“They’d be a fascinating story, too.”
He laughed. “Look how your well is filling with ideas.”
“I think my well is pretty full with you at the moment.”
He stood. “I’m not nearly as exciting as you might think. Let’s go work out.”
“Just when things were getting interesting.”
“Right. I’ll meet you in the gym.”
Trevor went into the gym to warm up while Haven went to her room to change clothes. He got on the treadmill and started slow, then worked his way into a run.
Things were going well with Haven. She seemed focused on her work and upbeat. He liked that she’d connected with Alicia and Liz, and was having a good time while she was here with him.
When she came in, she was wearing tight workout pants that stopped just below her knees, and a sports top that hugged her body, giving him a great view of just how fit she was.
By then he was pumped up and running hard, while she smiled at him, slid her earbuds into her ears and got on the elliptical in front of him. She didn’t say anything to him, no doubt not wanting to distract him, so he left her alone and tried to focus on his workout. He kept his pace on his run while Haven started her machine.
But he was distracted, because she had a great ass, and the faster she moved, the more he paid attention to the motion of her legs and butt.
He was done, anyway, so he slowed to an easy jog, letting his heart rate decrease, then walked for ten minutes to finish cooling down and got off the treadmill.
Haven was a distraction. A good one. But he grabbed the towel, wiped off the sweat, and moved over to the weights.
Haven made her way over to the equipment a short while after he’d started lifting.
He stopped and racked his weights. “Do you want me to show you how anything works?”
She shook her head. “I’m pretty familiar with these strength machines. You go on and do your thing. I can find my way around here.”
“Okay. If you need any help, just holler.”
“Will do.”
He did his workout, but also watched Haven.
She was strong and capable on the pulleys as well as the free weights, and like she’d said, she didn’t need any help. Still, he enjoyed watching her work out, liked seeing her muscles in movement as she did squats.
She had powerful thighs, though you’d never know it by looking at her. She didn’t squat a lot of heavy weight, but she sure could push a lot of reps. Impressed, Trevor went and stood beside her as she finished up a set.
“Can I work in with you?”
She climbed off the machine. “You just want to make me feel bad by resetting the weights.”
He laughed. “I’m a guy. And my thighs are a lot bigger than yours.”
“Thank God for that. And I just finished my last set.”
She started to move away, but he grasped her wrist. “Are you avoiding me, Haven?”
She looked down where his hand was wrapped around her wrist. This time, he didn’t let go.
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“It feels that way. If I make you uncomfortable, we can set up alternate living arrangements for you while we’re working together.”
Haven took in a breath. Okay, that had been a lie. Yes, she was uncomfortable. Who wouldn’t be, being so close to someone like Trevor, especially after seeing him in such an intimate moment like last night? The problem was, it hadn’t made her uncomfortable in the way he thought. It had given her powerful desires she knew she couldn’t—shouldn’t—act on. And maybe it was time she had a truthful conversation with him about how she felt—and what she wanted from him.
But not now. There were still questions she had, and since today was a free day, she intended to grill him while they still had one-on-one time together.
You’re avoiding how you feel, Haven, just like always.
She listened to her inner voice, and agreed, but decided to ignore it.
For the time being, anyway.
“I’m totally fine with our living arrangements. And if it feels like I’m avoiding you, I’m sorry. I know how important your workouts are. I was only trying to stay out of your way.”
He relaxed, and let go of her wrist. “What if I like you in my way?”
He wasn’t making this easier on her.
“I’m going to go take a shower. How about we meet up for the rest of our Q-and-A after you’re finished with your workout?”
He paused, his body still so close to her she could feel the waves of tension coming off him. If she leaned in, she’d touch him. And oh, she’d really like to touch him.