Chapter 44

Cainine’s POV.

I hate mornings, complete and utter despise, the fatigue that comes with waking up makes me want to not ever wake up. The thought of having to see people and have to talk to them also makes me really question whether it’s safe to get out of bed. Seriously though, if sleep is rest, then why do I feel so tired when I wake up? I have to at least stay in bed for an hour or so to be able to get up and it’s still hard to do things after I get up. Some people say they need their morning coffee to be able to face the day and to socialize, but all I need is the day to end to be able to face the night. The quiet, dark, peaceful night. Anyway my point is I hate mornings, however, listen… I wouldn’t mind waking up like this every other morning…

“Mmhm” Sparks moans under her breath then tags on my hair gently, pulling me up to her face where she doesn’t hesitate to cup my cheeks and kiss me passionately, tasting herself on me and moaning into the kiss. Holy shit. My hands go around her waist and I press my body against hers, appreciating how warm and welcoming she felt at the moment, with only a t-shirt on and nothing else under. We break off from the kiss and I rest my forehead on hers, seeing the sweet smile on her face that gets me to smile too. “Wow” she says and I chuckle a little, and move off her laying on my back next to her and sighing.

“Fuck, you should wake me up like that every morning… I haven’t had breakfast in bed in a long time”. I tell her grinning and she sighs heavily then just like she surprised me when she woke me up by placing my hand under her t-shirt, she surprises me again by straddling me and suddenly restraining both my hands over my head with hers. Damn this woman.

“Oh yeah?” she smiles. Before I can even wipe the shocked look off my face and react she nuzzles her head into my neck and I immediately feel her warm, wet tongue on my skin, making me shut my eyes and shudder visibly. I can immediately feel the chills she always gives me, but more intense and I’m unsure whether it’s the lack of physical contact that gets me weak over the littlest of things she does or the fact that she’s just amazing at everything she does. She managed to take off my shirt at the beginning of all of this, how? I have no idea, it just happened, and I didn’t even stop her or think about stopping her. It just felt natural okay? and hot more than anything. The fact that she thought of me at the moment and seemed unsure on whether I’d let her but still tried to make that move meant a lot to me.

“I love your moans” she whispers in my ear and I scoff a laughter not even realizing I was moaning. She lifts her head a bit and I open my eyes to find her looking at me a slight smile on her face.

“What?” I ask frowning a little and she shakes her head the smile widening.

“Nothing” she trails kisses to my jaw, nibbling a little when she gets to the nape of my neck. “I just… like you a lot” she says and I scoff another pleased laughter… This felt nice. All of this.

“Tell me more” I whisper my voice shaky as she trails kisses on my open cleavage. I wouldn’t feel safe and comfortable in anyone else’s arms like this. I felt comfortable, like I couldn’t be judged or viewed pathetic no matter how vulnerable I was at times.

“I want-“…

‘dare me jump off of this jersey bridge, bet you’ve never had a bloody night like this keep it up keep it up…’.

“Fuck!” I groan as my phone rings almost the fifth time this morning.

“I think you need to get that now” Sparks chuckles looking at my phone on her nightstand and I sigh.

“I think you need to let go of me first” I smirk and she smiles.

“Oh”.

I take my phone and receive it immediately with sparks still on top of me. I have just realized that I never learn, I need to look at who’s calling before I receive the god damned phone.

“Finally, hey there” I sigh palming my face when I hear her voice.

“Hi”.

“Still not a morning person I see” she says and I can hear the little smile in her voice.

“Yeah” I answer and I know my one-word answers are annoying as fuck, but why is she calling me in the first place? My hand drops from my face and I start tracing Sparks’ thigh.

“I was calling to ask whether you’ve already found a trainer for the stationery bikes, I want to bring them in today and try that arrangement we spoke about” she says and my heart jumps grateful that things are finally moving.

“Yeah I have, he was actually supposed to come by today” I say and Sparks looks at me curiosity clear in her features.

“That’s great, so we’re doing this today right?” she asks and I smile. This is a good morning.

“Of course we are” Sparks raises an eyebrow and I poke her in the rib playfully making her smack my hand.

“Stop” she says as I mouth an ‘Ow’.

“Good, see you later then” she clears her throat a little then. “And say hi to your girlfriend” she adds before hanging up and I couldn’t help but hear a sudden change of tone. As I said, she’s weird.

“Who got you smiling like that?” Sparks asks as I sit up to get closer to her.

“Hayley” I answer and she frowns a small smile playing on her lips.

“It better be work related” she says and I place a quick kiss on her lips.

“Of course it is, we’re moving in new machines to the gym and giving it a different arrangement, I’m also giving Logan that job”. I explain as she gets off my lap giving me space to get up and find my shirt.

“Sounds like a busy day”. She says sitting cross legged on the bed and I smile. Knowing she has nothing underneath that shirt makes me want to pull her to edge of the bed and bury my head between those thighs again.

“It is… I’ll miss you” I finally find my shirt and pick it up pulling it on “Will you have dinner with me tonight?” I ask and look at her, she gasps dramatically.

“Are you asking me out on a date?”.

