“We’re not starting something, okay? She’s a cool chick, and I just like playing her. Easy target.”
“Be careful, that’s what I thought with Aubrey. That shit turns when you least expect it, and then bam…” he makes like an explosion with his hands, “… look at me. I’m the old ball and chain.”
I laugh, finishing off the protein bar. “Your woman has ears, don’t go mouthing off like that. You’re a lucky man.”
The bastard knows it, smiling in agreement.
“Go for your run and be gone for an hour. I need some alone time with my wife.”
I head out the door, feet firmly on the pavement. I forget about the fact that I am imposing on their home and make the decision not to outstay my welcome and figure out my next move. But it all seems overwhelming for this time of the morning. Once I’ve finished my run, I will try to house hunt, again.
I bang on Gabriella’s door, noting the time is quarter past six. There’s no answer. So, I bang a second time only to hear a muffled voice behind the door. It opens at a slow and agonizing pace. Wearing only a burgundy silk robe with her hair a frazzled mess, she stands between the crack of the door and arch, her eyes barely open.
“Yeah.” She yawns.
Beneath her robe, she’s wearing only a white tank with nothing underneath. My eyes immediately gaze across her chest, mesmerized by the shape of her nipples.
Holy shit! Control yourself.
Fuck! Like I needed a hard-on in these thin athletic shorts.
“Do you always answer the door to strangers with no bra on?”
Her eyes crack wide open, and in a mad dash, she pulls the robe around her chest attempting to cover what I have so gladly pointed out.
“Argh, what are you doing here, anyway?”
“Our run.”
“Our what?”
“Run. If you don’t run today, you’ll pay for it tomorrow. Your body will be in enormous pain. So, I’m saving you the girly rant tomorrow and doing you a favor.”
“You’re doing me a favor by making me run with you again?” she questions, raising her perfectly sculpted brow.
“Yes. Now can I come in, or should I wait for you to come up with some poor excuse as to why you’re doing something better?”
Gabriella doesn’t say anything, unlocking the screen door. I follow her inside, watching her bare feet drag against the dark wooden floors. She heads toward the kitchen as if on autopilot, and turns the coffee machine on, then quickly checks her robe again.
“Coffee?”
“I’m good, thanks.” I lean against the countertop watching her move around. “What’s with the hair, Gabs?”
“Please don’t call me that so early in the morning,” she mutters. “I had a rough sleep.”
“Anything I can help with?”
Her cheeks turn a bright red against her gorgeous skin. Perhaps I’m not the only one taunted by wicked dreams. How delightful.
“Um… no. Why would you ask?”
“Because insomnia is my best friend. We go way back. I had a rough night, too.”
“Oh, I see. Anything I can help with?” she asks, mimicking me.
A broad smile consumes me, much to my pleasure. “Oh, sweetheart, you can always help me in that department. In fact, your braless attempt at answering the door is a great help.”
She grunts, moving her mug to the counter. “Asshole.”
“Have your coffee, grumpy pants, then we’re hitting the pavement.”
“I’m dying. I’m officially dying.”
I stop as Gabriella stands still, hands on her knees and out of breath. She’s cute in her little white shorts, pink tank, and skin covered in sweat.
“You’re not dying. Now hurry up, you’re slowing me down.”
“I’m… I’m… slowing you down?” She’s barely able to get out her words. “We’ve run from Hermosa to Redondo Beach. How much longer do you want to go?”
I roll my eyes at her, running for thirty minutes is hardly a trophy-worthy exercise. “Fine, we can take a break.”
“Uh, no break. I’m ready to catch an Uber back home. I seriously cannot feel my legs.”
“You cannot feel your legs?”
“No, they’re dead,” she exaggerates, again.
I move toward her and scoop her up in my arms. She weighs practically nothing. Squiggling, she attempts to fight out of my tight grip.
“Put me down. Are you crazy?”
“Apparently, you can’t feel your legs, so I thought you might need some assistance.”
With her body close to mine, her chest heaves against my own. I can’t help but allow my eyes to wander until she grabs my face with both hands, directing it back to hers.
“Eyes up here, mister. And fine, I was exaggerating.” Her tone softens, pouty lips telling me she’s sorry. “Seriously, put me down before I—”
“Before you what?”
“Scream. And then everyone’s going to think you’re some sort of kidnapper. You’ll be arrested. Sent to jail. And you will be questioning why every time you bend down to grab a bar of soap, your ass is so damn sore.”
I laugh at her analogy. “Some mouth on you, Gabs. Prince Charming hear you talk like that?”
Her body relaxes in my hold.
“No,” she drags, trying hiding her smile. She drops her legs to the ground as I steady her waist.
“Okay, you done with the girly whine. I promise, one more mile.”
“Fine.”
We take the last mile slow, a painful jog as I like to call it. We make it down to the water, grabbing a smoothie along the way at Sally’s before sitting on the edge of the pier, legs dangling, watching the sunrise.
“It’s so beautiful here.” Her eyes sparkle as she talks—hazel with speckles of gold reflecting from the light. “I’ve always wanted to live by the ocean.”
It is beautiful here.
Different to back home, yet equally as mesmerizing as we both stare into the blue sea. Being beside her feels different than anything I’ve felt before. It’s almost effortless.
“Where is back home?”
“Colorado.”
“Nice. Never been.”
“Really?” She seems surprised. “It’s beautiful. I mean, it’s not like here, and there are no
