Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) (15 page)

He walks over to me and helps me up to my feet.  He embraces
me, and all is forgotten.  “I’m so sorry.  I’ve never met anyone like you. 
Most of the women I’ve been with just wanted ... they were more interested ... I
guess they were just drawn to the football lifestyle.”

“Well, I have a lot to learn about football.  That is, if
you’re willing to teach me, of course.”  How naïve I must look and sound. 

“Juliette, I look forward to sharing all of that with you. 
But for now, let’s go enjoy the night.”  He releases me from our embrace,
gathers my sweater, and escorts me back out to the deck.

By the time we make it to the deck, we are approaching the unmistakable
vision of the Brooklyn Bridge.  As we cruise under the bridge, I’m enjoying a
view that I never imagined I would see in person.  And I’m watching it holding hands
with a magnificent man.  How did I get so lucky?

Waiting for us is an enchanting table arrangement.  There’s a
carafe of hot coffee and a delectable plating of Crème Brule with berries, kiwi, and a
caramel sugar garnish.  We sit to enjoy our dessert, each other, and the breathtaking
view.

It’s time I take the lead to let Evan know how I feel.  He’s
been very open about his intentions and I need him to know that the feeling is
more than mutual.

I lead him over to the deck chairs and push him back with as
much force as is needed to get him to sit.  He looks up at me, confused. 
Standing before him, I place my hands on his shoulders, and I straddle him,
sitting on his lap face-to-face.  With abandon, I kiss him passionately.  He
puts his hands around my waist and pulls me closer.  I crawl up into his lap
and rest my head on his shoulder.  He holds me and gently caresses my back. 

For the next hour, we enjoy cuddling and kissing as we pass
by the evening skyline of Manhattan after dusk.  This was, by far, the most
romantic evening I could have ever imagined.

In the Blink
of an Eye

W
e pull up to my house and the front porch light is on. 
Auggie is home and I have so much to share with him.  Evan walks me to the
front door and kisses me goodnight.  I am happy, truly happy.  My heart is
singing like it never has before.

I close the door behind me and I stand with my back pressed against it,
using it to hold myself up.  Slowly, I right myself and wander into the living
room where Auggie is watching television.  He turns the T.V. off and gives me
his full attention.

“Look at you, girl.  You are a real knockout.  I bet you had him eating
out of the palm of your hand!” 

“Oh, Auggie, you have no idea.  He took me on a yacht.  A real,
honest-to-goodness yacht.  There was a crew, a waitress, a captain, and it was
incredible.”  I lean back in the couch and give a heavy sigh.

“A yacht?  Seriously?  Is it his?” I shake my head.  “How much money does
this boy have?” 

“Auggie, it’s not about the money and how much he spent tonight. 
Honestly, I doubt it was that much, anyway.  Adam made the arrangements through
one of his contacts.  You should be impressed that my boyfriend knows how to
network.”

“Jette, did you just call Evan your boyfriend?  What happened on that
boat?”

“One, it’s not a boat, it’s a yacht.  Two, he asked if he could call me
his girlfriend.  And three, I said yes.”  I sit twirling my tulip in my hand
while thinking about my new boyfriend.

“So when do I get to officially meet lover boy?”

“Soon, definitely.  But I have to work until closing tomorrow, so maybe
Wednesday or Thursday?”  I’m so tired I can barely get the words out.  My
eyelids feel like they weigh a hundred pounds.

“Sounds great.  That reminds me.  Brandon and I are going into the city
tomorrow and we’ll probably spend the night, so I won’t be home.  You don’t
have to leave the light on for me.  You gonna be okay?  Maybe Evan can crash
here tomorrow.”

“I don’t need a babysitter; I think I can handle spending another night
alone in my own house.  But thanks for worrying about me.”  It’s time to call
it a night.  “Night, Aug, love you.” 

“Right back at you, Jepetto.”  He turns the television back on and lowers
the volume just enough.  I change into my sleepwear and send Evan a text.

T
he alarm goes off and I’m greeted by Imagine Dragons today.  I shower
and get dressed quickly so I can spend a few minutes with Maddy before I go. 
I’ve decided to leave her home for today’s run.  I hope she understands.  I
want to spend time with Evan and this may be my only chance today.  I’m meeting
Emmy for lunch before we work tonight.  I haven’t worked with Emmy in a few
days and we have a lot of catching up to do.

I drive straight to Evan’s and park my car in his driveway right beside
his Porsche.  There are no other cars here, so I guess that means Adam is in
his own place by now.

Walking up to the front porch, I’m momentarily immobilized.  Should I
knock?  Ring the bell?  Walk right in?  No, I’m not going to make any assumptions
by just letting myself in.  Knocking would be best.  Just in case he’s not the
only one in the house, I wouldn’t want to wake anyone who might still be
asleep. 

