Читать книгу The Mummy Makeover / Mummy for Hire - Cathy Gillen Thacker - Страница 12

Erica couldn’t stop thinking about Kieran’s mouth, no matter how hard she’d tried, and she’d tried all day long, failing regularly in her attempts.

“You’re last appointment canceled, honey.”

After dropping the robe onto the end of the massage table, Erica turned to face the sixtysomething salon owner standing at the treatment room door, her lips the color of hothouse tomatoes, her platinum-blond coif stiff as a springboard. “I’m sorry, Bette. What did you say?”

“Your four o’clock isn’t coming, so you can go home now.”

“Thanks.” As bad as she needed the money, Erica wasn’t all that disappointed over the no-show. Now she could take Stormy home early, go to the market and have ample time to prepare an early, healthy dinner. Afterward, they could watch a movie together. A nice, animated, G-rated movie with absolutely no kissing.

When the stylist continued to stare at her with blatant curiosity, Erica kept a tight rein on her patience for the sake of civility. “Did you need something else, Bette?”

“Just a quick question. Are you getting laid?”

The woman knew blunt like she knew big Texas hair, much to Erica’s chagrin. “No, I am not getting laid. And even if I was, I wouldn’t say a thing for fear the news would end up on every radio and TV station in Houston.”

Undeterred, Bette strolled in and parked herself on the wingback chair across the room. “Something’s wrong with you, honey. Or maybe I should say something’s right with you. I’ve watched you all afternoon. You’re distracted, and that typically means a man’s involved.”

Erica couldn’t exactly refute that, but she wouldn’t confirm it, either. “I’ve been busy.”

“Busy, my foot, sugar. You’re in la-la land. Why, you even smiled for no reason at all, even after Megan told you Mr. Winston didn’t leave a tip.”

Truth was, she hadn’t heard Megan mention the non-tip. She hadn’t heard much of anything aside from an annoying little voice in her head reminding her of Saturday night. “Okay, I’m in la-la land, but who wouldn’t be? It’s a gorgeous day outside.”

Bette delivered an inelegant snort. “It wasn’t that kind of a smile, Erica. It was a dreamy smile, like you had some guy on your mind. And I’m thinking that guy is the pizza deliveryman.”

For heaven’s sake. “He doesn’t deliver pizza. He’s a personal trainer. My personal trainer.”

Bette raised a too-thin eyebrow. “What’s he training you for?”

The exact same thing Kieran’s brother had asked, and Erica had the same reaction—a blush to beat all blushes. “Fitness training, Bette.”

“Well, if I were you, honey, I’d want more from him than a few rounds on a treadmill.” Bette leaned forward and smiled. “That is, if you’re interested in him.”

If Erica issued a denial, she’d be handing the woman a huge fib. Instead, she opted to take the Fifth and began gathering her things.

Bette shot to her feet and pointed. “You are interested, aren’t you?”

Erica shoved her cell phone into her bag, threw the purse strap over her shoulder and faced her interrogator. “I’m interested in getting out of here while I can still find a parking spot at the grocery store. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Bette positioned herself in the doorway, impeding Erica’s departure. “Listen, sugar, I know I’m twice your age and I’ve been married to the same man since St. Peter was playing in the sandbox. But I still know a lot about the opposite sex.”

“What’s the point to all this, Bette?”

“The point is, you aren’t getting any younger, doll. And there aren’t that many cute, single guys your age, ripe for the picking.” She took Erica’s hands into hers, her expression surprisingly serious. “I know it was hard, losing a husband so young, but it’s time you bring your life out of storage, dust it off and take it for a spin. That means going for the gusto while you still have some gusto left.”

“You mean dating?”

“If you want to play it that way, yeah, dating, and all the benefits that come with the package. Your trainer man has a lot of benefits, some that can’t be seen with the naked eye unless he’s naked.” Bette followed up with a cackle that grated on Erica’s nerves like a civil defense siren.

“You’re telling me that I should seduce him?” The thought of seducing any man, let alone Kieran O’Brien, seemed almost laughable.

“That’s exactly what I mean, honey,” Bette said as she released Erica’s hands. “Remember, you don’t have to marry him. But a guy like that can bring you back to the land of the living with only a little encouragement. Unless you’ve forgotten how to encourage. If that’s the case, I can give you a few pointers. All you have to do is ask.”

