“You didn’t have to come,” I point out breathlessly.
She pins me with a look that I know all too well. Lips pursed and brow raised, she’s about to lay down some truths whether I’m ready for them or not. “Hol, you’re doing exercise. Something serious is going on.”
This catches me off guard and I can’t help but laugh. Out of breath, I stumble to a stop, resting my hands on my knees as I try to settle my breathing. She’s not wrong. I’ve never been very motivated when it comes to being physically active, and the only times I have taken it up have been through various life crises. Like when I took up self-defence classes.
Shaking my head, I slowly stand upright and meet her stare. “I just want to get fitter. Stronger, you know, so I can look out for myself.”
Her gaze sharpens on me. “Is this like what happened last time? Did someone hurt you?” She looks about ready to start tearing heads off shoulders, stepping towards me with so much anger that even I feel intimidated.
Oh geez, I need to calm this situation down before she starts a witch hunt. There’s no way that I’m going to tell her about my moment with the manager in the club, as it will just open far too many questions that I’m not ready to answer.
“Okay, look– No, no one hurt me. Some asshole grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Someone stepped in and helped me.” I can see she’s still on the warpath, so I raise my hands and take a step towards her, needing to assure her that I’m fine. “I could have handled myself, but I figured that getting stronger wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?! Hol, you know I have your back, always. I would have kicked their ass.”
She’s mad at me, but I can see that sadness in her eye that she tries so desperately to hide. While she would happily commit murder and take Jake out with a single word from me, I know that she is devastated for me. The two of them never particularly got on, so she wasn’t mourning his loss when he left. However, seeing me at my lowest was painful for her. She’s more of a sister to me than Ivy, my own flesh and blood. She was there, weeping with me when my world fell apart around me. Ashley puts on a tough face, but every now and again I see that sadness creep through, and Ihateit.
Laughing, I squeeze her arm, forcing a smile. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to have to bail you out of jail again.”
She raises an accusatory finger but her amusement is clear. “Hey, that was one time, and they deserved it.”
My own smile becomes genuine, my comment having done the trick and lightened the mood. Chest warm with love for her, I close the distance between her and pull her in for a hug. “Thank you for caring.”
“Always, babe.” Her arms wrap around me tightly, and the fact that she doesn’t say anything about how sweaty and gross I am only makes me love her more. She suddenly shifts her weight and makes an appreciative humming noise that I’m pretty sure isn’t aimed at me. “Don’t look now, but there is a handsome man jogging this way and he won’t stop looking at you.”
Ah. My heart sinks but I say nothing.
He’s probably looking at her – most men do, and for good reason. She’s gorgeous. Besides, I don’twantto be in any form of relationship. I’m healing and trying to rediscover who I am, and a man is only going to complicate matters. However, I can’t stop myself from doing exactly what she said not to do, my head snapping right up and locking on the gorgeous man heading our way.
Holy cheese balls, heislooking at me! Quickly pulling away from Ashley, I straighten myself and self-consciously brush my hands down the front of my oversized top and old black leggings. What am I doing? Why am I preening like I care what he thinks of me? I’m still breathing hard from my attempt at exercise, my cheeks red. In fact, I’m feeling pretty dizzy. Gulping, I reach out and grab onto Ashley’s shoulder to steady myself. Passing out in front of a handsome stranger is not on my list of things to do today. “He’s probably looking at me because I look like I’m about to pass out,” I manage to grind out, but I can see she’s not really paying attention to what I’m saying. Nope, once Ashley has her sights set on something, there is no stopping her.
She grins at me, her entire face lighting up. “You should speak to him.”
I know better than to object when she sounds like this, but embarrassment and nausea is taking the lead inside me right now. “Ash, no, I–”
“Good morning,” she calls out loudly, raising a hand to wave at the stranger. “I noticed you looking at my friend here,” she continues with a wide smile, barrelling on with her well-meaning, but horrifically humiliating plan. “I have to go now, but I don’t want her to have to walk back to town on her own as she’s feeling a little dizzy. Would you accompany her?”
‘Accompany her’, like I’m an 18th-century woman who couldn’t possibly walk alone. This could be a serial killer she’spawning me off on, just because he’s gorgeous – as though that would stop him from chopping my body up into a thousand pieces and scattering it around town. I’mnotready for this. Especially after my little moment with dark and broody in the club last night. Clayton. No, now is not the time to be thinking about him.
“Ashley,” I bite out through gritted teeth, shooting her my deadliest glare.
I am going to kill her.
However, the handsome stranger doesn’t seem at all put off by what’s happening, slowing down into a walk as he approaches us.
“Of course, I wouldn’t want you walking alone if you’re not feeling well.” He smiles and I’m almost blinded by his perfectly straight, white teeth. He could be in a commercial. He’s practically bursting out of his vest and shorts, his muscles bulging, towering above me. A man mountain, that’s what he is, every glorious inch of his golden skin glistening as though kissed by the sun itself.
There are several tattoos peeking out from his vest top, his shoulders inked with what I’m pretty sure are feathers or wings of some sort. A black baseball cap is fitted tightly onto his head, backward so the peak is behind him with a flash of sandy hair showing through the strap. His beard is thick and neatly groomed, only emphasising his sharp jaw. At first glance I think his eyes are brown, but as I look closer, I see a whole mix of browns and greens. I think they must be the prettiest hazel eyes I’ve ever seen, so at odds to the beast of a man standing before me.
I have never been one to go for the muscled gym-type before, as they all look as though they could snap me in half. Not to mention that exercise and I are not friends and I’m sure they wouldn’t appreciate my cake-a-day habit. However, this looksgood on him. Hell, more than good – he’s making my mouth water.
I want to lick him.
Where the hell did that thought come from?
“Fantastic!” Ashely chimes in loudly, snapping me from my delusion. “Hol, I’ll see you later. Feel better!” She calls out as she jogs away, not giving me the chance to stop her.
Shaking my head, I watch her running away, feeling the gaze of the guy beside me. I can’t put it off any longer, so turn to look back up at him. He’s smiling at me, bemused but charmed by the whole interaction.