Page 13 of Maid in Heaven

“Thanks.” Ava’s heart pattered her chest like a drummer at a rock concert.

Will nodded and held eye contact with her for a beat.

“Maybe we should start this over. You know, clean slate. Ava Quinn.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m an unemployed dog mom who abhors working out. Or, in simpler terms, a real catch,” she joked, feeling beads of sweat form on the nape of her neck.

Will stifled a laugh and held out his hand. “Will Jessup. I dress up in too-small Halloween costumes and scrub the mildew out of rich people’s showers.”

She laughed aloud as they shook and then clasped a hand over her mouth before she could do something embarrassing like snort. She wasn’t sure what it was about him. For a woman who regularly stood in front of large groups of men, gave training demonstrations, and guestlectured at symposiums all around the country, she suddenly felt tongue-tied.

“Would you,” her lips twitched as she decided whether or not to finish the question, “like to grab a drink sometime?”

“I’m sorry.” He sighed, chiseled face serious. “I have a rule. I don’t date clients.” His eyes showed how pained he felt uttering the words.

“No sweat. Doesn’t hurt to ask.” Her shoulders slumped with a mix of defeat and relief. At least the deed was done. Even if she’d gotten the answer she expected. “Although, for the record,technically, I’m not your client. Madison hired you.”

“Gettin’ off on a technicality, huh?” He grinned.

Ava felt her knees start to buckle and tried to force away the smirk forming on her lips.

Finally, Will spoke again. “You have a dog, right? What’s his name again?”

“Kuda.”

“Oh, yes,” he snickered, “that’s right. Barry-Kuda.” He wagged a finger at her. “That’s punny.”

“I try.” She shrugged playfully.

Will found his eyes settling on the spandex pattern practically painted on her shapely legs.

“Well, I suppose I don’t see the harm.” He rose from the bench and stepped closer, leaning a glistening arm against the back of the machine next to her.

Ava looked around nervously, anxious to break his gaze. She felt tugged into some sort of gravitational pull, powerless to pry herself away from him even if she wanted to.

“Do you know where Morad Park is,” he finally asked.

With his body this close, she could feel his warmth radiating through her clothes like a space heater, penetrating her skin and warming her to the core. She watched a bead of sweat run down the side of Will’s neck, traveling down onto his chest. She subconsciously bit her lip. Something about a sweaty man made her want to make him evenmoresweaty.

It was there.

She felt it.

The spark.

“I think so. That’s the place on 12th, right?”

“Yep. It’s the dog-friendly walking path around the river. Ever been?

“No, actually, I haven’t.”

“Good.” Will smiled and leaned ever-so-slightly closer. “I can pop your cherry, then.”

Suddenly, Ava’s cheeks felt like they were being roasted with a torch at the comment.

Uh… say what?

“You free tomorrow?” He toweled his biceps and shoulders, bulging from the fierce workout.

Ava never wanted to be a piece of cloth so much in herlife.

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