Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) (13 page)

“Do we have to watch with the lights out?  Really?”  I know I’m being a
big chicken and I don’t care.

“Just sit with me, I’ll protect you.  I promise to warn you before the
really scary stuff comes on.”

“But ...”

Before I can finish, he kisses me.  Our first kiss is tender and sweet,
gently touching his lips to mine.  His lips are soft, wet, and delicious. 
Desire builds up instantly inside me and my nerve endings are all firing at
once.

He breaks away from the kiss and whispers in my ear, “I’ve been wanting
to do that since the moment I saw you.”  He moves an errant strand of hair
behind my ear.  “Now, about the lights?”

“This is fine.  I’m good,” I admit as I lean into his chest.

From the opening scene of the movie, I’m a basket case.  Evan is a
brilliant man, he has me in the palm of his hands the moment Freddy makes his
first appearance.  At one point, I actually crawl onto his lap and pull the
blanket over my head.

By the time Johnny Depp’s character is killed, I have to excuse myself to
the bathroom.  I wish Maddy were with me right about now.  When I return, Evan
holds out his arm and I return to my spot on the couch tucked beneath his
strong arm. 

“Do you want me to turn it off?” he asks.

“No, why?”

“Well, you’re squeezing all the blood from my arm, and I might need to
use that arm again someday.”

I immediately release him, “Sorry.”  I pull the blanket up to my chin, hoping
it will offer me protection.  When the little girls show up on screen chanting
their monotonous jump rope chant, I can no longer watch and I hide my face
beneath his arm. 

Only ninety-one minutes of torture and my terror is over.  Evan releases
me and reaches for the remote to turn off the TV.  “Come on; let me make you a
drink.”  He offers me his hand and he helps me off the couch.

“I’m so embarrassed, Evan, you must think I’m a total dork.  I tried to
be brave, but that movie really was scary.”

“Juliette, let me assure you, I enjoyed every moment of that movie.  In
fact, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a movie so much in my life.”  He hands me
a rocks glass, and I don’t even ask what’s inside.  “Here’s to new beginnings
and throwing all caution to the wind.”  We clink glasses and I swallow the
sweet liquid down in one gulp.

“Let’s go outside.  I think there’s a full moon tonight.”  He takes me
again by the hand, this time we lace our fingers together and walk hand-in-hand
out to the deck.

He releases me, placing his hand on the small of my back, and together,
we gaze at the stars as the waves crash on the surf.  He turns me to face him,
and I look deep into his eyes.  They are a brilliant blue shining brightly
under the moon.

Gently, he places one hand under my chin and leans in to kiss me.  I
place the palm of my hand on his chest and I can feel his heart racing, just
like mine.  I release a slight groan of satisfaction and he deepens our kiss. 
Hunger takes over, and I greedily open my mouth to let him in.  His tongue
finds mine and we explore each other.  I gently bite his bottom lip and he
wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer.  I can feel our bodies pressing
tightly against one another.

He nibbles on the corner of my mouth.  He smells so good and tastes even
better.  I run my hands up and down his arms, holding myself steady.

Our breathing becomes ragged and I am lost in the moment.  The entire
world disappears, leaving just the two of us alone in the universe.  Our lips
and tongues move together in perfect harmony.  He pulls me tightly against him
and I can feel his arousal.  All I can think of is having him inside me, right
here and right now. 

The intensity of our kisses eventually slows, and we stand under the
moonlight in each other’s arms.  If I don’t stop myself now, I may not be able
to stop at all.  Is this our first date or our second?  Either way, it’s way
too soon to let things get too far.  “I have to go,” I breathe in his ear. 
“Walk me to my car.”

On Cloud Nine

I
wake up before the alarm today.  There’s a lot on my mind and I need a
clear head to consider the events of the last twenty-four hours.  It would have
been so easy to stay last night, to give into my desires.  But that would not
have been the wise thing to do.  I need time.  Time to figure out what I want
from Evan and time to find out what Evan wants from me.  Time is something I
have lots of.  The question is, will Evan give me the time I need?

For today’s jog, I’m staying away from Evan’s house.  If he wants to see
me, he’s going to have to make the first move.  I will not present myself to
him.  I’ve never thrown myself at a man and I’m not about to start now.  No
accidental meetings.  No misunderstandings.  No wistful daydreaming.  Just the
sun and the surf. 

I must look like a fool as I run along the surf.  Each time I think about
my evening with Evan, a huge silly grin splashes across my face.  No sooner
does an image of Evan appear in my mind’s eye, when it’s replaced by the memory
of my cryptic conversation with Adam.  This must be what it feels like to have
ADHD, unable to keep a single idea focused for very long.

Adam knew enough about me to be able to find me on the beach.  That must
mean Evan was talking about me.  I wonder what he said.  Now I’m smiling again.

However, Adam was giving me a warning of sorts.  He suggested that Evan
has a history of making poor romantic choices.  That’s worrisome.  No more
smile.

