Don't Play With Fire

Chapter Two

When I heard a loud blaring alarm, I huffed under my breath before raising up and seeing Nicole already up, brushing her teeth. She looked down at her watch before shaking her head. "Five am.. you snoozed for thirty minutes."

"Sorry." I mumbled and rolled out of the bed and started to put on my workout clothes which just consisted of sweats, an undershirt, and my Virginia tech windbreaker. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I walked to the front door where she was waiting.

"So, we're running to the beach." I nodded and followed her out of the house.

"And where's the beach?" I asked, watching her pull her hair into a high ponytail.

She gave me a smirk. "Run and see." Then, she took off running.

I huffed before shaking my head and running after her. She knew how competitive I could get so this was no doubt her way to break me.

Nicole was one of the most athletic detectives in the program and always came out at the top of her class when it came to the fitness tests. She would get challenged by all kinds of guys who couldn't handle the fact that she was the best. Then, I came around.

Coming from someone who went from not being how to walk, to being 'second best' she hated it. Not seriously hated it but she didn't like how close I came to beating her record. Now, she claimed I was second best but I knew I was basically at her level. That's why she always took a head start.

"Keep up, rookie." She called over her shoulder as I kept a nice pace behind her but I had my own strategy.

"Yea yea." I mumbled and watched her speed up slightly. I could hear the waves crashing onto the shore and the sound of seagulls get louder. We were nearly there.

I saw her start to get comfortable with her lead and that's where I kicked up the gear. I dug my toes into the pavement and gradually sped up.

I could tell she heard my footsteps picking up because she tried to sprint to get her lead back but it was too late. I became side to side with her and all that sounded was our rhythmic breathing and quick padded steps.

She had no damn chance.

I tucked my arms in and pumped them quickly, making me gain the lead.

Ahead were a set of stairs that led to the beach and there had to be at least twelve steps but the sand at the bottom gave me the cushion I needed. I quickly jumped off the steps and did a parkour roll onto the sand perfectly before trying to get up and keep running but she jumped down and tackled me to the ground.

"Whoops." She laughed out from on top of me and I shoved her off of me.

"You are such a sore loser." I said, my head shaking as I laughed.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I tripped." I smacked my lips and she wrapped her arms around my torso from behind and tried to pull me back as I walked forward. "Come back."

"No you cheater." I turned around in her hold before cupping her face when she pouted. "You annoy me, Mrs. King."

"Yeah.. but you love me. Mrs. Y/ln-King." I mumbled an 'mhm' before connecting our lips gently, pulling her closer to me as the sound of the waves faded and I could only focus on her lips. "You know," I hummed as she pulled back with a smirk. "I technically won-"

"Oh get out of here." I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, pulling her into me as she laughed. But, when I looked over her shoulder, my eyebrows furrowed when I saw a man in a leather jacket, hoodie up as he stood on the top of the stairs near a black van.