Page 59 of Breaking the Rules

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"I've seen better."

I can't help but smile. She's ridiculous.

I shake it off. Slide onto my bench. Lift the barbell. This is supposed to be a warm-up set. It should feel light.

But with Emma watching me…

Fuck, it's weird.

I close my eyes. Focus on my form. My breath. The strain in my chest.

"It doesn't look too hard." Her voice is soft. Curious. "Heavy. But simple."

"It is." I push out another three reps. "You need me to show you how to do it?" Two more.

"Okay."

There.

"But you have to promise it won't turn me into a dumb bro."

I can't help but laugh.

"I mean, look at you, Hunter. All that blood pumping your muscles. Fleeing your brain."

"How do you figure?"

"You're here when you could be having sex."

"Shit, that escalated."

"Well TV only gets so far."

"You ever figure this helps me do that?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, it's not like women are flocking to you for your charming personality."

My lips curl into a smile. "So if you think about it, this is the smartest thing I could be doing."

"No. I don't think so."

My chest warms. It feels good, teasing her. Too fucking good. "On your back."

"We're doing it like that?"

"Yeah." If I start ordering Emma around… Fuck. "On your back."

She slides onto her back.

"Wrap your hands around the bar."

"Like it's a dick?"

"Why would that be my example?"

"You're lifting a giant rod. Why would I think there's something phallic about that?"

"You're making me think about how I hold my dick."

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