“It helped that I turned fifty last year, so the qualifying times were lower. It was my first full marathon. I usually stick with half marathons, but I wanted to try my hand at a longer race. It was a great experience.”
That was the longest she’d spoken since she sat down at the table, and the most animated that I’d seen her – other than when she was cussing me out earlier. We continued talking for a while, with April and Jonathon prompting conversation when there was a lull. I had the distinct impression that the two of them were trying hard to keep us talking. Suddenly, April made a show of yawning loudly.
“I’d better go get some sleep. Reed, can you walk my mom back to her cabin?”
My nephew’s fiancée had a mischievous look on her face that told me she’d noticed the vibes between us and wanted to do a little matchmaking. Plus, I was pretty sure that she and Jonathon were planning on joining Jonathon’s siblings at the dance hall.
“That’s not necessary,” Erika protested. “The resort is very safe, and besides, I have mace in my purse.”
“I’d be glad to walk you back,” I interrupted. “I’m staying in the cabins too.”
Seeing she was outmaneuvered, Erika stood up and gave the kids a hug. I stood up and offered her my arm, but she ignored it, striding out of the restaurant and leaving me to follow. I moved ahead of her, opening the door and forcing her to duck under my arm to get through. I smelled the scent of lavender from her shampoo.
“Which cabin are you in?” I asked.
“Ridgeview,” she answered. “It’s this way.”
“You’re in the same section as me,” I noted. “I’m in the Forestview cabin.”
She didn’t respond. We walked for a few minutes before I broke the silence.
“Thanks for not telling both of our families that I tried to run you over,” I told her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay, just bruised. I took a hot bath and did some meditation, and that helped relieve the soreness.”
“Meditation?” I asked curiously.
“It helps me manage pain. Or stress. Or life, really.”
“Ibuprofen works too,” I joked.
“I don’t take pain killers. I’m in recovery.”
She said it in a very matter of fact tone. My mind raced with questions that I didn’t know her well enough to ask yet. I wondered if that was the reason she’d been estranged from Jack and April for so long.
“Well, I feel terrible about what happened. Please let me know if there’s anything you need.”
She didn’t answer, and we lapsed into silence again as we walked across the dimly lit path towards our cabins. It was a warm night, and I could hear crickets chirping as we walked through the old growth trees. It felt like we were a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
“This is me,” she said. “Thanks for walking me back.”
I followed her right to the door and she visibly stiffened. Scanning the key card, she opened the door slightly, propping it open with her foot, and turned back to face me.
“What are you doing?” she asked, looking up at me. She was tall for a woman, probably about five foot nine, but I still had several inches on her.
“This.”
I moved forward slowly, slowly enough for her to push me away, and when she didn’t, I pressed my lips against hers. Bringing one hand up to cup the back of her head, I licked along the seam of her lips until she opened for me. The minute our tongues touched, my entire body was on fire. A rush of excitement moved through me, stronger than I’d ever felt in my life.
Mine. The word kept repeating in my mind as I moved closer to her and deepened the kiss. I shoved her against the door, but suddenly, Erika went flying through the doorway and into the cabin. I grabbed the door frame to keep from falling on top of her. Damn it, I’d forgotten she was propping the door open with her foot, and when I pressed my weight against her, the door opened behind her.
She looked up at me from where she was sprawled on the floor, a look of bemusement on her face. Her skirt had ridden high on her shapely legs, and my already erect cock pressed painfully against my zipper.
“Are you an assassin sent to kill me?” she joked.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, repeating my words from earlier. “Are you hurt?”
“Just my pride.”