Page 9 of Justified Lies

Seeing her soft skin marred pissed him off, especially when it was his fault. When her breath hitched, he realized his thumb had been lazily tracing the outer edges of the scrape. Reluctantly he let his hand drop.

“I should have been able to stop you before you hit that tree.”

She laughed nervously. “Please, most people can’t stop a speeding bullet. Next time I’ll slow down on this part of the trail.”

“You shouldn’t be down here alone anyway. It’s too secluded, especially this early in the morning. And considering a woman is still missing, I’d think you would be more careful.”

The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Every word he spoke was true, but he knew she wouldn’t take kindly to the scolding. Proving him right, she made a show of rolling her eyes.

“Yes, trust me, I think of Justine constantly, but I heard police suspect an affair? It’s usually someone the person knows, right? Or she could have lost it and just taken off. Plus, we live in the most boring part of town. I run into more animals than people down here.”

Lianna said the words, but he doubted she believed them. As a mother herself, he suspected she wasn’t buying the whole ‘taking off’ excuse her soon to be ex-husband was providing. Something amiss was at play here, and he needed Lianna to understand that.

“You know better than that. It’s foolish to be alone down here, period.”

Maybe it sounded like he had just called her foolish based on her expression.

“But it’s fine that you get to enjoy a morning run wherever you want, eh, officer?”

She said the words amiably, but Gabe knew better. The Canadian terminology was being used to prod him. She knew his title hadn’t been officer in years. He missed this sassy, playful side of Lianna.

The challenging look in her eyes told him she was trying to get a rise out of him. Certain parts of his anatomy werecertainly rising to the occasion. While he was still trying to get his mouth to function, she continued to chide him.

“If it bothers you so much, you’re welcome to run with me anytime. You can protect me,” her tone loaded with sarcasm. “I always wanted my own bodyguard, like when the President runs, he has all those Secret Service agents trailing behind him. Pretty cool, huh?”

She started walking towards the stairs, making it several strides before turning back to look over her shoulder.

“Coming, bodyguard?” She laughed.

Gabe was still lost somewhere back in the middle of the conversation.

“I’ll race you up the stairs…”

She baited him like he was a toddler, and she held a piece of candy. But Gabe just stood as still as the tree beside him, staring at the wonder that was Lianna. After being bodychecked into a maple tree, here she was full of attitude.

Scrunching her eyebrows together, she stared at him, and he realized he still hadn’t responded. Like the smooth operator that he was, he finally mumbled an excuse.

“I, ah, just started my workout.”

“Well, how will I ever make it all the way home alone?”

She wore a pout that had him desperate to bite her bottom lip. Expecting to hear another cheeky comeback, he was surprised when instead of waiting for a response she gave him a shrug.

“A different time.”

Then without another word, she turned and trotted away. Gabe stood rooted to his spot and allowed himself to watch her go. God blessed her with a generous backside, and he would never turn down an opportunity to take in that view. The gray yoga capris hugging every curve and dimple almost had himrunning after her. In fact, he wasn’t sure why he hadn’t made good on his word and accompanied her to the top.

Gabe had never met a human being that overwhelmed him like that lovely lady did.What’s the worst that could happen—she’d talk you into bed?That was a hardship he could endure. But Gabe knew from the one time he merely held her, taking her to bed would lead to giving her his heart. That would lead to disappointment all around. Shaking his head, he turned towards the sound of crashing waves and took off in a sprint.

****

What a dumbass, Lianna chided herself. Peeling off her workout shirt, she threw it in the direction of the hamper. When she missed her mark, she stomped over to pick it up, cursing herself for being so anal retentive. Properly dunking the shirt this time, she shed the rest of her sweaty clothing.

Other women casually found ways to run into their target of affection. Lianna literally ran into hers. She smacked her palm to her forehead.Of course, he didn’t want to run up the stairs with you.

The irritation grew worse when she thought of how attractive Gabe looked, his dark hair tousled, the sweat dripping from his beard. After he had inspected her arm, he released her to step back and wipe the sweat from his forehead. He did so by lifting the bottom of his shirt to his face. Lianna was surprised she hadn’t combusted on the spot, staring at those six-pack abs and the trail of hair that disappeared into his waistband.

“Nobody should be that sexy!” she cried out loud.

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