"I do trust you, smartass. But come on, this place looks shady."
He rolls his eyes, but there's a smile on his face, so I know he's not put out by my skepticism. "You're right, it does look a little sketchy. Weren't you taught not to judge a book by its cover?"
"Sterling Abbot, this place is not a book! It's a seedy building." I throw my arms in the air, motioning toward our surroundings. "This is the kind of place people get kidnapped or mugged!"
"I promise you're not going to be kidnapped or mugged. In fact, if you come inside with me, this will be a step to ensure none of these things happen to you, or at the very least you'll be able to handle yourself if they do."
His words are just ominous enough to be intriguing, or maybe they're just intriguing enough to be ominous. I'm not sure, but either way I find myself nodding and getting out of the car.
He guides me toward a garage-style door that's rolled up just enough for people to walk under. To say I'm not prepared for what we find inside is an understatement. This definitely isn't a seedy warehouse, but a state-of-the-art gym.
The space is unlike any gym I've ever set foot in before. The back wall is made up entirely of mirrors, giving patrons a clear view of the entire space. Punching bags, ropes, heavy mats, and more fill the space. There are even a few fighting cages.
Off to the right there's a desk, and I’m shocked to see Abigail sitting behind it. "Hey, you two. Welcome to Full Contact."
"Hey, I didn't know you worked here."
"I don't, not really. It's my brother's gym, and his receptionist called out." She grins. "So, what can I help you with?"
Good question, Abigail. Why are we here?
Sterling steps slightly in front of me. "I want to sign her up for self-defense classes."
A warm feeling moves through me at his declaration. My heart is basically a pile of goo in my chest. The fact that he cares enough about me to make sure I'm able to protect myself is almost unfathomable.
"Really?" I ask, emotion clogging my throat.
"Really, baby."
"Thank you." I throw myself into his arms, forcing him to hug me.
"It's as much for me as it is for you. I want to know you'll be able to take care of yourself when I'm not around."
His words cause something inside of me to break a little, but in the best possible way. This man is nothing like what I thought he was. In fact, he may very well be everything I never knew I needed; he's damn sure everything I've ever wanted.
Somehow, he's morphed from my own personal nightmare into a dream come true.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sterling
"So, you're cool with me bringing you here?" I ask, feeling particularly nervous. I can't even pinpoint why I'm so on edge over her liking this, but I am. "You're not upset or anything?"
"Sterling, how could I ever be upset at you for wanting to protect me?"
"True, true." I shoot a cocky smirk her way. "I do what I can."
She laughs, and the sound sends zips of molten energy through me.
"I mean, really, you owe me."
I groan at her teasing, even if there's a thread of truth to it. "Are you ever going to stop bringing up what an awful shit I was to you?"
She grins. "Probably not."
"Fair enough. Now, let's get you signed up."
Once the paperwork is complete, she turns to me with a timid smile. "Seriously though, thank you for an absolutely amazing night. I know I keep repeating myself, but I truly couldn't have asked for anything better for my first date."
I brush a strand of hair off of her face, tucking it behind her ear. "You deserve all of this and more, and it might sound crazy, but if I have any say in it, I'm damn sure going to be the one to give it to you."
Her eyes get a faraway look as we walk back to my car. I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. Deciding to go for it, I ask.
She laughs nervously. "Nothing."
"No, not nothing."
"It's nothing," she insists.
"It's something." I open her door and help her into her seat.
"Sterling, please." She turns her face away from me. "Can we talk about it later?"
I debate pushing the issue, but eventually decide that she's right; we can talk about it later.
"So, what next?" she asks once I'm behind the wheel.