chapter 21
RILEY
AFTER AN HOUR RIDE on the beach we follow the trail back. With the wind in my hair, I can’t help but smile, feeling freer than I have in a very long time. I’ve missed this, so much, and now that I’ve had another taste I know I’m not going to be able to stay away. I had no idea that Hunter had never ridden before, but I’ve been watching him and he seems more comfortable now. I hope he knows how much this means to me. The fact that he brought me to do something like this when he knew it would be out of his comfort zone says a lot about him. I turn back to check on him, grinning when I see his eyes already on me. Playfully, I wink at him, and then let the beautiful horse gather speed. I glance back to see him catching up, although not looking as excited as me. I laugh to myself as we come to a stop back at the ranch. I slide off the horse and pat her head while I wait for Hunter to do the same. He pulls me back against his chest when he does, wrapping his arms around me.
“Trying to give me a heart attack, aren’t you?” he growls into my ear.
“Did you die though?” I ask, spinning around to face him. “You did well for your first time.”
“It was that or fall off and die,” he murmurs, being dramatic.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I tell him. “I had such a good time.”
He smiles at me and says, “It’s not over yet.”
There’s more?
Do other men put such thought into dates? Because from what I’ve heard from women at the bar, the best offer they usually get is Netflix and chill. I thought romance and old-school dating were extinct, yet here Hunter is, proving my theories wrong. We return the horses and then we get back in the car.
“What now?” I ask, excitement filling me. I feel so good, like I could do anything or try anything. Like I’ve been missing out on so much. Work isn’t everything, or at least it shouldn’t be—I need to get out and live and enjoy my life a little more. He’s given me a little taste for adventure.
“Now we’re going for another drive,” he says, but instead of going back the way we came, he heads the opposite way, toward a four-wheel-drive track. When the ride starts getting really bumpy, he looks over to me, smirking.
I’ve never been four-wheel driving before, so now it’s a first for me.
“Hope you don’t get motion sickness,” he says, reaching over and squeezing my thigh. “Because we’re fucked if you do.”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “Can I drive, though? Because this looks fun.”
He chuckles to himself and finds a place he can stop so we can swap seats. I didn’t actually think he’d let me. It’s obviously an expensive vehicle, and I’ve never done this before, but apparently he trusts me. I put the car into drive and hit the accelerator, laughing at the way the sandy hill makes the four-wheel drive shake.
“Why haven’t I ever done this before?” I ask myself out loud.
“You haven’t?” he asks, sounding surprised. “Guess today is a day of firsts then.”
“I guess so,” I whisper. I had no idea a date could be this fun. I was picturing maybe lunch and a drink, or something along those lines, nothing like this. I should have known Hunter would shake things up though; he’s not exactly an average man, at least not in my mind.
“Turn left here,” he says, pointing. We come up to a mountain, and he gets me to park near one of the big rocks. Before we get out though, he leans over and gently kisses me, smiling against my lips, before deepening the kiss, his tongue tasting mine, teasing me. When he pulls away, he kisses my cheek, and then my nose, before my lips again. “Good thing you wore sneakers.”
He chuckles and opens his car door, getting out. I open mine, but then he’s there, scowling because I opened my own damn door, which only amuses me.
“I can open my own door,” I let him know. I mean, it’s a nice gesture, but he doesn’t need to do it every time. I appreciate the chivalry, and I know he has some old-school values, but we live in modern times—the world won’t end if I open my own door.
“I know,” he replies, offering me his hand. “But I like opening it for you.”
“Why?”
“Because you deserve to be treated in a certain way, appreciated, and because I’m a fucking gentleman, okay?” he says with a grin.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. “A fucking gentleman, huh?”
“Yes,” he says, stopping in front of a giant rock. “Now we need to climb up there.”
“What would you have done if I hadn’t worn sneakers?” I ask him. “You didn’t exactly give me the best brief on what we were doing today.”
“I’d have carried you up there,” he says, stepping up onto the rock and giving me his hand. “Are you ready?”
“I was born ready,” I tell him, my competitive side kicking in. I’m going to climb the damn rock, and I’m going to look great while I do it. He lets me go in front of him, and I can feel his gaze on me as I climb to the very top, him close behind. When I make it up there, I turn in a circle, my eyes wide.
The view is breathtaking.
On one side is the ocean, and on the other it’s all green from the forest trees. The sky is a clear, deep blue and the sun is about to set. Did he time this just so?
“I don’t think I have any words for how beautiful this is,” I say, spinning around again, slowly, taking everything in. I smile and move next to him, and he tucks me under his arm, my cheek against the side of his chest as we both watch the sun descend into the horizon. It’s kind of romantic, and a moment I don’t think I’ll forget, as we both stand in the middle of a giant rock, on top of the world. I can’t remember the last time I’ve done something like this, if ever. I smile into his jacket, then look up at him, watching him as he stares at the sky, a peaceful look about him. Once the sun sets we climb back down, and I watch curiously as Hunter opens up the back of his vehicle, pushing the seats forward to make space.
“Climb in,” he says, and I do as I’m told.
“Are you hungry?” he asks, starting to set up what looks like a mini picnic. He pulls out different cheeses, dips, crackers, cold meats, and wine. Holy shit, the man came prepared. With the back of the vehicle open, we still get the view down the mountain, and of the water. It’s amazing.
“I’m always hungry,” I tell him, smiling.
I never knew he could be so thoughtful.
We eat the platter of food, and I can’t stop grinning to myself.
“What?” he finally asks.
“You just surprised me, is all,” I tell him. “Thank you for taking me out today.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, lying back. He takes my hand in his. Fuck, he’s so cute.
Sweet.
I always knew there was more to him than he lets the world see.
Darkness takes over, and we continue to talk, getting lost in each other’s minds.
I can’t think of a better first date.