Free To Protect & Serve by V. K. Powell Page B

adjusted the treadmill speed, stumbling to remain vertical. A strange tension mingled with the rising heat in the room. With only an occasional grunt or moan of exertion, the other two women worked silently through the exercise machines that lined the gray gym walls. Beth offered occasional thumbs-up of encouragement in Keri’s direction and some not-too-subtle glances at her small bouncing breasts.
    Alex hadn’t looked at her since she started her run. An infrequent word of motivation or a brief consultation about weight or technique was the only conversation that passed between Alex and Beth, unlike the friendly banter she’d witnessed upon entering the gym. She felt as if she’d interrupted something private then.
    Keri mashed the treadmill Stop button and stepped off, wet clothes clinging to her body. She pulled a towel from the storage rack and wiped her face and neck. Beads of perspiration trickled down between her breasts. She raised her shirt and captured the moisture in the ribbed cotton material. Eyes closed, enjoying the rough-textured fabric on her skin, she wiped the flat surface of her stomach to the top of her shorts just below the navel. With an exhausted sigh, she opened her eyes and noticed Alex look quickly away.
    “Are you ready to spot me?” Alex asked Beth.
    “I’ve got a few more leg presses first.”
    “I’d be glad to help out,” Keri said.
    “No, I wouldn’t want to impose.” Alex was unwilling to encourage a closer proximity of their bodies. “I can wait for Beth to finish.”
    “Oh, let her spot you, Alex. I’ll be on this a few more minutes.”
    Reluctantly, Alex agreed. “If you’re sure it’s no bother.”
    Keri admired Alex’s fluid movements as she positioned herself on the bench, long legs up, feet resting on the edge of the seat. Placing her gloved hands equal distance from the weights on either side, she wrapped her slender fingers around the bar, stared straight up at the ceiling, and began the exercise.
    Veins bulged in her neck and hands as she pumped the weight up and down. Perspiration dotted her forehead and rolled away from the headband. Keri observed the rhythmic rise and fall of Alex’s toned chest muscles, the dip of her stomach, and marveled at the beauty of a well-formed female body, clearly visible under the clingy outfit.
    “Set,” Alex said, placing the weights back on the rack. As she let go of the bar and withdrew her hands, a wet strand of hair fell across her face. Without a thought, Keri reached to push it aside.
    Alex saw Keri’s hand moving in slow motion toward her face. She wanted that touch more than she realized but simultaneously feared it. She turned her head to avert the connection and rose from the bench. “Please, don’t.”
    Keri thought Alex’s voice sounded deliberately polite but strangely cool. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything.” The warning in Alex’s eyes had been clear. “Write me up for an invasion of PBS.” She tried to laugh off the encounter.
    Beth was instantly at Alex’s side. “How about violating my personal body space? I could use a good massage.”
    Alex grabbed her towel off the bench. “I’m going to head out. Thanks for the workout, Beth…and the spot, Morgan.”
    Keri stood motionless, watching Alex’s retreating back. When the locker room door closed behind her, she turned to Beth. “What was that?”
    “That’s just Alex. She’s a private person and that’s how she likes to keep things.”
    “Fine with me.” Keri flipped the thin gym towel over her shoulder. “Good night, Sergeant, and thanks for your concern.” She headed for the locker room fully expecting Alex Troy to be long gone. But when she opened the door, Alex stood in front of her opened locker as if waiting.
    Keri spoke without invitation. She had to strike before her courage waned. “Lieutenant, I’m sorry—”
    “Morgan, I didn’t mean—”
    “No, please, let me.” Keri stepped within touching distance of Alex and felt