Lynn Montagano - Catch My Breath

“Wise choice.”

Without the benefit of my high heels, he towered over me. He was hot even with mud caked on his clothes. And wow, did he smell good. Traces of cologne still lingered on him mixed with his post-game sweat and pheromones. It was so intoxicating I had to look away. When I focused on him again, he was studying me with the same guarded curiosity as last night. Part of me wished I wasn’t a hot, sweaty mess.

“I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name,” he said with a small grin.

“Oh. I’m Amelia Meyers. But please, call me Lia.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Amelia.” My name rolled off his tongue readily, like he’d been born to say it for all eternity. “What brings you to Glasgow?”

“A wedding.”

He slung a gym bag over his shoulder, grasping the strap. The small movement caused his muscles to flex.

“Yours?”

“What? Oh God no. My sister’s.”

“The one in London?”

“Yep.”

“Why isn’t she getting married there?”

This guy was awfully nosey.

“They thought it would be romantic to have a wedding at a Scottish castle. Her fiancé is from Newcastle, so it was either London, Newcastle or Scotland.” I shrugged, stealing a glance at him.

“How long will you be in Glasgow?”

“We leave—“

“We?”

“Yeah. My best friend and I. She’s—”

“She,” he said quietly. Bright emerald irises slid over my face as he traced one of his slender fingers along his mouth. I wanted to snap at him for all the interrupting, but a flurry of nerves ran through my stomach. It’s not physically possible for someone to become more attractive overnight, is it? I blinked myself out of this hypnotic state.

“Oi! We’re off to eat, mate. Come on,” an impatient, stocky man yelled.

Tall, Dark and Sexy clearly didn’t enjoy being at the receiving end of that. His expression hardened as he turned around. I could only imagine the look he gave the other guy. It must have been scathing because the poor soul abruptly left.

When he faced me again his eyes were blazing hot.

“Finished with your run? I can drive you back to—”

“No,” I blurted out. “I mean, I’m not done yet, but thank you.”

The thought of sitting in an enclosed space with him was too much to handle. Standing this close to him in an open field was challenging enough.

“You’re sure? You look a bit out of breath.”

“Doubting my stamina?” I put my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes.

The corner of his mouth ticked up into a small grin. “Not at all. I’m quite sure you can go for a while, but jogging can be taxing on the body. A slow and steady climb is best to achieve maximum results.”

I wasn’t entirely sure we were talking about exercise anymore. I couldn’t form a sentence, so I stared at him.

“Don’t let me keep you.”

He gestured to the field. That little mischievous grin rankled me to the core. He’s teasing me. He’s got me flustered and now he’s teasing me. In an instant he managed to turn me on and turn me off simultaneously.

I still couldn’t form a complete sentence, which pissed me off.

“Okay then. Nice to see you again.” He kept grinning and sauntered off toward the parking lot leaving me in a funk. Annoyed by my pre-teen giddiness, I turned up my iPod and ran like hell.

Stephanie was awake and all bright eyed and bushy tailed when I got back. She buzzed around the suite in a huge fluffy robe, laying clothes on the couch.

“Hey. How was your run?”

“Eventful.” I tossed my iPod on the end table and plopped onto the chair.

“Oh really?” She stopped fussing with the clothes. “How so?”

Since we hadn’t had a chance to chat about what happened at the benefit, I quickly relayed the story, and then told her what happened at the field. She blinked at me like I had fifty heads.

“Did you get his phone number?”

“No.”

“What? Why not?”

“It really didn’t cross my mind.”

“Didn’t cross your mind? Honestly Lia,” she huffed. “It’s like you forgot how to flirt. You run into the same hot guy twice and act like it’s no big deal. And why didn’t you ask his name?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting to see him on my morning jog.”

“Well, we’ll have to stalk every tall, super toned, hot guy with red hair in Glasgow while we’re here then, won’t we?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Oh please. The old Lia would not only have asked his name and gotten a number, she’d be out having drinks with him right now.”

I fought back a smile. “I hate it when you’re right.”

“Maybe he’ll be at the soccer game,” she teased. “Darren did say he was bringing a friend.”

“Yeah, right,” I snorted. “You watch too many sappy chick flicks.”

“So jaded,” she sighed.

All talk of the mystery man took a backseat as we prepared for our day out with Darren. He’d bought us tickets to see his team and already announced his intention to convert us into loyal followers. I didn’t understand soccer at all, but the players were nice to look at.

I showered and threw on my favorite pair of faded jeans, a light sweater and sneakers. Seeing as we’d be outside all day, I figured casual was best.

“Braids and a baseball hat?” Stephanie giggled.

“It’s comfortable. Besides, if the weather goes sour and it starts to rain I'll be covered.”

“Always so prepared,” Stephanie remarked as she slid on her vintage sunglasses. “Alright, Sporty Barbie, ready to go?"

"Let's do this.”

Groups of young men and women clad in various team apparel lined the street leading up to the pub. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and excited chatter. The sun was shining and many people were taking advantage of the rare, nice weather.

"This is insanity. Look at all these people. Figures that Darren would pick the most popular area to meet." Stephanie craned her neck to get a better view through the throng of sports fans. She had a good three inches on me so I just watched all the people nearby.

I became very engrossed in a trio of young men to my right. They debated the merits of one player over another on a particular team. I hadn't the foggiest idea what they were talking about, but enjoyed listening to their accents.

An elbow suddenly greeted me in the side.

"Ow! What the hell?"

"Sorry, sorry. I see Darren. Let's go."

We navigated our way through several groups of people standing on the sidewalk. Once we reached a clearing, I spotted Darren. His spiky blond hair was immobile in the breeze as he chatted to someone next to him. My view of the other person was obstructed by a rather tall, lanky guy. As soon as he walked away, I sucked in a breath.

“Holy shit.” I stopped short.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“That’s him,” I barely squeaked out. Stephanie paused and followed my gaze. I drank in every inch of him. Faded black jeans molded to his toned legs perfectly. His lean upper body was showcased in a tight, long sleeved gray cotton shirt. Snap out of it, Meyers.

“Shut the front door, no it’s not.”

I didn’t have a chance to answer her. Darren saw us and waved us over. I married my eyes to the pavement and took a deep breath.

“Hey, you two. I ordered up some nice, Florida sunshine for today. What do you think?”

“Not bad,” Stephanie laughed.

Glancing up at Darren from under the rim of my hat, I could feel the other guy staring at me.

“Lia, Stephanie. This is Alastair Holden. He’s coming to the match with us. Don’t let his ginger hair frighten you.”

Even his name dripped with elegance. I squared my shoulders and boldly fixed my stare on him. So help me God, he was incredible.