Page 5 of Tiago

“We like each other,” I say as I stare at the map.I’d rather stare at her, but I kind of like that she thinks I’m aloof and cocky about this.Aboutus.It’s cute.

“Tiago…” She jerks her hand free from mine and sets her palms on her hips.When I turn, I find her glaring at me.“Slow down.”

I look at my feet.“We haven’t even started walking yet.Am I going too fast?”

She rolls her pretty blue eyes, trying to remain serious, but she can’t stop herself from giggling.“Ha ha.”She cocks out a hip.“You can’t just declare we’re a couple.We don’t know each other.You hired me to take you on a hike.Maybe we could talk during the hike.Maybe we’ll find out we have some things in common.Maybe afterward, you mightaskme out on a date.”

I shrug.“Why ignore the obvious?”I know I’m being extremely dominant, but it’s too easy with her.She likes it.I’ve never met a woman I felt so connected to.I’m starting to wonder why I ever went on a second date with anyone else.And I’mreallywondering why on Earth I ever dated one for three years.Never once in all that time did I feel one-tenth of what I feel with Reagan.

I just know.

I owe Ryder an apology.This must be what he felt when he met Claire.I’ve been giving him shit for three weeks over his caveman behavior.Now I get it.

She shakes her head, making her braids swing back and forth.She’s got this adorableLittle House on the Prairielook going today.Last time I saw her, she only had one braid.This time, she has two of them tucked behind her ears.

She looks young like this.Really young.I keep reminding myself that she is twenty-six.Not so young.Old enough.It’s just that I’m so much older.

“Tiago… Be reasonable for a moment.”

I’m not sure who she’s trying to convince.Me or her?

I grab her braids and gently tug her forward until she’s an inch from me.Her chest is rising and falling heavily as she tips her head back to meet my gaze.“Do you normally kiss boys on the first date?”I ask.

She licks her lips and lowers her gaze to mine.“No.”

Why does that make my cock jump to attention?

“I mean, I can’t remember.It’s been a long time since I went on a first date.”

“How long?”

She lifts her gaze to mine again.She bites her bottom lip, hesitating.

I lift a brow, waiting.

She sighs.“If you’re looking for a woman with a lot of first dates in her background, you’re going to need to find someone else.I went on my only first date during my freshman year of high school, and no, I didn’t let him kiss me.I didn’t let him kiss me on the second date either.I made him wait about six months.We were fourteen.And then I didn’t let him in my pants.I’m not sure if he really liked me or not.Maybe he dated me because he thought I was pretty.Maybe he stayed with me through most of high school because there weren’t many other options.Maybe it was just expected.Everyone thought we were destined to get married.But it turned out Greg eventually ran out of patience and slept with Tammy.She was a junior.She got pregnant, and now the two of them have four kids together.Greg works at the grocery store.Tammy stays home.They aren’t happy.”Reagan smirks.

I laugh.Hard.It takes me a minute to stop.Her story was filled with so much emotion.“But you’re not bitter about it, right?”

She shakes her head.“Fuck, no.I was humiliated in the middle of my senior year, but my grandfather set me straight really fast.Greg wasn’t worth my time.I’m glad I didn’t give him my virginity.”

I’m grinning.I’m glad she didn’t, either.But… “Wait.That was your only first date?”

“Yes, smart guy.I had big plans.They didn’t involve getting pregnant like half the girls I know who spread their legs for the first guy to smile at them.I held out for so long that I heard every girl’s story in the locker room.It didn’t seem to me that any of them were actually enjoying being fucked by a teenage boy, so I didn’t jump on that bandwagon.”

I have questions.So many questions.I release her braids, take her hand, and angle us toward the path.We might as well start hiking while I grill her.“What did you do after high school?”

“I got my business degree.I couldn’t afford to go away to college, but I found an online school.My grandfather used every bit of his meager savings to pay for it.I worked, too.I started taking visitors on hiking tours when I was nineteen.”

I glance at her.She’s so passionate.“Hiking is your passion?”

“Yes.Nature.Hiking.Rock climbing.Anything athletic and outdoors really.”

“So, you put your love of the outdoors and your degree together and opened a business.”She’s amazing.

“Yes.”

“But no more men?”

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