Gaining Maisy Read online

  “Hey, Carter. This is Maisy, your new client,” Alicia said, pointing at Maisy who at the time was only seeing a picture of herself, gasping for breath on the treadmill, while her hot, sexy personal trainer looked on. Another picture took root in her head again as she saw Carter standing beside her, staring at her big fat behind and shaking his head in disapproval. Suddenly, Maisy felt so body-conscious she got the sudden urge to leave the place right there and then, too embarrassed to think of even working with someone as hot as him. Without a word to either of them, Maisy turned on her heel and walked quickly out of the gym. As she walked out the door, she saw her neighbor, Chloe, walk into the gym and quickly returned the wave she was given in greeting. Then, not in the mood for any chit-chat, she quickly made her way home. Every step she took brought on a wave of shame so deep, she nearly started crying on the road. But she managed to get into the house before the first tear fell. Then, falling onto the couch, she let go and cried silent tears, cursing her weight and cursing Eric for making her so conscious of it.

  Chapter 5

  Carter watched speculatively as the young woman he had just recently met daydreaming right in the middle of a crowded room run out of the gym as if something was chasing her. From the look she gave him right before she bolted, he could surmise that he had something to do with it. But what could it be? he wondered, shrugging at the questioning and equally surprised look from Alicia. It was obvious she was here to join the gym, and looking down at the form she had left on the desk, he knew she was here to work on her weight. A small look of disapproval crossed his face at her apparent cowardice, and Carter felt a faint twinge of disappointment cross his face. He had found her interesting upon their earlier meeting in the middle of the room. Shaking his head as he wondered why he was so bothered by her leaving, Carter asked Alicia what class he had next. Still, throughout the day, he couldn’t quite shake the picture of those big soulful blue eyes looking at him.

  Maisy woke up a little later in the afternoon, and realized she was hungry. Walking to the kitchen, she remembered she had planned on going shopping today. She changed into a jeans and t-shirt and decided to use the opportunity to do a little sightseeing. A little while later she came back to the house, carrying three shopping bags, her little sightseeing mission turning into a buying trip that had her wishing she had taken her car with her. She had seen small shops carrying different items, unlike Chicago where most of the things were bought at the mall. The people of Ashborne were also friendly, since she was greeted as a newcomer in every store she visited. She made herself a sandwich and poured a glass of orange juice, then walked back into the living room. Then she watched reruns of a popular sitcom as she ate, the laughter and antics of the couple on screen making her laugh and providing a much-needed respite from the incident of that morning.

  *

  The doorbell rang and Maisy opened the door to find Chloe “Hey, was cooking dinner and I think I made a little too much,” Chloe said, handing the container to Maisy, who accepted it with an appreciative smile.

  “Really? Thanks.”

  “Okay, that was kind of a lie. I cooked that much because I wanted to bring you some. A welcome to the neighborhood thing, I guess,” Chloe said, laughing and not looking at all sorry.

  “Well, the gesture is appreciated. Come on in and have a glass of wine, or juice,” Maisy said, not sure if Chloe drank or would want to drink at that time.

  “Orange juice is fine.” Chloe followed her into the living room as Maisy went into the kitchen to get her the drink.

  “Nice paintings,” Chloe said, admiring the paintings on the wall as she accepted the juice from Maisy and took a sip.

  “Thanks. I decided not to make any major changes to the décor of the house, but just add a few pieces here and there.”

  “Good choice. Have you decided on the changes you’re making yet?” Chloe asked as they sat.

  “Just a few pieces here and there for the living room, then maybe I’ll change the rug, too. I want something with a lot more cushion than this one, also a brighter color maybe,” Maisy said, surprised at how easy she found it talking to Chloe like this. Most of it stemmed from how easygoing and likeable Chloe was. She was also a good listener, actually taking interest in what Maisy was saying.

  “Well, you could check out Sophie’s shop over on the next street. Shit, I’m so used to calling it Sophie’s, I’ve forgotten the name. Maybe we could go down there together when you want, and to the mall, too, to pick up the rug.”

