Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) (6 page)

“Seriously?” I ask him.  I look more closely and I notice the guitars
have no strings.  In their place are five large multicolored buttons.  “You
want me to play that thing?”

“Haven’t you ever played Guitar Hero before?” He seems shocked.

“No, I’m not a sixteen year-old boy in case you haven’t noticed.”  By the
smirk on his face, I’d say he’s fully aware.

“It’s easy.  Come on, let’s try.  Or are you chicken?”  He flaps his arms
like a chicken as he walks over to the television, turns it on and sets up the
X-Box. 

“No, I’m not chicken, I just have no idea what to do.”  This could get
interesting, and I’m usually up for a good challenge.

“That’s okay, I’m a really good teacher.  Just watch.”  He cues up a song
I know, Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker”.  He’s sitting on the couch beside me and
I can feel his body heat radiating.  I watch him very carefully as he
concentrates on the music.  There are colored keys displayed on the screen and
he masterfully matches the prompts.  The more he gets right, the faster they
come.  “Are you watching?” he asks.

“Uh huh” is about all I can respond.  His fingers are moving gracefully
over the keys with a smooth finesse.  He’s swaying to the song and it’s
mesmerizing.  I get to really study his face and I start to notice some small
imperfections.  For one, his nose looks like it’s been broken a few times which
keeps him from being too perfect.  It actually makes him more attractive.

The song ends and now it’s my turn.  He places a guitar in my hands and
starts scrolling through the play list.  “Pick one,” he tells me.

“How about ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’?”

“Bon Jovi.  Excellent choice.  Ready?”

I nod and the music starts.  I have no idea what I’m doing.  Colored keys
are showing on the screen, but I have no idea where they are on the guitar in
my hand.

“Let me help.  Place your fingers on these keys.”  He indicates a row of
keys on the guitar where I’m supposed to rest my fingers.  “I’ll press the keys
until you get the hang of it.”

Evan places his hand over mine and it’s almost like we’re holding hands. 
He’s so close; I can feel his warm breath on my neck.  I can sense my own heat
rising, and it’s intoxicating.  The music starts, and I try to concentrate on
the motions.  He skillfully matches the screen and I’m starting to catch on. 
After a few minutes, he releases my hand and I’m playing.  This is fun!

“See?  I told you I was a great teacher.”  He gives me a jab with his
shoulder.  I grin from ear to ear.  He is a great teacher.  I wonder what else
he could teach me.

Evan selects another song off the playlist.  Our first duet is an old Blondie
song, “One Way or Another”.  I’m not great, but I can keep up to some degree. 
It doesn’t help that our bodies occasionally touch as we play. 

We laugh and play together through a few more songs.  Each new song helps
us become more comfortable around one another.  It’s easy to be with him.  He
teases me when I can’t keep up and I accuse him of showboating.

“Break time,” Evan announces.  “Time to get ice back on that ankle.  I’ll
be right back.”  He leaves the room to retrieve the ice pack and I watch him
walk away. 

I check my phone for messages, and sure enough, Auggie has sent me three
messages wanting to know where I am and who I’m with.  The clock informs me
that I’ve been here for over an hour.  My ankle is really feeling better and I
know that means it’s almost time for me to leave.  Evan returns with the ice
and he takes great care to wrap my ankle.

“Is that okay?” he asks.  “I want to make sure it’s not too tight.”

“No, it’s fine.”  After two bottles of water, my bladder is full and I
need to find a bathroom, quickly. “Evan, do you think I could use your
bathroom?”

“Sure.  It’s that door right around the corner.  Think you can make it on
your own?”  He’s hovering.  It’s sweet.

I try to move as gracefully as I can, but it’s still a little tender.  At
least I can put my weight down on it without crashing to the floor now.  I wave
him off and call back to him, “I can manage.”

The guest bathroom is beautifully appointed with porcelain tile floors
and white cabinets and dark walnut wooden furnishings.  It’s Zen and
tranquil.  The large mirror reflects my image back to me and I’m pleasantly
surprised.  I splash a little cool water on my face, wash my hands, and head
back to find Evan.  I take a deep breath and smile.  Fate has brought me here,
and for now, I’m glad.

My eyes sweep across the living room area, and Evan’s nowhere to be
seen.  Maddy is sound asleep in the middle of the room, alone.  I timidly call out,
“Evan?” and I’m rewarded with an unexpected response.

“I’m in here.”  I follow his voice and find him in the kitchen rummaging
through some cabinets.  He’s reaching high into a cabinet and his t-shirt rides
up just enough so I can admire the contours of his well-sculptured back
muscles.  His shorts hang low on his hips in a way that makes me want to put my
arms around his waist and feel the warmth of his skin.  There’s no doubt he’s
worked very hard to create this body.  He turns with a large bowl in his hand
and I’m caught gawking.  A devilish grin sweeps across his face as he places
the bowl on the counter.  He leans back dramatically and gives a big yawn with
outstretched arms.  This time when his shirt reveals the skin beneath, I get a
beautiful view of his taut stomach muscles and an incredibly sexy treasure
trail leading right into the button of his shorts.  Two can play at this game.

“Hungry?” Evan asks me, still grinning.

