Page 5 of Emma's Element

Ugh!

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Rayne,” she said, shaking his hand, her palm tingling at the connection.

“Marcus, please,” he replied, covering their clasped hands with his other one.

“All right. Marcus.” She pulled her hand back, which he seemed reluctant to let go.Curious.

She turned to see Graham grinning at them, and she narrowed her eyes at him. He looked like the Cheshire cat who’d just seen all his scheming come to fruition. “Emma has agreed to train you personally. I hope that’s acceptable.”

“Absolutely,” he replied, flashing that Hollywood smile of his. She’d never seen anyone with such perfect teeth.

And,holy H-E-double-hockey-sticks, he has a chin dimple.Why was that so attractive on a man?

“Great,” Graham said. “Emma, I have a few things to discuss with Marcus first.”

“I’ll be in the gym,” she told them, turning to leave. They closed the door, and Emma took what felt like her first deep breath since Marcus had entered the office. This would never do. She needed to get a grip on this attraction, or working closely with him was going to be extremely difficult.

After changing into spandex leggings, sports bra, and tank in the locker room, she grabbed her climbing shoes and padded barefoot into the gym. She headed to the smaller wall intending to freehand a few climbs to pass the time.

Losing herself in the exertion, her thoughts turned to her dad. Climbing had been their thing, something they’d both shared a passion for. No matter how busy they had been, they had managed to make time for a climbing trip together a few times a year. As always, she felt an ache in her chest when thinking of her dad.

She had just reached the top for the third time when she spotted Marcus leaning against the far wall watching her. She quickly made her way down and walked over to him. He pushed himself away from the wall, crossing the room to meet her. She couldn’t decide whether to roll her eyes or moan at his swagger.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hey.” One word in that dark, seductive voice, and she had to stifle the giggle that sought to slip loose, like a silly schoolgirl with a crush. She studied his rugged features, a square jaw framed that sexy chin dimple, his blue eyes glistening as though he knew all her secrets. Emma clenched her hands into fists at her sides, holding herself back from the desire to slide her finger into that dimple. The man was too good-looking, with a sexy charisma that was both inaccessible and dangerous for someone like her. Women flung themselves at him constantly. He’d been photographed with supermodels and A-list actresses on his arm. It would be foolish to wade into that for a sexy chin dimple.

With that thought in mind, Emma shook off her unattainable fantasies to focus on the job. “So, are you ready to get started? I thought we could start with a few climbing lessons.”

“Sure. Let’s dance,” he teased with a wink.Bejabbers!Even the man’s wink was sexy.Does this guy not have any flaws?He’s an actor. It may be stereotyping, but she’d bet he was a conceited asshole, and the charity he’d shown the Nighthawks and Annika was all for show.

“Ha! Very funny,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“I’ve never seen anyone climb like you before. Most of the people I used to climb with weren’t nearly as skilled,” he told her.

To say she was surprised by that interesting tidbit was an understatement. She hadn’t pegged the actor as a climber. But if he was familiar with the skill, it would make her job a little easier. “You climb?”

“A bit. Haven’t, though, since my accident. I’m hoping the leg doesn’t hold me back.” He knocked his fist against his thigh, glancing briefly down at it.

“Don’t worry. We can work on that. I’ve seen people with only one leg climb some of the toughest rocks out there.”

“Well, that eases my mind some,” he admitted, flashing that famous smile that had women around the world shedding their panties for. “How ‘bout I change, and we can get started.”

“Sure, locker room is that way,” she indicated the door on the right.

While he changed, she checked over the ropes they would be using and tried to get her mind back on task. She would train him . . . nothing more. She would not be drawn in by perfect features and eyes the color of the lake on a crystal-clear day that sucked her in.Enough with the quixotic poetry about his eyes.That was not bolstering her fortitude to resist the charming Titan.

By the time he’d joined her again, she had fortified her defenses and was as ready as she could be. That was until she looked at him and her mouth went dry. He wore gym shorts over a pair of bicycle shorts and a tight t-shirt that did nothing to hide his body. The muscles,mamma mia.She was used to working around physically robust men but seeing up close how incredibly fit Marcus was unnerved her.

At five-nine, Emma usually towered over all her friends. But Marcus must have been close to six-four. Maybe taller. She looked up into his blue eyes, instantly forgetting what it was they were supposed to be doing. She mentally shook herself and broke eye contact. Reaching for her bottle of water, she took a sip before she could speak again.

“So, wanna try the wall?” she asked, after clearing her throat.

“Can’t wait.” He set his bag down and pulled a harness and his own climbing shoes out.

“Ooh. You come with your own gear. I like.”

“Always aim to please,” he quipped.

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