Don't Dare a Diamond (Must Love Diamonds 5)

Shower? Did she really have to say the word shower to him? In the next moment, she imagined him standing in a cloud of steam, biceps bulging on his raised arms as hot water chased suds down the length of his long, lean body. Her cheeks burned at the alarmingly vivid image just as his gaze flicked up to hers.

Oh my God, imagine if he could read my mind!

He cleared his throat and returned his attention to the paper. “You ran the other morning,” he stated, his voice slightly rough.

“That was an exception because of being cooped up in the truck the day before. It’s not the norm.”

He nodded and shrugged at the same time. “Regardless, I have a specific reason for morning and afternoon sessions,”

“And as I just told you, I have a specific reason for getting all the riding done in the morning.”

His mouth pressed into a grim line before he set the paper down, leaned his forearms on the desk again, and linked his fingers together over the top of it. “Then let’s compromise.”

“There’s nothing to compromise.”

“Sure there is. We’ll do my schedule Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and yours on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.”

Though she knew it was childish, the thought of giving in even partially irked her to no end. Back home, Charlie never had a problem following the schedule she set up. Same with every other trainer she’d had, because they worked for her, not the other way around.

Except Reyes didn’t work for her or her dad, and clearly, he wasn’t about to be bossed around.

He blew out a breath that sounded as frustrated as she felt. “We’ve got twenty-nine days to go here, Raine. It’ll go a lot faster if we work together.”

The words were an unexpected slap in the face. He was already counting down the days.

She couldn’t blame him. She wanted time to pass faster, too. Yet, hearing him voice the desire outright made her chest tighten with resentment—and another emotion she refused to acknowledge.

“Unless your plan is to purposely sabotage this whole thing,” he added. “Seeing as you only stayed to watch me fail.”

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t really mean that.”

“Good. Because that would be really stupid on your part.”

Completely annoyed at the inference, she shoved to her feet and reached for the paper and pen near his forearm. Her fingers brushed against his warm skin for a brief second, and she jerked back from the contact at the same time he moved his arm. Ignoring the hot, electric tingles spreading through her body, she leaned over to write down her version of the sche

dule for the days he’d designated at hers.

“There. All set.” She slapped the pen down and straightened. “And today is Thursday, just so you know.”

“I’m well aware of what day it is.”

“Good. Then I’ll meet you in the arena in fifteen.”

She turned to leave, quick strides carrying her to the door.

“Raine.”

His tone was firm, yet it also held an unexpected plea that had her pausing in the doorway.

“I was a squad leader in the Army. My orders were followed without question. That’s how we got things done.”

“Yeah, well, I am not one of your soldiers,” she snipped.

“No, you most definitely are not,” he muttered.

A quick twist caught him jerking his gaze up from her ass. She was surprised by a slight tinge of pink in his cheeks as he straightened in the chair.

“Anyway,” he said quickly. “I apologize for not talking to you about the schedule first. It won’t happen again.”