The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (28 page)

He collapses on top of me, our muscles and limbs forming a languid tangle.  We are a mess of sweat and sex as we struggled to breathe.  Carefully and slowly, he pulls out of me and rolls onto his side.  Turning to follow him, our eyes meet and we smile at each other.  He reaches up to touch my face, and kisses me. 

For the longest time, we just lie in each other’s arms, staring at each other and enjoying the post coital warmth of our lovemaking. 

I turn away from him so he can snuggle up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.  He whispers in my ear, “I’m never letting you go.  Just so you know.”

I smile at the thought and simply reply, “OK.”  I hold his arms that are held tight around my middle as he pulls me closer.  I can feel him breathing against me, our chests rising and falling in unison.  “Good night, baby.”

“Good night, baby.”  The heaviness of sleep is overwhelming and I drift into a blissful sleep, cradled in the arms of the man I love.

Right as Rain

M
y eyes open and it takes a moment for me to process the sights and sounds surrounding me.  The sun has yet to rise and the predawn orange glow in the sky is casting the room in dark shadows.  Slowly, realization sets in and I recognize the beautiful simplicity of Evan’s bedroom.

I check the clock and it’s a few minutes past five in the morning.  Once my eyes adjust to the lack of light, I focus on the gorgeous man lying beside me.  Evan has his hand resting on my hip and is mumbling something incoherent in my ear.  With a loud grunt, he rolls onto his back, removing his hand from my skin.  I ache from the loss of his touch.

I watch as he sleeps and dreams.  Soft snores escape from his lips, with an occasional mumble and sigh.  Whatever he’s dreaming about, he seems to be enjoying it.

Without fear of embarrassment, I take the opportunity to study him.  His thick chestnut hair is a mess, sticking out haphazardly in all directions.  His perfect skin is just beginning to bronze with a sun-kissed glow.  Scruffy stubble covers his jaw and I cannot resist reaching over to feel the soft, scratchy hair. 

I trace a line from his chin, down to his chest, and between his pecs.  Well-sculpted lines direct my path through his tight abs, leading me directly to his navel.  I lay my hand flat across heart, and I can feel his heart beating. 

Evan’s chest rises and falls deeply as he releases a soft moan.  His eyes are still closed, but a grin has etched itself across his face.  I allow my hands to explore further south, and I am pleased to discover that his morning glory is ready to greet me.

I crawl on top of him and kiss him on the tip of his nose.  My lips and tongue follow the same path my fingers trailed.  After taking from him exactly what I want, he holds me in his arms and whispers, “Good morning.”

We spend the next hour enjoying each other’s body, rolling around the bed, recreating our own intimate game of Twister.  Just like last night, there is no rush and no hurry.  As the sun finally rises, basking the room in warm, bright light, we lie in bed together, head to toe, wrapped in sheets that will most definitely need to be laundered.

“So, what were you dreaming about?” I ask him.  “It sounded like you were really enjoying yourself.  I almost didn’t want to wake you.”

“I’m so glad you did.  I dreamt I was lying in bed with a beautiful, naked, woman,” he tells me, “but the real thing is so much better.  A man could get very accustomed to waking up like this.”  He takes one of my feet into his strong, muscular hands, and he slowly, deeply, forcefully rubs the bottom of my foot.  I am in heaven. 

A
fter a quick shower, Evan drives me to the bakery where I select a Babka for my mother and a box of assorted pastries for his sister.  Evan refuses to let me pay, but I am in such a delightful mood this morning, I concede much easier than I normally would.  I wish I could have made my own dessert, but this will have to do.

My favorite coffee shop is open, allowing us to get our morning caffeine fix.  The next stop is back to my house so I can pick up a change of clothes and a few other personal items.  I know I won’t be sleeping home tonight, so I need to pack an overnight bag.

Evan insists that I stay in the car while he inspects the house.  I give him my keys and wait.  My mind starts racing, playing the ‘what if’ game over and over. 
What if
the stalker came back? 
What if
he’s waiting in the house right now? 
What if
he’s left a trap of some kind? 
What if
Evan gets hurt?  Minutes feel like hours as I wait for Evan to return to the car.

After what seems like an eternity, Evan stands at the front door and waves me in.  Relieved, I join him and start gathering my things.

“Can you show me exactly what was left lying on your bed last night?”  He follows me as I lead him to my bedroom closet. 

Hanging right where I left it is my red dress.  I hand it to him, along with my high heels.  Normally, I would expect him to tease me about wearing this sexy, little number, but not now.  His jaw is set tight and I can see his anger returning.

“Evan, I loved that dress, but now? I really don’t ever want to see it again.  Will you please throw it away for me?” 

“With pleasure.  My next pleasure will come when you let me take you shopping to replace it.  I would love to see you trying on dresses for me.”

“I don’t think so, baby.  No one has ever bought me clothes other than my mother.  It just doesn’t feel right.”  I don’t know why, but allowing him to take me shopping would make me feel like a gold digger.  “It’s just too soon to start spending your money.”

