Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
N o matter how fast he went, Dallas couldn’t seem to burn off his frustration.
He rounded a corner on the walking trail that cut through downtown Paradise Springs. He could have gone for a hike in the woods near the inn, but today he’d needed to pound the pavement and run at a steady clip.
He tucked his head and picked up the pace until sweat dripped down his neck and his lungs ached.
But it didn’t help. The worst part was, he couldn’t even focus. Normally a workout helped him clear his mind, but not today. His dad had called to discuss another issue they had to handle at the boutique hotel. It wasn’t a real problem—just a nuisance, really.
And that was the problem. Dallas was bored. So freakin’ bored. His father had given him grief for still being at the inn rather than his office.
Not that it mattered. He still got all his work done. No one actually needed him at the office. It was only that being in the office from 9 to 5, wearing a suit, and taking long lunches or meetings on the golf course…
That was how his dad had done it. And his dad before him.
And so now, obviously…
“That’s how I do it too,” he huffed.
The trail turned so now he was following the river. Birds were chirping overhead, and sunlight filtered through the trees. It was idyllic, really. And this run was exactly what he needed to blow off steam.
The problem was…
He didn’t know what the problem was. That was the issue. He’d worked hard to get where he’d gotten. He’d proven himself time and again to his father, to Bailey, and to the employees.
He could run the family business in his sleep.
His pace slowed as he turned a corner that opened up to a small park.
Maybe that was the problem. Being able to run an office in his sleep wasn’t exactly what he’d dreamed of when he’d gone to school for his business degree. Putting out minor fires that any good manager could handle felt like a waste of time.
His steps faltered when he realized there was already someone in the park. Workout equipment and wood chips covered the partially hidden area, and for a second, Dallas’s shock was at finding it already occupied.
But then…
Fire raced through his muscles as he caught sight of her.
Ronnie.
Her back was to him as she did pull-ups at the bar. She was wearing yoga pants and a small top that made her look like a professional athlete.
She is a professional athlete!
And it definitely showed as she pulled herself up with an ease and speed that was nothing but impressive.
Her back rippled with gleaming muscles, her slim arms showing off the strength of her biceps and triceps. Her hair was braided in a way that said I’m not trying to be pretty, I’m going for efficiency. Yet the style suited her style so well, she was all things beautiful.
Dallas’s mouth went dry as he watched her work out. Running a hand over his hair, he tried to catch his breath.
Holy crap. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was sexy as hell.
And she…
Had just caught him staring.
His mouth slammed shut. Nope. He hadn’t even been staring. He’d been freakin’ ogling. He’d been drinking her in like a man in the desert.
Geez. What was wrong with him?
Ronnie seemed to be wondering the same thing. Her brows drew together in confusion as she settled on the ground and curled her small fingers around the bar beside her. “Dallas?”
He lifted a hand. A lame greeting, too little too late.
Her gaze dipped, taking in his sweaty T-shirt, the running pants, and the sneakers. “I didn’t know you ran.”
He blinked. “Is that your way of saying you think I’m out of shape?”
Her lips quirked up on the sides and amusement flashed in her eyes as she wiped her forehead with her arm. “No. Just figured you’re more of a gym rat like most corporate Kens I know.”
“Uh-huh.” His heart picked up its pace, a jolt of excitement zinging through him at the challenge in her eyes. “And you meet a lot of corporate guys in your line of work, do you?”
Her lips twitched again. “What do you know about my line of work?”
He shrugged, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying, you’re probably surrounded by boys who say ‘bruh’ and ‘dude’ a lot, if anything…”
She strutted over to him. And yes, it was definitely a strut and not a walk. With her exposed taut belly and her low-slung yoga pants, she had to know that he was drooling, and she owned it.
She stopped when she was so close he could feel the heat from her body—and it nearly drove him wild. Her head cocked to the side. “Sounds like you’re describing amateur athletes. Not the pros.”
The way she said it, paired with the way her eyes dropped to take him in… He choked on a laugh. “Are you calling me out, Colbert?”
Her smile was brilliant but way too quick as she turned on her heel to strut back the way she’d come. When she turned to look at him over her shoulder, a swarm of butterflies erupted in his belly.
Seriously? Butterflies?
Was he back in middle school again?
He scratched his stomach while his forehead wrinkled.
The sexy little smirk on her face was all things kissable. “You up for a challenge, Cowboy?”
Dallas’s laugh was soundless as his brain conducted a quick, pointless battle.
You should absolutely say no and keep on running. She is fire, and you’ll get burned.
But you are one hundred percent going to say yes, aren’t you?
“You bet I am,” he murmured under his breath as he ran over to Ronnie’s side.