“It’s not negotiable. I’ve got to be ski-ready by next season.” His rough tone appeared to startle her. “My business depends on it. I’ve got no Plan B if this venture fails. I need to know you’re committed to doing everything you can to get me back on the mountain as soon as possible.”
“I’ll do my best, but you need to listen to my advice and your body’s signals. Can you follow my orders?” Her perceptive eyes locked with his for a second before she stepped back. Once he nodded, she continued, “Let’s take one step at a time. First, I’ll complete an evaluation and get some baseline statistics. I’ll give you a home program to do leading up to your surgery. After your procedure, I’ll go over your surgeon’s plans and we’ll work from there.”
“Deal.” Grey followed her to the exam room next door.
She examined the swelling. Her fingers lightly feathered around his knee. “In addition to ice and elevation, you need to begin working on restoring range of motion by doing some simple exercises like heel slides, and quad sets, and such. Flex your quad for me and hold it a few seconds.” When he did, she squeezed the muscle as if testing his strength. “This feels pretty good.”
Pretty good is right. He nodded while focusing on the slender hands massaging his knee. Holy hell. Watching her touch his body sent his thoughts straight to the gutter.
Totally inappropriate on so many levels. Not that he could control his visceral reaction to her—or even wanted to at this point.
Before he’d arrived, he’d thought having Avery Randall as his therapist would be problematic because of her brother. Now he realized another kind of trouble arose from having Bambi touching his thighs. She’d be a major distraction at a time he couldn’t afford any, yet nothing would persuade him to walk away now.
“So, one thing we can check is quad lag. Do a straight-leg raise for me so I can watch your knee and see if you can hold it without bending.”
Grey repressed a grunt and tried to keep his leg as straight as possible, without success.
She droned on about studies and neuromuscular electrical stimulators for a few minutes, but Grey had stopped listening, opting instead to openly stare at her like some kind of lovesick puppy. He’d seen and dated beautiful women throughout his adult life. He barely knew this girl, yet something about her awakened a part of his heart he’d long ago buried with Juliette.
Perhaps the fact the potential lawsuit, her brother’s criminal charges, and her loyalty to her friend Kelsey killed any chance his fantasies could ever become reality spurred his competitive nature. But really, he suspected it had more to do with her ability to go toe-to-toe without shrinking or playing coy.
She caught him gawking again. His body flushed, hot and needy, when he noticed the artery at the base of her neck throbbing. Maybe he had a chance after all.
Avery replaced his brace, then handed him a set of instructions. “Follow these at home. No more, no less. Don’t overdo it.”
“Got it, Sarge.”
She handed him his crutches, chuckling. “Well, at least that’s better than Bambi.”
“You think?” He winked as he slid off the table and onto the crutches. “I don’t know. I’m partial to Bambi.”
“No one ever taught you to quit while you’re ahead?”
“That’s no fun, A-vree.” He encroached on her personal space.
Her cheeks pinked up, making him wish they were someplace other than her office. Some place dark and private.
Of course, he couldn’t push. Hell, she was concerned about whether or not her brother would end up in jail. Meanwhile, he was preparing to sue the guy. Heck, there were a million reasons why he needed to forget all about her.
But he couldn’t escape his lust-driven urges.
She walked with him to the door. Grey saw Trip parked out front. “See you after my surgery.”
“Yes,” she said, resuming a professional demeanor. “Remember to continue with the ice and elevation.” She opened the door for him and waved good-bye before disappearing.
Trip jumped out of the van and helped Grey. “Please tell me that pretty lady is Avery Randall.”
Grey shot him a warning glance, but Trip merely laughed in his face. “Looks like something good might come out of this mess after all, my friend.”
Doubtful. But for the first time in years, Grey hoped he was wrong.
Avery returned to her office, closed the door, and dropped her head into her hands. Could she have been less professional? She’d been preoccupied all day preparing to face Grey’s anger and judgments. Yet he’d ground her preconceptions into dust with a single word: Bambi.