Page 67 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

That's all I'm hoping for, but I don't get to say it since Jack's already hung up. Time is clearlynotsomething he thinks I deserve.

AIDAN IS ALREADY WAITINGfor me in the B&B's living room when I come down, and my heart stumbles and stutters at how his handsome face softens oh so slowly as our eyes meet. I know I'm no stunner, but every time this man looks at me I feel like I can give even Aphrodite a run for her money.

He strides towards me, and I'm no longer surprised when my knees threaten to turn into jelly. It's my first time to see him ditch his bubble jacket for a fancy trench coat, and I'm mesmerized by how sexy he looks in it. Andposh. There's just something so exquisitely self-assured about Aidan, with every inch of him just so glossy in its perfection that it's making me want to ask for another look at his badge.

Is he really just your friendly neighborhood police chief?

My breath hitches when he finally reaches me, and I catch a glimpse of the languorous heat lingering in his gaze. It's almost like he's just biding his time, deliberately fanning the flames until—-

Shit.

Aidan blinks in surprise when I suddenly cross my arms over my chest, and I can only smile weakly, absolutely unwilling to tell him that my nipples have actually dared to react to the lustful direction of my thoughts.

"Everything okay?"

"Uh huh."

"You look beautiful."

He says it so very simply that there's just no way for me to doubt him. He really does think I'm beautiful, and I fight to hold on to my smile even as my heart breaks a little at how impossibly dreamy he is.

Beautiful.

Even Jack's never said that. Like everyone else, Jack always compliments me for being classy, and while I know he obviously doesn't mean that to be an insult...

Every girl wants to feel pretty even just once, you know?

And Aidan...

He always says the things I want to hear. Words I wished some other man would tell me.

Any other man but Aidan...

"You're overthinking things again, baby."

Oh.

It's that word again.Baby.I want to tell him I don't suit it, but with Aidan already lacing his fingers with mine, I find it impossible to think straight, much less speak.

Aidan's grip tightens a fraction as he leads me to his pick-up, and even though I know I shouldn't—-

I just can't help it.

I squeeze his hand back.

Just a teensy weensy squeeze.

But he notices it, and my heart flutters when I hear him suck in his breath.

He opens the passenger door for me, and I quickly get in without meeting his gaze. My heart is still fluttering, and my lungs are suddenly working overtime.

I've held Jack's hand countless times, and I've held other guys' hands before. So why is it different with Aidan? Why does it have to be different with Aidan of all people—-

I hear him get in, and I look up.

Aidan pulls his door shut and turns to me.

Oh God.

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