Even through his tight black athletic shirt, Preslee could plainly see huge biceps and a thick ridge of hard muscle that rode his wide shoulders. And that only made her wonder what he looked like without his shirt on. No doubt more of that smooth, tanned skin and, if she had to guess, perfect pecs and a chiseled set of abs.

He cleared his throat, and her eyes lifted back to his face. And what a handsome face it was. In fact, he was one of the most striking men she’d ever seen. Not in a GQ model kind of way though. Rather in more of a rugged, manly, I would screw you until you scream my name kind of way. And she couldn’t imagine many women disagreeing with her. Scratch that. Any women disagreeing with her.

He gently released her shoulders. “Sorry. I should’ve watched where I was going.”

Preslee swayed. “I, uh…” What the hell was he talking about? It had been her fault that they’d bumped into each other. Okay, fine, crashed into each other. Whatever. Either way, the sly smile spreading across his face told her that he knew but was polite enough not to point it out. “Um, sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize.” He charmed her with a wink. “I work here. Can I help you find anything?”

Yeah, her breath. Because he’d taken it the moment she’d glanced up at him. Gosh, he was pretty to look at. And he worked at the gym? Had she known that earlier, she might’ve come in sooner or at the very least signed up for the yearly membership. “No. I’m good. Thank you though.”

“All right,” he said, stepping aside and sweeping one arm out. “Ladies first.”

Preslee couldn’t help but smile. He’d probably only done that so there was zero chance of her mowing him down for a second time, but she strolled past him without another word. Once she moved farther away, she glanced over her shoulder to see if he was still standing there and blew out a relieved breath that he’d continued on his way in the opposite direction.

So she did the same. And tripped over air, her feet stumbling a little before she caught herself. Oh man. Thankfully, he hadn’t seen that. Sadly, it was a common, everyday occurrence for her, one her clumsy self had grown accustomed to. Unfazed, she carried on her way.

Reaching the huge, black stair-climbing machine, she stepped up onto it and climbed the several steps to the top. She gazed at the machine’s buttons for a second before finding a green quick-start button and pressing it. The stairs slowly began to move, descending beneath her, and she stepped up onto the next step. She alternated each foot as she gradually climbed each step. Right. Left. Right. Left.

Yep, definitely easy.