I woke up to find Cruz gone. I sighed, staring up at my ceiling. Typical.

Just when I’d thought I had found a guy that would be worth my while, he just ended up being like all the rest.

I was about to roll out of bed when my hand ran over a piece of paper pinned to the spare pillow. I grabbed it. It was filled with a messy scrawl that I could barely understand. I grabbed my reading glasses from the nightstand and sat up, pressing the sheets to my still naked body.

Amelia,

I do not want you to take my absence as a lack of interest. Last night was amazing. No… amazing does not even come close to describing it. You truly blew my mind. But, I had to go to work this morning and find out what is happening. I need to get to the bottom of this and stop it before you get hurt. Try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone, okay? Call me at any time if you need me.

Yours,

S. Cruz

I stared at his signature for a moment. Even though I had slept with this man, I still didn’t know his first name. Hell, I didn’t know anything about him, really. Yet there was this ethereal connection between us that I couldn’t quite explain. It was like my heart strings had tethered to his, and I honestly had no idea why.

Ding!

My phone went off. My heart skipped a beat, expecting a text from Cruz, but all I got was a notification that all my lives had recharged on Candy Crush. Why had I installed that stupid game in the first place?

I tossed my phone back on the bed before I got up, heading for the bathroom. As I walked, my thighs ached slightly. I smiled to myself. Cruz had been an animal. At one point, I’d thought we would actually break the bed.

And I had loved every single minute of it.

I sighed in satisfaction as I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water run over my body. My skin still tingled. I could almost feel the trail of kisses he’d left behind. I had never experienced someone with a tongue so skilled… Just thinking about it sent a shiver running down my spine.

To be honest, I couldn’t wait to see him again, and I didn’t say that very often.

When I was done with my shower, I tossed on some workout gear. From the looks of it, the weather had turned around. Maybe I’d be able to go for a morning – well, afternoon – run without getting soaked by the rain.

I popped in some earbuds and headed out the door.

Soon, my feet stepped into a perfect rhythm, propelling me forward. I did a lap around the neighborhood, deftly avoiding any puddle in my path, singing along to the music.

“Now, if we are talking body… you got a perfect one… so put it on me… Swear it won’t take you long… If you love me right… we fuck for life… on and on and on…”

I floated on my runner’s high until I reached a nearby park, settling into one of the benches. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and tapped the app I used to write whenever I was on the go. My fingers flew across the keyboard, detailing every little thing that had happened to me last night, from the Ferris Wheel fiasco, to the motorcycle ride, and of course, the whole murder attempt.

As I typed, a shadow suddenly swept over me, blocking out the sun. I looked up to find a large, well-built man standing in front of me.

I tensed up.

Could this be the hitman who had followed us last night? I subtly searched his person for any sort of concealed weapon, but his tight muscle shirt didn’t leave much to the imagination.

“Hello.” He flashed a dazzling smile. “I couldn’t help but notice that you were sitting here alone. Is everything alright?”

“Oh, I’m fine. Just thought I would take a little break… not all of us can run a marathon.” I said, glancing over at him.

“Are you implying that I can?” He returned, plopping down beside me. “If I can be completely honest with you…” He leaned in slowly like he was going to tell me a great big secret. “...I actually suck as a runner. I’m pretty slow.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Then run a lap with me and find out.” He offered with a sweet smile that would be impossible to refuse.

“You’re smooth, I’ll give you that much.”

He chuckled. “So... what do you say?” He was already up on his feet, holding out his hand.

I grabbed it. “Sure.”

We started to run together. At first, neither one of us said a word. Our steps were in perfect sync. Then, as we rounded the bend, he caught my eye and grinned. “I’ll race you to the fountain.”

About a hundred yards ahead was a bubbling water fountain, surrounded by an army of pigeons. “You’re on,” I smirked, charging forward.

Quickly, I was running as fast as I could, pumping my arms to push me even faster. Despite my best efforts, my running partner quickly caught up to me, taking the lead.

I growled, my competitiveness coming to the forefront. I pushed myself even harder, my calves burning with the effort. Even so, I lost the race by a hair.

“You hustled me!” I protested, trying to catch my breath. .”

“Oh?” The corner of his lips twitched in amusement.

“Rematch. Now.” I demanded.

He chuckled. “Fine, we can have a rematch, but only if you tell me your name.”

“Amelia.”

He smiled.“Pretty.”

“What’s yours?”

“John.”