Gina glanced back over her shoulder as she rounded the curve in the path. She was alone on the path. It was getting dark already, but she was only halfway through her evening jog. She shook her head. All due to that stupid meeting at work, she grumbled, picking up the pace a little.
As she rounded the next curve in the path, she saw someone ahead, standing beside on of the sporadic benches. She slowed a little, nerves flaring up. As she got closer, she could see it was a man, but not a jogger. He wore old blue jeans and a leather jacket on his tall, lean frame. She hesitated, feeling the urge to turn back, but continued forward, lifting her chin a little defiantly.
"Good evening," he said as she reached the far end of the bench. Up close, his face was shadowed by the evening dim, unshaven, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses. Like his body, it was lean, hard, but still very attractive...in a dangerous way.
She paused, jogging in place a moment. "Evening," she answered with a nod. Maybe he just needed directions.
"Run, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice quiet but carrying clearly to her. Panic overtook her and she froze, her feet going still. All she could do was stare. "You'd better run."
As if his words lit a spark inside her, she suddenly turned back the way she'd come and started to run. All she could think was that she needed to get to her car, that she'd be safe if she could reach her car.
Riley stood a moment, savoring her fear, the anticipation of the pursuit and the capture. She was attractive – a well built brunette in tight shorts and a short tight tee. Long bare legs flashed in the evening light as she ran down the path. With a half smile, he started after her.
Gina ran as fast as she could, but she was already winded as she passed the next bench. Her panicked mind said she had at least 6 more benches before she reached the parking lot. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing a shape moving quickly behind her in the growing dark. He was so close. She didn't think she could get away if she stayed on the path, but she had hoped for someone to be coming along...anyone...something to help. She didn't run this late often, but it seemed very empty for the hour.
Riley didn't feel bad about the hunger or using his skill to track and catch his prey. They were a natural part of him. He did feel a little regret for the prey – they often fought so hard when they had no chance of succeeding. But the fighting made their bodies hotter, more aroused, sweeter...
Gina risked another glance and saw the man was even closer. He was definitely going to catch her. She saw an opening in the brush beside the path and, her breath catching in her throat, dodged between the bushes. She fumbled in the growing darkness, stumbling over roots and small plants, her hands scraped by the rough bark on the trees she brushed by.
Riley had to give her credit. Leaving the path was unexpected and bold. His past prey had always stuck to the routes they knew and made it easier to catch. This woman may have slowed herself down, but she was harder to track among the trees and shrubs. His body heated, hardened even more. Fitting prey, he thought, picking up speed, dodging left of her fumbling way to get in front of her. He knew the perfect spot...
Gina couldn't help but keep looking back, even though it was slowing her down. She couldn't see him any longer. She couldn't hear him either, but that was more because of the pounding of her heartbeat in her head than any belief that she had lost him. She was totally lost, unsure of how far she'd come or how far she was from the path or the lot. It looked a little clearer up to the left and she stumbled in that direction, hoping she was reaching the open area beside the parking lot.
Riley stepped out of the trees as she entered the small clearing. The full moon was rising, adding to the fading sunlight and illuminating the grassy area. Gina tripped over a tree root and fell to her knees before him, her wide green eyes staring up at him. When he smiled, she managed to get to her feet. "Who are you? What do you want?" she stammered, her voice trembling as hard as her body. She was breathless, her muscles weak, and she knew there was no getting away.
"I think you know what I want," he chuckled, "and they call me Riley." He took a step closer. "It doesn't really matter though, does it, sweetheart?"
