Page 13 of Second Chances with my Billionaire Bosses

“She doesn’t go out. She doesn’t date, doesn’t see friends, doesn’t do anything but work and ride that asshole horse.” He shrugged. “I don’t want her to end up alone but if she doesn’t get out, she’s going to.”

I had to change the subject or I was going to spill all the beans and tell him that she wasn’t going to be alone for much longer.

“What about you, Tate, and West?”

“What about us?”

“When are you going to settle down and have a few babies of your own?” I heard movement from outside of his office and glanced up to see Maxie standing in the doorway, a surprised look on her face. I raised my eyebrows at her.

Her cheeks heated but she quickly tucked her chin so she was staring at the ground.

“I’m making lunch.”

Mills watched as she retreated and shook his head.

“She didn’t have to come home to make lunch here. I’m sure someone could’ve handled it. To answer your question about kids, though… No. I don’t think any of us want kids. I know I don’t.”

I stood up, prepared to go after Maxie but his answer made me hesitate.

“You come from a massive family. Doesn’t that mean you automatically have to want ten children or something? Is that not how it works?”

He grunted. “Nope. It’s precisely the reason I don’t want ten kids. There’s always something going on and never any peace and quiet. No, thanks. What about you?”

I sat back down, hoping for a way to ease him into the idea of Maxie becoming ours.

“You know Arlo, Shep, and I want to share a wife. Hell, some of the rumors about the relationships in Devil’s Den were why we were so eager to jump on the ranch when you called us. We’re ready to settle down as soon as possible and start a family. We want kids, man. Lots of them. As many as our future wife will give us. That ranch house is a piece of shit right now but I can imagine it being full of kids. It’s big enough.”

Mills sighed and studied me.

“I don’t get it. The sharing thing, I mean. It seems to be catching around here, though, so I guess you’re in the right place. I’d say stay away from my sisters but Maxie is the only single one left and god knows she’s not going to date you three.”

I couldn’t help scowling. “No?”

“That girl is scared of her own shadow. She barely even talks to us. No way in hell would she ever go nuts like Vera and Nellie and date three men at once.” He stood up and laughed. “Thank god I have one sister I don’t have to worry about.”

I ground my teeth together. His dismissal of Maxie pissed me off. Did everyone in her family write her off like he was? They had their ideas of who she was but I knew for a fact there was a fire in Maxie that only needed to be stoked.

“I think Maxie might surprise you one of these days.”

“I hope not. I like not having to worry about her. Vera and Nellie have given me gray hairs.” He led the way out of the barn. “You staying for lunch? She always makes plenty.”

I saw that Arlo was talking with West and Tate and wondered where Shep had gone. “Sure. Sounds like a plan.”

CHAPTER 10

Shep

I stood just inside of the kitchen, watching Maxie work. She had her back to me and hadn’t noticed me yet so I got the chance to watch her without her putting her defenses up. It was warm in the kitchen and she’d stripped out of her flannel overshirt and was moving around in a white tank top that was making my mouth water. Her ass filled out the worn jeans she wore so well that I had to shift my stance so my pants weren’t so restricting. I moved closer, unable to stay away. I knew it was a dangerous game, getting closer to her in her brothers’ house but I’d already lied to get inside by saying I needed the bathroom. I figured I might as well push the bounds and test my luck.

Maxie spun around suddenly, reaching for a towel, and flinched when she saw me standing there.

“Shep! What are you doing?”

I took her in, from the way her chest pushed the limits of the tank top to the pink flush on her face from being in the warm kitchen. She was stunning, more stunning than I could resist. I moved closer to her, watching as she backed away, until her back hit the counter behind her. I trapped her with my hands on the counter on either side of her hips.

“Shep…” She swallowed, her throat flexing, and looked around nervously.

“I just wanted to check on you. And maybe drag you back to the ranch. But now that I’m here, I’m having a hard time thinking of anything other than kissing you.” I groaned at the way her eyes widened and her lips parted on a sharp inhale. “Do you know how hard it is to resist your lips right now, Maxine?”

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