Plugging in her earbuds, she found the way to the walkout basement fitness center he’d shown her—it was bigger than any gym she’d ever joined—and marched past the racquetball court into the weight room, where she pulled up short. Facing away from her, poised in front of a wall of glass that looked out on the swimming pool, Quinn was doing bicep curls with big-ass free weights. He didn’t break stride, and she soon figured out why. He too was sporting earbuds and was obviously in a zone.
Despite the voice in her head telling her not to, she ran her eyes over him as he pumped iron in a baggy tank that revealed more than it hid and gym shorts that moved with him, highlighting a well-formed ass. Up and down, he alternated arms, slowly curling first one then the other. Her gaze paused and lingered on his flexing, sweat-sheened biceps. What could it hurt? He might be a twit of epic proportion, but he was a fine specimen of a twit, and she was simply … evaluating his … form. And what a nice form it was too. Different from Wolf’s leaner body, yet no less beautiful, in a masculine sort of way.
“See something you want, toots?”
She jerked, instantly admonishing her body for betraying her surprise. Shit, shit, shit! Worse than showing her shock, though, was the fact she’d been caught watching him in the first place. Now he’d get the wrong idea, fanning the flames of his out-of-control ego even higher. How had he known she was standing there anyway? He deposited one of the weights on a rack, plucked out an earbud, and turned. His chest was heaving. A cocky smile was plastered all over his face, and out popped those damn dimples. As if he read her mind—again—he pointed to the windows. “Saw your reflection when you came in.”
“Then why didn’t you say something?” Her inner petulant child shot through her tone, giving her away. On the defensive, she cinched her arms over her chest.
One corner of his mouth hitched up even higher. “Looked like you were enjoying the show. I didn’t want to spoil it for you.”
“Oh, for Christ’s—” She rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Yeah, and nowshe was broadcasting that he’d gotten to her. He knew it too because he laughed. Damn him. Maybe she should leave.
“I’m glad you’re going to use the equipment,” he said cheerfully. “It’s top of the line but hasn’t been put through its paces.”
“Didn’t you get in a workout this morning?” she grumbled.
“Strictly cardio. Thought I’d break it up since I’ve got the whole damn day.”
“I’ll come back.”
“Don’t leave on my account, Sunshine. In fact, I could use a spotter. You willing?”
When she didn’t move, he added, “It’s either you or my mom.”
Oh hell no. “You make your mom spot you?”
“Not yet, though desperate times and all.”
“All right. Jeez.” She pushed herself into the room. “Where do you want me?” Fuck. Did I just say that?
He arched an eyebrow at her, and a predatory gleam lit his eyes. Yeah, no way was a guy like him going to miss the softball she’d just pitched. Mercifully, he didn’t say anything. She really didn’t want to clock her employer on her first day of work. Even if that employer was Quinn “Asshat” Hadley.
He walked over to the bench and started adding weights on either end of the bar while he hummed. In between the clink-clunk of the disks slipping into position, she said, “You should get Gage over here to work out with you. They shut down the team facility and his favorite gym, and he’s got nowhere to go. I’m not sure Lily’s gonna let him do chin-ups in the bedroom doorway for hours on end.”
Quinn flicked his eyes her way before returning his attention to what he was doing. “I’ll give him a call.” He swung one long, thick leg over the bench and lay back, wiggling his big body into position. His hands wrapped around the bar. “Ready, toots?”
She shuffled to the head of the bench, not daring to get too close to all that thick hair. His eyes slid from the bar to her. They were a deep, rich chocolate color that matched his dark eyebrows.
“Move a little closer, toots. I don’t bite. Unless you ask nicely.”
That did it. Snapped her right out of her stupid zone. She gave him a snort and placed her hands below the bar as he lifted and cleared the stand with a grunt. A deep pull of air in, and he pushed it out and extended his arms to their full length. Muscles in his arms, chest, and shoulders were taut under smooth skin. Another whoosh of breath, and he began to lower the bar slowly. Now the show was full on, his muscles rippling and flexing as they strained. Corded veins grew more defined along his powerful forearms. Even his enormous quads were working as he dug his feet into the floor.
Sarah tore her eyes from Quinn’s various body parts and helped him guide the bar onto the stand. God, she’d always loved the look of a fit hockey player’s physique. Too bad their annoying personalities couldn’t be separated from their bodies.
After a few sets, he sat up and gave her a nod. “Thanks. Wanna give it a go?”
She waved her hand. “No, thanks. I’m more of a runner.”
His eyes swept her from head to toe. “Yeah, I can see that.”
The look was all business, no heat, yet she felt completely undressed in front of him. “I’ll just …” She pointed toward one of the treadmills.
“All yours. Thanks for your help.” He stood and yanked off his shirt, rubbing it over his slick skin before draping it around his neck. God help her, her eyes dropped to his well-cut abs and drifted
