I hear something muttered along the lines of “stubborn bitch,” but I merely laugh because he’s right about the moniker—I’m stubborn when I have my heart set on something. I head straight to my room and squeeze myself into a tight sports bra and a pair of leggings. I take a few seconds to tie my curls up in a ponytail, as it always gets in my face or sticks to the back of my neck with sweat when I run. Then, I seize a few extra moments to make sure that all the makeup from last night is washed off because I don’t want to look like a drowned raccoon, before brushing my teeth. Okay, that’s good enough. After an obligatory pee, I head out to the living room and find Clancy in the foyer, pulling on a pair of sneakers. He stands, and looks goddamn hot, I have to say. I had no idea men approaching fifty could look so good, but between those broad shoulders and incredible hamstrings, my mouth is watering all over again.
“Alright,” I announce while putting on my own sneakers. “Are we ready to go, bright and early this morning?”
Clancy mutters something under his breath that doesn’t sound thrilled at the prospect of running with me, but he does open the door without slamming it in my face, so I suppose he can’t be too upset that I’ve decided to tag along.
The billionaire doesn’t look at me as we head down in the elevator, but he hesitates for a moment once we step outside the building.
“You do look good in your workout clothes,” he says in a grudging voice, like he doesn’t want to admit it but for the gun being held to his head. It’s so ridiculous because he made love to me all last night, so of course he appreciates how I look. Why is it so hard for him to give me a compliment? But I just laugh.
“Just wait until we start running,” I tease. “You’re going to want to let me have the lead.”
He looks confused. “And why’s that?”
I bolt off.
“So you can watch my ass jiggle as I run ahead of you,” I call behind my shoulder. “Last one to that tree is a rotten egg!” My man growls and scowls but by the way his pace picks up, I can tell his bad mood is already starting to fade.
Clancy and I jog from his penthouse to Central Park, then take a lap around the reservoir on the trail. There aren’t many people out, partially because it’s so early, but also because I get the feeling that most people who live in this vicinity are working out in fancy gyms with their personal trainers. But I like being in nature, even if we’re actually surrounded by the city. I enjoy the rustling of the trees, the gray light of morning, and the soft mist that hangs over the lawn as we jog by.
Eventually, we reach a stopping point at the water fountain, and I take a sip.
“You’re faster than you look,” Clancy pants, and I grin through my own heaving gasps.
“Well, I mentioned that I’m in a running group, right?”
The handsome man looks surprised. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I did!” I exclaim. “I knew you weren’t listening.” I laugh a little. “But it doesn’t matter. I had a running group in Harlem that I used to go out with a few times a week. It was mostly girls around my age who were looking for a fun way to get some exercise, and running is cheap too. That’s important when you’re surviving on Cup O’Noodles eaten by candlelight.”
He grimaces. “Sounds bad.”
I laugh lightly.
“It wasn’t so bad, but the running group was amazing. There was so much camaraderie, and I should look them up again. It’s called NYC Kickstarters, have you heard of them? I think they have a group that meets in this neighborhood too.”
He shakes his head.
“No, I usually run alone. But I’ll look them up,” he says.
“Yeah, you should,” I nod. “I know I’m a pretty big girl, but I’m fit even if I’m a bit heavy, and it’s running that does that for me. I’m definitely healthy, I just also have an appetite that gives me curves. I’m much more in shape now than I was when I joined the Kickstarters though, and even though the workouts were hell at first, I grew to like them. I really look forward to running now actually.”
Clancy laughs, showing off even white teeth.
“Yeah, running’s like that. It’s pure torture until you hit that runner’s high, and then it’s like gliding.”
I nod.
“Well, I’m going to look up the Kickstarters again,” I continue. “But I’m glad I have you to run with now. Plus, it means you get to watch my butt as I run faster than you. Slow poke!” I tease.