Erica didn’t dare ask the resident gossip for advice on sex. “Thanks for the offer, Bette, but I don’t have time for men in my life right now.”

Bette winked. “You might just change your mind after a little more training.” With that, Bette spun around and headed away with more vigor than most women her age, leaving Erica to ponder her coworker’s observations.

Never in a million years would she entertain the idea of seducing Kieran. Then again, two nights ago, she didn’t have to do a thing aside from engage in a little suggestive banter. That alone had earned her a kiss.

A kiss she wanted to experience again. And again. So why shouldn’t she go for it? Because he’d been adamant about professionalism. Because he’d said the kiss shouldn’t have happened, and it wouldn’t happen again. And that was quite enough to discourage her.

Yet when Erica headed through the salon to retrieve her daughter from the break room, Bette’s words echoed in her mind.

It’s time to take your life out of storage…

Maybe her friend was right. Maybe she had put her life in the closet, using excuses like mothballs to preserve her memories of Jeff. Maybe it was time to move forward. And maybe Kieran O’Brien could be the cure for her inability to gain any ground.

If she had the least bit of courage, she would go for it, as Bette had suggested. She just might at that—provided Kieran didn’t resign as her fitness coach, never to be seen again.

“Look, Mom! It’s Kieran!”

Erica slowed the sedan to a crawl when she caught sight of a black Porsche hugging the curb in front of her house. And leaning against the hood, dressed in a tight white T-shirt that showcased his dynamite arms, and jeans that looked tailormade, a modern-day Greek fitness god. Her first thought—why had he come to the house? Her next—she was very happy to see him. Secretly thrilled, even though she questioned his unexpected appearance, and if his resignation was imminent.

As she whipped the car into the driveway, Erica’s mind zipped back to the kiss that continued to plague her, and she immediately forced the image away. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—think about that now, particularly with the kissing culprit on the premises.

Before Erica could get one foot out the door, Stormy jumped from the vehicle and ran to Kieran, throwing her arms around him as if she’d rediscovered her long-lost best friend.

When Stormy rushed back and announced, “He’s got a surprise!” Erica calmly walked to the trunk, opened it slowly and pulled out two grocery bags in an effort to regroup before she had to face him. Yet when Kieran sauntered toward her with that same show-stopping gait, her composure dissolved like an ice cream cone on a summer sidewalk. He had all the confidence in the universe and no qualms about looking her straight in the eye, while she only wanted to look him straight in the mouth. He soon arrived where she stood like a statue, gripping the bags to her chest, as if they offered protection against all that charisma.

“Hey,” he said with a smile that could easily melt the frozen foods in her grasp.

And like a fool, Erica replied, “Aren’t you supposed to be at the club?” as if inconvenienced over his arrival.

He braced a hand on the top of her car, making the midsize sedan seem remarkably small. “I finished what I needed to do earlier than planned.”

“So he came to see us today instead of tomorrow,” Stormy added.

Erica handed her daughter the bag with the refrigerated items. “Take these in and put them away before the ice cream melts.”

Amazingly Stormy skipped away without any protest, and Erica felt the need to explain her purchases to Kieran. “The ice cream’s for Stormy. I bought myself frozen yogurt. Feel free to check out my receipt.” Or anything else you’d like to check out from a nonnutrition standpoint. An absolutely ridiculous thought, concocted by a woman acting as if she were confronting her first crush.

“I didn’t come here to police your food,” he said.

She shifted the remaining sack to her hip. “Then why are you here?”

“To make you work so you don’t lose your motivation.”

When he grinned, she almost lost her grip on the groceries. “I wasn’t planning on going to the club tonight, per your request. In fact, I’ve planned an early dinner.”

“We can work out after dinner.”

“Are you staying for dinner?”

“Are you inviting me?”

Erica had no problem with that, except…“Eat at your own risk. We’re having fish.”

“Not my favorite, but I’ll eat it as long as it’s not fried.”

That wasn’t an option according to her self-imposed diet. “I’m going to bake it.”

“Sounds good to me.” He pointed behind him. “I brought a few weights with me along with a few other things.”

She envisioned all sorts of portable devices designed for the utmost in physical persecution. “What other things?”

His gaze drifted away momentarily. “I brought a glove and ball to play some catch with Stormy. If that’s okay with you.”

“Is that the surprise she mentioned?”

“Yeah.”

