Seeing Shadows (60 page)

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.

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."