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was the occasional jog around the block. I tried not to look. Failing that, I settled for trying not
to stare.
 Damn, it is cold, he said, rubbing his arms.
 Having second thoughts? I asked as I stretched my hamstrings.
 No, but if you are . . .
 Never. I was just going to say that if you were, the university is back that way. I grinned
and launched into run, calling over my shoulder.  And if you weren t, the trail is over this way.
He laughed and ran after me.
Kelley Armstrong Beginnings 79
As much as I like the solitude of running alone, there s something to be said for having company
of the right sort. Preferably someone who can keep up a light chatter, and keep up the pace.
Clayton managed both easily, and we were back where we started before I knew it.
  hadn t seen it, so I ended up watching Die Hard again, he said as we slowed to a walk.
 Is that the kind of movie you like? I asked.
 Pretty much. Action and adventure flicks, mostly, though comedy s fine, sometimes
horror. A few months ago, we went to see the new Crocodile Dundee one, but it was sold out, so
we saw . . . now what was it? Something about a baby. We re Having a Baby, I think. Now that
wasn t my kind of movie.
 A chick flick.
 Huh?
 A film aimed at the female portion of the movie-going public, I said.
 Oh. He peered over at me.  So, you like those kind of movies?
 No, I m saying that s who they re made for, not that every woman likes them. No more
than every guy likes movies where stuff blows up.
 So what kind do you like?
I grinned.  The ones where stuff blows up.
 We should go to a movie, then.
I glanced over at him, but already knew what I d see. Nothing. No hint that this was
anything other than the friendly suggestion it sounded like. I smiled to myself. Like the
invitation to run together, he blurted out such things as if he was completely unaware of how
they might be interpreted, with a guileless innocence that couldn t help but put me at ease.
 Sure, I said.  We should do that someday.
Kelley Armstrong Beginnings 80
 How about Friday?
I laughed.  I said someday. A pause, then I glanced over at him.  Maybe Saturday.
He grinned.  Good. Any idea what s 
He stopped. I took another step, then felt his fingertips brush my arm, and looked back to
see him still standing a few feet back. He motioned for me to stop and scanned the grassy hill
leading to the pavilion.
 Someone s here, he murmured.
 Oh? I squinted into the darkness.  Where?
 Over by the parking lot. I can just barely make out a shape.
 Probably kids.
He nodded.  Probably. You go get changed. I ll wait.
 Stand guard? I said.  I m sure that s not necessary. I pulled my switchblade from my
pocket and held it up.  Besides, I come armed.
 Aren t there laws against those things?
I grinned.  Yeah. So?
He gave a soft laugh and shook his head.  That s fine, but humor me and get dressed while
I wait here. Then you can guard me.
 Fair enough, I said, and headed back to my clothes.
When I came out, he was standing by the pavilion, watching the distant parking lot.
 Still there? I asked.
Kelley Armstrong Beginnings 81
 There again. He left a couple times, but keeps coming back. Like he s waiting for
someone.
 Probably is. Go on and dress then. I ll stay here.
After about a minute of squinting in the direction of the parking lot, I saw that Clayton
wasn t imagining things. There was someone there. A cold night for a tryst, but I suppose that
never stops anyone who s determined enough.
A minute or so passed before I realized the figure was getting more distinct. Coming closer.
I ducked behind the pavilion wall. No need to advertise my presence.
A moment later, a man appeared, walking along the path beside the pavilion. He didn t see
me, and I couldn t get a very good look at him, just a glimpse of his back as he passed. A tall,
young man, maybe my age, maybe a bit older. Something in his stride made my heart jump into
my throat, but I shook it off. Couldn t be. Not out here.
He reached the end of the path, then headed back. As he turned, my gut went cold. It
wasn t possible. No one knew I was here . . . no one except my roommate. Damn it! I
quickstepped back into the shadows, but not before he saw me.
 Elena! he called, grinning as he broke into a jog.  There you are. You re a hard girl to
find.
Apparently not hard enough.
Chapter Seven
Elena
 What are you doing here, Jason? I asked, shooting a quick look over my shoulder and praying
Clayton didn t pick that moment to step from the shadows.
 I should be asking you that. He walked over to me.  Jesus, Elena, what are you thinking?
Jogging in a park at night? When your roommate told me where you were, I thought she was
putting me on. Who the hell does crazy stuff like this? It s not 
 Normal? I said.
 I didn t mean it like that. You know I didn t.
He stepped forward, hand rising to brush a stray wisp of hair off my cheek. I backpedaled
out of his reach. His gaze dropped, that wounded look that set my gut on fire, as if he was the
victim here, the poor besotted guy under the spell of the evil ice bitch. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]