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Before she thought to answer Grant or make a move toward her friend and the machines, Jacqui once again jolted at the sound of Grant’s voice. The hypnotic, sexy timbre sent a soothing stroke across her senses.

Get it together!

“Julie asked me to get you acquainted with the facility, and I told her it’d be my pleasure.”

Turning his way, she replied. “Oh, that isn’t really necessary. I mean, a gym’s a gym, right?”

Grant brought his hand to his chest and appeared stricken. “You wound me, woman. I’ll have you know this is no ordinary gym, it’s a health facility.”

Jacqui couldn’t help but grin. “Oh, I beg your pardon, sir, my mistake. A health facility. ”

“Indeed.” He nodded and smiled again, causing a dimple to form in his left cheek this time.

He waved his arm out in front of him as he gestured toward the room.

“Now, as you can see spread out before you, we have a vast array of machines designed to engage your cardiovascular system while testing your stamina and endurance. Each with their own desirable qualities and sophisticated programs to challenge you, as well as keep track of your progress.”

“There is nothing desirable about a machine telling you what an out-of-shape wuss you are.”

His cheeky grin was adorable. “They would never be so insulting.”

“We’ll see about that,” Jacqui mumbled.

“In just a bit.” Grant extended his elbow in a playful manner. “Why don’t I give you the tour?”

“Oh, no, really, that isn’t necessary. I’m sure you have more important things to do.

” All joking aside—which she couldn’t believe how easily she had joked with him—the last thing Jacqui wanted was one-on-one attention from this handsomely sweet distraction.

Lord knew Jacqui had a sweet tooth as big as the Grand Canyon, but it’d do her well to stay clear of this confectionary temptation.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring you’re well acquainted with my facility.” He leaned close and whispered. “Besides, I promised Julie, and I certainly wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.” Pulling only slightly away, he winked at her.

With his face close to hers, she could see gold flecks sprinkled in his eyes and a few creases that fanned out from their corners. Freckles dotted his nose and that damn cute dimple reappeared when he smiled broadly. His minty breath tickled her nose when he spoke.

“There’s lots I want to learn about you, Jacqueline Randall.” She didn’t get a chance to comment on her surprise at him knowing her full name, when he straightened and cleared his throat before speaking again. “Julie might have already told me a bit about you.”

Jacqui peered up at him, trying not to freak out at what her friend may have disclosed. Julz had a tendency to be loose-lipped, even if she knew Jacqui valued her privacy. “Did she now? And what might that be?”

“That the two of you are best friends, both divorced, and she’s been eager to get you to become a member here. I would certainly love to add to you my clientele, as long as you feel it’s a good fit for you.” Again, he winked.

Jacqui couldn’t help but snort with laughter—again—at his play on words, considering the name of his facility was Fit4You.

Apparently snorting is becoming my new signature sound. Great.

“At least you’re laughing.”

She avoided his gaze as she looked over the room. “Versus grimacing when I make a fool of myself on any of these machines?”

“Nonsense. Julie told me your health is improving—”

Jacqui whipped her head around to stare at Grant.

“Obviously Julie has been talking too much.” Jacqui turned again, ready to march over to her friend, when Grant blocked her path, his hand gently holding her arm.

When she looked down at his contact, he released her arm, but surprised her by lifting her chin to meet his gaze.

That simple touch of his hand on her skin electrified her, and although she thought to pull away, her body wasn’t cooperating with her brain.

“She cares about you,” Grant said softly.

“It’s obvious anytime she talks about you to me.

” He slowly slid the back of his fingers across her jawline, boldly sliding down the column of her neck before pulling away.

Jacqui was miffed at herself for missing his touch immediately.

“You’re obviously upset at her revealing aspects of your life with someone who’s a total stranger to you, but don’t be.

You and I have a lot in common, and I’m here to help you. ”

Jacqui stiffened. “What could we possibly have in common and what could you possibly help me with?” She knew she sounded abrupt, cold even, but dammit, she didn’t know Grant.

She didn’t like that Julie shared what Jacqui thought to be personal and private matters.

Her life wasn’t meant to be discussed as if they were simply talking about the weather.

