Pure Temptation

His raspy voice strummed something inside her, but Kendall was trying hard not to be swayed by it, or his enthusiasm. He made it all sound so natural, so…sane. “You’re talking about the rush of all this, but you have to understand that at some level this is stressful, both physically and mentally, even if it’s fun. You jumped out of an airplane with no parachute a few months ago, for God’s sake.”

Daxon flashed her a cheeky grin. “Did you watch?”

This man was incorrigible.

“Maybe,” she hedged. “Just to make sure you got to the ground safely.”

Daxon waved off the comment. “I trusted my partner enough to put my life in his hands. Besides, Calvin wouldn’t have shown the footage if I didn’t make it.”

“Good point,” said Kendall.

He winked at her mischievously. “Which is why my free climb of Moonlight Buttress is going to have a live broadcasting element. Everyone will be watching, wondering if I’ll make it. One slip of my fingers and…” He lifted his hands in surrender, adding, “It ups the stakes.”

“Aaaand now we have the answer to where your added stress level is coming from.”

Daxon’s smile turned cocky.

“Not a chance. I thrive on the pressure. And I perform best that way, too.” He lifted his eyebrows as that last sentence left his lips. “Just in case you’re wondering.”

It was the kind of thing a guy said right before he headed into bedroom talk. She could tell Daxon’s mind went there for a moment by the way his eyes glittered with heat. And despite the fact that it was one step away from a bad pick-up line, that tempting heat traveled right through her body. Don’t get distracted.

“I’m sure your performances are…fine,” she said evenly. His eyes narrowed at that last word. “But that’s still stress, and it has to come out somehow. In your case, it could be taking on physical manifestations.”

“Like tension, which means the slow healing of my calf muscles?”

“Exactly.”

“I see,” said Daxon.

He actually looked serious, like he was really considering what she was saying. He was quiet, staring out the open French doors at the ocean, but she got the feeling he wasn’t seeing it.

And for just a moment, she wondered what it was like to be Daxon Miles. He probably didn’t even let himself think about his own vulnerabilities two weeks before a free solo climb. He’d have to have shut all his doubts out long ago, build a wall so they didn’t creep in. Kendall knew exactly how people like this worked. She’d grown up with a man like this in her very own home.

She studied Daxon for an extra beat. “Can we rewind back to when you answered the door a bit ago?”

“Sure.”

“What would you have done if someone else had been standing outside your door, someone you didn’t know?”

Daxon laughed. “Well, for starters, I wouldn’t have dropped my towel.”

Yeah, right. Her face must have said exactly that because he tilted his head to the side, his brow wrinkling.

“Truthfully, I probably would have sent someone else away today. I’d also probably dodge them a few times this week, just for a little space.” His mouth turned up, sliding back into his signature grin. “But I’m definitely not going to dodge you.”

Damn. One-on-one with this man for seven days? He was already distracting her after fifteen minutes. It was time for a new plan, a better one. The plan she had decided on before she knocked on the door—resist his charm—wasn’t going to hold up for long. At this point, she wasn’t sure if she even wanted to avoid this particular brand of trouble anymore…

“My turn for a question,” he said. “At dinner that night in Costa Rica, you said you were traveling to Hawaii for your next assignment. Is that when you got this job?”

Kendall shook her head slowly. She was a little thrown off by the fact that he actually remembered a detail like that from their conversation. But she shouldn’t be. There was an intensity to him when they were alone, like every ounce of his attention was on her.

“That assignment never panned out,” she said. “But I couldn’t get Hawaii out of my mind.”

He looked out the window, and she did, too. Across the patio and his private pool, through the palm trees, the ocean spread out in front of them, a sparkling blanket of blue.

“I understand why,” said Daxon softly.

“Costa Rica was gorgeous, too,” she said. “That night at dinner, I got the feeling you loved it there, like you were considering staying. What’s stopping you?”

Daxon’s forehead wrinkled as he seemed to consider his answer. “I don’t have any desire to stop traveling, to stop exploring new places, but I wouldn’t mind a little beach house somewhere to come back to.”

