“You’re not concentrating,” he said, his lips brushing her ear. “You’re distracted and that’s going to put you in a vulnerable situation. You have to be aware of your surroundings and know what to do.”
She wiggled, unaware of the impact her movement had on his body. “Maybe…pretend to faint?”
She felt his smile as his arms tightened. “Then you’re just a heap on the ground and in a more vulnerable position.”
Frantically, Rachel tried to remember what that one self-defense class had taught her way back in high school. Of course, in high school, she hadn’t been addicted to the beauty of coffee, so she’d been paying more attention.
“Isn’t there something about the inside of a person’s foot?”
“Yes. What is it?” he asked, his arm tightening as he pulled her against his chest.
“Um…shouldn’t I stomp on it?”
“Yes. Five minutes ago. Or you could reach up and poke at my eyes,” he suggested, his arm moving slightly. His hold felt more…sensuous now. Not at all threatening.
“Or your groin?”
He laughed. “Yeah. The groin on a man is pretty important. A good target, but you can’t really reach my groin easily in this position. So, what are you going to do?”
Licking her lips, she frantically fought the fog of desire that was overwhelming her thoughts. “I have no idea, Your Highness,” she finally admitted.
“Why don’t you use your elbow?”
She thought about that, but shook her head. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
He laughed, his arm tightening, but again, it didn’t feel scary. It felt…really good! She loved being held like this. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend that he was her lover and he’d just come up behind her and…maybe he would kiss her neck. Or nibble on her ear. And slide his hand around to her stomach and…
Jerking upright, she spun around, pulling out of his arms. “I’m sorry!” she gasped.
“For what?”
She blinked at him, then looked around at the others in the gym. There were only two other people in the gym, both running on treadmills. “Um…well, I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”
He moved closer. “You were on the right track. How about if we try again tomorrow and I’ll show you more basic moves?”
She nodded. “Right. Tomorrow. Basic.” She nodded stupidly, then turned around, almost tripping over her feet. She righted herself, glanced back at him, then hurriedly walked away, terrified that he’d notice the blush staining her cheeks.
Back up in the suite, she sighed with happiness when she spotted the coffee tray that had been delivered while they were working out.
“Good morning, Ms. Morris,” a voice called out from behind her.
Rachel was so intent on pouring herself a cup of coffee that she shrieked and spun around, startled. That’s when she spotted the other woman, who was just as surprised. After a brief moment, they shared a rueful laugh.
“You okay?” Tarin demanded, bursting into the room.
“I’m fine,” Rachel said. “I just…” she waved towards the other woman.
“My apologies, Your Highness. I’m the housekeeper and cook. I stepped out to ask Ms. Morris if she wanted something for breakfast and didn’t announce myself properly.”
Rachel shook her head. “No, it was my fault. I’d been down with the big guy,” she said, pointing her thumb towards Tarin, “and wasn’t concentrating on anything other than getting a cup of coffee.”
Tarin frowned at her and she could almost read his mind. “I know!” she sighed. “You were just warning me to always be aware of my surroundings.” She lifted her cup of coffee. “I was completely aware. Of the scent of coffee!” she explained. Feeling foolish, Rachel cradled her cup of coffee and headed for her bedroom.
Tarin watched Rachel leave, appreciating the view of her remarkably fine derriere outlined by the tight leggings. He didn’t have to hide his lust since she wasn’t paying attention. Her entire focus was on her coffee. The woman had zero situational awareness.
Frustration was like a burn along his entire body. Tarin suddenly remembered the presence of the housekeeper. “Thank you, we’ll have breakfast in about thirty minutes.”
The woman nodded. “Very good, Your Highness,” she replied with a dip of her head, then backed out of the room.
Tarin walked over to the silver coffee urn and poured himself a cup of coffee, then took it to his room, thinking that he needed a cold shower. His idea of giving Rachel lessons in self-defense had been a good one, initially. It would help her get to know him better and he would be free to touch her while giving her very valuable information.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t counted on desire surging through him every time he touched her or the soft, sexy way she wiggled against him when she was trying to figure out how to get out of whatever hold he’d put her in. Wrapping his arms around her had been a mixture of heaven and hell.
Turning on the shower, he switched the water temperature over to cold in an effort to get his body back under control.
A half hour later, he felt mildly better. That is, until he walked out and spotted Rachel in another one of those flouncy, flowered dresses. This one was a soft green that echoed the color of her eyes. The huge, pink flowers brought out the red highlights in her hair and the V neckline reminded him how much he liked her breasts!
He almost snorted at that last thought. As if he’d ever forgotten how much he liked her breasts! Hell, they’d been pressed against his arm yesterday while on the tower and several times over the course of the afternoon, he’d seen glimpses of her red bra. Why she’d worn a red bra yesterday while wearing a navy dress, he had no clue. But it had been on his mind all day.
Now, he wondered what color bra and panties she wore today. Would they be pink like the flowers on her dress? Or had she chosen a contrasting color, such as she’d done yesterday?
The mystery was going to drive him crazy!
“Good morning,” she called to him, bright and sunny now that she’d had a couple cups of coffee. Meanwhile, he was grouchy and irritable since the cold shower had barely clamped down on his raging libido. And the image of her in that moss-green dress had completely obliterated the effects of that damn, cold shower.
Thankfully, the work day started and, because they weren’t touring the city, it was easier to concentrate. They met with two architectural firms that day and three construction firms. He also got to sit with her during meals to discuss the contractors, listen to her opinion as well as her impressions, and Tarin was impressed with her insights.
Rachel walked into the beautiful hotel, exhausted and ready to curl up with a good book, then fall asleep. Because of her earlier than normal wake up call, the extra energy exerted during their morning self-defense class, plus working so hard today, she was wiped out! Completely mentally trashed!
“Are you hungry?” he asked as he followed her into the suite.
Rachel turned to look up at him, then quickly away when he tugged at the tie knot, revealing that sexy Adam’s apple. “Not really.” What in the world? A man’s Adam’s apple wasn’t sexy!