by Ronica Black
She removed her earbuds, the music now loud and intrusive. She closed her eyes, way too physically overwhelmed to enjoy her success. Yes, she’d made it to the top but she’d paid the price. Her entire body trembled and hurt so badly she wondered how she was going to make it back down. And how in the world was she going to be able to do this every day?
Tears formed again, and this time she let them. They were warm, like she imagined her blood to be. Maybe that’s what they were. Maybe she was bleeding out the pain with her hot tears. She stared down at her hands, unable to enjoy the view of the valley below. She looked up at the sky and prayed for the shaking and aches to stop. She prayed for the ability to walk back down the mountain. But most of all, she prayed for the calm that only inner peace could bring.
Chapter Two
“Are you okay?”
Olivia startled from her position on the rock. She stood and turned, hurriedly wiping the tears from her face.
“Ye-yes.”
A woman, very fit and well-muscled with streaked blond hair, slid her sporty sunglasses to the top of her head, rested her hands on her hips, and stared at Olivia as if she were some kind of rare, delicate creature.
Olivia’s heart fluttered and her breath caught in her throat, the vision before her seeming surreal.
“You don’t look so hot,” the woman said, taking a step toward her. “You look like you could use some help.” She was wearing tight black yoga shorts and a matching sports bra. A light sweat coated her chest and face, causing her tanned skin to sparkle in the dawning sunlight. Her heart-shaped face had a tinge of pink to it near her cheekbones. As if a painter had lightly brushed on some color with a single, deliberate stroke.
Olivia blinked. This woman, this incredibly beautiful woman…she was real.
Oh, God.
This wasn’t going to be like the past. She wasn’t going to be able to look away and forget her.
Not this woman.
She was going to impact her life somehow.
She already had and Olivia didn’t even know her name.
The woman’s brow crinkled as she studied Olivia. Her hazel green eyes were seeking and penetrating, even from a few feet away.
“I’m okay,” Olivia said, needing to break the building intensity.
But the woman kept her gaze transfixed, and after another silent moment passed between them, the corner of her full, mauve lips lifted.
Olivia’s heart quit fluttering and stopped altogether. Quickly, she forced a relaxed smile and tried to look casual by placing a hand on her hip.
“Really, I am.” But as she shifted her hip into her hand, she felt awkward and ridiculous.
Her legs shook worse with the passing of every second. The standing wasn’t helping. Her left knee buckled as a sudden weakness overcame her. The woman stepped toward her, but Olivia managed to recover.
“Whoops.” She smiled again. “Lost my balance there.”
The woman’s face clouded, and Olivia’s knee buckled again, and she went down in an instant. But to her shock and amazement, she didn’t feel the impact of the ground. The woman, who must’ve moved with ninja like speed, had caught her. She was gripping Olivia’s arm and helping her stand.
“You are far from fine, I’m afraid.”
Olivia flushed, not only at the feel of her hands, but at the sheer strength she felt in her as the woman walked her back to the rock. She encouraged Olivia to sit and then knelt in front of her. She placed her hands on Olivia’s legs, and the heat of her palms penetrated just as powerfully as her gaze.
Olivia had been stirred by beautiful women all her life, but she’d always managed to push the feelings down, to keep them tucked safely away. She’d been taught by her very religious parents that such feelings were wrong and immoral. So, any time she had a reaction to a woman, she distanced herself and prayed the feelings would stop.
That was what she had to do now. It wasn’t going to be easy.
“You’re still shaking,” the woman said. “And you got sick. Didn’t you?” She rested her hand on Olivia’s. The gesture was so moving and so unexpected, Olivia felt something deep within her unlock and ease open. She fought against it, trying to distance herself. Even if she couldn’t get away physically, she had to try mentally. But a strange urge overpowered her attempt and she suddenly wanted to confess everything, to relay her entire life, her secret feelings, her failed marriage, and her current struggles. She was ready to share it all, lay it all out there for this woman to see. She didn’t understand any of it. She just knew she was feeling something she’d never truly felt before.
Safe.
“Yes,” Olivia finally said. “I—” She stopped herself. The reason and resolve that had failed her moments before began to take root. She couldn’t blurt out her entire life to this woman. She didn’t even know her. She was probably only being kind for God’s sake. Was she really so starved for a little attention and human kindness that she was ready to completely spill her guts to a stranger? Simply from the mere touch of a hand?
Get a grip, Olivia.
“I’m okay. Just had a little trouble.”
The corner of the woman’s beautiful mouth lifted again.
“First time running up a mountain?”
“First time running. Well, at least in a few years anyway.”
She grinned and patted her hand. “Yep, that’ll do it.”
Olivia laughed.
The woman stood and extended her hand. “I’m Eve.”
“Olivia.” Olivia shook her hand, and when she felt her body begin to react again, she tried to release her grip. Eve, however, held fast.
“And what, my dear Olivia, are you doing trying to run up a mountain with no preparation and no water to boot?”
Olivia shrugged and prayed Eve couldn’t feel her racing pulse through her hand.
“I want to get into shape.”
