Their Sin City Showgirl (The American Soldier Collection 7)

“No, I don’t know,” she said with attitude as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“The outfit. The sweat on your brow. Your flushed complexion. Unless I’m wrong, and I made you blush and perspire.”

“As if,” she retorted. He laughed again.

He stared at the bruising and could see the finger marks. Son of a bitch. Someone definitely had their hands around her neck tight enough to cause that kind of bruising.

He must have been staring too long because she reached up and placed her hand over her neck.

“Do those hurt?” he asked, tilting his head toward her, his eyes still on her neck. He also absorbed the fullness of her breasts and the deep cleavage between them. He was human, and he was a man. J.J. had a body like some sex symbol.

“I’m fine.”

“So you keep saying.”

“Well, I am.”

“Sure you are.”

“I am,” she stated with her teeth clenched, and she took a step toward him. He raised one eyebrow at her. The woman was on the brink. She was ready to explode with anger. Where was all the aggression coming from?

“Listen, if you want to work out, you could have asked if we had a gym.”

She uncrossed her arms.

“You have a gym?” she asked, stepping toward him.

> Ahhh, so she likes to work out? Now I’m making some progress.

“Sure we have a gym. Lincoln and I do martial arts training. Brook and Conway are really good, too. We have a combination dojo and regular gym out back in the huge barn.”

“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”

“You didn’t ask.”

“I didn’t know that you were into martial arts. I mean, you guys are all in great physical condition.”

“You think so, huh?” he asked as he gave her a flirty look. He hadn’t even thought before he did it. It just happened, and now he felt like an idiot. This wasn’t him. Calder Murphy did not flirt.

“Come on, Calder. Tell me what else you have hidden on this ranch. I need something more to do than just sit around here and think. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“Thinking is good.”

“Not from where my mind wanders to. I need a gym. I love working out and doing physical activities. Could I use the gym? I mean, if you and the team didn’t mind, of course.”

“You can use it, but one of us has to be with you.”

She shook her head. “That’s lame.”

“Those are the rules. The gym and dojo are out back. We’re here to protect you, even though we have no idea from who or what,” he said and then uncrossed his arms. She just stared at him.

“Come on. I’ll show it to you now. But bring a sweatshirt. It’s getting chilly out there.”

They headed outside together. Calder opened the door and there was Lincoln, working out on the bags. A quick glance at J.J. and she was trying her hardest not to stare at Lincoln but instead take in the dojo and the gym.

Lincoln grabbed the black bag he was kicking and turned to look at them.

“Hey, what’s going on? Is everything all right?” he asked filled with concern.