“You could still get one.”

He tilted his head, studying her. “My turn again. And tell the truth.”

Kendall crossed her arms, trying to resist the twitch at the corners of her mouth. “Ask away.”

“I want to go back to that hallway in Costa Rica. That kiss was…” His voice trailed off, and his smile turned hungry. “You can fill in that last word yourself. But something made you stop. What was it?”

Of course he wanted to discuss that. Though she supposed it was better to get this topic out of the way from the start.

“The obvious. You hired me.” She shrugged, as if that kiss hadn’t been a big deal. As if she hadn’t replayed it in her mind too many times.

“But the job was over,” he said. “And I’m not into mixing work with pleasure, either. The idea of you feeling obligated in some way to have sex is a boner-killer for me.”

She shook her head. “Thank you for that TMI moment.”

Daxon’s laugh was so real, so deep and easy and infectious, and Kendall found herself smiling, too. His laughter waned, leaving a glint of determination in his eyes.

“Do the same rules apply between us now?” His voice was low and sexy, making this question even more torturous.

Lord, he was tempting. Could there possibly be a way to explore this attraction and still keep her principles firmly in place? Kendall sighed. “I haven’t decided.”

“If we chose to explore…mutual pleasure this week, could it in any way interfere with your career? In theory, of course.”

The word pleasure rolled off his beautiful lips, echoing through her. More physical memories came back. The hard, defined muscles of Daxon’s biceps moving, flexing beneath her hands as he slid his tongue over hers. She shook her head again. “Not that I’m aware of. Though it’s not exactly the reputation I’m cultivating here.”

“Noted,” he said, and he sounded a little more serious. At least he seemed to understand that part. “I can keep my mouth shut.”

“Noted,” she said, giving him what she hoped was a dry smile. “I’ll take it under consideration.”

His signature grin curved seductively at the corners of his mouth, like he was considering it, too. In detail.

His sharp gaze was on her again. His hand stopped halfway down his jaw. There was heat in his eyes along with something that looked an awful lot like resolve. He was deciding something, and she was almost sure it was about her.

He rose from the couch and stretched, his T-shirt lifting, exposing the sculpted abs and dark trail of hair that led into his shorts. Was she gawking at him again? Kendall swallowed and met his eyes.

He flashed her a smile, a mix of amusement and challenge. “Well, if stress is why my muscles aren’t relaxing, I think we should start right away with my welcome massage.”

Kendall’s face flushed as she leveled her gaze on him. “This isn’t the kind of massage that has a happy ending.”

When Daxon’s smile broadened, still hot and even more determined, she knew she was in so much trouble. “If anyone’s getting a happy ending today, it’s you.”

CHAPTER TWO

WAS THAT LAST comment a little too much? Maybe, but Daxon had made a decision, and once he put his mind to something, he couldn’t let up. His brain had kicked back into gear, and he had decided to pursue the most obvious route, the perfect relaxation plan, one they’d both enjoy. He had never had much success at reducing his intensity level, but he could switch his focus.

His attraction to Kendall was a little dizzying, but that was likely just because he had resisted it—of course, her appeal had intensified when she walked away after a hot-as-hell kiss. His mind had filled in all the details that his body had missed out on that night. Solution: instead of spending another week trying not to picture Kendall Clark underneath him, they could have a little fun, get this thing between them out of their systems.

Besides, he needed a really good distraction, something to take his mind off the fact that he’d rather be in Zion National Park right now, preparing to climb Moonlight Buttress. Thinking about that had driven him crazy today. Thinking about sex with Kendall was a stellar alternative, and he had one glorious week to divert himself with it. But she looked far from convinced, which meant he had to get this next part right: keep her laughing and figure out her hesitations and limits. Make it clear from the beginning that getting naked with him meant plenty of fun for her, too. And no more flashing your hard-on, buddy.

Daxon gave her a playful wink. “Satisfaction guaranteed.”

She cracked a little grin. Slowly, it grew wider until her whole face lit up in a beautiful, thousand-watt smile. “You’re relentless.”

