Mr. Red (Mr. #1)

Chapter 1

Scarlett

My feet drag as I focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

My whole body is reluctant to move this early.

I take a sip from my travel mug, enjoying the warmth from my coffee, trying to keep my eyes open.

A cold breeze rushes through the abundance of pine trees and down the back of my neck.

I shiver, pulling the collar of my light jacket up.

At the end of the trail, I pause for a moment, as birds sing and water from a creek runs nearby. After a few moments, I look down at my phone to review my to-do list today.

Okay, low cardio workout—check.

I need to start making my way back to my car. My friends will have news about the deal. A flutter rushes through my stomach, hoping we got approved.

I take a deep breath and make my way towards work where I’ll run into my friends.

I’m going to need to get more coffee first though if I want to make it through the day.

As I start trekking back, I find myself wondering why I chose to come here this morning.

A nice walk out in nature kept coming to the forefront of my mind despite my efforts to go back to sleep.

Since sleep never came, I figured I’d start my day on the trails.

Although I frequent this trail often, coming before work isn’t a usual occurrence. Waking up earlier than I must is never a part of my plan. I sleep in until the last possible moment before I’m forced to get my day started. Mornings and I aren’t the best of friends.

I walk towards the center of the trail so I can avoid snakes. Summertime in Washington means one could be slithering around. The rounding of bicycle tires pulls my attention, so I move to the side a little. Surely whoever it is will see me. I don’t worry until the rustling sounds right behind me.

Then a deep voice shouts, “Get out of the way!”

My head turns to look over my shoulder at a bike speeding down the hill, looking like a red haze.

My eyes widen as the form rolls right at me.

I try to put some distance between us but end up losing my footing and fall on my rear end.

I land with a thud while the cyclist makes an unsteady stop with a sharp turn a few feet away from me.

Now they get a handle on their bike. My eyes glance down at my legs covered in dust. Not quite the day I had envisioned. At least they didn’t hit me directly, and I have no serious injuries. My pride, however, has taken a hit.

Did that really just happen?

I’m not in New York City; there’s plenty of room around here. Lakebrook is a small town with a lot of open space.

I get my bearings and stand, brushing the dirt off my jeans. The cyclist dismounts their bike and leans it against a boulder. It’s then I realize he’s a handsome man in a red shirt.

He takes off his full-face helmet, throwing it to the side.

His sandy brown, tousled hair, square jaw with a little scruff growing, and defined muscles come into view.

My throat tightens, a slight blush creeps up on my face, and my heart thumps quicker.

This has become a hundred times more embarrassing.

I straighten my shoulders and take a deep breath.

I’m taken aback by my attraction towards this stranger—mesmerized by the figure.

He starts stalking towards me with an aggressive look on his face, reminding me of a bull charging. “Weren’t you fixing to get out of the way? Didn’t you see me riding?” His face is turning red as he flails his arms about.

Fixing? Where is this guy from? Wait, he thinks this is my fault?

I’m pulled from my paralysis. “Excuse me?” My eyes widen and I put a hand over my heart. “I’m the one who fell because you almost hit me!” I clap my hands together like I’m at a golf tournament. “Congratulations on being the worst cyclist on the planet. Well done.”

“You can’t just be in the middle of the path. Mountain bikers need space.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

It’s distracting. His biceps bulge and it makes me notice how firm his chest is. How firm everything on him is, really. Then I clear my throat and shake my head.

He almost hit you and it’s his fault! Get it together, Scarlett.

“There was plenty of space for you to go around me, you know.” I pause, steadying my voice. “I’m fine, by the way. Thanks for asking.”

His eyebrows wrinkle. “I didn’t hit you, of course you’re fine.”

“Are you serious right now?” I put my hands on my hips and glare at him. I hope it’ll make him melt into a puddle. “This trail isn’t just for mountain biking. People are going to be walking around here. You were going way too fast and not paying attention.”

“My speed was fine.” He twitches his wrist, flashing his nice-looking watch. I have no idea what brand, but it looks expensive. He starts looking around at the scene, avoiding my death glare.

“A decent human would’ve helped me off the ground and apologized,” I mumble and start walking off in the opposite direction I should be going so I can get away from him.

“From the attitude you’re giving, I gather you’re alright,” he shouts at my back.

My head snaps over my shoulder with squinted eyes. “Was that supposed to be a question?”

“Look, I don’t have time for this.” He moves his weight to his other foot. “Are you okay?”

I turn so I’m face to face with him. “Yes, I’m all good.”

“Great.” Then he stalks off, throwing his bike over his shoulder like it weighs two pounds.

“Yeah, great!” I yell at his back. “Walk your bike back to your car! That way you won’t hit anyone!” He tenses at my remark and I grin.

I’m the one who should be stalking off and upset, not that dingus. My feet stay in place, staring after the broad form as it gets smaller and smaller with my fists clenched, heart racing, and shoulders up to my ears.

Being in a small town means I’ll more than likely bump into him again. I can only hope he returns to wherever he came from before I have to deal with his delightful attitude once more.