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I gawk at him, looking at him like he’s a snack, and he notices. As he stands there, all delicious looking, all I think about is eating him up.
“Thanks,” I say with a sweet smile. While the sun peeks just barely over the horizon now, I know how hot it gets before lunch, so I’m thankful. I was just going to carry bottles.
“There aren’t any bears here, are there?” The concern on my face is evident.
He places his hand on my back and shakes his head. “No bears. Should be more concerned about rattlers than anything.”
My eyes go wide. “Snakes?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you, wifey.” He winks, sending shivers up my spine—from both his gestures and my fear of getting bit. “I got us some walking sticks, and I’m not afraid to use it. Just be aware. Eyes always open and looking at the ground. You don’t want to get bit out here.” He leans over and grazes his teeth against the skin of my neck, and I laugh, pushing him away, though I can’t deny the goose bumps that surface. All it takes is one touch, and my whole body comes alive, wanting him in every way possible.
We walk out of the B&B and head down the blue trail. Riley and I walk side by side, keeping the same comfortable pace. Neither of us is in any hurry to be anywhere but here, together.
“So since the goal is to get to know each other better while you’re here, tell me whatcha wanna know. Ask me anything,” he says with a smirk. “Give me your best.”
I glance over at him and laugh. “Anything, anything?”
“If you have any burning questions”—he shrugs—“I have nothing to hide from you, Zoey. Trust is everything to me.” I swallow hard. Trust is everything.
“Hmm, okay. When did you lose your virginity?” I throw out. “And to who?”
He snorts. “That’s your burning question? I was sixteen, and it was with a girl I dated in high school. Dana Jones.”
“Where is she now?” I ask.
“I think she’s married with like four kids or something. I dunno, honestly. Didn’t keep up with her after we broke up. But I hear some through the town gossip mill.”
“Four kids? Geez. Did she start in high school or something? Wait, are they yours?” I tease.
“God, no. She married Billy Barnes right after graduation and basically popped them out one after another.”
I laugh, wondering if that’s common down here or something. According to his grandmother, women are basically expected to multiply as soon as they get hitched. Or at least that’s her philosophy.
“So what about you?” His arm brushes against mine, and I lean into him. “What’s your story?”
“Ha! Not much of a story. I was seventeen, and he was a guy I had dated for a short time, mostly to piss off my parents. Don’t know what he’s up to now. Probably in jail.” I laugh, but I’m not joking.
“What type of guys do your parents want you to date? I’m guessing not the bad boys.”
I swallow down a giant knot in my throat. “Doctor types.”
It feels dirty coming out of my mouth, and I hate that it’s even a thing.
“They wouldn’t approve of me, then?” he asks straightforwardly.
I glance at him, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “Truthfully?”
The boyish grin doesn’t leave his face as he nods.
“Probably not. My father has always wanted my sister and me to marry men who were of a certain prestige. Since he’s a doctor, he wanted us to become or marry one and raise them.” I groan just thinking about it.
“My mom’s a nurse, and my uncle and aunt practice; does that count for anything?” He chuckles, and it’s such an easygoing sound.
“If you were their kid, then maybe. But then they’d probably ask why you didn’t go to med school too and think something was wrong with you—the same way they treat me.” I roll my eyes, releasing a slow breath.
He grabs my hand. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I ask.
“For feeling like you’re not good enough, but honestly, fuck ’em. As long as I’m good enough for you, by your standards, that’s all that matters to me. I didn’t marry them. I married you.”
I stop, and so does he. Searching his face, I grab his hands and pull him closer. “You’re too good for me, Riley Bishop. I don’t deserve you. Or the kindness you or your family has shown me. None of it.” Guilt weighs heavy on my chest almost to the point of smothering me. I need to tell him the full truth of why I’m here before it blows up in my face, but I don’t want to ruin our time together.
“Why would you say that?” Confusion is written all over his face as he pinches his brows.
I shake my head. “I think about the past two weeks and how incredible and welcoming you’ve been, and then I think about the future and everything. It’s just a little overwhelming.”
