“Because I feel great!”
“Start on your cool down and then do ten minutes of stretches before working with the free weights. And follow the exercises I’ve outlined.” She handed him a sheet of paper with a set list. Don’t go off on a tangent and start leg pressing 200 pounds.”
For the next forty-five minutes, Amber made the rounds treating her patients—Robert included. He was working in the main area today, so she frequently passed him going from room to room, and every time she did, he made sure to put on a show.
When she left Mr. Silverstein in the whirlpool and crossed to Room 9 to give Ms. Shaw an ultrasound treatment, Robert made it a point to grunt as he did a set of squats, purposefully sticking his butt in the air and sending a bright smile her way.
As Amber escorted Mrs. Dickens to the reception desk, she saw Robert admiring himself in the mirror. She watched with a quirky smile wondering what the hell he was up to now. He met her gaze in the reflection and jutted his chin at her, giving her a sexy smile and a self-assured, “S-up?” He picked up a barbell and did a tricep kick-back, glanced down at his arm, and waggled his eyebrows at her.
She couldn’t help the small laugh that floated from her mouth. Working his arms wasn’t even on his exercise sheet.
After she left Mrs. Dickens with Amy, she went to Robert. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be exercising your legs.”
“I’m done, so I improvised.” He made a fist and extended his arm back to show off his right tricep. “Feel that.” He pressed on it with the fingers of his other hand. “Hard as a rock.”
She never wanted to touch anything more than the arc of muscle staring at her from Robert’s upper arm. “I will not feel your tricep, Mr. Blade.”
“Suit yourself. But it’s your loss.”
Damn him and that inviting smile.
He studied himself in the mirror and flexed his arms a few more times—above his head, curling his fists inward then outward while flexing his biceps, then extending both arms behind his back and twisting sideways so he could see his triceps. Pleased with himself, he turned to Amber. “What’s next?”
She knew his little display was solely for her benefit which she secretly appreciated, as did half the female patients in the room by the looks on their faces. “Ultrasound.” She placed her hand on the back of his shoulder, strictly to guide him in the direction of Room 9, and a zing of electricity shot through her. The casual touch to his shoulder was done in a strictly professional manner, so the way it affected her took her completely by surprise.
She brushed her feelings for him aside and concentrated on the rest of his day, which included ultrasound, TENS, and massage, without any more inappropriate thoughts. She’d never felt this way about a patient before, so this was new territory and one she wished hadn’t presented itself. The last thing she needed or wanted was a scandal. But it fell into her lap, and she couldn’t turn away someone as famous as Robert Blade because treating him benefited her career and would make a much-needed point.
“Am I ahead of schedule with my recovery?” Robert asked, when she tried to escort him to the exit.
“Yes. You are. Do you have any concerns you’d like to discuss?”
“If that’s an invitation, I’d love to share another cup of coffee or a cold drink.”
Her mouth twisted into a suspicious smile, and she narrowed one of her eyes as she tilted her head at him.
“It’s not a date,” he said.
She raised her brows high above her glasses. “I thought I made it clear. I don’t date my patients, Mr. Blade.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Dr. Morgan.” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “I’m just a little parched.” He bent his leg at the knee a few times. “I may have overdone it. I think I need to sit down.”
She loved his charming ways and how he always cajoled her into agreeing to his requests. “Let’s have a seat in my office. I wouldn’t want you to collapse out here in the main room in front of everyone.” She knew this was just a pretense to get her alone, but she would never deny a patient’s request. Besides, she enjoyed talking to him. His upbeat and positive personality was uplifting, and his contagious smile made her happy.
They walked to her office together, side by side, not saying anything. Just as she reached for the door handle, he swooped in and wrapped his hand around it. His movement was so quick that she didn’t have time to react and ended up with her hand on top of his. She stared down at it, heat traveling up her arm with a tingle that made her suck in a breath. “What are you doing?”
“Allow me.” He opened the door and stepped aside so she could enter first.
“Thank you.” His chivalry impressed her. She entered her office and motioned to the chairs that faced the desk. “Go ahead. You must be exhausted. Have a seat.”
He let out an exaggerated sigh and feigned falling into the chair.
She retrieved two bottles of water from the mini fridge, handed him one, and held hers up for a toast. “To your success, both on and off the field.”
He tapped his bottle against hers. “My leg feels strong, and I feel great. I owe it all to you.”
“Hardly. You did all the work.”
“It was a collaboration,” he conceded.
