Gym Visit (Patreon)

Continuation of previous post "early mornings," Jasmine decides not to go to sleep and surprise him at the gym. 

As they made their way along the quiet, empty halls she said, “I know why he’s up at this hour. Not dealing with people makes it easier to think and get done what you need to without interruptions.”

“You’d be surprised who’s up at this hour and who he bumps into at the gym.”

“Of course he manages to turn a gym session into a business meeting.” 

Mo chuckled. “He turns everything to his advantage. He’s the consummate businessman.”

That he was. Even their marriage was categorized in such terms. But she wasn’t going to let that get her down. He could classify their relationship in whatever terms suited him. She would do the same. She was living in her head and treating him like a real husband. She ignored when he stiffened at her touch, when he took refuge in silence, and when she sensed him pulling back. He’d probably done the same things the last time they were married, uncomfortable with her displays of affection. Only, this time she noticed, but she wasn’t offended because she knew he didn’t know how to deal with it. He didn’t push her away. He was taking what she gave him, sometimes encouraged it, but mostly he just watched her with that dissecting gaze. She didn’t know what he was thinking about her change in behavior, but she secretly delighted in surprising him and keeping him guessing. It had become one of her new hobbies and one of the reasons she forced herself to roll out of bed. She wanted to see his reaction to her invading his sacred space.

Mo opened the door for her. She stepped into the gym and raised a hand to shield her eyes. The space was well-lit and two stories high like the pool room with top of the line equipment. The hour must be pushing it for other billionaires because the only one occupying the spaces was hers. Johan nodded to her as he jogged on one of the treadmills in front of the massive windows. Roth was on the workout mat, doing a plank, body straight as a board, weight braced on his forearms and feet, which were pressed together. 

Feeling mischievous and playful, she tiptoed over to him. Just as his head started to come up, she hopped onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. 

“Looking good, baby,” she purred.

He easily took her weight and managed to keep his body straight and unyielding, but he raised his head. It took her a moment to realize he was staring at Mo and Johan to see how she’d gotten there. 

“I called my babysitters. How else would I get here?” she muttered.

“I thought I told you to go back to sleep.”

He wasn’t out of breath even though he was dripping with sweat. 

“Since when do I obey every word you say?” she taunted.

He tipped abruptly to the right too quick for her to grip him with her legs to stop her from tumbling off. She landed on her back and blinked when he propped himself over her, still in his plank. 

“You obeyed every word I said last night,” he said.

She tugged his shirt up to grip his waist and grinned when he stiffened up even more. 

“Sometimes, following orders comes with rewards, but when it doesn’t…” She hooked her leg over his hip and oh so slowly rocked against him. “I do what I want.”

He lowered his body, pinning her, but keeping the majority of his weight off of her. When his head lowered, she took his hungry kiss, the one he should have given her before he took off. She returned it with interest, sticking her tongue in his mouth, and pulling his sweaty hair.

“Boss.”

He lifted his head at Johan’s warning just as the door opened. A man dressed similarly to them with headphones came in. He ignored them and went to one of the treadmills and started it up with quick, impatient jabs. Apparently, he wasn’t happy to be up at this hour either. 

Roth braced himself over her on all fours. His expression was inscrutable, but the bulge in his pants told the real story. He was torn between working out or working her. 

She held her hands up innocently. “I didn’t come to distract you.”

His eyes narrowed, making her laugh. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man on the treadmill turn his head toward the sound. Immediately, she quieted, not wanting to draw attention to them or bother the guy who came here at this hour to get in his workout in blessed silence.  

“I just came for moral support.” When his expression didn’t change she added, “I’m going to walk on the treadmill.”  

He didn’t move, but he didn’t try to stop her as she wriggled out from under him and got to her feet. She didn’t want to provoke him further, so she climbed onto the treadmill beside Johan and set an easy pace.

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Confessions. Please do not share or distribute.