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“Of course,” I replied, but I was already feeling the need to run.
I took in a deep breath of fresh air as I stretched. It had been too long since I’d been on a run, and I loved taking advantage of the country roads. With Nolan living in the middle of nowhere, I could think without noises from the city bothering me.
I took off at a steady pace, really not feeling it until I hit my stride at about a quarter mile. My lungs filled with fresh air as I hit the dirt road leading away from Nolan’s house. It didn’t take long for me to feel a sense of peace wash over me. Sometimes, I thought I could stay out here forever, just enjoying the peace of nature, but I knew that wouldn’t last long.
The urge to get back to work would soon take over. I’d see something in the news or hear about a job and that would be it. I’d be packed and on the road in no time at all. I took a dirt trail, pushing hard with the sharp incline. My legs burned, but it felt wonderful compared to running on a sidewalk. Trees bit at my skin as I raced through the countryside, but I didn’t care. It felt amazing to be out here again.
I had learned a long time ago that clearing my head on a run helped me from becoming overwhelmed with the need to organize and fix everything in my life. Perhaps that was because in nature, you couldn’t fix anything. Trees grew haphazardly, stones didn’t line a path perfectly, and grass grew at all kinds of lengths. At first, it drove me insane, but over time, I came to appreciate what I couldn’t control. It was the only place where I let my quirks go and went with the flow of things.
About two miles in, I stopped and took a breather, bending over and stretching out my calves a little more. The snap of a twig drew my attention, but I didn’t make any sudden movements. If someone was following me, I would only alert them that I was onto them. If it was just an animal, there was nothing to worry about.
I took my time, twisting my body as I stretched, scanning the area for anyone who might be following me. And then I saw him. It was just a glimpse, and he was well hidden, but the light peeking through the trees reflected off something on his clothes.
I continued stretching, making my movements a little more obscene. I wasn’t sure why I was putting on a show for him. He was following me. But things like this gave me a thrill. When I was ready to go again, I decided a little game of cat and mouse was in order. I took off at a fast pace, weaving in and out of the trees. I didn’t dare look over my shoulder, knowing even one look would give away the game.
Now that I knew he was back there, I tuned in to the noises around me. The snap of a branch, the rustle of leaves, his footsteps on the soft forest floor. He wasn’t dressed properly for a run, and that gave me the advantage.
I put on a burst of speed and pushed harder than I had the entire run. I wove in and out of the trees until I was sure I had lost him. Of course, if he was any good, he’d track my footprints. There was a tree up ahead that would be perfect as a lookout. My feet hit the bark and I catapulted myself up to a low-hanging branch, then hoisted myself higher until I was hidden by the branches and leaves.
My breathing came out harsh and uneven from the run, but I was high enough up that he wouldn’t hear me. A few seconds later, he stopped jogging right in front of the tree, studying the landscape as he searched for me. I held my breath, wondering if he would see me hiding up here. The seconds ticked by as he bent over and looked at my footprints.
The dark stranger had me intrigued. His black hair was slicked back and sharp angles cut across the side of his face. But it was his muscular form that really had me drooling. I needed to know more about him. Why was he following me? And what would he do if I dropped out of the tree right now?
His head tilted back and I nearly gasped at the sight of his face. It was the man from the rooftop. The same man I’d fought and handcuffed to the roof. He was here, following me on a run. Was this because I’d bested him? Or was it revenge? Either way, this wasn’t good. I’d never allowed my work to follow me to Nolan’s place. I’d have to leave and make sure I led him far away from this place.
I thought I saw him grin right before he took off ahead of me. Once he was out of sight, I shimmied down the tree and took off for home. I’d have to get packed up immediately and get the hell out of here. I wouldn’t be able to wait for Nolan to get back. There was no time for goodbyes.
I pushed even harder, desperate to get to the house and grab my things. I needed a shower, but there was no time for that. I had no idea what his intentions were, and I couldn’t allow him to hang around Nolan’s house. I’d get a head start and lead him away, then lose him on the road.
I was panting hard by the time I reached Nolan’s house. I ran up the stairs and flung the door open, making sure to set the alarm as soon as I stepped through the door. If he was still watching me, he’d take note of how I was acting. I had to pretend everything was fine.
I took my time at the fridge, grabbing a water as I studied the security feed on the monitor. He was outside, hiding in the trees. And he wasn’t alone.
8
NICHOLAS
Her long, slender legs ate up the ground like she was a professional runner. I’d never been particularly fascinated with legs before. I preferred a woman’s breasts to any other part of her body, but something about this woman’s legs really did it for me.
I watched through my binoculars as she ran back up the steps to the house and let herself inside. She glanced around outside once as if she felt me watching her.
“That’s right. I’m here,” I chuckled to myself.
“Yeah, that’s not creepy.”
I jolted at the voice beside me, spinning around and throwing a punch that missed as Rae ducked and put up her guard. I let out a deep sigh, pissed that she’d snuck up on me and I hadn’t noticed. “What are you doing here?”
“I knew you’d come out here and I was interested.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s so much I don’t know about her. It’s not very often that I can’t dig up information on someone. I don’t like it.”
“So, you followed me out here?”
“Well, it was either that or stay home. This sounded so much better. Besides, Cash said you have a week off. That’s not a lot of time to dig up information on this woman. So, what are we looking at?”
“We aren’t looking at anything. She’s not a job.”
