“Six . . . five . . . four . . .”
She smiled smugly. “I have a better idea,” she said, tugging up the hem of the T-shirt so that it danced at the cleft of her thighs. Theo’s mouth went dry. “Let’s compromise. Come to my bedroom, and I’ll show you something you’ve been thinking about since that night at the lake.”
He shook his head. He wasn’t unaffected. He just wanted her to prove to herself she could do something more.
Her eyes narrowed just as he said, “Three...two...one." She bolted from the door, but he rushed her in two long strides and tossed her over his shoulder. His palm landed on her bare ass, and he took a moment to learn its shape. Round, supple flesh. His question was answered: she didn’t have anything on except for panties under the shirt.
“Now you’re just copping a feel. Put me down!" she whined and pounded on his back with her fists. Theo grinned.
“Stop fighting or you won’t like what I do,” he said cheerfully. He headed toward her bedroom while her bare feet kicked in the air.
“Don’t you threaten me.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, lifted his shirt, and nipped his back with her sharp little teeth.
“Ouch.” He winced and gave in to the temptation, landing one hard slap on her ass on his way to the bedroom.
"No, you didn't," she gasped, arching back and trying to cover her ass with her hand.
"I did," he said, rubbing the spot lightly. Amber had the best ass he’d ever seen. Round and plump and perfect. “And I'll do it again. You're not going to get out of this. We're running."
"Put me down!" she squealed. He reached her bedroom and tossed her down on the bed, where she bounced up onto her elbows and stared him down. He read the desire in her eyes and the mischief, but he wasn’t going to be derailed by any of her nonsense.
"I'm not a runner. I told you, but I know how to do other things well,” she said, reaching for him. He stepped away from the bed.
“Then we'll walk until you become one,” he said patiently.
"I don't like walking."
"Then you'll run." He opened her drawers and pulled out a pair of shorts.
"I'm not wearing that." She had dropped the femme fatale act and was pouting now. Theo sensed victory, but he kept his face impassive.
"You have another ten seconds to get dressed or?—"
“Or you’ll spank me again? Maybe I’ll take all day.” She leaned back on her elbows again and crossed her legs. He caught sight of purple panties.
“Or I will get you dressed. And Amber?” Her lips pouted in that way of hers that made him want to swoop down and cover her sweet little sex-kitten mouth with his, but he forced a scowl on his face. “You won’t like what I pick out for you.”
He could see her brilliant mind mulling it over.
“Fine," she said in disgust, “but this is going to be no fun foryou because you're going to see how awful I am, and I’ll just slow you down.”
He stared her down.
Her hands went to the hem of her shirt, and she raised an eyebrow. "Usually, when I take my clothes off, the other person looks happier about it." She dragged the shirt up, and just as it hit the top of her ribs, Theo turned around quickly and left. He wasn't a saint; he was already trying his best to keep his hands off her luscious body, and he didn't know how much longer he could hold out.
Ten minutes later, Amber came back out into the living room, her face scrubbed and her hair in a ponytail.
"Here," he said, handing her a banana, "eat this before we go."
“I hate bananas.” She wrinkled her nose, but took a reluctant bite, and he shuffled her out of the apartment before she could give him anymore strip teases.
"How far are we going?" she asked suspiciously, as they stretched on the steps outside her building. “I have to work today, and my boss is a real asshole."
He shot her a look. "Very funny. We're running two miles today."
“Two miles?" Her mouth dropped open. "I don't think I could walk two miles. How about I ride my bike? You have to ease me into this deal. Nice and slow. But I bet you wouldn't know anything about that." She smirked.
"Aren't you the one that told me I excel in everything I do?"