“Ah.” She pulled a water bottle from her belt and allowed Olivia to take a few squirts before returning it to her waist. Then she gently tugged on Olivia, helping her stand. Eve lightly squeezed her arms. “I think maybe you got a little ahead of yourself here. Bit off more than you can chew.”
“I see people running up this mountain all the time,” Olivia said. Her legs weakened again, and Eve steadied her.
“Keep breathing nice and slow. It helps if you raise your arms.” She demonstrated by interlacing her fingers behind her head. Olivia did so as well and took deep breaths.
“Good. Now walk around slowly for a little bit. We want that blood to keep circulating.” She rested her hand on the small of her back and walked with her. “Those people you see, the ones running up this mountain? I guarantee you they didn’t start out that way.”
Olivia knew what she was trying to say. “I thought about walking. Knew I probably should. But walking won’t get me into shape.”
“Actually, walking, especially up inclines, does a lot for your health and fitness.”
Olivia shook her head. “But I want to run. Like those people I see. And I want to look like them. Look like you.”
“You look pretty good to me.”
Olivia flushed again.
Did she really just say that?
Could she really think that?
No way.
“I’m too big, too flabby. I need to lose weight.” She hated her thighs and she had gained some in her middle. The mirror didn’t lie, and her ex-husband had definitely made sure she knew she was out of shape.
“I understand that you want to tighten up and maybe lose a few pounds. Most people do.”
“Yeah, that’s an understatement.” She’d never been happy with her body. She’d always felt bigger than the other girls, and her mother hadn’t helped any by constantly telling her she was too muscular for a woman. “I just wish I could be skinny. I’d be so happy.”
She felt Eve look at her.
“Olivia.”
“Yeah?”
“You realize that skinny is not realist
ic, right? Nor is it healthy. Especially for someone like you.”
“Someone like me? What does that mean? I’m hopeless?”
“Of course not. I just mean that you have a lot of muscle. And curves.”
“I know. I hate it.”
“Well, then, you’re crazy. Because you’re beautiful.”
Olivia heated again, not only at her words, but at the soft way in which they’d been spoken. This incredibly gorgeous woman, who had vigorously moved her within the past ten minutes of knowing her, was now telling her she was beautiful. A tiny spark of excitement came to life in Olivia, and it grew quickly, awakening every single part of her.
But even though she felt elated and somewhat giddy, she wondered if Eve was truly being sincere or if she was just being nice. She decided, however, for the moment anyway, not to question her or her compliment.
“I,” Eve said, “like those people you see running, am in the shape I’m in, because I put in a lot of time and hard work. It didn’t just happen overnight. And you forcing yourself up this mountain when you’re not ready won’t make it happen quickly for you either. I know this because I’ve lived it and also because I’ve made it my job to know. I help people like you every day. And I’d like to help you, too.”
Olivia wasn’t sure what to say. Eve was not only helping her, but also willing to continue to do so in the future. The suggestion made her mind spin with thoughts of seeing more of her. But despite wanting to stare at and be near her, she knew seeing more of her could possibly send her long reined attraction to women free. Was she ready for that kind of madness? She was already feeling crazy and struggling to control her heart rate, and they’d only just met. What would more time with her bring?
Eve led her back onto the trail and encouraged her to lower her arms.
“Feel any better?”
Olivia exhaled long and slow. “Much.”
“Great.” She tucked her arm inside Olivia’s and pulled her close, as if they’d known each other for years. “Let’s get you back down this mountain.”
Olivia caught her scent and felt the heat of her body pressing against hers. That growing excitement inside burst into a white-hot flame. Soon she was heady with it, almost like what she imagined being drunk would feel like.
The light-headedness caused her to get lost in her thoughts. At some point, she realized Eve was speaking. She didn’t know what had been said, but she knew Eve could have said anything and she would remain in step next to her, captivated. Like a magnet, she was pulled to her and quite literally stuck to her. Yet it wasn’t enough. She wanted to get closer. She was suddenly desperate to do so. She didn’t know how she could possibly get any closer than she was, but she wanted to. Needed to.
She kept her want and need quiet. Walking with her as she was, was almost more than she could handle. How did she think getting any closer would make her feel?
By the time they reached their vehicles, Olivia was nearly limp in her arms. Not just exhausted from physical exertion, but from being completely overwhelmed with new, powerfully potent stirrings for Eve. She almost collapsed with a smile on her face when Eve stood before her and once again slid her sunglasses to the top of her head. She unzipped the small pack on her belt and held out a business card.
“I would like it very much if you called me.”
Olivia felt her heart jump to her throat.
She wants me to call her?
She took the card and read the name.
Eve Monroe. Fitness trainer.
A phone number followed.
“Oh.”
“Something wrong?”
Eve looked concerned as she searched her face.
Olivia shook her head. “Nothing. I’ll think about it.” She opened her door, still upset at herself for her disappointment. Of course, Eve wanted her to call. She wanted her business. To think she wanted anything more was ridiculous and most likely brought on by the foolishness of her feelings. Which were something Eve knew nothing of and never would.
