Chapter 10 #2
“Okay. Well, one of the activities we do is that in order to dance with someone, you have to buy a ticket. There is a raffle, and the winner gets the dance. My brother Ryker invited his now-fiancée to one of the galas, and he wanted to make sure he got all her dances. He asked me to rig the raffle, and I said no?—”
“Ouch, not even for your brother?”
“Wait, I’m not done.”
“I’m listening.”
“Anyway, so he decides to buy all the tickets for every dance, and he succeeds… except for one dance when another guy also bought a ticket. And what do you know, that other guy actually won. But I just didn’t have it in me to do that to Ryker, so I declared my brother as the winner.”
“I’m impressed.”
I laughed. “No one knows though.”
“And I won’t tell.”
“It’s my favorite memory from any event.”
“You’re full of surprises.” A beat later, he added, “So, tomorrow morning….”
“Haven’t decided yet if I’ll strike that deal.”
“I see. So you’re not sure if you want to help me develop a healthier lifestyle?”
“I like the angle you’re taking.”
“I know how to play my cards, Skye.”
I had no doubt about that. Just hearing my name from his mouth was doing inexplicable things to me.
“I need to hang up,” I said, checking the towel on my head. It was soaked. “Still need to dry my hair.”
“Good night, Skye.”
“Good night.”
I usually fell asleep the second I climbed into bed, but that evening, I tossed and turned for what felt like hours. I was happy being single… but then Rob’s face popped up in my mind.
I hid my face in the pillow, fiddling with my toes on the comforter. I was not going to think about Rob. That was a surefire way to stay up half the night… which was exactly what happened, of course.
The next morning, I woke up a bit later than usual, groggy as hell. Served me right for staying up so late.
I messaged Tess to let her know I’d be in around ten, then took my Pilates mat into the backyard. I instinctively glanced at Rob’s place. I couldn’t tell if he was still at home, because he always parked his car in the garage. He was usually gone at this time anyway.
I loved working out in nature in summer, feeling the warm sun on my skin, soaking up vitamin D. I was locked up so many hours a day inside the store that I would love nothing better than to spend all my free time outdoors.
I’d memorized the routine, and weirdly enough, watching the trainer explain the movements on the screen didn’t motivate me at all.
It just made me more aware of the burn in my muscles.
So I put in my AirPods, started my Netflix app, and watched one of my shows.
I was one of those who liked to rewatch old favorites ad nauseam, so even if I was in a position that didn’t allow me to see the screen, I still knew what was going on just by listening.
I called this multitasking. Exercising and watching TV.
It was the most relaxing time of the day.
Midway through my routine, a shadow appeared on the grass. I was on all fours… well, not exactly. One hand and leg were stretched out.
“Morning,” Rob said.
I lost my balance the next second, plunking my palm on the ground, then my toes. They made a cracking sound, and pain seared through me.
“Owwww,” I exclaimed, turning around. I sat on my ass, cradling my left foot. The toes seemed to have taken the brunt of the impact.
Rob lowered himself on his haunches until he was almost level with me.
“Skye! You okay?”
“I think so.” I still cradled my foot, feeling my toes with my fingers.
Rob put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. My toes are okay. Not broken or anything.” When I put my foot back on the ground though, I realized they were too sore for me to be able to walk normally. “I don’t think I can continue my workout.”
“Come on, I’ll help you get inside the house.”
I rose to my feet, awkwardly balancing my weight on one full sole and only using the heel of the other foot.
Rob put an arm around my waist, pulling me in to him.
Feeling his hard body against mine was overwhelming my senses.
His cologne was delicious. Had he changed it?
It was citrusy, with a light hint of mint.
Well, this was an interesting way to take my mind off the pain.
I hopped awkwardly on one and a half feet, grateful for his support. Inside the house, I sat on the couch, resting my bad foot on the ottoman, flexing my toes.
“It’s getting better,” I said.
“Want to ice them?”
“No, I think they’ll be back to normal in a few minutes.”
He sat on the ottoman, close to me. I sucked in a breath when he placed his hand on my foot. I was wearing socks, but even through the thick cotton, his touch impacted me. A sigh escaped me. God, I hoped it sounded like a whimper of pain. I barely kept my composure. This man’s touch was pure fire.
He moved his fingers from my foot up my ankle, skimming them almost up to my knee. When he looked up, he was smirking. Damn, I hadn’t fooled him.
“I made an impression, didn’t I?”
“What do you mean?”
That smirk turned into a grin.
“You scared me,” I answered without giving him a chance to elaborate.
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
“That’s what it was,” I insisted.
It wasn’t, of course. I knew it. He knew it.
“Why were you still home?” I asked, hoping that would distract him. “Didn’t you say you always leave early?”
“Worked from home this morning, then saw you out there. I couldn’t just ignore what was right in front of me.”
Ah, I loved it when he threw my own words back at me. I couldn’t challenge that, could I?
I blushed, moving my foot just a little out of his reach. If he didn’t stop touching me, something was going to give—more specifically… me.
“Were you productive?”
“Not really. I was looking for a present for Lindsay.”
“Did you find anything?”
He frowned. “No.”
“Why don’t you ask your sister?”
“She said to just surprise her. Any ideas?”
Aww, it was downright adorable how concerned he was about a present!
“There are kids’ sections in a few department stores. I’m sure the salesperson can advise you. Soho also has some cute shops with handmade presents, but you have to know where to look for them. She might like that—having a one-of-a-kind item. I can go with you, if you want.”
His mouth opened slightly as his eyes searched me. I’d caught him off guard.
“Sure. When do you want to go?”
“It’ll be a late start for me at the store today, so I’ll be the one closing. Can we go tomorrow?”
“Okay. I’ll be going, then. How do you want me to make it up to you?”
“Huh?”
“The way I see it, this is my fault.” He pointed to my foot. “You said I scared you. Unless you want to take that back.”
“No, it’s true,” I teased.
“So I have to make it up to you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I insist. Any preferences?”
I laughed nervously. This felt a little surreal. Rob Dumont was definitely unlike anyone I’d met.
“I don’t know.”
He winked. “Even better. It’ll be my choice.”
Something told me that was a dangerous thing to do, but honestly, I couldn’t even think of one thing.
“Have a great day, Rob.”
Nodding, he walked backward to the door. That intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. And I’d just agreed to spend tomorrow afternoon with him.