Page 108 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
I suck in air between my teeth, then pull my lips to the side. “I did.”
Lina puts her hand to her chest and steps forward. “Wow, Carter, you continue to surprise me.”
“I hope you don’t mind,” I say.
“Are you kidding,” she whispers, sliding her arms around my waist. “I’m so grateful you did.”
I bend to leave a soft kiss on her temple. I’m relieved she’s not upset. Lina pulls away and reaches for the door handle. “Let’s go before people start to ask where we are.”
I nod. “Oh, and Lina?”
“Hmm?”
I flash her a half smile. “You taste fucking amazing.”
With a quick wink, she turns and leaves. I make sure my pants are straight before I’m right behind her.
The bright sun blares into my eyes as Lina and I pick up our pace. Following into line with the rest of the runners, we easily catch up. I scan the participants around the area but don’t see any of our friends. They’re probably a significant distance ahead of us by now.
“I have no energy.” My words come out broken and breathless.
That same satisfied smile from the restroom crawls across her face. “I take full responsibility for that.”
“I bet you do.”
We quickly catch up to two participants who look more like they’re strolling along the beach, alone and without a care in the world. As we get closer, I recognize them as Bailey and Mason.
I slow as we approach them. Lina, at my side, does the same.
“Okay, love birds. Get to moving,” Lina calls out. Both their heads whip around just as we match their casual speed.
“Us?” Mason retorts jokingly. “Where did you guys sneak off to?”
Lina and I exchange a quick glance.
“Lina got thirsty,” I say, smiling wide and hoping it will make her blush. And it does.
She rubs her lips together while her face turns three shades of crimson. “That’s right, I did.”
“You have a water bottle in your hand.” Bailey gestures toward the plastic canister in her left hand with the logo of the event wrapped around it.
The four of us walk in silence for a beat until I decide to break it. “She was thirsty for something else.”
“My man!” Mason chuckles, hooking an arm around Bailey.
She stares up at him, rolling her eyes. “Don’t get any ideas. We’ve messed around in enough public places.”
Lina ignores their comments. Her shoulder brushes against mine, and I can tell she wants me to put my arm around her. I want to. Hell, I do it anyway. I pull her close and let my arm loosely hang across her shoulders. Lina stiffens at first, then relaxes and smiles at me.
“We look like friends, that’s it,” I say to settle her uneasiness.
By the time we cross the fish line, Lina and I are both exhausted and hungry. Even in November, the midmorning sun can be brutal in the desert. As the event was beginning to wrap up, we hit the volunteer pancake brunch and then posed for a few marketing photos with the airline. Lina and I go through the motions of saying goodbye to our coworkers and friends before calling it a day.
Since my car is parked on the other end of the lot, I decide to walk Lina to hers first.
“So, this is it?” She turns to face me before opening the car door.
I lick my lips, still tasting her on them. “What’s it?”
