Caged Read online

  Preston

  I hurry into my clothes so I won’t be late on a day where I need to tell my coach I am about to have a boatload of distractions. Especially when he gets a good look at how good my distraction looks. Holding her hand on the way into the gym though feels like I am breathing new air. I have never felt this way before in my life. Maybe it will have a good effect on my fighting. Well, first things first, I need to talk to coach. I come out and see Adeline standing there talking to him. Seriously? Does she even know who she is talking to? “Ah, my prize fighter. Head back in the game today?” “Uh, yeah coach. I actually need to talk to you about something.” “No need to apologize. I can see your head is back in the right place. I see it in your eyes. Let’s get to work.” I move my eyes to Adeline who is smiling up at me. “Ah, Preston this is my new friend Adeline. She is looking into self-defense classes.” “Is that right?” “Yes, Preston is it?” I laugh because coach looks so confused. I offer my hand out for her to shake, she takes it, and the look of shock on her face when I pull her in and give her a kiss is priceless. “Whoa, easy there Preston, you’ll scare the girl off.” “Kinda hard to do that since she came here with me sir.” “You came in with Preston?” “Yes.” “Oh, I am so screwed.” We both laugh. “Coach, can I bug you in your office really quickly?” “Sure kiddo. Adeline make yourself comfortable we’ll be right back.” “Sure.” Except her face is anything, but sure. God I hate that she feels so uneasy. I give her hand a squeeze and run up the stairs to coach’s office. “Ok, I can see by the look on your face you are confused. I’m confused myself. Please don’t talk until I’m finished. I met Addy two days ago, she blew me off. Completely acted like I didn’t exist. I ran into her yesterday at lunch. Things did not go well again and so I followed her to her office where I found her boss forcing himself on her. That’s where she ended up with a fractured wrist on one side and a sprained one on the other. From his grip. I walked in there and had to force myself not to kill him. I took her to the hospital, and then to the station. She met my brother and my dad. I took her home, the guy showed up at her house. Cops were called again, and I ended up falling asleep holding her on the couch. She is not anything like the others. She is so far from the other women I’ve ever been with they might as well be on a different planet. I want to protect her and hold her. I need you to know that she as well as I know that my main priority is fighting. Nothing is going to change. I’m in this, with you 100% just like always. Now, I just have another person to enjoy the ride with me.” “You’ve talked to her about your schedule? Your eating habits?” “Well, not to the T but she knows the basics. Coach she made me two of the best meals I’ve had in a really long time. She went out of her way to make sure that I had what I needed last night for dinner and then again for breakfast this morning.” “Well, I don’t have to like it. But, I do like her, so I get it. As long as she boosts you up and doesn’t pull you down then you will hear no complaints from me. You’re allowed to have a life kiddo.” “Thank you. I want to give her a self-defense class in between my training sessions.” “That, I will help with. I want to get this guy. Is he still around?” “He was held overnight, but Grant called this morning to tell me he was bailed out.” “Keep a close hold on that. I will do anything you need me to.” “Thanks coach. You’re support means more than you know.” He nods and I race back down the stairs. She gives me a questioning look as I pick her up and spin her around. “All good, I told you.” She laughs and that is when I take in her clothes. “Where did your clothes go?” “Oh, these are my workout clothes? I thought while you start your day I would get a good workout in. Is that ok? I can sign up and do whatever I need to do.” “Well, first you can start by putting your pants back on.” “Preston, seriously? These are workout shorts. Women are wearing less than me all over your gym right now.” “Those women aren’t my woman.” “Ok, see that line of caveman and jump back over to the other side. I understand what you’re saying, but my outfit is not unreasonable.” I know she obviously had issues with her dad, so I don’t want to trigger anything there and make her feel like I’m a controlling asshole, but I need her to understand I don’t want anyone else looking at her. “Ok, obviously you need to get to know me a little better. I also need to get to know you a little better. I need you to understand where I’m coming from. I’m a guy. That means I know how guys think. I also know what that outfit makes me think of when I’m looking at you. So that does not make me happy to leave you out here unattended while I go train.” “Can I speak now?” “Yes.” “I understand what you’re saying. I also don’t want to point out the obvious and tell you that I wear shorts just like these every other night at my yoga class. That is neither here nor there, and won’t help me out. I want you to know that I honestly don’t notice guys. I can seriously stand here and tell you that the only guy who has gotten my attention is you. I don’t know how you did it, but you did. So with that I would tell you that I am going to wear these shorts, and you’re going to let me. Mostly, you’re going to let me do it because you don’t have a choice, but part of the reason is going to be because you are learning to trust me. Just like I am learning to trust you.” Shit. What else was there to say to that? I pull her in and kiss her. Hard. I pull away and a look of shock resonates on her face. “That should do it.” “Do what?” Her words are breathy, so I know it affected her. I smirk and say, “Let everyone know you are off limits. If it needs reiterated, please feel free to interrupt my training.” With that she traipses away to an elliptical in those tight short ass booty shorts and I shake my head as I walk away.