  Maisy was really touched by how friendly Chloe was, and she realized she was already making a good friend in Ashborne.

  “Well, if it won’t be a bother, I’d really like that.”

  “It’s no bother,” Chloe replied with a smile on her face that made Maisy realize she really was happy to help.

  “Wow, thanks then.”

  “You’re welcome. Saw you leaving the gym today,” Chloe said, ending her statement on a questioning note that sought to ask Maisy what was up with that. At first Maisy was suspicious that Chloe was trying to tease her about the fact that someone as big as her was visiting the gym. Immediately she cursed her paranoid mind, reminding herself that Chloe had been nothing but good to her since she arrived in town, and it would be terribly wrong of her to repay her kindness with a baseless suspicion. Giving her a goofy smile, Maisy said, “I’m thinking of joining the gym, lose a little weight.”

  “Well, Carter’s place is the best if you’re real serious about it. I joined almost a year ago now and the place is amazing, although I go mostly for the fun of it. Well, that and so I can have a good excuse when I pick up my daily batch of muffins from Laura’s bakery. If you’re serious about the weight loss thing, just don’t try her muffins, ever. The stuff’s addictive.” Maisy and Chloe both laughed at that statement.

  “Well, so where were you staying before you decided to make the move down here?” Chloe asked.

  “Chicago,” Maisy said. She thought about it, then went ahead and told Chloe a little about herself and her stay in Chicago. But apart from telling her that she just recently got out of a relationship, she didn’t tell Chloe anything about Eric. They talked for a long time, with Chloe regaling Maisy with tales about the town. At the end of her visit, Chloe had made plans with Maisy for the both of them to visit Sophie’s place and the mall during the weekend.

  “Okay, goodnight then,” Chloe said at the door. “You can reheat the casserole before eating it. And since we’re such good friends now, I guess it’s safe to tell you that I might have gone a little heavy on the sauce,” she said, laughing out loud, and Maisy couldn’t help but join in.

  “That’s okay; it’s the thought that counts, I guess.”

  “Well, let’s hope so,” she said as she sauntered back to her house.

  That night, as Maisy was preparing for bed, she heard her phone ring from the bedside table where she had placed it. When she checked the display, she saw that it was Brittany calling and quickly picked up the phone.

  “Hey, girl, how was work today?” Maisy asked her as she got into bed.

  “Over, thank God. I’ve got a new intern and the guy is dumber than a load of bricks.”

  “Well, that’ll teach you to hire an intern based on looks and not what he can actually do,” Maisy said with laughter in her voice, well aware of her friend’s penchant.

  “Why would you just assume that I picked Aidan for his looks?” Brittany feigned hurt.

  “Okay, sorry. Now let me ask and not assume. Is Aidan hot?”

  “Smoking,” Brittany said, and burst into laughter immediately. “Okay, I guess I did pick him partially based on his looks. Well, guess I laid my bed then. So, you, how was today?”

  “Okay, did a little rearranging, went sightseeing, and had a friend over,” Maisy said, not wanting to tell Brittany about going to the gym.

  “You already made a friend? Now I’m really proud of you; I was scared you wouldn’t be able to get out of your comfort zone.”
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br />   “Well, it was more like she made me her friend than me actually doing anything. Her name is Chloe, and she’s kinda like you in a way, I guess.”

  “Well, that’s good. Went to Jeff’s today,” Brittany said, talking about the restaurant that Maisy used to work in. She had quit her job almost immediately after her breakup with Eric.

  “Jeff told me they’ve got a new chef working there already,” Maisy said.

  “Yeah, and he’s good. I mean, not as good as you, of course, but he’s really good.”

  “Well, I’m happy about that. I really feel bad about the way I left Jeff hanging when I quit,” Maisy said, her voice dropping low.

  “Hey, you were going through a lot that time, and you know how much concentration your work needs.”

  “Yeah, but remember, fresh out of college, it was Jeff that gave me a chance.”

