An almost-empty gym.

The sounds of strikes landing against a punching bag echoed loudly in the large room. My brother owns a local boxing gym, and I had given Ashley my spare key in preparation for tonight’s activities. We were far past closing time, and I happened to know my brother was out of town, which meant Ashley and I had the place to ourselves tonight. I stopped near the front office to take off my jacket and strap on a pair of gloves before entering the main room and making my presence known.

“Ashley! Here a bit late tonight, are we?” I called out, approaching the spot where she was wailing away. Ashley was barely dressed, clad only in a grey sports bra with matching bike shorts and a pair of boxing shoes. Her eight-ounce gloves were pink and white, and she had already worked up a sweat, her skin glistening prettily. “What, Ash, are you surprised to see me? You shouldn’t be. After all, I’m…”