Page 97 of My Ruthless Neighbor

He runs lightly. His body is also in great shape. I wonder if he runs here daily?

Watching his athletic body and stamina makes me wish I had at least ten percent of his energy.

I notice how he acts like I am invisible. If that wasn’t bad enough, he not only ignores me but also picks up his speed, outrunning me.

My jaw drops. It wasn’t a race, jerk. Or was it?

If it was, then I can’t let him win now, can I?

I don’t suppress the competitive urge to defeat him. I work my protesting muscles and run after him.

The man doesn’t slow down, which means I have to quicken my pace to catch up to him.

I am breathing through my mouth now, drawing as much oxygen as I can so I don’t faint on the pavement.

When I finally reach him, I quickly snap my mouth shut, arch my back and try to run like a professional.

Then turn my head slightly to glance at him. He’s already watching me.

When he raises a brow, I tilt my chin in defiance and outrun him by pushing my limits.

That lasts for like four seconds because Archer passes me by like a gust of wind.

My feet come to a stop then. I watch his retreating back as I bend, hands on my knees, panting.

“I-I…” I swallow the remaining saliva to wet my throat. “I… didn’t quit. I am just letting you win today, asshole.” When I move, my eyes get blurry and my head swims.

Amusement tugs the corner of my mouth.

I run about seven miles a day on this route. It helps clear my head. I needed it, especially after last night. I needed to clear the fog that’s been taking over me.

Imagine my surprise when I find the person I was trying to forget right in front of me.

I was looking forward to burning some calories as well as Summer’s thoughts.

Throughout the night, I found myself replaying our kiss.

The way she responded to me. Her telling me that she hates me while wrapping her arms around my neck. Her gasps. Her fucking strawberry scent.

When I couldn’t sleep, I spent hours working in my study. No matter what activity I was doing, she was constantly on my mind.

When our eyes met earlier, she took off in the opposite direction.

Her shoulders were tensed, and her posture showed signs of exhaustion but she was adamant about getting away from me.

So I decided to make it easier for her. I ran ahead of her, silently giving her an out.

Instead of turning back and going home, she decided to race me.

When she reached me again, she lifted her chin and passed me. I let her because I was distracted by her flushed skin. I was itching to touch her again.

The illicit thoughts started pouring into my mind. My eyes slid to her ass which looked sinful in those colorful tight leggings she was wearing.

My body’s reaction was grating on my nerves because I couldn’t do anything about it. I couldn’t take the little liar and claim her as mine.

While I welcome a distraction from my busy life now and again, I can’t choose her to be my new distraction. She is trouble with a capital t. Not to mention a living breathing trigger to my aversion to lies.

So I increased my speed and left the girl behind whose eyes haunt my dreams.

---