Cardio Session

by Xavier Edwards

Still fairly new to the city, Cathy is still finding her feet. Work is getting in the way of her having a social life, but she is managing to keep reality in check with her late night gym sessions.She isn’t completely alone in her late night workouts, and the eye candy is very much welcome. One of these days she’s going to do something about it, but the lack of a regular social life competing with not being sure of how her ogling is being received is holding her back.

Genres: Erotica, Short Stories

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 23, 2013

About the author

Xavier Edwards (it might be his real name, no one is really sure) has spent his life surrounded by women, and writing. Growing up in rural Australia before the age of the Internet and cable television, there was no better refuge than in books. Any and all genres were absorbed as he and his three sisters grew up far from the hectic pace of the big smoke. The wide expanse of open country and natural beauty have carried across to his writing, forming evocative backdrops to the sensual dance taking place in his stories.

After leaving school, Xavier joined the military and has served with honour in the Air Force, from leading brave men and women into combat to searching for, and finding, people lost at sea. Joining him on this journey has been his wife, three daughters, and two cats.

Behind it all, Xavier continued to write. Freelance journalism proved lucrative and gave him his first taste of a readership that found his writing engaging and evocative. The imagery that continued to dance through his mind, would not suit this audience and when he did write it down and gave it to a small, trusted circle of readers, it had amazing results. Quite by accident, he had discovered a knack for Erotica.

Reviews

[Beverly Diehl · Rating 1 out of 5]

These days, many writers can publish a book or short story with a click of a button. However, just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

This story/chapter, whatever it is, is not ready for primetime. It starts slow with a lot of backstory. We have a superfit young couple alone together in the gym, because this is a SPECIAL gym and members can swipe their cards and go in 24/7, even when no staff is in attendance. I found this premise alone unbelievable - what about liability? What if someone had a stroke or heart attack while lifting weights? I could *possibly* see this kind of access in a hotel or condo gym, but not a commercial one.

Secondly, despite having dated in the recent past and not taking it further, this couple is now going to get it on IN the gym where anyone else with a member card could walk in on them?

It's told entirely from Cassie's POV - in theory, but it drifts into Scott's POV here and there. The story flow, doesn't. There are clunky sentences and details that distract and kill any mood. Cassie is obsessed with her jewelry and keeps mentioning her earrings. Unless the guy swallows one, I don't CARE about her earrings or necklaces.

Cassie thinks a potential rapist is walking in on her in the dressing room - oh, okay, it's Scott, all better, let's get it on. There's mention of her underwear riding up and displaying a camel toe, AND that her vaginal moisture is making a big wet spot. Ewww. She's making out with Scott and he tells her she stinks. Ewww.

Even if this is/was true, a man who's not a total a-hole would simply find a reason to get her on the shower and soap her up, without making any comment about her body odor.

I did get this sample for free, so I can't say I overpaid, but as an erotic story, it was a total fail for me. Not hot.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

25 pages

The one thing I can be guaranteed when reading a story by Xavier is that it will be very well edited and I won't be distracted by grammar and spelling errors.

However the content of this story didn't work for me. I was unable to connect with the characters, they lacked any depth and I felt like I knew the gym more intimately :)
Ironically I found the story a little drawn out in places, if that is possible for a short story.

The sex scenes were okay, but pretty vanilla with very little foreplay, unless a kiss and a quick grope counts.

One thing that really bothers me in erotica, is when a couple who have just hooked up decide to totally trust each other that they are clean. How does that work? They know nothing about each others history OR if they are 'trustworthy'! In my humble opinion, if you are not going to use condoms don’t bring up the topic at all.

In summary I would have liked to know more about the couple and less about the environment and sweaty bodies.

This author has great potential and I wish him well.

[Charity · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this is the first chapter in a book it makes sense but if this is the whole story then it doesn't really go anywhere. The interaction between the characters seems flat and formal. The sex is more vanilla than I expected and the lack of condom use is irritating because they are strangers. If you want to write a fantasy without condoms that is fine, but don't bring it up and then have the characters, who are strangers to each other, not to use them.

[Ness · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kobo - 2 stars. Short story.

I didn't feel like starting a full length novel, so I read this short one. I liked the premise, a shy girl and guy who befriend each other in the local gym.

What I found strange, and other reviews had mentioned this too, we learn more about the set up of the gym than the people themselves lol. The fact that she is shy stands out, but she gains her confidence.

