Vivian Arend - High Risk

Fake it. It was her only defense left. “See you in the pool?”

He nodded, moving away from where he’d had her trapped by his body. She slid past, ignoring the brush of their torsos as much as possible.

Just before she’d completely made it to freedom, he spoke.

“Becki?”

She turned to face him. “Yeah?”

He full-out grinned, and her knees trembled. “About working out together? You let me know when you want to make some additions to the list.”

Becki fled, hoping there would be a power shortage and the pool would be icy cold.

She was in so much trouble.

Marcus passed the pile of paperwork across the table to David. “Thanks for bringing all that over.”

“No problem. No use both of us fussing with a trip to the accountant.” David slipped the files back into his briefcase and tossed it aside before staring out the window. “Slow spring. Weather reports are calling for more snow later this week.”

“Trails are going to be a mess for a long time still.” Marcus looked his brother over with amusement. “And now that you’ve done me a favour and made some prerequisite small talk, what do you want?”

“What? I can’t drop in for a visit? I’m crushed.”

“Right. When you stop in for a visit you head to the fridge and drink my beer.” Marcus leaned on the glass of the French doors leading onto the deck. “Spit it out.”

David’s mouth twisted into a wry grin. “Fine. Fund-raiser for the school.”

“What about it?” Marcus eyed the calendar on the wall. “It’s in two weeks. You have troubles with the booking?”

“Of course not. Everything’s been organized since last year. Ballroom at the Banff Springs, cocktails, dancing. A little motivation speech or two from some local celebrities . . .” David trailed off. “You know, staring at a person with that expression doesn’t encourage communication.”

“I figure my expression should match what I’m thinking. Explain why you looked at me when you said local celebrities.”

His brother shrugged. “I’m listed as the MC as usual. But having you and the Lifeline team show up—”

“Oh, no. Asking the team is one thing—most of them love doing the dog-and-pony routine for you. But you promised you’d never again suggest I put on a monkey suit and parade around for people to throw peanuts at. I won’t do it, David. It’s not worth it.”

“Yeah, well, last year Lifeline hadn’t recently gained any major acclaim, and having the team there in their monkey suits still brought in enough to help put a couple of kids through on a scholarship and equip the weight room.”

Marcus sighed. “You had to mention that damn article again.”

“They’ll be running snippets all week leading up to the event.” David raised his hands in defense as Marcus stepped toward him. “Not my idea, by the way. Paper told me what they had planned. Face facts—you’re big news.”

“Because there’s nothing happening—that’s the only reason it’s still news.” He had good reasons for his animosity toward gala events, but David was right. The fund-raiser brought in the money and made a great evening for locals and tourists alike. “I’ll mention it to the team. You’ll probably get at least half of them. Alisha and Devon for sure. They’d be great reps as alumni and all that crap.”

“That’s what the board wants—they want to play up having the team around as a draw for the event.”

“Just to be clear, I’m not speaking,” Marcus growled. “I’m not crawling behind any microphone and waxing poetic about how saving lives saved my life.”

“Got it. I know that. Wouldn’t dream of pushing you into anything you’re not comfortable with.”

All of Marcus’s bullshit monitors went off at the same time. He glanced over at David, who squirmed under his scrutiny. “Who do they really want to speak? Because I can tell from the way you’re twitching you think I won’t like it.”

David cleared his throat. “The board wants me to ask Becki.”

“Goddamn, no.” Marcus shook his head.

“She’d be great,” David insisted. “If she’s anywhere near as good a public speaker as she was during her school days, it’ll be a huge success. Man, she could talk her way out of anything back then—she’ll charm the money from their pockets.”

“You’d really put her into that position now? I told you what happened when she climbed. Give her time, idiot.”

David rolled his eyes. “I don’t expect her to scale the interior of the hotel and belay to the podium, Marcus. She’ll say a few words about the school and how great it is to be back. That’s it.”

“If that’s it, why are you looking at me for permission before seeing if she’s interested?”

David smiled sheepishly. “If you ask her, she’ll do it.”

“What?”

“Oh hell, you think I haven’t already spotted you’ve marked territory on her? You as good as pissed on the corner of the dorm house when you were talking about her yesterday.”

Marcus shook his head and went for the fridge. “You’re fucking nuts.”

His brother leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Don’t even try the innocent act. I know you too well, and you’ve got her labeled as yours already. Or are you saying I can ask her to come with me to the food and wine festival next week? I haven’t got a date, and it would be good for her to get out. Meet a few more people than just the team. Or I could take her dancing.”

“She’ll be working for you. You don’t date employees.” Marcus kept his expression as blank as possible.

David hummed. “Well, this is a different situation, don’t you think? She’s more like my equal than a direct employee. I doubt it’s a problem. And with her being around all the time now?” He stood and considered. “You know, I was pulling your leg, but if you’re serious about not being interested, then damn, maybe I will give her a little more attention.”

Marcus deliberately unclenched his fingers and spread them casually on the island countertop. “Whatever. Just don’t think you should ask her to speak yet.”

“You’re right. I’ll give the lecture as planned if I have to. That’s not an issue.” David stared at the ceiling. “I bet she looks great in a dress. She kicks butt in climbing gear. Your guys are working with her this afternoon? Maybe I’ll come by and watch for a while.”

“Maybe you should find something else to do.”

