Be Mine (2 page)

“Wait up, Beth,” Sandra, one of the girls I was sparring with earlier, calls out, hurrying to me.

I pause in surprise. I never realized she knew my name. I do know she seems to take great satisfaction, in rendering everyone to the floor in the quickest, and quite often brutal fashion. My ass can testify to that, as well as my shoulder.

I watch as she passes Jonathan, gives him a flick of her hair and a warm smile, before hurrying over to me.

Ah, she likes him
I quickly realize. For a second I puzzle over what that has to do with me, after all I don’t know him.
You made him laugh
my internal voice prods, confirmed by Sandra’s next words when out of everyone’s hearing range.

“I don’t know what you said to make him laugh, and it doesn’t matter,” she growls the words out, while painfully grasping my elbow to drag me further away. “Keep your beady eyes off of him.”

Wrenching my arm out of her grip, I stop and stare at her. “If you’re interested in him, tell him. Don’t come along hassling me because he laughed.” I growl back furiously.
I will never let someone treat me like shit again
echoes in my head.

“Buck up or get lost, your choice. I’m only here for the class. Now piss off!” I shout the last part, creating deafening silence and all eyes to land on the two of us. I will feel mortified in a few minutes, give or take, but at this moment, I’m too annoyed to care.

This realization makes me pause. I don’t care about making a scene. Of bringing attention to me being bullied, and more importantly standing up for myself. Feeling proud of myself, I walk away.

It would have gone perfectly, if I didn’t walk straight into a very hard brick wall of a man’s unmovable chest.

Bouncing off it I’m steadied by strong hands, I look up into the hazel eyes of Mark Jenkins. Suddenly I badly wish for the floor to open and swallow me whole.

****

Steadying the woman, who’d bounced off my chest, my hands tighten around her upper arms. There’s no way I’m letting my little waitress escape without knowing she’s okay. The woman who’d quietly threatened her is still glaring, though looking slightly confused.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Thank you.” She adds, as if an afterthought. “Now if you don’t mind releasing me I have to go,” she informs me, while trying to step out of my grip.

Looking down at her, I’m about to reassure her when I realize, nothing I say will do so. I’ve seen those dark shadows in others eyes. Not knowing what or most likely who caused them, I release her, stepping to the side so she can pass.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Is all I say. I watch my words penetrate her brain and register. See a flicker of surprise, a quick flash of her beautiful eyes as they connect with mine, and an ever so slight, barely there flicker of a smile and inclination of her head.

“I’m sorry about the lasagna,” is her simple reply, before walking past me, and into the changing rooms.

For some reason I can’t explain to myself, her simple response makes my day. A grin spreads across my face, pleasure races through my body. The shout of my name startles me.

Glancing up, I see my friend bearing down on me. I watch in amusement, looks of longing on a number of the women’s faces, as they watch him move.

“Mark, I’m glad you could make it,” Jonathan informs me, a huge grin spreads across his face, as he slaps me on the shoulder. “Let me give you a quick look around.” With a final nod toward the women, he guides me toward the other end of the room and a closed door.

Pushing through it, we enter a fully equipped gym, filled with weights, treadmills, kickboxing equipment, and a sparring ring.

“Very nice,” I mutter looking around in appreciation. “So what exactly do you need me for?” I cross my arms while looking at my friend, before letting my gaze flicker once more around the gym, and out the door, toward where the women had been sparring. Once more my gaze comes back to rest on Jonathan.

A smile starts to spread across his face. “I want, no need two things from you,” he replies, glances out the door, “Make that three. First what was going on when you came in, between the two women?”

“One of the women threatened the other to stay away from you. Apparently she’s claimed you as hers and didn’t appreciate the other woman making you laugh.”

A burst of laughter erupts from Jonathan, at my statement, quickly stops when he realizes I’m not laughing.

“Wait you’re being serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

“Right, I’ll have to have a word at the next class. I’ll not have anyone threatened by another, especially in a self defense class of all places.”

