Page 33 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess

“And she was supposed to hold this? You’ve still got a hell of a punch, Lex!”

Lex?

“But you can push harder. Really give it all, come on! Harder!”

Alex works up a sweat fast. I bet his muscles are burning already. Veins are pulsing on his arms and sweat soaks through his shirt.

Damn. That looks so good.

“Our little princess here looks impressed!” Carlos calls out, and just like that Alex’s eyes meet mine.

Oops.

My face heats, and I quickly step away to calm down, staring at the ceiling. The ceiling fans are blasting, but I’m still hot. “Where’d you train in America?”

“Just the gym,” Alex says, backing away and catching his breath.

“I want you here every week now.” Carlos turns to me. “And you, Princess, preferably every day.”

“I probably can’t keep that up,” I admit.

“But it makes my guys happy,” he chuckles, giving me a light pat on the shoulder that nearly knocks me forward. His gentleness is enough to break a bone. “Like a leaf in the wind. Girl, you need more protein. Treat yourself to a steak tonight. Or two. You’re wasting away.”

“I let my training slide,” I confess.

“You’ll get it back.” He looks at Alex. “And don’t you dare anything of hers.”

“Not planning to,” Alex says with a grin, and they high-five.

“Got tax paperwork to do. Behave yourselves.” Carlos nods and leaves, and suddenly it’s just Alex and me again.

“So, you didn’t tell him I’m your father’s assistant?”

“No. Should I?” He smirks and braces the bag so I can keep punching. Unlike him, though, I'm much slower. Compared to his tree-trunk arms, mine look like twigs.

“I could tell him you were rude to me. He’d flatten you.” I grin.

“Fair,” he admits with a smile. “Try punching from the shoulder. Full extension. You’re holding back.”

“I’m totally out of shape,” I complain.

“That’s why I’m telling you—swing properly and keep moving.”

He smiles and I’m actually glad to return it. Okay, this is… nice. Maybe even fun.

I bounce lightly, try to move a bit more, and put more power into the next punch.

“Much better. Again! Come on, keep going!” His voice is firm, commanding. Controlled.

Damn it—it’s turning me on. Not now. God, not now. Not him. Not here!

“I need a break,” I pant, turning away. Wall. Gray, rough plaster. Yes, focus on the wall. Not his muscles. Bad idea. He’s—probably—about to be my new boss. That’s what I should be thinking about. Not his strong, well-toned arms and… a wall. Wall! Look at the wall, London!

I close my eyes, and a moment later something soft touches my neck. I open them to find Alex draping my towel over my shoulders.

“Rest up. That wasn’t half bad for a beginner.” He picks up my water bottle, but instead of handing it to me, he twists the cap open and sniffs it.

“Is this just water?”