Page 53 of My Destiny

“I’d like to go for a run this morning,” she says.

Raising my face, I make eye contact with her. “It’s not safe to be out there.”

“You could come with me.”

“Sorry,” I say, “I don’t do stuff like that.”

“Stuff like what? Exercise?” She screws up her pretty face as she talks. “I’ve seen those abs, Mr. Cavanagh. You’re not fooling me.” I chuckle when she pokes me in the side.

“I exercise. I got plenty last night.” I arch one of my eyebrows.

“Sex? That’s your only form of exercise? I call bullshit.” She’s so adorable when she’s sassy.

“I’ve worked out almost every day since moving in here.” Her eyes widen slightly, and I know I’ve reeled her in. She thinks I’m referring to sex, but I’m not. “There’s a private gym in the building.” When she slaps my arm, I chuckle.

“I thought you were referring to something else.”

“I know,” I say with humour in my voice.

“You made it sound like I was one of many. Although I don’t doubt there’s a long line of woman waiting to bed you. For a minute I thought you were going to get your calendar out, and allocate me to Wednesdays or something.” I throw my head back and laugh. I love her wit.

“Seven days a week or nothing with you.” I give her a look that would melt her panties off if she was wearing any. “And even if there was a long line, there’s no one else I’d rather be with than you…No one else!” I emphasise those last three words. “I’m an all or nothing kind of guy.” I’m speaking the truth, but it’s also an attempt to reassure her. She’s been burnt just like I have, so I know the uncertainty lingers. It took me years to rebuild enough trust to let people in again, and Brooke’s betrayal is only recent. I hope she knows I’d never do something like that to her.

“I’m an all or nothing kind of girl.” Although her words are spoken with confidence, the vulnerability I see in her eyes tears me up inside. It’s like a silent plea.

“I’m glad,” I say. “That’s why you’re the perfect girlfriend.”

“I’m not your girlfriend,” she laughs. She is; she just doesn’t know it yet.

“You could use the treadmill in the gym to do your running.”

“I guess. It’s not the same as being in the fresh air, though.”

My heart goes out to her, I hate that she’s not free to live her life how she wants. “This will all be over soon,” I say, brushing my lips against hers.

“I hope so.”

Jake may have the upper hand now, but he’ll slip up eventually, and we’ll be right there waiting.

It’s mid-morning before we finally climb out of bed. If I had my way, I would keep her there all day. We spent an hour in the gym—that woman is a damn machine. I don’t know where she gets her energy from. She was relentless on the treadmill the entire hour.

By the time I step into the shower, I ache all over. I think it’s a combination of the weights I lifted and our marathon sex session. Not to mention, I did twice my usual number of sit ups to show off. I’ll be paying for that later.

While Brooke is upstairs getting ready, I call Mike and ask him to organise a car to follow us around today. I don’t want it to be too obvious; if Brooke sees it, it would only frighten her more. But I’m not taking any chances where she’s concerned. The extra security will give me peace of mind during our date. She thinks we’re going gift shopping for my niece, which isn’t a lie, but I’ve also booked us a table at the revolving restaurant at the top of Sydney Tower for lunch.

“You look lovely,” I say when she appears at my office door.

“Thanks, so do you.”

“You ready to go?” I ask, closing my laptop.

“Whenever you are.”

“I just have to send a quick message.”

“Okay.”

I pull up Mike’s number.