“Oh. Okay. I can do that. Come in while I get some stuff together.”
He followed her into the apartment. Her roommate, Easton, sat on the couch next to another guy.
“Hey, hockey dude,” Easton said.
Duncan grinned. “Hey. How’s it going?”
“Good. Jamie, this is Duncan Armstrong.”
Jamie rose and approached to shake his hand. “Good to meet you in person. We’ve been watching you on TV all week.”
Duncan lifted his eyebrows. “Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah.” Easton rolled his eyes. “Amber seems to have developed a fascination with hockey.”
Heh. Duncan liked that. Or was he being a cocky asshole thinking it was because of him?
She’d said she didn’t like sports. Had to be because of him. His chest swelled a little.
Amber emerged with a backpack slung over her shoulder. She paused and eyed him. “Why are you looking like that?”
“Like what?” He made his expression innocent.
“Like you just scored ten goals.”
He laughed. “Ha. If I’d scored ten goals in a game I’d be…well, I’d probably be drunk.”
Everyone laughed.
“See you guys later.” Amber headed to the door.
“What time will you be home, young lady?” Easton called.
“Tomorrow,” Duncan answered for her.
She gave him a look but didn’t correct him. This was also good.
He drove to the park and parked his truck near the zoo. They started out at a slow jog to warm up.
“Do you run here a lot?” she asked.
“Never. When I run I usually just do a route from my condo. But this was close to your place.”
“How far do you usually go?”
“About five miles.”
“Ack. I don’t know if I can do that.”
“No problem. Even if we only do a few miles, at least it’s something.”
“Feels good.”
They picked up the pace. He didn’t go his usual speed, but he didn’t have to slow down much for her. She had long legs and was in better shape than she let on. They didn’t talk as much as breathing got harder, running side by side mostly in silence for the next thirty minutes or so. They did a loop and were nearly back where he’d parked when he said, “Let’s race.”
She eyed him, her cheeks rosy and eyes shiny. “No.”
“Come on. Sprint. You can’t beat me, but give it a shot.”
Her eyes flashed. “I can so beat you.” She took off and his eyes widened as she left him in the dust. He laughed but caught up to her without much effort. Their feet were pounding on the pavement and then he actually had to fight hard to beat her. As he passed her she gave a little squeal of excitement and frustration that was so damn cute.
Admiration rose in him when they reached his truck. They slowed to a walk, panting.
“I almost had you,” she said. “Damn.”
He liked that she’d actually tried to beat him. And damn near had. A little competitive instinct was something he understood. He too liked to win. Also, she was hot as hell all flushed and sweaty. Her long legs and toned body turned him on. He couldn’t wait to get her flushed and sweaty underneath him in bed.
“Next time.” He opened the truck and pulled out a couple of bottles of water. “Here.”
A few icy snowflakes had started to fall from the gray sky. They continued to walk in circles, gulping down water until their heart rates and breathing had slowed. Amber put a hand on the side of the truck and pulled one ankle up behind her back, stretching her quadriceps.
“I hate stretching,” Duncan said.
“What? It feels so good.”
“I know it’s important. I just don’t have patience to be still that long.”
She shook her head, smiling. They both moved through a few stretches.
“When’s your first exam?” he asked.
“Friday.”
“So you have a whole week to study.”
“Yes, but I have another exam Monday after that and two Tuesday. And I still have work to do on my thesis.”
“You’ll do great.”
“Well, thank you.” Her lips twitched. “Although I don’t know why you have so much confidence in me. I could be failing all my courses, for all you know.”
He tipped his head. “Somehow I doubt that. You’re a very smart woman.”
She swallowed and stared at him. Then she snapped her mouth shut, blinking rapidly. “Thank you. Nobody’s ever said that to me.”
“What?” He frowned. “Nobody’s ever told you how smart you are?”
She hitched one shoulder. “I did okay in school. I wasn’t a straight A student but I got some As. My parents weren’t impressed by good marks. I don’t know if they even read my report cards.”