Free High Risk by Vivian Arend Page B

gorgeous mountains surrounding them.
    They moved to the weights, and she took charge. “Squats. We’ll use the power rack,
     if you don’t mind.”
    “Not at all. Load your starting weight—I’ll follow after. I don’t need to try to impress
     you, do I? Loading three times as much weight on seems like a useless venture.”
    She snorted. “Trust me, being impressive in the workout room isn’t. I’ve spent too
     much time around people who easily outpressed me, yet couldn’t transfer that into
     any kind of strength when they needed it most.”
    Becki stepped under the bar, resting it on her shoulders as comfortably as possible,
     which meant not very. She stood the final two inches it took to release the security
     clasps, twisting the metal bar to flip the hooks out of the way.
    She focused on her reflection in the mirror. Legs spread shoulder width apart, toes
     facing forward, she bent her knees and lowered the weight until she was in a sitting
     position. Reversing direction made all the muscles in the front of her thighs engage,
     the thicker bands in her butt having to work to bring her back to vertical.
    “One. Nice form. You keep that up, and I’m going to feel like a wimp when it’s my
     turn,” Marcus teased.
    “You’ll have as good form or better—remember, you asked me to train you. I don’t let
     my partners muck around.” Becki continued on as she spoke, the blood moving into her
     legs warming her. Her heart rate steadied, and she concentrated to keep her breathing
     smooth.
    All the different components of training were a balancing act she loved. Part of using
     her body as the tool, making it fit, keeping it strong. Making demands now so that
     in the field she would go on autopilot and do what needed to be done.
    Marcus kept his count going, walking behind her to rest his hand on the metal bar
     between where it rested on her shoulder and the palm of her right hand.
    “I hope you don’t expect me to flake out this soon,” Becki said. “It’s going to be
     a damn short workout if you’re spotting me already.”
    He chuckled. “Don’t be offended. I’m sure you can easily finish this set.”
    She completed two more squats, only now? She wasn’t focusing on her core body. On
     watching her legs to make sure she powered up using her thighs.
    No, a lot more of her attention was struck by the distance he stood behind her. How
     the heat from his torso crossed the narrow gap between them, and how when she did
     complete the set and twisted the bar to engage the security hooks, he slipped his
     hand to her shoulder and trailed his fingers down her back.
    “Good start.” Marcus switched positions with her. He had to bend lower to get under
     the bar, and she was way too aware of his glute muscles rubbing past her thigh.
    Becki stepped back to a nice safe distance.
    His gaze in the mirror as he began his set? Mocked her.
    He knew why she’d moved away.
    Oh God.
    Becki took a drink from her water bottle and reconsidered her entire game plan. Working
     out with Marcus wasn’t supposed to be some kind of long, extended session of foreplay.
    “You going to count for me? That was three.” His wink only made her more aware of
     him. Of his dark colouring reflected in the mirror. Of the way his shoulder muscles
     bunched against the fabric of his shirt as he had his arms raised to support the bar.
    “Four.” She had to think of other things. “Adjust your right foot. Your hip is out
     of line at the bottom of the squat.” He followed her directions, but on the next repeat
     he still was wrong. “More.”
    “More what?” Marcus hooked the bar into position and stepped from under it. “Show
     me when I’m not holding the weight.”
    Becki nodded. “Face the mirror.”
    He turned. Lowered himself. She stepped behind him and leaned in. “Here, you’re pressing
     your hip back at the three-quarter point.”
    “Like this?”
    Marcus adjusted, but it wasn’t enough. She placed her