The Right One - Felice Stevens Page 0,60
of punches in boxing: the jab, the cross, the uppercut, and the hook. Some trainers divide them into lead hook, rear hook, left uppercut, and rear uppercut, but we’ll get into that later. There are other punches we’ll get into if you decide to continue. Let’s start with the jab.”
He demonstrated the quick, sharp punches into the bag and stepped away to give Morgan room. “Your turn. Take the stance, protect your face with your left hand, keep your elbow up, and punch with the right. That’s it. Good.”
Steely faced, his concentration solely on the bag, Morgan showed surprisingly good form for a total beginner. He didn’t even wait for Leo to tell him to switch hands, making the move himself. After several minutes, panting and red in the face, he moved away from the swinging bag.
“How…was…that?” he gasped.
Leo held a water bottle to his lips. “First drink this.” He tipped the bottle, and Morgan drank greedily. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” Morgan coughed and wheezed and straightened up with a big smile. “I did it. I thought I’d hurt my hands, but they feel okay.”
“Let’s take them out of the gloves before you make a prediction. Trust me, they’re going to feel sore.” Leo knew from experience that once the pressure from the glove was released, a boxer’s hands would hurt like a bitch. He unlaced the gloves and slid them off Morgan’s hands.
“Oh, damn. Ow.” Morgan flexed his fingers and shook out his hands. “That does hurt, you were right.”
“It happens occasionally.” Leo took one of Morgan’s hands between his and rubbed it hard, then the other. “You did great, though. How’re your shoulders?”
Morgan rolled them and winced. “I have a feeling every part of my body is going to ache like crazy tomorrow.”
“That offer for a full-body massage still stands.” Leo draped his arms over Morgan’s shoulders, locking him in close. “It’s not something I offer to just anyone.”
“I would hope not.” Morgan leaned in and kissed him. “I’m not just anyone.”
Leo gathered him closer. “Is that so?”
“Yeah, it is.” Green eyes sparking fire, Morgan nuzzled into his neck. “And remember what you said earlier?”
“I said a lot of things,” Leo growled, wondering if they could both fit in Peter’s shower. He was hard as a rock and wanted Morgan. Now.
“About boxing teaching you to anticipate your opponent’s moves?” Morgan sucked on his neck, and Leo thought to hell with the shower. He and Morgan could have a quickie right on the bench, then go home to his place.
“So? What am I thinking right now? What’s my next move?” Leo slipped his hand under the elastic waistband of Morgan’s gym shorts.
“Dude, even I can answer that question from over here. My delicate sensibilities are screaming,” Peter called out.
Leo sprang away from Morgan, who turned tomato-red, hurried over to the bench, and sat facing the wall, his back to them, while Leo hurled death glares at a grinning Peter standing by the entrance.
“What the fuck, man? Are you spying on me? What the hell are you doing here anyway?” He balled his hands into fists, and ready to tear his friend apart, stomped over to Peter. He didn’t even stop to consider why the urge to protect Morgan rose, thick enough to choke him. Naturally, Peter didn’t shy away, but leaned against the doorframe, dark eyes twinkling, grin growing wider by the second.
“Let’s analyze those questions. No, I’m not spying on you. In case you forgot, this is my place. So when I see lights on at night in my garage and you don’t answer my texts, I’m sure as hell going to mosey on over and see what’s going on.” He peered over Leo’s shoulder. “Hey, Morgan, no need to be embarrassed. We’re all friends here.”
Morgan lifted a hand in acknowledgment but remained seated on the bench.
“I don’t want him to feel weird,” Leo hissed.
“Mmhmm. Don’t think weird is exactly the right word for what he was feeling. And you were just as into him. I’m glad for you.”
“Glad about what?”
Lips twitching, Peter stroked his beard. “So it’s gonna be like that, huh? You’re gonna be all stupid about it.”
Pressure rose in his chest, constricting his breathing. “What the fuck are you talking about? I brought him here to teach him some boxing moves.”
“And then you put the moves on him? Don’t give me that big bad Leo the Lion stare. I’m not afraid of you. From the first I could tell he was different. When was the last time you