Page 5 of Protecting Andie

“Got it. I think Andie and I will go between push-ups on our knees and angled.”

He nodded. “Good. And don’t push through the pain. Be smart.”

They started the workout, music pumping through his phone. His sister made joking comments to Derik, and Andie finally joined in. It was the atmosphere he’d wanted to create. They didn’t need to know he was doing more.

Andie couldn’t keep her eyes off Rider. His tiny shorts made her mouth water. Good thing he was wearing compression shorts under them, or she might get an eyeful. Not that she would mind. She would love to see his bare ass.

Heat washed over her, and she had to push thoughts of Rider’s bare ass out of her mind. She knew Rider was working faster than them, but he seemed to be on the same set as they were. Actually, he should be done based on how fast he was moving.

After a moment, she stopped and watched him. He was moving twice as fast as Derik. He noticed her watching and paused.

Rider met her gaze. “What?”

She waved her hand at him, shaking her head. “You’re cheating.”

He shook his head, his gaze getting more intense. “I’m not cheating.”

“You’re doing twice as many things as Derik. That means you’re doing three to every single one we do. You said we were only doing fifty of each. Have you done a hundred and fifty push-ups?”

He shrugged, looking a little guilty. “It’s not cheating.”

Emily stopped moving. Her face was flushed from working out. “Did you really do a hundred and fifty push-ups and burpees?”

Rider’s lips thinned and he glanced away. “Um, I don’t think that’s material for this conversation.”

Derik wiped his face with a towel he’d picked up from the swimming pool and brought out. “Jesus, man. Are you a machine?”

He shook his head. “No, I’m not. But you realize this is my job. I have to be in insane shape to do what I do.”

Andie put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. “You know, Emily is rather secretive about what you do in the Navy. And your hair is long, and you have a beard. I know that didn’t grow in on the plane ride up here. You aren’t a werewolf, are you? What is your job in the Navy?”

He appreciated Emily not spreading it around, but he didn’t need to be so closed mouth about his life. “I’m special forces.”

Andie realized she was an idiot. Emily hadn’t said it in so many words, but she’d given hints. “Oh shit, you’re a Navy SEAL. No wonder you look better than Adonis.” She slapped her hands over her mouth. Why had she said that?

Rider’s cheeks grew darker, and his gaze slid away for just a second. “Yeah, it’s not something I talk about with strangers, but you aren’t a stranger.”

“I should have picked up on it. Emily gave hints, but sometimes I’m not the brightest.”

His smile spread, and a deep chuckle rumbled from him. “At least you’re cute.”

She could see that he realized what he said about a second after the words slipped from his mouth. Emily and Derik had started talking about something, and they hadn’t heard. Thank goodness. At least she didn’t have to deal with explaining to Emily she wasn’t flirting with her super gorgeous brother.

Rider glanced at Emily and Derik before speaking. “I think we deserve a reward. How about we shower and grab some food, unless you all have plans?”

“We have a meeting with the wedding planner,” Emily said. “But why don’t you and Andie get dinner?”

“You two can talk about us without us there. I’m sure Michael—Rider would love to get the dirt on me.”

Rider chuckled, sending heat straight through Andie. She needed to get her responses under control or she would blow it at dinner tonight.

“Sure,” Andie said, trying to be strong and show that being alone with Rider didn’t scare her. At least he wasn’t Derik’s best man, or they would end up alone a lot more over the coming days.

“I’m game. How about in an hour? I’ll meet you downstairs. I’ll call for a reservation at the restaurant.”

Surprise filled Andie. The place was expensive, and she had expected him to suggest something like a fast-food joint. The restaurant would be more like a date.

“Oh, that place is nice,” Emily said.

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