My Spy (12 page)

Sam met her angry gaze with a faint smile, which only flustered her more. “Is that story they tell true?”

She crossed her arms, then dropped them when she realized it hitched up her T-shirt a good three inches. “What story?”

“The one about you and the NFL quarterback. I hear he tried to sneak in a football before you thought he was ready to start throwing again.”

“The next morning he found a dozen pieces of boiled pigskin mixed in his jalapeño omelette,” Annie finished coldly. “Yes, it's true. Now do you agree to rule number two or not?”

“Noticed that, did you?” Sam rubbed his jaw slowly. “Don't suppose you'd accept a
maybe.
”

“Don't suppose.”

“Hell.” He studied the brace on his leg, then shrugged. “Agreed. Anything else?”

“Five minutes for me to make coffee, five minutes for me to dress.”

“No need to bother dressing on my account. That T-shirt is the best fashion statement I've seen in quite a while.”

“Very funny.” Annie gave the Lakers' shirt a last tug, relinquishing the idea of another hour's sleep. “See you in ten minutes. Do not
think
about moving until I get back.”

“Sure thing, Doc. I won't think about anything.” He watched her huff outside, then permitted himself a wide grin. “Except maybe that gorgeous pair of legs you've got,” he muttered.

W
HEN ANNIE
RETURNED,
SHE
WAS
DRESSED
IN LYCRA
CAPRIS and a matching Lycra exercise top that bared most of her midriff.

“Looking good, Doc,” Sam murmured.

“Save your flattery.” She put a bottle down beside him. “Here's your water. Drink frequently, whether you're thirsty or not. Dehydration can be a real problem during exercise.”

Sam didn't appear to hear. He was staring at her feet. “What happened?”

“Nothing happened.”

“You've been walking funny ever since yesterday.”

“I always walk funny when I get four hours of sleep.” The world wasn't fair, Annie thought. How could he look so rugged, so calm?

So gorgeous.

He
was supposed to be the sick one. Instead he looked relaxed and focused, his unruly hair and two-day stubble dangerously sexy. A black turtleneck only added to his dangerous good looks.

Going without sleep made men look tough and adventurous. It made
women
look scary.

Annie tried not to think about the dark circles and puffy eyes that marked her own restless night. “Can we stop dissecting my walk and get to work?” She cut off his answer, pacing briskly to the terrace outside his room.

“What's the rush?”

“I've got an early meeting with my accountant.”

“Sounds like loads of fun.”

“Yeah, Arnold's a real laugh fest.” She opened a wooden storage chest and pulled out a big blue ball. Made of soft rubber, it bounced smoothly when she dropped it. “This is your new best friend. You two are going to spend lots of time together. You can start by sitting down on it.”

Sam stared at the ball with disdain. “I don't have time for children's games. I need to get back in shape. That means hard work to get me strong and mobile. Maybe then I'll—”

Annie sat down on the ball and stared up at him. “Maybe then you'll
what
?”

He looked over her shoulder. “Remember.”

She nodded slowly, understanding what drove him so relentlessly. “Being strong will help, Sam, but it may not bring all the answers.”

“I'll have to risk that. My options are a little limited right now. Can we get down to some real work?”

Annie stood up and rolled the ball toward him. “Be my guest. It's harder than it looks, trust me.”

“It's just a big ball. How hard can it be?”

“Try it.”

“The only hard thing will be maneuvering with this damned brace.” More irritated than ever, Sam propped one crutch against the wall and sank downward.

Annie forced herself not to help him as he tottered slightly, then settled on the ball.

“I don't see what's the big deal. Anyone can sit on a—”

Without warning he slid backward. Muttering, he pushed back up, opening his legs for balance. Even then he shifted slightly, rolling from side to side, his abs working to keep him upright. “I can feel this all through my back.”

“That's the idea. This ball uses the stabilizing muscles in your back as well as your abs and thighs. It also develops upper-body strength and helps your balance.” She smiled innocently. “Especially with the ten-pound dumbbell I'm going to give you.”

“Ten pounds is nothing.” He took the weight, working hard to stay upright. “What do you want to me to do now, balance plates?”

“We're going to work your right shoulder, tricep, and delt. At the same time, you'll be strengthening your back and abs on
the ball. Hold the weight at your side, without moving your arms. Exhale as you raise your shoulder, inhale as you lower.”

He worked through the movements stiffly, as if it were a fight to make his body listen, but the movements gradually became smoother.

For thirty minutes they focused on his good arm, running through front and side arm lifts, hammer curls and biceps curls, all seated, which demanded torso strength and concentration.

At the end of his workout, Sam was flushed and sweating slightly. Annie noticed his mouth twitch whenever he bent his left elbow.

“Let's take a break.”

“I want to keep going.”

Annie blew out an irritated breath. “Your elbow's bothering you, Sam.”

“Nothing big. I didn't even use that side yet.”

Frowning, Annie lifted away his weight. “Pushing through warning signs is a dumb idea.”

“Are you calling me dumb?”

She shook her head. “I'm calling you dumb and stubborn.”

He said nothing, massaging his elbow.

“Let me do that.” She checked the joint, feeling for resistance. “How long have you had this knot on the back of your arm?”

“Don't remember. Maybe I hit it when I fell last night.”

“You
fell
and you didn't call me?”

“There was no need. I handled it myself.”

“I'm supposed to be helping you, Sam. H-e-l-p. That means you
call
me if you have a problem.”

“I was clumsy and I slipped. There was no blood and the pain was minimal, so I decided to let you sleep.” His eyes narrowed. “It was the least I could do after ripping into you yesterday.”

An apology?

