It probably wasn’t going to appreciate her choice of footwear for this evening either, but it was just going to have to deal. Krista had found the most amazing pair of black strappy heels that were in no way arch supporting but in every way worth it. The second she’d slipped them on and stood to look in the mirror at the boutique, she’d felt like a Victoria’s Secret model walking down the runway. Sold. Sometimes a girl just needed to feel that kind of powerful rush.
Grabbing her iPod, Krista practically skipped to the entrance of the field, giddy with excitement. It had seriously been too long since she’d done this. The air, crisp on her face, felt like it was in the mid-60s—perfect for a run. She would be able to watch the sunrise and hopefully recharge herself by building her resistance to Chase. If not resistance, then at least some ironclad exit strategies for removing herself from any situation where he was in the general vicinity.
As she stepped through the entrance, she was happy to note that the gate was open. The track was the first thing she noticed. When she’d been in high school, it had just been a dirt track, but they had made improvements to it and it was now a synthetic rubber surface. She couldn’t wait to put some miles on it.
Movement caught her eye, causing her to raise her gaze slightly. There, on the other side of the field, running the track was a male figure. She could not make out the face clearly, but her body instantly recognized that run.
“You have got to be freaking kidding me!” Krista said loudly with a healthy dose of indignation. (Even though it was only to herself, she felt totally justified in voicing her supreme frustration!)
Chase Malone might have more commonly been known for making girls’ panties wet while onstage with a guitar strapped around his neck, singing into a microphone, but the female population that had gone to high school with Chase were privy to another, some would argue even more powerful, Chase Malone wet-panty-inducing move. His running.
Once Chase had joined the track team, the female attendance skyrocketed. It had bothered Krista at the time. In fact, they’d gotten into more than one huge fight over it. Chase had been hers. She’d hated it that there were girls with signs on the sidelines cheering him on.
Now, as an adult, she didn’t blame the teen girls—or adult women—one bit. How could she? The way his body moved when he was on the track was hands-down still the sexiest thing she’d ever laid her eyes on—and the very last thing she needed to be looking at today!
She knew the moment he saw her. Goose bumps broke out over her skin, and it had nothing to do with the chill of the early morning air. The closer Chase got, the more her body responded. Her core clenched and fevered arousal coursed through her veins as he kept his eyes trained on her, making her feel like the target of the heat-seeking missile of his smoldering stare.
Damn. Why did he have to have this potent of an effect on her? Irritation flooded her system at her body’s reaction. She was mad, horny, and frustrated.
Maybe this wasn’t going to be such a great day after all…
* * *
As Chase rounded the track for the tenth time that morning, he caught sight of something that caused his heart to slam into his ribs. Krista stood at the entrance of the field, her gorgeous red hair pulled up in a ponytail, in a hoodie and sweats that were rolled up on her calves, showcasing her tiny ankles, which for some reason had always been one of Chase’s favorite parts of her anatomy. He could feel desire spreading through him from the mere sight of her a hundred yards away. His entire body ached for her.
As he quickly closed the gap between them, he noticed two things. One, with no makeup on and her hair pulled up, she could have easily been back in high school. Two, she did not look happy. Chase was having the exact opposite response to her arrival. He could not be happier about this unexpected meeting.
When he got within a few yards of her, she said loudly, “What the hell are you doing here?”
He didn’t answer right away, waiting until he slowed to a stop in front of her. As he removed the earphones form his ears, he replied, “My taxes.”
“Don’t be a smartass.” She narrowed her eyes at him.
He smiled broadly as he responded, “You asked an obvious question. I thought I would give you a creative answer.”
Since coming home, Chase had felt like he’d been walking on eggshells around Krista. Even when he’d intentionally tried to fire her up and get her talking to him, he’d still held back. What he realized yesterday after she’d left the conference room was that holding back and treating her with kid gloves was getting him nowhere. In fact, he felt like it might even be causing her to pull further away from him. Which was the last thing he wanted.