Kiss and Don't Tell(43)

I chuckle. “I can totally picture that.”

He doesn’t let go of my hand, but instead pulls me a little closer. “Are you enjoying this?”

“I am, actually, but I also have a good weightlifting partner. Not sure it would be the same with anyone else.”

“Better not be.” He releases my hand and then goes over to his rack. He adds more weight and balances the bar on his shoulders.

“So where are we at with the splits?”

“It’s all on you. I get three questions and I’m going to need three solid answers in order for me to perform some acrobatics for you.”

“How do I know it’s worth it?”

He glances over at me. “Trust me, it’s worth it.”

I smirk and nibble on the corner of my mouth. “Hmm, I’m going to have to think on it.”

“Think all you want. I’ve got time. I’ll just keep getting to know you in a roundabout way.” He sets the bar on the rack and turns toward me. He rubs his hands together and asks, “What’s on your list of things to do today? Hide away in your bedroom some more?”

“No. I was thinking about asking one of you guys to take me into town.”

“You plan on asking one of the guys?” He walks toward me and reaches around me for a weight, his chest brushing against my shoulder. “Not me?”

“Well, I’ve taken up a lot of your time already. Wasn’t sure if Eli would be willing. I know Silas is out of the question. Levi was my second option. I just need transportation into town.”

He places the weight on the bar and then faces me, his body so close I can feel the heat coming off him. “I’ll take you.”

“You don’t have to, Pacey.”

His finger falls under my chin and pushes my gaze up to his. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

My stomach twists with a flurry of butterflies, not just from his declaration but from the way he insists on intimately touching me. His handholding, his grip on my waist as I squat, the way he tilts up my chin . . . or pins me against my bedroom wall. With no hesitation.

He taps the bar. “Let’s go, Winnie.”

“That’s that?” I ask. “No conversation about it? You’re just going to take me?”

“Yup.”

Holding back my smile, I go under the bar and lift it up, feeling the weight difference he added.

“This weight okay?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

He gets in right behind me, and right before I squat, I look in the mirror, catching the sight of both of us, him almost a foot taller than me. I have no idea why this man feels as though he needs to be here for me, help me out, get to know me, but I’ve a feeling I’m not going to be able to shake him, not that I really want to. I enjoy his company—hell, I more than enjoy it, I woke up this morning craving it.

His hands slide to my waist carefully, his palms connecting with my exposed skin. “Ready?”

I nod. And I begin squatting, him right there with me. In rhythm we sink down together and then back up.

“Give me eight,” he says into my ear, sending a bout of chills down my spine. “That’s it, Winnie, great job.”

I finish up the last rep and he helps me rack the weight. I turn toward him and lean against the bar with both arms crossed over it. “I think if I do more, I’m going to rupture a muscle from overuse.”

He places one hand on the bar, and then with the other pushes some stray hair behind my ear. “You did good.”

“Thank you,” I say shyly.

“I’m going to finish up here. You can stay if you want, keep me company.” He leans in closer. “I’m playing your favorite music, after all; not sure it would make sense if it was just me in here.”

“I planned on staying.”

“Good.”

As I slip under the bar and pass by him, his hand snags my waist and he stops me. I look over my shoulder at him and he doesn’t say anything; instead, he just smiles and, yup . . . my entire body heats up from that one look. Max will love this story.

I have no idea what’s happening between us, but whatever it is, I really like it. I also think it’s probably time I start opening up a little more. Today might be a good time for that. Even though Katherine won’t approve one bit. Luckily she’s not here.





Chapter Eleven





PACEY





I can’t seem to keep my hands off her. No matter what I try, I’m drawn to her. My hands need to stroke her. I need that connection.

And while we were in the gym, there was a hell of a lot more I wanted to do with her, and it didn’t involve lifting weights. I wanted to lie down across the bench and pin her there while I found out what her lips tasted like. Push her up against the mirror and watch her face as I slowly peeled down her bike shorts to expose that beautiful ass of hers. I wanted to make her know what it feels like to be with a real man. A man who would take care of her.

My will is slipping with her. I can feel it, especially the frustration I felt when she suggested asking one of the other guys to take her into town.

Fuck that.

I would’ve been pissed.

She thinks she’s taking up too much of my time, when really, I want more of hers. And I want to be the one who shows her the town of Banff. I want to see her face light up when she takes in the picturesque views. Not Eli . . . because I know that’s who would probably take her if she asked.