Graham slept like shit and gave up around six. Gertrude had weaseled her way back onto the bed and had taken issue with his feet flailing around her spot, letting out several whines over the last hour.
“Sorry, girl,” he muttered and swung his legs over the edge. He had plans to go mountain biking with a few buddies today and needed to be out of the house by seven, anyway.
He threw on a pair of shorts and padded to the kitchen to make a strong pot of coffee, Gertrude on his heels. He’d just poured himself a steaming cup when he heard a low growl, and turned to find Claire hovering in the hallway.
He gently nudged Gertie with his toe and leaned down. “We don’t talk to her like that,” he murmured. She looked up at him with innocent eyes, and he sent up a prayer he never had daughters. The thought was swiftly followed by how ridiculous a notion that was.
Odds were low Graham would ever have kids of his own. Birth control was extremely high on his priority list and he didn’t see that changing anytime soon.
Claire straightened her back and entered the kitchen, shooting his dog a dirty look before going straight to the fridge. “Morning.”
“Morning,” he said with a smile and a wink.
Her hand paused on the handle and she glared at him even as her cheeks flushed. “Don’t.”
“Don’t say good morning?”
“Not like that.”
Graham lifted his eyebrows and turned his back to her, smiling into his coffee cup. “We still on for tonight?”
“What?” she squeaked.
“We’re going out, remember? Reagan’s coming, too. Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“I mean, if after last night you’ve changed your mind and just want to hang around at home, preferably in my bed, that’s cool, too.”
The fridge door slammed, and he turned to find Claire standing with a jug of orange juice in one hand, the other balled up and propped on her hip. “We’re definitely going out.”
He shrugged. “Your call.” He took a long sip of the dark, bold coffee. “I’m going out on the trails, but I’ll make sure I’m presentable by eight. Sound good?”
She rifled through the cabinet for a cup, feigning disinterest. “Sure.”
Grinning, Graham lifted his mug to her and went back to his room.
By the time he pulled into the parking lot near his favorite mountain biking trail, he was ready to get out of his head and into the zone, where there was nothing but adrenaline and power. He’d had Claire on his mind all night and morning, and he needed to get his brain under control. The kiss had thrown him off, and he could give himself a little grace for temporarily focusing on it. He was a straight man, and she was an attractive woman, and their mouths had fit together surprisingly well.
Good thing adventure called today. His Cannondale paired with some fresh mountain air would be the perfect way to get his mind back on track.
His buddy Chris was already there, talking to another guy Graham didn’t recognize. Graham parked next to them and got out, slapping his palm against Chris’s in a handshake.
“Hey, man. This is Tyler. He came into the store last night and is new to the area, but not new to mountain biking. I told him he could come along and we’d show him the best trails.”
“Awesome.” Graham offered his hand to the new guy. “I’m Graham. I first met Chris at his store, too. Worked there all through college. Best outdoor gear in the state.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Where are you from?” Graham asked.
“Arkansas. Moved here for a job a few weeks ago and they put me to work right away. With that and unpacking, I’ve been suffocating and dying to get outside.”
“Between us and our buddies Hugh and Noah, you’ll find someone in the mountains every weekend,” Chris said. “Do you climb?”
“A little. It’s not as popular where I’m from, but I’d love to learn.”
“I’m headed to Eldorado Canyon next weekend,” Graham said. “You’re welcome to come and I’ll show you around.”
“That would be awesome. Thanks.”
Tyler turned and worked the clamps to pull his bike from his roof rack and Graham did the same. Graham left the door open while he slipped on tall socks and his bike shoes.
“Are you a local like Chris?” Tyler asked, taking a swig from his water bottle.
Graham shook his head. “Moved here for college. I’m from Santa Fe.”
“Never been. What’s the outdoor scene like there?”