Chapter 88

A cool evening breeze drifted through the courtyard.

Elena followed the winding stone path past neatly trimmed hedges and several fragrant osmanthus trees toward the lake. Lights shimmered across the water, breaking into silver ripples that shifted gently with the breeze.

She had brought a jacket with her but was still dressed in her dance clothes, her pale-blonde hair twisted into a bun. As she walked, she adjusted the small Bluetooth speaker in her hand and selected a slow, atmospheric instrumental track.

Music flowed softly through the quiet garden.

Elena stopped beneath one of the osmanthus trees and closed her eyes.

At the first beat, she began to move.

Her movements were light and fluid, but there was strength beneath every turn and extension. Her long arms traced graceful arcs through the air as she shifted her weight, spun, and leaped through the shadows.

Under the night sky, she seemed almost weightless, every step falling naturally into rhythm with the music and the shifting reflections on the lake.

After several improvised contemporary dance sequences, Elena finally slowed to a stop.

She leaned against a bench and picked up her phone to change the music. Fine beads of sweat slid down her neck, catching faintly in the moonlight.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Slow, measured applause came from the gravel path beside the lake.

Elena instinctively looked over.

Her eyes met Richard's.

Apparently, he had just come outside as well.

He wore a black athletic tank and loose black workout pants. Without his usual suits and dress shirts, there was nothing to hide the powerful build normally concealed beneath all that immaculate tailoring.

The sleeveless top showed off his broad shoulders, defined collarbones, and the solid lines of his chest and arms. His forearms tightened subtly as he walked, veins faintly visible beneath the skin.

His hair was slightly damp at the temples, suggesting he had just finished a workout of his own. Without the polished restraint of his usual clothes, he looked less like the composed, impeccably dressed Richard Sterling she was used to—and considerably more dangerous.

Elena's gaze lingered on his chest and arms for two seconds.

Her heart skipped unexpectedly.

She tightened her grip on her phone.

Wait.

They were already dating.

Why was she getting nervous?

Elena puffed out her cheeks.

"Why aren't you working out inside?"

Richard walked onto a flat stretch of lawn not far from her. He caught the way her eyes kept trying not to look at him—and then looking anyway.

Amusement flickered in his eyes.

"The weather's nice. I thought I'd get some air."

His voice sounded deeper in the quiet night.

Without another explanation, he stepped onto the grass, bent down, planted both hands on the ground, and started doing push-ups.

Elena immediately took advantage of the opportunity to stare.

His form was almost annoyingly perfect. His chest lowered close to the grass with every repetition, his arms extending fully as he pushed himself back up, his body remaining perfectly aligned throughout.

Elena folded her arms.

She wasn't going anywhere now.

Standing beneath the osmanthus tree, she openly enjoyed the view.

At first, she tried counting his reps.

Then she kept getting distracted by the movement of the muscles across his shoulders and back.

She lost count.

Eventually, she gave up entirely.

Richard seemed to notice the intensity of her attention.

After finishing the set, he shifted his weight, placed his left hand behind his back, and continued with only his right.

Elena raised an eyebrow.

Oh?

With every one-handed push-up, the muscles across his back spread and tightened beneath the black fabric, while his supporting arm flexed sharply under the strain. Sweat traced the sharp line of his face before falling into the grass.

Elena's eyes grew brighter the longer she watched.

Eventually, temptation won.

She walked over quietly and crouched beside him.

Richard had just finished the set and returned to a two-handed plank, holding himself perfectly still. His muscles remained tense, and sweat had darkened parts of his shirt.

"Mr. Sterling," Elena said sweetly, crouching beside his head. "That's some impressive core strength."

Richard remained in position and turned his head toward her.

His voice came out slightly rough.

"What are you planning now?"

"Nothing."

Elena smiled with exaggerated innocence.

"I'm just complimenting you."

She extended one finger and experimentally poked his bicep.

Solid.

And hot from exertion.

Richard remained perfectly steady.

That only made Elena bolder.

She leaned closer, letting her hand travel lightly along his arm before resting against his chest.

His heartbeat was heavy and steady beneath her palm.

"Wow..." She grinned. "Mr. Sterling, how did you get this strong? Very impressive."

Her palm moved teasingly across his chest before her fingertips brushed lightly along his collarbone.

"Ellie."

Richard's voice dropped another note.

His muscles tightened sharply beneath her touch, and the rhythm of his breathing changed.

"What?"

Elena tilted her head innocently.

She pushed her luck one final time, letting her fingers briefly trace the firm line of his abdomen.

That was probably enough.

Time to retreat.

Elena quickly straightened and turned to escape.

She didn't make it a single step.

One second, Richard was perfectly still.

The next, he moved.

His hands left the ground, one long leg sweeping around as he caught her before she could get away.

Elena barely had time to gasp before the world tilted.

By the time she realized what had happened, she was lying on the soft grass—

with Richard above her.