Obviously he hadn’t given the promise much thought, leaving Erica to deal with some serious fallout from her child if she refused. “If I say no, you do realize she’ll be thoroughly disappointed and furious at me.”

He sighed. “You’re right. I guess I screwed up again.”

Kieran looked so remorseful, Erica couldn’t think of one good reason not to go along with his plan. “If she wants to play some catch, that’s fine, as long as you’re careful.”

He raised a hand in oath. “I promise I’ll go easy on her.”

“Hopefully easier than you’ve been on me. My body’s still suffering the effects of our easy workout.” In more ways than one.

“Are you still sore from the other night?” he asked with concern.

“I’ve had a little trouble sleeping.” But not from the aches and pains generated from the exercise.

“I know what you mean,” he said, his somber tone contrasting with his earlier smile. “And I want to apologize again for letting things get out of hand. I’ll be on my best behavior from now on. You have my word on it.”

“What a shame.” Good heavens, had she really said that? Before Kieran could respond, she added, “I need to put the groceries away and start dinner.” She backed toward the door. “Feel free to play catch with the kid. I’ll send her right out.”

Erica rushed into the kitchen where she found her daughter placing the last of the dairy products in the storage bin.

“Did Kieran tell you about the surprise?” Stormy asked as she turned and closed the refrigerator door with a twitch of her small hip.

Erica set the bag of dry goods down on the counter. “Yes, he did.”

“And?”

“He brought a ball and glove so he can play some catch with you while I make dinner.”

Stormy jumped up and down, her curls bouncing in time with her movement before she came to an abrupt stop. “Did you tell him yes?”

“Yes, I told him yes. Now go change your clothes and put those new shoes to good use.”

After her daughter sprinted away, Erica went back to shelving the groceries and dropped two cans on the floor on her way to the pantry when her thoughts turned to Kieran. She dropped another when she heard “Did you forget something?” coming from behind her.

She glanced back to see Kieran holding the remaining two bags she’d left in the trunk. “Oh, yeah. Thanks. Put them on the counter next to the sink.”

She continued to stare at the canned goods while he breezed behind her, bringing with him a slight hint of cologne that set her female radar on maximum alert. No doubt one of those expensive colognes formulated to attract women like a two-for-one shoe sale. She didn’t realize until that moment how much she’d missed those masculine scents in her home. How much she’d missed having a male presence when she noticed Kieran unscrewing the lightbulb centered over the sink, the one that had burned out some time ago.

“Got another bulb?” he asked.

Fortunately, she happened to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, the bulbs were on the top shelf out of her reach, and unless she put out an all-points bulletin on the step stool that had mysteriously gone missing two weeks ago, she’d have to ask for assistance. “I have some up extra bulbs in here, but I’m too short to get to them without help.”

He came up behind her and stood so close that her breath hitched hard in her chest. When he reached up and took the box with ease, he brushed against her back, stealing her breath completely. Then he moved away and she muttered, “Thanks,” before putting the last can and her composure back into place.

With Kieran standing in her kitchen, it would be nothing short of a miracle if she had enough presence of mind to prepare a meal. At least Stormy would keep him occupied for a while.

Kieran changed the bulb with little effort while Erica retrieved the ingredients for dinner, thankfully without flipping the snapper onto the floor. She could sense he was watching her as she pulled the bakeware from the drawer beneath the stove opposite the sink where he still stood.

“How many clients have you kissed before?” Erica blurted without thought, then ventured a quick glance behind her to gauge his reaction, only to find he didn’t seem at all insulted by the question.

“Honestly?”

She turned and leaned back against the stove, casserole dish in hand. “Honesty is the best policy, as they say.”

Now he looked extremely serious. “None.”

She tightened her grip on the dish for fear it might end up on the tile in pieces. “Not one?”

“Nope. I’ve always adhered to the rules.”

Unbelievable. “Why me?”

He forked a hand through his hair. “After all that laughing at my expense, it could be I was trying to shut you up.”

That might have angered her had he not been smiling when he’d said it. “I guess that’s one way to do it.”

Kieran started to speak but instead cleared his throat. “We have company.”

She leaned forward to discover Stormy sitting at the nearby dinette, tying her new sneakers. Not knowing how long she’d been there, Erica prayed her daughter hadn’t overheard the conversation. That would require a very lengthy explanation.

“Are you ready, kiddo?” Kieran asked as he joined Stormy at the table.

She nodded and said, “Where’s the ball and glove?”

