Our Kind of Love

by Shane Morgan

  As she straightens and stretches from side to side, I jog up to her. “Morning.”

  “Morning,” she replies, turning around with her face scrunched up in curiosity. “I didn’t know you knew about this place.”

  I shrug. “Not till now. I usually push myself to the limit so I figure I’d go the extra mile, hence, how I ended up here.”

  “Cool.” She bobs her head, an impressed smile playing at her lips. “Well, I’m just getting started. Not too tired to run to the end of the cliff walk with me?”

  “Sure.” As if I’d refuse.

  We jog the rest of the way, not saying a word. I do my best to squash the gasps and the fact that I’m almost out of breath. It’s hard to do that when I’m having a difficult time keeping my eyes off her body, especially the way her butt bounces with every trek.

  It’s like she’s in slow motion, as I watch her chest rise and fall, and the sexy way her lips part and releases steady breaths. I wish we could run together every morning.

  Reign looks over at me for a second and smiles. “You seem to be keeping up all right, after covering so much already.”

  If only she knew.

  The killer about it is that I have to run the same distance back. Great! Then again, I guess it’s worth it because I get to spend a little time with Reign.

  A couple minutes later we finally reach the end. I hunch over, unable to contain the exhaustion any longer.

  I feel like a pussy, struggling to breathe.

  “Oh gosh.” Reign opens the fanny pack around her waist and takes out a bottle of water. “Here, drink this.”

  I take it quickly, stand up straight, and gulp down the water. It quenches my thirst a little but I don’t drain the bottle, in case it’s her only one.

  Putting the cap on, I hand it back to her. She takes a sip then hands it back to me. I delay taking the bottle because, wasn’t that an indirect kiss and aren’t I going to taste her lips now?

  My heart thumps as she says, “Drink some more.”

  “You sure?” I confirm, stifling my childish excitement as I take the bottle from her.

  She nods. I waste no time in finishing what’s left in the bottle. I do taste her lips; its sugary sweet, like candy chapstick or something. I love it.

  When my breathing becomes more stabilized, Reign steps up to the fence and peers out at sea. The sun’s starting to rise. I control my raging hormones and walk up next to her, never taking my eyes off her as she admires the sky.

  I don’t understand how one person can appear so divine whenever the sunlight catches her face. It leaves me breathless every time.

  “Wanna start back now?” she asks, turning to face me. I don’t drop my eyes from her, even though she’s probably aware that I must have been staring.

  “You’re really beautiful, you know that?” I say, holding her gaze.

  Smiling shyly, she looks at the ground and wipes her forehead with the back of her hand. I don’t know why though, she barely broke a sweat. As if dismissing my compliment, Reign gazes up and nods over my shoulder. “Let’s head back.”

  She steps past me. I pace behind, feeling like I shouldn’t have said anything. But what’s wrong with telling her she’s beautiful even if I’m not her boyfriend? Is that a crime?

  Reign doesn’t utter a word until we reach our starting point. She gestures me toward a huge brick building where her car’s parked.

  “I’ll drive you back,” she offers as we approach the car.

  “Thanks,” I say, happy to get off my feet, and even more ecstatic to stay in her presence longer in spite of her reacting in a weird way to my compliment.

  Backing out of the parking lot, she pulls onto the main road and takes off for my house. I keep my mouth shut. No more compliments, for now.

  FOURTEEN

  Reign

  I READ ONCE, that even if you look at another guy longer than you stare at your own boyfriend, then something’s wrong. And while I know this, I can’t stop myself from looking at Micah. His compliment from this morning keeps playing over and over in my head. The genuine way he said it, and the way his eyes pierced me like steel made me feel desired in a way I’ve never been before.

  “Close your mouth,” Aislin whispers at my back.

  I whip around fast and eye her innocently. “Excuse me?”

  “You were so drooling over Micah,” she teases. “You’ve been staring at him ever since he walked in the door.”

