Carter's Treasure Read Online Free PDF Page A

discomfort of a few moments before, excitement taking its place. “You ready?”
    Carter looked around the track and back at her like she was crazy. “Seriously? We’re running here?”
    Molly nodded, rubbing her hands together in anticipation, chomping at the bit for her runner’s high.
    “Okay...you mean like the perimeter of the track, right? You know, nice flat surface.”
    She laughed and bumped him on the shoulder. “C’mon. You’re in shape, Sterling, I can tell.”
    Maybe she hadn’t been as obvious as he had been, but she couldn’t help but check him out when she’d come back from her motorhome. She could tell by his muscles that he worked out hard, too. She knew he had to so he could keep up his endurance to race. Working out for him was as much a part of the job as winning races. She could appreciate that. Molly took off at a pace a little more than a jog, grinning happily at the thought.
    Carter caught up easily, only because his legs were longer. “So, I thought George didn’t want anyone on the track until tomorrow?”
    “On a bike, and that’s to stay out of the way of the builders, but they’re pretty much done and we’ll stay out of that corner where they’re still working.”
    “And…” he drew out, grinning at her.
    “And what?”
    “And…George will let you do pretty much whatever you want, huh?”
    “Um, sometimes.” She tried not to grin.
    “So how long do you run for?”
    “Normally or tonight?”
    “Is there a difference?”
    “Usually I go for about two hours or so. Then I do weights or Pilates.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Yeah. I usually run our property line and it takes about two to two and half hours, depending on the weather. Then move to the gym for the rest.”
    “What about tonight?”
    “Well, you’re kinda cute, I don’t want to kill you.”
    “So, you think I’m cute, huh?” He grinned.
    She turned red instantly. Oh my God. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
    “Yes you did. You think I’m cute.” The way he smiled at her was so adorable, with this little dimple in his cheek that appeared as he teased her.
    She couldn’t believe she just said that. Oh my God.
    Yeah. He was cute. But, oh God, she was so out of her element.
    What the hell was she thinking? She didn’t know how to flirt.
    She didn’t want a boyfriend, but then why did her cheeks feel like they were on fire and her heart feel like it was going to pound out of her chest? Why didn’t he just stay back with his friends? Where was Erin when she needed her? Why, why, why?
    “Well, now you’re just fishing,” she said, gathering up all the courage she could to play his game. Maybe then she wouldn’t look like captain innocent.
    “Fishing?”
    “Yeah, fishing…for compliments.” She cursed the giggle that escaped. Could she sound stupider if she tried? “You’re such a guy.”
    He nudged her shoulder and took up a pace beside her.
    The gentle pounding of their feet on the dirt and the grinding of the dozers in the background were a relaxing god-send. They ran for a long while, each in their own thoughts. This was okay. Running with him was enjoyable. She could almost relax, at least enough to be herself.
    She broke the silence and even teased him. “I’m impressed. You drank two beers and you’re still upright.”
    “Don’t be. It was two too many. You’re about to kill me.” Out of breath, he slowed down. Way down.
    “Ah, the truth comes out. So you did want to run with me just to continue flirting, eh?” Molly bit her lip, taking herself by surprise that she was the one who was flirting.
    “Yeah.” He dragged in a breath. “You gonna take pity on me now since I’m being honest?”
    “Sure, you go back and I’ll be there in a little while.” She grinned, but she would have to admit she was a little disappointed. She had really enjoyed being alone with him like that. No pressure, just two people that were running. And it hadn’t even been that scary without her