Parker (Striking Back #3) Read Free Page B

laugh and receive a surreptitious
middle finger.
    Luckily,
one of the women knows her stuff when it comes to fishing and gets everyone set
up. I’ve never been the outdoors type. I can bait the hook, cast, and reel it
in. That’s about it. My fishing experience is limited to video games.
    After
chatting with the women for a bit, I notice Macy sitting under a tree a few
feet away, a laptop balanced on her crossed legs. “Who brings a laptop to go
fishing?” I tease, standing over her.
    Sweet
brown eyes peek up at me. “I could lie and say I feel sorry for the fish, but
the truth is much more girly. I don’t want to touch the worm. Plus, I have work
to do.”
    “What
kind of work do you do?” I ask, sitting beside her.
    “Copywriting
and editing.”
    “Funny,
you don’t sound like a grammar nerd.”
    “It
doesn’t spill over into my conversations,” she agrees with a laugh. “I’m guilty
of saying ain’t, or different than instead of different from.”
    “You
rebel,” I taunt, and she throws a leaf at me.
    Shadows
shift across her face as she grins up at me. “Shouldn’t you be patrolling the
perimeter or something, Mr. Bodyguard?”
    “Are
you trying to get rid of me?”
    A
light blush sweeps across her pale cheeks. “Of course not. I’ve had worse
company.”
    “I’m
going to take that as a compliment.”
    “You
do that.” Her gaze follows two runners as they jog past on a trail circling the
lake.
    “It’s
kind of hot to be running,” I remark. The humidity is sky high today and the
sun seems too close, baking the dry grass. It looks like we’re headed for
another drought.
    “I
like to run in the evening or early morning when it’s cool.”
    My
eyes travel over her fit little body. She’s petite, tiny really. “You’re a
runner?”
    “I
haven’t had a chance since coming to S.B. of course, but I used to.” Her eyes
widen and her cheeks grow pinker. “Not that I’m not grateful to be there. I
mean, you guys have been amazing and…”
    I
lay my hand on hers. “Relax, I know. No one wants to end up here with us. Maybe
I could come run with you. You’d be safe if we stay together.” I’m shocked at
the words coming out of my mouth. Why did I offer that? I’m too affected by
this woman. It’s not just her beauty—and Christ she is beautiful—but I enjoy
just talking to her.
    “Oh,
I couldn’t ask you to do that!” she exclaims, shaking her head.
    “It’s
no problem. I need to work out too, you know. This kind of sexy doesn’t just
happen.”
    Laughing,
she shoves my shoulder. “If you think you can keep up with me.”
    “Tomorrow
morning? Six o’clock?” I suggest.
    “Sounds
great.”
    We
spend the afternoon talking and joking while her laptop lies forgotten in the
grass beside her.
     
    * * * *
     
    My
alarm blares at five-thirty a.m. What the hell was I thinking? The only time
I’m up before eight in the morning is if I’m still up. Coffee is all I can
manage this early before I drive across town to meet Macy at S.B.
    She’s
too damn cute sitting at the counter wearing a pair of pajama pants and a tee
shirt, all sleep rumpled and sexy. It makes her look younger, more innocent,
and I just want to dirty her up. Sipping a cup of coffee, she flashes me a
sheepish smile. “Give me five minutes, okay? I just woke up.”
    “No
hurry. I’m dragging ass this morning too.”
    Ms.
Den greets me with a knowing grin as she enters to prepare breakfast. “Good
morning, Parker. You’re up early.”
    “Going
for a jog,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant.
    “I
heard.”
    Macy
scoots off her stool. “Excuse me, I need to get dressed. I promise to help with
lunch, Ms. Den.”
    “Have
a good run, dear.” Ms. Den turns her wise eyes in my direction. “Never knew you
were a runner.” An impish grin creases her face.
    “Do
you think legs like these occur naturally? It takes hard work and a rigorous
workout schedule.”
    “Uh-huh.
Save the bullshit, boy. I’ve shoveled