Page 6 of Broken Rules

Jared stared at him.

Tyler took a breath, knowing he needed to explain better why he wanted Becca to stay.“I know Becca.We went to high school and college together.”He wasn’t going to lie or conceal anything from Jared, they were as close as brothers.“And we were lovers.”

“I see.”

“I know we have a hands-off policy with the guests, but—”

“You want her.”

Tyler nodded.

Jared blew out a breath.“Go and talk to her.Tell her about the adult activities of the ranch.She hasn’t turned in the paperwork in the check-in packet.Make absolutely sure she understands it completely, thoroughly.Then, if she wants to stay and be with you, we can make an exception.In the meantime, I’ll talk with the intake staff.They should have caught this.”

“Thanks.”Tyler relaxed.“I know this is unusual for us.”

“Yeah.I only want what is best for the ranch.”

Tyler nodded.

“But if she wants to leave, you have to let her go.We’ll give her a full refund.”

“She’ll stay.”He felt confident she would.There was still a sexual attraction between them.He’d felt it at the stables, and he was sure she had too.But Jared was right about one thing: He couldn’t pressure Becca into staying.

No matter how much he craved her.

***

“Angie, I’m going to kill you,” Becca muttered, back in her cabin.On the table in front of her were the contents of the packet she’d thrown on the bed.A book about the ranch with a map of the grounds and a list of activities.And several forms: NDA, release of liability, and declaration of consent.Is this what Angie’s cryptic comments about ‘activities’ meant?

Adult activities.Activities meant for couples.

She jumped to her feet and began pacing.Why had Angie sent her to an adult ranch?Had she known the activities were sexual?

No, that didn’t make sense.Did Angie think this place would loosen Alan up?And why insist that I come alone after the breakup?

Damn, I need my cell.Maybe the ranch house had a phone she could use.

Couples only.Becca wouldn’t have come if she’d known.All Angie told her was that it was a dude ranch.Angie wouldn’t have sent me here alone if she’d known it was couples only.Would she?Becca knew her best friend.I told her I didn’t want to go to the ranch.But nooooo; she insisted.“It’ll be fun,” she said.“Relax.Recharge.Embrace the new start and new job.”

God, she’s devious.

The two of them got a bit drunk when Becca called off her engagement, and they’d talked about sex and fantasies.Angie told Becca she needed to relax, let Mother Nature take control, and have fun with a nice cowboy on the ranch.

Short-lived excitement sent shivers over her skin.She didn’thavea partner.

A twinge of sadness flowed through her.

What about Tyler?What was he thinking?She was here alone, all alone.Does he think I did it on purpose?That didn’t make sense.She hadn’t even known he’d be here.

But now a crazy idea popped into her head and her core clenched.

How would Tyler feel if I ask him to be my partner this week?No, that wasn’t possible.She paced from the fireplace to the patio doors.She’d read about the variety of activities, and her body still felt aflame with the possibilities.As each one flashed through her mind, the man standing in front of her wasn’t Alan.

It was Tyler.Strong, capable, great-in-bed Tyler.

Becca rested her head against the door, frustrated emotionally, mentally, and now physically.

Why is this happening now?Would it be a bad idea to ask Tyler?

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