Chapter 7
Seven
Hayden
He showed up. One minute late, but he’s here.
Sterling is giving me this apologetic look as he tries to catch his breath.
He’s wearing black yoga pants that hug his curvy hips and toned calves.
Fuck, he’s sexy. Even in that navy-blue oversized hoodie that does nothing for his figure.
Reaching into his pocket, he plucks out one AirPod and cups his phone in his other hand.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear my alarm going off and then I couldn’t find my favorite running shoes.” He shoves the AirPod in his ear, dipping his head.
“That’s okay. Lucky for you I’m moving slowly today.”
“Lucky me,” he says, grinning.
I’m the lucky one, if anything. I caught the perfect show before heading to my hotel room last night.
He said my name too, not realizing the trailer window was cracked open.
It sounded so good on his raspy tongue. He was all breathy and melting against the door with his swollen purple head spurting cum everywhere.
I was about to head out too, not wanting to be too tired for our run this morning in case he decided to join me.
But of course he was going to. No matter how long it took, he was going to get here.
We keep crossing paths even when I don’t plan for us to, and if that isn’t a clear sign that we’re meant to be, I don’t know what it is.
“Do you stretch before or after?”
“Usually after,” he says, leaning more to his right side with his hip jutting out.
“Then I’ll do it after too.” I turn to the road and he follows me.
We head across the way, and I start off in a slow jog, his feet picking up after me. I get ahead of him and stay that way for a while. When he catches up, he’s slightly out of breath, shooting me a grin. “You weren’t lying about being fast.”
“You know talking will only make you run out of breath quicker.”
“Maybe I like talking and running out of breath at the same time. Ever think of that?” There’s a headiness in his voice, his eyes holding me captive. They have a way of doing that.
I break contact first, letting out a short laugh. He really shouldn’t say things like that unless he’s absolutely sure he’s ready for me to put them to the test.
“It does sound good coming from you,” I finally respond, and something shifts in his eyes. His speed increases and he leaves me in the dust.
I get ahead of him again, waving back with a shit-eating grin, and he flips me off, acting like the cutest sore loser I’ve ever seen, and I purposely slow down so he can be beside me again.
“You’re not as fast as you think you are,” he bites out.
“No?” I retort.
“No. Maybe I’m letting you get ahead of me. You’ll never know.”
“And maybe I’m letting you catch up.” I lift my shoulders. “You’ll never know either.”
“You know, I have two pop tarts left in my trailer if you’re feeling hungry afterwards.” His tone is sultry and the heat coming off his body is delicious. I want to combine it with mine until we create the kind of fire that we’re able to move through together.
“Starving,” I say, and he ducks away from me, running ahead.
We go back and forth, passing each other, until we’re back at the studio.
He pulls out his AirPod, gasping for air, and leans forward on his knees.
Meanwhile I’ve barely broken a sweat. It usually takes me a while to sweat, but I’m willing to test the waters with him on what it’ll take for me to be dripping and soaking my clothes like he nearly is.
“You know, on second thought . . .” He pauses, his eyes looking like a war is taking place inside them. “I really shouldn’t have that pop tart or I’ll be sluggish by the time lunch time rolls around.”
“Okay. Still want the company, though?” I step closer to him and he straightens his stance, the muscles in his throat tightening.
“No,” he says tightly. “I’m sure you want to shower and relax before work, and I probably should do all that too. I don’t make the best company smelling and looking the way I do.”
“I don’t know, I think you look and smell great,” I say playfully.
He shoves his hands in his hoodie, looking everywhere but at me. “I should uh . . . I should get back. Thanks for running with me today.”
“Sure,” I say coolly. “I’m always up for a good workout. All times of the day. Not only in the morning.”
His forehead shifts, his eyes lifting with it, and he opens his mouth only to close it again. Whipping his head back, he wipes his forehead with his sleeve. “I think . . . I think I hear someone calling my name. I’ll see you later.”
No one’s calling him and we both know it, but I play along anyway. “Go ahead. I’d hate for you to keep them waiting.”
He doesn’t move for a long time, his feet hesitant to go in the opposite direction of me.
He doesn’t want to leave me yet, and I don’t want him to either, but he needs time to work out his thoughts and accept what he’s feeling.
I’d rather he be sure when he’s with me—when he’s writhing underneath me with my cock buried inside him.
He’ll get there. I’ve waited too long to give up now.