Heaven With You by Rebecca Julia Lauren Read Free Book Online Page A

the thick threes, parks, and running trails.
    I tried not to think about Hunter, but when I passed the street he lived on I had to resist the urge to get off the trail and go see if he was home. After last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.  Looking back, I could not believe I’d actually thought he’d want to sleep with me. Men that looked like Hunter could have their pick of women, and I’m sure he’d pick someone more sophisticated with less baggage than me. Because he was a good guy, he tried to help me with my problems even though they were none of his concern.
    My feet hit the pavement and I lost myself in the music as I ran through the wooded trails. Five miles later the path opened up providing a spectacular view of Lake Houston. I turned to see a boat gliding through the water, which is why I didn’t see the man in front of me.
    I slammed into a solid wall of muscle and gasped. Strong arms reached out to steady me, but I gasped and jumped back. I didn’t like to be touched.
    “Izzy, it’s me.”
    Hunter’s voice penetrated the fog of panic that was like a thick cloud in my mind. Forcing myself to take deep, calming breaths I lifted my chin and met Hunter’s questioning gaze. He probably thought I was a nutcase since I’d practically tackled him and then freaked out when he tried to stop me from falling.
    “Hunter.”
    “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He spoke in a low, cautious tone that people used on someone they thought might lose it.
    “I don’t like to be touched.” I hadn’t meant to say that aloud, wished I could take the words back but Hunter’s gaze snapped to mine and I knew he wasn’t going to let it go.
    “At all or just by strange men?”
    I began to fiddle with one of my ear-buds that had fallen out. “It doesn’t matter. I didn’t mean to say that.”
    I felt him watching me, and I shifted uncomfortably, afraid that he was seeing far more than I intended.
    “I’m sorry.”
    Shaking my head, I asked, “Why? I’m the one that tackled you.”
    “You’re the one that’s upset about it.”
    “I’m not upset.” Okay, I sounded kind of upset and maybe even a little crazy.
    “Okay.” He spoke calmly. “Since neither one of us is upset, maybe we can take a break and talk.  Unless you’re in a hurry.”
    He gestured toward a picnic table, and I got my first real look at Hunter McAllister wearing black athletic shorts, running shoes and one of those expensive quick-dry shirts, also in black. My gaze slid down his hard body, pausing to admire the muscles that rippled beneath his shirt and flattened at his trim waist. He also had the legs of an athlete, carved with muscle and strong.
    I glanced up and locked eyes with Hunter, who was watching me check him out.  My face heated and I braced myself for a comment from him, but it never came. He stood silently, his expression stoic, apparently waiting for me to make the next move.
    “I’ve got nowhere to be.”
    He smiled and my stomach flipped. “Good.” We stood there in the middle of the trail, until he asked, “Do you want to sit down?”
    I blinked, having been lost in his eyes. “Okay.” This time I didn’t stare at him like I’d never seen a hot guy before. I turned and sat down at the picnic table by the water, and Hunter took a seat across from me.
    Glancing down self-consciously, I saw that my tank had molded to my chest.  Unlike his shirt mine was cheap cotton, and I folded my arms over my body even though Hunter’s eyes never left mine.
    “If this is about last night, I’ll just go ahead and apologize. I don’t know why I thought you’d ever want to have sex with me. I’m really sorry.”
    His brows lifted, but he said nothing, just stared at me as if he was trying to figure out if I was sane.
    “I’ll never do anything like that again. I don’t know what else I can do to make it up to you. If you’ll give me some time, I’ll work out a payment plan.”
    He seemed irritated.
    “What do