Jackson was the one who finally broke the kiss, his harsh breathing showing how much he had been affected by the kiss.
"Jesus," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "You don't need any training lessons in kissing."
I laughed as I leaned back so that I could look at him. "I think we should go to dinner before we scandalize the gym patrons."
Jackson quirked his mouth. "The walls are so thin here, it's not exactly the best place for privacy."
Jackson walked over to his desk and opened a drawer, pulling out my bag.
"Bathroom's right down the hall. I'll wait for you in the lobby."
I gave Jackson a quick smile. "Okay."
"Don't take too long." Jackson gave me a slight tap on my bottom and I gave him a look of censure. I couldn't help laughing when he just shrugged his shoulders with a grin.
I had slipped on my black skirt and was freshening up my makeup when Allison walked into the bathroom.
"Hi!" she said cheerily when she saw me. "How was your training session?"
"Good!" I said, flushing a little. "Great, actually. I'm looking forward to working out here."
"I'm sure you are," she replied with a wink. "I knew something more than a training session was going on when Jackson had me clear his schedule for tonight."
"He did?"
"Yeah, he said he wasn't sure what time his new client was coming in so he wanted to make sure he was available. Of course, that's not normal protocol for a client so I was able to weasel out of Jackson that it was actually a date."
I felt a flood of pleasure at her words. The fact that Jackson thought I was important enough to clear his schedule was flattering. Then I frowned as I thought it through.
"I hope he doesn't get in trouble," I said, worried. "I'm sure it's not looked highly upon to clear your schedule for just one person. Especially for someone who's not even paying for a training session."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Allison said airily as she leaned closer to the mirror to reapply lipstick. "Jackson is such a popular trainer that he brings hordes of clients in. The owner's just happy to have him on staff."
"I guess that's okay then." I was relieved because I didn't want to cause Jackson any grief in his job. I knew that he was a struggling actor and this was probably his main source of income.
"See you later," I said, packing up my things and heading out of the bathroom.
"Have fun!" Allison said enthusiastically, not looking at me as she concentrated on applying mascara.
I couldn't help feeling a tingle of excitement when I saw Jackson waiting for me in the lobby. He had changed into jeans and a blue button-down shirt that was untucked and cuffed at the sleeves. He looked casual and delicious, and it thrilled me to no end that this hunk of a man was waiting for me.
Jackson grinned as he caught sight of me. He reached down and rubbed the fabric of my sheer skirt between his fingertips.
"I like this."
"Thanks."
Jackson looked up and smiled. "My imagination is getting the better of me."
I looked at him with mock sternness. "Dinner, remember?"
"Oh, I remember," he replied, letting go of my skirt and grabbing my hand. "Let's go."
Chapter Four
"Wait a second," I protested. "I thought we were going to a restaurant."
"Welcome to Chez Reynard," Jackson said with a devilish grin.
We were standing outside his apartment building as I struggled with whether it was a good idea to go inside Jackson's apartment. As much as I was planning on having a fling with him, I wasn't sure if I was ready for a one night stand considering the only person I had ever slept with was Sean.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea," I said hesitantly.
"I'm not a serial killer, honest." Jackson held out his hands in supplication. "Just ask Claire."
I rolled my eyes. "That's not what I'm worried about."
"Concerned that you can't keep your hands off me?" Jackson asked with a wolfish grin.
"No one can say you don't have a healthy ego," I retorted, but I couldn't help smiling. Jackson's playfulness was charming.
"Scout's honor that I really just want to have dinner. I promise to cook you an amazing meal. You can decide when the night ends."
"Well, okay," I relented, knowing that it had never been much of a debate. Regardless of my reservations about going up to Jackson's apartment, I knew that I would eventually agree. It was hard to resist him.
As we walked inside, I noted that Jackson's building was a lot nicer than mine was, complete with a doorman, plush carpeting and an elevator.
"This is a nice building," I said after Jackson had greeted Sam, the doorman, and we stepped inside the elevator. I watched Jackson push the button for the sixteenth floor. "You must really be an amazing trainer."
Jackson smiled without commenting as the elevator whisked us up silently to his floor. He looked contemplative as he watched the floor numbers light up and I suddenly felt a little awkward. Besides being an actor, part-time trainer and non-serial killer, I didn't know much else about Jackson.
"Claire told me you guys met in an acting class."
Jackson looked at me and nodded. "Yeah, it was an awful class taught by some kook who believed acting like animals helped improve our craft. I spent most of our classes walking around clucking and flapping my arms."
"At least you know you'll be a shoo-in for any barnyard animal roles."
Jackson laughed and grabbed my hand as the elevator arrived on the sixteenth floor and the doors opened.
Jackson unlocked the door to his apartment and ushered me in, flicking on the lights and leading me into the living room. Jackson's apartment made mine look like a shanty. The living room was as large as my entire apartment with a balcony that led to a fantastic view. Despite the size, the furnishings were sparse with one long leather couch and a massive TV mounted on the wall.
"This place is huge," I said. "And you have an amazing view." I didn't understand how Jackson could afford such a nice apartment, but I didn't think he would appreciate me demanding to know the details of his salary. Maybe he came from money.
"Thanks," he said, his voice muffled as I heard him rummaging in the kitchen. "Do you want some wine?"
"I would love some, thanks."
I walked over to the sliding glass doors and looked outside, thrilled at all the lights twinkling against the backdrop of the night sky.