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She dug her ever-present notepad out of her tote and made a few notes about the obstacle course “Larissa isn’t actually licensed in the state of California, is she? I kind of re me that”

“She has the training,” Sam said “But I don’t know if she sat for her boards or not Why?”

“I’ the Sunday afternoon spa experience should include ood to have on hand”

“Include the inforn waivers If you tell them she’s our private masseuse, they won’t care about a license”

Dellina nodded He had a point She would check on the legality of it all and then make her decision Besides, they would need more than one masseuse, anyway

She and Sam headed toward the trail Only a few feet frorove of trees that stretched toward the ns of civilization quickly faded

The air was cool and quiet If not for the gravel path, she would have assuravel became dirt, but she was pleased to see that the orn track was as easy to follow as Angel had promised

“This is nice,” she said as they walked next to each other She did her best to focus on her work and not notice that every now and then Saainst hers He arles that shot through her with each second of contact

“We should get one of these by the office,” he said

She laughed “You’re not in the s How do you propose getting a forest on your property? Isn’t the basketball court enough?”

“This is better,” he said as he glanced around

Boys with toys, she thought fondly “You must have been quite the athletic kid,” she told him “I was more of a reader Fayrene and Ana Raquel were into soccer and dance I liked taking art classes” She paused as he looked at her “What? You’re the one who doesn’t talk about personal things Does that mean I can’t?”

“I like hearing about your family”

There was soht A question? A concern? She wasn’t sure

She stopped and faced him He was taller than her His dark eyes were unreadable in the twilight of the forest She could smell earth and leaves and flowers, but none of the in front of her

Oh, to not be working with hiht Just for five minutes so she could inappropriately throw herself at hiirl could dream

“It’s noret that You tellpersonal and I respond in kind”

She risked putting her hand on his forears private and I’m okay with that”

“I don’t roll that way?” he repeated “Did you just say that?”

She grinned “Maybe”

Heto Well, she wasn’t sure what, but a kiss would be nice Or a declaration that being near to her drove him so crazy he couldn’t control himself Hmm, ould an uncontrolled Sa, for sure

He raised his ar to pull her close Her heart started to beat fast and flutter a little and her throat got tight His hands were headed straight for her shoulders Okay, not exactly a traditional hug position but she was open to experi If he—

Sam dropped his hands to her shoulders, turned her around so she was facing the trail, then gave her a little push

She held in a sigh

“I wasn’t athletic as a kid,” he told her as they walked down the trail “I was sick”

She stopped and faced hiain “Sick how?”

“Asthrew it, but rimaced “Especially my mom My dad had played professional basketball and Mom was an equestrian One of my sisters played volleyball professionally and the other had planned on playing woency and became a model”

It was probably as otten off of Wikipedia, but still This was Sa her personal stuff She had a thousand questions—about his parents and his sisters—but she could only focus on one fact

“I’h for you”

He shifted uncoain This tiain He fell into step beside her

“It wasn’t fun,” he adest and the set better, I wanted to play sports, but everyone orried When I insisted on going out for football, my mother practically chained me to my bed”

“She ”

He shot her a sideways glance “You’re not the first one to suggest that”

She grinned “Then I’el had proo

“You co” She could see how that would be less stressful on his body Al was more about skill than brawn

“I practiced until I was good, then tried out for the tea When I ned the paperwork Moame”

Dellina thought about how she would have felt if they were talking about her son “I’”

“She wasn’t happy, but she got over it”

“And the rest is history,” she said “Now you’re in a profession that’s safer She must like that”

“She does”

“You were married before”

The words popped out before she could stop the up other personal infor deal, it ith Sam

“Not that we have to discuss that,” she added softly