Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Eventually, my body gave out and my legs slowed to a step or two every few seconds while my chest heaved like I’d just finished a marathon. Sweat poured down my body and it wouldn’t stop, even as the ocean breeze picked up my hair and blew it in all directions. I felt like a hot mess and I could only imagine what I looked like.
“Ow!” My foot hit a small pothole at an odd angle and twisted enough to make my legs give out. “Son of a shit!”
I looked around at my surroundings and reached for my phone, only to find no service out here near the cliffs. To make matters worse, there was only one structure on this stretch of road and it had been unoccupied for years. The big craftsman mansion had been built before I was born and over the years it had taken on many owners, rich families who dreamed of using it as a summer home, except the rich and powerful rarely took summers off. So, the house sat empty until it was sold, again and again.
I looked up at the sky and shook my fist. “This is what happens when I decide to get healthy and in shape. Bad things.” That act of defiance didn’t make me feel better and it did nothing to get me closer to home, or cell service.
I needed to get up. I had to make my way to the top of the cliff and hope I got enough of a signal to call for help, or—I looked over my shoulder at the route that had brought me here—I had to limp two and a half miles back home.
“Up,” I growled as I brought myself up to my feet—well, to be fair, to my foot. The right ankle had twisted itself good and I could already feel it swelling in my shoe. “Up the cliff,” I grunted and did a little hop and drag motion to get me closer and closer to the top of the cliff.
It was only a few hundred feet, but the journey felt as if it lasted centuries. By the time I was halfway there, I was covered in even more sweat and my teeth chattered from the cool ocean breeze. My heart felt as if it was trying to beat out of my chest and my lungs burned like someone doused them in alcohol and lit a match to them. “This. Sucks.” And it sucked even more when I made it up there and still had no cell service.
“No.” I collapsed on the damp grass and fell backwards with a groan. “I guess this is where I’ll die.” It was dramatic, for certain, but a woman had a right to be dramatic every now and then. It was female prerogative.
“Hey! You, over there. This is private property, which means you’re trespassing!” The voice was distinctly male with the crashing waves and now howling wind, that was all I could determine. Oh, and he was upset.
“This is actually a vacant property,” I shouted back, too exhausted to get up and confront the man. “You’re the one trespassing, so back off before I have to call the sheriff.”
I didn’t like to name drop, it was gross, but I couldn’t move and I needed a few minutes to gather my strength to make it back to town.
I smiled when silence surrounded me, happy my threat had sent the angry man on his way.
“Suzie Wright, is that you?”
I froze at the sound of the now all-too-familiar voice. “Gavin? What are you doing all the way out here?”
“I was relaxing inside until the perimeter alarm sounded that there was an intruder.”
I sat up at his words and frowned. “Intruder?” I pointed to the beautiful mansion. “You live there?” I shook my head. “Of course, you live there.”
“I do. I bought the place a few years back, and I got a great price for it, too. How did you know I lived here?”
“I didn’t,” I admitted sheepishly and told him all about my misadventures while running. “I finally came to my senses and stopped only to twist my ankle, and find cell service nonexistent out here.” It was embarrassing to admit, to Gavin of all people, but it wasn’t more embarrassing than lying on the grass in a sweaty heap. “Go ahead, laugh.”
I appreciated that he didn’t pretend that it wasn’t all ridiculous and funny. “There are easier ways to get in shape, you know.”
“I do,” I groaned.
“And you could have just called if you were that eager to see me.” His deep laugh sounded when I rolled my eyes at his playful words.
“Hey! What are you doing? Put me down, right now.” I squirmed as Gavin lifted me in his arms, carrying me across the large expanse of grass and up to his beautiful, grand mansion. “Gavin.” He smelled so good and his arms were rock hard, strong as hell. Did I mention how good he smelled? Like man and ocean and sex.