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JT
JT couldn’t have Kelsey reject his offer. He pushed on the wheel of the chair, moving closer to her, as if proximity would convince her to do what he wanted.
He stumbled over his words, blinking hard. “No, please, hear me out. No one else has ever pushed me. They just let me take the easiest path. Being pushed is the one thing that will help an athlete actually perform.”
She drew back, arching her eyebrow and folding her arms. “Are you considered an athlete?”
Uh, what? JT frowned. “Of course, I'm an athlete. Have you ever ridden a bike? Those things, when ridden right, work every muscle in your body. I can't think of a better workout.”
He could think of a couple, but he didn't want to get forward with her or have her think he’d be inappropriate while she worked for him. It wasn’t her fault she was intoxicating and consumed his thoughts.
JT had to keep her near him, and offering her a job was a great way to do it. He would accomplish two things by convincing her the job was the best thing for her – and him.
The blonde intertwined with the red strands of her hair and brought out the green in her eyes. JT wanted to stare at her as long as she’d let him.
She half-shrugged. “I don't know. That kind of a job is a lot to ask for. I'm not sure you’re getting the fair side of the deal. That's an awful lot to give me for a few hours of therapy.”
What would make her understand that he needed her? He couldn’t trust a lot of people and she’d slipped into the ranks of people he valued in just a matter of days. He couldn’t let her get away easily.
“I'm not giving you anything. We can set up a proper contract. If you don't make the deadline of getting me on the bike and racing, then you can pay me back or something. I don't know. We can make the arrangement work. What do you have to lose?”
Her eyes narrowed as she chewed her bottom lip. JT had never been so entranced. He couldn't breathe as he waited. His birthday was in less than three weeks. If he wasn't able to sign his sponsors then they would switch to Blake. As much as JT loved the guy, he couldn’t lose all his money to him.
How much should he tell her about his dad? About his family? Would sympathy push her into taking the position? Regardless, he didn’t want to lose her respect.
Clenching his jaw, he spoke, carefully enunciating his words. He wouldn’t say them again. He didn’t beg, even though he was close. “I'm on my own. I've always been on my own. I don't have anyone I can trust, but I think... I can trust you. I need to trust someone. I need to be pushed, challenged, and I think you can help me with that.”
She teetered on the brink of capitulating. He gave in and pushed a little harder, like chasing down the lead ride at nationals. Closing in, he gunned his argument a little harder. “Look, you would really be doing me a favor. Come and help me. I’m getting released today. I’ve already had my therapy and the list of exercises is in my bag. You could quit your job here, or take a hiatus or something. By the time we’re done, you’ll have plenty of money to go wherever you want.”
Except JT didn’t plan on her ever leaving and not in a creepy-serial-killer-kind of way, but more in a she’s-going-to-fall-in-love-with-me-and-never-want-to-leave way.
Kelsey thought for a moment, dragging out his misery. There was nothing else he could say to make her understand just how badly he wanted her to work for him. He wanted her to push him. She'd make a terrific physical trainer. It didn't matter that her training was in nursing.
After she was no longer in his employ, he’d seek out a different type of relationship with her.
He had the moves. Not the romance moves, but the actual list of physical training moves the hospital therapist had given him. He could even go to therapy during the week. What he needed was someone who would make sure he did what he needed to do. Someone who wouldn’t listen to the limitations, but would find ways around the restrictions like getting scrubs when he was supposed to be in hospital garb.
Kelsey would do that. Plus, the fact that he could get to know her better was more enticing than winning nationals.
She studied the foot of the bed, as if she had any other options. After a long drawn out moment, she lifted her gaze. “Okay. I'll get your information and I'll meet you at your place tomorrow.”
Tomorrow. In less than twenty-four hours, Kelsey would be around him more than just the sporadic check. JT wouldn’t have to share her with any other patients. The smile on his face spread far and wide, hurting his bruised cheeks and the split in his lip. But he didn't care.
Kelsey was going to move in. With her by his side, how could anything go wrong?