  That’s true. All I think about are his muscular legs in those running shorts and the stimulating way sweat dripped down his face. He looked like one of those buffed guys from a workout commercial.

  “Hello, Reign?” She snaps her fingers before my eyes. “Focus here.”

  I roll my eyes and walk out to the deck, draping over the railing. Aislin comes up next to me. “If it makes a difference, I’ve noticed him staring at you, too.”

  “Stop it,” I tell her.

  “Come on, he’s a cutie. No harm in checking him out.”

  “You sound like Claudia.”

  She bumps my arm lightly and looks over at the water. I use the opportunity to ask her about her issue with Nate. “Why have you been acting annoyed when it comes to Nate?”

  Aislin shrugs then meets my gaze. “Let’s just say, if you’re looking at another guy like that, then he’s obviously not doing something right.”

  She walks off without saying anything else. I can’t help ponder on her words. Maybe because Nate keeps initiating sex with me in more ways than just asking is pushing me away. If that’s the case, then my attraction to Micah is only a phase.

  Nothing more.

  “Why are you always contemplating so hard?”

  My whole body shudders at his husky voice. I tighten my grip on the railing and keep staring ahead.

  Micah stands beside me, looking out at the sailboats. This time I allow myself to consume his earthy scent. It’s intoxicating to my nerves, stirring up an intense feeling in my chest.

  Frick! This phase needs to hurry up and past.

  I turn my head just as he glances at me. When our eyes lock, my heart takes off on a race. Uncontrollably, I move closer, as if I’m trying to graze his hand like that night.

  What the hell am I doing? I have a boyfriend.

  Placing his hands on the railing, Micah carries his eyes down to my lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he slowly lowers his head, coming in closer than the appropriate feet that should be between us. But I can’t move away. I really can’t.

  He inches even closer to my mouth. I gasp, parting my lips to inhale him. He’s almost there when a burst of laughter interrupts the moment.

  I spin away and see Aislin leading a group out on the deck. Collecting myself, I hurry away from the railing and back inside the restaurant. I can’t believe I almost let Micah kiss me. I have to maintain distance between us. I can’t allow him to make me question my feelings for Nate like that.

  For the rest of the day, I avoid looking at Micah much less exchange any word with him or end up in a situation where we’re alone like by the railing. Later that evening, I wait outside at my car and watch for him to step out of the restaurant. When he does, I stroll up to him.

  “I have to say something to you.”

  He nods. “Okay.”

  “Micah, you seem like a really cool guy and I’d like for us to be friends, so…” I take a moment to settle the heat before it rises again. Looking in his eyes is messing with my senses. “Um…”

  “I get it,” he says with a grin. “You think I’m feeling you and you don’t want me to ruin your relationship.”

  “I…guess.”

  He laughs. “Seriously, Reign, you need to relax. I’m not trying to mess up what you have with Nate. I want to be friends too, only that.”

  A part of me is relieved, and a part of me is upset. I’m not even sure which part I’m leaning more to. And I can’t help notice the impression in his eyes. Like he doesn’t really mean what he said.

 
“Good,” I say. “I just wanted to make things clear.”

  “There’s nothing to clarify. We’re friends. It’s not like I want you to drive me home so I can seduce you into coming into my apartment where I can spend the night making hot love to you.”

  “Uh,” I breathe and back up a few steps.

  A broad grin spreads across his face and he moves forward. “Again, kidding.”

  I’m not appalled at his audacious remark, only surprised at myself for considering it when I’ve never even slept with my own boyfriend.

  He peers over my shoulder and says, “I gotta catch the trolley, definitely don’t want a ride tonight with you looking at me like that.”

  “What do you mean? How am I looking at you?” I ask, composing myself.

  “Like you’re afraid of what I’ll do to you.”

  His eyes penetrate me hard, searching for something. I shake my head and tilt up my chin. “I’m not afraid. We’re just friends.”