Annie opened her mouth for a scathing answer, then closed it.
No emotions,
she told herself.
Nothing personal.
“Next time wake me up. Meanwhile, I want that swelling on the back of your arm checked out.”

“Fine.” Sam pulled a towel from the nearby table and wiped his face. Annie saw his jaw harden at the movement. “Right after we finish the workout.”

“You're insatiable, do you know that?”

“Am I?” Something flickered in his eyes. “I don't know what I am. I can't
remember
enough to know.” He wadded the towel tightly between his fingers. “Not one damn thing that matters.”

Annie touched his arm gently. “You're too stubborn to let anything get past you for long.”

“Was that a compliment, Doc?”

“Probably not.”

“Good. I don't think I like compliments. Criticism is more useful. Now tell me what's really wrong with your feet.”

“I told you, I—”

“That was the lie,” he said patiently. “Now try the truth.”

Annie winced as her heel brushed against one of the dumbbells on the floor. “If you must know, you knocked over a glass the night you arrived. I wasn't wearing slippers.” She omitted the part about the glass slivers she'd dug out for an hour afterward.

“Why didn't you say something?”

“At the time I was a little distracted trying to keep you in bed.”

“Hell.” His gaze rose slowly, following the trim line of her body. He took her hand and brushed it with his lips. “Sorry for that.”

Annie shivered, trying not to feel.

Trying not to remember.

“Sorry for what?”

He gently kissed her open palm. “For causing you pain.”

“Forget it.”

Sam traced the inside of her wrist. “I don't think I can.”

It took all Annie's strength not to lean closer and pull his mouth up to meet hers.

She stepped back, clearing her throat. “Let's get to work. But first you take your pain pill.”

“Already had it.”

Fine. If the stubborn fool wanted to play this game the hard way, so be it.

“Let's work on your leg. Lateral lifts.”

Annie was rolling out a padded exercise mat in the living room when she heard him stop. He was staring at her, one shoulder against the door. “Are you involved with anyone?”

Annie finished straightening the mat. “Why?”

“Just wondering.”

And you can keep right on wondering
, she thought as she sat on the mat and motioned him down beside her. “Lie on your side.”

“Aren't you going to give me an answer?”

“No. We'll start lateral stretches with your good leg. Extend your top leg slowly, keeping your foot straight. Inhale while you lift, exhale while you lower. Take your time, and don't force it.”

Sam stretched out awkwardly beside her, grimacing as he raised his foot. “Tell me about him.”

“No more questions.”

He raised a hand in acquiescence. “The last thing I want to do is pry into your private life.”

“I'm delighted to hear it. No, don't move that bottom leg.” She watched critically to be sure he didn't put pressure on the brace, then adjusted the position of his knee, supporting it with one hand. “That's good.”

He gave her a crooked grin. “It would be even better if you'd raise your hands a few more inches.”

Annie felt heat touch her face. “Keep your overheated fantasies to yourself.”

“I try, but you keep distracting me.”

“Next are forward extensions.”

Sam's eyes narrowed. “So it's strictly business, that's what you're saying?”

“With the rehabilitation program I have planned, neither of us will have time for anything else.”

Annie was painfully aware of the brush of his body as they worked through two sets of forward extensions. He was panting now, his face pale, but he still hadn't asked for a break.

“Now for the kickback. This one looks easy, but I warn you it isn't. You'll be working all the muscles in your back, so stop immediately if anything hurts.”

Despite his casual nod, Annie knew he had no intention of stopping for anything short of a complete joint dislocation.

“Lie down on the exercise ball and put your hands on the floor.”

“Sounds like this could be interesting.”

“Focus, McKade. I want to see your stomach in, back straight, chin tucked. Look straight down at the floor and hug the ball.”

“If you say so, Doc.”

Annie watched him work his way into the position. “Now lift your right leg as far as you can. Knee straight, remember. Keep the motion slow and controlled with the ball beneath you, so you really feel the muscles work.” His movements were jerky and Annie could see that he was surprised at how much coordination and concentration were required.

“Not as easy as it looks,” he muttered.

“Don't pull anything. All your muscles get a workout with this one, but you have to start out slow. Remember, you're healing muscles now, stretching them gently, not bulking them up.”

He finished another lift and Annie saw his mouth flatten to a line. His focus was almost palpable.

“Are you sure you took your pain medicine today?”

“Sure I'm sure.” He drew a hard breath. “I think I'll stop at ten.”

“I was going to suggest five.”

“What kind of a wimp do you take me for?”

The kind who would risk his life to save a bus filled with children. The kind who would tear a muscle before he'd show any weakness,

Annie thought.

She watched Sam force himself through another lift, breathing hard. His eyes were tense, his body stiff. “Damn it, Sam, stop pushing.”

His face was lined with strain as he rolled over onto his back.

Annie ran her hand along his shoulder, raging at herself for not halting him sooner. Not that the big gorilla would have stopped without a tranquilizer gun. She traced his elbow. “How does this feel?”

He shrugged. “A little tender.”

She touched the lump on the back of his arm. “This?”

He grunted. “The same.”

Annie massaged the area with long, slow strokes. It took longer than before to relax him. “Macho heroics will land you back in the hospital. You should have told me about the pain.”

He closed his eyes. “I could handle it.”

“And when you're back in a hospital bed, it will be a huge waste of the taxpayers' money.” He stiffened as she touched the inside of his elbow. “In the future, if it hurts, tell me. If I say stop, you stop, no questions asked.” She raised his arm, guiding it in a slow circle. “Better?”

He nodded, his breathing level. “I'll try to watch the macho heroics, I promise.”

“This isn't a joke, Sam. One more stunt like that and I'll have you flown out of here.”

“I need to work.” He looked tired, infuriated at a body that wouldn't do exactly what he told it to do.