Read In Deep: Chase & Emma (All In Book 1) for Free Online Page A

Interesting.
    “Have you already
stretched?”
    “No, but—”
    “I can’t have my
favorite physical therapist hitting a trail and pulling a hamstring.
Where would that leave me?”
    She cracked a smile.
“So, this is really all about you, then?”
    “Or you could think
of all the little children out there rooting for me. Where will they
be if I don’t even medal in Rio? All because my therapist didn’t
take proper care of herself.”
    “Fine.” She rolled
her eyes a bit, but I could tell she found it funny. Score one for
me. She studiously avoided making eye contact while I stretched her.
I’d done it a hundred times, with male and female teammates.
Athletes grew accustomed to touching, squeezing and prodding, all
with little-to-no clothing.
    But I could tell we
were both intensely aware of our intimacy as I pressed and pulled, my
hands along her supple and lithe limbs. As I drew my hand along her
hip, I saw her intake of breath. My stroke along her thigh made her
tense before she relaxed into the stretch.
    I knew my gaze darkened
as I discovered I could practically fold her leg right up her torso.
She was really flexible. That opened up so many opportunities,
inspired such creativity. Had I thought I had a day of training ahead
of me? Wouldn’t it be better to blow off some steam right here in
the hotel room?
    She was out of my suite
before I even knew what had happened.
    “Thanks!” she
called out over her shoulder as she bolted.
    Huh. I didn’t think
I’d crossed any lines, in any obvious way at least. Maybe she was a
mind reader. Running a hand through my hair, I resigned myself to
Plan A. There were gold medals hanging in the balance, after all.
Better to stick to my training regimen and play it safe.
    §
    “Which flavor
smoothie do you want? Berry? Or peanut butter and chocolate?”
    “Who is this calling
me at this late hour?”
    Her teasing made me
smile. Not that many people teased me. I was too revered, too feared
for that. But Emma liked doing it, in her gentle, sweet manner. I’d
only known her three days and I already found myself craving her
presence. Which led me to do dorky things like call her right after
I’d said good night to her after our evening session.
    “I’m going to make
us smoothies tomorrow morning. I need to take your order.”
    We fell into an easy
banter, her telling me that I was trying to fatten her up, me
assuring her I liked her just the way she was. It was easier to talk
to her when I wasn’t so close, looking at her slim hips and long
legs, her breasts the perfect size to cup in my hands. On the phone,
sitting on the couch, I could relax more.
    “Are you seeing
anyone?” See what kinds of questions rolled out of my mouth once I
relaxed? Maybe it was better if I stayed tense.
    She paused, then
answered slowly. “No…why do you ask?”
    Because I’m only
narrowly avoiding violating all kinds of professional standards of
conduct. I thought that. But instead, like all people without a good
answer, I skirted around the question. “When’s the last time you
were serious with someone?”
    I could hear her blow
out an exhale. Was that a heavy question? I really didn’t have so
much experience with this get-to-know-you phase with a woman.
    “I’m not sure you
need to know the dating history of your physical therapist.” She
didn’t answer my question, but I could hear a light, teasing warmth
in her voice. I still had her engaged.
    “Are we on a
need-to-know basis? I hadn’t realized this was a secret ops
military thing.”
    She laughed and I could
picture her doing it, maybe looking down as she held the phone to her
ear.
    “I don’t know you
all that well.” The more she hesitated, the more I wanted to know.
What was her story? Had she just broken up with someone?
    “I think this is how
people get to know each other.” I sounded light. I hoped I did at
least. This wasn’t the kind of thing I did every day, making
overtures, extending myself.
    “All