Page 20 of Beyond the Stroke

Eli nods in confirmation.

Between me and Eli, Logan grumbles.

A female tech walks out pulling a pair of blue latex gloves on before she glances at us and grins. “Who’s first?”

Logan’s thumb jerks in my direction before he gives me a wicked smirk.

“You’re up, Captain.”

My ass cheeks have never touched each other the way they do now. It’s unnerving. I’d thought a short run this morning would help loosen up my knee, but all it’s done is draw attention to my freshly waxed asshole and taint.

I don’t embarrass easily, but the pretzel pose I had to hold for the wax tech to get under my ball sack was humiliating. And when Logan’s screams echoed down the hallway, I was glad I’d gone first.

After last night’s shenanigans, I’d gone home to finish unpacking, placing my newly acquired artwork on the dresser in my bedroom. More than the fact that it was cool that someone had painted my beach house, the painting was stunning. I’m no expert, but even to the untrained eye, it’s obvious that the artist is extremely talented.

After a three mile out and back run along Emerald Beach, I stop at the water’s edge to let the cool water rush over my feet and soak in the beauty of my surroundings. While California had been successful in regards to rehabilitation for my knee, and spending time with my sister, Whitney, it’s good to be home.

“Lulu! No!” I hear the woman call right before a small golden dog darts past me and into the water. Before the tide can pull the small dog out with it, I reach down and scoop it up.

The pup’s eyes are filled with mischief, its mouth open like it’s smiling, none the wiser that it could have been swept out to sea.

When I turn to see the woman chasing after the dog, I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face.

It’sher.

When she spots me with her dog, there’s a moment of hesitancy on her part, like she’s weighing her options. For a second, it seems like she’s considering abandoning her dog rather than face me. But ultimately, she decides to come for the dog.

She reaches out and takes the dog from me, checking to make sure it’s okay, before squinting up at me with a scowl on her pretty face. “Are you stalking me?”

My brows lift at her question that feels more like an accusation.

“This is the part where you thank me for rescuing your dog.”

“Thank you,” she grumbles. “And it’s not my dog. I’m just her walker,” she motions toward the boardwalk where three dogs with their leashes tied to a post are waiting patiently, tails wagging.

“So, you’re a dog walker and a part-time mermaid?”

She blinks up at me from under her black, ‘salty’ baseball cap.

She’s even more gorgeous than I remember. My eyes trail over the smooth, sun-kissed skin of her long legs. She’s wearingdenim shorts and a loose tank with a lacy layer beneath. Her long hair is pulled back into a ponytail looped through her hat.

I know boundaries and I respect them, but right now every part of me wants to find some excuse to make contact.

Yesterday she’d been friendlier, but today those turquoise gems of hers flash at me with enough fierceness to knock me back on my heels.

I watch her eyes explore my shirtless chest and torso. Her stoic face might have been able cover up her perusal but at the last second, her lips part to take in more air.

“To answer your question, I’m not stalking you. Stalking would require planning. This is just a happy coincidence.”

“If you say so, Rory Shields.” She’s already turning to walk back up the beach toward the other dogs, so I follow. On the way, I grab my shoes and t-shirt that I’d left in a pile on the beach while I was running, then jog to catch up with her.

“If you tell me your name then these frequent encounters could be more friendly, wouldn’t you say?”

She whips around, and that long, blonde ponytail smacks me in the chest. When her face comes back into view, her pretty mouth is twisted into a frown.

“Who says I want them to be friendly?” she asks.

“I guess I should have taken the hint yesterday when you abandoned me during the interrogation about our bench activities.”

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