“In my bag in the den. We can get it on our way out.”

“You can go in the backyard,” Erica said. “It’s fenced.”

He ruffled Stormy’s hair. “The backyard it is. I’ll meet you there.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Stormy charged out the back door while Kieran temporarily left the room before returning with the ball and two gloves. She expected him to make a quick exit but instead he came back into the kitchen. “Regarding our previous discussion, I wasn’t completely honest with you.”

Erica stopped unwrapping the fish to listen. “Which part?”

“About shutting you up. Truth is, you’re damned sexy when you’re laughing and you flash those dimples. So do me a favor and don’t do it again.”

Sexy? She was sexy? Well how about that. “I’ll try not to laugh in your presence from now on, but I make no promises.”

“That’s all I ask.” He headed out the door, taking his incredible scent and sensual smile with him.

Erica had the urge to sing while she went about preparing the food. She also had the urge to laugh. Her spirits had definitely been buoyed by his declaration, and also by the scene taking place outside the garden window.

Stormy threw the ball to Kieran with accuracy, with more exuberance than she’d witnessed from her child before. And Kieran softly tossed the ball back, undoubtedly making certain she wasn’t injured in any way. Sheer joy showed in both their faces, and Erica experienced it, too, as well as some trepidation.

Someday in the near future, Kieran wouldn’t be around to play catch, something Stormy would have to deal with. But until then, Erica wouldn’t begrudge her daughter these moments, and hoped that when the time came, they could both let him go without regret.

While Erica and Stormy loaded the last of the dishes in the washer, Kieran remained at the table and watched the pair interact. He had to admit, he’d enjoyed every minute of the dinner, even if he did detest fish. But he valued the company most of all, mainly the back-and-forth banter between mother and daughter that bordered on comical at times. They didn’t always agree on everything, but they were obviously devoted to each other.

As much as he’d enjoyed himself so far, he had to remember he’d come there for two reasons—to help Stormy with softball, and to fulfill his obligation to Erica by putting her through a workout, and not the workout he’d envisioned over the past two days. He wanted to blame his brother for putting the thoughts in his head, but he could only blame himself. He’d been keenly aware of his attraction to Erica from the moment he’d stepped onto her front porch. Denying that attraction wouldn’t change anything. Acting on impulse would, which was why he needed to remember why he was there.

After checking his watch, Kieran realized he’d come close to overstaying his welcome. “If you two are done, it’s time to get to work.”

Erica came back to the table and dropped into the opposing chair. “Just give me five more minutes and I’ll be ready.”

Stormy took the chair next to her mother. “Can I watch you exercise, Mom?”

“No, you cannot, missy,” Erica said. “But you can get ready for bed, put away your clean clothes and read the rest of the book you have to finish by Thursday.”

Stormy pushed back from the table, stood and sulked toward the hallway before turning around. “Did you call Kaylee’s mom about the party?”

“I haven’t had time, Stormy, but I’ll call her tomorrow. Now scoot.”

Not only did Stormy fail to scoot, she returned to the table again, this time positioning herself next to Kieran. “Mom doesn’t want me to go to the party because boys are going to be there. That’s not fair, is it?”

Fair or not, he wasn’t about to offer his opinion for fear of screwing up again and suffering Erica’s wrath. “That’s between you and your mom, kiddo.”

Erica pointed toward the hall. “Go, Stormy.”

Stormy blew out an exaggerated breath. “Okay. But I still don’t think it’s fair.”

After Stormy left, Kieran couldn’t help but chuckle. “She’s pretty damn headstrong, isn’t she?”

Erica released a humorless laugh. “You could say that. On one hand, it drives me nuts. On the other, her tenacity’s gotten her through some really tough times. I just wish she’d learn a little moderation.”

“Moderation is good,” he said. “So was dinner.”

She leaned forward, braced an elbow on the table and supported her cheek with her palm. “Was it? I thought the fish was kind of dry.”

A little, but he wasn’t going to say anything to hurt her feelings. “It was fine. Best fish I’ve had in a long time.” The only fish he’d had in years.

“Do you think I’m being too protective about the party?”

He could lie and guarantee a pleasant remainder of the evening, or he could be truthful and possibly be prematurely asked to leave. “How old are the boys?”

“Mostly eleven-year-olds, I’d guess.”

“Eleven-year-old boys aren’t too bad. Twelve is another story altogether.”

