Darius POV
A Rihanna EDM mixtape is playing loudly in the gym background. Sweaty bodies are everywhere in various stages of circuits and training but only one person catches Darius eye. He sees his opportunity when the object of his lust for the past few weeks starts using his usual bench for bicep curls . He walks over and taps his shoulder.
"You done with that bench? I'll spot you but only if you promise to return the favour later." Darius says with a bright white pearly smile contrasting with his stark dark skin. Elijah looks up with his light hazel eyes ,a little flustered from his reps "Umm sure" he says nervously bumping Darius as he gets up from the bench . He stretches his arm out to pick Darius up mentioning his clumsiness as he helps lift him off the floor .
Darius rises to his full height, eyes locked on Elijah as he moves in closer, his thumb tracing the line of Elijah's jaw. "You saying that to me or yourself, baby?" Darius lowers his voice, letting the rumble of it settle between them. Elijah moves back nervously.
Darius drop his hands and steps back immediately, expression shifting from flirtatious to serious but not aggressive. He holds up both palms in a calming gesture ."Hey, easy. No one's trying to make you uncomfortable, alright? You’re right, my mistake for misreading the situation." He takes another step back to give Elijah space, tone respectful and even.
Elijah sighs deeply "Let us re-do that" He stretches out his hand "I just moved here from Massachusetts I am doing my masters in business and fashion at the Morehouse school of business and fashion , you are ?"
Darius relaxes his stance and takes Elijah's hand not flirty this time, just a firm, warm handshake . "Darius. Good to properly meet you, Elijah" He offers an easy, genuine smile, leaning against the weight rack ."Business and fashion, huh? That’s sharp. I run a fitness coaching business myself. Maybe I could use some branding advice once we’re both comfortable. You training here regularly?"
Elijah smiles "Umm yea I think the gym is a great place to make friends because I know no one here except my cousin and he is a busy body always working on the ranch taking good care of his dairy cows which he considers his own children" Elijah covers his mouth with his hand "Sorry if I sound like a blabber mouth I tend to over share when I am nervous."
Darius chuckles warmly, crossing his arms but keeping it relaxed. "No, it’s cool. I like knowing who I’m talking to and your cousin’s out there running a ranch? That’s some real discipline. Respect. As for friends at the gym , yeah, you’ll find your crowd here. A lot of good people, once you get past the meatheads trying to flirt." Darius flashes a self-aware grin. "Including me, sometimes."
Elijah rolls his eyes and smiles "Will you get over yourself . Are you going to keep getting lost in my hazel eyes or is your black ass going to actually work out?"
Darius shrugs , grabbing his water bottle. "Don’t act like you ain’t going enjoying the view too. Friends can still appreciate a good set. Your call, Elijah . Want to spot me for real this time? Or am I still wasting my time?"
"You know what farm boy , I don't have time for this ." Elijah picks up his bottle and heads towards the locker room shouting over his shoulder "Find someone else to annoy"
Elijah finishes up in the shower and heads to the locker room to get dressed finding Darius sitting on the bench near his locker . "Are you stalking me? Oh wait, let me guess your session just so happened to end when I got naked huh. " Elijah rolls his eyes as he starts towelling off . "How original."
Darius leans against the lockers across from Elijah , towel slung over his shoulder, making no effort to hide his lingering gaze as Elijah towels off. "Just good timing, Elijah . You think I’d need to stalk you to catch a show?"
Elijah fully drops his towel showing Darius his well-toned and naked body from head to toe. "There, you have officially seen it all ." Elijah lifts his arms up in full display "Stop drooling it is really not a good look farm boy." He winks as he gets dressed and leaves a dumbfounded and shocked Darius in the gym locker room.
To be continued...
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