headlights. What an embarrassing noob mistake. Like the overly hormonal idiot he was, he’d been so busy trying to impress a pretty girl with his epic awesomeness that he’d blown his frigging cover right out of the water. “Why does anyone hire a personal trainer?”
“That’s why I asked about possible physical disabilities. I deal with many athletes recovering from injuries, as well as regular people trying to get through medical setbacks. But you... You’re in tip-top shape. The best I’ve seen.”
“I hope you’re not complaining.”
“What I’m doing is trying to figure out what sort of game you’re playing. You need a trainer like King Kong needs one. So what are you doing here?”
“I guess you could say you’re the big attraction.” Lifting the water bottle to his lips to drain it dry, Nate watched her out of the corner of his eye to gauge her reaction. “The fact is, I’m here because of you, Ella.”
Chapter Three
The words rang in her ears while Ella stood statue-still, and the sharp rush of adrenaline made her fingers tingle. The pounding of her blood sent danger signals to every fight-or-flight instinct she had, but she controlled it by locking her knees in place. Then she arranged her face into placid lines while ignoring the gut-twisting, knee-jerk reaction to hide. Better to meet danger head-on, than turn your back on it. Turning away made you easy prey.
“You’re here because of me.” With great deliberation, she rested her weight on the balls of her feet while her arms were kept loose at her sides and ready to lash out at a moment’s notice. “Would you care to elaborate?”
“Don’t tell me this has never happened to you before.”
Wouldn’t he be surprised. “Why don’t you tell me what’s happening?”
Those breathtaking shoulders shifted. “You’re right. I’m in great shape. I work hard to keep it that way and I’ve never really had the need for a trainer. In fact, the thought never crossed my mind until I bumped into you last evening.”
“Somehow I doubt the sight of me inspired you to try and reach new heights.”
“Well, you are pretty inspiring.” His crooked smile was a masterpiece in roguish charm. She didn’t trust it for a minute. “I took one look into those gorgeous baby brown eyes of yours and decided then and there that spending time with you was a definite must. And I can’t be the only guy who’s had that thought.”
Like that, Ella’s suspicious train of thought derailed. “Wait. What?”
“You seem surprised.”
“I’m...” Flabbergasted wasn’t too strong a word. The last thing she’d expected was to be hit on. “You let me torture you because you’re interested in me? I honestly don’t know whether to be flattered or alarmed.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I really am interested in building up my endurance. After meeting you, I thought it made sense to kill two birds with one stone.”
“So you are training to run a marathon?”
“I’m always training,” he said without answering. “As you’ve already noticed, I’m serious about keeping in shape.”
“For what purpose?”
“Why do you do it?” he countered.
To admit she was preparing to survive the next time her life hung in the balance was probably a little on the dramatic side. “I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“I’m a guy who loves to work out, and who has a weakness for dark-eyed women who could probably kick my ass in every possible way.” Again that crooked smile flashed, and she couldn’t deny that sizzle seemed genuine enough. Nobody could fake that much pure confidence. “I don’t see why we can’t continue on, especially when you’ve given me the best workout I’ve ever had. Since I’m in Chicago for the foreseeable future, why don’t we take it one day at a time and see what develops?”
“What develops,” she repeated, tasting the words and wondering why the hell she wasn’t showing him the door. “Just what is it you’re hoping will develop?”
“For the time being, greater stamina thanks to all the physical stress you can throw at me. What’s more, I’m happy to pay you to do it. Anything that happens beyond that is up to you.”
“Nothing will happen,” Ella said, her voice flat. On this, she needed to be very clear. “Not with me. Not ever. I’m...” Damaged beyond repair. “Not available.”
A thundercloud moved across his face, extinguishing that wicked light. “I see. You married?”
“No.”
“Prefer women?”
She snorted. “Unfortunately, no.”
“Why unfortunately?”
“They’re easier to understand. Or, if it comes to that, defeat in hand-to-hand combat.”
He started to chuckle, then paused when he