The Bodyguard

Chapter 23 - Worked Up An Appetite

Kristen POV

When I wake up I am disoriented. I forget where I am for a second and then I remember, I’m in Gabriel’s bed.  He isn’t next to me though and I am disappointed when I find his side of the bed cold and empty. I’d hoped to wake up as I went to sleep, in his arms.  My eye catches a note on his pillow so I take it and read.

Morning beautiful,

I’m just upstairs in the gym. There’s a spare robe on the back of the door for you so come and find me. I’ll make you breakfast as soon as I’m done.

I hope you slept well baby.

G x

I remember he mentioned going up to the gym and I want to see him badly so I find the white fluffy robe and pull it round me to keep me warm and climb the stairs.

I stop at the door watching him, he’s punching a bag and is dressed in just a loose pair of shorts. The muscles in his back are rippling and every defined ridge is on display, his whole body is coated in a thin layer of sweat making it gleam and adding to the effect. It’s really turning me on to watch him so I lean on the door frame silently, enjoying the view.  How did I get such a hot guy, I'm a very lucky lady and I know it.

He feels my presence and turns to look at me, a huge smile adorns his handsome face. I walk towards him and as I do he removes his gloves, grabs a towel and wipes the sweat from his face and body before wrapping me in his hulk like arms.

He holds me for a moment and then looks at me. He notices I’m looking at the punchbag with curiosity.

“Have you ever trained before?”

“No,” I don’t want to make a fool of myself.

“Come here. I’ll show you how to throw a punch in case you ever need it.”

He takes my hand, stroking it slowly, sending sparks through me and wraps it into a fist, taking my thumb and hiding it inside.

“Don’t aim to punch the object you’re going to punch. If you want to hit hard you need to aim about a metre or two behind it so you hit it with your full force.”

He gestures to a particular part of the bag saying, “here.”

I hit it but it barely moves, I knew I’d be rubbish at this.

“Think of someone you really want to punch, then put your body weight behind it too.”

I think of Jason and all he did to me and the anger I feel towards him. I throw my weight with the punch, twisting my body and using my shoulder and hip to push forwards and the bag moves a tiny bit.

“Good! Like that.”

It was better, but not much, he’s clearly being kind so I laugh. He turns me to face him and lifts my chin to look at him. I’m self conscious realising he’s seeing me for the first time without makeup. He isn’t repulsed and kisses me softly, I’m lost in the kiss until his voice brings me out of my trance.

“Breakfast?”

“Yes please, I’m starving.”

“Of course, you worked up an appetite just now,” he says amused.

I smile sarcastically at him.

He holds my hand and leads me downstairs to the kitchen. He lifts me onto a bar stool and starts pulling things out of the huge silver fridge freezer.

“Pancakes? They’re my specialty.”

“Sounds amazing!”

I love pancakes. Is there anything this man can’t do?

He makes me coffee and it’s just how I like it, strong but milky and I savour it while watching him as he grabs a bowl and gets creating.

He serves the pancakes onto two huge white plates. Even his plates look good quality! They have an intricate edging on them and I can see everything he chooses he does with purpose and care.  He places syrup and butter in front of me and a selection of fresh fruit. It looks delicious and I tuck in greedily.

After we’ve eaten he suggests a shower.

“Yes that’d be lovely.”

He tidies up quickly while I finish my coffee and then he leads me back upstairs and into the bathroom.  I clean my teeth as he adjusts the shower temperature, then he joins me at the sink and starts to brush his teeth too. It’s so familiar like we are a couple who do this all the time.

He undoes the robe I'm wearing, smoothly pulls it off me and hangs it up in the door, then slides my nightdress off my shoulders until it drops onto the floor. He loops his thumbs round the top of my panties and they join the nightdress, he enjoys doing things for me and undressing me.  I find it slightly strange because I'm so used to being independent, but he shows me he cares in the way he does these things so I relax and enjoy them.  

He lifts me into the shower and asks me if the temperature is ok. It’s perfect so I nod. The shower head is huge and it’s like being under a waterfall, it's quite powerful and feels refreshing.

I wet my hair and allow the monsoon to rinse my body, I open my eyes to look for shampoo to find he’s joined me.  We are both completely naked in the shower together and he's moving even closer.