The Guardian of My Soul (Soul's Desire) Read Online Free Page B

summer. My heart raced. I had to open my mouth to get enough air. When he caught me staring at him I felt my cheeks turn red.
    His eyes fastened on me and he smiled slowly, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” he said, but I didn’t buy it. He looked pleased to see me. “My father said I could use the gym. I hope you don’t mind.” After looking me up and down, he met my gaze. His eyes were intense and hooded, letting me know he liked what he saw. “If you’d rather be alone, I could leave.” He returned the weights to the rack and pulled a white sleeveless T-shirt on. All I could do was mourn the loss of the view.
    “Um...you can finish your workout. My trainer seems to be late today,” I replied hoarsely, closing the door behind me and leaning awkwardly against it. I tried to look anywhere in the room, except at him. I failed miserably.
    “Thank you.” He didn’t seem surprised I’d given my permission for him to stay, but he did appear to be satisfied. I wondered how he’d look when he was sexually satisfied. Tingles of awareness danced over my skin, and I jerked myself back to reality.
    Why did I tell him he could stay anyway? I shook my head. He made me feel awkward and unsure. “It looks like you really enjoy working out.” I hunted for something to say that made a little bit of sense as I stole a few more glimpses of him. My body tightened as a bolt of desire coursed through me. My nipples puffed up and tingled. I crossed my legs tightly one over the other, trying to stem the sudden hunger. Damn it, Kristen! Pull yourself together! “Do you follow a certain routine in your exercises like that P-90, whatever?”
    “No, I’ve developed my own program. I try not to let a day go by without some...physical exercise. But yes...I enjoy it.” His voice was low and teasing. “I can tell you take care of your body.”
    Conversations like this were commonplace in gyms, but all I could think of was a bedroom scene. I wanted him to take care of my body, so I struck out to combat my own confusion. “You shouldn’t be ogling me.” Never before had I felt so edgy around a man.
    “Oh, really?” He raised an eyebrow. “You stand before me in a sexy little outfit specifically designed to entice a man and I’m not supposed to notice?”
    “There’s a difference between noticing and commenting.” Something in me realized I was playing a game with him. But was it a game I wanted to win?
    A look of pure devilment entered his eyes. “I have no intention of playing games with you. You complimented my body first. I was just returning the favor.”
    Damn, he was right. “Good, I hope you remember what you came here for.”
    “My place is to stand between you and danger. I’d never forget that.”
    His response stole my breath and my thoughts. The very idea of him standing between me and danger gave me chill bumps of the erotic variety. “I won’t.” I managed to croak. Then a tattoo on his right shoulder caught my eye. It appeared to be an intricate, artistic dragon.
    “So, what about you? Do you enjoy getting all hot and sweaty?” he asked, turning to one side so his tat was no longer visible to my gaze.
    Does my checking him out make him uncomfortable? I seriously doubted that was the case. “Hot and sweaty? You wish.” I dared to tease. “Actually, there are a lot of things I’d rather be doing, to be honest. But staying fit requires some time spent in the gym,” I said, batting my eyelashes at him in a coquettish manner. Am I flirting?
    He smiled a lopsided, sexy smile as he wiped his face and neck with a towel. His seductive eyes once again gave me the impression he could see deep into my soul.
    “It’s good for you, so whether you like it or not, don’t give it up. It flushes the toxins and releases endorphins.” He resumed lifting weights and I couldn’t resist following his every move.
    “Hey, Kris...” Jake greeted me as soon as he walked in. “Oh,