Page 3 of Possessive Rancher

“You’re a virgin?”

“Yes, and I know that kind of inexperience can be a major turn-off.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that, little girl?” We fall into this rhythm way too easily, like we’ve been wandering in search of one another. Here we are. Hotel manager or not, Heather’s mine. I don’t know her past or what her future plans are, but she’ll stay here beside me…no place else.

A day ago, the only thing on my mind was this ranch. But now, somehow, I’m tortured by visions of having Heather here…as my wife…with my seed inside her…pregnant with my child.

Dammit. What’s going on with me? It’s like I woke up to a different version of myself, someone who’s suddenly obsessed with this girl one second after meeting her.

“What about the cabins you mentioned?” She looks out to the pasture beyond the backyard.

I point at the tree line. “I like to keep the landscape clean around the house and in the pasture right there so it looks inviting. There are three cabins deeper in the woods, and I’m looking to put up three more. There’s a lake out there and two of the cabins are near that. Folks can hike or drive into the mountains from the roads out there. There’s a few turns off the main that leads to those properties.”

“How do ya keep folks from just hanging out around there?” she asks.

“Security cameras and the road is blocked by this fence. The entire property is lined with this stone wall and iron fence, motion sensors, and everything. Driveway gate with the passcode opens to the road for the cabins. Whoever rents will get the code, and I can change the codes from my phone.”

“Okay, so you’re not completely locked in the stone age. I know you older folks-”

“Older folks?” I chuckle. “Ma’am, I’ll give you a run for your money. I ain’t even 40 yet.”

“My apologies, Hudson.”

“Besides, there’s a lot of things you can learn from an older guy like me.”

That makes her smile and giggle, sweeping a piece of that brilliant red hair behind her ear. I’m going to teach her things no boss should want to do with their employee.

2

HEATHER

My momma always told me about men like Hudson.

Tall, handsome, polite…well it’s not exactly polite to answer the door in boxers, but my goodness, that man has a body on him that don’t quit. Yeah, men like him will sweep you off your feet.

I want him to do exactly that, sweep me into his arms and never put me down.

Hudson looks like he takes care of every inch of this property on his own. The muscles on top of muscles prove it. Dark brown hair lies just under his ears. The sun hits his gorgeous brown eyes like coffee waiting to give me the boost of energy I need to get through any day. The slow drawl of his voice stays with me like a song I can’t forget.

I’m happy I’m the first one who showed up. Otherwise, some other lucky girl gets to interview with him. No, Hudson is all mine.

I want this job. I need it. It’s leaps and bounds better than my last position. My gut tells me that working here is the best move, and I want Hudson to want me in more ways than one.

The way his dark brown eyes zero in on me. His focus is unwavering when I speak to him, and the flitters of attraction give me hope that my virginity doesn’t turn him off. I can’t get enough of him, especially as his hair blows in the morning breeze.

He has no right to look this ruggedly handsome.

Hudson’s square jawline and stubble around his chin give him every cowboy vibe a girl loves. His voice is deep and his rough hands look like they can handle anything. The minute I feel them wrap around mine, my apex twitches with desire for him to touch me all over.

It’s crazy how someone I only met a few minutes ago makes me imagine a happily ever after. The age difference doesn’t faze me in the least.

The mountains as a backdrop to this amazing piece of land give me ideas that I’m certain will make me indispensable to Hudson. I’m not going anywhere. After this little trial period is up, I’m going to show him how valuable I’ll be to his operation.

While his drunken miscommunication is clear, one thing is even clearer. There’s a future here at Heaven’s Haven, and I want to be a part of it. It’s definitely not a bed-and-breakfast, but it has a lot of potential.

“How do we get to the cabins? Should I drive my car around?” I ask, looking over my shoulder as if I can see through the home to the front where my car sits.

“This way.” He leads me to a garage just off the side of the house. I notice the driveway from the front circles back to it. There’s another single-lane road traveling through the next pasture and into the woods beyond.

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