“Yes, you did, my love.” I bent down and gave her another kiss. “I can’t seem to keep my lips off you today.”

“You won’t hear me complain,” Alexa added as the doorbell rang.

“Enjoy your time with Addison. I’ll let you know when the pizza arrives. Love you.” With one last parting kiss, I went to let Addison in.

*****

Alexa

The rest of the evening was great, if I didn’t take into account my throbbing knee. Soaking in the tub was freezing, but helpful. I got to have girl talk with Addison while I relaxed. She let out a loud screech when I told her Luke and I professed our love right before she arrived. Luke came running to see if we were okay. He sounded like a herd of elephants. The tone of his voice was straight panic. To ease his worry, I screamed we were fine.

After my bath, Addison, Luke, and I sat around his living room, eating wings and pizza. I had four pieces, and more wings than I cared to count. Two of my favorite people taking care of me was exactly what I needed after such a long, hard day.

I was proud of myself for running a full marathon, and in doing so, beating my fears and memories. Once my knee gave out, I worried I wasn’t going to make it to the finish line, but I pushed through. Mind over matter. I had a goal and I reached it.

By nine o’clock, while snuggled under Luke’s shoulder and talking with Addison, I started to doze off.

“Okay, sleepy head, you’ve had enough excitement for one day. I’m going to take off.” Addison stood and came over to me to give me a hug. “Please take care of our girl, and call me if you need anything.” Addison turned and gave Luke a kiss on his cheek, as well.

“Thank you for being here, Addie. And for the clothes. I’ll call you in the morning. I think a doctor visit is in my future tomorrow,” I said.

“Do you need me to take you?” she asked, looking between Luke and me.

“I’ll take her. I’ve already texted Danny to find coverage for my clients tomorrow. We’re all set, but thank you.” I had no idea when he spoke with Danny, but I was grateful he did. “Addison, ask the doorman to hail you a cab. There are usually a few lined up at the hotel this time of night.” Luke stood and walked Addison to the door.

When Luke came back, he swooped me up in his arms.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my head on his shoulder. “A girl could get used to this treatment. I may never walk again.”

“I love you in my arms, so we’re both happy. Let’s get you some more pain meds, wrap your knee, and tuck you in.” Luke sat me down on the toilet while he grabbed more pills. After I swallowed them, he passed me my toothbrush loaded with toothpaste.

After the bathroom routine, Luke turned down the covers on his bed and laid me down like I was a precious heirloom.

“You are stunning, even after running a marathon.”

I didn’t think I would ever grow tired of hearing his sweet words.

Luke crawled into bed, snuggled right up to my body, and brought me closer to him. I drifted off to sleep, happier than I had ever been.

Epilogue

Alexa

It was dark, yet lights shone all around us. Luke was sweating and breathing heavy in my ear.

“Give me all you got, tiger. Don’t stop. Please, whatever you do, don’t stop,” I cried out through my own gasps.

“Baby, you’re wearing me out. Can we please slow down?” Luke panted.

“Focus, Luke. You can do this. Once we finish, you’ll be thanking me. Promise.”

“My legs are starting to cramp.” Luke looked at me, pleading with me to slow down our pace. But we were so close to finishing. There would be fireworks at the end. I could almost see them behind my eyes.

My nipples were tight, my stomach clenched, my hair a hot mess, and I was sweatier than a whore in church. But I was with the love of my life, and nothing was going to top this moment between the two of us. We had practiced for months, and talked ad nauseam about it. Luke was on board, but now that it was time, he was reneging on our deal.

As we chased our finish, I reached for his hand and laced our fingers together. We were going together if it was the last thing we did.

I looked over at him and said, “I love you. Now let’s do this.”

Luke nodded his head, and we sprinted toward the finish line where thousands before us had already crossed in the Rock and Roll Marathon in Las Vegas.

*****

After the Boston Marathon, I saw a doctor about my knee. Thankfully, it was just inflammation of my iliotibial band. I spent a few weeks on crutches, worked out with a physical therapist for about a month, and then I was good as new. While I was on crutches, I stayed with Luke at his place. A few days after the diagnosis, while Luke was at work, I went home to my apartment and attempted to climb the stairs. I made it past the first floor, but the spiral staircase to get to my bedroom was impossible for me. I ended up calling Luke and having him carry me to get more clothes, once he finished at work.

During my stay, we fell more and more in love. Luke was everything I dreamed of as a little girl. He treated me with respect, appreciated my independence, and loved me enough to call me out on my bullshit when I made stupid mistakes. Yeah, like trying to climb stairs on crutches with no one around. We laughed a lot together. His playful nature was sexy as hell.

We made love each night before we fell asleep, and woke up in each other’s arms. Luke wasn’t pleased when I was able to throw the crutches away and go home to live with Addison again. He asked me daily to move in with him, but I declined. Even though I loved him hard, and knew we would spend the rest of our lives together, we were still new. I wanted us to date, not fall into the comfortable habits of an old couple after a long day’s work. Our relationship was worth the investment and hard work, even though being together was easy.

With the dust settled from the marathon, my injury healed, and Luke’s temper tantrum about me moving home, I suggested we train for the Las Vegas Marathon in November. The race was an evening run with all the Vegas flair a mind could conjure. Rock bands on the sidelines. Women running in costumes only fit for the strip. Luke worried about my knee blowing out again, but once the doctor gave me the go ahead to run, Luke was on board. We called Jeff, and he agreed to train us. The summer was long and hot, but we trained every day.

Since I had muscle issues again, a few times a week, Luke set up a massage table in the office of his apartment to help with my aches. During training, we had sex on that table as much as we did in a bed. Needless to say, I always got a happy ending.

*****

Luke

The weeks after the marathon were some of my best and worst. Taking care of Alexa was wonderful. I loved having her in my space with me. Making love to her every night and falling asleep with her in my arms was better than I dreamt. It crushed me when she moved home. Alexa made me work for our relationship, and I loved every second of it. She kept me on my toes, and never let me take her love for me for granted.

But during those weeks, Theresa threatened The Rub Down and me with a scandal. She called the spa, demanding to speak with me. Every time Jessica told her I wasn’t available, she spouted off how she was going to the press, and how she would bring The Rub Down down for messing with the wrong person. Even though she had no proof of inappropriate behavior, she did have a few friends willing to help her.

Little did we know, Tiffany, the esthetician Elle fired weeks ago, was Theresa’s roommate. Since Tiffany was pissed she’d lost her job and a reference, she had no problem helping her twisted roommate with her revenge scheme on The Rub Down. We also found out how Theresa got into the Boston Strong Gala. She had been on a cheerleading team with a wannabe anchor for the local news who had a press pass. The girl was desperate to advance her career and what better way to do it than report on a sex scandal at the hottest spa in Boston.