“That’s my strength,” he said. “For better or for worse.”

It felt so good to see her again. A whole week with Kendall stretched in front of him, and his smile just wouldn’t quit. She stood, smoothing her tiny shorts over her long legs. Daxon loved any challenge, and this one involved a hot woman whom he’d thought about too much…in the shower, most often. His mind was going in a dozen different directions right now, but it was time to focus and let her do her job.

He rubbed his hands together, quirked an eyebrow at her and nodded to the massage table. “You can go first if you want.”

She rolled her eyes. “Climb up, champ. I want to check out your leg.” She walked over to the table and spread a towel over one half, and he climbed on. “I’m going to start by feeling around and moving your leg to get a sense of what’s going on. Let me know how it feels.”

He nodded.

Kendall moved to his left side, her attention focused completely on his leg, which meant he was free to watch her work. And not stare down her shirt, since he was pretty sure that would fall under obnoxious client behavior. He respected that. After a few unsolicited kisses by women when he was in front of the camera, he understood that there were many reasons why it could put her in a tricky position. So seeing her off duty was the—

“Ooooh,” he groaned as her fingers gently kneaded the top of his calf. “Right there.”

“Does it hurt?” She moved her hands farther down and to the sides, testing.

Daxon shook his head. “Just a little tight.”

She moved to the base of the table and picked up his foot, flexing it gently.

“Still okay?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Rarely hurts anymore. I’m just trying not to push it too hard this week. Which means mandatory R&R for me.” Daxon sighed. Some people just weren’t built to relax, and he was one of them. This week he’d work on his core and hand strength while going easy on his legs—that was the best he could do.

She put down his foot and rested her hands on the table. “I don’t see anything worrisome at this point, but I agree that three weeks is a bit long for a Class 1 tear to heal. Though if you’re still the same person as you were in Costa Rica, I’d guess the reason for the slow recovery is that you’re still pushing yourself too hard.”

“Which is what my ‘personal healing coach’ is supposed to help with?”

Kendall laughed. “Who came up with that title?”

Daxon shook his head. “That would be Calvin. Definitely his sense of humor.”

“Calvin, your producer?” She frowned a little. “Does he think we…?” Her sentence drifted off as she gestured between the two of them.

He paused, considering his answer carefully. “I think he assumes I sleep with a lot of women.” Kendall’s frown grew deeper. “Shitty, I know. Still, assuming we slept together is not enough for him to arrange this.”

Her expression softened. “Then why did he specifically request me?”

Daxon shrugged. “Probably because I actually followed what you said I should do back in Costa Rica.”

“And you don’t follow orders?”

He heard the hint of sarcasm in her voice, but he ignored it. “I’m not being a dick about this, just honest. I need someone who takes lots of things into consideration, including working within my business obligations.” He paused. “I’ve been told I’m frustrating to work with.”

“I see.”

“You’re a great physical therapist, Kendall,” he said softly. “And I’m not just saying that to get into your pants. Though I wouldn’t say no if that’s an option.”

“Thanks, Daxon,” she said, then, with a smirk, added, “for the professional compliment, of course.”

The compliment was the unfiltered truth. In Costa Rica, Kendall went beyond the physical aspects of healing and actually listened when he said he couldn’t make a particular accommodation.

She was also hot, of course, but there were plenty of hot women in the world and only one Moonlight Buttress to free solo. Not that he was celibate these days, but it had been a while…which probably wasn’t a good thing since Kendall was about to put her hands on him again.

This would likely turn into the world’s most torturous PT session. Daxon tried to clear his mind of the lusty haze that was still lingering. He—or Calvin, actually—had pushed her into this setup. If he wanted to propose after-hours fun, Dax needed to figure out how to give her a real choice, the freedom to opt in or opt out. Hopefully it wouldn’t be the latter, but this would only work if she was all in.

“Look, I’ve made it clear that I find you incredibly attractive, and maybe you’re feeling this vibe, too.” He lifted one eyebrow, and he got a wry smile from her in return. “But I respect that you probably don’t want to fool around on the clock.”