Things that irked me:
* He mentions she smells (from working out), she bristles at that. Major mood killer dude!
* No protection used
* Sitting on the ground in public showers, ewwww

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathy was away from home and on her own. With a new job and promising prospects for the future, life couldn’t be better. Let’s back up a bit. Taking that last statement literally would leave you misinformed and with a false impression. Life could be better because she is alone and sometimes lonely. Her job is both time consuming and demanding, leaving her little time to develop any social liaisons. As luck would have it, a gym was located a short distance from her house and served her physically, emotionally and sociologically. This was a co-op establishment, making the members also part owners affording them extra access and developing a pride of belonging to something worth supporting. Many of the members were married and well established in the social structure of the town. An occasional solo member, like Kathy appeared on the membership list. One of these was Scott. Like Kathy, Scott was young and single; making their connection more inevitable that coincidental. They had enjoyed a few coffee dates and felt surprisingly comfortable in each other’s company. On one particular night when Kathy was forced to work late, she arrived at the gym late. As member and therefore partial owner, she had a key and free access despite the late hour. Upon entering she discovers that the gym isn’t completely deserted as Scott was well into a long distance run on the treadmill. As could be imagined their relationship was soon to step up to the next level. Although the story is mundane and could happen anywhere at any time, it does display a natural flow and continuity that rings true. This isn’t a story for everyone but for those interested in passion, lust and the possibility of a budding love, I recommend this book highly.

[Veronica Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good example of romantic erotica. The characters need to be a little better developed and there was not enough imagery for me to consider it a piece that deserves 5 stairs.

Pros: There is some great sentence construction here. Some beautiful imagery, here and there that, if expanded upon, could make the entire piece come alive. Scott is... hot. Cathy is... hot. The sex they have together is sultry and arousal inducing. Yum.

I really like the way Cathy shapes as the story goes on, the more I get to know her, the better I like her. I can empathize with the character, though at first it is hard.

I look forward to seeing the author develop his craft and make this a titillating series.

Cons:
Overall lack of imagery. I want more! I know there are some good pieces of writing, but I feel like the author can do so much more with what he has.

Scott and Cathy were not introduced with enough imagery for me to be able to really get into their characters, at first. I found myself asking questions about who they were and why I cared at times. Scott could have been described better. I felt, intruded upon when he appeared in the locker room. I never expected him to be dark like that (if I had I probably would have been aroused).


Overall 3.5 stars, but I liked it enough to bump it up to 4.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay for me. The premise is a bit hokey with a hook up in a deserted gym, but the sex was decent. This is what people fantasize about when they want to get it on in a gym. I liked how Mr. Edwards showed the sex instead of just talked to us about it. Cassie seemed to be a pretty average female with the usual concerns. One odd note - what is up with camel toes? Why do people look for them? Why do people like or not like them? I've always wondered. For it to be mentioned, it made me chuckle a little.

The book is edited well and the grammar is fine. It didn't really arouse me or move me. I didn't feel connect with the characters and I don't think I'm supposed to. The focus is on the illicit sex. The sex was okay for me. The thrill of being caught in a public place is exciting for some. This comes across in the story. For me, it's a bit too tame. Others may enjoy it. Recommended for those who want a quick sexy time.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was short but it is just the first part to the novella, so its allowed to be short. It moved rather fast Cathy went to the gym ran into Scott, who she had knew from the gym and had a couple of dates with, and next thing they are getting it on in the locker room. I think there could have at least been a formal date in there so the readers could get a clear picture of who Scott is and what he is about. Other than the fact that Cathy thinks he is sexy you don't get a real idea of who Scott is. Also the jumping back and forth between perspectives got confusing at times. Overall it has potential to be a great novella.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book to give an honest review and I am very thankful. This was an enjoyable quick read. I enjoyed the erotic parts but would have liked more (i.e.oil as hinted in story) :). I liked how Cathy is portrayed as a strong women that just had to have Scott and was going to show him how much she wanted him. I like that Scott is a gentlemen - taking her out on two dates and then with her permission showing her in the shower how much he wanted her. But I would have liked to know a little more about him.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off you need to know this is just a first chapter. That being said. I would really give this a 3.5 stars. I could not get into it until the locker room action began. Even then I kept thinking our hero was going to reveal to our heroine that he was gay. By the mention of his dress after a shower & a possibility of coffee after workout. But, locker room action saved this by far. Storyline was an interesting one not read in a long while. Hope to read more. Did get to read for free on Amazon.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly likeable short although I did not really connect with either character in the story. They both seemed a little too good to be true.

Very descriptive and well edited although at some points I found the descriptions too specific.

Although this short didn't work that well for me I would definitely read more from this author.

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do you ever just feel really bad when you're given a free book to read, but then you just don't like it at all?? Yeah, the author sent me this book and it did nothing for me. The characters didn't mesh, the sex could have been scorching hot, but was just flat. I was really hoping I'd found a new author to love. :( Sorry.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way the characters speak to each other is very formal and doesn't make for smooth reading. The story doesn't really go anywhere. If this is the first chapter in a book it makes since but if this is the whole story it doesn't.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cathy goes to the gym where she runs into Scott and they meet after they finish exercising. The story was flat. It was more a chance encounter for the two. Cathy was more into the fantasy and Scott could have been any man. I did not feel any emotional connection between them.

[Marie33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book provided by the author.

A really well written short read with a fun plot

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another gym scenario for me which isn't really my forte, however I found the characters interactions and steamy sex right up my alley! Keep 'em coming Xavier.

[Velia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...this story was motivation to go to the gym. Very steamy with just a touch of humor. I'll definitely be reading more by the author.

[Rachel]

*downloaded free at ARE