Page 68 of Wild As Her

Then, of course, she ruins the moment by squinting at me. "Alright, what’s the catch? You want a percentage? Gonna make me sign my life away in a contract?"

I snort. "I was actually thinking I want tohelpyou."

Her arms drop to her sides, mouth falling open. "You?Help me?"

"Yeah." I rub the back of my neck. "Look, Wilder Ranch?—"

"You own it, which means you could make my life miserable at any second."

"Or," I say, holding up a finger, ignoring her jabs, "I could help you make this happen. Nothing is stopping you. What I wasaboutto say is that Wilder Ranch is safe. No one is taking it from you, which means no one is stopping you from making all of this happen."

She studies me, skeptical as ever.

Finally, she sighs and drops into the seat across from me. "Youreallythink it’s a good idea?"

"Iknowit is." I tap the folder. "And for what it’s worth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this passionate about anything. Well, except maybe hating me."

She lets out a laugh. "Yeah, well. You make it easy."

I smirk. "And yet, here we are. Would you stop being so mean to me?"

She shakes her head, amused. "No."

“If I was dying, would you give me a kidney?” I ask.

She gives me a look of confusion then says, “Maybe. If you died, I’d have no one to tease.”

For a second, we just sit here. And damn it, I like this, sitting across from her, talking about something that matters.

Her head tilt and knowing look shatters that moment. "So, how long have you been hiding in here, exactly?"

I scoff. "I wasn’t hiding, I was just?—"

"You don’t know how to work the coffee machine, do you?"

I squirm slightly. "I… might have some technical difficulties."

Cami’s grin stretches wide, downright predatory. "Well, well, well. Big bad, Jack Jessop. Defeated by a coffee maker."

I scowl. "Don’t make this a thing."

"Oh, it’s a thing now." She stands up, grabs a mug, and starts working the machine with an ease that makes me resent her alittle. "So, let me get this straight. You can mend a fence, break in a wild colt, and sweet-talk a whole town into trusting the Jessops again… but you can’t make a cup of coffee?"

"Not can’t," I correct. "Just… haven’t tried. Yet."

She hands me a steaming mug, looking way too pleased with herself. "Well, today’s your lucky day, Jessop. Welcome to the world of caffeine. Try not to embarrass yourself today with all of your ladies."

I take the mug, sipping carefully as she smirks.

Damn it. It’s good.

“That’s one helluva business plan. Where did you learn all of that?” Setting my mug down, I asked.

“I guess there are things you don’t know about me, Jack,” she says as she pours herself a cup of coffee.

“I can’t wait to find out,” I say over my mug.

I almost spill my coffee in surprise when the door to the trailer swings open like a damn police raid.

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