Page 36 of The Rancher's Addiction

“There are too many to count, but you’ll find out in time.”

She tilted her head to the side.“Hell, that sounds ominous?”

He laughed.“No, not at all.I know I don’t have any bad habits, and I’m not a disaster waiting to happen.You’re safe with me.”

They finished eating, and she washed the dishes before turning back to him and leaning against the counter.

“Do you want a cup of coffee?”

He nodded and pointed at her large silver coffee maker on the counter.He’d never seen a machine like it before.“That’s pretty fancy.”

“I have to admit I’m addicted.Coffee is what keeps me going sometimes, and I got hooked on one of the stronger coffees that no one sells here, so I splurged and bought this.”

“Sure, I’ll try one.”

He watched her as she moved around the small kitchen.The fact that she was so graceful and even delicate didn’t fit with the fact that she had to be incredibly tough to do her job.He found the contrast extraordinarily sexy, and it made him want her even more.

He actually hadn't found anything he didn’t like about her.Beautiful, hardworking, smart—fuck, yes, very smart—and sweet as could be.

“Here you go.”

She set a cup down.He almost laughed.It was one of those fancy drinks with frothy milk on top that high-priced coffee shops sold.

He almost choked when he took his first drink.“Jesus, this is strong.”

She grinned.“Yeah.It’s espresso with milk to tame down the bitterness, but it still has the punch.It got me through some long nights that I had to study or work.”

He took a few more sips.“Won’t this keep you up?”

“I won’t drink a lot right now, but I definitely stop around three or four in the afternoon, or I know I’ll be up.”

Jenny studied his expression.“Don’t you have work to do?”

He smirked.Trying to get rid of him, was she?Good luck with that, Sweetheart.“I’ve got everything under control.I’ve hardly set foot off the ranch in years.Besides, the guys like me being gone because they don’t have me breathing down their necks or barking at them, and they say I usually come back in a better mood.Not a great one, but better.”

She chuckled.She stared down at her cup as the tension in the room grew.

“Come here, Honey.Let’s go sit on the sofa.”

****

She exhaled, nodded, and then followed him into the living room.It wasn’t a huge room, so she’d only been able to fit a chair and a small sofa in the space.She did have a television, but she rarely got to watch it.

She almost snorted when he sat next to her and took up the rest of the sofa.She bit her lip to keep from smiling.He had to be uncomfortable, but he just leaned back, turned her way, and set his arm on the back of the sofa.

“Do you like the town?”

“Yes.Very much.And besides Carly, I’ve liked everyone here.They’re so down to earth, and they don't treat me like I’m different.Tell me if this isn’t any of my business, but how did you and Carly meet?”

“We both grew up here.I’ve known her most of my life.After my father died, all I did was work to help with the pain, and then I missed having someone to talk to at night and...”

“And?”

“I wanted someone in my bed every night.”

Her eyes widened, and she blinked.“Oh, I ...um...”She could feel the heat of a blush cover her face.

He chuckled.“You and I are going to be in bed eventually.”

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