AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pull my hair behind my head and secure it with the elastic band I keep on my wrist. So much for working off all my energy.
He looks up from his book, slowly scanning my body, his eyes wide with delight.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
He points to his book. So, it was a stupid question. “I live in the building,” he says.
“Since when?”
“A few weeks.”
“I haven't seen you around.”
“I've been preoccupied.”
“By what?” I ask. By who? Does he have a girlfriend? A wife? A fuck buddy?
“Work, and… Well, I need to do something besides think about it.”
“And you love the water,” I say.
“You remember,” he smiles. “Running relaxes me. One of the few things that does.”
It usually relaxes me, but it won't today. Not with Luke so close to me.
He pushes himself off the ground, slips his book into his pocket, and asks, “Can I join you?”
“You look like you've already exercised.”
“I'm up for round two,” he says, his lips curling into a smile. His hand grazes my arm, and I feel that electricity again, surging from my fingertips to my toes, filling me with nervous energy. My mouth is dry. My stomach is butterflies. My heart pounds so loudly, I can barely hear anything else.
Jesus, I am so fucked if I can't even handle him touching my arm.
“I don't own the sidewalk,” I say.
“If you don't want me to come, just say so.”
I will not think about him coming. I will not think about him coming. I will not think about him coming.
“No. You're welcome to come.”
So I'm thinking about him coming. It's only a thought and a thought never hurt anyone. It's not as if I'll find out if he bites his lips or moans or digs his nails into my back. Not that it would ever be my back.
I break into a jog. I'm not very fast, and he has no problem matching my speed. We round a corner and the view is nothing but ocean and sky. It's such a beautiful fucking day. A day for picnics on the grass, long walks on the beach, making out in the shade.
Not that Ryan could be talked into anything but work during the week.
Oh, please, like you're thinking of Ryan.
I run faster and faster, until I can concentrate on nothing but my breath. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. Easy. I am so focused, I don't notice a huge crack in the sidewalk. My foot catches on the edge of the crack, and I trip, trying to land on the grass as gracefully as possible.
Luke stops short and sits next to me. “Are you okay?” he asks, his body inches from mine. How could I possibly be okay with the electricity overwhelming my body?
“I'm fine.” I try to get up, but he holds my shoulders down.
“Let me check your ankle.”
“Don't tell me you're also a doctor.”
