Page 28 of Chasing Wild Heart

"How did you find me?" I mumble, leaning into her soothing touch.

"Um, uh, Eden might have followed you here after you left," Juni answers nervously.

"To make sure I didn't do anything stupid?"

Somehow, their actions don't surprise me because I've learned the team members are givers. They take care of each other. And, apparently, an arrogant assistant coach.

"Uh, no. Just in case the girls needed to murder you," she explains with a light laugh. "Keeping eyes on you is much easier than hunting you down."

With a small frown, I lift my head to meet her tender gaze. "Murder me?"

Her shoulders cave slightly in defeat. "Well, you know, for hurting me or breaking my heart. Something like that."

Despair sinks further because I didn't mean to hurt her. I never want to hurt her again.

"Did I?" I swallow the lump in my throat. "Did I break you heart?"

She gives me a sweet smile and shakes her head, her raven locks falling forward. "No."

I should feel relieved, but why does my heart ache? Is this why we haven't discussed our feelings? Because she doesn't want more than a few nights of fun? She doesn't care I like her and want more?

My hold on her loosens as I lower my head again.

“Hey,” Juni says softly, sliding two fingers under my chin and lifting it gently. "You didn't break my heart, but I'm trusting you not to."

My eyes don't leave hers as my mind replays her words.

"Really?" I rasp.

She nods, slipping her from my chin and running toward the base of my neck. "My heart is yours."

Pure happiness waltzes through me at her confession, making me realize how much I mean to her. How much I needed to hear her share her feelings.

"I think I love you," I breathe out, sitting straighter and sweeping her into my lap.

Juni squeals, throwing her arms around my neck for balance and resting her feet on the bench. With my arms around her, I tenderly capture her lips with mine. When a sexy little moanfilters into the night, my cock stiffens in response. I reluctantly pull away before the moment becomes steamier.

The back of her hand softly caresses my neatly trimmed scruff as her dark eyes search mine.

"I think I love you, too," Juni whispers shyly.

I bury my face in the curve of her neck and tighten my hold, memorizing everything around us. The distant chatter and laughter. The buzz of lamp posts. The rich combination of floral fragrances.

"You were right," she admits, resting her forehead against mine.

"Mmmm. About what?"

"About not pushing myself harder when I run. I dedicated years to being the best, and I wasn't sure if I could just run for fun. I convinced myself to set my expectations super low so I wouldn't feel like a failure if I didn't win."

"I don't think you could fail even if you tried," I tell her, tugging her closer when I feel her shiver.

Juni laughs shortly. "I failed as a teammate. I thought I was being open and honest, but really, I gave the team an excuse to not rely on me. I gave myself permission to use them for my personal benefit. Just because I don't want to win doesn't mean my teammates don't want to win either. Wait… that sounds weird. Doesn't mean… don't want… that's a double negative, right?"

I chuckle at her confusion, even though I understand her message.

"I understand what you're trying to say," I reveal, running the tip of my nose along the soft curves of her neck. "By the way, I thought of a new incentive for your last race."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Win the race, and I'll let you peg me."

I feel her lips curve into a smile before she whispers in my ear, "Game fuckin' on."