“What are the other two things you need from me?”

“Ah yes. I need security cameras in here and on the grounds too. I want this place to be as secure as possible. Can you also add floodlights outside? I’m not sure exactly what security you specialize in. All I know is, I want all of my clients to feel and be safe while coming to and from my classes or the gym.”

“That can be arranged. It also makes sense too.” Thinking back to the dark lot I’d crossed to get here, a perfect place to jump someone. Especially after a gym session or self-defense class, people always feel safer.

“Look, what I can do is sit down with you, find out your budget. From there we discuss your exact needs. When are you available for a sit down?”

“Anytime that suits you. The security of my gym and more importantly the security of the people attending here is my number one priority.”

“Okay, what was the other thing you need?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“You know you’re not my type,” I tease him.

A snort of laughter escapes, “Okay wrong phrasing,” shaking his head a smirk slips across his face, “That was the weirdest mission ever,” he adds, his eyes twinkling as a chuckle escapes him.

I burst out laughing at the memory of the mission. “I still can’t believe we tossed a coin to decide who would be the man in the ‘relationship’.”

“It was the only fair way to do it. We did go on some crazy ass missions,” shaking his head, with a look of amusement on his face, he looks me in the eye, “They were fun times, sometimes anyway.”

“Yeah, sometimes they really were. Crazy and dangerous they suited us well. Now what else can I help you with?”

“I want you to train some classes here, if you’re up for it.” Putting up a hand to stop any interruption, he quickly continues while I watch him in amusement. “I know you have your own security business and…”

“Sure why not.” I interrupt him, “I was planning on joining your gym anyway to keep up with my training.”

“Good, I’m glad. How about I get showered and changed, we can grab a bite, discuss security and you starting training classes?”

While Jonathan showers, I wander around the gym. Checking windows and doors before heading outside to look around. I quickly realize the windows are double-glazed and the doors are secure.

Metal shutters will help protect the building, and I spot a few places where cameras are needed. The main source of concern is lack of lighting.

****

Forty minutes later, we’ve eaten and discussed his budget.

“Okay I’ve spotted where you need cameras. Overall you need a minimum of six for safety. Front and back door. Your office, entrance hall into the building. If any hassle is caused inside the building, that’s where it’ll happen. And two cameras, facing into the car park, from different directions.

“You’ll need metal shutter blinds, to close over your doors and windows at night. My main concern is the lack of lighting. I’d advise high velocity lights. You have no neighbors to complain about the brightness.”

“The ones for the front and back door, wouldn’t they cover the other areas?”

“No, they’ll be only covering the doors. So if anyone tries breaking in, the camera will catch their face.”

“Makes sense,” he mutters his agreement while rubbing the back of his head.

An age-old habit I’ve seen more times than I can count. A habit he does when trying to figure out something, while knowing he has to do it.

“Okay, okay everything you said makes perfect sense. The thing is you have my budget. My budget doesn’t cover what you are proposing.”

“True,” I watch the grimace cross his face. Before he can say anything, I wave a hand to forestall him. “We can work something out. I’m thinking extra gym time for me. Training a class is one thing. I still need to join your gym for my own fitness.”

“Yeah? So we’ll work out the difference through gym memberships, for however long it takes?” He asks me, with doubt ringing in his voice.

“Look, the way I’m going to do it, is charge you the same price as it costs me, for the stock and the cost of having it fitted. We’re…”

“That’s not how you make a business.”

“Actually, it partly is. Because word of mouth is a huge part of growing a business. You’ll be my first contract since moving back. So our deal is one of a kind. Other businesses will see what you’ve had done, and hopefully will hire me to do theirs,” I inform him, while taking a sip of my coffee.

“Anyway your budget and my gym membership will cover my expenses. Tomorrow come to my office around noon. We’ll sign the contract and get started on setting everything up.”

With the business discussion finished, we quickly catch up on general information and play pool for a bit before saying goodbye for the evening.

