Page 20 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

In the corner of her eye, she saw Eric scowling, but she didn't really have a thought to spare for him, not with Slade dropping another bombshell in the next second.

"As a reward—-" Her boss' tone turned dangerously silky. "I'm coming to pick you up."

Slade...picking her up...and meeting Eric?

"Absolutely not," she blurted out.

A low, sexy chuckle played down the line, and despite everything, she couldn't help trembling at the sound. "Just stay put, and I'll be there in a bit."

"But—-"

"Before I put the phone down, I need you to say it again."

Kady made a face. "I don't think so."

"It would also be better if you say it like I had told you something...exciting." And the way his voice dropped an octave, it was pretty much clear to Kady exactly what kind ofexcitingSlade was suggesting.

"I can't—-"

"Maybe you can't, but you'll do it anyway, won't you, little chick?"

"I—-"

"Because if you don't, I might be tempted to kiss you right in front—-"

She didn't bother letting him finish, and she didn't even have to pretend being embarrassed, with her cheeks turning a deeper, hotter shade of red as she said pleadingly,"Baby."

Another chuckle, and then Slade murmured wickedly, "I was kidding, though."

What?

"I'd kiss you either way."

And then the line went dead, and for one long moment Kady could only gape at her phone.That...that...that...

"That was painfully awkward to hear."

Eric's surprisingly insightful words were a relief, and Kady found herself nodding vehemently. "I know, right? That was my—-"

"Kady?"

The rudeness in his tone had her blinking. "Yes?"

"Don't you think it's a little too childish to fake having a boyfriend?"

OH. MY. GOD.

She quickly started shaking her head. "I'm not—-"

"You were practically choking on the word when you said 'baby'," Eric derided.

"But that's because—-"

"There you are, sweetheart."

I'm Too Sexy

"In order to know virtue, we must first acquaint ourselves with vice." ~ Marquis de Sade

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