Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) (33 page)

We do a few warm-up stretches and then off we go.  Evan allows me to set
the pace on our run.  The sunrise is a glorious tapestry of colors reflecting
on the calm ocean.  But nothing compares to the vision of the man running
beside me.  I can’t help but glance over at him occasionally.  He moves with
such poise and ease, it’s magnificent to watch.  I wonder if I will ever tire
of watching him.

Abruptly and without warning, he stops running, grabs me, and kisses me
deeply.  I return his kiss, wrapping my arms around his waist and sealing our
connection.

“What was that for?” I ask when he finally releases me from his strong
embrace.

“I’m not sure.  It just seemed ... necessary.  You looked very ...
kissable.”  His eyes reflect the blue of the sky and ocean, and once again,
he’s cast a spell over me that I hope to never break free of. 

Once we get home, Evan allows me to take the first shower alone.  He
heads up to the gym to get in another hour-long workout.  Rather than shower, I
decide to try out his Jacuzzi tub.  Its powerful jets massage my sore muscles. 
Muscles that ache from exercise, more exercise than I’ve had in ages!

The bath oils are soaking into my skin and I’m starting to feel human
again.  It takes me nearly an hour to soak and shave ... everything!  I use my
loofah to scrub every inch of skin. 

As I lay back in the tub, enjoying the smells and sensations of my hot
massaging bath, Evan steps into the bathroom.  He walks over to me and sits on
the edge of the tub.  “Mmm ... you smell good ... really good!”  He dips his finger
into the water, drawing circles in the hot water.  “If I knew you were here,
like this, there’s no way I would have been able to finish my workout.” 

Evan walks over to the shower, turns it on, and tests the temperature of
the water.  Once he is satisfied, I watch as he peels his clothes off.  Clothes
that are drenched in sweat and cling to his muscles in the most appealing way.

I’m ready to get out of the tub, but there’s no way I can leave right now
in the middle of this show.  My iPod music is playing Maroon 5, and Evan starts
moving his hips and shoulders, gently swaying to the music.  I can even hear
him singing along.  He’s starting to really get into it when he notices me watching
him intently.  Grabbing a bar of soap like a microphone, he serenades me,
telling me how he’s got “moves like Jagger”.  He’s being silly and sexy.  What
an unbeatable combination.

I slip out of the tub and step into Evan’s bedroom to dress while he
finishes his shower.  I toss on a simple spring dress.  I’m acutely aware of
how the clothes feel against my skin, raw and sensitive from my scrub.  I run a
brush through my wet hair and wait for Evan to emerge from the bathroom so I
can use his blow dryer. 

Moments later, he steps out with just a towel wrapped around his waist. 
My breath hitches in my throat as I inspect the bare-chested man before me. 
His skin and hair are still wet, making him shine and sparkle. 

Not able to miss an opportunity to tease me, he allows his towel to
‘accidentally’ drop to the floor, revealing his obvious eagerness.  I can’t
help but laugh out loud at his brashness.  Apparently, that is not the reaction
he was anticipating.

“Are you laughing at me, Missy?”  He looks at me with a smug smile and
smoldering eyes.

“Why yes, I believe I am.” 

“I need to teach you a lesson about proper manners, young lady.”  He
grabs me, sweeps me into his arms, and tosses me onto his bed.

He wastes no time in stripping me of my dress and lavishing my skin
with his tongue.  My sensitive skin is singing from his soft touches. 

Evan slides me down to the edge of the bed, and drops to his knees before
me.  He slides my underwear from my hips and tosses them to the floor.  Placing
his palms on my thighs, he pushes my legs apart, completely exposing me to his
ministrations. I gasp when I feel his tongue on me, gently exploring and
searching.  He presses my legs further back as he buries his tongue inside me. 

I can feel myself climbing higher and higher.  My muscles are tightening
and electricity is traveling through my veins.  Just as I am about to explode
for him, he stops, trailing kisses and bites along my thighs, away from what I
need.

Evan slowly returns his attention to my throbbing wetness.  First, one
finger plunges deep followed quickly by another as he massages and caresses.  I
can feel myself reaching closer to the edge, and when he begins to rub and
tease with his thumb, I call out for him.  As I do, he withdraws from me,
painfully leaving me without release.

I reach down and pull him to me, “Evan, I need you inside me.  Now.”

“Say please.  You’ve been very naughty and you must learn your manners.” 
He’s smiling a devilish grin at me.  Understanding finally ignites and I give
him what he demands.

“Please, baby.  I want you.  Inside me.  Now.  Please.”  Finally, Evan plunges
himself deep inside me.  He rams into me and I am instantly driven right back
to the edge.  This time, there is no stopping the waves that come crashing over
my body.  When I feel his body quiver and shake, I continue to explode around
him for what feels like an eternity. 

He collapses onto the bed beside me and together we wait for our hearts
to slow down.  “I could lose myself for hours with you,” Evan breathes in my
ear. 

E
xhausted and freshly showered, Evan and I decide to go out for brunch. 
I take him to my favorite breakfast nook, the Mariner’s Cove.  Nestled in the
heart of our neighboring town of Brielle, The Mariner’s Cove has the largest selection
of pancakes and omelets at the Jersey Shore.

