Spark by Brooke Cumberland Read Free Book Online Page B

this whole time.” She pulls back, pressing her hands into my shoulder.
    “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, I promise. A nd um, thanks for sending Eric…I think.” I giggle a little. “I mean, he rescued me…once again.”
    “I didn’t know what else to do, Lane. Lord knows I don’t run. If I went looking for you, we’d both be lost and die out there.”
    “Well, that’s a pretty picture.” I smile, hugging her tight again. “Well, I’m off to shower and bed.”
    “So, any woodsy outdoor sex happen?” she asks, smirking.
    “Oh yes. Lots and lots of steamy outside sex. In fact, I think I have twigs still in my hair,” I say sarcastically, acting overly dramatic just to mess with her.
    “ You go girl.” She winks at me, and I roll my eyes as I walk away, wishing things ended differently tonight.

**5**
     
     
     
     
    I wake up for another day of work, and skip my run. It’s Tuesday, which is laundry day, which also means I have hardly any clothes left to wear. I really need to expand my closet, but I’m not fussy about my clothes like Carissa is.
    “Riss!” I call out, wrapped in a towel. “I need something to wear. Pick me something out, please!” I beg, hoping she hears my desperate tone.
    “One of these days, I’m taking you shopping for your own clothes!” She fakes a smile and hands me a black pencil skirt, dark purple top, and black pumps.
    “I’m going into work, not a night club,” I groan, taking the clothes out of her hand.
    “Listen, smarty pants. That’s all I have. Or go naked.” Carissa was feisty in the morning. She didn’t do well in the AM. I always tease her for it.
    “ Rawr.” I wagged my eyebrows at her, smirking.
    I finish my morning routine, make some coffee, and grab my bag. If there was one thing I loved however, it was purses. I had about twenty of them stashed in my closet.
    I walk down the hall, sipping my coffee when Eric comes into my view. His hair is still wet from a shower, and he’s wearing a tight black V-neck t-shirt. He looks amazing. Almost too amazing.
    “Good morning, sweetheart.” He smiles, stopping in front of me.
    “Good morning,” I repl y, trying to hide the stupid grin on my face. “I think you’re on the wrong floor,” I joke.
    “I was just coming to see you actually. Making sure you didn’t come down with anything after being out in the cold for so long. I even brought you soup.” He holds up a grocery bag in one of his hands that I don’t notice earlier.
    “Wow, that’s so nice. Thank you. I feel fine actually. Skipped my run, but I’ll be back at it tomorrow.” I smile, reaching for the bag of soup he hands me.
    “I think I need to run with you from now on,” he states matter-of-factly.
    “I don’t need an escort. I won’t go back in the woods, don’t worry.” I take another sip of my coffee, never taking my eyes off him.
    He presses his hand over his heart, pretending to be heart broken. “You damage me, Velaney.” I laugh. “Way to shoot a man down.”
    “Shut up! You are such a boy,” I tease back. “If you want me to be your running partner, just ask.” I cock my hip out, daring him to say the words.
    “That’s what I like about you, Velaney. Direct and to the point.” He smiles, making my whole body shiver, almost making me want to drop everything and wrap my arms around him. His smile is perfect. Too perfect. It reaches so high, it almost touches his eyes. He has the most perfect teeth I’ve ever seen, which actually says a lot considering I’ve seen tons of teeth in my day.
    I shrug nonchalantly. “I don’t play games.”
    “Fine.” He presses. “Be my running partner.”
    “That’s not asking. That’s demanding!” I take a step closer to him, nudging him.
    “Oops. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He smiles, nudging me back.
    “Fine. But this time, knock!” I glare at him, making him laugh back at my expression.
    “But then how will I be sure to get a good view in the