Emma sat on the smooth rocks beside the crystal blue lake to catch her breath. She was so lucky to have this stunning national park as her back drop for her morning jog. It was so peaceful on this spring morning and she was yet to see anyone on the trail. The moon could still be seen in the morning sky, pale and white in comparison to the new orange glow of the sun that was rising from behind the mountains.
As she glanced at her reflection in the clear water, she thought to herself that her figure-hugging three-quarter gym pants nicely accentuated her long toned legs. She sighed contentedly and leaned her back against the rock so she could bath in the warmth of the morning sun. The sound of the birds singing in the nearby trees filled Emma's mind with serenity and calm. She took in deep breathes of fresh mountain air, her large bosom rising and falling in her skimpy sports bra with each slow breath.
Seconds later, the sound of a twig breaking close by caught Emma's attention. Her eyes darted towards the noise, where she spotted a man about her age slowing to a stop a few metres from the edge of the lake.
"Hi," he said in a heavy Australian accent. "Sorry to interrupt your quiet moment. You looked so peaceful over there, I almost wasn't sure if I should turn around and head back up the track to not impose on you."
"That's OK," Emma replied. He must have been watching her for the last 100 metres or so as he ran along the clear track on the water's edge that she had followed a short time before. "I need to head home soon anyway." She got up, stepping off the rocks to stand on the trail next to the stranger. Now that she was face to face with him, Emma couldn't help noticing how attractive the man was. His face had that rugged manliness that any girl would find handsome. But more noticeable was his toned shoulders and arm muscles on show in beneath his singlet top.
"Ok, well if you were truly about to get up to head back, then I feel a little less guilty now for intruding," he said, giving her a sheepish smile as he offered his hand out. "I'm Scott."
"Hi Scott, nice to meet you", she said, reaching out to shake his hand. "Emma," she replied. Emma thought she knew everyone in the area. "I haven't seen you around before, do you run here often?"
"This is my first time," he explained. "I have just relocated to Vancouver from Sydney. I thought I would squeeze in a few quiet days here before I have to be in the office to start my new role."
"Ah Ok. I thought that might have been an Australian accent I was detecting. How are you enjoying Canada so far?"
"It's amazing, so beautiful and picturesque. Words just can't do it justice. This place has got to be one of the most stunning places I have ever seen," said Scott referring to the Banff National Park in which they stood.
"You're right about that," she said with a smile. "If you're heading back into the village, would you like to join me for the run?"
"Sure," he answered. They turned their backs to the lake and began the jog back towards the village where Emma lived. As they jogged, Emma explained that during winter she was a ski instructor at a nearby resort but summer was her favourite time here because she loved to run in the National Park.
They continued to chat casually as they jogged at a steady pace along the trail. A few minutes later as they ran down a slight incline, Emma stumbled and fell very ungraciously over a rock protruding from the dirt. Scott stopped and ran back a few paces to her side. "Are you OK?" he enquired. She tried to stand but the weight on her ankle was too much to bear. She slumped back onto the ground. "I think I sprained my ankle," she winced in pain.
"Let me help you," he said. Before she had any time to protest, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms. He was able to quite easily carry her, her slight frame no challenge for him. With his strong arms wrapped around her, he began to walk towards the village. She had run this trail often enough to know that they were still quite a walk from the village.
Emma sat sprawled in Scott's arms with her injured foot hanging over his left arm. The scent of his cologne, a sexy vanilla fragrance that reminded her of sweet warm caramel, filled the air. He smelt so good and she had an overwhelming desire to taste him. Within minutes, Emma began to feel incredibly intoxicated. She moved her head to rest against his chest and tilted her chin up towards his face to take a closer look at his chiseled profile. She watched the muscle in his jaw twitch as he clenched his jaw.
Scott felt her gaze and glanced down, his steel-grey eyes met hers. Her skin was warm through her tights where his hands touched her and Scott was suddenly very aware of the lack of personal space between them. A bashful smile caught on his lips in response to the vulnerability in her eyes.
