We built Fit Co. from nothing and I’ll be damned if I allow the reputation of this gym to be tarnished by anyone. Quality service is guaranteed and I intend to see it provided.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Pete gave him a mock salute and clicked his heels together.

Landon was not amused. He exhaled when he was alone once again. Deep down he realized Pete, his best friend since college, meant well by telling him to let go of the past. But it was the past that drove him to become the success he was today. The product of a broken home, he’d been raised by an alcoholic mother who’d told Landon he’d never amount to anything.

Scrawny and malnourished, he’d been the target of bullies. Even though he’d confided to Pete about his childhood, Landon was sure no one could fully appreciate what he’d gone though — what it was like being told what a loser they were. He’d been the invisible kid until one person taught him the meaning of self-worth. Landon often wondered what had become of her.

Glancing at his sports watch, he realized it was time to meet his client — Kristen’s client. When he walked down the stairs, he halted, catching sight of the woman standing by the trainer’s station. She looked familiar.

No.

It couldn’t be. Get a hold of yourself. You’re imagining things. But the closer he got, the more she reminded him of someone he knew. She was older of course, a little heavier, but he’d recognize that profile anywhere. God knows he’d stared at it for countless hours when she’d tutored him.

She turned in his direction and his heart stopped. It was Gloria Redmond, the cute student teacher he’d had a crush on from the moment they’d met. Her smooth brown skin glowed like rich mahogany. She had large dark eyes one could get lost in and a set of lush unpainted lips he used to dream of kissing. She wore a red bandana on her head, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Landon allowed his gaze to slide over the rest of Gloria.

Her body was encased in a black sweat suit which did nothing to hide her voluptuous curves. She was just as gorgeous as he remembered. Landon’s pulse quickened and cock stirred. Settle down, boy. The last he’d heard from her, she was married with a child, and even if her status had changed, who was to say she was attracted to white men?

“Gloria Redmond?”

She smiled hesitantly. “Sanders, actually. I must have put my maiden name on the application in error. Are you my trainer?”

He could sense her disappointment. It was obvious she didn’t recognize him. “Will that be a problem?”

“Well, I don’t mean to be rude, but I did request a woman. I would feel more comfortable…” There was so much uncertainty in her voice. Her vulnerability was evident and he wanted to take her in his arms and reassure her everything would be all right.

Landon gave her a wide smile to show her there were no hard feelings. “No offense taken. I sincerely apologize your request can’t be accommodated at this time, but unfortunately, the original trainer we’d put you with called out sick. If you’d like to reschedule with another female trainer, I’d be happy to set up an appointment for you right now. However, I’d be more than happy to start you on your workout regimen.”

She suddenly seemed distressed, her eyes darting from left to right as if she was looking for someone to rescue her. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. What was it about him that made her so nervous?

He took a step closer, but when she took one back, Landon halted. “Are you okay?”

Gloria moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, forcing his gaze to follow the movement. She obviously didn’t realize what that innocent little motion had done to his equilibrium. It was strange how his attraction for her hadn’t changed after all this time, yet she still seemed as uninterested in him as a man as she had when she’d tutored him.

“I’m not sure if that will be a good idea. Uh, do you work here all the time?”

He frowned, wondering why she asked. “Yes, I’m here every day. Actually, I’m co-owner of Fit Co.”

Her eyes widened. “You own this place? Then why are you training?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.