She gave a little nod, which hopefully meant he was on the right track. Now for the solution.

“I have an idea for you to think about,” he continued, keeping his gaze steady on her eyes, not letting it wander down to her mouth, no matter how tempting it was. “I’m not looking for an answer right now, just something to consider. You check out my leg and do your job, and I won’t come on to you.” She gave a little snort, but he pushed on. “When you’re finished, you walk out my cabin door. Then you have a choice—you can keep walking, or you can turn around and come back in for that happy ending I’m dying to give you. Off duty.”

She lifted her gaze to his, and her eyes were filled with heat. She licked her lips, and his eyes went straight there, fixating on her tongue. A bolt of heavy lust ran through him. Fuck, he had to keep this decent. He forced his gaze back up, and a smile quirked at the corners of her mouth.

“Just think about it,” he whispered.

The body was a truly miraculous instrument, intricate connections of nerves and muscles and ligaments and bones. They all worked together to do the simple movements humans took for granted…until the system broke down. Then the different parts came into painful relief.

Kendall had seen the toll this breakdown could take on someone, how it could crush a person. Her father had come so close to that breaking point during one awful fire season, when the worst came so close to happening. Being a hotshot firefighter came with a ticking clock, and both her parents knew that when they started. In the intimate game with nature’s forces, nature always won. The night the tree limb fell and crushed her father’s arm, ending his hotshot career, was a reminder neither she nor her mother would ever forget. Her dad got out alive, thanks to his team, and after a long, painful recovery period—thanks to both his physical therapist and Kendall’s mother—he had moved on. Still, all these years later, her father missed it, some days wistfully, other days fiercely. Kendall tried not to get hung up on the question she had asked too many times: Why the hell did he still want to run toward danger instead of away from it?

All this had unfolded when she was in her tweens, and she had decided to become a physical therapist.

Her family history had probably made her a better one, or at the very least, a more dedicated one. Each client was a new path into the intricate art of movement. Each client meant learning the ways that a person could heal.

Her fingers brushed the dusting of hair on Daxon’s thighs. His body was truly a wonder. She moved her hands up and down his leg, over all that golden skin, those well-defined muscles. She was trying hard not to get distracted by his off-duty idea, but every time her fingers moved up to his thighs, he sucked in a breath, reminding her of where this could go. Later.

Concentrate.

She had seen her fair share of men in amazing shape as a traveling physical therapist, athletes with bodies fine-tuned for sports. This was different. The switch had flipped that night in Costa Rica, and she couldn’t figure out how to flip it back. She was no longer studying Daxon’s body the way she would study a work of art. She was thinking about what it could do. What his muscular thighs would feel like pressed against hers. How it would feel to run her hands over those biceps as he lowered himself over her with each heavy thrust.

She glanced up at Daxon. His eyes were fixed on her, hot and intense. Holy hell. His hands gripped the sides of the massage table, his knuckles white. Still, he said nothing. Kendall smiled. She had to admit the man had impressive focusing skills. Much better than hers, clearly. Still, it was amusing to see him all worked up like this.

She quirked her eyebrow at him. “Not your best day for relaxing?”

He gave her a wry smile. “It’s not a strength of mine, even on a good day.”

“I think if you spend this week with a little stretching, massage and low-strain exercise for your legs, you’ll be fine,” she said, rocking back onto her heels, putting a little distance between them. “The real challenge is to go easy on your calf during the rest of the day. Try to stay off your feet as much as possible.”

“I’ll think of something.”

She narrowed her eyes, and he put up his hands in surrender, laughing. “I wasn’t coming on to you. Just a guy and his ‘personal healing coach’—” He put air quotes around those last words “—having a conversation.”

“Can we stop with the job title? It sounds like I’m part of some sort of cult fitness retreat.”

He chuckled. “I already told you you’re an amazing physical therapist,” he said. “But the truth is I don’t want you as a coach. And in the interest of keeping my word, I’ll stop before I tell you what I want instead.”

