She liked him, she thought, admitting the truth to herself. She liked him. She wanted to spend more time with him even if they did nothing more than sit across from each other and stare into each other’s eyes. She felt herself wanting to act silly and giggle and call all her friends and talk about him. It was embarrassing and more than a little scary. She was smarter than that—plus, he was just a guy.
Only he felt like more than that, she admitted. He was—
What’s the class? Ladies only or can I tag along?
She sat up, trying not to grin too broadly. Guys are welcome, but it’s a pretty killer workout. Aware she’d just issued a challenge, she smiled and pushed the send button.
His reply came back immediately. I’m in.
Great. I’ll pick you up at quarter to nine. Hydrate and don’t eat a big breakfast.
Now I’m intrigued.
Later you’ll be whimpering.
Is that a challenge?
It’s more of a promise.
Right on time she pulled up in front of the hotel. Joaquin was waiting in front. She tried to keep her heart from doing its stupid fluttery thing, but didn’t seem to have as much control as she would have liked.
She told herself there was no earthly reason to react that way. It certainly wasn’t the wardrobe. Joaquin had on workout pants and an oversize T-shirt. Nothing overtly sexy. Yet on him, it all looked good.
“You’re driving,” he said by way of greeting. “I thought we walked everywhere in town.”
“Usually, but CDS is a little far and there’s no way we’ll be able to walk all the way back to the hotel when we’re done.” She patted her steering wheel. “If this was a manual transmission, I’d have to wait for my legs to stop shaking so I could use the clutch and drive home.”
He grinned. “You’re deliberately trying to scare me.”
“I’m warning you—there’s a difference.” She turned onto the street. “But go ahead and be all smug and confident. Later, when you’re whimpering, I’ll resist the need to say I told you so.”
“I don’t whimper.”
She smiled at him. “We’ll see.”
She drove the short distance to CDS, then parked. “So this is what we locals call the bodyguard school. The owners are all former military special forces. They provide specialty training for professional bodyguards. They also offer outdoor activities for corporate retreats. For the locals they have martial arts classes and pretty intense exercise classes. If CrossFit and your worst workout nightmare had a baby, it would be this class.”
“If you say so.”
Joaquin got out of the car and stretched. Abby did her best not to stare at him, instead telling herself it would be interesting to see what he was like after the workout. Total humiliation had a way of bringing out a man’s character.
They walked inside. Consuelo, their petite, fit instructor, walked over to Abby.
“Who’s the guy?”
“Joaquin, this is Consuelo. She’s married to my uncle Kent. Consuelo, this is Joaquin. Melissa’s fiancé’s brother.”
Consuelo held out her hand. “Every time I think I’ve figured out everyone in the family, they bring in someone new. Nice to meet you.”
Joaquin nodded.
Consuelo raised her eyebrows. “Do we like him or should I grind him into dust?”
Joaquin looked startled at the question. Abby considered her answer. “After the wedding, he’s going to be one of us, so no scars, but he was kind of dismissive when I warned him about the class.”
Consuelo’s eyes narrowed. “Got it.”
“Why did you say that?” Joaquin asked as Consuelo headed toward the mats.
“Because it’s true. You implied you’d be fine.” She batted her eyes at him. “Let’s find out if you were lying.”
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
“Yes, you are.”
There were about ten students, ranging in age and fitness level. Abby had started taking the classes when she’d moved back after college. Her goal was to get to the point where she could do everything asked of her without fainting or throwing up. As it was, she was a forty-percenter. When Consuelo asked for ten, Abby gave her four. She was already better than the three she’d been able to do when she’d first started.
Consuelo blew on a whistle. “All right, people, listen up. We’re going to start slow before we get into it. Ten laps at moderate speed, ten burpees, then climb the ropes and ring the bell. When you’re finished, line up in front of me and we’ll start class.”
Joaquin’s eyes widened. “That’s the warm-up?”
Abby held in a smile. She pointed to the far wall. “Water’s on the table. The big yellow trash can is where you throw up. Don’t use one of the other trash cans. Consuelo doesn’t like that.”
“Good to know.”
Forty-five minutes later, Abby was dripping sweat and worried that she would never walk again. Her leg muscles were twitching and she was flat on her back on a mat. What was going to happen when she tried to stand up? On the bright side, Joaquin was just as wiped out. He’d started out enthusiastically, but Consuelo had worked him until he’d collapsed. Abby had always had a soft spot for her aunt.
Now Consuelo passed out water bottles. She paused in front of Joaquin. “Not bad for a rookie. Give me a couple of months and I could really make something of you.” She handed him the water. “Running is all fine and good, but you should be working out with weights. Right now you’re strong because you’re young and male, but that goes away. If you don’t want to end up some shriveled old man, you need to have a plan. Find a trainer. Get a program going.”
Joaquin managed to nod his head and take the water bottle. “Thanks,” he gasped. “Good idea. How’d you know I was a runner?”
