Free Running Home to You (The Running Series) by Suzanne Sweeney

kiss upon his lips.
    “Damn right, I am.  We have this room for a few more hours, Juliette.  And I know exactly how I would like to spend them.”  He rubs up against me with a devilish look upon his face.  Without a word, he gently strokes my hair, trailing kisses across my shoulders.  I run my fingers across the defined lines of his chest, tracing the path of his treasure trail, stopping as his body shivers beneath my touch.
    Silently, our hands explore and seek pleasure while our mouths remain silent.  Soft kisses express the multitude of emotions we share as we gaze deeply into each other’s eyes.  Our naked bodies remain completely exposed to each other, surrendering to the other for hours of pleasure and passion.  I can't contain the ferocious swell of emotion that needs release - the love and need, as well as the anger and fear about what awaits us when we leave this refuge. 
    One touch of Evan’s gentle tongue on my burning hot skin wipes all the heavy thoughts from my mind, leaving only one – how much more of this pleasant torture can I endure before I demand he take me completely.
    By noon we are packed, checked out of our room, and in Evan’s Porsche headed directly to Adam’s house.  I don’t know what awaits us, but I know that we’re ready for whatever obstacles are thrown in our path.
    Evan calls Adam to tell him we’re on the way using the Bluetooth connection with his car stereo, allowing me to listen in to their conversation. 
    “Okay, Evan, tell me – have you been drug tested during preseason camp yet?” Adam asks.
    “No.  Some of the other guys have, but not me.  Not yet, anyway,” Evan explains.
    Adam doesn’t seem surprised, “That’s probably because you’re not really practicing with the team right now.  How would you feel about voluntarily submitting to an immediate drug screening?”
    When Evan readily agrees, Adam tells him to go directly to the stadium and wait for one of the technicians from the National Center for Drug Free Sport to meet him there.  He’s already arranged for Evan to take urine tests today to put the rumors to rest.  He explains to us that it’s best to let the league handle this and to just carry on as usual.  He doesn’t think we should make a big deal about it and give the rumors mills any attention whatsoever.  The moment Evan speaks out about it, it will become newsworthy, but right now, it’s just gossip and innuendo. 
    When we arrive the technicians are already there waiting for Evan in the team’s offices.  The entire procedure takes less than an hour.  After we leave the stadium, Evan drops me off at Rush, and then heads over to Adam’s house to let off a little steam.  The boys are going to work out together for a few hours, then throw a football around on the high school field.  Evan’s mood seems to be lifting and I am grateful for it.

    I arrive at the dessert bar, and the restaurant is a flurry of activity.  The entire staff is present and prepping for tomorrow’s big day, our Soft Opening.  It’s great to see everyone here in uniform working together as a cohesive team.  Emmy notices me first, and she comes running out from behind the bar to greet me.  “Hey, girl.  How was your day in Atlantic City?”
    “I don’t know, Emmy.  Evan’s been acting really weird lately.  One minute he’s preoccupied with his work, the next minute he’s all hearts and flowers.  One minute he’s happy, the next he’s on the verge of tears.  I’m trying hard to be understanding and supportive, but it’s not easy,” I tell her.
    Sensing my stress, Emmy leans in and gives me a big hug, then holds me at arm’s length and tells me, “Hang in there, Jette.  Stick with him.  Wait it out.  Things will get better, you’ll see.”  She grabs me by the hand, and makes me sit at the bar.  She scurries behind the bar, joining Derek and the other bartenders.
    Derek stops what he’s doing and saunters over to greet me.