Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Any kids?”
Was this only small talk or was Heath attempting to get to know him better? “No. I was never in a rush to settle down and become domesticated.” He actually valued his freedom to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. As long as it was legal, of course. “You?”
Heath shook his head as he ran by his side. The path was narrow enough that they kept bumping shoulders. They could run single file. In fact, if he told Heath to run in front of him, he could watch his ass bounce in those black silky running shorts he wore, or the muscles flex in his long legs.
Dayne couldn’t wait for the chance to throw those legs up in the air and plunge—
“Divorced, remember?”
Dayne shook himself mentally. He needed to pay attention to obstacles on the trail. “Ah yes. You did mention an ex last night at dinner. Sorry to hear that.”
“It was for the best.”
“She left you?”
“Yes, and unfortunately, I’m still financially recovering. When she left, so did most of my money, including savings and investments.”
“Really? And you own a penthouse in Hoboken?” How rich had he been before his divorce? Or had he been living above his means?
“Right now, the bank and I own it. The bright spot was, she quickly found her next man—who she told me is a real man, by the way—and the alimony payments will stop once she remarries. Hopefully soon.”
“See? This is why it’s easier to find someone, or someones, for the night, get your rocks off and then say goodbye. No heartbreak. No financial damage.”
“Easy enough to do until you fall in love.”
Dayne grimaced.
“You don’t believe in love?”
“I do. My parents were the epitome of love. They were two halves of a whole. But that doesn’t mean it’s for me.” With that, Dayne sprinted up the next slight incline, leaving Heath in the dust.
He was done talking about the topic of love.
Once the terrain leveled out, Dayne kicked his pace into another gear, pushing himself. Either Heath would keep up or he wouldn’t. The path was easy to follow so he knew Heath wouldn’t get lost.
But after five minutes, he slowed enough to glance over his shoulder without planting himself face first in the dirt.
Heath was nowhere to be seen. Shit.
He reversed course and ran back down the trail. He wouldn’t be a good resort host if he didn’t check on Heath to make sure he didn’t twist an ankle, break a leg, or have a damn heart attack.
As he rounded the second bend, he found Heath at a dead stop with one hand on his hip, leaning forward slightly and breathing hard.
Once Dayne reached him, he jogged in place so his muscles wouldn’t lock up. “You okay?”
Heath nodded and his words were dispersed between pants. “I didn’t realize this would be a race.”
“It’s not. But you’re in damn good shape. I figured you could keep up.”
Apparently not with the way the man was trying to catch his breath.
“Not on this terrain. Plus, I’m quickly learning that trail running is a whole other animal versus running on a treadmill. I’m using muscles I didn’t even realize I had.”
“That it is.” Dayne glanced at the runner’s watch he wore. “You want to keep going or head back?”
“Is there somewhere along this path that will give us a view of the valley?”
“Not unless you want to run up one of the mountains. We can head back and go at a slower pace.”
Heath peeled off his sweat-ringed T-shirt and used it to wipe his face. “I’ll pass on running up any mountains.”
Dayne grinned. “I thought so.”
His gaze slid over Dayne. “I guess I’ll have to settle with the view I’m currently seeing.”
Dayne stopped jogging in place, pulled out his water bottle and offered it to Heath. When he took it, he squirted some water into his mouth before handing it back. Dayne did the same before squeezing some over his head and shaking it like a wet dog. Water droplets flew, barely missing Heath. “Need to cool off a little?”
Before he could answer, Dayne squirted water on Heath’s chest. With a mumbled curse, goosebumps appeared all over the man’s damp skin.
Dayne bit one corner of his bottom lip. They were out in the woods with no one around. However, they were no longer on the ranch and instead, on state-owned land. Where anyone could come along.
But right now, the risk might be worth the reward. Last night they had concentrated on Cara. They were now in a spot where they could concentrate on each other.
He only needed Heath to be willing.
It was time to find out if he was.
Dayne closed in on Heath until the tips of their running shoes touched. The brown eyes meeting his most likely reflected what could be seen in his own: heat and anticipation.