The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (31 page)

“Now, let’s get you home.  I’ve got some pent-up energy I’d like to burn.  Maybe on a certain workout bench.  Unless, of course, you have other plans.”

I squeeze his thigh and reply, “How fast can this car go?”

Full Throttle

“T
ime to get up, baby,” I whisper in Evan’s ear.  His naked body is nestled with mine.  He grunts and pulls me closer.  “Come on, Evan.  We have to get up now,” I repeat.  We didn’t get much sleep last night.  This is the only downside of sleeping in the same bed together.

He rubs up against me, “I am up, see?” 

“Come on.  Time for our morning run.  You promised.”  Yesterday I vowed not to interfere with Evan’s workouts, and I fully intend to keep that promise.  I haven’t had a good run on the beach in days and I’m actually looking forward to a morning jog with him.

After a little more cajoling, I get him out of bed and dressed.  I step into the bathroom to brush my teeth and I take a moment to appreciate how our lives are starting to weave together.  Sitting on the counter are pairs of hairbrushes, toothbrushes, and deodorant, perfectly complimenting one another, his and hers.

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,” and 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.

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.