“The muscles in your legs. You have speed. Your form is crap, but you don’t run enough for it to be a big deal.” She handed Abby a bottle of water, then winked and walked away.
Joaquin looked after her. “Who is she?”
She knew he meant other than her aunt. “I’m not totally sure. She used to work for the government. She was like a spy or something. There are rumors she was an assassin. You know, getting close to a man, then killing him with a credit card. It’s all very hush-hush.”
He struggled to his feet, then held out his hand to pull Abby to hers.
“I was wrong,” he said. “Arrogant and painfully wrong.”
She smiled. “Actually, the pain is worse tomorrow. If you have a tub in your room, you’ll want to take a bath and soak in it before you go to bed. Otherwise, you won’t be able to move tomorrow.”
“Excellent advice. I’ll take it.”
They limped out of the building and made it to the car. Joaquin winced as he settled in the passenger seat. “She did most of the stuff with us and she didn’t even break a sweat. How is that possible?”
“I know, right? Come on. I know something that will make you feel better.”
Joaquin looked at her. Something flashed in his eyes—something that made her insides clench and her nerve endings quiver.
No, she told herself. She was misreading him. There was no way he was interested in her as more than a friend. She would be foolish to think otherwise. He was a successful doctor guy and she was just some small-town teacher. They barely knew each other. Just because she was having a case of OMG, you’re amazing didn’t mean he was.
“I’m open to suggestions,” he said.
She drove into town and parked in front of a newer business. He glanced at the sign.
“Juicy Joy?” he said, reading the sign. “You’re going to make me feel better with juice?”
“No, a smoothie. The combination of protein powder, antioxidants and sugar is the perfect way to replenish what was lost during the workout.”
“Great, because
I’m going to miss my pride if I don’t get it back.”
She was still laughing when they walked inside.
Once they had their drinks, they sat at one of the small tables on the sidewalk. Joaquin raised his smoothie.
“You were right. I’ll never doubt you again.”
“If only that were true.”
“You’re feeling smug.”
“A little, yes.”
They smiled at each other. She felt the connection clear down to her toes, but wasn’t sure what he was feeling, which made her feel awkward. What was it about this guy that got to her? Knowing there was no answer, she searched for a change in topic that would give her a second to regroup.
“You said your parents adopted you, then they had your brother. I’ve heard that happens to quite a few couples. Do you know the biological reason?”
“No. I’ve never studied the reproductive system in-depth. There was some kind of assumed physical problem, but maybe it was something else. That many years ago, IVF was still rare and far too expensive for them. They got me through a friend of a friend who knew a young woman who was pregnant.”
“Do you mind she gave you up?”
Joaquin looked surprised at the question. “No. I would have been too difficult for her. Not that I was a problem child, but my intelligence level made things challenging for two parents, let alone a single mom who was still a kid herself.”
A very accepting attitude. She wondered how long he’d taken to get there. Abby remembered her own shock when her father—serving several years in prison—had given his sister guardianship of his daughters. While legally it had made things easier for everyone, Abby and Melissa had both felt he’d abandoned them. He’d barely stayed in touch and then he’d died. The situation was difficult, but easier for her than most. She and Melissa had always known they had Liz and Ethan to be there for them, no matter what.
“I’m sure your mom would be proud to know how you turned out,” she said, looking at Joaquin. “Even if you aren’t very impressive in exercise class.”
He laughed. “Thank you for reminding me of that.”
“You’re welcome. I think you lying on the mats, gasping for air, is going to be one of my favorite memories of this summer.”
She thought he would tease her back or laugh again, but instead he did something extraordinary. He set his drink on the table, leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. Just like that.
The contact was brief and unexpected. There was a sense of warmth and light pressure and happy nerves dancing and then it was gone almost before she knew what was happening, which was so disappointing.
She stared at him. Their eyes locked for three or four heartbeats before she leaned in and kissed him back. She lingered just long enough to feel his lips against hers and confirm that there was definite sparkage.
“So, ah, just to confirm, there’s no one waiting for you in your regular life?” she asked quietly.
“Absolutely no one.”
She smiled. “Oh, good.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
CHAPTER FIVE
JOAQUIN FOUND IT oddly difficult to keep his mind on the task at hand. He was in Fool’s Gold to meet Simon Bradley and in less than an hour he would be joining Dr. Bradley and his wife for dinner. It was the opportunity he’d been waiting for—his purpose, at least in the moment. And yet he couldn’t seem to focus on how to best use the evening to his own benefit.
Instead he found himself thinking about Abby. The way she smiled, how she laughed, the feel of her mouth on his.
He’d kissed her. He hadn’t meant to. There’d been no plan, no reason to do it except he’d wanted to. And when she’d kissed him back, he’d felt...happy. Not a natural state for him.
Dealing with women outside of work was always complicated for him. He never knew what to say. He knew the mechanics of casual conversation but often found it difficult to put that knowledge into practice. He felt awkward and there was so much tedious work involved. Having an actual relationship had always seemed like far too much effort for not much gain. Yes, the sex was excellent—he liked sex—but getting there was disproportionately time-consuming.