The door opens, revealing a shirtless Evan, my favorite kind.  “Good
morning,” he whispers as he pulls me in for a familiar kiss and hug.  “Mmm, peppermint. 
My new favorite.”  His nose is buried in my hair, which is still wet from this
morning’s shower.  I take a moment to enjoy the closeness his embrace offers. 
My face is resting on his warm and firm chest that smells delightfully clean
and masculine.

“You ready?  Let me lock up and we can head out.”  He shuts and locks the
front door, and then we walk out to the deck.  I stand at the railing admiring
the view of the ocean while I wait for Evan to finish locking up and setting
the alarm.  The sun has just finished rising and is casting a beautiful gold
and orange hue across the sky.  There are numerous fishing boats making their
way out to deeper waters to find their catch.

A hand on the small of my back pulls me back to the here and now.  “Let’s
go.”

Side by side, we begin our slow plodding jog along the water’s edge.  I’m
used to running alone and losing myself in my own world of thoughts.  Right
now, I’m aware of the most minuscule details ... the way my hair looks, the way
my boobs bounce when I run, how my hands are balled into fists, and how
unattractive it is to sweat in front of a man.

Evan is sweating, too.  But on him, it’s hot.  His skin shines in the
early morning light.  I imagine other situations where we might both be slick
with sweat, hot from exertion, and wrapped in each other’s arms.  I’ve never
fallen so fast, and so deep.

“Juliette, you look deep in thought.  What are you thinking about?”  His
voice is steady and strong.

Breathlessly, I answer, “Not much ... just making a ... mental list of ... the
various ways ... I can get you all ... hot and sweaty.”

“Really?  What’s on your list?”  How can he sound like he’s taking a
stroll through the park when I’m fighting for each breath?

“I’m thinking you could ... come home with me ... and maybe we could ... move
some furniture.” 

“I’d love to make the furniture move with you, Juliette.”  He speaks in
his most flirty come-hither voice.

“I do have ... a lot of furniture ... that needs moving.”  While this banter
is just in fun, there’s a part of me that can easily imagine us ‘moving the
furniture’ in every room of my house.  And every room in his house.

“Juliette, if I thought for one minute that you were serious, I would
lift you up, throw you over my shoulder, and carry you right back to my
bedroom.”

“What makes ... you think ... I’m not ... serious?”

“You’re still running.”

Sensing a challenge, I stop dead in my tracks.  “Not anymore ... now what,
chief?”

“Okay, you asked for it!”  He lifts me up and throws me over one shoulder
in a fireman carry and begins the hike back down the beach.  Once again, I find
myself on the beach with my ass in a place where my ass is not supposed to be. 
This one, however, is not unwelcomed.

“Evan, put me down!”  I struggle to swat him on his ass with all the
might I can muster, but it’s like hitting a brick wall.  Man, that boy has some
tight glutes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a bright flash of light.  It seems
we are no longer alone.  We’ve reached the boardwalk and there’s a man with a
camera undoubtedly taking stills of the early morning beach.  Quite a show we
must be putting on for this unexpected audience.

Gently, he places me back on my feet.  “Let’s get going, Juliette.  You
ready to head back?”  Evan’s mood seems darker.  Maybe I took our charade a
little too far. 

I follow his lead and together, we begin our  jog back.  In no time, we
have returned to his beach house.  Evan asks me to sit on the deck while he
goes in and retrieves some bottled water for us.  He reappears and I’m glad to
see his face is more relaxed.  Whatever dark cloud shadowed his mood is gone
now.

“So, are you working tonight?” 

“Actually, yes.  I have lunch plans with Emmy, and then I’m working until
closing.  Why?  What are you doing tonight?”

“Adam and I have plans, too.  How about tomorrow?”

“I’m off.  I thought I would do a little baking.  Want to come over? 
You can help.  Maybe you can even meet my roommate, Auggie.  He’s dying to meet
you.”

“I’d really like that.  Call me later.  I don’t think I could go the
whole day without hearing your voice again.”  Under the table, he pokes me with
his foot.  I run my foot up his calf and back down again.  All the while, our
eyes are locked.  “I need another shower.  A cold shower.”  He stands and
adjusts his shorts.  It makes me grin.

“That’s my cue, I’ve gotta go.  I’ll call.  Promise.”  Despite my
appearance, Evan swaddles me in a tight embrace and kisses me.  I wrap my hands
around his waist and kiss him more deeply.  I break apart from him,
reluctantly, and walk out to my car.  I turn to look at him one more time, and
he’s adjusting his shorts again.  I love what he does to me, but I think I love
what I do to him even more.