She smiled, bringing her dimples into full view. “I suppose you should know since you were one once.”

“A long time ago, but I still remember some of it.” Especially the memories that involved sticking up for his brother on the playground, before Kevin had finally caught up in size to everyone else his age and started fighting his own battles.

“Then you think she’d be okay if I let her go?”

He didn’t particularly care for being put on the spot, but since she’d asked…“I think you should trust her to make the right decisions. She’s a smart kid with a good head on her shoulders.”

Erica leaned back against the chair and sighed. “But it seems so important to her to fit in. I worry that peer pressure could lead her to make the wrong decisions. On the way home from the club Saturday night, she actually asked me about kissing. She’s not even eleven yet.”

That could mean only one thing. “She didn’t happen to see—”

“I don’t think so,” Erica said. “In fact, I know she didn’t. Otherwise, she would’ve asked me point-blank why we were…” Her gaze drifted away. “You know.”

Oh, yeah, he knew. He’d thought about that kiss more than once tonight. Watching Erica eat hadn’t helped. She had an incredible mouth that he’d like to know much better. And if he didn’t get his mind back on track, he might end up making the same mistake again. “As far as Stormy and this party goes, I understand you have her best interests at heart, but I also know from experience that if you keep the hold on her too tight, she’ll rebel. My mother went through the same thing with Kevin. She was overprotective to a fault, and the backlash wasn’t good.”

Erica looked as stiff as a steel beam, and royally ticked off. “I believe I’m perfectly justified in my concern for her. And it’s not as if I don’t let her go anywhere.”

“That’s true, and I strongly believe in structure where kids are concerned. But Stormy’s desire to play softball and attend a boy-girl party isn’t the same as her asking if she can spend spring break in Cancun.”

Erica rubbed both hands over her face. “Thanks for reminding me what I have to look forward to in a few years.” She dropped her palms onto the table and stood. “Since I don’t want to think about that now, let’s move on to the suffering you’re going to put me through. Otherwise, I’m going to get to bed late.”

He’d prefer she not mention the word bed. Bed plus Erica equaled more questionable ideas. “Any suggestions on where we’re going to do this?”

“In the family room,” she said as she headed out of the kitchen.

He followed her down the hall, and once in the den, he took a quick look around. “We need to move the furniture back.”

“Okay. You take the coffee table and I’ll take the chair.”

While he pushed the table closer to the sofa that rested against one wall, Erica moved behind the chair and pulled it back toward the window. She glanced over her shoulder and laughed.

“What’s so funny this time?” he asked.

“I just realized that anyone driving by got an up-close-and-personal view of my butt. I hope the home-owner’s association doesn’t fine me for contributing to an eyesore. They have strict rules about abandoned cars, overgrown lawns, large posteriors in picture windows.”

For some reason, the comment brought about Kieran’s anger. “This whole self-deprecating thing you have going on about your body—you need to stop it. If you could see what I see every day at the club, people who are in a life-and-death struggle to lose massive amounts of weight, then you’d realize you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

She looked sufficiently contrite. “Sorry. Old habits are hard to break.”

“I know,” he said, his voice much calmer than before. “And I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to be so hard on you.”

“Not a problem. Someone needs to keep me in line.”

Determined to get back down to business, Kieran walked to the foyer where he’d left his equipment bag and returned to find Erica standing at the shelves, studying the photo of her husband. Aside from the deaths of his elderly grandparents over a span of several years, he’d never experienced much loss. He didn’t know how she’d coped with everything she’d been through. Yeah, he did know—by keeping her sense of humor. And that only made him feel worse about his earlier outburst.

After setting the bag aside, he moved behind her and surveyed the photo she continued to hold in her grip. “Must be tough, all the reminders.”

After setting the picture back in place, she turned and gave him a tentative smile. “Sometimes they provide comfort. I was just thinking about how Jeff used to tell me the same thing you just told me. I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. So from this point forward, I vow to look in the mirror every morning and tell myself that I’m special. As long as I’m not naked.”

Yeah, some habits were hard to break, and it could take some time for her to break them, Kieran realized. In the meantime, he’d cut her some slack. “All kidding aside, let’s get started.”

“I’m game. Where do we begin?”

Kieran rifled through the bag and withdrew two hand weights. “We’ll start with these. Five pounds each. Just a few curls.”