  “Yeah, I know. But remember he also advised you to take a break when it all went to shit. Trust me, he’s okay as long as you’re okay. Actually, I think he had a crush on you,” Brittany said, and Maisy laughed out loud at the ridiculous notion.

  “Jeff? A crush on me? He has a girlfriend he’s happily in love with, and who by the way is way hotter than me.”

  “No, she isn’t, and don’t start talking about your weight again. Or else I’m coming right over and knocking you upside the head. Remember he asked you out once that time and you told him no,” Brittany reminded Maisy. When she first started working in Jeff’s restaurant as an assistant chef, he had jokingly asked her to go out with him. At least she had thought it was a joke at the time.

  “Come on, Brittany, he wasn’t serious about it.”

  “He kinda was, just saying. Anyway, don’t worry about Jeff; as long as you’re fine, he’s okay.”

  “Okay then,” Maisy said, “but I’ll call him tomorrow, you know, just to say hi.”

  “If you want to. Anyway, guess you had a lovely first day in your new place…”

  “I went to a gym today,” Maisy blurted out, unable to hold it in anymore.

  “You what? Hey, that’s great. So, did you meet any cute guys?” Brittany asked, the wink she gave over the phone perfectly imagined by Maisy.

  “Yeah, my personal trainer. Or supposed to be personal trainer, I guess. I ran out as soon as I found out.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I panicked. I mean, if you saw the guy you would understand. He’s hot! As in I was imagining naughty things hot. No way I want him to see me all sweaty and breathless, or see all my extra parts jiggling in his face,” Maisy said half-jokingly, but there was still a small thread of shame that Brittany was able to pick up on.

  “So what if he sees you breathless, you would be breathless if you were having sex, right? At least you should be if he’s doing it right.”

  “Brittany,” Maisy chided her friend, “exactly how did we start talking about sex here?”

  “Well, why else would you not want him to see you sweaty and messy, which by the way, is the best kind of sex there is.”

  “I don’t know.”

  In a serious tone this time, Brittany said, “Maisy, remember why you left Chicago? It was so that you would be able to heal from the damage that asshole did to you. If you’re still scared of things like this, you’re letting Eric win, and I’m not just talking about the gym. I’m talking about everything. You haven’t had a decent meal since the breakup, or cooked one for that matter. You now wear all these baggy clothes that are way too big for you and all of this has got to stop. I want you to take risks, want you to live your life the way you used to before Eric. It’s the only reason why, even though I know I’m going to miss you like crazy, I let you move.”

  For the first few seconds after that declaration Maisy was silent, thinking about what Brittany had just said. It was the first time she was actually considering what her move meant to Brittany, and she realized how much her friend was sacrificing to see her get over her nasty breakup.

  “I have been allowing what Eric did to me dictate my life, haven’t I?”

  “Well, kind of.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to be; just promise you’re going to start living life,” Brittany said.

  “I promise,” Maisy said, and this time she meant it.

  “Guess I have to go back to the gym tomorrow,” Maisy said, a hint of dread in her voice at the embarrassing scenario she was sure was waiting for her there.

  “Alright then, don’t forget to take pictures, lots of pictures, and send them to me. It’s been a while since I went to the gym… I kinda miss ogling all those six-packs and muscles.”

  “I’m sure you do,” Maisy said, laughing. They remained on the phone for about fifteen minutes before hanging up. Her last thought before she finally dozed off was how she imagined Carter would look when he saw her in the gym the next day. She’d just tell him she forgot to feed my cat and that was why she ran out. Then of course, she’d have to go and buy a cat so that when he comes over to verify the story, she can have proof that she’s not a crazy person. Of course, she’ll graciously accept his apology for disbelieving her and then tell him to drop down and give her twenty. She was imagining his muscles bunching and clenching as he did push-up after push-up. By the time Maisy came back to herself, she already had his shirt off and was kissing him. Cheeks flaming in embarrassment, she realized that she now had two reasons why she really didn’t want to go to the gym the next day. It seemed she now had a huge crush on her trainer.

