Chapter 1: Introduction
Trephi's sneaker squeaked against the shiny gym floor as she moved from one machine to the next. After a full week of teaching seventh-graders, she came here to release tension. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, smirking at the way her gym teacher instincts took over, automatically correcting the form of people working out around her.
The gym was crowded—probably because of the dinner rush. The air buzzed with energy, the overwhelming smell of sweat clinging to the walls around her.
As Trephi performed her last rep on the lat pulldown machine, she couldn't resist letting her gaze drift towards the weight rack in the corner.
Emily was there, her toned arms wrapped around a barbell, eyes laser-focused on the weight before her. Long, curly brunette locks cascaded over her shoulders and down her back, framing a heart-shaped face. Her full, plump lips drew Trephi in like a magnet, tempting her to wander over and strike up a conversation.
Emily looked fierce in a cheetah-print sports bra and matching booty shorts, the fabric tight against her athletic, curvy frame. Her tanned skin glistened with a light sheen of sweat, and her nipples pressed hard against the thin cloth, threatening to burst through at any moment.
Trephi felt herself blushing as she caught Emily's attention. Emily tossed the barbell onto the floor and walked towards her, green eyes burning with heat.
"You're looking at me a lot," Emily said, her voice low and sexy.
Trephi nodded, unable to stop staring. There was an undeniable pull between them, a magnetic force that seemed to grow stronger each time their eyes met.
"I can't help it," Trephi admitted. "There's just something about you. You're intimidating."
"Intimidating?" Emily laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I don't think I've ever been described that way before."
"Well, you are. And I don't usually go for tough girls, but you...
there's something about you that's entirely different," Trephi trailed off, a blush creeping up her neck.
Emily's eyes darkened with intrigue. "Oh yeah? Like what?"
Trephi hesitated, but then, she decided to just go for it. "Like, when I look at you, I want to grab you, throw you down on the floor, and rip your clothes off. The way you handle those weights, how strong and confident you are, it just does something to me."
Emily's lips curled into a wicked smile.