Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,45

to think about more than how he was going to afford his next meal. After walking them to the door, he said goodbye to Tyrone and Roger, then watched them drive away. As he turned around, he spied the same excitement mirrored in Marty and Bob’s expressions as well. “Well, boys, it looks like we’ve got some shopping to do.”

13

Torin locked his door and jogged downstairs as soon as he got the text from Erin that she had just parked outside the pub. It was early in the morning, and they were going to run together over some of the streets that would make up part of the marathon course. He hadn’t seen her since the night she’d spent with him, and the memory of the amazing morning where he’d memorized as well as worshiped her body had stayed with him in full Technicolor glory.

Now, with her having a morning free, he was anxiously looking forward to spending more time with her. He’d thought about asking her to come up to his apartment before they ran but knew if she stepped into his apartment he’d want her naked and under him. And we need to run.

He had just locked the door and turned around when she walked up and his gaze raked over her from head to toe. Dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. Racerback sports bra tank top. Running shorts. Toned legs. Running shoes. And the whole package was fuckin’ gorgeous. Suddenly uncertain, he hesitated, but she didn’t as she jogged the last few steps and threw her arms around him, plastering her front to his. She leaned up on her toes, her lips landing on his. Shocked for only a second, his arms quickly banded around her, and the kiss sparked throughout his body. Angling his head, he took the kiss deeper as his tongue thrust through her open lips.

She settled back on her heels and looked up with a smile on her face. “Hey, partner.”

Chuckling, he hugged her tighter. “Hey yourself, partner.”

They began their stretches, now comfortable in each other’s space. After warming their muscles, they began jogging toward the Inner Harbor. The city was coming alive with preparations for the marathon and they watched with interest as they ran past.

On street corners were stacks of temporary fencing that had been piled up by the city to be erected the day before the marathon by city maintenance workers. Sanitation workers were out in full force, adding more trash receptacles along the road, knowing that almost a million spectators would line the sidewalks of the twenty-six-mile course. There was a heavier police presence helping to direct traffic since the sanitation and maintenance workers needed traffic stopped occasionally as they unloaded supplies.

Torin glanced to the side, seeing Erin watching with interest. “It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it?”

She glanced up at him as they continued to run, her interest focused on him. “All the activity?”

“Yeah. It takes so much preparation. It’s hard to imagine what this place will look like in another week.”

She nodded, and they continued to jog in silence for another moment. She finally glanced to the side again and asked, “I hate to bring up anything negative, but do you ever think about the security surrounding this event?”

“I’ve heard some people in the bar talk about it. So many patrons are first responders that I think it comes naturally to them to discuss non-confidential work in the pub. From what I can tell, each one of them is focused more on what their specialty is.”

“You’re probably right. Rory has talked about making sure all the ambulances are ready, and everyone knows the alternate routes to get to the hospitals.”

“I heard Blay King and some of the firefighters talking the other day about the same thing. Crowd control and alternate routes in case there’s a fire somewhere and the trucks can’t get through.”

“My dad still consults with the FBI, and I know there are serious concerns about someone doing something stupid.”

“Stupid?” he asked, his focus on her as they crossed one of the roads and started running through a park.

“Well, I suppose that’s really not the correct description. Dangerous would be a better word. Like someone with a weapon going nuts and deciding to take a bunch of people out.”

“You know,” he said, “I can remember a time when people could gather together, whether it was a parade, a sporting event, or concert, and no one was afraid. No one was worried that someone would get into