“You are different, Riley,” he assured her. “In a great way. That’s why I want to spend time with you.”
Giving a warning to Daisy, she came to a halt, put her hands on her hips and regarded him. “Let’s be real,” she said a bit breathily. “Most women are different from the real-life Barbie dolls you date.”
Jogging in place, he looked back at her. “I haven’t dated a woman solely based upon her looks since I was a teenager.” Had he even then? “Any woman I’ve dated has had more going for her than just looks.”
But even if looks were a qualifier Riley had nothing to worry about. Everything about her appearance appealed to him. Her eyes sparked with a green fire that would dull any gem. A soft sheen of sweat glistened over her skin, giving it a healthy glow. And her body... Well, he knew how her curves fit perfectly against him.
Still, he wanted her to understand about Saturday night—that he hadn’t meant things to proceed as fast as they had, that she was more to him than a one-night stand. How did a man go about saying that to a woman who seemed not to want any more than that without coming across all wrong?
“Such as?” she asked, and then, having obviously caught her breath, took off down the trail again, Daisy quickly taking a slight lead.
“The last woman I dated was a veterinarian who volunteers with a local Spay Your Pet program,” he pointed out as he fell into step beside her, not wanting her to think he was a total loser.
But he didn’t really want to discuss his exes. At some point he’d explain about Ashley, but he got the impression Riley would add his failed relationship with her to what she perceived as his revolving dating door.
“If I’d had a dog,” he continued, “she’d have been handy to have around.”
“You don’t have a dog, though,
so that couldn’t have been your reasoning.”
He might almost believe that was jealousy tingeing Riley’s reply.
“Stacey was a nice woman,” he defended. She had been. She’d also been in love with someone else. “My mother still volunteers at her Spay Your Pet program a couple of times a month.”
“Does your family live close, then?”
“My parents live just south of Columbia. The rest of our wild bunch are scattered within a thirty-mile radius. We get together every week or two for dinner.”
“You’ve always lived here, then?”
He nodded. He’d been lucky when he’d been placed with the Brothers family at such a young age and they’d adopted him. So many kids never got any family—much less one like he’d had.
“My family is close.” In more ways than one. “I’ve no desire to move away. What about you?”
She hesitated a few seconds before answering. “I moved to Columbia for university, but I grew up in a small town close to the Florida state line.”
“You never thought of going back after graduation?”
She shook her head.
“I’m glad you stayed. Otherwise we wouldn’t have met.”
She rolled her eyes. “You sure you’re used to running? You may be suffering from lack of oxygen.”
“Because I’m glad we met?”
She stared straight ahead, but rather than answer came to another stop.
“Need a break?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Going to give Daisy a drink. I should have when we stopped a few minutes ago. You go ahead—don’t let us hold you up.”
“I’m in no rush.”
He knew better. If he took off he wouldn’t see her again until they were back at their vehicles. If then. He wouldn’t put it past her to find a way to leave without his knowing again...
CHAPTER FOUR