Chapter 4

The next afternoon, once the contract is signed, and Jonathan has left, I scoop up the cheque I’d been given. I put it into my wallet, return it to my inside jacket pocket, and zip it up. Each of my jackets have a little zip in the inside pocket, an extra precaution against pickpockets. There would be nothing more embarrassing for a security specialist than being robbed. After all, it wouldn’t look good or show competence.

Securing the documents scattered across my desk, I exit and lock my office. Once done, I leave my building locking everything behind me, and head to the bank to deposit the cheque.

The bank is two blocks over, so going on foot with a substantial cheque can be risky. During training and using common sense I realized, if you walk with confidence, and are aware of what’s going on around you, you’ll be alert and ready for most things that may happen. Also, it’s more efficient and a hell of a lot quicker to just walk, especially when trying to find parking close to the bank isn’t always possible. Where businesses and depositing cheques are concerned, variety is the choice of discretion.

Entering the bank, I assess the situation, a habit ingrained into me and as natural as breathing. I spy my little waitress at the front of the queue.

“Miss Salvatore,” calls the woman behind her in an angry voice, startling my little waitress into turning around.

“Sorry did you ask me something?”

“Yes, no not exactly,” the woman amends, “You’re holding everyone up!”

“Really? How strange. I haven’t been called forwards. In fact I was instructed to wait while the woman at the counter finishes.”

“Well, there’s no need to be rude,” huffs the woman.

A comment I find hard not to laugh at, given the fact that she’d been rude by shouting and trying to embarrass her in the first place.

I wonder what her first name is and how can someone with such pale skin have such an Italian name?

I watch as she turns away from the woman to face forward. Before another word can be uttered, she’s called forward with a, “Sorry about the delay and thank you for your patience.”

****

I can’t believe how rude Mrs. Hardy can be. I know very well she knew I hadn’t been called. She’s determined to try to make my life miserable, because of what happened with her precious son.

Turning away from her, I spot Mark further down the line. A feeling like longing sinks into my stomach. Before I can contemplate it, I’m called to the counter with an apology about the delay.

“It’s fine. I’d like to deposit this cheque into my account please,” I inform the woman handing her my cheque and bankcard. Once deposited, I put my receipt and card into my purse, and head for the exit. Feeling eyes on me, I look up and make contact with Mark. He gives me a slight smile and nod of acknowledgment, before moving forward in line.

For some reason a grin I can’t remove spreads across my face. I leave the bank feeling as happy as I had when I’d opened my mail today and found a royalty cheque.

Once that cheque clears, I’m taking Sally out. After all, if she hadn’t pressured me into sending my story off to the publishers, I wouldn’t have believed it was good enough for a contract, never mind making money!

I hurry to the café where I’m meeting her. I’m late. Once I explain why, she’ll forgive me. Ten minutes later, we’re drinking coffee and she’s squealing happily for me. A shadow crosses over us. I look up to find Mark standing before me.

“Mark, you made it,” shouts Sally excitedly as she shoves a chair out hitting his leg with it.

“Ouch, yes I made it,” he replies while sitting in the chair before rubbing his leg.

My eyes drop from his to stare at his large hand, rubbing circles on his trouser leg.

Hearing a throat clear, I drag my eyes away and look up into the curious hazel eyes of the handsome man of my dreams.

“You appear to be celebrating. I hope I haven’t interrupted…”

“Don’t be silly Mark. You can help Beth celebrate.”

“Beth,” he repeats my name, as if rolling it around in his mouth, tasting it.

“Why are you acting so weird?” Sally demands, “You would swear you’ve never met Beth before. I know it’s been years…”

I watch as a look of curiosity and dawning realization crosses his face. He hadn’t remembered me.

“Wow, you look different, from the little girl I remember.” He blurts out, looking me up and down.

His eyes grow heated and a smile crosses his face. He reminds me of a lion seeing a tasty morsel he can’t wait to take a bite out of.

“You’ve grown from a little girl into a very beautiful woman.”