Lean and Mean

By Shermaine Williams

Falling over in the snow is an embarrassment Remy doesn't need—however, the help of a cheeky stranger is all that is required to make her feel better.

Remy can't help rising to the bait when Isaiah criticises her keep-fit method, leading to a battle of wills and fitness regimes. Despite his unerring confidence and powerful body, she still believes she can give him a run for his money. She may emerge relatively unscathed, if not hot and sweaty. Is it possible for them both to come out on top in the hard fought battle, or will she get more than she bargained for?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Feb 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9780857154842

Book preview

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Lean and Mean

ISBN #978-0-85715-484-2

©Copyright Shermaine Williams 2011

Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright February 2011

Edited by Stacey Birkel

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing.  Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning:  This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers.  This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

LEAN AND MEAN

Shermaine Williams

Dedication

For disciplined fighters everywhere, the more muscles the better! 

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

Audi TT: Audi AG

Chapter One

The blanket of white that covered every surface should have created a picturesque scene. It would have if Remy had been anywhere else—but she wasn’t and it didn’t. She was forced to traverse the snowy street rather than simply admire it from the window of her warm living room, which turned it into an intimidating obstacle course.

The morning had been relatively easy as it had only snowed a little overnight, but more had fallen throughout the day which made for a long and difficult journey home from work. The entire London transport system had practically come to a standstill, as if snow was a toxic substance that seeped into every crevice and created a hazard. It had taken a while, but she was finally nearly there—a single road between her and home. 

Every step she took was a careful one, sidling up to the inner edge of the pavement to grip the front walls and fences of the gardens she passed for support. Shuffling along like an old woman made her feel ridiculous, but it had proved a successful technique and she wasn’t going to deviate from what worked. It was already freezing and getting wet from falling in the snow was something she wanted to avoid. The news reports she had seen about increases in hospital admissions due to slipping injuries helped to focus her mind.

The residential street would normally be dotted with a few other people at that time in the evening, but this evening Remy found it deserted. Considering it as evidence many sensible people had stayed at home, she reasoned that walking in the snow-free tyre tracks in the road was a good idea. No cars had passed by since she’d turned onto the street so she carefully made her way to the road to walk in one of the tarmac lines, lengthening her stride as the risk diminished. Her ability to walk with ease only lasted a few minutes before the growing darkness was momentarily banished by headlights approaching from behind.

The sound of the engine told her the car was moving slowly, but Remy still hastened to get back to the pavement. Her attempt to move quickly resulted in a near-miss, her foot slipping out from beneath her as she stepped onto the kerb. However, she successfully recovered without falling over, suffering nothing more than an undignified stumble that partially dislodged her hat.

Standing on the pavement to adjust her hat before more than just a few strands of her long black hair escaped from it, the silver car slowly passed by, tinted windows preventing her from seeing inside.

Continuing to watch as it turned into a side road, she noticed that the rear lights on the sleek silver Audi TT appeared white before the light shone through them. Silently debating the benefits of such a modification to a car when it not only looked strange, but was probably illegal, she attempted to rectify her crooked hat without releasing more hair. With her gloves on, the task proved impossible to complete successfully, but her hands were already cold and she had no intention of removing them. Frustrated and cold, she quickly gave up after fixing the hat as best she could, prepared to suffer the precarious accessory since she was nearly home.

The car had disappeared from view and she could turn her attention back to her careful paces, even more concentration being required when she came upon a section of the street where there were no fences to provide support.

Within a few minutes, she was safely on the home stretch with her front door in sight. The absence of any further accidents caused a feeling of relief that was instantly snatched away with her next step, her foot slipping forward and tipping her off balance. Attempting to recover on one leg and outstretched arms failed miserably, her second foot sliding out in a wide arc before following the first. The sharp shriek she emitted seemed to reverberate through the dim white stillness, contrasting with the thud of her bottom hitting the ground.

Aw shit, stupid bloody ice.

As she needlessly looked for the offending patch of ice, she took some consolation from the fact that her fall occurred on an empty street, relieved no one witnessed her embarrassment. 

Now, now, I’m sure the ice didn’t mean it. 

