Page 70 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

He raises a brow. "Well?"

"No, actually I haven't, and—-"Wait a minute.My gaze narrows at him. "What does that have to do with you?"

Aidan only smiles, and even though it's always enough to make my heart skip a beat...

Oh my God.

The glint in his gaze tells me exactly what he's thinking now, and I don't even know how to feel about it.

"If you're thinking what I want is you—-"

"I am."

I can only look at him helplessly, unable to believe he really went there. "Aidan—-"

"That's the first time you've said my name," he suddenly says, and I can only stare at him, my skin tingling at how his voice has become rough with need all at once.

"Say it again," he orders.

My brain tells me not to do it, but my heart is foolish than ever. It's actually thrilled to hear the note of command in his voice, and oh my God, it's hopeless.I'mhopeless, and next thing I know—-

"Aidan."

I say it grudgingly, but because I still did say it, both of us know who's the winner and loser here, and I can't help grimacing at the way Aidan's dark gaze gleams in triumph.

"Again."

"Seriously?"

"Again."

No way am I going to do it. Just no way. No, no, no.

But next thing I know, I'm already saying it.

"Aidan."

I growl it out, but that doesn't really make things any less worse, and I'm not surprised to see Aidan's lips curve ever so slowly into the cockiest and sexiest of smirks.

Hopeless. You are completely hopeless, Serafina Edison.

Wasn't it just five minutes ago that I told Aidan I can't see things working out between us? So what the hell am I doing now? Why am I flirting like I can hope for something more and—-

"I heard it all, you know." Aidan's murmur cuts through my thoughts, and I look at him in surprise.

Heard what?

"Do you remember the first time we met?"

"Outside the diner?"

He smiles. "I saw you before that, though. Well, everyone did. Colette was giving you such a hard time we all kinda felt bad—-"

"Say no more," I interrupt with a wince. "I was such a wimp—-"

"You werekind," Aidan says simply. "You could've given her as good as you got. I saw it in your eyes. But you chose not to because you were kind, and frankly, that was what turned me on—-"

I can only gape at him. "Mykindnessmade youhorny?"

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