by Maggie Way
“What’s that look?” Hank muttered.
Maddie rolled her eyes. It’d be handy if she didn’t wear her heart on her sleeve all the time. “Darren Brown is the one who asked me out.”
Her father smiled. “Well, that’s great, Mad. He’s a nice young man, likes horses, has his own business. Seems like you two would have a lot in common.”
Too much in common. “We’re trying to buy the same horse,” she admitted, ready to move on to Crystal’s stall. Maddie took the water bucket to the industrial sink at the back of the barn and cleaned it out.
After giving it a good scrub, she went back to the stall. The silence extended between her and her dad and she wondered if he was conjuring up some fatherly advice or if he was just enjoying the silence. Maddie would have enjoyed it, but not knowing what to expect from her dad kept her on edge.
“You’ve been working hard. You look great but you haven’t been yourself since you started out on this quest. A date with a nice man might be just what you need.”
“I thought dads didn’t like it when their daughters dated.”
Hank leaned on the side of the stall. “Father’s want to see their daughters happy. You were dating like it was an Olympic sport, which fathers don’t like, but you were happier then than you’ve been in a long time. I want to see my wild child running with the wind again.”
Maddie didn’t usually listen to music at the gym, at least not on her iPod. Most days the stereo was cranked up to something that was easy to move to, so she didn’t find it necessary to plug in. Today, however, was a different story.
She also didn’t run at the gym but the universe was working against her today. It was a running day. She hit the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and went running on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today, however, Mother Nature decided to unleash a thunderstorm that made Maddie want to stay in bed all day. Instead of giving in to that urge, she’d dragged herself to the gym.
Then there was the problem of Darren. She wanted to avoid him and the machines she used, the rower, the mountain climber, the stair stepper, were all in the same room as the free weights. The treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals were in the room with the weight machines. Since Darren always seemed to use free weights, Maddie figured she was safer in here.
Running was therapeutic. The therapist in her was ready to analyze the hell out of why she needed to run instead of getting on the elliptical, but her irrational side told her therapist side to shut the hell up. She was here to work out, not explore her feelings and motives.
The iPod was just added insurance. No one talked to you if you were plugged in.
Two miles in, she caught a glimpse of toned, rugged skin to her left. She also caught a whiff of Darren’s cologne or deodorant or whatever it was that made her body turn into warm, needy mush.
He said something, she was sure, but with the iPod cranked up as high as her determination to avoid him, she didn’t catch what it was.
Next thing she knew, the bud was plucked from her left ear, the cool air filled with Darren’s voice. “Good morning,” he said with an abundance of cheer.
“Running here,” she responded, trying to get a grip on the dangling ear bud.
“I see that. You’ve got a great pace going. I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”
She wanted to retort with something like “it’s a free country,” but that was too juvenile, even if the situation warranted it.
He pushed the buttons on the treadmill next to her and got moving. Maddie was tempted to finish her run and go get on the bike. There was nothing next to that except weight machines, so he couldn’t stalk her over there. That was too much of a juvenile move that she just couldn’t bring herself to execute.
When it became obvious she wasn’t going to be able to get a grip on the ear bud while running, she tugged the other one out and stuffed them in the cup holder with the iPod. She focused on the display. Today’s goal was six miles. Even though she was keeping a good pace, her efforts seemed too slow. She’d only made it a quarter of a mile since Darren showed up. Shouldn’t she be at six by now?
He continued to push the buttons and when he stopped she looked over to see he’d set the same speed and elevation as her machine. He made it look so easy, though. Maddie felt like a buffalo, her heavy steps echoing throughout the room. Darren’s strides were light, natural, as if a mysterious wind carried him.
She was sure he could run faster and wasn’t sure whether to be flattered he was keeping pace with her or insulted that he thought she needed the assistance.
Maddie hit the speed button twice.
“Missed you yesterday,” he said, not even a smidgen out of breath.
“What are you, my own personal stalker?” she asked, her breaths way more ragged than his.
“You’re a woman I find attractive and want to get to know better. You’re also a creature of habit, at least as far as the gym goes. You’ve been here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for well almost two months, each day before 5:30.”
“So are you. You work out with the free weights. So I’ll ask again, are you stalking me?”
“Free weights Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday and Thursday are cardio days. I use the treadmill you’re on, but it’d be rude to kick you off.”
Maddie hit the button, upping her speed again. “I’d like to see you try,” she laughed, knowing full well he could but wouldn’t. He was too much of a gentleman.
“Are you daring me?” he asked.
Daring a glance, she nearly tripped over her own feet at Darren’s sexy smile. Men shouldn’t be allowed to smile like that, especially at the gym. Maybe she needed to talk to the owners about a no-smiling policy for the hot men.
Maddie gripped the bars on the treadmill to maintain her balance. “Daring? No, of course not. That’d be childish. I’m challenging you.” She knew it was semantics, but couldn’t help herself.
She focused on the controls, hitting the button again. Darren hit his buttons too, slowing the treadmill, but he didn’t wait for it to stop before he jumped off.
