about forty-five minutes,” he said, and I pressed my lips together. “I’ll take the number that’s attached here. Is it your personal number?” I shook my head, and he asked if I would give him mine, since he’d like to talk to me personally about it. Well, of course I would. I wasn’t going to lose the shot. I took the phone that he offered me and punched in my information before I faked remembering that I did have some clothes in my bag.
“I just remembered that I brought clothes for the Y in my purse. I usually go over there and play some tennis in the evening, but I can run tonight. I like running if that’s okay with you?” I offered as he grinned. “I am going to change, and I’ll join you. We can talk now.” I didn’t want to lose the opportunity, and I walked over to the bathroom with my big purse, feeling the eyes of the women on me as I pushed through the doors.
Stephen was a wanted man, and from the way he looked at me, I thought that he might want me. I wasn’t going to waste the chance. I dug into my purse, and while I didn’t have my nicest workout clothes, I could run in my skort and tank top. I changed into them and pulled my hair back low on my neck before changing into the shoes I wore on the court. I surveyed myself in the mirror, aware that I was going to be sweaty soon if I were to keep up with the Adonis out there. I didn’t run as much as I’d like it to sound, but I could hold my own for tonight. It would be worth every bit of the pain that I’d be in later tonight.
I folded my dress and shoved it into my bag with the shoes, thankful for my big purse. I walked back into the gym, hearing more voices as I looked around. Stephen was on a treadmill close to the one he’d been using earlier. Yes, I noticed. I noticed a few of the men in the gym, but he was the one that caught my eye the most from the beginning.
How could he not?
I went to take the machine beside him, smiling as I set down my bag. “How long do you run?” I asked as he looked me over with a sharp gaze, making my entire body heat up. Was I really going to attempt to jog?
“I go for about an hour, but I did fifteen minutes already. You up for that?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm as I smirked.
“I’ll do my best,” I assured him, getting on and setting a speed after seeing that he was going nearly as fast as he could. Holy shit.
“How long have you been into tennis?” Stephen asked, only reminding me about my parents and their views on the matter as I shook that off.
“Since I took lessons myself as a kid. Several teachers encouraged me to pursue it, but I thought that finance might provide more of a stable future for me. I still teach tennis just to keep myself involved in it,” I spoke slowly as I got used to jogging.
“Stable but boring. I mean, I am great at my job, and it’s natural. Nobody can claim that it’s exciting, though.” He took a breath as he increased the speed and my eyes went right to his hot body, more on display in a damp tank top. Oh Mamma.
“True. I guess that’s what we fill the rest of our lives with,” I mused as I smiled sadly, giving him another look. “Is there anything else that you wanted to do?”
Stephen seemed to stiffen for a moment before taking a deep breath. “I always wanted to be in numbers, since it came easily to me. I didn’t necessarily think that it would be in a company like this one.” He lowered his voice and looked around quickly. “I am raising my son on my own and it provides for the two of us. I can take care of him this way.”
“On your own?” I asked as he nodded somberly. I could tell that it was hard for him, and I wanted to reach out and touch him, just for some comfort. I had two parents, and they had a hard time. I got a lot of loans for college because their jobs put them in a lower middle-class rank that only afforded their day-to-day life.
I often wondered why I didn’t just consider something in sports, since I’d be paying back the loans myself.
“I am so sorry,” I offered lamely as he shrugged.
“I have family that helps and a godsend of a nanny. She spends a lot of time with Brandon and gives me time to work and do this, since it releases a lot for me,” Stephen further explained as I stared at him.
“That’s crazy. You’re so strong,” I blurted out as he smiled dryly at me.
“I do what I have to do, just like anyone else. I’m sure that you work hard as well.” He looked into my face, his eyes sweeping over me as I felt sweat pooling in my hair.
“Sure. I pay bills and such, but I share a place with a roommate,” I replied as he smiled.
“Where did you work before?” Stephen pressed as he seemed to move away from the topic.
“I did the books for my college bookstore as well as a record store. I am certain that my degree had a lot to do with this job.” I chuckled as he looked at me with a small smile.
We talked about the company and a little more about the camp as we ran, and Stephen seemed very interested in the fact that it was interactive for the parents as well. I couldn’t help wondering if he tried to make up for the time that he was at work and just enjoyed the little bit of time that he allowed himself. I wanted to ask him if he was overcompensating, but I bit my tongue. That was none of my business.
When the time was up, I was beyond sore. I wanted a gallon of cold water and dinner, but I kept my complaints to myself. It was a nice conversation, and the view was worth every ache. I popped into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face before we walked out to the parking lot.
Stephen walked beside me, keeping a good eye on our surroundings. I wondered why the mother of his child wasn’t in the picture anymore. Stephen was gorgeous and protective, and I noticed an alpha vibe from him. Was that a bad thing, though? I was as independent as the next woman, but I liked the idea of this man dominating me to some degree.
His car was parked a short distance from me, and he stood by as I told him to have a good night. I slipped into my car and turned the key, nervous with him still there and groaned as nothing happened. Perfect. I looked at him to see his brows furrowed with worry as he stepped closer to the cracked door.
“Do you need a ride?” Stephen offered as I smiled and shook my head.
“This car is a dinosaur. I am finding myself replacing a lot right now, but I’m pretty sure that my roommate is home. She’ll come get me and take me to work tomorrow. I’ll call my friend to tow it to his shop before he leaves for the night.” I watched his eyes narrow, looking around.
“I’ll wait until she gets here,” Stephen assured me as I tried to hide my surprise. Men didn’t do this.
“Your son?” I checked as he smiled down at me.
“I’m sure it won’t be long.” I dialed Vanessa’s number, and she agreed to be right down. I also called Taylor at his shop, where all the work on my car was done, setting up a tow over there sometime this evening.
It seemed like the time flew before I saw Vanessa’s red SUV pulling up beside my car. “She’s here.” I looked at Stephen, not wanting tonight to end.
“I’ll see that you get safely out of the lot. See you tomorrow, Mandy.” Our eyes locked for a moment, and I nodded slowly.
“Hey. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked as she jumped out of her car. Her brown eyes were wide with worry. I got out of my car, locking the doors with the button inside of the door.
“Tay is sending a truck. It just wouldn’t start,” I offered as I glanced at Stephen, who was still standing there. “This is Stephen. I work with him.”
The two shook hands, and I saw the approval in my best friend’s eyes. “Drive safe. I’ll see you later.” Stephen looked at me for a long moment before turning to walk to a beefy Jeep Cherokee across the lot.
“Spill,” Vanessa told me the second we were in the car with the door locked, leaving the lot as the Jeep stayed parked until we were gone.