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“I could do one next week.”

“Awesome. You let me know what day is good for you, and I’ll set it up.”

“Okay. I’ll check my work schedule and email you.”

There was a beginner’s kung fu classin the large studioroom and a tai chi class at the end of the hall. The renovated gym would be crowded in a couple of hours when people got off work.

I changed into my workout clothes and stepped onto the mat, stretching my legs and arms. Stress had tightened my muscles. I shouldn’t have let my body go so long without exercise.

I’d have loved to teach more self-defense classes. If my mom had known how to defend herself back then, she would be alive today, and my body wouldn’t be scarred. Then again, I’d never expected someone close to the family would hurt me and my mom.

Keeping people at a distance was the best method. It was hard for me to trust people, which was probably why my relationships never lasted. The last guy cheated on me after seeing my scars. He wanted a perfect woman and never asked about my scars. I wasn’t even jealous when I saw him walking down the street with his new girlfriend.

What did that say about me?I supposed I was never that invested in the relationship.

Arrow’s face popped into my vision. Why did I keep thinking about him? Would he react the same way if he saw my scars?

You’re here to relieve stress, not add to it.

As I cleared my thoughts, three people came into the room. One of them was the man who had just occupied my thoughts.The two women found a spot at the front. This room had little fitness equipment. It was more of a spacious room, allowing people to stretch, do yoga, practice martial arts on the wooden training dummies, or use the punching bags.

Arrow took up a corner opposite from me.He wore dark knit pants and a short-sleeved top. His back was to me, and I took my time studying him. My body warmed from the way his muscles bunched. I couldn’t take my eyes off his attractive form.

Then he turned and met my gaze. “Hey! What are you doing here?”

He approached me, and his magnetic energy surrounded me. Embraced me. I’d never met a man who could make my body feel so much without touching me.

What would happen if he touched me intimately? Curiosity and fear warred with each other inside me.

I left them to battle as I replied, “Hello. I didn’t know you go to this gym.”

Arrow shrugged. “The gym I normally go to is being renovated, so only a section is open. That means a lot of sweaty people confined to a smaller place. No thanks. This was close by.”

One woman punched the wooden training dummy while her friend kicked the sandbag.Myconversation with him at the wine convention seemed so long ago. He had looked gorgeous in a suit, but he took my breath away in casual workout clothes.

Though I didn’t want a relationship, I could still appreciate an attractive man when I saw one.

Arrow’s eyes sparked. “You’re here to relieve stress?”

I nodded. “Yup.”

“Me too. Let’s spar. It’s better than fighting those wooden dummies.” He bounced on his feet. “I’d love a good opponent.”

Arching an eyebrow, I considered his suggestion. This wasn’t like his last request. This statement came out casual, with no hint of anything other than a simple workout.

Stop overanalyzing. Maybe the guy just wants a good exercise.

I had nothing to lose. And hewas right. Sparring with him would be more challenging than the dummies.

“Okay.” I took my position across from him, still unsure if dueling with him was the right decision.

I didn’t have time to contemplate as his arm swung out, initiating the duel. I deflected with my forearm, my warm skin kissing his. The contact ignited a circuit of energy that zinged through me, energizing my muscles and tissues. The potency forced a sigh from my lips. I glanced up at him, and my heart skipped at the magnetic gray eyes on me.

With a wink, he shifted his stance, and we sparred with arms, hands, and legs. Did he feel that burst of energy? Or had it just been me?

My heart hammered, and sweat beaded my forehead.

He hooked his arm over mine, pulling me flush to him. Heat increased, making me wonder how my body would react if I were naked with him.