Page 45 of Falcon

I shrug a bit, feigning nonchalance. “I hope he will be okay.”

Case and Arya give me the same tilted head stare, like they are confused by me.

“What?” I ask.

“Come on.” He nods his head toward the door. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

We step out into the balmy air with Arya prancing at our side in relative silence. I can tell he has questions he wants to ask, things he wants to say, but he doesn’t speak. I pull my keys from my bag when we come within feet of my car.

“You’re being careful, right, Faith?”

I sigh heavily then turn to face him, placing my hands on his shoulders. “Yes, pseudo big brother, I am being careful. I appreciate your concern, I really do, and I promise I’m fine.”

“After everything, Faith, I just want to make sure.”

“Every day is a battle. You’re the one who told me how to fight those battles every day and learn how to overcome them. But eventually, we all have to live our lives. I can’t let something from my past dictate whatever is in front of me. Even if it’s just someone I like to have fun with.”

“Fair enough.” He leans over to give me a hug. “I have a few hours left, so I better get back out there. Call me if you need me, okay?”

“I will.” I bend down to give Arya a little boop on the nose with my nose. “Keep your daddy safe out there, girl.”

She gives my face a lick as if to say, “Duh. I always do.”

***

Falcon is waiting for me outside of the gym when I pull into the parking lot. He’s wearing the same pair of basketball shorts as last time, but this time, he’s wearing a black, wifebeater-style tank top that showcases those arms and that glorious tattoo.

I nearly have to stop and catch my breath before I climb from the car, but he doesn’t give me a chance. He is opening my door for me before I can even slide my gearshift into park.

“Hi,” he says, before extending his hand to help me from the driver’s seat.

“You’re very prompt.” I giggle and lay my hand in his, getting out of the car.

“I came early for a run, so I was already here.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. Heat spreads from the point of contact and simmers over every square inch of my skin, pooling into an electric tingle between my thighs. Something so simple, an average peck on the cheek, is making me want to climb him like a tree.

This is something I’m not used to. Not in the least.

“I see. Good run?” I reluctantly move away from him to grab my bag from the back seat, which he promptly takes away from me to carry himself.

“Great run. Six miles, in fact.” We walk side by side toward the entrance, slower than normal, like we want to extend our time together as much as possible.

It even seems like he is taking the long way around cars in the parking lot to keep the conversation going. Honestly, it makes me smile.

“Running is my favorite cardio. It helps me escape. I crave the racing heart and the sweat.” The innuendo in my words is unintentional, but I don’t do a thing to change them or take them back.

He glances down at me with that smile I like so much. That smile I want to climb onto and ride until I can’t even remember my own name.

What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?

Falcon

I shouldn’t stare.

Really, I shouldn’t, but fuck if I can help it. I won’t apologize for it either. I’m a man who goes after what he wants, and right now, I want to stare at the bombshell in front of me.

The way those leggings mold to her ass and the way her sports bra curves over her torso, my God, I’m only fucking human.

“Okay.” I clear my throat then fake cough. “I think that’s enough stretching for today.”

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