“We’ll be a couple, if that’s what you want. I know I do,” I answered, but there was a lingering ‘but’ that I left out.

“Yes, that’s what I want. Why do I sense there is something you aren’t telling me?” No one could ever say Alexa wasn’t perceptive.

“I don’t want us to be intimate before the marathon, while you’re under my care. When Danny and I first talked about my feelings for you, I promised him I would keep it in my pants until after the race.” It meant a lot to me that he was supportive of our relationship. “I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I just want to uphold my promise to him.”

“I respect you so much for your decision, and thank you for breaking the original pact for me.”

With the relationship conversation behind us, I tangled my hands in her long hair, bringing her lips to mine. She tasted of fine wine and pure heaven. Alexa ran her fingers over the shaved hair on my head, scraping her nails back and forth. Driven wild with passion and want, I deepened the kiss, drawing a soft moan from her throat. One hand trailed down her neck, over her shoulder, lingering on the side of her ample breast. I slowly caressed her, brushing my thumb over her nipple. The sound of Alexa whimpering with pleasure was nearly my undoing.

I tore my lips away, needing to taste more of her. Brushing her hair to one side, I revealed the spot I had so desperately wanted since the first moment she laid on my table. She tilted her neck, exposing her flawless skin to me. I nipped, licked, and nibbled on her soft flesh. Alexa was completely in the moment with me, and I became borderline frantic, knowing she would give me what I wanted. Her hands roamed down the back of my head to my shoulder, digging her nails, pulling me closer, and spurring me on.

I wanted to make love to her right here on my couch, but we needed to stop. I tore myself away from her skin, so that we were face to face with our foreheads resting together. Our labored breathing mingled as we came down from our high.

“Thank you for hearing me out earlier.” Breathe. “Thank you for coming home with me.” Breathe. “But more importantly, thank you for being you.” When her eyes closed at my words, I kissed each eyelid. “Let’s get you home.”

Chapter Fifteen

Alexa

Thursday night was more than I could have imagined. Thank God, Luke had so much self-control because I never would have been able to pull myself away from him. If he had led me to his bedroom, I would have enthusiastically followed. I thought nothing would feel better than his touch on my naked skin, but his lips combined with his hands blew my mind.

After we broke away and our pounding hearts (and I was sure other things for Luke) settled, he called his car up from valet. He drove me home, holding my hand the whole way with his thumb tracing circles on my palm. I rested my cheek on the cool leather headrest, watching him command the road in his sleek black Audi A6. The car was as sexy as the driver was.

Since it was late and there was no traffic, we arrived at my building only a few minutes later. I didn’t want the night to end. Luke must not have either, because he walked me to my front door, and then proceeded to devour me to within an inch of my sanity. When he broke away, he ran down the stairs as if his pants were on fire, mumbling something about getting away from me before he never left. In his hasty exit, we didn’t make plans to see each other later this weekend, which was a huge disappointment because I wouldn’t see him again for five days.

I went to bed on cloud nine. When I woke up, I laced my running sneakers and ran my best per mile time, thanks to the memories replaying like a movie in my head. The smile never left my face the whole day. Even when it started to fade, a text from Luke would come, and it would return, brighter than before. I was so happy, I was almost sickened by myself. Almost.

*****

Since Jeff had to travel back to New York to visit with his mom, Luke joined me on another long Sunday run. I also started taking Nikki’s Saturday yoga class at The Rub Down. I dragged Addison with me because we hadn’t spent any time together since Thursday night at the Black Rose. We had our own clients all day Friday, and she went out last night on a date with God knows whom.

“I want details.” That was all she needed to say as we walked over to the spa.

I launched into a rundown of what happened after Luke and I left the bar. Even though I sounded like a lovesick teenager, Addison beamed her happiness for me.

“Anything happen with Danny when he brought you home?” I asked after we finished talking about my time with Luke. I was curious as to whether their night was similar to Luke and mine. They were attracted to each other, and seemed to be hitting it off, and no damn pact stood in their way.

“We grabbed a cab back to our place. I invited him up. He stayed for about an hour and then left. We had lots of laughs and great conversation.” She smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. “I walked him out, expecting something, but he only gave me a small kiss on my forehead and a big hug. I have no idea what to make of it all.” Her smile was gone, replaced with confusion. I couldn’t blame her.

“Huh. Well, isn’t that interesting? He isn’t like every other guy you’ve come across that only wants in your pants.” I knew Danny was a good guy, but now I really liked him for treating my best friend with respect. If he fucked her and left her, it would have put a huge kink—and not the good kind—in my budding relationship with Luke. “So, was your date last night with Danny?”

“No, it was with some tool Mrs. Feldstein set me up with. He was hot, I’ll give her that, but he sat there in Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, demanding shot after shot from the waitress. I left before the entrees were served, and went to Finale by myself for a leisurely drink and dessert.”

Story time ended when we arrived at The Rub Down. Jessica was at the reception desk, setting up an appointment on the phone. Still talking, she gave us a friendly wave as Addison and I headed for the yoga rooms.

Through the whole class, my mind kept wandering to the man somewhere within the same walls as me. When I bent down into Downward Dog, I envisioned Luke behind me, fixing my pose so my ass lined up perfectly with his hard cock. With my legs and arms spread in Savasna, the image of Luke’s face buried between my legs made me squirm. The list went on. Instead of clearing my mind, the postures filled it with erotic images of Luke.

As I pressed my forehead to the mat in Child pose to cool down, I wondered if Luke had any appointments available after class. Our schedules didn’t match up for a second session this week, and it had been a few days since my last massage. My body not only craved his touch, but my muscles were still tight, even after yoga. I overdid it during my morning run yesterday, thanks to my damn happy juice.

We finished the class, thanked Nikki for another great workout, and headed downstairs to the reception desk. Addison trailed behind me, cursing my name for dragging her along. She preferred light workouts, and Nikki’s class was anything but.

Jessica looked up as we approached. “Hey, ladies, how was class?”

“It was amazing, as usual,” I said while Addison just grunted. Jessica and I laughed at her crumbling appearance. “Does Luke have an opening right now? I would love a massage.”

“I bet you would,” Addie grumbled.

“Shut up, Addison.” If looks could kill, my dearest and best friend would be done for. Jessica snorted, however. Loud.

“He technically doesn’t take clients on Saturdays, but hold on. Let me see what he says.” Jessica picked up the phone, and turned her chair so the conversation would be more private.