“You’re so different from any other girls I’ve ever known.  Maybe I should check one more time to make sure you really do have girl parts.”  Evan peeks down the neck of my shirt, “Nope, everything seems to be in order down there.”

I swat him away, “Would you let me finish, please?  Make yourself useful and go take out the trash, please.”  He needs to find a better way to keep his hands busy.  His phone keeps beeping with new text messages.  “And while you’re at it, tell who ever keeps texting you that it’s a holiday.  No working today. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”  Evan lets me finish packing, and soon enough, we’re on our way back to his house.  “Juliette, would you mind if I work-out for a few hours before we leave?  I promise to be showered and dressed by noon.”

“Of course.  Do you work out every day?” 

“I do.  Camp starts in a few months, and I have to stay sharp.  Two or three hours a day right now is fine, but soon I’ll be getting in four hour work-outs.”  Wow, no wonder he’s in such good shape. 

“I haven’t been running for a few days.  Would you mind if I used the treadmill for a while, too?  Would that mess up your routine too much?”  I really do need to exercise, but it would also give me a chance to watch Evan workout.

“I’d much prefer having you with me rather than running along the beach alone where anyone can be waiting.”  It occurs to me that letting him take care of me might not be such a bad thing, after all.

Evan carries my bags to his room and we get changed together.  He throws on a pair of long shorts and a tank shirt.  “I’m going to grab us some water.  I’ll meet you up there.”  My eyes follow him as he walks away.  Wow. 

I leave on my sports bra, pull on a pair of yoga pants, and toss my hair into a ponytail.  After I throw on my sneakers, I head upstairs to join my man.

Entering the exercise room, I stop dead in my tracks when I see Evan on the weight machine.  He’s straddling the bench and grasping the bar, repeatedly bringing it up, then down again.  Each time, his cut biceps and forearms stretch and flex, emphasizing the dark veins and ripped muscles.

“Juliette, did you forget something?  You look ... deep in thought.”  If he only knew.

“No, I’m good.  Can you show me how to use your treadmill?”

Evan walks over and demonstrates how the settings work.  It’s not that different from the others I’ve used in the past.  I start off at a brisk walk.  I clip on my iPod, plug in my earphones, and put the music on shuffle.  First up is Fall Out Boy.  Once JT comes on, I speed up to a full-out run.  I try to focus on my workout and shut out the image of the sexy quarterback in the room with me. 

As I continue my run, Evan moves to the rowing machine.  Watching his toned legs stretch and glide with the machine, all I can think about is how much I would like to feel my own legs wrapped around him right here and right now.  I close my eyes and images of our morning calisthenics flood my mind.  Arms, legs, lips, tongues, all tangled and woven together.

“Juliette, are you trying to kill me?”

I look up and Evan is sitting, watching me.  “What?”  I can see his mouth moving, but I cannot hear him until I take off the earphones. 

“Baby, you’re barely dressed, running, sweating, biting your lip, and I swear I heard you let out a moan.  What are you trying to do to me?”

I slow the machine down so I can answer without losing my breath.  “There are a great number of things I would like to do to you, if you must know.”

“Really?  Care to elaborate?  As a guest here, it’s my duty to make sure your stay is a pleasant one, Miss Fletcher.”  He’s eying me with the look of a predator ready to attack its prey.

“I was just thinking about how that bench you were sitting on over there is the perfect height for me to get traction.”  I take a big gulp of my water and wipe my face off as the machine slows to a complete stop.

“Care to test out your theory?”

“Later.”  I plant a chaste kiss on his lips.  “I’m going downstairs to take a shower and get ready.  Save a little energy for me tonight.”  His hair is slightly damp with sweat and he smells so manly.  I never knew the smell of sweat could be so freaking hot.  “Mmm ... definitely later.”

“A
re you ready, beautiful?”  Evan pulls me in for one more kiss before we leave for our long drive. 

“Ready when you are, handsome.”  I look at him and smile.  He looks absolutely edible in his dark washed jeans and untucked white button-down shirt.  He’s wearing cologne that smells clean and musky. 

Evan opens the door for me, and off we go.  It’s really a joy to ride in Evan’s car.  I’m used to driving simple, uncomplicated cars.  This car is a machine.  There are controls on the steering wheel, a navigation system on the dash, heated seats, and climate control.  I wouldn’t be surprised if this vehicle could safely get us to the moon and back.

We arrive at my mother’s a little after one o’clock.  Not too far from the house, we find a parking spot on the street.  Evan comes around to open my door, takes my hand, and together, we stroll down the sidewalk. 

Each house we pass is nearly identical to the one before it.  To say that each home is separated by an alley would be an exaggeration.  The space between each is barely wide enough to drive a motorcycle through.  When I lead Evan down one such alley, I explain, “This is their house.  We don’t use the front door.  The side door takes us right to the kitchen.  Ready?”

“Absolutely.  Let’s go, lead the way.”  He doesn’t seem the least bit worried or anxious.  My only worry is that we will have enough to talk about for the next two hours.