“I guess you can call it that” I chuckle untying my hair to tie it up again, it looked very untidy thanks to a certain someone that does a lot of hair pulling.

“You have to ask nicely then” she closes her eyes crossing her hands across her chest.

I roll my eyes and grin loving this playful mood she has going on “Okay then, Flame Sparks, will you go out on a date with me tonight”… You know what? This didn’t feel as foreign or weird as I thought it would.

She opens her eyes a sweet smile playing on her lips “Wow” she scoffs “I didn’t think you’d actually say it”.

“Well I did” I bend down placing my hands on either sides of her bed to get close to her face “Will you ?”.

She tilts her head slightly, licks her lower lip before nodding the smile on her face widening a bit making me feel warm inside.

“Good” I kiss her cheek and smile back at her before she cups my cheeks and brings her lips to mine increasing that warm feeling I was just feeling. When we finally break away and I get to look into her beautiful eyes I feel like there’s something stuck in my throat. Like they’re words right at the tip of my tongue that I should tell her but I have no idea what they are so I give her a quick peck on the lips again before moving back “See you later”.

“Can I come see the new arrangement later?” she asks before I leave.

“Of course you can”.

**

“Holy shit” I gape as I watch Hayley command a couple of guys she came with which I assume are from her company, to move the weights from one corner of the gym to the other.

“This is a lot more work than I thought it would be” Austin says and I nod “Good thing we’re not doing anything” he shrugs.

Hayley walks towards me a grin on her face. Today her hair was let down and there was just something different about it, something I couldn’t point out. She was wearing a dress that was really hugging her body, showing her existent curves. Not really that curvy but curvy, and that light pink dress was making a point to exaggerate those curves. And who wears heels to a gym? For fuck sake.

“Like what you see?” I look back up at her and register that smug look on her face. Damn she thought I was checking her out? Was I checking her out?

“Yeah the machines look pretty bomb” Austin answers quick saving my ass and when I look at him he has this serious but un-readable look on his face.

“Thanks” Hayley looks between Austin and I “Umm who are you again?” she asks and Austin smirks.

“The name’s Austin, I’m her boyfriend” he nods towards me, making me frown then with a serious face asks “And who are youu again?”.

Hayley looks between the both of us again and she gives the most forced smile I have ever seen.

“Fuck I hope I’m not late, what’s going on?” Drew interrupts the moment when he joins us panting.

“What’s going on with you?” Austin’s attention diverts to Drew and Hayley takes this opportunity to take mine.

“You waste so much space in this gym… that space alone can fit about ten of the bikes” she point the space where we had the cable crossover machine and some weights. “So we’ll move those over there” she points next to the treadmills. “And then the bikes will take that space, with one in front for the trainer”. she explains and I nod. The gym was pretty spacious and I didn’t have any problem with her arrangement. I pictured it and mentally approved her arrangement.

“How many bikes are you planning to move in?” I ask.

“Ten, plus the trainer’s eleven, if more people decide to join in on biking Wednesday then I’ll add more”. She smiles raising her eyebrows at me and my breath hitches at how familiar she looked. A simple smile like that got me to remember so much, all beautiful and ugly memories.

“I like the idea” I nod my head in approval and she flips her hair several times.

“I’m smart, I know” she basks in her own glory.

“So, fill us in Nine” Drew places an arm around my shoulder making me feel and without a doubt look small. The guys were acting different around Hayley… protective.

“She’s bringing in eleven of these machines” I point at the bike as two men walk in carrying it “And we’re just going to try and arrange the whole place differently” I explain to Drew, pushing his heavy body off me.

“Seems like a lot of work, but we’re not doing anything” Austin smiles.

“Yeah, the guys will do all the arrangement I just need your eyes and supervision” Hayley looks over at me and I nod.

“Thanks for that by the way” I point out and she smiles tilting her head.

“Don’t mention it, we’re both benefiting from this” she says and I nod, it was true. “You get a whole new arrangement without doing much and I get to see that smile on your face” she finishes then walks away leaving me to register her words.

“I’m sorry, but what the fuck is she trying to do?” Austin scoffs when she’s out of ear shot and I shrug.

“She’s so weird, I’m telling you guys”

**
It’s almost 4 when we’re done with everything. Not doing much sure is tiring. It got to a point where we got tired of standing and tried to help out a bit. And when Austin didn’t like the direction the bikes were facing we had to change it again, he argued a bit with Hayley, but got his way obviously.

I’m stretching my arms when Hayley approaches me “You must be tired”.

“You have no idea, those things weigh a lot more than what they look”. I’m used to body pain since I sometimes forget I have to work out and stay unfit for months until I hit the gym again and experience the worst kind of pain. Even when playing basketball, sometimes I twist my ankle and can’t walk properly for a week, but no matter how used I am to it, it doesn’t stop the pain from actually…. paining. I was experiencing shoulder pain at the moment which has to be one of the worst pains and I just wanted to lie down for a minute.

“You need a massage” Hayley scoffs a smile on her face and I watch as she raises her hand and places it on my right shoulder gently squeezing the area. Was I seeing this right? Was I feeling this right?

