Sebastian is hired as a private fitness trainer for Calvin Furst. Working with a very tight deadline, can he get the enigmatic founder of AcuTech in shape before his big event?
Chapter 1
Training Furst
I pulled off my shirt, threw it into the locker, and took a quick look at my abs before covering them with the FitShop navy-blue compression top.
The entire uniform was designed to show off our bodies. Bradley Jones, the owner of the most exclusive gym in the city, wanted his members to be surrounded by the best examples of physical fitness.
Iβd worked hard to look the way I did, and Bradley had hired me on the spot after a short interview.
βYouβre late again, Sebastian!β Taylor said behind me, scaring the shit out of me.
Bradley wanted his opening staff to be present an hour early to revise the equipment and locker rooms. Iβd been late for the last three days, but Taylor never told the boss.
βDude, are you okay?β he asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.
βIβve been having trouble sleeping,β I said honestly.
Should I tell him why? Fuck it!
βI broke up with my boyfriend andβ¦it hurts like hell.β
βYour boyfrβ¦ Wait, youβre gay?β Taylor asked, looking taken aback but not shocked.
βBisexual, a four on the Kinsey scale which means I have a preference toward guys,β I said, giving him my standard answer.
I dropped my sweatpants and briefs and pulled on my uniform shorts.
βWhat a specific reply,β Taylor said, looking impressed. βYou caught me off guard, Iβ¦β
βLet me guess, I donβt give off a vibe?β I mumbled.
βI was going to say that I didnβt know you were in a relationship. Iβm sorry to hear that it ended,β he said carefully.
Wow, okay. Iβd clearly gotten defensive a bit too quickly.
βSupposedly, Iβm a difficult person to be with. I tried over and over againβ¦but clearly failed.β
I surprised myself by suddenly bursting into tears; they rolled down my cheeks faster than I could wipe them away. What the fuck?! I never cried!
βHey,β Taylor said, grabbing me into a hug. βItβs okay, let it out.β
His invitation gave way to even more shameless sobbing. Iβd apparently been keeping this in for a while.
He patted me on the back gently until I was done and then asked, βWhy donβt you ask Bradley for some time off? Iβm sure heβll understand.β
βNo! Please, no. Iβm staying in a one-bedroom HomeAway in the shitty part of town, and I really donβt want to be there all day.β
βOkay,β he said, hugging me again.
Wow! Who would have known that alpha male Taylor could be like this?
βThanks,β I said over his shoulder.
βFor what?β he asked gently.
βFor this,β I whispered.
βListen,β he said, taking a deep breath. βIf you need a place to crash until you sort yourself out, my guest room is available.β
I stared at him to see if he was serious and blinked stupidly a few times.
βLet me think about it,β I muttered.
Fuck! What an ungrateful answer.
βYou do that. In the meantime, letβs get upstairs before Bradley kicks our asses.β
***
I wasnβt completely paying attention as my client Mike did his reps. There was a new member on the floor, and he was simply gorgeous. Iβd been carefully eye-fucking him for the last ten minutes; luckily, he was too busy with his routine to notice.
βHow many more? I think I lost count,β Mike huffed, snapping me out of my reverie.
βFive more, Mike,β I lied.
βYou got it, champ,β Mike said with a lopsided smile.
I hated being called that; my father had always used it as a derogation. Ironically, I was never a very sporty kid. I never said anything to Mike, though. He was a client, and I didnβt want to make a fuss over something that would seem petty.
Suddenly, Taylor was behind me again. He quickly whispered in my ear, βBoss wants to see you, Iβll take care of Mike.β
Fuck! Had Bradley noticed that Iβd come in late again? Was I going to get fired like Jason?
When I walked into Bradleyβs decadent office, I was expecting a castigation. Instead, I was shocked to find Calvin Furst sitting in front of his desk.
What the fuck was the founder of AcuTech doing here?
The man hadnβt been seen in public for months. Why do I know this, you ask? Okay, I admit it, I read the Next-Door blog on the toilet. Thereβs just something about celebrity gossip that fascinates me. That and my religious need to watch the Oscars!
Anyway, Calvin Furst was a legend. His company's CuffPhone, a phone that could be folded around the wrist, had turned the mobile tech world upside down.
Andβ¦I was now shaking his hand.
βMr. Furst, a pleasure, sir,β I said way too quickly.
βCal is fine,β he said, pointing at the chair next to him as if it were his office.
βWe were just discussing your overall positive attitude and professionalism, Sebastian,β Bradley said with a fake smile.
Really?
βIβm in need of a personal trainer,β Furst said quietly. βIβm preparing for an upcoming event, and I wish to look my best.β
Holy shit! Was he talking about a new product launch? For a second, my mind disappeared into endless possibilities.
βCal has selected you specifically for the task,β Bradley said with a look that screamed donβt you dare refuse.
βWow, Iβm honored, Misterβ¦Cal.β I was actually stammering this time. Why was Furst making me so nervous?
βYou come highly recommended,β Cal said, standing up and buttoning his expensive suit jacket. βIβll expect you at eight sharp at my place. My PA will forward you the address.β
His place?
βHave a good day, gentlemen,β he said, shaking both our hands. A guy in a black suit, larger than Bruno, was waiting outside for Mr. Furst. The men disappeared into the elevator before either of us could say another word.
βWhat just happened?β I asked the boss.
βYou were chosen to be Calvin Furstβs private trainer for the next month and heβs paying handsomely for the privilege,β Bradley said, his eyes gleaming.
βReally? How much?β
βYou already get a paycheck, Sebastian,β Bradley said dismissively.
Wow! Typical Bradley.
My head was spinning as I made my way back to the main floor. I was puzzled by why Iβd been chosen out of the twelve personal trainers who worked here. No interview, just a recommendation.