| I laughed. "So am I." I kissed him. "Come on silly, let's get going." He leaned up, kissed my bellybutton where the ring went through and got up to put his clothes on. I pulled my tank and panties back on and went to the kitchen to make more coffee. He was dressed by the time I was finished with that, so I headed into my bedroom to pull on my workout gear. Taylor followed me. I started to pull all the jewelry I was wearing off, but when I got to my silver locket I couldn't get the clasp undone. "Hey , Tay..can you get this for me? I don't want to break it." "Sure.." he quickly got the clasp opened and off of my neck. "Just set it on the tray, sweetie.." I said and went about throwing my clothes on. As I was looking around for my gym ID, I noticed he was staring at the picture in my locket. "Who is this?" he asked. "She looks so much like you.." "That is...was..my Grandmother. She was my best friend in the world. She died a couple of years ago. I really miss her." "Oh Jess. I'm sorry.." he looked distressed. I went to him and touched his cheek. "You know, she would have really liked you I think.." He smiled. "You have to tell me all about her then..I want to know everything there is to know about you." "HMMM.." I teased, "You're gonna be late, you don't have time to listen to me now. Come on..." I pulled his arm to lead him to the door, but he caught hold of my hand and pulled me close to him instead. "I will make sure that I make time to listen to everything you have to tell me Jess." His eyes were darkening again as he leaned down to kiss me. I kissed him back and then put a little bit of space between us. "Taylor Hanson, if you kiss me like that again we may never leave here." I said. "Good.." he replied, "that's what I was aiming for." "Your brothers would never forgive me... Now come ON." I teased. I pulled him behind me toward the door as he tried to resist playfully. "Tay...you have to bring my car back to me before you leave...I will see you then I PROMISE, I don't want your brothers mad at me..." "They won't be, " he asurred me, but followed me to my car anyway. |
| I gave him directions, and as we drove we talked about minor things until we neared the gym. "Hey, I'm not leaving the keys under the seat..you need your car. How long are you gonna be?" he asked me. "Oh I dunno, Tay. I usually work out for a couple hours..I'm training for competition." I told him. He shook his head in amazement. "Competition. Wow! Ok so I will see you in a couple hours." he said. "Taylor, meet me at home though..you can find it, can't you? I HAVE to do the cardio thing..." I started. "I'll meet you at your place then. Don't overdo it." he smiled. I smiled back. "I won't." I started to get out of the car, but he put his hand on my arm to stop me. "I'll see you soon, ok?" he looked at me intently. "OK.." I was at a loss for words at the look on his face, it was almost pleading. I leaned over and kissed him softly on his beautiful lips, and his arms instantly went around me and pulled me a little closer. He parted my lips with his tongue and the taste of him was so sweet. I stroked the back of his head, and touched his cheek. "Bye.." I whispered. I couldn't catch my breath. He beamed that smile at me and I got out of the car and shut the door. I watched for a moment as he pulled away, then turned to go inside. I bumped right into Jakey, the big bouncer from the Imtersection. |
| "I'm sorry Jakey.." I said, "I guess I wasn't paying attention. He just grinned at me. "I wonder why.." he teased. "Oh shut up Jake!" I muttered, and strode into the building. He followed. "Soooo, Jessie...have you been to sleep yet?" he badgered me, "you know Eric's gonna have a cow if you didn't.." "Eric can kiss my ass, Jake..he gets paid to train me not be my mother.." I said, exasperated. "Whao girlie! I for one am glad to see that you actually had a good time that didn't involve work or training..but you know Eric..he's got a one track mind." Jake stated. "Sorry, Jake didn't mean to bite your head off." I apologized, as I tossed my card on the counter."hey Kim.." "Hi Jess.." she answered, "early for you isn't it?" "I couldn't sleep, may as well not waste time.." I said as I headed to the weight room. "Later, Jake." "Have a good workout Jess." he waved as he left for the men's locker room. |
