Page 31 of My Billionaire Cowboy Protector

Taylor didn’t even bother holding her hand out to shake. Rachel would either sneer at it or put out her hand like a princess.

“How did you meet Lane?”

“We are both in the ranching business,” Taylor said.

“I just wanted to give you a warning. Lane and I have known each other forever and we were meant to be together. He’ll end up dumping you for me,” she said.

Taylor grinned. “Really, now?”

Rachel narrowed her eyes, obviously annoyed by Taylor’s amusement.

She looked Taylor up and down and sneered. “Everyone can tell that you’re low class and don’t belong. He is clearly out of your league.”

Shaking her head, Taylor smirked. “Thank you for your feedback. I will take it under advisement.”

Rachel’s growl turned into a sweet smile when Lane walked up behind Taylor, put his arm around her shoulders, and kissed her on the cheek.

“How are you, Rachel,” Lane asked, his voice cold.

The woman glared at Taylor for half a second and then said, “I’m doing great now that you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

“Glad you are doing well,” Lane said.

He started to say something to Taylor, but Rachel cut him off. “I was thinking of visiting you. You could show me all the sights around Colorado Springs and Denver. We could have a great time.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m much too busy with the ranch. There are a lot of wonderful tour guides who would be able to show you whatever you want to see. I’m sure you would enjoy staying at a high-end resort, bed and breakfast, or fancy hotel,” Lane said. “I’m sure we’ll see you around.”

Lane guided Taylor back to the mansion, leaving Rachel standing alone, fuming, glaring at their backs.

“You will have to patch up all the burn holes in my back from her looks,” Taylor laughed.

They stopped and he pretended to inspect her back. “They are just minor. You’ll heal,” Lane teased. “I’m really sorry about that.”

“It’s no big deal. After all, you’re a big, studly gorgeous man and with your bank account, you’re quite the catch.”

“You think I’m hot, don’t you?” Lane grinned.

“Eh, you’re alright.”

He laughed and pulled her close to him, pressing his lips against hers. She forgot about the rest of the world as he put his hands on the back of her head and back. Taylor wrapped her arms around him.

Lane explored her mouth. Taylor’s knees felt weak and she was sure that they were going to buckle. The sweet smell of the flowers circled around them, and she was sure she was in heaven. Taylor moaned in the back of her throat.

He lifted his head and said, “Just alright, huh?”

“Okay, maybe a smidge better than that,” Taylor said.

Rachel rushed past them, her nose in the air. She glared at Taylor and sniffed at her as she walked by.

Taylor looked around and noticed that they had an audience. She turned bright pink.

“You look adorable with your cheeks all red like that.”

She punched him lightly in the arm and growled.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was fun. Taylor met the rest of the brothers, who seemed to have the same easy-going laid-back attitude that Lane and Colton had. They must have inherited it from their father. Gene had an easy smile with a quick sense of humor. Caroline was an entirely different character, though. If Taylor didn’t know better, she was sure that Caroline was a speed freak, took meth, and other uppers on the side. She was constantly moving around and she talked so fast that it was sometimes hard to understand her. She melded her words together.

After dinner, Lane took Taylor up to his room where their luggage had been unpacked.

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