ER [wlw]

Chapter 21

I make my way into the boxing gym and I stand off to the side. I spot Ramona prepping the room, in her element, focused, confident, and effortlessly commanding the space.

She apparently feels all better now, and no longer needs her sling. No surprise the first thing she decides to do is the thing that gave her the injury. Still, I'm glad she can finally get back to it, knowing how much this means to her.

Today is a Thursday but I unfortunately won't be getting Bellamy today or this weekend. Ari and Sadia decided to take Bellamy, Ruben, and Seda on a trip to Disney World for the weekend. Likely because Ari felt bad about missing Ruben and Bellamy's field trip. I'm fine with Bell missing Friday, she has great attendance. It will be the first day she's missed. I figured me and Ramona could use it for some one on one time.

I stand there in wait for the class to begin, watching Ramona. No matter how many times I saw her like this, it still did something to me. She was captivating, even when she was just setting up the mats or wrapping her hands.

Then she happens to catch me looking. A sly smile tugged at her lips, and she raises an eyebrow. "You ready?"

I smirk myself, trying to play off how her attention makes my heart skip a beat. "As ready as I'll ever be. Just try not to judge me too hard." Honestly I've gotten a lot better than when I started, although there are still areas I need to improve.

She smiles. "I won't."

The rest of the class starts to file in, and I take my place near the middle of the room. The once everyone is settled Ramona goes over the agenda for the day, of course after informing everyone of how happy she is to be back.

We get into warmups then after we're on punching bags. Practicing our hooks and such. I focus on my breathing, on the rhythm I needed to get into. But every time I felt Ramona near, my focus splintered. She moved around the room, offering corrections to the others, but it felt like her attention kept coming back to me.

"Keep your guard up." She instructs as she passes by me, nudging my elbow into the right position. Her touch lingered for just a second longer than necessary, and it sent a rush through me that had nothing to do with the workout.

Class went on, each round pushing us harder, faster. I threw jabs and hooks at the punching bag, sweat dripping down my forehead. Ramona was across the room, guiding a couple of newer students, but every so often, our eyes would meet.

By the time the class was winding down, my muscles were aching, and my breath came in heavy bursts. Ramona called for everyone to cool down, showing some stretches to release the tension in our shoulders. She moved effortlessly, and I couldn't help but watch her, admiring the way her body moved with such precision.

As the last of the students trickled out, I stayed behind, wiping sweat from my brow and taking a long drink from my water bottle. Ramona finished cleaning up and shot me a glance. "Wanna grab a smoothie?"

I smiled, leaning against the wall. "I think I need some extra practice first to be honest. I'm still not getting that hook right."

Ramona stepped closer, her eyes locking on mine in that intense way that always made me feel like she saw right through me. "You're getting there," she said, her voice low and soft. "But maybe a little one-on-one time would help."

That's how we end up with it being just the two of us. Ramona standing behind me, adjusting my stance, her hands firm but gentle on my waist. I could barely concentrate on anything but the heat radiating off her.

Then, she moves in front of me, her touch still lingering and I know this wasn't just about boxing anymore because we're both leaning in and our lips end up connected.