“No, I just need some sleep” I stand up straight and brush her hand off my shoulder nervously. What the fuck was that?

“Sorry if I’m late, but you didn’t exactly tell me the time I needed to be here so…” Logan walks in loudly announcing his presence in the empty gym. Fuck, I forgot about him. Behind him though, walks in Sparks casually dressed in sweatpants and a jumper that looks quite familiar. Quite like the one I left in her place today morning. She looks so cute and cosy I cant help but imagine hugging her. She looks at me and a smile forms on her lips.

“It’s my fault he’s late boss, I asked him to pick me up” she closes the glass door, separating this area and the reception area then walks towards me noticing the change with raised eyebrows and wide eyes.

“I got so busy I forgot you were coming” I tell Logan and he rolls his eyes. They might have different behaviours, but the eyes, hair and skin complexion were just about the same. Pft twins, am I right?

“Who’s this?” Logan smirks eyeing Hayley and I almost slap the smug look off his face. Not all the time is the time. I sigh.

“That’s Hayley our investor, Hays this is Logan the guy I’m hoping will be the bike trainer” I introduce them.

“Ohh okay, does he know anything about the bikes though?” she asks and I look to Logan for the answer.

“I’ve worked out on them before several times” he says.

“Not good enough” I shake my head “Can you yell?” I ask and he squints eyeing me “Huh?”.

“I guess” he shrugs.

“You need to be tough you know, a bit mean…” Hayley begins but her words trail off when Sparks gets to me and slides her arms around my waist.

“Hey there” I smile down at her and brush some of the loose strands of hair off her face.

“Right back at you” she smiles.

“You look so cute today” I pull her in for a hug needing her closer to me already. “You smell nice” I add letting her lovely vanilla scent take me to places.

“Ay, cammon you two, it’s not the time” Logan’s voice quickly brings me back though, just as Aus and Drew walk back in from their make out break…. Just kidding! They went to freshen up and while at it get me water.

“Hey there pretty lady” Austin greets Sparks as he hands me a water bottle and Drew gives Sparks a smile.

“Hey guys” she turns to smile at them still leaving my hand around her shoulder

“This is nice… the whole family” we all turn and look at Hayley who has a clenched smile on her face. Was it only me that could tell that that was not a pleased smile on her face?

“Hey, how’d you know?… it’s the resemblance between Cain and I right?” Austin smiles and Sparks chuckles a little. The air felt tense… Everything was tense including my shoulders.

“Anyway guys, this is Logan, the new stationary bike trainer” I point at Logan.

“Ay, this the guy you beat up at that party?” Drew recognizes him quick and points Logan chuckling. Nothing can make this moment less tense?

“Yeah, he’s also Flame’s twin brother” I add and Drew stops laughing but Austin snorts.

“Oh fuck… she knows you beat him up though right?” Drew asks pointing between us and I rub my eyes in frustration.

“Yes”.

“So… I see you guys have changed the place?” Sparks tries to divert the topic gesturing with her hands.

“Yeah, you like?” I ask appreciating her attempt.

“Not quite-“.

“Excuse me?” Hayley speaks eyeing Flame with arms across her chest. Fuck.

“Yeah, I think it’d be better if the bikes faced the wall so that the one trainer bike could be in front of them and he’ll have all their attention with nothing the other direction. It can be pretty distracting, plus there needs to be more than enough space for people to walk around, and who the hell placed that there” she rumbles pointing to the cable crossover machine.

“It’s taken hours to get this arrangement in, it’s not that easy” Hayley defends.

“I’m just saying” Sparks shrugs “If it took hours, then at least make it look like it took thought too”. Well… I have to say it is Austin’s fault for not agreeing with Hayley’s earlier arrangement but at the moment Hayley looked like the dumb one arguing with Sparks.

“You do have a point Flame” it shocks me even more when Austin agrees out loud.

“Wait, wait, wait… I thought you didn’t like the previous arrangement” Hayley squints at Aus pointing him.

“Yeah, but when she puts it that way… it makes more sense” Austin shrugs what was now Hayley’s glare off.

“What do you think Forbes?”.
“What do you think Ali?”.

They both turn to me with the same question at the same time. Hayley’s eyebrows raised, her lower lip bitten in frustration, and Sparks eyebrows are also raised but she has a neutral face on. Otherwise, this was a weird moment, Hayley seemed to be taking this seriously and personally for some reason, that’s why she couldn’t agree with Sparks’ idea which was her previous idea. I didn’t like the fact that it seemed like she was trying to compete with Sparks at the moment.

“Sparks has a pretty solid point” I finally say.

“Okay then, do what you want, but the guys I hired are already gone and you’ll have to move it all by yourselves” Hayley shrugs eyeing Sparks again and Sparks scoffs a laughter then shrugs.

“I don’t mind some heavy lifting” she simply says and I can’t help but smile.

**
It’s been a while guys, I had a minor accident then got off social media for a while but here is another chapter… I’m also working on a new book not posted yet but I’m already inlove with the characters so iiffff and when I decide to post it, I hope you guys will love them too. So you know the drill, star, comment and boom just like magic...

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