“No,” he replied wryly. “We wouldn’t want that.”
His trainer, Butch, was often trying to get Reid to hold back in a fight. “Know when to use restraint,” he’d tell him. The point was to keep calm, keep your wits, and let the other guy make the first move so you could defend against it, and then counter with something even stronger. Reid had never been good with the idea of restraint. He was more comfortable in the position of the aggressor.
He’d always hated those lessons of restraint. But as the night progressed and he was forced to watch Mann circle Lucie like a shark, Reid had to call upon every one of them. By using Butch’s mental techniques he managed to keep his distance, thereby allowing Mann to keep his teeth. At least for a little longer.
Chapter Eight
“Start with the wall stretch.”
Reid barely stopped a childish eye roll. “C’mon, Lu, I don’t need to do those special stretches anymore. It’s been over a week. Let’s just get to the normal stuff.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I hadn’t realized you had a degree in physical therapy.” She turned around once she reached the far wall of her workout-turned-therapy room. “Why did you need my help again?”
“Sarcasm does not become you,” he grumbled. But he couldn’t be all that grouchy when she looked so good in her new workout clothes. Gone were the oversize tanks and grungy sweats. Now she was sporting a pale pink Lycra tank top with hip-hugging gray yoga pants.
Her dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail with her thick bangs and some longer pieces framing her face. She’d just finished her morning elliptical routine and her olive skin glistened with sweat and a healthy glow infused her cheeks.
Crossing to where she stood by the paper ruler they’d taped up to track his progress, he became uncharacteristically aware of his own condition from his ten-mile run on the treadmill. He stopped a few feet short and glanced down at his sweat-soaked T-shirt that now looked black as pitch from its previously worn and faded shade.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he stripped it off.
He gave her a crooked smirk. “Trying not to offend your delicate sensibilities.”
She snorted and immediately slapped a hand over the lower half of her face. It was obvious she was mortified, but he wasn’t sure why. He liked getting that reaction from her. As he closed the few remaining feet, Reid added making her snort more often to his mental list of things to accomplish while staying with her. He loved a challenge.
“Keep your feet about a foot away from the wall and walk your fingers up the ruler until you feel pressure. Then lean in toward the wall until you feel that stretch.” He did as instructed, though he’d have rather started with some light lifting to warm up the muscles. This shit was for sissies. “Good. Hold it for about ten seconds…and now back to the starting position.”
“This is ridiculous. Can’t I get the same result with a five-pound weight in my hand and lifting it in the same manner?”
Her hands planted themselves firmly on her slim hips as she said, “Now why didn’t I think of that? Oh, I know. Because that wouldn’t be stretching the muscles. That would be working the muscles.”
“Fine, have it your way. But we’re combining our training sessions then.”
“Wha—”
Her question was cut off with a squeal when his left arm snaked around her waist and pulled her in front of him. “There. Now I have an incentive to lean into the wall.”
“Reid, what the hell are you talking about?”
He couldn’t help his satisfied grin as he said, “Kissing.”
Lucie’s eyes went wide and her jaw slackened just enough that her lips barely parted. He waited patiently for the shock to wear off. And for the rebuff he knew was forthcoming.
“Absolutely not. You’re out of your damn mind. I’m not kissing you, Andrews.”
When he lifted a brow as if to say, a little late for that, she added huffily, “I’m not kissing you again.”
Shrugging his good shoulder he acted as though he couldn’t care less. “You’re probably right. I’m sure you know all the little tricks on how to bring a guy to his knees with a simple kiss. Passion obviously comes second nature to you.” Then he went in for the kill shot. “Which is why you need me to teach you how to get Dr. Mandible in the first place.”