Page 1 of The Rancher's Second-Choice Wife

Prologue

EIGHT YEARS AGO

All heads turned as a woman strode confidently inside the lounge, which had been reserved exclusively for trade show participants. She was radiantly beautiful and unabashedly glamorous, with diamonds sparkling from her ears and around her neck. The side slit of her figure-hugging dress parted as she took the last vacant stool by the bar, and the men around her stared as the shapely length of her legs went on display.

Everyone in the bar wanted her.

But Camelia only had eyes for one, and he was seated right next to her.

"Valerian Rossfield, isn't it?"

Her breath caught as a pair of blue eyes swung in her direction. Camelia was no stranger to beauty. She had been adored her entire life because of her looks. But this man was on an entirely different level, and so were his brains. If only he weren't so reckless, he would have been Camelia's idea of a perfect man.

"You've been staring at me for a long time."

Valerian's words would've embarrassed most other women, but Camelia only shrugged. "I like what I'm seeing, but that's beside the point for now." She offered him her hand. "Camelia Blanchard—-"

His grip had Camelia catching her breath again. The sheer strength of it had her wondering how he could so easily manhandle her in bed if he wanted to. And oh, if only—-

"You're the CEO of Radiant."

A mixture of surprise and amusement dispelled her lust for the moment, with Camelia's lips curving at his unexpected response. "Most people would recognize me for winning the crown."

"You're royalty?"

A laugh slipped out of her, and for the first time in years, it wasn't at all fake. "I'm talking about the kind of crown that also comes with a title."

"That still sounds like royalty to me."

"My title has more to do with being the most beautiful girl in the world."

"Ah. I stand corrected. I didn't know those things still existed."

She would've found the words condescending coming from another person. But since Valerian Rossfield's reputation preceded him, Camelia had already expected to be this blunt.

"Is there anything else you wanted to say?"

Valerian's abrupt question had Camelia raising a brow. "Am I keeping you from something?"

"I don't like wasting my time, and you don't seem the type to chat men up without a reason."

"You'd be correct."

"So if I ask you to join me in my room..."

"I'll have to break your heart," she said sweetly, "since I don't date men who are—-"

"Younger?"

"Poorer," she corrected him coolly even as his taunt had her wanting to slap and kiss him at the same time. Why was this man so damn irresistible?

"Is that so?"

The way his voice lowered had her insides quivering with desire, but Camelia wouldn't have gotten to where she was now if she was so easily swayed.

"Your presentation earlier interested me a lot." It was her turn to be blunt, and she appreciated the way his expression immediately changed. He was taking her seriously, and that just made him all the more desirable. She wanted to fuck him so bad...but not just yet.

"It was enough to have me ask around—-"

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