Page 13

7

AUSTIN

When I got backto my room, I ordered hot cocoa with extra marshmallows and sipped it as I sat cross-legged, staring out at the scenery. That had been too close for comfort, or maybe too comfortable to be close. I liked Rosi. A lot. And it wasn’t just my libido reacting. But starting something with her was out of the question. Not only did I put myself at risk professionally, but I would also put her in danger by getting close. I wasn’t ready to do that yet again, maybe not ever. I had to take control of my emotions and recenter, that was all.

But drinking the hot chocolate reminded me of her sweetness and how much I craved that kind of sugar. It’s just as bad for your body as the real kind, I reminded myself. As I placed the empty cup down on the kitchen counter for the cleaning bots, I felt no guilt though. A treat once in a while was necessary after all.

I sat on the yoga mat, still on the floor since this morning, and began my meditation again, breathing in and out as I watched the light fill me and carry away the dark. Surrendering myself to the emptiness of my mind, I relaxed into a state of complete awareness.

Until Rosi’s vanilla scent filled the air, and I opened my eyes, convinced she was there, and thoroughly excited about it. But she wasn’t there. I had all but dumped her before anything even started. It was the right choice even if it felt horrible. She deserved someone who could keep her happy and away from a dangerous life like the one I lived. I couldn’t be trusted. I didn’t want to be responsible for anyone but myself. The possible repercussions made my heart stutter and my throat threaten to close. But that wasn’t going to happen. I wouldn’t let it.

Then why was I so antsy? I stood to pace and ended up leaving my suite. Maybe I’d do a half-grav run around the track at the top of the resort. The 360-degree views made it my favorite spot so far, and I didn’t think many tourists used it, especially in the late afternoon.

I glanced at number 600 as I boarded the upward tube, wondering if she’d be leaving the same time as I was. Luckily, nothing happened. Yet I continued to stare as I made my way to the smaller, interior dome that sat above the center of the top floor of the resort.

No one was up there when I got out, and I smiled, hands on my hips. I could enjoy the view of the vast natural beauty that stretched out below me like a down blanket as I ran, getting into sync with the rhythm of my body. It was another form of meditation for me. I stretched out my hamstrings and did a few lunges to warm up. Then I was off, having set my gravity to fifty percent using my specialized shoes, which made me lighter and worked an entirely different set of muscles than a normal run would. The untouched landscape helped ground me, and I began to relax into a steady pace, feeling in my element, which was away from the complications of man.

I’d just rounded the final bend of my second lap when the tube settled back up and deposited a group of teenage girls onto the track. The minute they spotted me, the giggling started. Like a good paid celebrity, I smiled and waved as they started to snap holovids. This was what I hated about the celebrity status that came with the sports. I wasn’t a person. I was an icon, a fantasy no one could possibly live up to. But if it got me to the asteroid belt, it’d be worth it.

The entrance to the tubes remained blocked as four sets of eyes watched me like I was the zebra and they were the pride of lions waiting to tear me to shreds. What was I supposed to do, turn around and run the other way?

Bluffing through them was my best bet, I decided, as I came around the third time.

“Austin!” one girl yelled just as I thought about slowing down and strolling past them with a smile.

Figured. So I nodded in their direction and kept running past. They’d get tired eventually, and I had enough stamina for at least ten more laps before I’d have to cool down. Women always sexualized me, and it sucked. I understood better than most men how women felt when being ogled. It was another thing I’d appreciated about Rosi, come to think of it. Sure, she accidentally announced to the world she was hoping to fuck me, but she insisted it was a mistake instead of testing the waters. It both helped and hurt. It helped because if she wasn’t interested, then I had less to worry about. It hurt because it made me that much more interested in her. In fact, if the tubes hadn’t malfunctioned, I’d have had to figure out how to hide my hard-on from her. Thankfully, that little accident cooled me off enough to settle down.

Shit, I was coming around again, and this time there were only two of them, the others having run out onto the track, but that was still two too many.

“Austin, can you take us out on a private excursion?” The blond interloper asked, reaching out to latch on to my arm as I passed.

I stopped, leaning over to grab my knees, more to avoid her grip and think through my response than catch my breath. Then I glanced up, smiling what my mom called my million-dollar smile. “Sorry, ladies. Only one winner of the grand prize. But I hope you have fun on your trip.”

The blond pouted, and her friend froze like a deer in headlights, mouth hanging open. “There’s no rule against hanging out while on vacation though.” The blond tossed her hair and tucked her shoulders back so her ample bosom popped further out of her bra. She’d get herself injured if she thought it was a good idea to wear that kind of lingerie for exercise.

“Sorry, ladies. I’m spoken for. Have a good run.” I pushed past her and was about to step into the tube when one of them grabbed my ass.

I spun around, backing up into the tube, my face hot as hades. Anger and embarrassment blinded me at the same time as the girls giggled furiously.

Then the tube suddenly went into free fall, and their giggles turned to screams.