  “Cool. Still, I’d rather catch the trolley.” He steps past me. I let him go because he’s right; I don’t think I can drive him home tonight with these thoughts running through my head, thoughts of wanting him to touch me, to kiss me.

  “Oh,” he says in an afterthought and spin around.

  “What?”

  “Are we still on for my tour in the morning?”

  I nod.

  He flashes that sexy smile that prickles my tummy and swirls around, hurrying to the trolley. Jeez. This guy is turning me into a very bad girl.

  FIFTEEN

  Micah

  IT’S ALMOST seven thirty now. I’m wondering if we’ll have enough time to hang out before going to work at ten. I pace around the apartment until I hear a knock at the door; my stomach starts to do that thing again because I’m expecting it to be Reign.

  “Hi,” Claudia waves when I open the door.

  Her smile dwindles as she observes the reaction on my face. It’s too hard to hide my disappointment.

  “Hey,” I say, trying to sound nice.

  She peeks inside. “Mind if I come in?”

  “Why?” I ask, “Aren’t we taking off now?”

  “Jeez, Micah, I just want to see your crib, is that so bad?” She has a mischievous grin on her bright red lips. I know I shouldn’t, but I figure why not get it over with so we can leave.

  I open the door wider and invite her in. Claudia sashays past me in her blue, thigh-high cami dress with a cut-out back and wedge sandals. Her legs are pretty toned. I can’t help not look at them as she peers around the place.

  Glancing back at me, she smiles and says, “It’s really open. I like it.”

  “Cool. Ready to go?”

  “What’s the rush?” She walks back to me at the door.

  I nudge over my shoulder. “Reign and I have to be at work soon so it’s better to get going.”

  She edges closer and places her hand at my neck, caressing it. “Micah, I’ve been thinking about you, a lot.”

  Claudia eyes my chest as she speaks. Then she bites down on her bottom lip and rests both hands on my stomach, feeling my abs.

  “God, you’re hot!” she squeals.

  “Okay, stop it.” I remove her hands from my body and back into the doorway. “Let’s go.”

  Her smile fades. “Go? But I just got here.” She slants and looks over at my bed, nodding towards it as she says playfully, “Let’s go have some fun before the tour.”

  She’s either really bold, or really desperate, none too far from the other. It only means that like me, she believes in no strings attached. But I’m not so sure I’m looking for flings anymore, and even though she’s throwing herself at me, I’m not the least bit interested.

  I want Reign.

  “Claudia, I…um…I think you should go. We’ll do the tour another time.” I step forward and position myself by the door, motioning for her to leave.

  Wrinkling her brows, she sweeps her long red hair off her shoulders and scoffs as she struts past me into the hallway.

  Claudia lingers there, appearing surprised that a guy actually rejected her. “Is there something wrong?” she asks. “I thought you weren’t looking for commitment.”

  I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but I have to make it clear so she no longer has any hope of us hooking up. “Listen, you’re a beautiful girl, and any guy would be lucky to have you. I’m just not interested in being anything other than your friend, without benefits.”

  Shifting her weight from one leg to the other, Claudia twitches her face. Her eyes gaze all over the place, deliberating hard. “Is there someone else that you’re interested in hooking up with?” she finally asks me.

  “No,” I answer fast. “I’m not looking to hook up with anyone.”

  Claudia eyes me intently for a moment, not uttering a word. The air gets tense. I’m about to make up an excuse about having something to do when she seem to have forgotten about her attempts at seducing me.

  “I’m sorry about that. Let’s pretend it never happened and go hang out. Reign and I would love to help you feel welcomed here.”

  I pause a moment to consider this then decide why not because I do want to go after all.

  “Okay,” I say, “Gimme a sec.” I bustle over to the coffee table, pick up my keys and cellphone, then walk out the door and head downstairs behind Claudia. She’s all smiles again.