Abby was different. With her, he felt comfortable. Conversation was easy. He liked that he could make her laugh. She was open and friendly and just plain nice. He enjoyed her worldview. Being around her made him feel good. Unexpectedly, the more he got to know her, the more he wanted to take care of her, protect her even.
The physical attraction was a real plus. But unlike with other women when he was simply going through the motions to get to his ultimate goal so he could be done with it and get on with his life, he wanted to take his time. He wanted to enjoy the process.
As he drove to her house to pick her up, he thought about the possibilities. If he got the fellowship, then he would stay in town. They could continue to see each other. He would like that very much.
He parked in front of her house and walked to the front door. Abby opened it before he could knock.
“I’m superexcited,” she told him. “You’re going to love Simon and Montana. My aunt is just the sweetest person and Simon is a lot like you, so you’ll have stuff in common. Plus, Henri’s is just so fancy. I love going there. It’s our special occasion place. They have the best food and the service always makes me feel special.” She tilted her head. “What?”
He knew he was staring. He couldn’t help it.
Abby had put on a dark green dress that brought out the color of her eyes. It was sleeveless with a scoop neck that hinted at her cleavage. She wore dangly earrings that sparkled and had put on makeup to enhance her features. Casual wanting grew into something nearly unmanageable—a state that should have annoyed him but instead made him feel incredibly normal.
“You’re beautiful,” he told her.
“Oh.” She smiled. “Thank you. You look very nice yourself. It’s the suit. Guys look great in suits.”
He led the way to his car and opened the passenger door. Once she was settled, he went around to his own side. In the confines of the vehicle, he could smell something sweet and floral.
Without much of a plan, he angled toward her and lightly kissed her. “I am very much looking forward to our dinner.”
“Me, too. And not just for the Henri’s part.”
They smiled at each other. He started the engine and followed her directions out of town and up the mountain.
“We’re going to the Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort,” she told him. “Which is a mouthful of a name. Can you imagine having to answer the phone with that fifty times a day? There’s skiing in the winter and hiking and stuff in the summer. Oh, the wedding’s going to be there. It’s a beautiful setting.”
She talked all the way to the lodge, something Joaquin was grateful for, what with a sudden attack of nerves. This evening was important to him. Getting Dr. Bradley to recognize his talent and ability meant the possibility of getting in the program. He had to stay focused.
Surprisingly, he was grateful Abby was with him. She would be a calming presence, and he knew that if conversation slowed, she would step in to keep things moving. She was just that kind of person.
He handed his keys over to the valet, then offered his arm to Abby. They walked into the quietly elegant restaurant. She gave her uncle’s name and they were shown back to a table.
Joaquin had done his research on Simon Bradley—he’d even seen pictures of the man—but nothing had prepared him for Simon’s appearance. The starkness of his scars was startling. Even after all these years, they were almost raw in the sharp edges.
Abby saved him from staring by stepping forward to hug her aunt and uncle, then turning to introduce him. Joaquin managed to say all the right things as he shook hands before they were all seated.
“Simon, Joaquin is a very gifted surgeon, so you have that in commo
n,” Abby said.
Joaquin smiled at her. “You’re overselling me.”
“Hardly.” She smiled at her uncle. “He’s supersmart, too. Please don’t start talking in Latin. Montana and I will feel left out.” She turned to her aunt. “Unless you’ve been taking lessons I don’t know about.”
Montana laughed. “No. Sadly I’ve neglected my Latin lessons. I should make more time.”
Simon took his wife’s hand in his. “Not to worry. There will be no work talk tonight. I promise.”
Joaquin’s good mood evaporated. He’d been hoping for a little shop talk to smooth the way. If they didn’t discuss medicine, then how was he to mention the fellowship?
Simon’s gaze settled on him. “But I would like to get to know you better, Joaquin. Perhaps we can set up a time for you to stop by my office.”
“I would enjoy that, sir.”
“Excellent.” He pulled out his phone. “Let’s get it on the calendar right now. Then we can enjoy our dinner with these beautiful women.”
Joaquin entered Simon’s suggested date and time into his calendar and promised he would be on time. He saw Abby looking at him with a combination of happiness and pride. He put away his phone, then slipped his hand under the table and found hers and squeezed. She squeezed back before returning her attention to Simon and Montana.
Things were working out, he told himself. When he met with Simon he would be direct about his interest in the fellowship. With his qualifications there was no reason he shouldn’t be a part of the program. He would continue his training and have the added advantage of being close to Abby. As per usual, things were going exactly how he wanted them to.
* * *
THE DINNER PROGRESSED even better than Abby had hoped. She’d noticed that sometimes Joaquin seemed quiet around other people, but he seemed very comfortable with Montana and Simon. Knowing he was okay allowed her to enjoy the evening—her aunt and uncle were always fun.
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