The Spark

Teagan.

Sunday morning, when my alarm went off at 6:30, I got out of bed, dressed and ready to go running. Usually I wear a shirt over my sports bra and some running shorts but today, I opted just for the bra and shorts. It’s never crowded along my path so no one really sees me anyway. I grabbed a bottle of water and downed half of it before heading out to the trail I have been running for the past 4 years. Once I made it to the park, that cute guy that I’ve been eyeing for the past week was there. He was on the lawn stretching his calves, so that meant he would fall in my path once I rounded the next corner.. Which he did a few minutes later. While he was ahead of me, I checked out his backside. He had a toned behind and was muscular as hell. His thighs, his back, his arms. He was just so yummy. I sped up just a bit so I could get even with him. I have been passing the last two days and he started catching up with me yesterday. Today, he stayed even with me while we rounded the park. Every time he glanced over and caught my eye, my heart skipped a beat. His eyes intrigued me, they were the color of emeralds, and have been in my dreams the last couple of nights, along with the rest of him of course.

I circle the park but instead of turning back home, I stop and stretch a little. Mystery Man glances back and circles around. “You good?” he asks. “Yeah, just need to stretch this muscle a little, it’s getting tight.” He smiles down at me and it’s the most magnificent smile I’ve ever seen. I smile back. “So, you’re new.” He nods. “Yeah, I just needed a change of scenery and I can’t say I’m disappointed,” he replies as he’s staring at me. I blush but continue to hold his stare. “Best view in town, I think.” He lifts a brow. “How’s a cup of coffee sound? There’s a shop a block over.” I consider it...or act like it anyway. “Sounds like heaven.”

We walk to the coffee shop while making small talk. Once inside, he orders me a white chocolate mocha frappuccino while I grab a corner table. He comes over and hands me my coffee. Our hands brush at the exchange and I feel that spark run up my arm and straight to my core. He had to feel something too because his eyes darken slightly before he clears his throat. “So my mystery angel, what do you do for fun?” Ha. “Mystery angel, huh?” He shrugs so I continue. “I like to run, read and dance. I try to travel when I can but I always love being home. What about you?” He smiles, “I guess I like to conversate with a beautiful mystery woman, run as well and work with my hands.” I’m sure those hands could work me over real well. I smile. “Do you conversate with mystery women often?” “Unfortunately not,” he replies, “Only here and there.” He leans in very close to me and says, “You are a very beautiful woman. Probably one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, ever.” He brushes a piece of my hair back behind my ear and caresses my face. My breath catches as heat races through my body. I look down and say, “You are a laugh. There’s no one that looks good after running several miles. My hair is a mess and I have no makeup on. I’m a hot mess express.” He lifts my chin so I have to look into those emerald eyes, “To the right guy, you are beautiful no matter how you look.” He leans in to kiss me but right before our lips touch, his phone rings. He curses under his breath and leans back. After checking the screen he takes my hand. “Unfortunately, I have to go. I am being called into work. He kisses my cheek. “See you later, my mystery angel.” He gets up and makes his way out of the shop. Holy s**t.

As I head back home, I replay the scene in my head a few times and arrive at home with the biggest grin on my face. Coming into the kitchen, still thinking about my mystery man, I don’t notice Ciara until the refrigerator door closes. “What’s got you smiling that big this morning? It’s only 9:30.” “I met someone. This guy runs in the park around the same time I do in the mornings,” and I proceed to tell her about him and my morning. Before long, we are both giggling as she tells me about Jake from the bar and that he called last night wanting to take her out Friday night. “Hey Tea? What was your mystery man’s name?” Hmm.. “I don’t know, we never exchanged names or numbers.” I frown. But we almost kissed. How did I miss that detail?

We changed subjects and spent the rest of Sunday vegging out on the couch while watching movies and snacking, giggling randomly like we did when we were teenagers.

Every morning that week, I got up early and ran my regular route and was joined by my mystery man each time. We flirted a little each time as he would help me stretch before splitting up and going different directions. Each time leaving me bothered that he’d get so close then back away.

Friday, he unexpectedly grabbed me after stretching and pushed me up against the backside of a tree out of view from people coming by. After a second, he cursed under his breath and bent down to put his lips on mine. FINALLY. I pushed my hands through his sandy blonde hair to pull him closer, opening my lips under the pressure of his. Heat rushed through me all the way to my core. I was wound so tight that I needed this. The looks, the touches and caresses all week had me withering with need against him.. He pulled back slightly and looked at me with hooded eyes. He mutters, “f**k, I’ve wanted to do this all week.” Before I can respond, he kisses me again. During that kiss, he lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. I can feel him pushing against my core. It was the best feeling. One that I’ve never felt before, even though I’d been with a couple of men. They’ve just never done it for me, yet I was so close to getting there now.

He kisses me for what seems like hours, his body caging me to the tree, the rough bark on my back. His hands run down my back to grab my ass as he pulls me closer. After what seems like hours, although it was probably a few minutes, he pulls away. Setting me down gently. I whimper at the loss of contact. “That got out of hand quick,” he says. He looks down at me with a frown. “I can’t control myself around you.” I nod. “I understand. It’s mutual.” He lifts his hand to caress my check for a minute then drops it, turns and walks away.