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;
She continued tight hugs when his fingertips moved up and down the crack of her ass... and hugged tighter when;
He kissed her cheek and cupped both of ass cheeks and pulled her closer -- she responded by drawing closer and kissing his bearded jaw...
Encouraged by her response the following day he cupped her ass cheeks, pulled her tightly against him and kissed her lightly on the lips. Her response was immediate as she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss...
When Kirk didn't kiss her immediately before their workouts or upon walking to their cars afterwards, Iliana took the initiative, she didn't seem at all concerned about kissing him in public...
She also seemed unbothered when he stroked her inner thighs lightly and moved his hand upward to brush her warm, moist nether regions...
Only after he'd cupped her breasts (to which she only sighed) and draped his arm over her shoulder and continued cupping her breast as they walked toward the exit did she show any resistance. She shrugged her shoulder to remove his hand and signal some unease.
Then the next day she pulled away abruptly when he flicked his tongue against her lips intending to probe the depths of her mouth. "NO! she hissed NO PENETRATION!" She offered that she didn't want to be penetrated because she was committed to her relationship with her husband. "I hope I didn't offend you she said meekly. Although Kirk's mind was raging... WTF... he maintained a cool exterior and said "I see".
Yet, the following day she almost leapt into his arms and kissed him warmly. Then, to his surprise, she removed his right hand from her ass and guided it to her breast. His fingertips found her hard plump nipple and massaged it through her t-shirt and bra.
Kirk felt it was just a matter of time as she wriggled her loins against his but begged off due to needing to attend an early meeting.
Only minutes after she left she rushed back inside looking distraught. Fearing someone had assaulted her, Kirk bolted toward her. "Are you OK? Did someone do something to you?"
"No... no... nothing like that. I locked my keys in the car. My husband has already left and I don't know what to do. I need to get home to get the extra set of keys hidden outside the house."
He offered her a ride and she quickly accepted.
She started giving him turn by turn directions. The directions were familiar to him because he took that same route home.
"You'll have to let me out on the street because my gate opener is on the key ring in my car. I'll have to climb over the wall."
Knowing that there was only one gated community in the area he asked "Do you live in Palisades Estates?"
"Yes, are you familiar with it?"
"Yep! I live there too!" He pressed an overhead button in his Mercedes and opened the gate.
"In which house?" she asked as they passed his driveway.
"That one" he gestured.
"That's huge! I thought you said you were single."
"I am" he said. "Remember my kids spend their summer vacations at home and often have friends sleep over."