around her neck. “It’s just a hobby, something to keep my mind and hands active.”
He stood up. “Kind of like my workouts. Come on, let’s hit the gym at the hotel. You can take pictures, and I can work on some of this restlessness.”
She bounced to her feet and dashed ahead of him.
Eager much? Still, there were worse things in life than having a beautiful woman sit there and watch him lift weights.
Chapter 5
I nside the hotel lobby, Tania stopped her headlong rush. Belatedly, she realized how it must have looked. She’d raced back to the hotel as he’d strolled behind her. She turned her head to see him just now approaching the front doors. How idiotic.
On the other hand, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this excited. And it was photography related the last time, too. Too bad she couldn’t make a living that way.
Working part time with preschool children had brought her from the dark ages into the light. The laughter and light of the little children reminded her of the good things in life, the joys in the mundane, the reason for living.
It also reminded her why she was here. So she could heal to the point of having a relationship and having children of her own. Just the thought of those tiny chubby arms wrapped around her neck and snuggling close brought tears to her eyes.
Kane moved past her toward the elevator. When she didn’t fall into step behind him, he turned and asked, “Have you changed your mind?”
“No.”
“Then come on. I have to get changed, and the gym is on a different floor.”
She ran into the elevator behind him, hating how stupid she must have looked. Of course, the fitness room was on a different floor, as were the other amenities. She stayed quiet until the door opened, then followed him into the hallway. He unlocked his room and pushed it open. She leaned back against the hallway and said, “I’ll wait for you here.”
“You can come in. I won’t be a moment.” He motioned for her to enter.
It felt stupid, but for some reason, her feet were obeying her mind and not her heart. She entered a man’s bedroom for the first time in her life. Sure, it was a hotel bedroom, but it still counted…
“I’ll get a few things.”
And he disappeared from view, which gave her a chance to look around. Essentially, it was the same as her room, but slightly larger. There was a similar layout and look to the two rooms, but that was where the differences lay. His room had a suitcase and a large gym bag open on the bed, a few casual pieces of clothing lying around. He rummaged in the gym bag and pulled out a few things, including what looked like a pair of gloves that startled her, then an outfit. “Back in a moment.” And he disappeared into the bathroom. She sat down on the edge of the single spare seat and lifted her camera to look through the lens.
Immediately, she felt better. The slight distance eased the discomfort of a new and uncomfortable situation. Inside, she was exultant. If only her friend, Jillian, could see her now. In fact, she’d take a few photos as proof. Quickly, she snapped a couple of shots of the male domain before he returned.
When the door opened, she’d retaken her seat and was making adjustments to the zoom. Looking around, she caught sight of him.
Her breath caught in her throat. Muscle shirts had been designed for men like him. Holy Hannah.
And she might be afraid of having sex, but apparently there was nothing wrong with her libido. His pants clung to his massive thighs and as he walked past her, she barely restrained her hand from reaching out and grabbing his ass to see if it was as rock-hard as it appeared. She shuddered.
He was to die for.
He pulled open the door, sighed, turned back her way, and said, “Are you coming?”
Heat swept through her. Her mind screamed, I wish! Her mouth mumbled, “Sorry. Lost in my thoughts.”
“Whatever.”
She scooted past him, careful not to touch him.
He shook his head slightly