Free Falling Free: What happens in Vegas... (The Fall Series) by Annica Rossi Page A

sitting
face-to-face with Parker, amazed how this simple gesture from him reminded me
so much of my father and the last time in my life when I truly felt happy and
free. Until now.
    I hesitated as I took the gift
from his hand gently. All I could do was stare at it until his voice broke the
tension, “Go head. Open it. You’re killing me.”
    We both laughed while I opened
the box nervously. My heart was thumping in my ears. I briefly hoped I wouldn’t
find jewelry or anything else too expensive and over-the-top inside. To my
relief I didn’t. Caught off guard, I made a funny face as I held the shiny
object in my hand. It was a purple iPod with matching ear buds. Purple, my
favorite color. He remembered. I looked up at him not sure what to say.
    “So...” he began shyly, “If you
want to run while you’re here I ordered a treadmill for you. It’s top of the
line, but I’m afraid the view’s not as nice as what you’re used to. You can’t
just walk outside and go for a run here you know. It’s way too hot and too
crowded, and besides, I want to be the only one who gets to see you all sweaty
and glowing when you’re done.”
    I blinked up at him. If I wasn’t
already sitting down those dimples would’ve brought me to my knees. Running is so
important to me. Thankfully I packed my running shoes just in case, and this
purple iPod matched them perfectly. How did he know so much about me after all
this time? I was speechless.
    He stood abruptly and grabbed his
boxers off the floor, dragging them on slowly. That’s when I realized I still
hadn’t thanked him. The silent treatment probably wasn’t what he’d expected,
and I was suddenly worried I may have hurt his feelings.
    “I have to get ready for my
meeting. The treadmill is two doors down to the left if you want to check it
out.”
    I stopped him before he walked
into the bathroom. “Parker, thank you. This…” I looked down at the shiny purple
iPod and then back at him, “it means more than you know.”
     I was relieved to see his smile
come back. Yep, this was clearly uncharted territory for the infamous Parker
Blackwell, and as much as I hated to admit it, the same could be said for the
stubborn Lauren St. John.
    “Good,” he replied. “Go help
yourself to some breakfast or call room service if you want. I should be done
with the meeting in an hour or so.”
     

    Food was the last thing on my
mind. I climbed out of bed as soon as the bathroom door closed behind him and
made my way back to my room. I washed my face quickly and brushed my teeth
before throwing my hair up in a messy ponytail and digging through my bag to
find my running shoes, sports bra and yoga pants. I secured the iPod to my
waist and almost ran down the hall. I couldn’t wait to run.
    I burst through the door and
stopped dead in my tracks as I scanned across the enormous corner windows taking
in the panoramic view of the strip before me. The view is not as nice as
what I’m used to? Really? It wasn’t the peaceful calming blue and soft
white sand that I was accustomed to, but it was stunning in a whole different way.
There was so much to look at. Almost too much to take in at once I thought as I
looked down at the cars and tiny shapes of people moving about the sidewalks. And
the lights! They were even lit up during the day. Amazing!
    I examined the treadmill and
quickly got acquainted with the functions. Parker was right. This was a quality
machine, and I knew I was in for a nice smooth run. I braced my feet on either
side and looked down to turn on the iPod as the belt came humming to life
beneath me. It was almost comical, but I never even thought about what I would
be listening to until that very moment. I looked around the room and laughed to
myself as I wondered who loaded the music. Parker? The thought of him choosing
music for me added a whole new dimension to things. I hesitated before pressing
the button, took a deep breath and started jogging as the familiar intro