I would die of embarrassment if she knew.
And then there was the added reminder that being around Eve might illicit more of what she was currently experiencing.
So, her disappointment was absurd.
“I can help you. Truly.”
“I don’t know.”
Eve held up a palm. “Hey, I get it. This process, it’s hard and it’s grueling, and it can be very personal. But you need some help. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Olivia sighed, knowing she was right. She didn’t have a clue what she was doing.
“At least meet with me. There’s no charge and we’ll go over your goals and fitness history. We’ll feel each other out. See if we’re a good fit.”
Olivia lost her breath as thoughts of them literally feeling each other swirled in her head.
But Eve didn’t seem to notice.
“What do you say?”
“I—” But Olivia could only stare at the tempting beauty of her mouth and imagine how it would feel upon hers.
“You okay?” Eve pinned her once again with her gaze. Just like she had up on that rock.
And she was doing the same thing here, drawing Olivia in, like a moth to a flame.
I want her.
The declaration rocked her and started a throbbing between her legs. For a split second, that throbbing confused her, having never experienced anything like it before. But then she knew. She understood what she was feeling.
It was desire.
And it was fierce and more formidable than anything she’d ever felt or ever could’ve imagined feeling before.
It scared the hell out of her.
“I have to go.” She scrambled into her car and yanked the door closed, just as Eve stepped away.
“Olivia.”
But Olivia couldn’t look at her. She tossed the business card onto the passenger seat and started the engine. She backed out quickly, put the Prius in drive, and sped away, kicking up dust, leaving Eve Monroe and all the feelings that came with her, far behind.
Chapter Three
Eve stared after the gray Toyota Prius as it sped out of the dirt parking lot. When she lost sight of it, she finally lowered her hand, knowing her brief wave good-bye had been futile. Olivia had literally just run from her as quickly as she could, leaving Eve completely perplexed. No one had ever actually run from her before.
Mind still reeling, she got in her late model Tahoe and followed Olivia out onto the paved road. Normally, on a Monday she’d run the mountain trail twice before meeting her first client of the day. But the morning had been unusual. She’d seen Olivia at the bottom of the trail beginning her ascent when she’d first parked. She’d noticed right away that she was having trouble. Her form was sloppy and she was staggering as she ran, her legs seeking a strength to climb that they obviously didn’t yet have. Eve had seen the signs of a novice before. People starting the process of getting fit at step nine rather than step one. Many of them she’d seen on this very mountain. Some failed and she’d never seen them again, and some got injured. One woman even had to be rescued by the fire department because she’d broken her ankle and couldn’t descend. It was that particular memory that had driven her to hurry after Olivia and keep an eye on her.
She could’ve caught up to her and tried to talk some sense into her. But Eve had done that before, and more than once she’d been yelled at and told to mind her own business. So, she’d stayed back, watching her closely, hoping like hell she didn’t trip or collapse or somehow hurt herself. To her relief, none of those things had happened. Olivia had, however, stopped several times, leading Eve to believe she might give up and come back down. But she hadn’t. She’d kept climbing despite her obvious agony.
“She’s a fighter,” Eve said as she drove south down Fifty-ninth Avenue, leaving the mountains of Thunderbird Park behind. She took a few squirts of water and shook her head in disbelief as she recalled Olivia not bringing any of her own. She was definitely out of h
er league, and Eve could only hope that she would call. But the way Olivia had looked at her just before she’d taken off, Eve knew she most likely wouldn’t. The soft look of what appeared to be interest and curiosity had morphed into fear and panic. Eve had been dating a long time, and she was pretty sure she knew what was going on.
Olivia had felt the palpable energy between them.
Eve had been just as surprised as Olivia apparently had been at their immediate attraction. She’d been so awestruck when Olivia first turned to look at her, she’d taken a small step back. Thankfully, Olivia didn’t seem to notice, but that was only because she was just as awestruck at seeing Eve. It had been written all over her face and the way she’d struggled to speak. And her eyes, God, her eyes. Like storm clouds heavy with rain. They’d told her all she needed to know. Olivia’s heart might as well have been beating just behind her irises, her gaze was so candid and seeking. And when her gaze had settled, obviously finding what it sought, Eve felt a heat and heaviness, like a flame was being held next to her skin everywhere Olivia’s eyes traveled.
Eve hadn’t ever felt like that under someone’s stare before. She’d seen desire and interest, but nothing like what had happened up on that mountain. That had looked and felt like hunger, which wasn’t very unusual. But what was unusual was the sense that Olivia was trying to hide those feelings.
Eve wasn’t certain of that, of course. And even if she had been certain, she would have no idea as to why Olivia would feel like she needed to hide her feelings. She glanced at the clock and increased her speed. She needed to arrive extra early so she could burn off the energy she still felt from Olivia. She needed to get a head start on taming that brewing attraction. She didn’t have the time to try to figure out the mystery of Olivia. And she didn’t need any unnecessary distractions. Olivia probably wouldn’t even call or ever return to the mountain. Eve needed to let it go.