Erica did as he instructed without complaining at all. She fully cooperated as he put her through several exercises, including five full-out sprints up and down the driveway, followed by the notorious crunches that had gotten them into trouble during their last session. Only this time, he used his voice, not his hands, to encourage her.

After she’d done two sets of twenty, he told her, “Stand up. I want you to do one more thing, then we’re done for the night.”

She came to her feet and tugged her bulky sweatshirt down over her hips. “Don’t tell me. You want me to bench-press the couch.”

He couldn’t stop his grin. “No. I want you to put your hands on my chest and try to resist me.”

She returned his smile. “Bet you say that to all the women you know.”

“Just do what you’re told without the commentary.”

She gave him a sharp, one-handed salute. “Yes, sir.”

He balled his fists against his chest. “Grab my hands, angle your body away and don’t let me move.”

“Oh, sure. Why don’t we go outside and I’ll push your Porsche around the block?”

“We’ll try that next week, and next week will be here if you don’t get started.”

“Fine, but don’t expect too much.”

When she clasped his hands and delivered only a minimal push, he firmed his frame and pushed back. “Harder, Erica.”

“I’m trying.” And she did try, but not enough for his liking.

“Keep going,” he demanded. “You’re not using your legs.”

Scowling, she regrouped and tried again, and he continued to prod her. “Push harder. Don’t let me come forward. Not even an inch. Pretend you’re fending me off because your life depends upon it.”

Erica unexpectedly stopped, straightened, and before Kieran could level his next command, she planted her mouth on his. All his prior thoughts of right and wrong went by the wayside, thanks to her boldness, her man-killing lips and her unmistakable enthusiasm. She kissed him with no holds barred, adequately robbing him of any remaining scrap of free will.

He recognized he shouldn’t put his arms around Erica, but he did—shouldn’t actively participate, but he did that, too. If he didn’t stop now, he was in danger of taking her down on the sofa where anything could happen, and most likely would. But before he tossed out all common sense, Erica abruptly ended the kiss and took a step back, her eyes wide with the surprise he was also experiencing at the moment.

He cleared his throat and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “What the hell was that?”

She shrugged. “I failed to resist you. Or maybe I was trying to shut you up.”

“It worked.”

“Yes, it did, and quite well I might add.”

Damn, he didn’t know whether to reprimand her or thank her. “You only have to tell me to be quiet.”

“Oh. I never even considered that.” She finished off the comment with a smile to beat all smiles, putting her dimples back on display.

She might not be smiling if she knew how hard it was for him not to kiss her again. How hard he was, period. “We’re finished now.”

She stretched her arms above her head. “Good. I’m tired.”

How the hell could she be so cool after that hot kiss? “Erica, the last time this happened, I told you—”

“It wouldn’t happen again.” She moved in closer and patted his chest, right above his thrumming heart. “Because you don’t kiss clients. Don’t worry, I kissed you, so your ethics are still intact.”

“That’s pretty skewed logic.” Even though he admittedly liked her way of thinking.

She inched a little closer, an almost predatory twinkle in her eye. “Does it bother you, having a woman make the first move?”

Did it bother him? Oh, yeah. In ways she couldn’t know unless she moved completely against him, or took a look down south. “We agreed we can’t do this.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to anything aside from the personal training, but if that’s the way you want it, then you’ll get no argument from me.”

Kieran noted a hint of vulnerability in Erica’s eyes and hated that he shared responsibility in putting it there. “At any other time, under different circumstances, if you kissed me like that, we’d be naked about now. But I’m still your trainer, you’re still my client, and as long as that holds true, we both need to control ourselves.”

“Fine. I have to see if Stormy’s in bed.”

Kieran found it amazing that she’d gone from sexy she-devil to typical-mom mode as easily as flipping a light switch. “Come to the club tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. and be prepared to work for at least two hours. We’ll cover cardio and strength training then.”

“Okay. I’ll bring Stormy.” Her smile came out of hiding again. “We probably need a chaperone.”

Without responding, Kieran picked up his bag, rushed out the door and drove away before he did something stupid, like go back inside and ask her if he could stay the night. His mother’s talk about honor drifted back into his brain, and as much as he wanted to make love to Erica—and he damn sure wanted that—wisdom dictated he remain strong in his convictions, or back out as her trainer and get out of her life while he still could.

He couldn’t lay claim to much wisdom at the moment, because no matter how close he was to a possible train wreck, he couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing Erica again.