Phoenix Rising Issue #3 - S. R. Watson Page 0,24

I like the time to myself. Clear my head kind of thing. My me time.”

“All right. I get it,” she retorts as she turns over and covers her head.

I don a pair of shorts and head for the door. No shoes needed for the sand. I’m barely to the first step when I spot Harlow bent over in front of me. Her spandex-clad ass makes my cock twitch. They barely cover her ass cheeks. I avert my gaze to admire the orange hues of the sunrise. Seagulls sound in the distance.

“Morning,” she greets.

I mistakenly look down at her. Her tits bevel over her sports bra and tank. I swallow the lump in my throat. I wasn’t doing a very good job of diverting my attention elsewhere. The quicker I start my run, the better because my dick is already at half-mast. From the looks of her posture, I’ve walked out on her stretching. For what? I’m not going to stick around long enough to find out the answer.

“Morning,” I mumble. I give her a slight wave to avoid being rude and begin my jog in the opposite direction.

Only she quickly matches my stride. “What are you doing?”

I pick up the pace just slightly, but she speeds up.

“Going for a morning jog. Same as you,” she answers as if it’s the most logical thing ever.

“Well, have a good one.” I try once again to pick up the pace, but once again, she won’t be outpaced.

For the next few minutes, we run together in silence. I’m impressed with her ability to keep up. When I finally slow to a comfortable jog, it’s no surprise she does the same. I continue past the point I reached yesterday. I don’t want to think about the reason. I mean, it’s not like I’m trying to extend my alone time with her.

Another few minutes pass before I slow to a brisk walk. Harlow’s breathing is pronounced, but she matches my stride. Her short legs have to walk twice as fast to keep up. Taking some pity on her, I slow down because it’s apparent I won’t shake her.

“Your cardio is no joke,” she teases as she tries to hide how much she’s winded.

“It can use some work actually. Intermittent workouts while on this tour have me a bit out of shape.”

“Well, if that’s out of shape, I’d hate to see you in shape. It took everything I had to keep up with you.” She wipes a bead of sweat from her chest, and my eyes follow.

“So why did you?” She looks away before she answers.

“Do what?” So that’s how she wants to play it.

“Why did you work so hard to keep up with me? Why go for a run at all?”

“I figured I could use the workout—”

“Lies,” I retort, cutting her off.

“Okay, well, I needed the workout since I’m not getting the other kind of workout.” Her face flushes even more crimson than from just being overheated from the run. Little Miss Harlow has just insinuated she needed the run because she’s not being fucked. My dick twitches again with renewed interest.

“So you’re basically telling me that you miss my cock,” I muse.

“Don’t be so crude.”

“Well, I don’t hear you denying it.”

She pulls her hair out of the messy topknot and runs her hand through the strands. “Well, the point is moot anyway. You have a woman occupying your bed at night,” she smarts off.

“Yep. And she’s still there. It didn’t stop you from joining me on my run this morning.”

A little oceanfront diner comes into view. I didn’t bring any money, but Harlow is now heading that way, so I guess I am too. I’m not letting her off the hook.

“You know, you don’t have to be cocky and so full of yourself. Sorry I said anything.”

“Just to clue you in, my question was purely rhetorical. The minute you insisted on running with me this morning, I had the answers I needed. You waiting outside the beach house wasn’t coincidental. You planned this. You have me here with you, so now what?”

“I’m going to have breakfast, that’s what.”

“With what money? I didn’t even bring a wallet.”

“I have money. You can pay me back later or not. Your choice.”

She reaches for the case strapped around her arm, carrying her iPhone. She slides out a debit card and waves it in front of me. Now I really do wonder how much of this she had planned, but I keep it to myself.

“We’re not wearing shoes?”

“So?”

“What if it’s