Page 57 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

I stare at him warily, wondering if he's about to threaten my heart again with another killer line.

"You never told me your name."

I breathe a sigh of relief.Oh thank God. Something prosaic to talk about, finally, and I'm just so grateful I happily give my name up. "It's Raffi."

"Just Raffi?"

"Short for Serafina."

"Much better."

The words startle a smile out of me. "That's kinda telling, don't you think?" I shift in my seat to look at Wyoming Keanu, thinking I'd tease him about being old-fashioned—-

Shit.

I quickly look away before the heat in his eyes has me doing something stupid. I just don't understand this guy. He's Wyoming Keanu, for God's sake, while I'm...well...I'm the type of girl guys like tohangout rather thanmakeout with. I bring the big O to ordinary, and yet I just caught him staring at me like he's been eye-fucking me this entire time. Is it because there's a shortage of females in Wyoming or...wait a minute.

I think I finally get why he's acting like this, and I turn to him right away, saying, "I think I should make something clear."

"I'm listening."

I clear my throat, and then I say as firmly as I can, "I Am Not Easy.Okay?"

Silence.

"I know it's hard to believe when it seems like I've come on to you first, telling you you're handsome and...andmacho, but you shouldn't really read anything into it."

"I shouldn't?"

"You can feel flattered if you want."

"I can?"

"I mean, I don't normally say things like that."

"You don't?"

I open my mouth to answer when it suddenly hits me. I look at him suspiciously, and as if sensing my gaze, Wyoming Keanu also turns my way...with a sexy little smirk playing over his lips.

"Jerk!"I sock his shoulder hard even as a helpless laugh bubbles past my lips. I can't believe it took me so long to realize he was letting the whole conversation play out just to enjoy the sight of me squirming.

"You'reChief of Police," I say chidingly. "You're not supposed to act like a jerk."

"You're probably right," he agrees. "But since I'm off duty right now..."

His tone lowers a notch, and I manage to make myself scowl even as my whole body feels like it's on fire. "Will you quit that?" I grumble. "I mean it when I said—-"

"I never thought you were easy."

The mildness of his tone throws me off, and my mind goes blank. Hehasto be lying. He has to. Why else would he bother—-

"We're here."

What was that? What does he mean we're here—-oh.I realize what he means when I see him switching the engine off, and I quickly paste a smile on my face even as my heart aches at the thought of him leaving. "Right. Um. Thanks then."

"Let me open—-"

"It's fine, thanks." I open my door and jump out of the pick-up without looking at him. It was nice spending time with Wyoming Keanu, but it's time for a reality check.

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