Page 16 of My Trainer Neighbor
"It was more than nice."He leaned forward, his eyes intense."You made these little sounds, like you couldn't believe something could feel that good.Like no one had ever taken care of you before."
How he was looking at me, like he could see right through all my defenses, made me squirm in my chair.
"I take care of myself."
"Working eighteen-hour days and living on protein bars isn't taking care of yourself.It's surviving."He reached across the table and covered my hand with his."What scares you so much, Nicole?"
His touch sent electricity up my arm."I'm not scared of anything."
"Then why do you work so hard to keep everyone at arm's length?Why do you act like needing anything from anyone is a sign of weakness?"
Because it was.Because the last time I'd needed someone, he'd left me for someone more fun, more spontaneous, more worthy of love.
"I don't need anyone," I said, but my voice came out weaker than I intended.
"Everyone needs someone."His thumb brushed across my knuckles."Even you."
The gentle touch combined with his words was doing dangerous things to my composure.I pulled my hand away and stood up.
"I should go.Thank you for dinner."
"Nicole, wait."He was on his feet too, moving around the table toward me."Don't run away."
"I'm not running away.I'm going home."
"Because I'm making you uncomfortable."
"Because this is getting complicated."I backed toward the door."We're neighbors.You're training me.This can't be anything more than that."
"Can't it?"He stopped in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.Close enough that I had to tilt my head back to look at him."Or are you just scared it might be?"
"I'm not scared."
"Prove it."
The challenge hung between us, loaded with possibility.I should have walked away.Should have gone to my apartment and put up all my walls and pretended this conversation never happened.
Instead, I stepped closer.
"Prove it how?"
His hands came up to frame my face, his thumbs brushing across my cheekbones."Let me make you feel something."
My breath caught."Shawn..."
"Just this once.Let someone take care of you."
The want in his voice was unmistakable, and it called to something deep inside me that I'd been trying to ignore.When was the last time someone had wanted to take care of me?When was the last time someone had looked at me like I was worth cherishing instead of just useful?
"I don't know how," I admitted.
"I'll show you."
He leaned down, and I thought he was going to kiss me.Instead, his lips brushed against my ear.
"Trust me?"
The question was barely audible, but it felt like a roar.Trust him with what?My body?My heart?
