“No, it’s fine. I’m not uncomfortable at all.”
“Are you sure? I understand if you’d rather stay at the hotel.”
“Now that would make me uncomfortable. Plus, it would be inconvenient for both of us, with you being here.”
He nodded. “That’s true. Look, Alicia. I’m sorry.”
He was going out of his way to apologize, and she knew why. But he was going to have to get over his discomfort, and she was, too, so they could get back to the job at hand, which was working on his shoulder. She’d have to smooth things over for both of them. “It’s okay, Garrett. Why don’t you show me around?”
Visibly relieved, Garrett turned and grabbed her bags.
“Bedrooms are this way.” Beyond the workout room were three other rooms. Geez, this house was enormous. There were three good-size bedrooms and the master, which simply took her breath away. Decorated in warm shades, it appealed to her on every level. The king-size bed with its white frame and overhead ceiling fan was so inviting, especially with the killer view of the ocean. And the bathroom was truly something to behold. The shower had jets on both walls, and the oversize tub called to her.
But that was Garrett’s room.
“You can stay in this room,” he said.
She jerked her gaze to his. “No. This is your house. Your room. You’ve already been here a few days. You’re settled in.”
He laughed. “I can crash anywhere.”
“That tub in there will be good for your therapy. So will the shower. I’m the employee, not a guest.”
“And the guest should have the nice room.”
She folded her arms. “No way in hell am I staying in this room. As your therapist, I insist you make use of that delicious shower and inviting tub.”
He inhaled then let it out. “You’re being difficult.”
“No, you’re the one being difficult. I’ll tell you when you need a soak in that tub. And believe me, the further we get into this, the more grateful you’ll be for that tub and shower.”
“Do you always win arguments?”
She grinned. “Not always, but I’m going to win this one.”
“Fine.” He put her in the other large bedroom that had its own private bathroom. Plus, it had a stunning view of the ocean as well. It was lovely, decorated in pale mauves, and was roomy and spacious. Who were these people, anyway?
People with money, obviously.
She unpacked, changed into capris and a tank top, then set out to find Garrett. He was on the back deck.
Despite the shoulder injury, he was still in great form. He hadn’t had to stop his normal workout program, which was good. Staying in shape was paramount to his recovery. Now if she could just get his mind to cooperate with his body, she’d have him back to the fierce competitor he was before he’d torn his rotator cuff.
She walked outside and stood next to him, breathing in the crisp salty air, orienting herself to the new location.
A fresh start. A fresh, professional start.
Garrett watched Alicia breathe and tried not to notice the way her breasts pressed against the skintight top she’d changed into.
He hadn’t seen her for a few days, and despite being busy traveling and then meeting with Phil and Max, he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit that he’d thought about her. That kiss they’d shared in the hotel in Oklahoma had stayed with him, and he’d thought about that a lot, about the way she’d kissed him back, the way her body had responded by surging toward his as if she’d wanted more of what he was offering. His dick twitched every time he thought about that night.
He should probably stop thinking about it.
He had a feeling Alicia wouldn’t appreciate him getting hard right now. He could already sense the cool, professional walls she was trying to put up between them, so he understood what was happening.
Nothing. That’s what was going to happen between them. Yeah, he got that they needed to be focused on his recovery, and getting it on with his therapist, who was also employed by the team? Likely a really bad move, plus it would put her job in danger. He wasn’t an asshole; he knew she liked her job and didn’t want to jeopardize it.
Besides, she wasn’t the only game in town. If he wanted to get laid, there were a lot of ways to get there. He just needed to get his game on elsewhere and leave Alicia alone.
“Just to let you know, Max gave me a pretty thorough workout this morning.”
She finally turned her gaze on him.
“You know, in case you had some of your now-famous torture in mind.”
Her lips lifted. “The only thing I have in mind right now is to get near the ocean. Your therapy starts tomorrow. I’m too jet-lagged to even think about it today.”
“Good. I was thinking more about getting something to eat. How about we do that first, and then we can walk on the beach after?”