He didn’t know why, but Harper began following her. His interest, maybe curiosity or just plain annoyance for letting this stranger get the upper hand for a moment, led him to jogging behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder a couple of times and then would pick up the pace, zig and zag a little, and it made him smile. Especially as she expertly dodged rocks or thick branches as well as uneven ground. She obviously enjoyed working out hard or she was just trying to impress him. A funny sensation filled his gut. He should have ditched her and headed back to the ranch a while ago. Why did this woman, a stranger dressed with a hoodie, sunglasses, and a gun, interest him so?
Before long they were in the clearing and only a few minutes from the town line. She slowed down and he came up alongside her.
“Are you ready to tell me who you are?” he asked, catching his breath.
She placed her hands on her hips and stood in a stance that reminded him of a beat cop on patrol.
“You’re still here?” she asked in a wise guy tone.
He eyed her over. “Of course. You call that a workout?” he teased her and saw her expression and her body language change.
“That’s only part of it. Not that it’s any of your business.”
He glanced at her and hid his smile. Harper didn’t know why he was still engaging this rude stranger other than the fact he was still annoyed that she drew a gun on him. There was just something about her, even though he couldn’t see her eyes from behind the glasses, or even her hair from under the hood. Only a few strands of what appeared to be blonde peeked out. Her black spandex running pants and black-and-purple hoodie didn’t reveal much but a firm round ass that hardly bounced when she ran and large breasts that did.
He glanced up toward the high hills behind her.
“How about if I beat you up that hill, you tell me who you are.”
“And if I beat you?” she challenged.
“Then I can tell you who I am before I leave you alone.”
“Why don’t you just leave me alone now?” she asked, looking him over.
He did the same thing right back to her and she looked away. He’d gotten to her. She was interested. He was working that charm of his, yet his gut had him on guard. Something was up with this woman. Only a handful of women carried weapons around Pearl. It wasn’t necessary because the men of Pearl watched over them unless they were single, involved in law enforcement, or owned their own land and wanted to protect it. But those who did carry, didn’t carry Glocks.
“And miss finding out more about the woman who was able to draw a gun on me and get me not to disarm her? No way. Too intrigued now. Shall we?” he asked, motioning with his hand toward the hill.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’m not going to accept this challenge. I don’t care who you are or why you find it so intriguing to know who I am. In regards to getting the upper hand on you, well cough it up to experience, buddy.”
“You’re chicken,” he goaded her.
“I am not,” she said and appeared as if she was getting angry. So the mysterious woman had a competitive streak in her.
“I get it. You know I’ll beat you because I’m a man, and I’m stronger.”
“You’re an idiot, and I’m not biting.” She began to walk when he grabbed her hand. The moment he did they both looked at one another. He was shocked by the effects his move had on him. He stepped closer.
“Interesting,” he whispered.
She pulled from his hold. “I think not.”
“You’re still chicken,” he challenged her as she started walking away and then stopped.
“You know you can’t beat me up that hill. You’re not fast enough or strong enough.”
She looked at him. “Okay. Up that hill and when I get there first you’ll leave me alone and move on?” she asked.
Oh I doubt it. You’ve got my full attention. My curiosity is definitely getting the better of me.
“Sure,” he said and she looked at him as if she could read his mind. How did she do that? And why did he feel guilty? No woman intrigued him like this one. It was instant and strong. Too strong to ignore. It would eat at him for days if he didn’t at least find out she lived in Pearl or nearby. Or maybe just her name. That might hold him off for a little while. But he knew if she left here today without him getting her name then he would be coming to these woods and running around trying to bump into her again. He had to beat her up that hill.
“Okay. Let’s do this so I can move on,” she said.
He smirked at her. “All the way to the top. The one who gets there first wins.” She nodded her head and then got into a starting position.