Then again, he also said that Evan didn’t want to be like that anymore. 
Maybe he’s looking for a more traditional relationship.  Smiling again.

I know firsthand that it’s not so easy for a leopard to change his spots,
and if Evan has a proclivity towards fast, hard, and dangerous relationships,
could he ever be satisfied with someone like me?  Smile gone. 

That’s how the entire run goes.  Happy thoughts followed by troubling
thoughts.  If I only had a daisy, I could play the ‘he loves me, he loves me
not’ game.

By the time I get home, there’s a text from Evan.  I read it and respond
immediately

No wink today.  Does that mean something?  No, probably not.  I’m just
overthinking things ... again.  He wants to see me, even though I left before
things went too far.  That is most definitely a good sign.

I arrive early at work to open the patio bar with Marcus.  Marcus has
been bartending for several years now, and I learn a lot when we work together. 
My first customers are a group of college-age girls which is perfect.  They
aren’t just beer or wine drinkers, they like mixed drinks.  This gives Marcus a
chance to teach me some new recipes.  There are literally hundreds of variations
of martinis and cosmopolitans, and Marcus expertly demonstrates how to make a
Lemon Drop Martini with flair.  I try a few fancy flips and turns with the
shaker bottle, and I’m not half bad.  Marcus is a patient and helpful teacher. 
It’s actually a lot of fun.

It’s time for my break and I head indoors to find Derek.  He’s working
the indoor bar today.  I told him last night that we could hang out, and I’m
wondering what he has in mind. 

“Hey, Derek, sorry about last night.”  I sit on one of the bar stools. 
His bar is pretty empty at the moment.

“No worries, Jette.  Listen, I have to ditch on you tonight.  Grant got
tickets for tonight’s Nets game against the Bulls.”  He looks so excited. 
Boys really love their sports.

“What is it about going to a basketball game that’s so great?  You look
like you just won the lottery.”  I really don’t get it.  I always viewed sports
as a demonstration of the male need to be aggressive, to dominate, and to be
victorious in combat, a real basal instinct. 

“Boobs, balls, and beer, babe!  We have simple needs.”  I just shake my
head and walk away, grinning.  Derek calls after me, “What did I say?” 

I find a quiet table in the back of the bar and I call Evan.

Evan answers with a cheerful tone, “Hey, you!  Are you on break?  What’s
going on?”

“I only have a few minutes left before I have to get back behind the bar,
but I was wondering if you’d like to come over and hang out at my place
tonight.”

“What happened to the plans you had with Dylan?”

“His name is Derek, and he got tickets to the Jets game.”

“That’s not possible, it’s not football season.  Do you mean the Nets? 
That’s basketball.”

“Yeah, it’s definitely basketball.  You sure it’s not Jets?”

“Pretty sure.  Enough about sports, I’d really like to take you out
somewhere tonight.  Can I pick you up after work?” 

“Sounds great.  What should I wear?”

“Let me make a few phone calls.  I’ll let you know.”

“Um, okay.  I’ll text you my address.  I get off at four.  I can be ready
by five.”

“I’ll call you before then.  I’ll let you get back to work now.”

“Okay, bye.”

“See you in a few hours, Juliette.”

After we hang up, I text my address to Evan and turn my phone off.  Then
I head back to the patio to help Marcus at the bar.  There is only one couple
at a table in the back, so we have time to chat.

“You know Jette,” he says to me, “I hope I didn’t put you on the spot
with the whole wedding cake thing.  If you’re not ready for a big job like
that, you’d tell me, right?”

“Are you kidding?  I’m so excited.  I’m already thinking about custom
flavors for you to try.  Do you two have any requests?”  I hope he doesn’t ask
for something too ordinary or over-done like red velvet.

“I don’t think so.  What do you have in mind?”

Great.  I have so many ideas.  “Well, seeing as how you are a bartender
and you met your fiancée here at the bar, I’m thinking some ‘top shelf’
flavored cupcakes for the guests and a groom’s cake for the two of you.”

“Sounds good.  One thing, though, what are ‘top shelf’ cupcakes?”

“Alcohol infused cupcakes.  The top three or four that I’m thinking suit
a formal wedding are champagne, Limón cello, Grand Marnier, and Chambord. 
Nothing cheesy like Irish Cream or Kahlua.  Do you think Camilla will like my
idea?”  I’d love to be able to impress them.

“I think she’ll
love
it!” Marcus replies.  

There are only a couple of hours left in my shift, and it goes by pretty
quickly.  When four o’clock nears, I begin cleaning up my station while Marcus
splits the tips with me.  Not bad tips for a lunch shift.

I punch out and make the short trek to my car.  Once I start the car, I
check my messages.  There’s one from Evan.

“Juliette, it’s me.  Evan.  Dress comfortably and bring a sweater.  I
hope you don’t get seasick.”