“I got your plate ready. Have a seat.” Noni gestured to the kitchen table and a huge stack of pancakes layered with syrup.
Kate's stomach rolled at the mouthwatering sight. “Noni, I can't eat that right before training. I'll throw up.”
Noni had on a steel gray button up dress today and the color seemed to match her determination. “You can't fight on an empty stomach.”
“I can't fight on a full one either,” Kate grumbled as she settled in the chair.
“You're just as grouchy as my Johnny used to be.” Noni swiped the plate of pancakes and replaced it with eggs andtoast. “How's this?”
“Perfect, thank you.”
Noni settled directly across from her, her stare making Kate shift in her seat. Aaron's grandmother seemed to see right into her soul, and she didn't like it one bit.
“I watched you two yesterday. He can't keep his eyes off you.”
Kate choked on her eggs and quickly took a gulp of orange juice. “Excuse me?”
“Ethan. Every time you're not looking, he's looking at you. And the way he looks at you…” Noni nodded her head with confidence leaving Kate to stare at her open mouthed.
“I really don't think this is an appropriate conversation.”
“Pfft, just because I'm old doesn't mean I can't appreciate love when I see it blooming. You willing to take a little advice from someone with a lot more experience?”
Kate slowly sat her juice back on the table and tried to keep her pulse below a thousand beats per minute. “Ma'am, I'm not sure what you thought you saw, but I just met Ethan. He's my trainer, nothing else.”
And I melt when he touches me.She flushed at the unbidden thought.
“Mmm-hmm. Is that why your cheeks have turned red as a tomato? I think you know as well as I do that the sparks flying between you two on those mats have nothing to do with training.”
Kate's stomach twisted into one big knot and she pushed back from the table, unwilling to even consider having feelings beyond attraction for Ethan Slade. The man was a wild card, a loner and completely and utterly unpredictable. Three things Kate couldn't stand.
Lord, she could barely tolerate when her bathroom towels hung unevenly. How could she contemplate having any kind of feelings for the unpredictable force that was Ethan?
“Thank you for breakfast, but I think I better get to work.”
“Hold on,” Noni's bony hand shot out and shackled Kate's wrist. “Listen, a man like that, you got to keep him on his toes. Do the unexpected. Be out of the ordinary. He won't know how to handle it and you'll have him eating out of your hand.”
But I am ordinary.Kate gently extracted her hand from Noni and took a step toward the door.
Kate went out the kitchen door into the backyard only to come to a stop at the edge of the back porch. Aaron was on the mat, instructing Celine, while Ethan stood off to the side in gray sweats and a black muscle shirt, watching with a heart breaking handsome smile.
Grey was further back, under a tan tent, bent over a picnic table talking to another man. The extra bodies seemed to crowd the yard and Kate's skin grew tight.
Ethan glanced her way, and then back to the mat. A heartbeat later he spun completely to face her, eyes wide. A surge of satisfaction coursed through her veins and she approached him, suddenly eager once more to start.
Ethan’s gaze locked on to her chest and Kate fought the urge to tug her top up. She wasn’t used to wearing anything this revealing, but the desire exploding across his gaze was proof he wasn’t the cold machine she’d thought.
“How are you feeling this morning?”
Like my muscles are twisting over my bones. “Fine.”
“Really? I thought I put you through some pretty tough paces yesterday. You ready for more?” He reached out and touched her arm, which ignited a spark. She jumped back, rubbing the spot he'd touched.
“Why so jumpy?”
Kate scowled up at his amused expression. “Just ready to get started. How’s Celine doing?”
She gestured to the pair on the blue pad. Currently Aaron had his arms crossed and his gaze locked on the tiny blondestanding with her hands on her hips.
