Working_Out by Marie Harte

she’d always wanted something so nice, she took in the stainless steel appliances, black granite counter tops and top of the line pots hanging from a pot rack above the center island. He even had a prep sink in which a colander of fresh veggies sat.
    “Don’t tell me you cook.”
    “Why ruin your already sterling opinion of me?” He stepped around her and moved to the main sink. He rolled up the sleeves of his dark blue sweater and washed his hands.
    As usual, she had a hard time looking away. The sight of his strong forearms and large hands enthralled her. Mac didn’t play at being strong. He was strong. More than physically, he had a warrior’s spirit, an indomitable will to take charge and maintain order, and it never failed to fill her daydreams with just what he might be like in bed. Or worse, as a boyfriend.
    She blinked as he finished wiping his hands on a towel.
    “Penny for your thoughts.”
    “Please. Mine cost a lot more than that.”
    He chuckled and moved to the vegetables, then set to chopping them up with military precision.
    “So you really cook?”
    “Yep. I learned the hard way. Cook or starve. I chose to learn some culinary skills.”
    “Ouch.”
    “Yeah, well, my uncle can barely boil water. I’m usually fixing stuff for him.”
    “I like Ian.” She mentally compared him to Mac. “You look alike. He’s just as big and mouthy as you are.”
    “Thanks.” Mac reached for a pan, grabbed a bottle of olive oil from above, and set everything over the burner. From the fridge, he removed a tray of steak and onions. He added that and a small bowl of seasoning and started frying up their dinner.
    “You look like a pro.”
    “I’m good. Just ask around.” He winked at her.
    “Funny, but your uncle was saying the exact same thing to some woman at the gym when I saw him. If I recall, she turned away in a huff while he laughed himself silly.”
    Mac frowned. “And he has the nerve to tell me to go easy on the members.”
    “Did you get into trouble because of that incident with Wilson?” For which she’d never thanked him.
    “Nah. Uncle Ian was pissed about it until I told him why I choked the guy. Then he understood. We refunded Wilson’s money and kicked his ass out of the gym.”
    “What did you say, exactly?”
    “That Wilson had his hand on you and you didn’t like it. That was enough for Ian. My uncle taught me a lot growing up, and not hurting women was at the top of his list. Call him a throwback if you want, but I agree with him.”
    “No, no. I like that. You’re gruff and you curse a lot. And let’s face it, you’re huge. But I’ve never been scared of you, that you’d hurt me, I mean.” She paused. “Thanks for helping me with Wilson.”
    “You’re welcome.” For once he didn’t act superior. The simple reply was heartfelt and made her rethink what she knew about Mac all over again.

 
    Chapter Five
     
     
    “So you keep mentioning your uncle.” Maggie wanted to know more. “He raised you, not your parents?”
    “My folks split up when I was eight,” Mac said matter-of-factly. “My father ended up getting killed by a drunk driver a year later. My mother took off. Haven’t seen or heard from her since.”
    “Ouch.”
    He grimaced. “Yeah. So Uncle Ian raised me. He was married to a woman he loved like crazy for years. Turned out she was nothing more than a--” He checked himself. “She was fooling around on him and tried to take him for everything he had. A real user.”
    “No wonder you have issues with women.”
    He frowned. “I don’t have issues. I like women. Hell, I love women.” He leered at her, but she saw what he hadn’t said. The man had trust issues he’d more than earned.
    A lot like her. “Well, if it makes you feel better, my folks left me on the doorstep of a church when I was just a baby. Just me and my older brother against the world.”
    “No shit?”
    “Yep. I’m a blond Little Orphan Annie.” She grinned, not bitter at