I’m in a Hormonal Phase

Tara Blakewood POV

My fiancé lives in another country, and I’ve never felt this kind of longing for him like I do for the one standing in front of me now.

I don’t mean I didn’t miss Ethan when he was away. It’s just a different kind of missing. I miss Ethan like a friend I haven’t seen for a while, but this… this is different with Kaiden.

I’m not longing for his details, I’m longing for him, even though the time I’ve spent with him has been short.

I know my position on this machine is sexual in every sense of the word, but this is how the exercise works.

And that’s why he talks like that.

I think shyness and blushing won’t work with him, so I just need to adjust my approach by like one percent. I’m not bold at all.

"Excuse me, Mr. Kaiden, I’m not trying to burn fat. I’m here to tone."

I said it while straightening up on the machine. I’d finished my set, so I wanted a little rest.

I’m not naive enough to not know sex burns calories, but what shocked me was his boldness. Talking like that in public… and he doesn’t even try to hide it or lower his voice.

I looked at him again. His eyebrows were raised. I don’t think he expected my answer.

He ignored me and moved to the weight machine for hips and surrounding areas, like the thighs.

He lay back on the black leather bench after loading a heavy weight, at least heavy for me. I sat on a nearby bench sipping water, watching him out of the corner of my eye. If he noticed me, he might have said something like, "I know I’m sexy," or some nonsense, but his attention was fully on the exercise.

He started lifting the weight, and the effort was clear from the tension in his thighs and the lines of his face. I think he was testing my new weight. This is what happens when the weight is increased. I’ve experienced it before and will again in a few days. I decided I’d come here regularly.

He lifted the weight several times. I just stared at his strong thighs, visible through the shorts he was wearing.

Practicing this exercise this often could kill his wife one day. I know it. The weight he lifts with his hips isn’t easy at all.

And the way he lifts it perfectly… I can’t help imagining him with a woman.

To be honest, I pictured myself in that woman’s place. A sting hit me down there just imagining it. Damn, am I that weak?

I shifted my gaze to his face. He was frowning, sweat tracing a path from his hair, which he seemed irritated by as he pushed it away from his eyes.

I straightened up from my seat after a long hesitation. I moved closer to him, and he paused his lifting. I combed his hair back with my fingers, like using a brush, then stepped back to stand beside him, letting him continue his set.

"This is better."

He shot me a quick glance, then returned to his exercise.

I decided my short break was over, and I would do some squats with weights.

This sweater tied around my waist is annoying, but it covers my butt, so I won’t take it off.

I stood close to Kaiden, put weights on my shoulders, and started squatting, keeping a proper distance between my feet. I knew this exercise would hurt my butt and thighs, but anything for my fitness.

With every squat, I counted. I reached fifty reps. I planned three sets of fifty, so I continued. I lowered the weights to catch my breath, then lifted again and finished the second set, pausing once more.

Kaiden glanced at me sharply. Curious, I followed his gaze.

He was looking at a man.

Is he gay?

I thought he was checking out a woman, but it was a man. But why was he staring like he wanted to kill him?

"Could it be his boyfriend, and he left without telling him?"

The bigger disappointment would be if he’s gay.

I looked at him again. He was just a few steps away. He took those few steps and stopped right in front of me.

"Mr. Kaiden, are you gay?"

I whispered, shifting my gaze between him and the man. I saw shock flicker across his face, though he tried to hide it.

"What nonsense are you saying…"

He asked, and thankfully, I had an answer.

"You’re staring at that man like you want to kill him. I thought he was your boyfriend. I thought you were checking out a woman with your eyes."

I kept my voice low.

"I guess I’m just hormonal. I get like this when my period is coming."

I saw a smirk on his lips. For a moment, it made me wonder if he was part of the LGBTQ community. I could read his thoughts as he stared…

"I’m about to kill that man because he looked at your ass…"

Why would he kill him? I’m not his girlfriend or anything like that. And I’m covering my ass already.

"I’m covering my ass with a sweater… I think he’s looking at another woman."

"Mr. Kaiden, you think I…"

I followed his steps with my eyes as he moved behind me, then…

Damn his boldness. He slapped my ass over my tight pants.

That told me two things: the man behind me is a creep, and my sweater had risen, giving him a perfect view.

"You want me to kill a man harassing you or not?"

If only Ethan would say something like that. Then I would feel a woman’s desire for her man. But he doesn’t.

Your wife is lucky, Kaiden.

"Jail for a petty reason? Should I punish him? Not kill him?"

He asked, surprised, his voice steady and strong.

"And you think harassment is petty? Either jail…"

What he said brought back painful memories I’d rather forget.

I asked, waiting for an answer,

"Does a harasser ever get away?"

I noticed his eyebrows knit in surprise. I know my words didn’t fit, but they slipped out because of the memories flashing in front of my eyes.

"Maybe…"

I can’t describe the arrogance and confidence in his tone. Does he always get so cocky about himself and his work?

"Finished? Are you done?"

He added while looking at the weights I had dropped when I finished.

"Yes… I’m done."

I hadn’t finished the third set, but I said I was done. I was really tired. I’d finish the rest at home.

"Anything else, Mr. Kaiden?"

I asked, noticing his unusual calm. It wasn’t strange for him, but something felt different.

I kept following his gaze. He was staring at my lips, like he was imagining kissing them.