I pull out my earbuds. “How many miles do you normally run?”
She’s a little winded. Her cheeks are flushed from exertion. Her eyes are bright and shiny. She’s got that endorphin high going on.
Is this what Daisy looks like after a particularly sweaty bout of sex?
Fuck. I can’t allow myself to contemplate that question. That’s not something I’ll ever find out.
She bends at the waist and reaches for her toes, presenting me with her backside. “Three.”
I groan and force my eyes away. “Are you okay with four?”
She straightens and nods, wiping her forearm across her brow. Still breathing heavy, she walks in a wide circle with her hands planted on her hips.
I gulp.
I need to think of something besides sex, but I’ve got nothing. I’m picturing her naked at this very moment.
“Do you want to walk part of the way?” I ask.
“No, we can run. I’m in shape. I can handle it.”
I throw my hands out in front of me in a gesture of surrender because the last thing I want is to get into another skirmish with her. “I never said you weren’t. But this is going to end up being more than three miles. I don’t want you to hurt yourself trying to keep up with me. We can slow down.”
“It’s fine.” She sucks in another breath of air. “I’m good. Let’s head back.”
As much as I don’t want to be impressed with her determination, I am. I don’t need to like anything more about this girl. There’s already too much of that going on.
“Okay.” I shrug. “Have it your way.”
She points a finger. “And don’t hold back on my account. I can keep up with you, Carter.”
I raise a brow. “Is that so?”
A smile spreads across her face. “Anything you can do, I can do better.”
I unleash a grin. “You sure about that?”
“Yup!” she snaps out and sprints away, glancing over her shoulder.
Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I watch her ass for a few dozen strides and then take off after her. For the first mile, I let her keep the lead, although I’m steadily closing in. She’s lengthened her stride and is pumping her arms faster than before, trying to go full out.
I’m pushing myself more than I did on our jog to the park, but that was operating at about fifty percent. Even now, I’m not pushing myself as hard as I can. I’m holding back and keeping it controlled. When we’re about a quarter mile from the apartment, I turn on the wheels and catch up to her.
Daisy keeps her eyes focused straight ahead and tries to push herself a little bit more. Her muscles are going to be screamingbloody murder tomorrow. It’s hard not to admire her competitive streak.
As the building looms closer, I pull alongside her. I could overtake her at any moment. Hell, one minute into this impromptu race, I could have taken the lead and left her in my dust, but where’s the fun in that?
Her face is all steely determination with gritted teeth, narrowed eyes, and labored breathing.
Just as we hit the walkway leading up to the building, she pulls a smidge out in front of me. Because it’s unexpected, I continue at my pace.
With a loud whoop, Daisy throws her arms up in the air and yells, “Winner!”
Then she collapses on the front lawn. Her chest rises and falls from exertion. She sucks in big breaths of air like she’s been deprived of it for hours.
“Did you see that?” She huffs and puffs, barely coherent. “I won. I beat you.”
I grin down at her. “Yup,” I agree easily. “You did it.”
