Page 8 of The Rancher's Vengeful Heart

That's the only reason why he's got all those women after him.

I'm just as good-looking as he is, don't you think?

Tassy had only nodded and changed the subject, not even allowing herself to glance at the photos that Xylan had pulled up on the Internet. She had meant to keep her promise, and it had carried over to her career, with Tassy making a quiet but painstaking effort to avoid accepting any projects that could have her crossing paths with Lucius Young in any way.

While her understanding of God was still terribly vague at that time, Tassy already knew even then that the only way to beat temptation was to flee from it.

Out of sight, out of mind.

She loved Xylan.

She didn't love the billionaire.

Ergo, she would prioritize seeing more of the first, and none at all of the latter. That had been her guiding principle about all things Lucius Young, and that was why...

Huh.

Tassy had reviewed her calendar for the month just last week, and there shouldn't have been any chance for her and Lucius to...

Oh.

Right.

Her not-so-private breakup had made Tassy forget to do her due diligence in checking if today's unscheduled flight would have her accidentally crossing paths with the billionaire. Then again...why should she even bother checking? It wasn't like she still owed any other man loyalty, and so—-

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Years had literally gone by since she hadallowedherself to hear the silken familiarity of his voice, so why had the mere sound caused her breasts to swell achingly in response? It was as if her body was insisting to be heard, after being silenced for so long a time, and what it wanted to make clear was what her mind had subconsciously known all this time...but her heart had refused to acknowledge out of loyalty.

She was attracted to Lucius Young.

And every sleek, hard inch of him so easily captivated her senses...

To the point that she couldn't quite remember what he had said.

"I'm, um, sorry..." Tassy cleared her throat. "What was that again?"

The billionaire gestured to the seat closest to hers, separated only by a tiny side table. "May I?"

She nodded without thinking, but she was still stunned upon seeing the billionaire fold his length into the armchair next to hers.

The Vermillion could comfortably accommodate a hundred passengers in their main hall alone, and there were only lessthan ten of them right now. So why sit next to her when he could enjoy far greater privacy somewhere else? Better yet, why not book one of the lounge's private suites? Didn't people like him hate being around common folk like her?

Tassy's head started to hurt as she struggled to make sense of the billionaire's presence. Her heart had yet to stop aching while her pride was still in tatters. A fully functioning brain was all she had left, but right now, that brain was betraying her with images she'd never allowed herself before.

His large, strong hands cupping her face—-

Her own smaller hands running over the hard expanse of his chest—-

His big, hard body pressing hers against the wall as he—-

STOP!

Tassy seriously wondered if she had lost her mind.

Billionaire or not, the insanely confounding six-foot-five threat that was Lucius Young had to go. His presence was too overwhelming and disturbing in this quiet space, too dangerously tempting for her peace of mind.

Be polite but firm, Tassy reminded herself as she took a deep breath. She also smoothed imaginary wrinkles from her dress in a futile attempt to distract herself, but this only backfired horribly as warmth pooled in her belly at the thought that maybe...

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