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Her heart fluttered again as she sat beneath his scrutiny.

He continued, “The question here is whether or not you’re on the same page.”

“I don’t know,” she murmured. “Do I think it’s smart? Definitely not.” She peeked at him. “But you caught me off guard. I can’t help but wonder why.”

Riley chuckled. “Why what?”

“Why me?”

His eyes narrowed and he leaned forward. “You’re joking, right?”

She stiffened, looking around to see if anyone else was paying attention to her or her date. The residents of Copper Creek were notoriously nosey, and someone was bound to be watching her. “No. I’m genuinely curious.”

He took ahold of her hand without warning and she jumped, nearly pulling away from him. Instead, she let him trace his thumb over her knuckles. His voice was low, and soothing. It was as if he was a different guy. “I’ve not had a serious relationship for an incredibly long time. In some cases it was because the girl I liked wasn’t willing to date a soldier. Other times it was because I knew she couldn’t handle what I was bringing to the table. I got used to the fact that I would never find a girl who I could spend the rest of my life with. It’s just—too hard.”

Grace’s heart ached for him. The words that came from his lips just tore her apart inside. No one should feel like they were doomed to live their life alone. Especially not someone like Riley.

“But then I met you.”

She had to hold in the snort that wanted to escape. She wasn’t anything special. He didn’t know what he was talking about. One day he’d realize that and would lose interest. But knowing that didn’t dissuade her from wanting to see what it might be like to be with a guy like him. He was strong and brooding. But he was also sweet and sensitive. He was attractive, and he didn’t make her feel like she was just some kid.

Riley continued. “There’s something intangible about you that I can’t put my finger on. There’s no way to describe it in words. But if I were pressed, I’d say you are the first woman who has been able to tell me that I’m wrong.”

“Surely you’ve dated women who have told you that you were wrong.” Grace chuckled.

“Yes. But it’s more than that. It’s not the act of telling me I’m wrong. It’s how you say it. It’s refreshing. I don’t know. None of that makes sense, does it?”

“Not really,” she admitted. Carefully, she extracted her hand from his and leaned back in her seat. “So what then? You want to spend more time with me? That’s it?”

The corners of his mouth quirked into a grin. “I’d like to think that dating has more perks than just spending time together. But yes. That’s where things would start.”

She swallowed hard. She knew exactly what he was referring to. She wasn’t an idiot. But just the thought of letting him pull her into his arms set her heart aflame. She couldn’t control the churning and waves that crashed within her.

Her gaze inadvertently drifted to his arms. His muscular form was more defined than most of the ranchers in Copper Creek. He must work out regularly. Of course, he probably knew how to do hand-to-hand combat of some kind. His tours of duty were likely filled with all kinds of stories that she would never hear. That concept terrified her, but she couldn’t figure out why.

Grace clasped her hands in her lap. “Shane wouldn’t approve.”

“I figured.”

“We’d have to get you a new therapist.”

That made him go quiet. Up until this moment, she’d entertained the idea that she could do exactly what Brielle had modeled for years. Skirt the line and lie to those around her. She wasn’t about to lose her job over a fling. And it wasn’t in her character to sneak around, though the concept did present some interesting sensations inside her.

“Are you certain?”

She nodded resolutely. “It’s not in my nature to break the rules like that. If you want to date me while you’re here, then you need to find a new therapist.”

His features darkened. “I don’t want a new therapist.”

“Then the line in the sand has been drawn.”

“Are you ready to order now?”

Grace jumped, finding Hope standing at their table. How long had she been there? Had she heard their embarrassing conversation? Shoot. Was she one of the waitresses who liked to spread gossip in town?

Oh boy.

If she was, that meant they might be outed before they got back to the country club. Shane would most definitely reassign her if he got even a whiff of her being inappropriate with her client.