As I began to apply Caley's’ makeup, I thought again about what Julianna had said. Richard might have a complicated life, but he was also incredibly sweet. Then again, all men were friendly when they were trying to have sex with you.
I didn’t know all of the details about his ex-girlfriend, the one who just up and left him, but there was something about him that I didn’t trust. He just didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would ever settle down. He was almost 45, for crying out loud.
Forty-five-years-old and hot as hell.
I’d seen his womanizing ways, though. I couldn’t even begin to count the number of women he’d slept with since I’d met him. Richard kept a pretty low profile, but River Valley was a small town where everybody knew each other. It wouldn’t take much for a stripper in a nearby city to tell the press or media what he was up to.
A lump formed in my throat, thinking about a few of those stories. Wild nights with exotic dancers that ended in hotel rooms. He was often seen with gorgeous, model-type women at significant social functions, too.
Even if I were one of the few women who would get to have sex with him more than once, I realized it would only interfere with my life.
My yoga studio was taking off, so much so that I was ready to assign a few classes to Crystal. I spent most of my free time researching products for a holistic health line, too. Julianna might be right in saying that I needed to have more fun, but I didn’t think that meant I should necessarily date Richard.
Especially if things didn’t work out, it would be pretty uncomfortable for the rest of the family. I’d see him at birthday parties, holiday meals, and other family gatherings. The thought of him bringing another woman to something like that was already making me feel insecure.
I let out a sigh while choosing a lipstick for Caley, picking out a more muted pink.
No, I decided while swiping it onto her lips. If Richard asked me out again, I would decline. Tell him that I really enjoyed our night together, but we should remain just friendly neighbors. I didn’t need a man like him ruining my life.
It had already been ruined once by my last boyfriend, and I refused to let that happen again.
6
Richard
The Next Monday
Isat down to work in my office, located in the wing of my parent’s mansion dedicated to our family business. It was spacious and overlooked River Valley since their home was at the top of a hill just like mine. My long, oak desk was stacked with contracts and other paperwork that needed my attention.
Yet, all I could think about was Annie.
As I sat tapping a pen against my lips, my best friend, Gavin Tillery, popped his head into my office. He’d texted me that morning asking if he could swing by since he would be nearby at an appointment. We had been friends for a long time, and he was there for me throughout the whole Heather saga. Out of all of my friends, he was one of the few who knew my real reason for avoiding long-term relationships.
“How’s it going, man? How was the bachelor party and wedding?”
He sat down in one of the dark leather chairs in front of my desk. Unlike myself, Gavin was on the skinnier side despite having the appetite of an elephant. I got the sense that he was jealous of my muscular physique, though. Especially since he’d tried so hard to bulk up over the years.
“When’s the last time you ate?” I reached into my desk drawer and tossed a protein bar at him, but he made a grimace and pushed it back.
“I don’t know how you can eat that crap,” he said. “It tastes like chalk, and besides. I just came from the dentist’s office.”
“Oh, yeah. Your face isn’t sagging, though.” I chuckled.
“It wasn’t too bad… just glad it’s over.”
“Anyway, the bachelor party and wedding were great,” I explained, putting the protein bar back inside my desk. “Jake and Julianna are married, and I’ve never seen him so happy. Plus, their wedding had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Steak, lobster, lasagna, you name it. I had to unbutton my pants halfway through the reception.”
“Speaking of unbuttoning your pants,” he said with a smirk. “Tell me about the bridesmaids. You don’t have to give me all of the details, but I know you took at least one back home right.”
I laughed and just shook my head. “Well, I did spend some time with Julianna’s sister, Annie. But it’s not like that, man. She’s different than most women.”
“Good for you, Richard. You deserve someone special in your life. You haven’t been interested in anything serious since Heather left.”
I let out a breath and leaned back in my chair, rocking back and forth for a few minutes. “That’s the problem, though. I suspect that Annie doesn’t want anything more than what we did that night.”
Gavin smiled. “So, you hit it, huh? Nice. Tell me about her.”
My eyes shifted up to the ceiling. I wasn’t even sure how to describe her. “She’s unique. You know, really different than other women. She owns that yoga studio in town, and has dreams for a holistic food and supplement company, and she’s family oriented, the whole nine yards. And on top of that she’s incredibly sweet with a fireball personality.”
