Page 29 of When You Blush

When I think back to the way he treated me. The way he would sneer at me or tell me that I was horrible at being a nurse or a friend.

That I was a miserable fuck in the bedroom.

It just makes merage.

Because I didn’t deserve any of that. Not one second of it. And it took me way too long to get up the gumption to leave.

Between the exercise and the anger from thinking about the jerkwad, I’m starting to get hot, so I pause at the side of the trail, take my backpack off, then unzip and remove my jacket. After I roll it up, I stuff it into the backpack and then take adrink of water.

I can hear a stream or a river. I forgot about that. Its soothing babbling smooths out my rough edges from thinking about Nathan.

With a deep breath, I turn to stow my water bottle and put the backpack back on, and then freeze.

Well, shit.

Chapter Seven

BLAKE

The trail isn’t too busy today, which is good. I like to run it, and sometimes if it’s too packed, people don’t move out of the way. It can be annoying.

Hopefully, today will be a smooth trail run. I only have today off this week, and I want to exercise outside rather than on a treadmill in the hospital’s gym.

After I’ve tied my shoes, I pull my hoodie off and stow it in the car. After about five minutes, I won’t need it.

I do a few quick stretches, then set off up the trail. I usually do ten miles on this particular trail system. The elevation gain is perfect, and the views are great, too.

The ground is remarkably dry, and within just a few minutes, I’ve hit my stride and am enjoying the burn in my lungs, legs, and ass. It feels good to be in the fresh air.

I come up over a ridge and have just started to comedown the other side when I look up and come to a complete stop.

Fuck. Me.

She’s not facing me and has a hat on her head, but I’d know that body anywhere. Harper’s standing at the side of the trail, stuffing what looks like a light jacket into her pack.

She’s in a purple strappy sports bra and black yoga pants that hug every curve of her fit body. She’s not simply thin.

She’sfit.

She has toned muscles. She’s lean. Her ass is round, and her waist is small.

I lovewomen.All shapes and sizes. It’s not the size that matters to me at all, it’s the fact that she’s active, enjoys it, and I have to say, the athletic wear makes my cock twitch.

She’s hotter just as she is right now than if she were in a formal dress.

Harper finishes drinking her water and turns toward me. Her eyes go wide, and she freezes for a second before she lifts the pack and stows her water away.

“I didn’t want to startle you.” Okay, it’s a white lie. I wanted to watch her while she was unaware, and I don’t mean that in a creepy way.

Her eyes take a swift tour from my face, down my body to my shoes.

I’m just in a tank and shorts, but her cheeks heat, and she seems to like what she sees. Which is both good and a colossal shit show.

Because although she may want me, she won’t let herself have me.

“Good day for a hike,” she says as she shoulders the pack and starts to walk, and I match her pace, walking beside her. She goes at a good clip. She doesn’t meander.

“And not too crowded,” I add, and she nods. “Mind if I join you?”