Page 78 of I Can't Help It

The lodge offers several types of fitness classes, so we decided to participate in a morning cycling session as our first activity of the day. And while I think it’s a great option for our future clients, Luke isn’t convinced that any of them will want to be “tormented” on a retreat.

Also, quick side note: Luke in workout clothes is *chef’s kiss.*

“Do you want to sit down for a sec?” I ask, trying not to stare at his beautiful, bare arms.

“No,” he whines, dragging a hand over his face, “no more sitting.”

Good thing I have a Plan B that’s been brewing since I first saw him in that tank and those shorts.

“Okay, then,” I say, moving to stand right in front of him. “How about I distract you from the pain instead?”

His caramel eyes blink in confusion, and it’s adorable. “Distract me?”

“Mmhmm…” I slide my free hand up his left arm while relishing how the toned muscles feel under my fingertips. “I can help you focus on something else.”

Now his gaze is flooded with realization.

And heat. So much heat.

Suddenly, I’m burning up more than I was during the cycling class.

“Oh yeah?” he asks, his voice low and rough. “What’d you have in mind?”

I pretend to think about it. “Well, maybe something like—”

Luke doesn’t give me a chance to say or do anything else, though, because he swoops down and begins to kiss my neck without any warning.

Am I caught off guard? Yes.

Am I mad about that? Heck to the freaking no.

A ragged gasp leaves my lips when his teeth graze the sensitive skin behind my ear, and I lose my grip on the water bottle I was holding. Who’s distracting who again?

“You dropped something,” he teases, trailing kisses to the other side of my neck.

“I—” I fight to catch my breath as I grasp his shoulders. “I don’t care.”

I just need his mouth on mine.

Slowly, his lips inch closer to my jaw, but I can’t wait anymore.

I kiss him. And once my mouth touches his, Luke groans my name like it’s his favorite word. He deepens the kiss with an eagerness that has me arching myself closer to him, and I savor every second of the way our lips meld together over and over again.

At some point, his hand moves down to my thigh, and I get goosebumps everywhere as I frantically try to hook my leg around him. But then his body lurches forward with a strangled sound, causing me to yank away from him and his addicting lips.

“Luke? Are you okay?” I ask after seeing the pinched look on his face. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.” His voice is tight as he favors his left leg. “You didn’t. I think it’s cramping because of the cycling class.”

Oh frick.

I bite my lip, watching him rub above his knee. “Should I see if I can find a heating pad or something?”

“Please,” he replies through gritted teeth. “But maybe you can help me sit down first.”

“Of course,” I sputter, grasping his arm to slowly ease him down toward the carpeted floor. “Try to stretch out your leg a little bit, and massage it, okay? I’ll be right back.”

I kiss the top of his head, and then I fast-walk over to the lobby. If Luke was able to get an ice pack for me the other day, I’m sure they’ll have a heating pad for him.

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