Page 33 of The Rancher's Addiction

“Because I was afraid you wouldn’t want me.The fact that I’ve never wanted a woman the way I do you makes my insecurities ten times worse.”

“I never would have thought you were insecure.”

“It’s only happened one time before, and it’s when I took over the ranch from my dad when he became ill.I was terrified I’d do something or not work hard enough, and I’d lose the place.”

“Well, you didn’t.”

“No.It’s actually grown in the time I’ve been in charge.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” she told him.

He pressed her head to his chest.“Do you still need to cry?”

She shook her head.“No, you holding me is helping.I’m always amazed at what a hug can do for a person.”

“You never got hugged?”

“Oh, I think the nannies would hug me sometimes.”

“That’s so fucked up.I can’t believe you came from them.They both had ...I would saysticksup their asses, but I’d say it’s closer to poles up their asses.It’s got to be mighty uncomfortable.”

She chuckled and moved a few steps away.“I don’t think they planned to have me.”

“But they did, and you’re a wonderful person.”

She leaned back and raised her eyebrows.“I think I’m dreaming.You just gave me a compliment.”

He grunted.“I’ve done that before.”

“What do you want to do now?”she asked.

He arched an eyebrow.“You really want to put that out there?”

She looked confused and then apprehensive when he stood and took the few steps to stand in front of her again.

He placed his hands on her hips.

“What ...do you mean?”

One side of his mouth kicked up.“It means I’ve wanted to get my hands on you from the first moment I saw you.”

“Oh.”

He stared down at her.“Do you really have work to do?”

She nodded.“I always have work.”

“Can it wait?”

“I guess.Why?”

“Are you on call?”

She nodded.“Yes.”

“I was going to bring you home to the ranch and take you riding, but we'll have to do that another day.How about lunch, and we’ll go from there?”

She pretended to look shocked and pointed at herself.“You want to go on a date with me?”

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