“What was that?” she whispers.

“If you have to ask, I didn’t do it right.”

She chuckles, leans her forehead against my sternum and then leans back to look up at me.

She’s so small.

“You know what I mean.”

I shrug, suddenly uncomfortable. All the men just inside the house would kick my ass if they saw me holding her, kissing the shit out of her, and I couldn’t blame them.

But I can’t seem to stay away from her.

“You’re kissable.”

“There you are!”

We jump apart guiltily at the sound of Meg’s voice in the doorway. She’s smiling happily, not at all angry for finding me in a compromising position with her friend, and I exhale in relief.

“Dinner’s ready,” Meg tells us.

“Good, I’m starving.” I wink at Sam, enjoying the blush on her cheeks. “Seven tomorrow.”

“Seven,” she murmurs as I saunter inside, looking forward to tomorrow.

Chapter Two

~Samantha~

I plug my earphones into my ears, que up the playlist that I’ve titled sweat on my iPhone and tuck it into my bra, pin my condo key in there as well so it doesn’t fall through my cleavage and pull my front door closed behind me. I’m in black yoga pants, a pink tank and a light pink hoodie to ward off the chilly Seattle winter day. I’ve already stretched, so it’s time to run and clear my head.

As I jog down the stairs, rather than take the elevator, I can’t help but think of Leo. I knew he wouldn’t show up this morning to run. Who the hell was he kidding last night? And what in the name of Moses was up with him kissing me like that?

It’s best if I just forget all about that kiss and focus on finding a job.

I jog through the lobby of my building and wave at Frank the doorman; turn left on the sidewalk and set out, Adam Levine’s smooth voice heavy in my ears, asking me to give him one more night.

No problem, Adam.

Suddenly, there’s movement on my right and I startle, my heart climbs into my throat and I let out a yelp and stumble. Strong hands grip my upper arms, keeping me upright, and I look up into humor-filled gray eyes.

“What the hell?” I stammer and pull the plugs out of my ears.

“I told you I’d meet you this morning.”

“I didn’t think you’d show,” I respond and resume running, tucking my ear buds in my bra.

“Interesting storage system you have there,” Leo remarks with a grin, blatantly looking down at my breasts and I can’t help but laugh with him.

“I can’t carry a purse while I run.” I shrug and look at him out of the corner of my eye. Really? Does he have to look this good at seven in the damn morning?

He’s much taller than my five foot two; at least a foot taller. He’s in basketball shorts and sneakers and a black long-sleeved t-shirt under a red short-sleeved t-shirt. I’m a little disappointed that only the tats on his hands are visible.

I’d like to trace his tattoos, with my fingers and my tongue.

Enough!

We run in silence for about four blocks.

“Do you want to know how far I’m going?” I ask him, pleased that I’m barely panting.

“Doesn’t matter,” he responds. He’s also barely panting.

Well, hell.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because I’ll run as far as you want.”

“Okay.” I smirk and pick up my pace, my body warmed now and ready to just go. He easily matches my pace. I wouldn’t admit it to him right now, but it feels good to have someone next to me while I run. No one has ever been interested in running with me before. It does make me feel safer, even if we aren’t talking, just breathing and running side-by-side.

“You can plug your tunes back in if you want.” He smiles over at me.

“It’s okay.” I wave him off and continue running. I kind of like hearing him breathe.

“What were you listening to?”

“It was a Maroon5 song.” I smile at him. What is it about this guy that makes me feel so comfortable?

“Maroon5 fan?” He asks.

“Yeah.”

“Who’s your favorite band?” He asks with a curious grin.

Nash.

I am so not telling him that. Instead I shrug again and try to think of another band. Damn, it’s hard when he’s so close I can smell him.

He smells bloody fantastic.

“I like all kinds of music. No one band in particular.”

“Me too,” I hear the smile in his voice. “You were right, running at this time in the morning is great.”

“I know. It’s relatively quiet, and I don’t even mind that it’s rainy. Are you ready to speed up again?”

“Of course, I’m just following your lead.”

I pick up the pace once again, and we are now running at a fast clip. My breathing is coming fast enough that it’s difficult to talk, and I can hear that it’s the same for him, so we fall silent and just enjoy the run, the constant thud, thud, thud of our feet hitting the pavement in perfect sync. I don’t care that it’s drizzling lightly, that my cheeks and the tip of my nose are cold. I wipe my nose on my hoodie and keep going.

I told myself last night while in bed thinking about this sexy rock star and his delicious kisses that I’d give him a run for his money today, but damn if I’m not enjoying myself.

Three miles in, I start to slow down, feeling the burn in my thighs.