The beach is a mile away, and I take her over after about half a mile. Her even, controlled breaths come from not far behind me, and I’m struggling to breathe. Weights are more my thing than cardio, but clearly it’s hers.
“How the fuck. Are you. Not dying?”
“I always run long distances. I was training for a marathon before I moved.” She strides next to me, keeping her pace.
“You could have fucking led with that.” The beach is in sight, and I’ve never been so fucking happy to stop running.
“Afraid of a little competition?” She spins around, showing off by running backward down the trail.
“No. Just like going in with all my information.” I pick up my pace, ready to overtake her.
“You didn’t ask. Isn’t that like rule number one of being a cop?” She matches my uptick in speed.
“Rule number one is don’t get shot. I don’t do well with rules.”
She lets out a full belly laugh. “Obviously.”
Her laughter is infectious, and before I know it, I join her, finding humor about my gunshot wound for the first time.
She takes off, sprinting for the entrance to the beach. But instead of letting her, I grab her and throw her over my shoulder, sprinting to my yard instead.
“This is cheating, Officer Keaton!” She slams her palm on my back. “Where are you taking me?”
“Back to my house. You’re joining me for dinner.” I slap her ass cheek.
“What if I don’t want to?”
“I got steak. Who says no to steak?”
She laughs. “You got me there. I won’t say no, unless it’s some shitty cut. Better be a good ribeye.”
I drop her on my deck. “You know your beef?”
“Born and raised in Montana, remember?”
I raise my brow. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot you were childhood friends with Aubs.”
I toss my running sneakers over by the sliding door. “What was she like as a kid? Just as much of a pain in the ass?”
“Excuse you! My best friend isnota pain in the ass.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
And that is the wrong fucking move because all it does is push her glorious tits together for me. My eyes get stuck on the image.
“You are fucking hell on my restraint, woman.”
“Good thing I’m not asking you to restrain yourself then.” She slips through the slider and right into my kitchen. “What can I do to help?”
“Not a thing. I put some baked potatoes in the crock pot earlier today, and I’ve got a salad in the fridge. Just keep me company while I grill?” I grab the tray of meat and a lighter and head toward the grill, lighting it. ”Want a beer?”
“That’d be great.” She takes the seat closest to the grill to wait for me.
After dropping the tray in the sink, I grab a clean one and two beers.
“Here you go. Rome’s newest creation.” I pop the top off and hand her a bottle.
As I watch her bring it to her lips, my dick takes notice of every fucking movement she makes. She swallows, bringing my thoughts to something else entirely. Suddenly, I wish her lips were wrapped around my dick instead.
“What’s running through your dirty, dirty mind, Officer Keaton?” She takes me in over the mouth of her bottle, running her eyes down my body.
