Double Dealing(111)

“Wait.”

I turned around and regarded him with the bitchiest expression I could muster. “What?

He cracked a playful grin. “I’ll come help . . . under one condition.”

Placing my hands on my hips, I knew some smartass comment was coming but I couldn’t resist. I never could. “What’s that?” Mason’s little games never ended well, but he always had a way of intriguing me and getting me involved every single time.

Mason nodded his head at the trees to the north. “Beat me to the old pond tree and I’ll be your slave.”

“Seriously?” I demanded incredulously. “You know there’s no possible way I can outrun you.”

“You can if I give you a head start.”

I paused, thinking. With a decent head start, I might have a chance.

“How much of a head start?” I asked finally, taking the bait. I’d love to beat him just to shut him up.

He grinned. “Thirty seconds.”

He walked over to a tree where his shoes were resting and put them on, quickly tying them. “You ready?”

I took off my heavy sweater and tied it around my waist. “Now I’m ready,” I announced, turning to him and warding off a shiver.

His eyes fell to my chest before quickly averting. “Ok.”

My cheeks warmed with blood. Did he just check me out or had I imagined it?

“Get ready,” he ordered. “Look, I’ll make it easier for you. I’ll start way back here.” He walked to the clearings edge and drew a line with his feet.

He got into position. “Ready?”

Why the hell am I doing this? I know I can’t win.

Even knowing my odds were slim, I wanted to compete against Mason. I wanted to beat him. I wanted to wipe that cocky grin off of his face. And most of all . . . as childish as it was, I wanted his respect.

His deep voice split the cold air like a whip. “On your mark, get set—”

I took off like a jackrabbit before he could finish, pumping my short legs as fast as I could go.

“Thirty seconds you little cheater!” I heard Mason yell behind me.

I hurtled forward, doing my best to navigate the trees, treacherous branches, and twigs on the ground — the cold bitter air whipping my face.

10 seconds….

By this time I could almost see the area of the pond through the trees and I began to think I’d beat him by a large margin.

25 seconds…

My lungs felt like they were on fire! My calves and thighs were burning, and my sides were cramped so hard even a Midol wouldn’t fix it.

35 seconds…

Victory was in sight. I could see the pond and the large tree that towered over it. Just a few seconds longer and it would be . . .

I was nearly bowled over by a gust of wind as a blurry form whisked past me.

“I win!” Mason announced triumphantly, coming to a stop at the tree and turning about to face me, his powerful chest heaving.

Damn it!

I skidded to a halt and bent over, clutching at my sides and gasping for air.

“Damn, you’re a slowpoke. You cheated and you still lost,” Mason laughed.

I had no energy to give a response. Asshole.

“Need some help back to the house?

I slapped his hand away. “I don’t need your help!” I rasped.

My pride was wounded. I’d put everything I had into beating the cocky asshole, though I knew it futile from the beginning.

“You don’t have to be such a spoilsport,” Mason said. “I would’ve let you win if would’ve known you’d get so bent out of shape about it.”

Bullshit.

I straightened, my sides aching, but determined to put up a strong front. “See you at the house,” I declared, failing to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

Hands on my sides, I started walking back home. I’d be lucky to make it a few steps before collapsing.

“Wait,” Mason commanded. “I’m coming.”

Before I could respond, he scaled the large tree that overlooked the pound. Balancing himself, he walked out on the tree’s thick limb that stretched out over the middle of the pond.

He made it look so easy.

Mason crossed his muscular arms and looked down at me. Show off. “All you have to do is climb the tree and reach me and I’m all yours.”

“You must be out of your mind.” I hissed. “I’m not doing that.”

“Why not? It will be like old times. Don’t you remember when we were used to hang out in this tree all the time?”

“Yeah that was when I was too stupid to know that you were nothing but trouble.”

“Aw c’mon, you know you love me.”

I don’t know why Mason’s challenge was so damn tempting. After just losing so badly to him, I should have been returning home to lick my wounds.