Page 111 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

“You have the hands and feet of a Hobbit but can’t handle a little ruffle on your collar bone?”

“Correct,” I said. “Although I don’t have hairy feet.”

Jessica dropped her shoes on her couch and grabbed a pair of gawdy gold earrings that looked like a pair of my grandma’s clip-ons from the end table.

“You’re willing to be seen in public in those?” I asked. Jessica usually leaned more toward a chic but conservative style.

“These are exactly the biggest size of earrings we can wear at the office.” She smiled viciously. “So I wear them every single day.”

“Does Danger Zone notice them?” I asked.

Jessica smirked. “He’s never said anything, but his eyes always dart to them the first time he sees me in the morning.”

I shook my head. “Darlin’, you need to get a new job.”

“I love my job.” Jessica moved her shoes to the floor and slipped her feet into the pointed-toe blue heels, then walked to where her purse sat on a small table next to the front door. “I’m just not very fond of my boss at the moment.” Before I could hit her with another verbal jab, she held up her hand. “You don’t get to harass me about men right now.”

I closed my mouth.

“You’re about to have breakfast with one of the wealthiest men in the city.” Her eyes narrowed. “How do you feel about that?”

I shrugged one shoulder, remembering the brief, but intense, time William and I had enjoyed in his barn the day before. Yes, I knew the man had money to burn, but in my mind, all I saw was his grin and the way he looked at me. “It’s just William.”

“Your blush tells me there’s more to it.” Jessica pointed.

“I told you I liked him.”

Jessica smiled. “I know, I just want you to remember where you’re at. This isn’t Texas.”

I squared my shoulders and raised an eyebrow. “I went to Harvard Law, remember? I’ve hobnobbed with people who had egos the size of Texas. The New York breakfast crowd shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Atta girl.” Jessica checked the time on her phone, then reached for the door. “Your ride share will be here in ten minutes. Go down to the lobby and the guy at the entrance will take care of you.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“You’re welcome.” Jessica’s expression softened. “You’re still on for the storage unit this evening?”

I nodded. “For sure.” Five out of seven of the Curvy Girl Crew were in the New York area, and we’d managed to find a time and place where we could all meet for a couple of hours.

“Great.” Jessica gave me a thumbs up. “Good luck today.”

“You too.”

Thirty minutes, and a harrowing ride through the city in morning traffic, later I spotted William standing on a crowded sidewalk outside the restaurant. He was back to his business attire, which always did good things for his physique, but he seemed different. Even from a block away I could tell he was tense, and when the driver stopped in front of him, I noticed his lips pressed together a little more tightly than usual.

William opened my door and offered me a hand to help me out.

I didn’t need help getting out of a car, even if it was so low that I’d felt like my butt had been scraping along the asphalt during the drive, but I couldn’t help the giddy joy that accompanied slipping my fingers into his hand. I suddenly felt like a woman from a regency novel being steadied as she got out of a carriage.

The morning air sent a chill through me, and I regretted not borrowing a sweater.

William hadn’t been shy at the barn, but I’d suspected he would be more reserved here in the city.

Good thing I hadn’t bet on that, because William studied every inch of me as I stepped out of the car. His eyebrows rose in appreciation at the dress, and when his gaze finally reached my eyes, he tugged me to him.

William wrapped one arm around my waist, and I erased the space between us, my hands slipping under his suit jacket. His eyes blazed with intensity as he lowered his lips to mine.

How could each and every kiss feel so new? So good? So perfect? William didn’t rush. He didn’t seem to care that we were standing in the middle of pedestrian traffic. Every bit of his attention was focused on me, and I closed my eyes and let the sensation sweep me away.

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