In. In. Out.
In. In. Out. In. In. Out.
Amber focused on her breathing each time her foot struck the pathway. The sun was finally burning the early morning fog away and light glittered off of the lake to her left. Sweat rolled down the tanned muscles of her back. Her long legs ate up the concrete and she weaved around the few people out walking. Cool wind slid along her bare, toned stomach.
In. In. Out.
The young woman hummed along with the music from her earbuds while managing her breathing. The smell of dew and wet grass and warm summer air filled her with happiness and energy. She smiled at an older couple as they laughed together and held hands.
Finally, she slowed and stopped by a tree with her hand against its trunk to steady herself. WIth her free hand, she pulled a leg back to her firm ass, holding the stretch before switching legs. She repeated the motion a few times before stretching on her tiptoes. Just as she started to reach for the water bottle at the small of her back, a dog barked. The turned to see a lean, sleek doberman standing beside a young man on a nearby bench.
"Oh my gosh," she cooed. She pulled out her earbuds and let them dangle on her shoulders. "Is he good with people? Can I pet him?"
The young man smiled at her. He had shaggy hair and a three day old stubble and faint dimples. His clothes looked fashionably ruffled and she couldn't tell if he'd slept in them or spent time making himself look overly casual. A thick paper bag with a fancy logo sat next to him.
"Yeah, definitely. Sit, Chief," the young man said. The doberman immediately responded but his eyes never left Amber's eyes. "Just don't touch his head is all."
"So well trained!" the woman laughed. She crouched and lowered her hand below the dog's muzzle before approaching him. The dog leaned forward to sniff regally before sitting back. Amber gently stroked the dog's side as she told him what a good puppy he was. His coat felt incredibly silky to her touch. "What a beautiful boy!"
"Thanks," the young man said. "I'm Noah. I think I've seen you around the lake a few times when I'm out walking Chief."
"I'm Amber," she said, stepping back from the dog. "And, probably! I'm out here jogging most days and sometimes at night. It's beautiful and I love the air."
"Yeah, Chief loves it, too," Noah said. He reached out and the dog leaned towards him slightly while laying his ears back. The young man gently pet the dog's head and it chuffed in happiness.
"Such a sweet guy," she beamed.
"Yup," Noah nodded. He stood and dusted himself off. The dog stood with him. "Loves to cuddle up and be petted, that's for sure. Maybe I'll see you around again sometime."
"Yeah!" she said, blushing. She'd already forgotten the man's name. She was incredibly bad with names but remembered Chief's name. She watched the two walk off and vaguely heard the man talking to the dog as they left the park.
"Alright, Amber," she said, pumping her legs. "Still got an hour to go."
---
Amber wiped sweat from the back of her neck, running long fingers up to her short hair to feel how soaked they were from her run. She yearned for a cool shower and to get out of her sweat soaked clothes. She opened the door of her apartment building, made her way up the stairs to her floor and then stopped, standing at her apartment with keys in her hand.
There was a package hidden in the corner of the doorframe.
She stared at it, her brows knit together in confusion. Kneeling down, she poked it and the box jingled slightly. Amber frowned and picked it up, surprised at the weight. It was wrapped in nice cream colored wrapping paper with a simple little pink bow tied around it. No note was attached.
"Maybe it's from Jeff?" She mused. She'd gone out three times with Jeff and still wasn't sure about him but he knew where she lived. He just didn't seem the type to do something like this.
Amber unlocked her door and stepped inside, immediately kicking off her shoes. She sighed happily as her sore feet decompressed. Setting the small box on the counter, she padded into the bathroom and started the water. She pulled her sports bra off and fingered the line it left on her skin. Her nipples ached and she wondered, not for the first time, if she should get nipple guards. Simple little metal barbells pierced her nipples. She touched them gingerly and winced. Maybe a nipple guard.
Humming lightly to herself, she worked her pants off with little sideways motions of her hips, pushing with each beat of the song she sang quietly. Amber stood on her tiptoes and turned, admiring the way her calves stood out on her tanned skin. She slapped her own firm ass and winked at herself lewdly in the mirror. Heat and steam filled the small bathroom and she adjusted the temperature as she entered the shower.
---
Amber stepped out of the bathroom, covered in only a huge, white towel wrapped around her body. She stopped by the door and looked down at the box. She'd somehow forgotten about it but she picked it up, grabbed her cellphone and walked into her bedroom.
"Now," she said, sitting against the mound of pillows on her bed. "Let's see what you are."
The ribbon came undone and the wrapping paper was held in place by a single clear piece of tape. She parted it carefully and set the paper aside. A large gift box sat in her hand. She frowned and shook it, hearing the jingle of metal within. Finally, she opened the box.