“What in the world are you doing?” she asked, tossing a glance over her shoulder. He was right behind her, smiling that wicked smile. She was about to fall over, so was forced to face forward. Not knowing what he was doing back there spiked her anxiety, but she wouldn’t back down. She couldn’t. Whenever it came to a battle of wills, Maddie never lost.
“I’m enjoying the view,” he said. The words and the gravel in his voice sent a tingle from her nipples to her thighs, which sent a shiver all the way back up her body.
Until Maddie realized she was dressed in her usual spandex pants — and still had 9 pounds to lose.
Oh, God, was he staring at her ass? “Stop watching me,” she demanded.
“Not until you get off my treadmill,” he teased.
“I’m in the middle of my workout. You don’t want to mess up my rhythm.” The workout was kicking her ass. She’d never run this fast before, at least not on the machine. She hit the button twice to take it back to a manageable pace. Maybe if she went slower, he wouldn’t spend the next 1.8 miles staring at her.
Chapter Seven
There was a fine line between pleasure and pain and Darren straddled that line with unsteady legs. Maddie was gorgeous and while it made him feel like a pig for watching her run on the treadmill, he certainly enjoyed the view.
The hard-on was going to prove painful because he wasn’t going to be able to ease that ache, at least not the way he wanted to.
She was stubborn, but he liked how playful she was and wanted to engage that side of her as long as he could.
If he thought he could manage it without hurting her, he’d jump up on the sides of the treadmill and grab her. Darren guessed she’d put up a fight and that could be painful for both of them.
So there he stood, trying not to stare at her perfect ass as she continued at the fast pace.
Yep, he was going to need an ice cold shower and his workout
was pretty much screwed at this point.
“So, you come here often?” he asked, trying to keep up the playful banter.
She glanced over her shoulder again. “I can promise you I have never once come here.”
Darren gripped the side rails to steady his balance. She was playful and had a dirty mind? His eyes wandered back to her ass, wondering what it would feel like in his hands as she rode him and …
Nope, couldn’t continue that thought. As discreetly as possible, he adjusted himself, grateful he wore tight-fitting jockey shorts for underwear. They were the perfect workout shorts, keeping everything in place with no uncomfortable bouncing. Comfort was out of the question, though, with an aching erection.
He should walk away, but Darren wasn’t one to give up. “I could help you out with that,” he offered.
The machine beeped a few times, her pace slowing. “What, right here on the treadmill?” she asked.
The treadmill was as good a place as any. “That could work, or we could hit the shower together. There’s probably more privacy there.”
“Against the tile wall. Yes, that sounds comfortable,” she said.
“Could be.” He didn’t think she’d take him up on the offer, but damn he couldn’t keep his mind from picturing her all naked and wet, pressed between him and the tile. “Besides, I’d make you feel so good, you wouldn’t even notice the tile.”
She laughed then, tossing him another glance over her shoulder. “Wow, that’s not cocky at all. I’m so turned on right now.”
Darren did jump on the treadmill now, stepping on the sides all the way at the back. She still had enough room to run, but he knew his presence would be unsettling, especially given the flirtatious and dirty banter going on between them.
She hit the button, slowing until the machine stopped and turned to face him. “You’re messing with my cool down.”
“Cool down? I thought you weren’t all hot and bothered?”
“Oh, I’m hot — from the run — but not bothered.”
He could tell she was as bothered as he was. Dilated pupils were the first clue. She’d also licked her lips three times since turning around — yeah, he was counting. She talked a good game, but she was affected.
“We’ll see about that,” he stepped onto the machine, right up to her, and smiled as her breath hitched. When her gaze dropped to his mouth at the same time her tongue brushed across her lips — for the fourth time — he knew he had her.
While Darren wanted nothing more than to kiss her, he reeled in all of his desires and impulses.
“If you’re done with your run, I’ll take my treadmill now.”
Her eyes widened, as if she was surprised he asked for the machine instead of asking her to strip down and go for it right there with him.
With a smirk, she narrowed her eyes. “Now that I’ve hit my six miles, I’m happy to surrender the machine.”
“Surrender, huh,” he interrupted. “Interesting choice of words.”
“It’s a verb. It means to give up — which I’m willing to do since I’m done. However, you have me trapped.”
Another interesting choice of words. Was she choosing her words just to keep this sexy exchange going or was there some deeper meaning behind them?
Darren moved over, just enough so her body brushed his as she shuffled by. His plan to leave her aroused and unbalanced backfired as that subtle contact sent all his blood rushing south.
“Enjoy your workout,” she said when she stepped off the machine.
“Enjoy your shower,” he responded, wondering if hers was going to be as cold as the one he needed.
Spay and Taco Tuesday was one of Maddie’s favorite days each month. What started as a free spay and neuter clinic had evolved into a girl’s night that no longer included tacos but was a guaranteed good time.
When their childhood friend Jillian Hale inherited The Barn last summer, she’d approached Clarissa about offering the clinic. Rissy was happy to help the animal rescue.
All the women who ensured the free clinic run smoothly took turns hosting the post-clinic dinner. This month was Maddie’s turn. That’s why the girls invaded her apartment like locusts.
