Free Noble Love (The Nobles of Sweet Rapids #1) by Té Russ Page B

handed it to her when she stopped in front of him.
    "Thanks," she said, taking a long swig.
    He leaned against the door jamb and grinned as he said, "If you still have enough energy to get up and jog..." He looked over her shoulder at the display screen on the treadmill. "...Eight miles," he said, impressed, "Then I must have not done as good of a job as I thought."
    "You did a fantastic job," she assured him, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before backing away. "It's just a habit I suppose. But it wasn't without difficulty that I got out of the bed this morning."
    As she began to do her post-workout stretches, Isaiah sat in her office chair. "So, running is your thing?"
    "Yep," she said. "Started in college."
    "Is that how you got so toned?"
    A throaty laugh floated from her lips. "If by getting toned, you mean losing about thirty pounds of 'baby fat' as my parents affectionately called it, even in high school, then yes. But you're sweet for being kind with your words."
    "I meant no harm–"
    "Oh, I know, Isaiah," she said, waving off his comment. "No harm was done. I've always been comfortable in my own skin, no matter what size it's been."
    Her confidence showed in every aspect. The way she walked, talked and carried herself. He'd remembered that same confidence when they were younger. To him, she was beautiful no matter the size of her body. It was the size of her heart that was pulling him under her spell.
    He nodded and asked, "Do you just run on the treadmill or do you run outdoors too?"
    "I love running outdoors," she said.
    "If you don't mind the company, maybe I can join you some time."
    Tessa stood, and Isaiah did as well.
    "That would be great. I knew you were a runner," she said, smiling at him. "I need to get in the shower, and get ready for work."
    His mouth spread into a wide grin. "Another place I'd like to join you."
    Tessa yelped when he scooped her up in to his arms and her laughter floated through the house as he carried her back to the bedroom.

Chapter 13
     
    T essa hurried into the bakery over an hour late. Dana was in the shop area putting fresh desserts in the display case. The bakery was set to open in twenty minutes.
    "I'm so sorry I'm late," Tessa said, tossing the apron over her head. "Mama's not here, is she?"
    Dana spun her finger in a circle, ordering Tessa to turn around. "No, oddly enough," she said, helping Tessa tie her apron on. Tessa turned back around when Dana was done and headed toward the kitchen.
    "Good," she said. "The last thing I need is Mama questioning why I was late this morning."
    "Why were you late this morning?" Dana asked, right on Tessa's heels.
    Tessa grabbed the hair tie off of her wrist and gathered her hair to the top of her head before getting a hair net. It had reverted back to its normally curly state once she took her shower that morning.
    Her very long, very sexy shower with Isaiah.
    "I...uh...overslept," she lied.
    Dana studied her for a minute. "Overslept, huh?"
    "Mmmhmm." Tessa turned away from her sister's inquisitive gaze.
    "Late for work...glowing skin...not to mention that big ass hickey on your neck..."
    Tessa gasped and her hand flew to her neck, causing Dana to break out in a fit of laughter.
    "You got laid, didn't you?"
    "Dana!"
    Dana was still laughing. "He must have really knocked your bottom out if you couldn't even get up to get to work on time."
    Tessa huffed at her sister, who was still laughing, as she put the hair net on her head.
    Dana hugged Tessa from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder. "Oh, you know I'm just teasing. But seriously though, did you and Isaiah..." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
    Tessa had told Dana she was going out with Isaiah and had promised to give her all of the details. After another moment of silence, Tessa nodded her head. Dana squealed and squeezed Tessa tighter.
    "I knew it! Lucky. At least one of us is getting some," she said, finally releasing Tessa.
    "What about Aiden?" Tessa said, as Dana went to