  The tour’s more fun than I anticipated. Newport truly is a cool place to live. A newbie like me is easily swept up by its historic features and the ocean. Everywhere I go I see the ocean. The lifestyle is relaxing. I haven’t thought about what happened in Haxtun or seen my grams face since that day I had a momentary relapse at the restaurant.

  We couldn’t see that much this morning, so we take a rain check and drive over to a café to have breakfast. It’s all fun and cool conversation until Reign’s cellphone buzzes. She looks at the screen and her expression switches to a look of uncertainty. I wonder what’s troubling her.

  Claudia’s going on about a bonfire on the beach later tonight, but I stay focus on Reign, hoping she’ll glance my way and I’ll somehow make her smile again. Gosh I like that smile. She looks nice with her hair let down, and her floral dress is cute. I wish it was windy so I could see those legs.

  “Hey,” Claudia says, pulling Reign’s attention and mine. “You two listening, or am I talking to myself?”

  “Yeah,” Reign and I answer at the same time. Finally she meets my gaze. My heart thuds as she smiles halfway.

  “So, anyways,” Claudia continues, “Micah, are you coming to the bonfire?”

  “I don’t know. I feel like a bother, letting you girls drive me around.”

  “It’s no problem,” Reign says fast. “I don’t mind.” She drops her eyes to her clam chowder, having a spoonful.

  I replay what she just said, looking down on my plate to try and hide the grin that’s fighting to spread across my face. When I recover and look up again, I glimpse Claudia. She’s studying us carefully.

  “So,” she chimes, “Micah, where in Colorado are you from?”

  Oh no, I’ve been doing great not thinking about my hometown or what I left behind. “Haxtun,” I tell her.

  She ponders, and then frowns as she replies, “Never heard of it. What’s fun there?”

  I lean back on the chair, saying dryly, “Nothing really. Depends on what’s fun to you.”

  Drinking some of her coffee, Claudia continues to question me. “I mean, like, if you were back in Haxtun now, what would you be doing on the weekend?” She’s either oblivious or uncaring to the fact that my body language is screaming I don’t want to talk about this.

  “Probably wasted and being a complete jerk to everyone,” I reply.

  She scoffs.

  “I don’t believe that,” Reign says. I look at her, wondering how long she’s been watching me. “I find it hard to see you in that way.”

  Folding my arms, I smirk as I fall back on the chair. “Well, need I remind you that you don
’t know me?”

  “So far, you seem like a pretty levelheaded guy. You didn’t have one beer at Ryan’s party and you didn’t seem very tempted to wild out like everyone else.”

  I loosen my arms and ease forward, resting my elbows on the table. I look her straight in the eye. “What if it’s a show? What if this nice guy thing is all an act?”

  She tilts her head to one side and says confidently, “The guy I saw walking on the beach Friday night and tried to get me to go swimming was clearly not putting on a show.”

  “Oh yeah,” I snort.

  Reign bobs her head. “I’m usually a good judge of character and I can tell that you’re genuinely a nice guy.”

  “Good judge of character, huh?” I tease. “Then what about Nate?” Oops. I didn’t mean to blurt that out. Hmm…maybe I did.

  She blinks in her astonishment and inclines back on her seat. “What about him?”

  “Um, hello?” Claudia pipes in, waving her hand. “I’m still here.”

  I seem to have cause tension between me and Reign. She turns her gaze away from me and motions to the waitress for the bill. “We should get going. The restaurant opens in thirty minutes,” she mutters, not looking at me.

  “Okay, yeah.” Claudia picks up her clutch from her lap and places it on the table, rifling through her cash.

  I stop her. “Don’t, I’ll take care of it.”

  Reign stares at me again. “We brought you out; we can’t ask you to pay for breakfast. Let’s split it three ways then.”

  Waving her off, I reach into my pocket and take out my wallet. “I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I let you do that.”

  Claudia swoons. “Aw, that’s so sweet of you.”

  I look at Reign as I leave a couple bills along with the tip on the table. She’s trying not to smile.

  “See…a nice guy.”

  SIXTEEN