“Low fat, high protein lettuce wraps,” Cathlynn Merriweather announced as she placed a tray on the counter. She tugged at the scrunchy holding a tight ponytail, releasing her long, blonde hair and breathing a sigh of relief as she raked her fingers through it.
Inspired, Maddie did the same, tossing her hair band across the room.
“Homemade salsa and baked tortilla chips,” Jillian Hale offered. She was a skinny little thing, with long, slender legs, flat stomach, perfect chest. Her skin glowed with the bliss of being a newly-wed, but what made Maddie really jealous was how she could eat anything and not gain a pound.
Maddie laughed. “Of course you’d bring chips.”
“Hey, I own my addictions. You’re just lucky I didn’t bring regular old potato chips,” Jill said.
Courtney Daniels set a crock-pot on the counter, grabbing the scrunchy twined in Cat’s fingers and using it to wrap her brown hair in loose pony tail at her nape. “Sorry, it’s not low fat, but who can resist mini wieners?”
“Who indeed,” Cat laughed. “Size really doesn’t matter. These little guys prove that.”
“Good,” Clarissa cut in, putting a small vegetable tray of all Maddie’s faves on the counter. “Then you won’t judge the size of my vegetable platter.”
“What’s that?” Courtney peered over her black-rimmed glasses, nodding at the pan Clarissa held in her other hand.
“It’s a fruit tray.”
Maddie, along with Cat and Jill gaped at the lemon meringue pie Clarissa held in her hand. “That’s not a fruit tray,” Cat said.
“It is in my world,” Clarissa insisted, digging into the drawer and grabbing a spoon.
“Are you going to eat that whole thing?” Courtney asked.
“I got asked out six times tonight, so yes, I’m eating this whole thing.”
Jill laughed. “Still on the celibacy train?”
“Rissy, you don’t have to do that,” Maddie insisted. When she’d taken her vow to take control of her life, Clarissa had offered to take the no-men-allowed journey with her. Since Maddie hated all of Clarissa’s boyfriends — admittedly because she wanted her best friend to get back together with her twin — she was happy to have Clarissa’s support.
“Were any of them cute? Deets, Clarissa, come on.”
“Two were cute, one was hot, and three were meh, but no matter, I’m not going out with any of them.” With that, Clarissa dug into her lemon meringue pie.
They used plastic fork and plates to save on cleanup, each digging in to the selection of snacks as they hovered around the large island in Maddie’s kitchen.
Courtney sighed. “I never get asked out.”
“Aren’t you like twelve?” Cat asked.
“I’m twenty-five. I served in the Air Force for six years for the college money. That’s why I’m only a sophomore in college.”
“That’s cool,” Cat said. “You just look really young. Gotta be honest, I’m a little jealous. I want youthful genes.”
“I want a light-speed metabolism,” Maddie added, glaring at Clarissa who had eaten nearly half the pie.
“Know what you need?” Jill said, raising her brows and smiling. “You need a cat.”
They all turned to Cat. “Again?” Clarissa asked.
“It’s a curse,” Cat wined. “Todd gave me the it’s me, not you speech, and claimed the apartment he moved into behind my back doesn’t allow pets. So, once again, I’m stuck with my ex’s cat.”
“What is this, like the third one?” Maddie asked. Poor cat. Every time a guy dumped her, she got stuck with his cat.
“Fifth,” Cat said and dumped a ladle full of mini wieners on her plate. “From now on, I’m only dating men with dogs.”
“Horses,” Maddie added. “You can’t bring them in the house.”
Maddie shook her head. “I am not a cat person. I had one in college and I swear it spent all it’s time planning my demise. There’s a reason they rule the underworld.”
“Did you know in ancient Egypt, when a cat died, members of the household shaved their eyebrows as a sign of respect?” Courtney said. “The mourning period was over when the eyebrows grew back.”
“Maybe I should shave my eyebrows to mourn the loss of another boyfriend.”
“Do not shave your eyebrows for Todd,” Jill insisted. “He wasn’t good enough for you anyway. Way too self-centered.”
“Says the only married woman in the room,” Cat sighed.
Jill glowed. She had moved away right after high school, when her parents died in a fire. There were rumors about what happened that night, everything from the two of them getting into a shootout to Mr. Butler letting the gas stove run and lighting a match. None if it mattered to Maddie. Jill had been a friend all through school and she was happy to have her friend back in Lilac Ridge, especially given how happy she was.
Maddie wanted that kind of happiness. Even though she dated a lot, she’d never found a man who made her glow like that, and smile until her cheeks hurt, and blush.
Darren Brown made her blush…and smile. The timing was off, though. Maddie needed to achieve her goals before she could even think about letting a man back into her life.
Chapter Eight
Maddie tapped her nails on the table top. She arrived at Green’s restaurant early to mentally prepare herself for another face to face with the man she couldn’t stop thinking about and who starred in the erotic dreams waking her up every morning sexually frustrated and completely off-balance.
She needed to get a grip.
The small restaurant was busy. Most people took their orders to go and Maddie hoped they weren’t just taking it back to work. She appreciated her lunch breaks. She learned early in her career to take time in the middle of the day to ground herself. She didn’t tend to take on her client’s problems, but it was still emotionally draining to guide them on their journeys to mental well-being.
