AllFreeNovel
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I’m literally chasing my dream, and it’s drainingevery part of me. That is probably why my brother offered to spend his one day off this week getting up at the crack of dawn and guarding a woman who doesn’t even know I exist.
I glance over at him, and Kaleb gives me an encouraging smile.
We keep pace through the woods, along the edge of town, and onto Ellis Road. The same route as always.
Same time, same route.
Hell, she’s never once looked behind her since I started running with her. No self-preservation.
At least she doesn’t wear her headphones every day.I roll my eyes.
My palm itches with the need to correct her reckless behavior. My girl has zero thought for her own safety. Something that will have to change. I just need to find a way to do it without her knowing it’s me.
Kaleb and I continue between the thick trees, using the large trunks for cover. Not that we need to since Lara is oblivious to her surroundings.
In need of a good spanking and some firm rules.
The idea of someone else . . . of another man being the one to have that pleasure makes my stomach roil.
Distracted, I slow my feet to a walk. It doesn’t take long for Kaleb to notice. He looks back at me and does a double take, worry rolling over his face when he sees mine.
“What’s wrong?” he pants out.
“You mean other than you needing to step up your cardio?”
“I get enough cardio with the ladies.” He winks.
I scrunch my face at that unwanted visual. “Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome. Now, what’s wrong?” he asks again, and I know he won’t let it go until I tell him.
With a heavy sigh, I scrub at my face. “I don’t know how long I can keep doing this,” I tell him honestly. “She’s out here running by herself. She hasn’t looked behind her even once since we joined her run,” I rage, flinging an arm in her direction. After licking my bottom lip, I drag it into my mouth and bite to stop anything else from spilling out.
It’s not Lara I’m mad at . . . Okay, so maybe a little, but I’m the real problem. I’m the reason we can’t be together. My issues are what’s ruining what could have been.
This is killing me. The idea of never being with her and always watching from afar is gut-wrenching, and I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.
“Want to stop in Duke’s and grab a bite to eat?” he asks, nodding at the gas station just ahead. His mouth twitches left to right, like he wants to say something more but isn’t quite sure of what to say.
Kaleb’s not used to seeing me this wound up. No one is. I don’t get unsettled.
Not before her.
Now, it feels like my whole world is tilting, and I’m just waiting for it to fall from beneath my feet.
But I don’t say that. Instead, I nod and give my baby brother a small, grateful smile.
“I’ll meet you out front with food. Can’t promise I won’t eat yours too, though. Judy’s breakfast burgers are my current favorite meal. Duke got damn lucky marrying her. Ten years younger, and her hubby would have had some competition.”
I stop sharp and throw my head back with a laugh. “That’s why you joined me this morning? To come get fucking breakfast.”
He gives me a wide grin.
“Little shit,” I call over, shaking my head. “I’m glad you did.”
“Me too.”
Just as I leave, I shout back, “I’m going to tell Duke you want to steal his wife.”
