Page 9 of Taming Her Temptations

“Levi?” I say as I take another step.

I jump when another woman I don’t recognize comes hustling down the stairs. She’s carrying a cordless vacuum.

“They’re in the back,” she smiles uninterestedly and points down a hallway.

I thank her, but I’m distracted as I take in the interior. The entrance is a double-height vaulted ceiling with exposed dark wood beams. An arched hallway leads to huge glass-paned windows looking out to the lush backyard. The space is airy and filled with light, despite its massive size. It’s a stark contrast to the cramped cottage I grew up in, but there are some similar wooden elements as if they were built using the same materials.

Why do they even want to fit in with this town?

The thought only occurs to me as I’m faced with the pure opulence that is their life. They’re clearly doing well without the acceptance of the brutally judgemental people of Greenfield. They’ve managed to work their way up from a small town in Montana with no connections. Now they have access to practically anything they want in their lives.

And yes, I stalked them last night. If the internet is to be believed, they grew up with practically nothing. Why bog themselves down with trying to be accepted by the kind of people that only accept you if your ancestors donated railroads and universities?

I spot movement in the direction the woman pointed, so I head that way.

I see something going on outside, so I head to the sliding glass door and open it. As I step outside, the sight in front of me turns my brain into a stuttering mess.

I might have decided to be professional today, but these men certainly did not. And, uh, I’m not prepared for this… To say the least.

Dean is shirtless and in grey sweatpants, despite the chilly morning air. But that’s not even the most alarming part. He’s throwing axes at a huge target, his muscled and tattooed chest flexing and stretching as he does while sweat sheens on every chiseled plane of his body.

Asher is lifting weights in what appears to be an outdoor gym. At least he’s kept his shirt on, but he’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt, exposing his long muscular legs as the mesh material rides up.

And most ridiculous of all, Levi is in their in-ground hot tub, sipping out of a coffee mug in one hand and a book folded in his other. His tattoos are on full display, arching from his muscular pecs down his arms.

I suddenly wonder if tattooed muscular men are my type, even though I never thought I had a type until this very moment. But this scene does something to me. Like, really does something to me. I’m practically drooling. I start mentally rolling back through my head when the last time I had an orgasm was. Then I imagine how good any single one of them is at sex. I bet that they’re great. Fantastic, even. It’s obvious in their swagger. Men shouldn’t be walking around the way they do unless they know how to make a woman have the damn best orgasm of her life.

What in the hell is wrong with me? Pro-fess-ion-al. I’m here to be professional.

None of them look up at me, so I take a much-needed moment to pull myself together.

I take a step closer, hoping this will be enough to grab their attention. No one even glances my way.

I check the thin gold watch I always wear. It’s 9 AM sharp.

I cough, hoping that will do the trick, but nothing. In fact, Dean lifts another axe and I watch his back ripple as he releases it and it hits the red bulls-eye.

Hot.

I shake my head. Get it together, Ruby.

I take a deep breath and clap two times.

Finally, all three of them turn their attention to me.

“I’ll give you your first lesson for free. When you’re expecting a guest, don’t be throwing weapons and half-naked in the hot tub.”

“I’m actually fully naked,” Levi grins. “It’s better for circulation.”

I groan.

“This is completely unacceptable.” I try to muster my best authoritative voice that I use for my students, but it’s kind of hard when I don’t mean what I’m saying. I would be okay if every single one of our sessions started like this, if I’m honest with myself.

I cough to clear my voice. “You should be ready and prepared for guests, preferably with a small snack and refreshment to greet them with.”

“Are you hungry, Rubes?” Dean paces towards me, his body gleaming in the morning sun. “All you had to do is ask.”

“Lesson two, don’t come up with nicknames for people who aren’t here to be your friend.”

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