Before she could even attempt to get to her feet, Remy was startled by the deep voice, which came from over her shoulder and cut through the quietness. Nor did she get a chance to see who had uttered the facetious comment before a strong arm encircled her waist and lifted her back onto her feet.

Are you okay?

With no pain registering, she looked down at herself with annoyance as she noticed all the water and snow covering her coat. Her concern with herself stopped her from immediately noticing that he went from encircling her waist to holding her hand.  

I think so.

Brushing off her coat with leather-clad fingers, she looked at her helper for the first time. Standing at a height of over six feet and impossibly broad in his padded bomber jacket, he was a formidable sight. Not the least when compared to her own petite frame, which forced her to look up at him to see his face. The lack of hat or scarf to protect him from the freezing temperatures allowed her to see his face, smooth and dark like a freshly made slab of dark chocolate, as well as the slight smile that lit it up.

He looked back at her, an intensity in his gaze that belied the situation. It was sufficient to make heat flood her body, easily providing more benefit than her coat could and stifling her enough to prevent her from speaking.

Good, he replied, his smile widening and making his eyes shine. Then it’s all right to tell you that was a spectacular fall.

He had appeared from nowhere to tease her, but Remy was glad that he spoke. She was sure that the alternative would have seen her continuing to stare at him, like she was frozen to the spot.

Usually, such a display in the street would have been enough to leave her mortified, but it didn’t seem so bad at that moment. Her attempt to remain deadpan failed, and she was left unable to help the smile that twitched her lips. I’m glad that I could amuse you.

I’m just kidding. Are you sure you’re not hurt? he asked, a genuine note to his deep voice.

Checking again, she circled her ankles and bent her knees to determine whether any act resulted in pain. Apart from a slight throb that developed across the cheeks of her bum, she was satisfied that there was nothing else wrong.

I’m okay.

Looking at him caused a wave of heat to rise from her chest and up over her throat, making her hot enough to pull the scarf away from her neck. Finding herself clutching the air, she looked down to find that it had partially unravelled and hung loosely around her neck.

It automatically drew her attention to her hat, which she could feel had slipped further and let more of her hair loose.  

In addition to being sure that she looked a mess, she realised that she was still holding onto his hand. Um, thank you for your help.

Nothing came from her attempt to pull her hand away, seeming as if it was stuck. In reality, he continued to hold her gloved hand in his bare one, enabling her to feel the heat from his skin through the leather.        

Aren’t you forgetting something?

Waiting a moment to see if she recognised what he was talking about, he leant over and picked up her bag from the ground.

Though the distinctive oversized black handbag obviously belonged to her, Remy still felt compelled to check her shoulder, not quite believing the fall could have caused her to drop it.

Oh, thank you.

Pulling away her hand in order to wipe away snow that clung to the base of her bag, the movement seemed to cause her foot to slip and shoot out sideways.

Whoa.

He reached out and gripped her arm before she could fall, his gentle grip firm enough to easily demonstrate his strength without causing her pain.

I think I should walk you home.

The suggestion caused an immediate reaction, surprise and happiness creating a sensation that made her skin tingle. His face showed no sign that he was joking, which made her immediately try to rectify her dishevelled appearance.

Should you now? she smiled, brushing her hair from her face. What are you—the friendly neighbourhood stalker?

He laughed, a deep throaty sound that tickled her and raised a smile to her face.

No, I just want to make sure you get there safely, without going arse over tit.

Joining him, she found that the laugh came easily despite the reminder of her recent embarrassment. And there I was thinking chivalry was dead.

Well, it isn’t. Besides, you’re clearly a danger to yourself.

With the action of hooking her bag back onto her shoulder, she acquiesced as she started off in the direction of her home. It’s not me, it’s this weather.

He followed her lead, continuing to provide support as the couple walked together. He was forced to listen to Remy talk, which she began to do at a rapid pace. A one-sided discussion about her opinion on the weather in light of the fact that February was fast approaching helped to disguise the nerves she felt.

Allowing a stranger to see where she lived went against her normal common sense, however, that was not her concern. Something about him made her feel safe in his company, so she was had no qualms about what would normally make her run like the wind.