She bit her lip as Daxon’s proposition came back. Off-hours fun. Low risk and high reward, if their kiss back in Costa Rica was any indication.

Kendall ended the session and packed her bags, taking her time, enjoying the heat of Daxon’s intense gaze on her. She scrolled through the tablet, reviewing and adding to his schedule for the next day. She ticked off sailing, snorkeling, and a few more of the Kalani’s features that were well suited for a guy with an itch for adventure and a body that wasn’t currently cooperating. After all, he wasn’t the resort’s first guest in this situation.

“Here’s a map of the Kalani, and I’ll take you on a tour tomorrow afternoon,” she said, handing it to him. “You can also use this tablet to book appointments or activities, order food—anything you need.”

He scrolled through his options. “Can I book as many sessions with you as I want?”

“Don’t push it.” She tried to hold back her smile, but Daxon seemed to catch it anyway.

His mouth quirked up. “Thank you for doing this.”

“My pleasure,” she said, giving him the same playful wink he’d given her earlier. Before he could respond, she turned and walked toward the door.

Daxon followed. He didn’t say anything, but she got his message just fine. Remember how hot it was between us? I’d love to take it further this time. Or maybe that was her own voice.

She paused at the door, then turned around. “I’ll see you soon.”

“I hope so.” His gaze dipped to her lips, then back to her eyes. He opened his mouth, as if to say something more, then closed it with a little frown. Lord, she wanted to kiss that mouth, so she turned around, opened the door and walked out, shutting it with a click.

Then she came to a full stop on the wooden porch. Whoa.

Kendall took a deep breath. In front of her, Mauna Kea, the enormous volcano, rose up in the middle of the island. She was surrounded by miles of untouched hills and beaches, and the only other people anywhere near the place were high-profile guests, equally interested in privacy. A perfect place for escape and fun. Behind her, just on the other side of the door, was the hot, ultra-fit, six-foot-something man who had fueled her sexiest fantasies for the last six months—and that was only after a kiss. The man just had to breathe next to her and she was turned on. Escape and fun? Definitely.

Back in Costa Rica, Daxon had been hard enough to resist. Her employer at the time hadn’t forbidden any intimate relations with clients…and she’d heard stories. But until that assignment, Kendall had never once been tempted to cross the line. Daxon didn’t make on-the-job advances, but for one aching week, she found herself wondering what it would be like if he had.

Today she was getting a chance to reconsider that night in Costa Rica when she had walked away. She had taken this job as Daxon’s physical therapist knowing full well that spending time with him would be intense. All she had to do was walk back in the door.

Kendall took a deep breath. Another breath. Another. Not helping. The anticipation of kissing Daxon again, all that intense energy focused—

The door creaked open behind her. She spun around and stood face-to-face with Daxon.

He blinked at her, lust written all over his face. Then he rubbed the back of his neck and gave her a sheepish smile. “Just checking the weather.”

“Liar.”

“I was checking the weather.” He glanced up at the cloudless sky. Then he stretched out his hand, palm up. “No rain. I also might have been checking to see if you had left. In addition.”

“Just thinking through my options.” Kendall crossed her arms, going for her best casual pose.

“Sure,” he said lightly. “Let me know if you want any help thinking through those options. Or trying some of them out.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you offering to drop your towel again?”

“I’m never going to live that one down, am I?”

“Probably not.”

“You know where to find me.” He started to close the door.

It was time. Kendall put her hand on the door. “Wait.”

The door swung open again, and he was grinning. She stood, facing him, staring into those glittering green eyes. God, those eyes. They were filled with the same kinds of more that she had spent a week resisting last time: more games, more sexy, more fun. And right now, that was exactly the kind of more she needed.

“Made up your mind?” he asked, his voice soft, low.

She nodded.

“You’re coming in?”

She nodded again. “Otherwise, I’ll spend another six months wondering what I missed.”

CHAPTER THREE

DAXON STEPPED ASIDE, leaving just enough room for her to pass through. Kendall’s eyes narrowed, like she saw exactly what he was doing. She stopped in front of him, her body brushing up against his.