could have killed her, but in that moment Gisele hadn’t cared. Fury had filled her veins, and she’d blindly forged ahead. If she didn’t see her mother, then she wouldn’t give Yuri anything…even if it meant her life. Or so she felt when anger surged.
Micah had been right; she was stubborn. Now that she’d calmed down a bit, Gisele reflected on what had just happened. She’d had the gall to challenge her mobster father, but it hadn’t been the first time. As a young girl, she’d been able to get her way, even when he resisted at first. She thought maybe even Yuri, as hardened as he was, had a soft spot for his daughter.
If that was so, it certainly wasn’t much of one, but Gisele knew how to play into it. It wasn’t only what she said, but a look she could give him that made him hesitate. At that crucial moment it had worked, and she was immensely relieved.
Gisele looked over at her bodyguard. “In the back of my mind, I knew you were outside. It sparked my confidence just a bit more.” She wrinkled her brow. “Although I still don’t know how you would have gotten inside if I had sent you the emergency signal.”
Zeke cracked a smile. “It’s good that I didn’t have to demonstrate for you.”
As a bodyguard, he was a combination of aggression and friendliness. Gisele was starting to like him. When he pulled in front of the gym, she said, “Thanks again. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
Zeke nodded. “Yes, I’ll wait for Micah’s call. He indicated that he might need my services over the next week or so.”
“No doubt he will. Our lives show no signs of calming down anytime soon.” Gisele got out and the car pulled away. Then she pulled open the glass door and entered the gym.
A cool blast of air hit her as the door closed behind her. At least the air conditioning worked, yet the fighters working out were all sweating anyway. Gisele made her way along the wall to the back, keeping clear of the action. She took a seat in one of the folding chairs to watch the workouts.
Micah’s eyes briefly met hers, but he remained focused on jumping rope. Harlan looked over and gave her a nod. The space was noisy and crowded, but Gisele didn’t mind. She was content to sit and watch. The view was great.
Micah’s powerful legs were a sight to see. It was hard to look away as he jumped rope. Her gaze drifted over his honed body. Gisele admired his pumped arms, recalling how his biceps flexed during sex.
His wide shoulders were drool-worthy, and the view of his well-developed pecs made Gisele a little weak. Micah had said her body was a work of art , but she decided that his was. He was all testosterone, muscle, and sweat.
It was nearly too much, and Gisele began daydreaming about licking the drips of sweat off his chest. Visions of her mouth on his flat belly, and her tongue drifting down the trail of hair disappearing under his waistband, filled her mind.
Watching Micah was a joy, and she decided that she should observe his training more often. He was such a hunk, like a statue carved from bronze, only he was flesh and blood. And hot blooded at that, as Gisele knew the passion that simmered within him.
It was good that this was only practice, so Gisele didn’t have to cringe at the sight of blood and injuries. She could just admire the beauty of Micah’s form, and his graceful boxer movements. He went from jumping rope to doing sit-ups, and then to practicing footwork. It was an athletic ballet, so male and very sexy.
By the time Micah came over, Gisele’s drink was empty and her body was on fire. He stood nearby and swabbed his buff form with a towel, while she stared. “Hi, honey.” Micah grinned. “I was happy to see you come in, so I didn’t have to worry about you.”
“I’m just happy to see you…period.”
“I like the sound of that.” Micah hopped from foot to foot, cooling down. “The coach let me off early. We’re just getting back into training and he doesn’t want me