| I went into the weight area and began my warm up. I was just getting through with my stretch when Eric came up behind me. Eric had dark hair that he always kept really short and spiky. He was about 4 inches taller than me, but he was very muscular. He almost looked like a cartoon superhero. "What are you doing here so early?" he asked acting a little agitated. "I couldn't sleep, figured I may as well get it done now.." I said as I threw my leg up on the smith machine bar to stretch my hamstring. I wanted to give it an extra stretch, to keep from injuring myself again. "You can't recover if you don't rest Jess.'" he grumbled. "I'll sleep after while Eric, I'm fine." I snapped, "if you wanna help, spot me, or I'll get Jake to do it. I'm not in the mood fro this shit now." "Alright then," he said. "Get your ass in gear and let's go.." After about an hour of intense training, I was sweating hard and about finished with my last set of bench press. I was trying to get an extra rep, but I couldn't get it today. "Come ON Jessie..." Eric was yelling at me, "CONCENTRATE..." I finally pushed through and got it..I racket the weight and tried to catch my breath. I sat up from the bench and wiped the sweat from my face. Eric was still berating me. "That was sloppy, Jessie...you're not focused..goddammit!" "hey eric..I pushed through that last one just fine! get off my ass.." I grouched at him. "What's your problem today? I never train this hard on Saturday anyway.." I asked, confused. "I saw you with that guy, this morning Jessie. And I know you stayed at the 'Section later than you normally do, Jake said so." he pouted. I rolled my eyes, "Christ! So what Eric? I'm here. I worked out, and YOU are NOT my mother." "I know that Jess..I just don't want you to screw up your chances." "I'm a grown woman, Eric. Leave me alone..I can take care of myself. And you get paid whether I win or lose. get your shorts out of that knot. Besides I really like him.." I grinned. "Whatever.." he snorted and almost stomped off. I stood there dumbfounded for a moment. "I told you he'd blow a gasket." a voice from behind stated matter-of-factly. "Jeez Jake! You scared me..but yeah, he did..I don't get it. " I shook my head. "He'll get over it..I think." Jake said. "See ya Monday, Jess." "yeah..bye Jake.." I mumbled. |
| I walked to the counter, took my card from Kim and stuck it in my sock. I went outside and was momentarily blinded by the bright sun. I looked around and then started a slow jog back toward my apartment. I liked running downtown, I liked to look at all the old buildings with their brick fronts and antique looking signs. It was a gorgeous day and getting warmer. I pulled my sweatshirt off and tied it around my waist, then continued to run. I was enjoying the feel of the sun on my face and the steady rythym of my breathing telling me I was in the shape I needed to be in. I was also enjoying the memory of all that had happened to me since yesterday. Especially the smell of Taylor's hair and skin, the feel of his arms around me. The light in his blue eyes when he smiled at me. I was lost in my thoughts as I turned the corner and slightly slowed my pace to cool off on the last few blocks home. I was stiil sweating but feeling pretty good when a loud horn blast from beside me startled me back into the present moment. I jumped and turned to see Taylor grinning at me from the driver's seat of my car. He was driving right next to me as I ran on, and he laughed and said, "Hey sweet thing need a ride?" and wiggled his eyebrows at me. "I don't accept rides from strange men", I teased. "and YOU are as strange as they come.." I wiggled my eyebrows back at him then took off in a sprint toward my apartment. "Hey.." he started and then gunned the motor and took off toward my apartment also. I ran as fast as I could, but he was standing at the foot of my staircase by the time I got to the tiny parking area. He was leaning casually against the wrought iron railing, grinning and dangling my keys from his index finger. "What are you gonna give me for these? You can't get in without 'em.." he said devilishly. "Oh HO! But if you don't let me in my own apartment you don't get to watch me shower you dork! I need one too..." I said wiping sweat from my face. "Well then..that's a deal.." and he sprinted up the stairs ahead of me and unlocked the door. he opened it and I followed him inside. I sat down and began to unlace my shoes. "What are you doing back so soon? I thought you had an interview?" I asked. He laughed. "Zac is in BAAAAD shape this morning..umm we needed to reschedule.." he said. |