Page 28 of The Naughty List

The faster I go, the more he increases his speed until we’re both panting heavily.

“So you and Eli did this every morning?” It’s a struggle not to let him hear how hard I’m working to breathe normally.

Eli was in great shape but he was British and extremely refined. I can’t picture him huffing and puffing on the treadmill first thing every morning.

“Most days. That going to be a problem?”

“Nope. No problem at all. Not that much different than running with Achilles in the mornings.”

Jonah grins smugly at me. “This is just the warm up.”

My jaw clenches in determination and I force the brightest smile I can. “Awesome.”

* * *

An hour later,every muscle in my body burns, and some in my ass that I didn’t even know I had, but I feel more awake and alert than I typically do at this ungodly hour.

After cardio, we lifted weights and I did my best to help Cal spot Jonah while he rattled off ideas he had for the WDA. Then we did an ab workout that would’ve made a nun cuss while he planned out his travel plans for the next six months to visit remote areas where rare species of animals are said to be endangered.

He really does seem to do his best thinking here.

“You going to be okay?” Jonah asks me as we cool off and I down another bottle of water by the lockers.

I nod. “I’m good. You okay?”

Jonah opens his mouth to answer but Cal walks over and slaps him hard on the back. “You should bring her by more often. I haven’t seen you work that hard since you left the UFC.”

Busted.

I grin. “I thought you and Eli did this every morning?”

“Thanks a lot, Cal,” he mutters under his breath.

I grab my tank and hoodie and pull them on. “I’d love to stay but I’ve got plans.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Jonah offers.

He follows me to my car, opening the door for me. I lower myself inside, biting back a groan. Definitely going to need a heating pad for my sore muscles tonight.

“Hot date?” He inquires with a raised brow.

Resisting the urge to laugh, I nod. “Brunch with an older man.”

Like sixty years older.

Jonah’s brows dip inward. “Order something expensive.”

I grin. “It’s a private establishment. There’s a very selective menu.”

Soup or Jell-O.

“You still walking the dogs later?”

I put my keys in the ignition. “Of course. Same time as always?”

“Unless you’re tied up with your date,” he counters. His tone is light but his eyes are dark.

“Hmm, tied up does sound good now that you mention it.”