Without knowing what Gael had planned, Angela decided to trust him anyway. So she changed into her workout clothes and washed her face in the bathroom. A few minutes later, her intercom chimed, pressing a buzzer when she saw that it was him. She then quickly finished washing her face and tied her hair up into a ponytail, looking fresh and ready just in time when the doorbell to her front door rang.

He came back with a duffel bag in hand and asked if he could use the bathroom to change his clothes. He came out wearing gym shorts, plain black dri-fit shirt, and sports shoes. She was facing the sink while preparing a tumbler, so she hadn't seen him yet when she asked, "Where are we going?"

"With those pants, I'm afraid I won't let you leave your apartment…" he said as he approached her, dropping the bag next to the island. His eyes raked over her full, round, perky, squeezable ass. Damn it. Those pants hugged her globes perfectly—it should be illegal to wear those.

"What do you mean—" She gasped when he grabbed her right ass cheek, giving it a squeeze as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"You look great in these…" he whispered.

"You like 'em?"

"Uh-huh."

She smiled, leaning into his touch. Without warning, he slapped it, then he told her in a low and raspy voice, "Only wear them when I'm around."

Angela swallowed, nodding as her cheeks flushed red. She liked the playful smack, her eyes sparkling as if she was asking for more.

Gael chuckled. He leaned in until their lips were just an inch away. "Let's go." Then he pulled back and headed out the door.

She fanned her face, watching his retreating broad back. Angela didn't know where he was taking her, but whatever it was he wanted her to do to release the tension, she thought what he did in the kitchen was actually already enough. Maybe a little more of those and she'd be satiated.

They left her apartment and headed towards the elevator, but she was surprised to see him press the 23rd floor when they stepped inside. Her current apartment building was lower than her old one, and her unit was on the 20th floor. She hadn't had the chance to check the floors above hers yet. "We're going up?"

"Yeah. I checked out the building's facilities the other day. There's a gym on the 23rd."

"Oh, right. I heard...but I haven't been there yet."

Angela only found it a bit surprising that he knew. After all, Gael was very resourceful.

They reached the 23rd floor and entered the gym at the end of the hallway. There weren't a lot of people, and most of them only glanced their way before they went back to their own business. A couple of women ogled at Gael longer than they should as they passed by them, checking him out. Angela's expression wasn't haughty, but her eyes were razor sharp as she looked at them. The women averted their gaze as soon as they saw her warning stare.

Just when she thought that they would stop at the cardio equipment, he walked deeper into the area and stopped in front of a heavy bag next to an empty matted space. He wanted her to box?

Gael scanned the room, his brows furrowing as he stared down the eyes of the men who were checking her out. He protectively placed a hand around her waist and turned her body around so that her butt faced the wall. She was wearing a tight tank top, but her breasts were covered well. Thank God. She got a nice rack, and he didn't think he could handle her showing them off too.

"Are we really boxing?"

"Didn't you attend a Muay Thai class?"

"Right. Though I do enjoy Krav Maga too."

He nodded, taking out some stuff from his bag and calling her over. "Hand."

Angela didn't ask questions as she extended her right hand towards him. He then began to wrap gauze around it expertly as if he had done this a hundred times. She just hoped he hadn't done this to another woman. After her right hand, Gael did the same to her left and then wrapped his hands too. Finally, they started stretching out on the mat for a few minutes. He led the warm-up, and she followed.

"Let me see what you can do first. Show me your fighting stance," he asked.

She then put her fists up and shifted her left foot forward, feeling tickled when he ran his gaze up and down her body. She knew he was only checking if she was doing it right, but she couldn't help feeling the tingles, okay?

Gael nodded in approval, stepping towards her to adjust her right fist near her jaw. "Always keep your elbows close to your body—not touching but close to protect this area." He touched her rib area. "And your fist to protect your face. If you keep this open, you could get hurt by your attacker."

"Got it." Angela smiled, liking his seriousness.

A small hint of a smile formed on his face when he saw her eagerness. He was glad she was already starting to loosen up.

He grabbed hold of the heavy bag, and she stood in front of it. Then he coached her on what to do—mostly jabs and straight punches, and then occasional kicks. Gael was impressed that her form was good, and she had power in her hits. But she needed to work more on her cut kicks. He shook his head. "You're going to break your foot if you kick with your toes, Babe. In Muay Thai, you kick with your lower shin." He pointed the area on her lower leg above the foot.

"Damn. No wonder my feet hurt whenever I practice."

"Your instructor sucks if he didn't correct you." He nodded back to the heavy bag, holding it so it didn't swing much. "Come on. Do it a few times more."

Angela punched and kicked as per Gael's coaching.

"Gimme more power, Angela. You gonna let Herman push you around?"

The mention of the asshole's name made her enraged once again, causing her to strike more forcefully, she knew her hands would probably bruise later, but she didn't care as she imagined Herman's face on the heavy bag.

***

Panting heavily, Angela leaned her back against the wall, trying to catch her breath. She didn't know she'd end up working out so much like this, her sweat dripping down her face.

"Feel better?" Gael asked, handing her the tumbler she prepared earlier and a face towel.

"Yeah. Thanks. I needed that."

"No problem."

While she rested, he went to do some pull-ups on the bar not far from her. With his back facing her, she could see his back muscles rippling against his dri-fit shirt whenever he moved up and down the equipment. She swallowed at the thought of his strong arms, sipping more water as she watched him with a lustful gaze. No wonder he was able to carry her effortlessly. His shoulders were broad, his wings were wide, and his waist tapered. Gael was so damn fine.

Would it be weird if she climbed on his back and let him continue pulling up and down the bar? Probably, but how fun would that be?

Angela cleared her throat when he jumped off and went back to her side, a smirk dancing on his lips when he caught her checking him out.

"Wanna spar with me?" he offered.

She shook her head and held her hands up. "I would love to, but not today. I'm pretty sure my whole body will be sore tomorrow."

"Do this regularly, and you'd get used to it." He picked up their bags, and they walked out of the gym. "As for the soreness… I'd be glad to give you a massage."

Looking up at him, she could see the playfulness on his face, making her laugh at his offer. "Why does that sound tempting and also dangerous at the same time?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Angel. I'm simply going to do you a favor…"

"A favor, huh?"

They stepped inside the elevator and punched the 20th floor. Angela mulled over his words until he responded, "Well, it will definitely be a privilege for me. But I'm sure you'd enjoy me feeling you up anyway, so it will be a win-win." He winked.

She burst out laughing and slapped his bicep. "And you just assumed I like being touched?"

"Don't you?" Gael cocked a brow, reaching towards her to cup her ass, but she moved away just in time that the doors opened. He ended up grabbing air.

"Not so fast, De Luca." Angela grinned and heard him groan behind her, making her giggle as she opened her door. "I'm gonna go take a shower."

"Alright." Entering her apartment, he dropped the bag on the floor and removed his wet shirt, his body glistening in sweat. She turned and saw his hungry gaze, then he asked, "Mind if I join you?"