Taryn considered him, trying to tap into her gut feelings, something she’d learned to trust. Her mother would tell her to get the hell out of there because she didn’t know this guy and no one could hear her scream. That was where her mom’s mind would instantly go. But Taryn didn’t feel that fear with Lucas. He could’ve skipped telling her this if he had bad intentions. He also would probably be trying to do a better job of reassuring her. Plus, she’d asked the guy out twice. He wasn’t exactly eager to get her alone. “It’s okay. I don’t want Rivers to have to come out in this rain. Plus, Kincaid knows I’m here, so if you kill me, she’ll know it was you and hunt you down. I expect she’d make it a painful and slow death.”
She’d meant it as a joke, but Lucas frowned. “You’re safe with me.”
The stark sincerity in the words hit her right in her gut. Something in his eyes said he truly was worried she’d see him as some kind of threat, even though he’d shown her nothing but kindness since he’d helped her find her shoe the other night. Maybe he was used to people being intimidated by him because he was so fit. She nodded. “I believe you.”
The tension in his face softened. “Thanks. I’ll meet you on the main floor, okay? Take your time, and be ready to sweat.”
She shivered again. “That actually sounds pleasant compared to rain-soaked and freezing.”
His lips lifted at one corner. “We’ll see if you’re still saying that after the workout.”
She laughed. “I’ll probably just be cursing you and the horse you rode in on.”
“Probably,” he said brightly.
She groaned and headed toward the ladies’ locker room. Once inside, she quickly took off her glasses, put in her contacts, and tied back her hair with a bandanna. Then she changed into her workout clothes, the new items feeling foreign and far too clingy. She’d planned on wearing her old sweatpants and loose T-shirts for these sessions, but when she’d mentioned that to Kincaid, her friend had vetoed that idea immediately. If we’re really going to subject ourselves to falling into swimming pools, you don’t want to be drowned by your ugly, floppy pants and old T-shirt. We need to look cute as we embarrass ourselves.
Taryn had dutifully bought two new workout outfits on her lunch break yesterday, still debating whether she’d actually wear them. The last thing she wanted to do was wear Lycra after not having worked out in years. But when Rivers had emailed her last night with the information for the training sessions, the safety rules had been attached. No loose clothing allowed on obstacle courses and the equipment. Because it posed a safety risk. Having a sweatshirt get hooked on something as you fell was a good way to hang yourself, apparently.
So now Taryn was wearing clothes that clung to her as if she’d applied them with superglue and feeling completely out of her comfort zone. Before leaving the locker room, she snatched her hoodie and pulled it over her head. She could claim it was because she was cold. Plus, she probably wouldn’t be doing obstacles right away. They were just going to warm up.
Lucas was waiting for her when she stepped inside the main part of the gym. The skylights flashed with the lightning outside, and the rain battered the roof, making it sound like they were inside a huge barrel. Lucas had changed into different clothes—a snug, black T-shirt and a pair of gray track pants. She worked hard not to stare.
Definitely failed.
Lucas smiled, clipboard in hand. “All ready to go?”
She shrugged. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He didn’t seem deterred by her lack of enthusiasm as he looked down at the clipboard. “All right. Let’s walk or jog a few laps around the track to get warmed up and then we’ll try The Wall.”
He said the last two words as if they were capitalized and should be followed by of Doom.
“Wait, hold up.” Taryn lifted a finger and pointed to the giant curved wall off to the left behind Lucas. “Surely you don’t mean that wall over there.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “The very one.”
“You’ve got jokes, Lucas.”
He gave her an amused glance. “No jokes. You’re trying that wall tonight.”
Yeah, and ice-skating in hell would follow that event. “You’re nuts.”
“Maybe.” He grinned and set aside his clipboard. “I said you’re safe with me. I never said I’d be easy on you.” He clapped his hands. “Now get moving, songbird.”
“Songbird?”
“Yep.” He started running in place. “A talented singer. But also a lady who’s doing a lot of crowing right now.”
She lifted a brow, affronted. “Did you just call me a crow? Don’t make me throw my shoe at you again.”
He jogged away. “You’ll have to catch me first.”
Well, that did it. She hadn’t been a runner in a long time, but that old
competitive spirit from track fired up at the challenge. She jogged after him toward the narrow indoor track and poked him in the arm when she caught up. “I’m out of practice, but not slow.”
“Getting cocky already, songbird,” he said, keeping pace with her.