Free Sizzle by Holly S. Roberts

running shoes I’m wearing now.
    He’s leaning against the door’s frame and I’m guessing he’s been standing there for quite some time.
    I pick up a towel and wipe my face to delay the conversation. I walk over to the weight bench and take a seat. “It’s the new escort,” I tell him.
    Very slowly, a rare smile splits Moon’s face. “I owe Madison a hundred dollar bill.”
    I can only shake my head. Women don’t get to me . But Celina has. “If you don’t mind if I take a quick shower first, I’d like a few minutes of your time.”
    “I’ll be upstairs in the library waiting.” He gives a chin lift and leaves the gym.
     

     
    Celina
    RIGHT OUT OF THE gate, I’ve broken one of Mak’s golden rules and my niece will be the one to suffer the consequences. I’m desperate and hope that bravado will carry me through my conversation with Mak. Reanna gives me a questioning look when I walk in. I know my cool breezy outfit is wrinkled and sweaty now. No matter how high I blasted the car’s air conditioning, I roasted the entire way over here. Nerves and heat do not go together.
    “Are you okay?” Reanna asks.
    I’m not okay, and there are small black dots at the corner of my vision. I stumble and Reanna is up and around her desk before I fall. Her hands feel ice cold when she takes my arm.
    “Sit down, sweetie, your face is red and I think the heat is affecting you.”
    “Please, I need to see Mak.” I straighten to my full height and will the waves of dizziness away. I need to be strong and win the coming confrontation.
    She leads me to the small sitting area on the other side of the door and sits beside me.
    “Madison went to lunch with her husband and will be back shortly.” The tears I’ve held back flood my eyes and begin rolling down my cheeks. “Let me get you some cool water. The heat does this to me once a week, sweetie.”
    This isn’t heat. It’s pure mind-numbing desperation. I can’t breathe and I lean over and place my head between my knees. I hear voices but don’t look up. There is an ocean with crashing waves going on inside my head. A warm, rough hand clasps my upper arm.
    “I’m lifting you up and carrying you into Madison’s office.”
    I don’t recognize the deep voice, but it’s gentle and soothing. I’m lifted in strong arms. I don’t open my eyes, though the smell of the man holding me unclouds my senses somewhat. I’m reminded of Alex. This isn’t Alex, though, and a small part of me is unhappy that it isn’t him picking me up while I’m so down.
    I’m placed on the couch inside Mak’s office. I figure this out because we didn’t go far and it’s her voice that offers me water.
    “Here, Celina, you need to drink this.”
    I peel my eyes open and Mak’s face is about six inches from mine. She smiles and places a bottle of water in my hand after uncapping it. I’m leaning against the arm of the sofa and I bring the plastic to my lips. I take only a small sip and then put the cool container against my cheek.
    The man standing beside her is large, good looking, and fierce. Mak sees me looking at him and makes an introduction. “Celina, this is my husband, Moon.” Before I can say anything, she stands up, gives her husband a quick kiss on the lips and tells him, “I’ve got it from here. I’ll call you later.”
    His hand possessively cups her hip as he brings her in for another quick kiss. He lifts his head, gives me a nod, and walks out.
    “I’m so sorry,” I say before taking another sip of water.
    “Can you sit up?” she asks.
    The ocean sounds and black spots are gone. She takes the water from my hand and I sit up and drop my legs to the floor. “I’m so embarrassed. Just give me a moment and I’ll leave.”
    Her sigh is not a friendly sound. She walks to her office door and opens it. Before I can stand and rush out, a giant dog walks through the door. Mak places her hand out and he licks her fingers. “Two-dogs, sit.” He sits; his face is