Page 733 of One More Kiss

“So what? There’s no law saying I can’t run at three in the morning. I felt like running, so I did. If I knew you would magically wake up and join me, I would have just gone home.”

“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it. You could have stayed.”

“I’d already imposed enough. Your sister would get the wrong idea about us if I stayed.”

He jerked back before leaning forward and wrapping his arms around his bent knees. “Payton liked you. She told me so in the kitchen when we were getting the food. But make no mistake, it was me who found you first.”

“Oh, I won’t forget. It wasn’t your sister who stalked me down to the beach,” I sighed and turned to look at him for the first time since he arrived. “You don’t have to keep following me. I promised I wouldn’t go back into the water, and I meant it. Even though I hate my life, I’m not suicidal.” I traced shapes in the sand with my finger. “You should have stayed all nice and warm inside your house.”

“I can’t do that,” was his simple reply.

“Why not?”

Turning away from me, Slade looked out at the water and shook his head. “I haven’t figured it out yet, and I’m not sure I’ll tell you once I do figure it out.”

“Why not?” I repeated my question.

“Because you’ll probably run away, and I won’t be able to catch you.”

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