“Nope.  I’m on a diet.  I try to avoid the ... food ... that I know is bad
for my health.”

“A little light snack never hurt anyone.  I’m sure I could find something
that would temp you,” he continues.  I forgot how much fun it is to flirt. 
Let’s see how long I can keep this going.

“Oh, sure, but I’d just regret it in the morning.  I’m actually pretty
good in the ... kitchen ... myself.  Maybe I could make something for you.”  I lean
on the island in the center of the kitchen, facing him.  I pull my elbows close
to my side, exposing an abundant amount of cleavage.  “You’ve been such a wonderful
host, I’d like to reciprocate.  What are you in the mood for?”

“Actually, I’m starving.  What do you recommend?”  He leans on the island
directly across from me.  Our faces are mere inches apart.

I whisper, “That all depends on your particular tastes.  I could whip you
up something sweet and simple or perhaps something more adventurous and
unexpected.  I am a professional and I know how to please a man’s deepest
hungers.” 

Evan throws his hands up in the air. “That’s it.  I surrender.  You
win!”  The game’s over and I am quite proud of my performance.  I take a bow
and ceremoniously hop onto one of the kitchen chairs nearby. 

Evan rinses some grapes in the sink and places them in the bowl between
us.  The next hour passes by quickly.  We find ourselves laughing at the
memories of our childhood and adolescent trials and tribulations.  It turns out
that Evan is a really nice guy who’s easy to talk to.  Not at all what I
expected.

Wanting to end on a positive note, I make the decision that it’s time for
me to make a well-timed exit.  For the final time, I take off the ice pack and
place it on the counter.  I take an experimental step or two, and I’m good to
go.

“Excuse me, Evan, I’ll be right back.”  I head out to the deck to collect
Maddy’s water bowl and leash.  Evan’s eyes follow me as I make my way back to
the kitchen and wash the bowl.  He quietly watches me flit around his kitchen,
looking for a dishtowel so I can dry the bowl.  After I open a few cabinets, I
identify the proper location and I put the bowl away.

“I like the way you look in my kitchen, Juliette.”  His face takes on a
serious expression; like there’s more he wants to say. 

“Evan, can I ask you one final favor?”

“Anything .  Name it!”

“My car is parked just around the corner on the street.  Would it be too
much trouble for you to get it and bring it up to the house for me?  You’ve
gone to so much trouble to repair my injured ankle; I wouldn’t want to ruin all
your hard work by walking too far on it too quickly.”

“Oh, sure.  Toss me your keys.”  He sounds disappointed.  “You don’t have
to leave, you know.  I haven’t even given you the grand tour of the house yet. 
There’s so much more I’d love to show you.”

“Really, I have to go.  Sorry.  Thanks for the offer, though.”

“If you’re sure I can’t
tempt
you into staying,” he raises his
eyebrows in a goofy way that makes me giggle.  “I’ll be right back with your
ride, Cinderella.”

“My car is a lot like a pumpkin, Prince Charming.  You should have no
trouble finding it.  Just hit the button on the key chain and it will light up
for you.” 

Together, the three of us walk out the front door.  Evan quickly returns
with my car and opens the door for me like a true gentleman.  I put Maddy in
first, and I turn to Evan before getting in.  I’ve really enjoyed my morning
here and I don’t want it to end.  I just want to get one last look at him
before I leave.

He puts out his hand and I reflexively reach out to shake his.  Grabbing
my hand, he turns it over and kisses the back of my hand.  “It’s been a
pleasure, Juliette,” and he releases me from his grasp.  My heart is beating so
quickly, I swear he can see my physical reaction to his touch.

I watch Evan walk back into his house.  He pauses at the doorway, and
gives me one final smile before he disappears.

Prevailing
Winds

F
ortunately, when I get home, Auggie’s nowhere to be found.  I don’t
think I could handle facing him right now.  What would I tell him?  I’m not
even sure how I feel about today’s events.  Would he even believe me?

I have a few hours until I have to be at work.  It’s probably a good idea
to stay off my ankle as much as possible, so I decide on a nice long bubble
bath.  I put my iPhone music on shuffle and settle in for a relaxing soak. 
Closing my eyes, I allow myself to relax in the aromatic scents that permeate
the air. 

My mind is clear and I begin to sort the events of this morning into
logical perspective.  A handsome, wealthy, successful man came to the aid of an
injured stranger on the beach.  Any man with a good moral compass would have
done the same thing.  He entertained me, fed me, and gave me shelter until I was
well enough to leave.  Again, signs that indicate he is a gentleman and a
generally kind person.  Then again, he was definitely flirting with me, big
time.  But ... he didn’t ask me for my number or even my last name.  The final
verdict?  I met a nice stranger today who showed me kindness and compassion and
I should not make any more of it than it actually was.

The music shuffles and another P!nk song starts playing so I lie back in
the tub to enjoy.  The song is called, “Try”, and this time when I hear it, I
truly listen to the lyrics.  Okay – now I’m recalculating my conclusions. 
There was definitely a desire, and I think we both felt it.  I’ve had my heart
broken before and it hurt, but it didn’t destroy me.  If I see Evan again,
should I try?  Maybe.  The good thing is I don’t have to decide right now.