She gave him a pair of Gray’s shorts and running shoes. As he changed, she kept her back to him and asked, “Are you sure you can keep up? I run most mornings, and you’re battling a mighty hangover.”
An air of challenge radiated from him. “I will do more than keep up, katya, I will pass you. Twice.”
Oh là là. Competition! “Prove it, then. If you can.”
He stalked in front of her, his eyelids hooded. “What is my prize?”
Her heart began to race as if she’d already run a marathon. “How about another night of free room and board?” she said with a sugary-sweet smile.
“Nay. I want something else,” he said, giving her a languid once-over.
Do not shiver—or reveal how happy you are that he’s insisting on something else. “How about a kiss, then?”
A beat of silence. Then, “That is acceptable.” He took a step closer, leaned down and whispered in her ear, “If you win, I will give you a kiss, as well. Between your legs.”
Air snagged in her lungs. As she sputtered for a response, he prepared for the run and strode outside. Her heart thudded as she followed, the morning cooler than usual.
Did she want to win, or lose?
They started off at an easy pace, side by side. Twenty minutes ticked by, and she held her own. They didn’t speak as they ran down a zigzag path about a mile from her home. The path circled a park designated specifically for runners. Strategically placed trees kept them shaded. Dew kissed the leaves, and flowers perfumed the air.
They picked up the pace, and another ten minutes passed. Without slowing, Jorlan removed his shirt and draped the garment over his shoulders. She opened her mouth to complain that he now had an advantage because she was overheated, too, but she couldn’t remove her clothes without getting arrested for indecent exposure. That was a thing, right? Anyway. The words froze in her throat.
So tan. So muscular. Mmm, mmm, mmm. Sweat glistened on his skin and caught in the ridges of his abdomen. The sight distracted her so much, she stumbled over a pebble.
He chuckled and increased his speed, jetting ahead of her. Katie glared at his back. He’d distracted her on purpose, the cheater.
I might get that kiss…
Goose bumps spread over her limbs. She wanted that kiss. Needed it. But pride demanded she win their contest, dang it. Though her muscles burned and shook with every step, she, too, quickened her steps, soon catching up with him.
Another ten minutes passed. Fatigue pitched a tent inside her, but still she didn’t slow. Unfortunately, Jorlan showed no signs of slowing, either.
Huffing and puffing and hating herself for it, she said, “Are we going to run forever?”
“I can,” was his casual reply. “Can you not?”
“I totally can,” she growled, calling forth every ounce of stamina she possessed. This man was not going to beat her! If she lost, she’d only reinforce the “women are weak” rhetoric. But dang it all to heck and back, there had to be a way to end this.
An idea formed at lightning speed, and she wasn’t the least bit surprised. With all the oxygen pumping through her, she could have calculated the atomic mass of oxygen while devising a plan to end world hunger.
“Better luck next time, Jordie.” With that, she kicked into a mad sprint.
“Oh, no you don’t.” He tried to pass her left side, but she veered in front of him, blocking his way. He moved to the right, but she anticipated the action and swerved to cut him off once again.
In the end, Katie beat him to the door by half a second and nearly tripped over a newspaper on the top step of the porch. “I did it! I won.” The words left her riding short, choppy waves of breath. She would have laughed in his face, but her chest felt like a volcano spewing lava.
“You should collect your prize right away, katya.”
His suggestive tone made her heart and stomach flutter at the same time. “I—”
A car eased up her driveway, the tires spitting gravel.
Jorlan tensed and withdrew a small pair of sewing scissors from his pocket. Should have known he carried some type of weapon. At least he’d stayed true to his word and left the blades behind.
The car parked behind her truck, Gray emerging from the driver’s side. Only then did Jorlan relax and sheathe the blade. But maybe he shouldn’t have? Her brother looked ready to commit murder.
Her growing smile of welcome evaporated. “Is everything all right, Gray?”
He remained quiet as another man exited the car. The two spoke in hushed, angry tones.
“Do you know the other male?” Jorlan asked her.
“No.” Whomever he was, he stood an inch or two shorter than Gray. Which meant he would only be an inch or so taller than Katie. He had dark brown hair and big puppy-dog-brown eyes.
Women probably went crazy for him. Had Katie met him a couple days ago, she might have gone crazy for him, too. Now, her body wanted Jorlan, and only Jorlan.
At last Gray moved to the porch. He didn’t make any introductions, just got straight to the point. “I did a reverse image search of his face, among other things, and learned Jorlan is not a romance novel cover model. He isn’t a model at all. I’m not sure what he is.” Though he directed his words to Katie, he watched Jorlan.
Uh-oh. “He’s mine,” she said simply.
Jorlan’s chest puffed up with pride. “I am hers.”
“So you know what he is, but you won’t tell me?” Gray griped. “That has to mean he’s a drug dealer, or a pimp. Something illegal, and you fear I’ll arrest him.”
“He hasn’t done anything illegal.” Probably. “You’ll just have to trust me when I say he’s not dangerous. Not to me, anyway. Or anyone I love. And now that that’s settled, you have exactly five seconds to apologize for your behavior, or I’m going to snap your neck like a twig.”
The handsome stranger at Gray’s side snickered. “You said she was spunky, man. You didn’t say she was homicidal.”
All piss and vinegar, as her grandma used to say, Gray said, “Katie, Jorlan, this is Steve Harris. Steve, this is my sister, Katie, and her friend Jorlan.”
This was Steve? Katie thought, surprised.
* * *
THIS WAS STEVE? Jorlan thought darkly. The man Katie’s brothers wanted her to date?
“Nice to meet you,” Steve said with a wave.
“You, too.” Katie’s eyes were as wide as saucers.
If she had interest in the male…
Seething, Jorlan crossed his arms and chose to remain silent, letting his glare speak for him. It said, If you touch her, you will die screaming. Just in case Steve failed to get the hint, Jorlan draped an arm around Katie’s waist. A possessive and protective hold.
She didn’t try to shake Steve’s hand, and Steve didn’t even try to shake hers. Therefore, Steve could live a little longer.
“I can’t believe you’re so calm about this.” Gray rested his hand on the porch rail. “Do you never follow my advice, Katie? What am I always telling you?”
Her brow furrowed as she pondered her response. Then she brightened. “Oh! Expect the worst of everyone, and I’ll never be disappointed when they fail me.”
Gray scowled at her. “Not that.”