7-VINCENT
Heather called us out to the cement pad and instructed us to line up under our runners name. Daisy was to the left of Ellie, and I was going to have to show some extra gratitude to someone for this last-chance effort to reach her.
Smoke stood in Daisy’s spot, calm. Like we had done this a thousand times. Like he didn’t mind that I would be stepping in on what was assigned to him this time.
This wasn’t going to ruin my contract for next year, would it? This was an easy mistake. A five-foot-nine-inch runner with long brown hair, for a five-foot-two-inch woman with short hair.
Fuck it. There was something about Daisy that made me want to risk everything just for one night with her. Even if she wanted to sit there and say nothing for hours. Even if the chemistry was off and we had no desire to move forward with intimacy. At least I would know the end results.
“Go get ‘em, guys.” Heather stepped to the side. We wasted no time in picking up speed. A wall of men, eating space towards the women before them.
A group of three women ahead struggled against the terrain in their dainty footwear. Smoke, Havoc, and I zoned in on them. I should have locked onto Ellie. This should have been cut-and-dry. But it wasn’t, not with me anyway.
Our steps grew closer, faster, and I would do anything to get to Daisy first.
Havoc sprinted to collect his runner. Engulfing her in one take.
My feet worked overtime with my eyes on Daisy. Ellie was just ahead of her, and Smoke might have believed I was going after my assigned runner. But I wasn’t.
The scent of her hit me just before my fingers grabbed onto the ruffles of her dress, drawing her into me.
“What the fuck, man?” Smoke muttered as he passed me.
Nothing personal, bud.
Daisy was wrapped under my bare hands, and watching Smoke jog off was like a present to me. Her skin across her chest was soft, and I started to play the part. “You think you can run from me?”
Speechless, her chest heaved from running, and I soaked this in. “If I say yes, am I going to get punished?”
Oh god. Fuck. I was in trouble. I lifted my grip enough to turn her towards me. She was stunning in person, and I was going to be in more trouble because I wasn’t going to be able to hold my character.
A look of shock overcame her, I know. No gas mask. But I was her runner-up. Anything to justify bending the rules.
“You’re not—” Her green eyes flickered in the dusk.
“No, sweetheart, I’m not.” My hand found hers, and I led her to the cabin. “Are you okay with that, or are you going to tap out now?”
“No. But I just might make this difficult for you.”
I stopped and dragged her into my chest. My voice was barely a whisper.
“The only result of being difficult is you begging me to stop teasing you. Stop backing away when you think I’m about to give you that first satisfying thrust, and keep my mouth an inch from your skin, but never make contact. So behave, my little wildflower.”
Yes. I used her safe word. Giving it more meaning than an escape from me. The expression under her worn-out breathing said more than she was letting on. I revolved her behind me and guided her to the cabin as the early night began to thrive.
The door slammed shut. With a quick spin, Daisy was pinned between the door and me.
My eyes bore down at her, and my body tight against her.
I knew her basics, and I should have scanned her wristband.
But I didn’t. I didn’t need to. I was being selfish, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
If it wasn’t something that stood out from the only time I saw her file, I would find out everything about Daisy blindly.
“You thought you could outrun me? Escape?”
“If I were given a fair shot, I know I could outrun you. These shoes gave me a blister the moment I looked at them.”
“Well, you’re going to be naked by the end of the night, so you might as well take them off now.”
I moved back, taking the moment to really appreciate her body. Antsy to get her undressed and under me.
Daisy rolled her eyes, and the sarcasm was visible. “You sound so sure.” She hooked a finger between her heel and the strap, peeling the shoes off one at a time with ease before they softly hit the floor.
I ran my thumb down her jaw, locking it in place to keep her gaze on mine. “Well, I’m sure I’m not Smoke. I’m sure I memorized your file. And I’m sure I wanted you the moment you looked back at me between those trees. Trust me, I am sure.”
Daisy’s unwavering gaze held mine. For a moment, I knew we were meant to share this moment. Her lips twitched before opening. “You memorized my file?”
“Every line,” I responded slowly.
She scoffed ever so slightly. “Then you should know I hate men who think they’re sure.”
“And yet you made it so easy for me to catch you.”
“Again—the shoes.” Something between us charged before she opened her mouth again. “But maybe I was hoping to be caught.” Daisy’s hand reached for me but stopped before landing. I didn’t move. I wanted her to decide.