Free Run to Love (Triple R Book 1) by Jules Dixon Page A

you’re—”
    “Incoming!” Emerson yelled from about fifteen feet away, throwing me a cold water bottle.
    I caught the airborne plastic rocket and turned to help Presley sit up. “Here. How do you feel now?”
    “I feel like an idiot.” Presley took a long drink. “This happened with Mitch, too. I can’t go faster than a ten-minute mile. Never have been able to.” She dropped her head. “Sorry.”
    I sat next to her and rested my hand at the small of her back. “You’re not an idiot, and don’t be sorry. I was too interested in our conversation. I like talking to you and I let my attention … well, I just should’ve been paying more attention.”
    Presley’s head came back up, and I smiled lightly. She smiled back and our eyes connected. Even with her pupils still dilated from the distress of almost fainting, it was easy to see there was attraction and desire running like wild horses through those green beauties.
    The moment seemed almost more important than anything I’d said before, to anyone. “Presley, I’d like to take you on a—”
    “What the hell happened here?” Blake’s harsh voice bit through the air.
    Presley’s eyes widened as she stared up at him.
    Rising to my feet, I faced Blake. “I pushed her a little too hard. Guess I wanted to make a good impression, and I overdid it. Sorry, Presley, and sorry, Blake.”
    Blake stalked past me to Presley. “Why don’t you come to my office and rest for a while? I don’t think you should drive. I’ll take you to work and have Jamal drive your car there later. Okay?”
    “Blake, I’m fine.” Presley began to stand from the bench but her legs crumbled. She clutched my arm for support.
    “Nope, not fine.” Blake pointed a finger at me. “Jude, get her to my office now.”
    I scooped Presley up and started walking. She laid her head against my shoulder, her nose nuzzled into the side of my neck. Anyone looking from the outside wouldn’t have noticed the move, but I felt it. My head spun with the thought that this woman had almost been hurt by my distraction. My heart swelled knowing she wanted this as badly as I did. And my gut churned wondering if I’d screwed up my chance with her and at Triple R.
    But this is real.
    There was something here, and whatever it was, I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

Chapter Seven
     
Presley
    I’d never been so embarrassed. Except for the first time that’d happened. At least that time I’d made my way to the locker room before I’d became totally incoherent and vertically challenged. A couple of other gym patrons had stopped and asked me if I was okay, and I’d said I had cramps. It was a good cover. They’d nodded like they understood and moved on. I was sure that was where Emerson saw me.
    As Jude scooped me up from the treadmill to carry me to the bench, I almost felt like I was being rescued. But from what? Myself? Everything? His warm body was comforting, and he smelled woodsy with a hint of cherry and sandalwood. My whole body tingled with want or maybe it was lack of oxygen. Whatever was happening, the reaction warmed me deep inside. Jude was beginning to ask me something that made his gold-glittered hazel eyes dart between mine. His Adam’s apple rose and fell with a deep swallow, but then a very pissed-off Blake had interrupted us.
    Now Jude carried me to Blake’s office. His sultry scent inspired my body to respond and my nipples hardened through my workout bra and my pink cotton t-shirt, the tight peaks brushed against his shiny black performance shirt, causing zings of awareness to strike between my legs.
    “I’ll take it from here, Jude,” Blake huffed, backing Jude out the door after he’d set me gently in a chair.
    “I’d like to stay to make sure she’s okay.”
    “You have another client in twenty minutes. She’ll be fine with me. I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Okay. Again, sorry, Presley.” Jude’s eyes displayed his apology.
    “Not your fault, Jude, genetics and