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with the huge smile he’s waited all night to
see. “Thank you.”
    She seems pleased, maybe even a little surprised, by his simple
gesture. He can’t stand the thought of someone making her do anything but
smile. Before she can climb in, he pushes the door shut. “Wait.” He takes a
deep breath, trying to control his fury. “This is probably the wrong way to go
about it, but I have to know. Who’s hurting you?”
    Wrinkles crease her forehead in uncertainty. “I don’t
understand.”
    “The bruises on your back.” Old and new anger swells in his
chest. He may have failed before, but not this time. Not with her. “Someone is
hitting you, and I need to stop him.”
    Shock flashes in her eyes before she shakes her head. “I wear a
waist harness during my concerts for some of the stunts we do. It’s hard on my
back to be suspended so much.”
    No one is hurting her. The pain in his chest evaporates from knowing
she's safe. “I’m sorry I overreacted.” He nods and pulls the door open. “It was
killing me thinking some asshole was putting his hands on you.”
    “It’s the equipment we use to put on a good show. You know, make
sure the fans have fun.”
    She sits down, her gaze following him as he walks to the other
side of the car. An expression he can’t decipher darkens her face. His
irrational behavior may have pushed her away. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “No, it’s okay. You just…surprised me.”
    He glances over at her as he drives. Deep in thought, she stares
out the window. Silence hangs between them, not quite as comfortable as before.
Unsure how to reach her, he taps on the steering wheel, struggling to control
his need to touch her. To keep her from slipping away before she’s even his.
    At the gym, he parks next to her car and takes a deep breath,
trying to find the right words. Before he can speak, she turns to him, her eyes
and smile sparkling again. “Thank you for dinner and the drink. I’m embarrassed
about falling asleep, but I still had a great time with you tonight.”
    His body softens with relief. Somehow, he’s earned a second
chance, and he won’t screw it up this time. “From okay to good to great. I must be doing something right.”
    Her sweet laugh quickens his pulse before she shakes her head.
“You’re teetering on the edge with that cockiness. Be careful or you’ll slip
back to pretty good.”
    Fucking shit . How can a woman this incredible not be taken? He slides her
hand into his and holds it against his chest. “I have to see you again.”
    Pink tints her cheeks before she drops her eyes from his gaze.
“Well, it just so happens we’re going running in the morning, remember?”
    “I mean a real date. Not exercising with Jason.”
    Her fingers squeeze his before she pulls away and opens the car
door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 
    * * * *

 
    Jason paces outside the entrance as Shae pulls into the gym
parking lot. He frantically waves her toward him, making her laugh. How can she
drive faster when she’s trying to park?
    She climbs out and leans forward to give him a quick hug. “Good
morning!”
    He shrugs her off, worry etched into his face, his somber gaze
boring into hers. “Yeah, hi. Did you go out with Nick DeMarco last night?”
    “What kind of welcome is that? And, yes, he took me out for
dinner. He’s cool.” And intense, sweet, sexy, arrogant. She smiles to herself.
Jason may be her best guy friend, but he doesn’t need to know all that.
    His head shakes, his wide eyes conveying disbelief before he
even speaks. “I can’t believe you went out with some guy you just met. What
were you thinking? It could have been dangerous. You know better than that.”
    Warmth flames her cheeks from his disappointed tone. She does
know better, but it’s difficult to feel guilty when exhilaration fills her
heart instead. A deep breath escapes her mouth. Which is crazy. A simple dinner
turning into one of the best nights she’s enjoyed in a