"Girls and their weight," Jackson said with a quizzical look. "I'll never understand it. It's just a number."
"Yeah, a number that you're not privy to," I replied sardonically.
"You win," Jackson relented with a cocked eyebrow. "Just input your weight and choose interval session for twenty minutes. We'll just have you walk today to loosen up your muscles. I'll be right back. I'm just going to drop your bag in my office for safekeeping."
I nodded and waited for him to walk away before entering my weight. Men just didn't understand.
I looked around as I walked. The gym was pretty full and I couldn't help but notice that almost all of the people were in fantastic shape. I didn't understand it. The few times I had stepped inside a gym, it was inevitable that everyone inside was already fit. Where did the regular people go, before they were able to wear spandex ensembles with pride? Did they keep them in some dark hidden room of the gym until they were presentable enough to be unleashed into the main facility?
My thoughts were interrupted as I watched Jackson striding back towards me. I felt a delicious curl of anticipation tighten inside me. There was no mistaking it. Jackson was attracted to me. I was contemplating my first fling with relish when I saw a woman stop Jackson. She was talking animatedly and laughing. She was also drop dead gorgeous in skintight spandex and rock hard abs. I started thinking about my own soft middle and wanted to cringe, but I stopped myself before I let my thoughts get too wayward. I needed to stop comparing myself to other women. I may not be in the best shape, but I wasn't a sack of potatoes either. Men, including Jackson, would accept me as I was or I would find someone else who appreciated me.
I patted myself on the back, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as the woman led Jackson over to a curling machine, putting her hand on his arm while they talked and laughed loudly. Jackson seemed engaged in the conversation, apparently explaining something on the machine and then making some adjustments to it.
He looked over at me and I quickly glanced away, kicking myself for being caught gawking at him. I concentrated on walking on the treadmill until I felt his presence beside me, but I didn't turn towards him.
"How are you doing?"
"Good." I glanced at him through the corner of my eye. "I guess Claire was right. You're pretty high in demand."
Jackson laughed. "That's one of my clients. One of my married clients."
I shrugged as if I didn't have a care in the world. "Doesn't matter to me." But I realized it did matter. I rationalized that while I wanted a fling, I didn't want a fling with a man who was flinging every other woman.
"If you say so," Jackson said casually. He watched me finish my twenty minutes on the treadmill without comment.
"Is that it?" I asked hopefully as I stepped off the machine.
"My training skills haven't even been on display yet," Jackson replied. "I'll just take you through a few muscle strengthening machines and then we can go to dinner."
"Where are we going for dinner?" I asked, accepting the cup of water Jackson offered and draining it. I held my breath as Jackson took a towel and gently dabbed my face with it. I had hardly perspired during my walk, but I didn't protest. His gesture seemed intimate and seductive.
"It's a surprise."
"Okay," I said, willing to play along. "It just can't be anywhere too nice since I'm not really dressed for it."
"You're dressed perfectly."
Jackson showed me how to use a few machines and had me go through a few reps. The last one was a leg extension machine and as I struggled to pull up the weight, I realized how weak I was. Maybe it really was a good idea to start working out regularly, especially since I now had a gym membership.
I strained to complete the last two reps, closing my eyes and unable to suppress a soft moan due to the exertion of trying to extend my legs with the weight.
"Stop."
I opened my eyes and breathed out, looking at Jackson. I was more than happy to stop, but Jackson was looking at me funny. "Are you okay?"
Jackson grinned self-deprecatingly. "Not if I have to keep hearing you make those sounds. They sound way too close to other sounds I imagine you making."
"Jackson!" I squealed, appalled at his comment, yet feeling pleasure by my ability to turn him on.
Jackson winked at me. "It's definitely time for dinner."
I got up from the machine and winced as my legs protested against the sudden movement. I really was out of shape. I reached down and massaged my thighs, trying to relieve some of the ache. "Let me just freshen up. Can I get my bag from your office?"
Jackson didn't answer me as he watched me rub my thighs. I stopped mid-rub as I caught the look in his eyes. "Jackson?" My voice sounded way more breathy than I wanted it to.
Jackson shook his head as if he was mentally clearing it and looked up at my face. "Sure, follow me."
We walked to an area where there were a cluster of doors and Jackson opened one, waiting for me to step inside first and then closing the door behind him. I waited for him to get my bag, but he just stood there, watching me.
I cleared my throat. "Are you trying to make me nervous?"
Jackson shook his head. "Why? Am I making you nervous?"
I laughed faintly. "A little."
"Why's that?"
"Because...because you're looking at me like you're going to swallow me whole."
My breath caught as a dazzling wide smile stretched across Jackson's face.
"You didn't tell me you could read minds."
"Jackson-"
Whatever I was going to say was cut off as Jackson pulled me towards him until my body was pressed against his. He leaned down, his lips hovering over mine.
"Do you know how turned on I was watching you stretch, feeling your body straining beneath my hands?"
I shook my head, my ability to speak having disappeared.
"Do you know how beautiful you are?"
Jackson didn't wait for an answer as his lips met mine, gently coaxing and grazing my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck, reaching up as I balanced myself on the tips of my toes to increase the pressure of the kiss. Jackson grunted in approval as he kissed me harder, his lips more demanding as he traced the seam of my closed lips with his tongue. My mouth opened automatically at his silent request and I felt myself drowning in desire as his tongue invaded my mouth, tangling with mine as the intensity of our kiss increased.
Jackson reached up with one hand, grasping my ponytail and anchoring my head so that I was helpless against the onslaught of his mouth. Not that I wanted to protest. The thought of breaking contact didn't even cross my mind as I eagerly matched his passion.