The cameras picked up the action as Michael took a turn at the wall. He picked up a heavy-looking sledgehammer, pointed his finger at a spot of drywall like Babe Ruth preparing a hit, and swung. As he moved, his shoulder muscles danced. Emily had to force herself not to stare at his toned physique.
Lacey wanted footage of all the Zorn brothers attacking the wall, no doubt to appease all their respective fans with displays of unrelenting virility. When Michael was done, Eli and Nick prepared to take swings, donning safety goggles.
In the meantime, Michael returned to Emily’s side. He must have noticed her rubbing her shoulder and pulled her out of frame. She raised her safety goggles.
“Did you hurt yourself?”
His lowered voice made every hair on her arms stand on end. She gulped, suddenly thirsty. “No. I think I just used a muscle I never knew I had.”
His generous lips spread in a smile. “Yeah, you might feel that tomorrow.” He stood behind her and raised his hands over her shoulders. “May I?”
Emily nodded, swallowing. Why couldn’t she ease her thirst? The production assistant made sure everyone stayed hydrated.
Lacey called “cut” for a moment to answer a crew member’s question.
Michael began to massage her shoulders. “Demolition work is tough, but it’s a good burn.” His deep tones caressed her exposed skin, making it break out in goose pimples. “It reminds us our bodies were meant to be used and stretched, that we need to be pushed to our limits sometimes. What do you think, Em? Can you take more?”
She couldn’t even formulate a thought, never mind making her lips and tongue work. While Michael was breathing on her neck, whispering words that sounded naughty even though they hadn’t been meant so, she couldn’t voice a response.
He continued to rub her shoulders, his large fingers moving in slow circles. He stood so close behind her, too close. His presence rattled her brain. His soapy clean scent made her dream. His voice sent the most wonderful chills down her spine.
This man…he made her feel things she hadn’t felt in a long time.
She turned abruptly. “I’m fine now. Thank you.” She stepped away.
Michael didn’t react, but his lack of a reaction said more than any words might have said.
Lacey finished with the crew member and action resumed. Eli and Nick continued to take turns bashing what was left of the wall.
Trent chose that moment to arrive, a full hour late. He ploughed inside the house, not watching where he was going, and almost headed straight into Eli’s flying sledgehammer. Eli had to pull back quickly. As he did, his arm snapped back and he dropped the heavy tool. He let out a stream of curses.
Lacey stood. “Cut! Jesus Christ. Are you okay, Eli?”
The set medic, a retired nurse, ran forward and began to examine Eli’s shoulder.
Michael ran to his brother’s side. “You okay?”
Nick joined them. He pushed up his safety goggles, his face marred by concern, and moved Eli’s sledgehammer out of the way.
“Yeah.” Eli grunted as the medic manipulated his shoulder muscle. He turned to Trent. “You can’t just run in here when we’re doing a demo.”
“I didn’t know the demo had begun.” The petulant tone in Trent’s voice put Emily on guard.
“If you’d been here on time, you would have,” said Michael. “You should have been here with Em, instead of leaving her to tackle this on her own.”
One of Trent’s eyebrows arched. “Seems to me,Emhad a lot of company already.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Emily moved to Eli’s side, dismayed at Trent’s comment. “Should I call an ambulance?”
“He’ll be fine,” said the medic. “But Eli will need to go home to rest and apply an ice pack.”
Eli winced as he rotated his shoulder. “It hurts like a sonofabitch.”
“Go home,” Lacey ordered. “Rest up and see how you feel tomorrow.”
“I’m so sorry, Eli.” Emily had no choice but to apologize on her fiancé’s behalf.
“Youhave no reason to apologize,” said Michael.
