RELEASE TOUR - Stride for Stride by Kim Stephenson
Length: 75k words
Series: Running for the Romance 2
Prior Reading: Prior reading NOT required
Genre: contemporary, sports
Tropes: Rivals to lovers; Only one tent; Olympics; Coming out; Secret relationship
Trigger/Content Warnings: Reference to homophobia, Parental illness, Minor injury
Designer: 100 Covers
https://getbook.at/StrideForStride
Rivals on the track. Teammates on paper. But could they be more?
Jackson and Elliot have been neck-and-neck since their first race. Two elite marathoners constantly pushing each other to the limit. But with the Olympics looming, they’re forced to do the unthinkable: train together.
Altitude camp means long runs, cold nights, and the kind of tension that’s not just competitive anymore. When a single kiss shatters the fragile line between enemies and something much more complicated, both men are left breathless, for reasons that have nothing to do with their last tempo run.
But between the pressure of the Olympics, increased media scrutiny and career-threatening injuries, their chance at love might not make it to the finish line.
Can they go stride for stride toward something real, or will the world pull them apart before they’ve even begun?
Stride for Stride is the sizzling follow up to Your Pace or Mine. It is a standalone spicy MM Sports Romance and book 2 in the Running for the Romance series.
If you loved Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid and Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffrey, you’ll fall hard for Jackson and Elliot in Stride for Stride.
EXCERPT:
“You’re a great runner, Elliot. I’d be proud to call you a teammate…or even a friend.”
Elliot sighed and dropped his phone. He angled himself towards Jackson, resting his head on a hand as his hair fell over his eyes in a cascade of silver.
“I’ve told you, Jennings, I don’t want to be your friend,” he whispered.
“What do you want, then?”
The sounds of the woods around them intensified as Jackson’s focus narrowed on Elliot’s soft exhale. He found himself frozen in place, his gaze glued to the deep storm clouds brewing in Elliot’s eyes.
Years from now, Jackson would think back on that moment and still be unable to say who had moved first, but somehow Elliot’s mouth ended up on his, and it was fucking glorious.
Elliot’s kiss was almost the polar opposite of everything he was in life. It was uncontrolled, wild, all teeth and tongue. It left Jackson gasping for air, and rock hard.
“You’re right—not friends. Not friends is a good plan,” Jackson mumbled.
Elliot smiled and pulled Jackson back down into another, slower, more cautious kiss, as though he were asking permission. Jackson moaned as he felt Elliot’s hardness brush against him. He wanted to pull him closer and feel every inch of his body against his.
“You’re a total arsehole sometimes, you know,” Jackson said as they parted for air. It came out far more tender than he was comfortable with.
“Yeah,” Elliot breathed, lips ghosting over his.
“I can’t fucking get you out of my head,” Jackson groaned, kissing him again. He was more aggressive this time, his teeth clashing angrily against Elliot’s as he rolled on top of him, making the entire tent shudder. “Haven’t been able to, ever. You’re always there, always pushing me, always that little bit ahead, driving me fucking crazy.”
“Thought you said you never think about me.”
“I lied,” Jackson said as he kissed down Elliot’s jaw.
I really loved how their rivalry felt genuine, built through the little moments in their early interactions, without turning either of them into a true "bad guy." As their bond grows stronger, the chemistry between them feels both natural and inevitable, making their connection even more special.
about the author:
Kim Stephenson is a UK based author with a love for running and romance.
When not writing you can find them hitting the local pavements and trails chasing PB's and HEA's.
@runningfortheromance (ig)
Kimstephensonauthor.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@runningromance
