Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

It wasn’t my standard run, but it was more fun with Grayson. He giggled every time I got closer to him.

I wondered if he thought of me as one of his babysitters. There was no way to ask. I just wanted to soak this in.

“You ready to walk back?” I asked. “We could get some juice.”

“Yes. Juice please.”

I laughed. “Ok. Come on.”

I wished I had a water bottle with me.

I took Grayson’s hand and we climbed the boardwalk steps. I was completely energized from my run. By now, the beach was desolate and the sun had sunk almost to the horizon.

/> I slipped off my running shoes and stuffed my socks inside. Grayson sat on his bottom and copied my actions.

“See if you can do this?”

From the perch of the boardwalk, I inhaled the salt air and closed my eyes. I aligned my feet, before extending my arms and bending into warrior pose. Grayson tried to lean forward and toppled over, but he hopped up and tried again.

“Ok, and now try this one.”

I slid my feet so that they were touching and carefully brought my hands together over my head. The last rays of the sun pierced my back. Two more deep breaths in tree pose and I released my form, bending to grab my running shoes. I scooped up Grayson’s in my other hand.

I felt his gaze before I saw him. Cole was standing on the bottom step.

“Daddy!” Grayson ran.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were there.” I blushed.

“What was that you were doing?” He tilted his head to the side and smiled, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. He pulled Grayson into his arms.

I brushed the sand from my feet and wiggled my toes into the socks. “A little warrior pose, a little tree pose. Grayson can do yoga too.” I smiled.

“You looked beautiful.” He walked up the five steps to meet me.

I bit my lip. It seemed like something serious to say in front of his son.

“But, seriously, you looked incredible up here. Did you go for a run too?” He stepped closer.

Grayson answered, “Birds on beach. Go run, Daddy.”

He laughed. “Sounds like you did.”

I looked down at my tank top. It was stuck to me from perspiration. I was a beachy, sweaty mess. “We had fun. He does run fast.”

“I warned you,” Cole teased.

He leaned down and kissed me on the neck before helping me into a standing position with his free hand.

“Sorry I missed it. I would have liked to have gone with you two.”

“How about tomorrow morning we go for a run together?” I wanted to see him in action.

“You’re on. But that means you’re going to have to actually wake up and get out of bed—early.”

I shoved him lightly. “Hey, I don’t stay in bed all day.”

His eyes instantly flared. “What about all night?” I knew that look.