“No, I think I need to roll with this. I’ll come by to make sure she’s settling in comfortably.” David stepped forward to slap Marcus on the shoulder. “You know, this is awesome. I haven’t felt this interested in anyone in a while. Of course, it’s partly the way she moves, combined with knowing how strong she is. Damn, can’t you imagine her using her climbing grip on your dick? Or her thighs—I bet she could crawl up a guy and—”

Red-hot anger rolled through him, and Marcus blinked in surprise to find he’d grabbed his brother by the shirtfront.

David didn’t so much as twitch. Just stood his ground and smirked.

“Fuck. You,” Marcus growled, releasing his grip and stepping away in disgust. He had the control of a two-year-old when it came to Becki.

“Lying to me never works. You should know that by now,” David drawled. “Besides, what’s the point? There’s nothing wrong with you being hot for her.”

Nothing and everything. “Stay out of it, David.”

“Over and out. Except . . .” David tapped the countertop. “If you won’t ask if she’d like to be the keynote, I’m going to. She deserves a chance to make her own decision on the matter, don’t you agree? Or does getting involved with you mean she’ll be walking three paces behind at all times?”

Getting involved meant he’d be calling the shots, but only in bed. “I’m not that kind of asshole.”

David snorted. “So, we have established you are some kind of asshole. Awesome. I wasn’t completely positive.”

There was no way he could stay pissed at his brother. Marcus shoved him in the shoulder and they jostled for a moment like kids.

“Go ahead and ask her.” Marcus caved, but only partway. “But if you show up at training, I’ll make you climb, and then everyone will know what a pansy ass you’ve become.”

“Ooh, I’m scared.”

“You should be. Devon attached a new Drop of Doom from the ceiling and set the rope to lock less than a foot from the floor. You’d scream like a girl. Again.”

David shuddered. “Ass. Stop reminding me about that.”

Marcus poked again. “If I can’t tease my little brother, who can I tease? Now get the hell out. I have things to do.”

Only he didn’t, not really. Watching David drive off meant Marcus had plenty of spare time to go over more plans for the team. More plans of how to fill his day until it wouldn’t be ridiculous to head back to the dorms and see if Becki was free.

More time to figure out how he was going to convince her she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

“So, thank you. For helping rescue me, and for being understanding.” Becki smiled across the short distance between them on the climbing mat.

Alisha nodded. “It’s not an issue. Really.”

She looked so sincere Becki wanted to apologize all over again. Tearing down people’s idols was tough, but they couldn’t move forward until they’d discussed the situation.

“You’re okay working with me?” Becki asked softly.

Alisha’s head snapped up. “Don’t you want to? I mean, if you don’t feel comfortable, I don’t want to push you or anything, but if you’re worried about me worrying . . .” She laughed. “And now I’m blathering.”

“Seems to be a bit of that happening this afternoon,” Becki said. “I’d love to keep working with you. Just not sure what other surprises might come our way.”

“Doesn’t change anything for me,” Alisha insisted. “You’re still you.”

Becki forced a smile. “That I am.” All the confused, memory-missing, sexually frustrated parts of her.

The door opened behind them, and the other team members strolled in, conversation and laughter following them. Becki had read through the files Marcus had given her the previous day, and already the crew seemed more familiar, their individual quirks coming forward.

Anders stopped to tap his fingers on Alisha’s head. “Hey, you. You never showed up at the pool after this morning’s blood-and-guts session. Teacher’s pet, or what?”

Alisha scrambled to her feet, Becki following suit.

“I was checking ropes and organizing the staff room. You should thank me that you don’t have to deal with Devon’s stinky equipment anymore.”

Tripp snorted as he stepped into his climbing harness and secured it around his hips. “You were dealing with Devon’s tackle? Nice. How come I didn’t get offered the chance?”

“You wanted to deal with his junk?” Alisha raised a brow. “Now, Tripp, I didn’t know you swung that way.”

Anders snorted. “Devon swings any way he wants, from what I hear.”

“Notice I said nothing, and still they attack?” Devon tugged on Becki’s sleeve. “I’m a sweet, innocent boy. Really.”

“How did I get in the middle of this?” Becki asked.

“Impartial witness?” Devon’s baby-faced grin didn’t do anything for her, not with images of Marcus’s mature good looks filling her mind, but she saw why the young man was considered a bit of a heartbreaker.

She patted his cheek. “The only thing I want to witness is your skill on the wall. I don’t care how legendary you are anywhere else, Mr. Leblanc.”

The door opened again and Marcus strode in, and suddenly all the physical reactions she hadn’t had with Devon whipped right on through her. She nodded curtly, then turned to the team to hide from him the flush heating her skin.

Her memory might be gone, her climbing skills broken, but her libido was just fine, thank you.

Becki got their attention, putting the wisecracks to a stop. “Thanks for the opportunity to train you. Hope you get something out of it. I’ll work you hard, but the goal is to sharpen you in the areas you need it most. Any questions?”

Lots of foot shuffling, no comments, not even smart-ass ones. Becki was impressed—the team was on their best behavior, at least so far. She looked forward to seeing how they liked what she had in mind.

“We’re going to work on dynamics. When I watched you climb yesterday, I saw some good moves, but not consistently. We’ll do more rope work in the coming weeks, but getting into position takes climbing skills. And sometimes there’s nothing to be climbed. Then what do you do? Suggestions?”