Despite the demands of his successful consulting practice Kirk was committed to maintaining his athletic physique. In his late 40s his six foot 200 pound body still looked ready to compete on the track or gridiron where he'd won accolades years earlier. "Take care of your body and your mind" was his mantra to his young adult offspring Carl and Carla. Practicing what he preached he'd resorted to early morning workouts due to often conflicting obligations with clients or numerous speaking engagements. At 6:00 AM every morning he'd roll out of bed, don exercise togs over his broad chested tapered waist frame and head to the gym. By 6:30 his bulging biceps and shoulders were glistening with perspiration as he enjoyed the solitude to begin his day. With no one else in the gym at this early hour he was able to keep his head clear as he moved unobstructed from station to station.
His routine remained unchanged until one morning when he heard the entrance door open and slam shut. Perturbed by the unexpected (and unwelcomed) interruption, he lowered the heavy weight he had overhead and rested it back onto the weight stand. He turned to see the interloper. He was somewhat surprised to see a willowy blonde since he expected the intruder to be a guy. He found her to be neither attractive nor unattractive as she strode forward with a mauve scrunchie holding her long ponytail. Her zippered jacket prevented an assessment of her body but he guessed her to be 5'6" -- 5'7". "I wonder if she's naturally blonde or another 'bottle beauty'" he mused as she walked. She smiled as she stepped to an open area and pulled a skip rope from her gym bag and doffed her jacket. "Good morning!" she said brightly. Kirk responded in kind.
"It looks like you're well into your early morning workout" she volunteered as she took in his sweat drenched muscles. "I like to get started early too."
"I find it the best way to start my day" Kirk offered as he moved to the pullup station near where she was standing. "I haven't seen you here before so we must have missed each other." He said trying to mask his irritation. "Oh no, I'm new to the area!" she said. "My husband and I are only here short term. We're filling in for friends who are on maternity leave and vacation."
"I see -- then welcome to the area!" he said minding his manners.
While still put off by the interruption Kirk was impressed by the seriousness of her workout. She skipped rope at a rapid pace. Her ponytail swayed with each energetic skip and he detected a soft bounce of her tits with each landing. Her quick pace caused a bead of perspiration to form on her brow. She dropped her rope and headed for the sit up bench Kirk had used earlier.
"Just a minute ma'am!" Kirk said "I used that bench earlier but hadn't wiped it down yet." He quickly grabbed a disinfectant cloth and wiped off the vinyl bench. "I appreciate your courtesy but don't think I deserve a "Ma'am just yet. My name is Iliana and yours?"
"What a striking name for a striking lady"! Kirk intoned with his rich baritone voice. "My name is Kirk"
"With COVID being such an issue I try to make sure I sanitize each piece of equipment I use before I use it and before I leave for the day. I hadn't gotten around to it because usually I'm the only one here at this hour."
"You're so right about COVID although in my line of work, there's always a risk" she said in a lilting tone.
"Oh, what do you do? Kirk asked.
"I'm a veterinarian. My husband is as well."
"That's an interesting, and needed, occupation" Kirk said. Now standing closer to her he noted her light eyebrows "Maybe she is a natural blonde" he thought to himself. Her blue eyes fairly sparkled as they chatted. He noted some small crow's feet at the corners of her eyes and guessed her age as 45 -- 50.
As they resumed their separate workouts Kirk was impressed by her vigor. She moved from one exercise to another without a break. Her t-shirt was soaked thru and sweat was dripping from her chin. She used the hem of her shirt to wipe her brow exposing her six pack abs and part of her mauve sports bra in the process.
Upon noticing that Kirk was watching, she blushed slightly.
They finished almost at the same time and set about wiping down the equipment.
Iliana said "Do you work out at this time every day?" "From the look of your body you MUST!"
"Pretty much" Kirk replied.
"Maybe I'll see you again" Iliana said as her eyes took in Kirk's body from head to toe. "It depends on whether I have an early appointment or not."
"Then I'll see you and your Hubby whenever you can make it." Kirk said as he was approaching the shower room.
"You may see me but not him" she chuckled "He's allergic to the gym! Does your wife ever work out with you?"
"No, I'm divorced but my kids join me when they're back home from college."
Over the next few weeks she came in about every other day and Kirk felt less put off by her presence. Instead he'd come to welcome their chats.
He learned that she'd divorced her first husband, a lawyer, and married an older vet. Kirk suspected that she'd married one of her professors. She emphasized that the divorce was her choice.
Her dad was a college professor... Her mother a nurse...
She had no kids but had "fur kids" (dogs) and several horses
She dropped out of school before going back and finishing at the top of her class
She believed that anything (or anybody) she set out to get she would.
"ANYBODY?" Kirk asked bemused.
"Yes so watch yourself and that fabulous body of yours!"
"You're too kind. But allow me to return the compliment. You've got a perfect dancer's body which you obviously take great care of!"
She blushed, looked down at her body, and said "There's not much to see here."
"I beg to differ" Kirk said -- "Your lithe body is perfectly proportioned. You've got long shapely legs, flat abs, graceful hands and arms and almost float as you walk!"
"WOW what a compliment! No one has ever said that to me before. Is it okay if I give you a hug?"
"But of course!" he replied.
She quickly marched close and embraced him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as she snuggled against him. Seconds passed and she didn't loosen her grip. If anything, she pulled her hips closer to his groin and had to feel his manhood hardening against her. Finally, she released her grip and stepped back.
"Hope to see you tomorrow" she said coyly.
Hugs became part of their pre and post workout ritual and what evolved into a platonic, increasingly intimate, but not yet sexual, relationship over the next few weeks.
Tight hugs soon became hugs with a peck on the cheek... then;
Hugs, and pecks on the cheek with Kirk's right hand brushing Iliana's ass cheek... then;
She didn't flinch when pecks on the cheek were accompanied by his hand fully cupping one cheek... and;
