Page 18 of The Rancher's Addiction

“Oh, I like you just fine.The problem is I like you a little too much.”

She tried pushing against his chest.“I think you should go.”

He bent and nuzzled her neck, making her bite back a moan.

He pinched her chin, bent enough to be level with her face.“You need to stay the hell away from me.Don’t come to the ranch, don’t try to talk to me on the street, just stay away.You got that?”

She nodded and then watched him walk out the door.She knew she didn’t like the man.He was obnoxious, rude, and belligerent.So why then did his leaving make her feel like something shattered inside her?

She slowly walked to the door, locked it before moving back to the bedroom, and diving back into bed.

Jenny felt tears burn beneath her eyelids as she stared up at the ceiling.How could he growl at her, then turn around and kiss her?He wasn’t making any sense, and it was driving her crazy.She rolled out of bed and jumped into the shower.She knew she wouldn’t be getting any sleep for a while, and there were always things she could do.

At the diner, near the clinic, she grabbed a breakfast sandwich to go with the coffee she’d made at home before heading to the clinic.Although it was Sunday and the clinic wasn’t open unless it was an emergency, she decided to clean and organize to keep her mind off things.

She didn’t like when she didn’t understand something, and when her emotions were involved, it made it harder.

She knew a lot of it had to do with her upbringing.She’d spent so much time alone that she’d learned not to depend on anyone, and it helped keep her emotions in check and under control.

The few friends she’d had in college made her see the world differently, and that having friends and letting people get close was okay and safe.The only thing was, she’d never had the urge to date.There had been several men who had asked, but she’d always said she was too busy when in fact she knew they would want to know her on a deeper level and eventually have sex.That was something she knew she couldn’t handle because she was too young and inexperienced, and the chances of her getting hurt were too high.

There had also been the fear that she wouldn’t be able to open herself up enough, that she was too closed off and almost frozen inside, making it impossible to have a normal relationship.

Growing up with only a nanny and a few servants as companions put her at an extreme disadvantage to normal children.Also, the fact that she rarely saw her parents, and when she did, it always left her feeling more alone than ever.

Jenny tried to concentrate on what she was doing because she didn’t want to think about things she knew would never change.

Chapter Eight

“What might you be doinghere today, little lady?”

Jenny jerked her head around to see Dr.Sherman.She was sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of one of the cabinets with cleaning spray, rags, and supplies all around her on the floor.

“I’m cleaning.”

He tipped his head to the side and studied her.He didn’t have any children.Unfortunately, his wife, the love of his life, had died a few years after they were married, and he just didn’t have it in him to try to find someone else who would hold a candle to her.So, he concentrated on his practice and spent time with old friends.He had no other relatives alive and had taken to Jenny quickly.She reminded him of his late wife in some ways.He also knew if he could have chosen a daughter, it would have been Jenny.

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