Chapter Five
Erin
My gear’sset up in the living room—two sports balls, a few colourful bands, and fluffy towels. It may not sound like much, but that’s all I’ll need to get Cash’s muscles working. And from the looks of it, there’s plenty of those to work with. After his comments, I’ve decided to steer clear of the guest room and the fancy equipment before he gets the wrong idea.
I’m waiting on the soft leather sofa; my fingers tapping impatiently on my thigh.
Cash was supposed to join me forty-seven minutes ago. Either he’s taking really long in the bathroom or he’s decided to stand me up.
For the sake of our professional relationship, I hope it’s not the latter.
A grown-up can’t possibly be so defiant and rude.
Sighing, I get up and head for his bedroom, then press my ear against the closed door to listen.
No sounds.
Has he gone back to bed?
I crack the door open, almost expecting his full wrath combined with plenty of shouting to get out of his room. But he’s not here. The room looks tidy, the bed’s made—which is so unlike every man I’ve ever met. And in particular, one who can barely move.
So, where is he?
A guy limping on crutches can’t get very far.
I search each room, not skipping the bathroom, then head outside.
He’s on the porch, sprawled on a sun lounger. A hat is drawn on his face and casts a dark shadow on his midday stubble, and I can’t help but wonder whether he skipped shaving last night and this morning.
He’s changed out of his jeans into a pair of black shorts that are pulled a little lower than necessary. His abdomen is all rows of hard muscles and smooth, tanned skin. No sign of a shirt. For a guy who can’t lift weights in his current state, he’s in great shape.
Scratch that.
His muscles are in perfect shape. I appreciate that as a professional who’ll have to work with those muscles.
As a woman—
My mouth goes dry as I gaze past his broad chest to the happy trail leading to a perfect V. A hint of dark hair spreads down to the generous bulge in his shorts. Every single inch of his skin looks as though it’s been carved from perfection. I’m tempted to trail my finger down his hard abdomen to find out whether he’d shiver under the soft touch.
But I don’t.
Neither in my fantasies, nor in my dreams. And particularly not now, during working hours.
I’ll reserve this delicious image for much later, once I get the job done.
Which I intend to do…with or without his cooperation.
I inch closer, making sure to make myself heard. He doesn’t stir.
Is he really sleeping? Or plain ignoring me?
Frowning, I touch his shoulder, avoiding gawking at the rows of rippling muscles adorning his abdomen or the generous bulge that seems to fascinate me way more than it should.
With lightning speed, Cash’s hand goes around my wrist and I topple forward onto the lounger, right on top of him. His other hand circles around my back, pushing me gently into him.
His good leg lifts up to part mine. His sun-kissed skin is hot against mine. His face is inches away from me, his green eyes shimmering with lust. I open my mouth to protest, but he’s holding me so close he’s squeezing all the air out of me.
My brain screams at me to jump up, put some professional distance between us. But all I can do is stare into those hypnotic eyes, my anger growing at the irritating grin on his face.