At this hour on a Monday, there’s plenty of room and we can choose a
booth anywhere we like.  Evan leads me to a table in the back corner of the
restaurant, away from too many eyes.  It’s a little more secluded and much more
private.

The inside is a typical Mom-and-Pop restaurant.  The walls are covered
with wood panels that are shellacked to a shine.  On one wall is a high shelf
with an assortment of miniature pirate ships and schooners. 

Evan scoots in first, and pulls me to sit with him.  I love sitting so
close to him.  A waitress introduces herself as Maureen, brings us two menus,
and pours us fresh coffee.  She’s an older woman in her fifties. 

I don’t even need to look at a menu to know what I want, European French
Toast with Strawberries.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  Evan
turns to me and says, “Do you know what you want?”

“Of course I know what I want.  You made me beg for it this morning,” I
remind him.

“Don’t do this to me here, Juliette.  I swear, I’ll pull you right out of
this restaurant and take you right in the parking lot.”  I lean over and kiss
him.

Maureen interrupts us with an “ahem,” then asks, “Are you kids ready to
order, or do you need another minute?”

“Sorry, can we have another minute, please.”  Evan brings out both the
best and the worst in me.

“Holy cow, Juliette.  I’ve never seen a breakfast menu like this before
in my life.  I’ve been to a lot of breakfast shacks around the country, and
this one takes the cake.  There must be over a hundred omelets here.”

“I know.”  I tell him.  “There’s over a hundred kinds of pancakes, too. 
How hungry are you?”

“Well, I’ve been awake for over four hours and I haven’t eaten a thing. 
I’m starved.  What do you think?”

“Why don’t you just order the Hungry Mariner?”  It comes with enough food
to feed a family of five.  It has a 3-egg omelet, hash browns, sausage, bacon,
and a choice of toast.  If he’s still hungry after eating all that, then he
needs to be checked for a tapeworm.

I signal to Maureen that we’re ready and she comes right over to take our
order.  She writes everything down without giving Evan a second look.  I’m
relieved. 

While we’re waiting, Evan takes a call from Adam.  We have to meet him
and the security company at my house in an hour.  Evan gives him my address
just as our breakfast arrives.

“How would you feel if I hung out at the bar tonight?” Evan asks me. 

“I love spending time with you, but do you think it’s a good idea? 
Aren’t you afraid of getting photographed in a bar?”  I would hate to think
that Evan is getting more bad press all because of me.

“Juliette, people go to bars all the time.  If I’m just sitting at the
bar all night, then there’s nothing to worry about.  I won’t even drink that
much, especially since I’ll be driving us home.”

“Is there any way I can get you to change your mind?”

“Probably not.” 

Evan’s phone beeps with an in-coming text message.  While he’s texting, I
take the opportunity to send Auggie a quick text to check in.  I forward him a
picture my mother took of Evan and me yesterday, and he sends me a picture of
him, Brandon, and Maddy at the dog park.  Maddy is one lucky puppy.

Maureen brings us our food.  There is so much food placed in front of us,
it looks like we’re going to be here a while.  This seems like a good time for
us to chat about a few things. 

I have so much to learn about his career.  He explains to me about his
preseason camp schedule.  I won’t get to see much of him once camp officially starts,
but that’s not until the end of July.  Between now and then, he has a trainer
that will come to the house three or four days a week.  There’s also a few
three-day mini camps coming up.

He offers to take me around to fill out applications in bakeries in our
area.  We make plans to go to Red Bank and Asbury Park on my next day off. 
With everything that’s been going on, it’s probably not a bad idea for me to
consider a career change.  The main issue will be money.  I have a lot of bills
to pay and a minimum wage job will not cut it.

“Evan, why do you think someone is harassing me?”  This is a question
that’s been haunting me from the beginning.

“I wish I knew, baby.  But until we figure it out, I’m going to take care
of you, I promise.”  I don’t like feeling dependent on others, but in this
case, I guess I will have to submit.

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W
e arrive at my house and Adam’s not here yet.  Again, I give Evan my
keys while he checks out the house before I’m allowed in.  It’s only been two
days since the intruder visited.  I still feel uneasy here knowing that someone
was going through my things.

As I’m waiting, Adam arrives with a rep from a private security company. 
He inspects all entrances, exits, and windows.  I answer all his questions, and
he seems to be taking copious notes.  He talks with Adam and Evan about
different options: cameras, motion sensors, and about four or five other kinds
of sensors, too.  Since I don’t own the house, I convince them to limit it to
just door and window sensors for now, along with one motion activated outdoor
light, but no cameras.  The rep assures us that if we choose to add more
features later, it won’t be a problem since he’s already been here to do the
inspection.

Unfortunately, the installation is not going to happen today.  Hopefully,
they can do it tomorrow, but the rep won’t know for sure until he gets to his warehouse
to check materials.

I give Adam my keys so he can make a copy for himself.  He’ll be the one
to let the installers in and check on everything.  Evan trusts him, and I trust
Evan.

While Evan goes over a few last details with Adam, I grab some more
clothes from the closet, and then we are on our way back to his place. 

“You know you can’t go back home tonight, right?”

“I know, sorry about all of this craziness.  I wish things would go back
to normal.”

“Please don’t apologize.  It will be difficult, but I suppose I can sleep
with you again, if I have to.”

“Do I have to teach you a lesson about
your
manners?  It’s not
nice to insult your house guest, you know.”