  Chapter 6

  Carter sat at one end of the bar, nursing his bottle of beer and paying half attention to the football game showing on the screen in front of him. On nights when he wasn’t the one locking up the gym or hanging out with Jesse, this was the bar he usually liked to kick back and relax in. It was a little bit outside of town and, even though from time to time he ran into people he knew, he was for the most part left alone with his drink. From the corner of his eye he saw the blonde who had walked into the bar about five minutes ago pay for the drink she had barely touched and stood up. He knew what was going to happen next, already had a good idea of what would happen from the first time their eyes met over their drinks. She walked up to him and sat down at the vacant stool next to him.

  “Hey, gorgeous, my name is Amber,” she said, voice smoky and hot, confidence brimming in every syllable. He looked at her and gave her a small smile without saying a word.

  “So, you’re the big silent type, huh?” Amber said, looking at Carter square on till he was forced to look at her.

  “I don’t know; something tells me you would probably prefer a guy who puts his mouth to better use than talking in bed.”

  Amber laughed at the directness of his answer. “I see you don’t waste any time in getting to the point.”

  “No, I don’t, and considering the fact that you walked into this bar, ordered a drink while you cased the room, then paid for your drink without finishing it, I would guess you also don’t like wasting any time,” Carter said as he finished his beer. He dropped a couple of bills on the bar, enough to cover the cost of his beer and plenty left for a hefty tip. Then he looked pointedly at Amber, as if asking if they were doing this or not.

  “No, I don’t like wasting time,” Amber said, answering his last question. She got up and slung her purse over her shoulder. Throwing a sultry look behind her, she told him, “My place is closer.”

  Carter followed her out of the bar, taking the lead and directing her to his car. He opened the door for her and helped her in before turning around to get in.

  “And a gentleman, too; you’re the complete package, aren’t you?” Amber asked as she looked at her reflection in the visor over her seat.

  “I like to think I am.”

  “Got protection?” she asked as he pulled out of the parking lot and got into traffic, checking both ways to make sure the road was cleared.

  “What do you think?” Carter asked, well aware of the stash of condoms he had in the back pocket of
his jeans. Amber laughed, realizing he had come prepared. She pointed out the way to him. She directed him to her apartment and he saw that it wasn’t far from the bar at all, within walking distance actually. He parked the car and he and Amber got out, then he locked the doors and followed her inside the complex, taking the elevator before they got to her apartment. As soon as they entered the apartment, Amber took off her shoes and began to undress, with Carter following suit. He had gotten as far as taking off his shirt when she approached him in just her underwear and pushed him up against the wall. Carter frowned, but allowed the show of dominance even though it jerked his chain. Then she kissed him and reached down to take off his pants; Carter wrapped his hands around her smaller ones and asked, “Where’s the bedroom?”

  “Two doors to your right, why?”

  “Don’t want a break in the flow when the floor eventually becomes too uncomfortable for you,” Carter answered with so much seriousness in his voice that Amber laughed. Then her laughter immediately morphed to a moan as Carter palmed her breasts and pinched her nipples. Bending his head, he kissed her so delicately, the contrast between the kiss and the rough actions of his hands made her moan louder in her throat. Turning them around till she was the one with her back against the wall, he began to thumb at her nipple while he kept kissing her. She brought her hands around and thrust them into his hair, and a line of irritation crossed his face. It wasn’t that he minded his hair getting ruffled during sex, it was that he most preferred to have given her permission to rough up his hair or do anything for that matter. Taking his other hand, he wrapped it around her palms and brought them up; a move Amber clearly didn’t like because she started squirming slightly, and then a little bit more forcibly when he still didn’t let her go. Realizing she wasn’t the submissive type and definitely not willing to do anything she was uncomfortable with, he let her go. Immediately she reached below for his zipper, tugged it down, and wrapped her hands around his cock. Freeing its impressive length, she began to run her hand up and down, pleased by the way Carter’s breath became faster. Then her eyes widened when Carter grabbed her by her shoulders and spun her around so she was facing the wall. In quick motions he reached for his pants and pulled out a condom, then put it on.