As she looked over at her friend, still talking and flirting with Evan, oblivious to Jacqui’s distress, Grant spoke again.

“Julie told me about your battle and triumph with cancer.”

Jacqui scoffed. “Triumph. It’s a bit early to declare victory.”

“Your treatment is complete and here you are. That’s a start. She said you’ve shown tremendous strength. It takes courage and fortitude to go through what you did and still maintain an optimistic attitude.”

“Or great drugs, of which I had plenty. And how would you know I have an optimistic attitude?”

“You’re here, aren’t you, in spite of whatever hesitations you may have?” When Jacqui could only stare at him, he continued. “I watched you walk through that door and stand there assessing your surroundings. And although you looked ready to turn back around and leave, you remained.”

Jacqui glanced down at the ground. “Yeah, well, I couldn’t take Julie’s nagging anymore.” Staring back up at him, she continued. “And what is it we supposedly have in common? You look like you live in the gym, meanwhile, this is the first time I’ve stepped into one.”

Grant chuckled. “Live in the gym? Is that a back-handed compliment?”

Jacqui could feel her face heating. Her quick perusal of his form left no doubt that he was not only fit, but extremely appealing in what appeared to be a natural way.

A short-sleeved shirt revealed arms with lean muscles, and even though his legs were covered by slim-fitting athletic pants, there was no mistaking the definition of his thighs beneath the material.

She could only imagine him having a tight abdomen—that washboard stomach where she could trail her fingers across his hot skin and actually count the ripples.

Her gaze happened to skim over his crotch where a noticeable bulge caught her attention.

She felt her eyes widen as she quickly turned away, trying to focus on anything else but how much larger he’d be when aroused.

Grant closed the space between them and whispered in her ear. “You’re cute when you blush. Adds much needed color to your beautiful face.”

Jacqui drew back and looked up at him as he straightened. “I’m not—”

“As for what we have in common,” Grant started, interrupting her, “I battled cancer as well, ten years ago.”

“Oh,” she mumbled, surprised and embarrassed.

“I don’t mind talking about it because I beat it. And you’re doing the same.”

“It’s still early, I mean, it’s only been six months since I finished treatment.” She repeated what he seemed to already know. Jacqui wasn’t comfortable with praise, especially after some of the dark thoughts she’d had while going through her ordeal.

Grant stepped forward and took her hands in his, the warmth of his touch spreading throughout her entire body. “That’s something, isn’t it? A small step that’ll lead to another and then another. Like your step at coming here, and not just because of Julie’s nagging.”

He smiled and she returned it with a smile of her own. “She’s the reason I got through it,” she said, whispering as emotion choked her. “Julz was there for me when I had no one else.”

“I know.”

“Just how much do you know, Grant?”

“I might know more than just a bit.”

He continued to smile and she was unable to look away at his gorgeous face showing sincerity and concern.

Jacqui couldn’t help but squirm, uneasy about his scrutiny, and the fact that he knew more about her than she did about him.

Julz mentioned him often when talking about the gym, but very little personal information had been shared.

“Ever since Julie started talking about trying to get you to come here over two years ago, I’ve wanted to meet you.

” Jacqui sucked in her breath at Grant’s statement, but he continued on.

“Julie and I have been friends since she started here five years ago. And friendship is all there’s ever been between us.

When her visits became scarce for a time, I learned about you and what you were going through.

I told her I’d offer any help I could, and apparently just being there to listen was all she needed. All was good afterward.”

“Ha, yeah, good. I took advantage of her friendship, her presence, never thinking it might be overwhelming for her and she’d then need someone to talk to as well.

I was so selfish. Coming here was the least I could do to make it up to her, to make her happy.

We needed better times than her taking care of a sick woman. ”

Grant squeezed her hands, causing her to look up at him. “She never felt that way. Believe me, I know. You went through something no one should ever go through, and she was only too happy to be a small part of helping. Don’t ever think you were selfish. Don’t ever think you weren’t worth it.”

“But I did,” Jacqui said again in her quiet voice, hardly believing the confession about to escape.

Jacqui was unexpectedly guided away from the entrance and into a small office, where Grant led them to a small couch after shutting the door. “Did what ? What did you feel, Jacqui?”