Chapter 81

Avery’s pov His blue eyes pierced through me across the in a way that made me tingle. I bit my lowe Oom, causing my body to stir lip, rolling it between my teeth as I studied him just as intensely as he was studying me.

He’s breathing is hasty, the rise and fall of his chest captivating me. The gleam of sweat on his skin, the way his muscles look so toned.

He lift his hand and wipe the sweat off his brow, his blue eyes peering into my soul. “What are you doing here?”

I swallowed, my fingers shaking a tad bit. I interlocked them, fiddling so he’d not notice my reaction. “I-

I looked around the gym. There wasn’t anyone else but him here. But still, I didn’t want him to know I came all this way on foot, looking like a hot mess because I craved to see him. I needed an excuse, something that will not make me seem so….desiring of him.

“I-I swallowed and brought my eyes back to him. “I came here to sign up.” I cleared my throat and tried to straighten my shoulders to seem as though I was not trembling inwardly by having his eyes on me.

A sleek brow rise and I see the flicker of the beginning of amusement in his eyes. “Sign up?”

I lift my chin, making a little humph sound. “Yes. To sign up. I want to learn boxing.”

This sounded ridiculous even to my own ears. But come to think of it, it sounds good. Maybe I will sign up and learn. Those nightmares that have been plaguing my mind every time I close my eyes have made me restless and feel weak.

I no longer want to feel weak.

“You want to learn boxing?” He tested each word slowly on his tongue, frowning as if he could t believe I had just said them.

I frowned. “What is with you and repeating my words?” I voiced and nod. “Yes, I said I want to learn how to box. What is wrong with that? You don’t think I can do it?”

His eyes roamed over me. So slow and so sensual a heat stroke over my flesh wherever his eyes touched. I crossed my arms, trying to stop from feeling an ounce of need for him right now.

“You skipped class to come here just to sign up for boxing?” That one arched brow raised even higher in disbelief.

I scoffed. “You’ve been skipping class a lot lately and I haven’t questioned you about it.” I retorted.

His eyes twinkled and he let out a small chuckle. “Someone’s been keeping tabs.”

I took a step forward. “And someone is asking too many unnecessary questions. Now,” I looked around the gym. “Will you teach me or not?”

Xade looks surprised, taken aback and uncertain. Then those emotions are pushed behind the curtain in his eyes and he turns around and says with a sigh over his shoulder. “Go to your dorm Avery.”

I glared at his sweaty strong back. “I want to learn Xade! This isn’t a game-

He whipped around, now glaring at me. “What part of stay away from me don’t you understand?!”

I flinched, his words slicing through the air and meeting its target. My heart squeezed yet I don’t back down, not wanting to be humiliated. “Because I don’t understand! Goddammit Xade! I don’t know why I am supposed to stay away from you! Make me understand!”

With every word I shot back, I took a firm step forward until I am standing in front of him, glaring. “Make me understand.” I repeated more firmly.

Xade stared into my soul again. He’s the only guy I feel I am stripped bare when he stares at me. It’s like he knows every deep dark secret of mine, as if we have both feasted upon my secrets together.

A flicker of hope chewed in my stomach when he opened his mouth, only for it to dwindle when he turned around, giving me his back while he said over his shoulder.

“Go home Avery, I don’t train anyone.”

He was so cold. The warmth that his body radiated and brushed against me is now no longer comforting me, but freezing me to death. My hands ball into tight fists at my sides.

My teeth and jaw ache as I grind them, gritting as I shoot arrows of anger toward his stiff back. “Fine,” I breathed out angrily, looking around the room. “I’m sure there must be someone else who can teach me.”

He turns back around, his eyes now darker than before, more irritated. “Go Avery,” he said as a warning under his breath.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “This is a free country you know. Unless the gym belongs to you, I’m not obligated to listen to a word you have to say.”

His jaw ticked and I know I’ve irritated him further. Good. As he opened his mouth to speak, the door opens and we both look over to who disturbed us.

A blonde haired man, a little older than us walked in, his dark eyes watching Xade and I with keen interest. “What’s going on here? I can sense the tension?”

He had a gym bag slung across his shoulder while a water bottle is clutched in his hand. He walks forward. “Mind your business Christian,” Xade replied stiffly as I studied the man. He looked oddly familiar, as if I had seen him somewhere.

As he drew closer, instant recognition went off in my head. He’s that guy who fought before Xade got in the ring. He’s also a boxer.

Please tell me you teach boxing? I can pay,” I added quickly when the guy abruptly stopped when he heard my question. He looked at me in surprise, mouth agape.

“Uh..” he drawled out unsurely, looking over my shoulder at Xade. His eyes return back to me. “I do sometimes, depending on if I’m low on cash and need. I do have some spots available-

“No need, for your expertise,” Xade cuts in sharply. “This one is already taken.” My heart leaps when his arm circles around my midsection and he pulls me flush against him as if staking his claim. “I’ll teach you.” His lips brush against my ear, his breath hot against my flesh.