Page 30 of Taming the Billionaire Cowboy
“I don’t want to put you out,” I protest.
“No sense making things harder than they need to be,” he says. “Trust me on this one.”
I don’t know why, but I think I might be able to.
It’s just a battery, a hundred bucks tops. And I know it doesn’t take long to put them in. Still, something nags at me, and I think of Bradley’s father and how ever since him it’s always seemed like there’s going to be a catch.
I take a deep breath. Oliver is nothing likehim. For one thing, Oliver hasn’t skipped town in the middle of the night, and he’s definitely not skipping out on my car. So I don’t even know why I’m comparing them. There’s no risk here. It’s not like I’m trusting him with something as important as a kid.
“Thank you,” I finally say. “Really.”
Oliver lets the hood close. It falls with a thunk, sending up a cloud of dust. “Not a big deal. We’ll have you back on the road by Friday.” He brushes off his hands and wipes his palms on his jeans. He seems almost shy.
“I’ll pay you for?—”
He grins and shakes his head. “No, you won’t.”
I hesitate once more. “I don’t want you to?—”
“You can’t accept nice gestures?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Apparently not.
Does that mean there’s something wrong with me?
“Thank you,” I say.
He nods, and though it’s hard to see his eyes in the dark, I feel his gaze on me like it’s a physical touch, my skin tingling under the weight of it.
Headlights slice through the night, making their way up the driveway. “That’s Ferris.” I knock on Bradley’s window. “Hey. Grab your things. Ferris is here.”
She parks and gets out, and before I can introduce her and Oliver, he’s extending his hand. “Oliver Greer.”
“Ferris.” She shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
There are grumbles from Bradley as he has to relocate cars, and a quick goodbye to Oliver. Within a few seconds, we’re off, the three of us leaving the ranch behind.
Ferris shoots me a look.
“What?” I ask.
She shakes her head innocently, a knowing smile on her face.
“Keep your eyes on the road,” I tell her.
At home, Bradley jumps out of the car and runs straight inside. Ferris and I linger on the porch as the TV light shines through the front window. Based on how hard he worked himself today, I reckon there’s a ninety percent chance he’ll be asleep on the couch within five minutes.
“He’s even hotter in person,” Ferris says, and I can tell she’s been waiting the whole drive home to drop that comment.
“Eh.” I shrug a shoulder.
“What? You disagree?”
“No, he’s … yeah, he’s cute-” I stumble over my words. “He’s in way over his head. He bought the ranch not knowing what he’s doing.”
“That’s why he hired you, though, right?”
I pause, glancing over at my cousin, who is watching me with a faint smile playing on her lips. “Yes,” I finally admit, returning her smile. “He wanted someone experienced to help him.”
