Page 68 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

He hauls me to his lap without a word, and his chair falls back as our mouths meet in a deep, drugging kiss that have both of us panting in seconds.

I've never felt this kind of passion before.

Never craved to be this close to a man before.

Never until Aidan.

And I just wish...

Ihaveto wish it wasn't so.

Chapter Six

AIDAN BRINGS ME TOthe town's one and only steakhouse, and I can't help fussing over my hair, having just realized that we're about to be seen by his friends again.

"Are you sure I look okay?" I ask one last time.

"You already know the answer to that."

I can't help making a face at this, and Aidan grins.

"Telling me I'm beautiful over and over can't actually make it true, you know."

But Aidan being Aidan, he only smiles and takes my hand. "Let's go in. I'm starving."

The place is only half full, and while it's obvious everyone knows everyone, it's just as obvious Hartland's townsfolk are keen to give us space, with the way they smile and nod at Aidan and me without attempting to engage us in small talk.

"I feel like something's going on," I tell Aidan as he helps me to my seat.

"There is," Aidan confirms easily as he takes his seat across me. "I put the word out that it's our first date tonight—-"

I nearly choke on my glass of water.

"—-and that I'd appreciate some privacy while I do my wooing and dining."

Okay, make that I'm officially choking now, and Wyoming Keanu here even has the gall to act like a knight coming to my rescue as he asks, "Are you alright?" He leans forward and takes a napkin to gently pat my mouth dry.

He leans back. "All good now."

"It is not all good!" I'm aghast and mortified, but more than anything else, I'm in despair at how my lips are still tingling at his touch. This man has such a gift for driving me crazy and making me want to swoon all at the same time.

"You can't do things like that in public," I hiss under my breath. "You know about Jack—-"

It's my first time to see Aidan's lip curl. "If you feel guilty about him, don't be. He'll get over you—-"

"Thanks a lot." I'm hurt and more than a little stunned that he can say something so crass.

"It's only natural," Aidan says patiently.

And the blows just keep coming. Why does he even bother saying I'm beautiful in one breath—-

"He doesn't need you the way I do."

Only to make me feel like I'm so worthless no man will pine—-what did he just say?

Aidan catches me staring at him. "What is it?"

I hastily shake my head and manage a smile. "I was just lost in my thoughts, sorry."

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