98

98
Vanessa’s POV

When Alpha Alexander walked in wearing his gym suit, he looked so handsome and irresistible that I couldn't help but stare. My eyes took in every detail of his muscles as they bulged beneath his outfit. I tried to look away, but when his gaze locked onto mine, a wicked glint appeared in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Who gave you permission to come to my private gym, little fox?" he asked, tilting his head to the side in a predatory manner.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I gave myself permission."

He gave a twisted, lopsided smile that made my core clench. "Well then, you're in for an intense workout session with me, sweetheart."

The nickname made my heart race, but I maintained a neutral expression. He couldn't know what was going on inside me, or he might take advantage of it. I was also thankful that our mating bond wasn't as strong as it should be, thanks to Evie's constant interference, or he would have felt it.

"So..." I pretended to stretch, hoping Alpha Alexander would admire me in my workout shorts. "Are you my new personal trainer?"

That same wicked smile, mysterious and arrogant at the same time, appeared. "Here to whip you into shape."

"Where's your whip?" I arched an eyebrow at him, stretching aimlessly and hoping I didn't look foolish.

"Right here." He brandished his heavy hand, reminding me what a smack on the ass felt like.

"Where do we start?" I asked, looking around at the cardio equipment, barbells, and cable machine. Alpha Alexander's private gym was more like an upscale fitness club than a basement setup. The walls were lined with mirrors, and the floor was made of spongy, rubbery material. His dumbbell selection would make Schwarzenegger proud.

"Take off your clothes," he said with stern professionalism. "I need to see what I'm working with."

Alpha Alexander had, of course, seen me naked nearly as many times as he'd seen me clothed, including when I was a baby. But I played along, pretending to be shy as I slowly stripped. I took off my top and shorts first, standing in my hot pink sports bra, thong, and sneakers.

"Underwear, too." He gestured dismissively, his arousal evident.

I dropped my bra and panties on top of the rest of my clothes but kept the sneakers on. Alpha Alexander walked around me in a slow circle, his eyes crawling over my naked flesh. He stood behind me, so we were both looking at my body in the mirror.

Instead of examining my flaws, I focused on Alpha Alexander's face. His eyes burned with desire, and he licked his lips. There was that predatory look again, his eyes flashing with his wolf, a powerful mix of gold and silver. Alphas usually possessed just one eye color, golden when they shifted, but Alpha Alexander had both silver and gold. I had no idea what the silver meant.

"Incredible..." he murmured, reaching around to cup my breasts, lifting them and letting them drop. "Gorgeous lines..." He slid his hands down my sides.

My nipples stiffened, and goosebumps broke out on my skin. There was something insanely erotic about being examined by Alpha Alexander. The closer he looked, the more docile I became, like a patient at a doctor's office.

He cupped my ass cheek in his hand and then gave it a smack. "We're gonna tighten that up."

I laughed at his rudeness. He spanked me harder on the other side. "You better be ready to work."

I loved when he played like this, fierce and intense. I wanted it to feel real. I wanted to get the best out of this arrangement, even though it was probably just physical, and he would get tired of me as soon as the mating bond started loosening, which I was sure it would. After all, he was my second-chance mate and had already had one before me.

"Start on the AMT," he ordered.

I had no idea what an AMT was—I didn't do much cardio—so he had to show me the machine that looked like a cross between an elliptical and a stair-stepper. I climbed on it naked in my sneakers, enjoying the amusing sight of myself in the mirrors all around.

I couldn't believe I was doing this, but I was enjoying it. It made me feel more sensual, comfortable in my own skin and figure. The way Alpha Alexander stared at me like he had never seen anything sexier. Or maybe it was the forbidden nature of it all that was turning him on.

He set the level, and I churned the footrests of the machine, my breasts bouncing and ass flexing in the mirror. I'm no athlete, but seeing my naked body in motion was kind of amazing. I'd never seen myself quite like this—skin dewy with sweat, flushed in all kinds of interesting places.

Alpha Alexander watched from behind, just as tall as me even when I was standing on the machine. "That's right...work that ass."

I glanced over my shoulder to see the tent in his pants. Grinning, I leaned forward and drove my heels down harder, making long lines with my legs.

He put his hand on my ass cheek, feeling the muscle work. "Good girl," he growled.