Page 1 of Running
Prologue
GRACE - 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
He tears his mouth off of mine as I shift across his lap.
“I’m pretty sure this isn’t what your brother meant when he asked me to keep you entertained, Little Battle.” His tone makes the comment sound like a joke, but his eyes wear a sheen of guilt.
Idon’t have any regrets though, even if he is my brother Landon’s roommate.
We’re two hours and one beer into my “entertainment” tonight, my final night visiting Landon at the University of Alabama. One beer more than I usually have on a Tuesday night, but it’s spring break at Princeton, where I’m a junior.
I’m determined to have a little adventure during my visit, even if my brother’s classes are still in session—his spring break falls on a different week. He’s at a study group right now, resulting in this one-on-one time with his roommate.
After Landon left earlier, we started the night by watching a college basketball game. With the TV constantly blasting some athletic event in their living room during my visit, we’d connected over sports already, so it was a safe beginning to our first time alone.
I’m plenty comfortable hanging with guys, as a sisterto three brothers. But with him, there’s been a spark to our conversations over the last couple of days. I’ve even caught him looking at me when Landon’s not paying attention.
As Landon’s study group approached, a thought crept up, becoming louder as the hours passed: I’m longing to have my adventure during spring break withhim.
A more experienced woman might know exactly how to handle whatever is going on between us, but experienced is one thing I’m not.
Iama quick study, though.
Yesterday, we played “Truth or Dare” with a big group of their friends from the football team. So after the basketball game we were watching ended tonight, I suggested another round—between just the two of us.
Three truths and an easy dare followed—I sucked on a lemon slice for a minute.
Through our laughter and teasing, as the beer worked to enhance my ease, the polite filter and shyness that usually cage my behavior faded away.
The result? On the next dare, I challenged him to kiss me…and after his eyes went wide, he gave a short nod, and I climbed into his lap.Bolder than I’ve ever been before.
Because normally I’m the good girl. But looking at him now—mussed dark hair, cocoa brown eyes, cut jawbone freshly shaved—he’s the best bad decision I’ve ever made.
“I warned my big brother that visiting Alabama for the week has me feeling free to step out of my comfort zone. To have fun, not be the same old Grace.”
His hands drift to my hips, resting gently on them. “Well, I like the Grace I’ve gotten to know so far.” I notice he doesn’t use the ‘Little Battle’ nickname he’d stuck me with when we first met two days ago, to my brother’s amusement. “But as much as I want to be your fun,really badly,” his voice carries genuine regret, “it’s not a good idea.”
I don’t want to pop my bubble ofbrave and boldGrace, so Ipush. “Because of Landon? What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. And I leave tomorrow to go home for the rest of my break.”
He looks decidedly conflicted. A worried expression is on his face, yet his eyes dip to my lips and his hands still sit on my hips, like he’s unwilling to let go. So I continue to make my case.
“Anyway, you’re both about to get drafted in a month, never to see each other again except across the line of scrimmage once or twice a year.”
His eyes flick up to mine and then down to my mouth again. “Maybe just one more kiss.”
I can’t help my smile of victory as I lean in to join our lips. As soon as our mouths meet, he moves his hands around to the back of my jeans, like a reflex. Commanding firm control of our kiss, he slips his tongue inside my mouth, and a moan escapes me.
I’m relieved he’s owning things at first, and I take in the sensations he’s lighting up across my body. But after a beat, I experiment with my own tongue. His matching groans signal he likes it.
I’ve barely dated, and I’ve certainly never been kissed likethis. Having skipped a grade when I was young, I’ve always been a year behind my classmates. Add in my reserved public demeanor, and the opportunities have not been pouring in.
He doesn’t know any of that, though. During this trip, with my brother around most of the time, I’ve relaxed into a more genuine version of myself. Our conversations have flowed easily.
I’m not talking much right now, though. It’s all I can do to keep myself from fully melting into his six foot three frame.
We keep going long past “just one more kiss” territory. His mouth is magic, and I can’t believe I’ve had to wait this long for someone who can do this so well.
After a while, I feel his fingers dig tighter into my back pockets. “You’re trouble,” he murmurs when we briefly take a breath of air before locking our lips again.
