inches. He tensed, not ready to let go. Her feminine scent wafted around him, making him almost forget he was hurting. Almost.
“You can’t muscle into a stretch. Your body will only resist and make the work all the harder.”
“Muscling is my specialty.”
“Let go,” she coaxed.
With an effort he did.
“Now try the stretch again,” she said.
This time when he did, he found he could go deeper.
“See?” Kristen said.
He always gave credit where credit was due. “Okay, got it.”
“There are hundreds of other stretches I could show you but I suspect you won’t sit still for them.”
He liked hearing her soft voice and having her close. He was half tempted to let her show him those hundreds of poses. But there was work to be done. “I can sit still for a couple more.”
Surprised, she nodded. Sitting beside him, she demonstrated a pose she called the Pigeon pose. He felt goofy as hell, but to his amazement when he moved into the position the pounding in the back of his leg eased immediately. “You are a miracle worker. You must have been a healer in another life.”
“The body doesn’t need much if you are willing to listen. Or so Sheridan says.”
Light came in through the window at the back of the room, casting a warm glow on her pale skin. He tried to remember how soft her skin felt when he’d touched her yesterday. She was only inches from him and he could easily reach over and touch her. He wondered if she’d kiss him again if he did.
Last night, he’d dreamed of her. Of taking her on this very floor, peeling off her gray pants and kissing her soft skin. She’d been willing and wanted, and had accepted, all of him as he’d pushed into her. She’d called out his name and dug her fingers into his back.
Sensing his thoughts, her gaze shifted, color rose in her cheeks. She rose and straightened. “We’ve got a full day’s work ahead of us.”
He cleared his throat. “Right.”
Yesterday, she’d been ready to bed him; today the reserve was fully in place like a shield.
It was better that way.
Kristen had every right not to trust him.
Chapter 12
Saturday, May 19, 8:02 a.m.
K risten stood in front of the entryway mirror and glanced at her reflection, especially her dark roots. She shoved a shaky hand through her hair.
It was growing.
The emerging black strands were becoming more evident and hinted at a past she couldn’t escape. In this moment, she looked so much like Elena.
Elena.
The hair would have to be cut soon and the roots dyed. No traces of Elena could emerge. Elena had to stay buried in the past. However, with her money gone, she’d have to wait until Dane paid her tonight. Then she could slip off to the drugstore and buy the products she needed.
There was still no sign of Crystal. She’d searched again last night for the girl after the work-day ended, but nothing.
Kristen heard Dane’s truck pull up. She moved to the front door and peeked through the blinds. Dane slid out of the driver’s side seat and walked around to the back. He pulled out long planks of wood. The muscles in his arms bunched under his T-shirt. She touched her lips, remembering their kiss in the kitchen.
Lord help her, but she still wanted to touch him.
Shaking off the thought she unlatched the locks on the front door and opened it. “Good morning,” she said.
He flashed a quick grin that made her a little giddy. “Good morning.”
“Let me help you with that.”
“I’ve got this one but there are others in the truck. How are your ribs?”
“Only a little sore today.” She hurried down the stairs, pulled a board from the truck and headed back. She met him halfway on the sidewalk. “This wood is lovely. What is it for?”
“Benches. Sheridan called me last night. She wants benches and shelves built into the wall. I’ll install them before I paint.”
Kristen hesitated. “You talked to Sheridan?”
“She said to let you know she’ll be back in two days. She’s also
“You can’t muscle into a stretch. Your body will only resist and make the work all the harder.”
“Muscling is my specialty.”
“Let go,” she coaxed.
With an effort he did.
“Now try the stretch again,” she said.
This time when he did, he found he could go deeper.
“See?” Kristen said.
He always gave credit where credit was due. “Okay, got it.”
“There are hundreds of other stretches I could show you but I suspect you won’t sit still for them.”
He liked hearing her soft voice and having her close. He was half tempted to let her show him those hundreds of poses. But there was work to be done. “I can sit still for a couple more.”
Surprised, she nodded. Sitting beside him, she demonstrated a pose she called the Pigeon pose. He felt goofy as hell, but to his amazement when he moved into the position the pounding in the back of his leg eased immediately. “You are a miracle worker. You must have been a healer in another life.”
“The body doesn’t need much if you are willing to listen. Or so Sheridan says.”
Light came in through the window at the back of the room, casting a warm glow on her pale skin. He tried to remember how soft her skin felt when he’d touched her yesterday. She was only inches from him and he could easily reach over and touch her. He wondered if she’d kiss him again if he did.
Last night, he’d dreamed of her. Of taking her on this very floor, peeling off her gray pants and kissing her soft skin. She’d been willing and wanted, and had accepted, all of him as he’d pushed into her. She’d called out his name and dug her fingers into his back.
Sensing his thoughts, her gaze shifted, color rose in her cheeks. She rose and straightened. “We’ve got a full day’s work ahead of us.”
He cleared his throat. “Right.”
Yesterday, she’d been ready to bed him; today the reserve was fully in place like a shield.
It was better that way.
Kristen had every right not to trust him.
Chapter 12
Saturday, May 19, 8:02 a.m.
K risten stood in front of the entryway mirror and glanced at her reflection, especially her dark roots. She shoved a shaky hand through her hair.
It was growing.
The emerging black strands were becoming more evident and hinted at a past she couldn’t escape. In this moment, she looked so much like Elena.
Elena.
The hair would have to be cut soon and the roots dyed. No traces of Elena could emerge. Elena had to stay buried in the past. However, with her money gone, she’d have to wait until Dane paid her tonight. Then she could slip off to the drugstore and buy the products she needed.
There was still no sign of Crystal. She’d searched again last night for the girl after the work-day ended, but nothing.
Kristen heard Dane’s truck pull up. She moved to the front door and peeked through the blinds. Dane slid out of the driver’s side seat and walked around to the back. He pulled out long planks of wood. The muscles in his arms bunched under his T-shirt. She touched her lips, remembering their kiss in the kitchen.
Lord help her, but she still wanted to touch him.
Shaking off the thought she unlatched the locks on the front door and opened it. “Good morning,” she said.
He flashed a quick grin that made her a little giddy. “Good morning.”
“Let me help you with that.”
“I’ve got this one but there are others in the truck. How are your ribs?”
“Only a little sore today.” She hurried down the stairs, pulled a board from the truck and headed back. She met him halfway on the sidewalk. “This wood is lovely. What is it for?”
“Benches. Sheridan called me last night. She wants benches and shelves built into the wall. I’ll install them before I paint.”
Kristen hesitated. “You talked to Sheridan?”
“She said to let you know she’ll be back in two days. She’s also
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