Falling for the Billionaire Rancher (Steamy Small Town Romances #9) Read online

  "You alright, ma'am?"

  Ma'am. I've never been called that before. Also, how perfect is that voice? Think strong, deep, and authoritative but at the same time reassuringly gentle and wonderfully precise, like Superman meets Professor X, and...oh my God, is that a badge he's showing me?

  I squint hard, just to make sure I'm seeing things right. It is a badge, and next to it is his I.D., which tells me his name is Aidan Blackwood, and he's the...Chief of Police of Hartland, Wyoming?

  I'm beyond stunned, and when I lift my gaze up to his, I see a smile curving over his lips, and oh my freaking God, but the sight is just so dazzling my lips start moving on its own.

  "You're handsome."

  Aidan's smile turns into a grin, and my mood switches from dazzled to completely enthralled.

  "Thank you, ma'am."

  His tone is polite enough, but it's the glint in his dark eyes that brings me back to my senses.

  What the hell?

  While I've never been the shy and awkward type, neither have I ever been the type to just go up to a man and start flirting, and I have no idea - absolutely no idea - how in the world I ended up saying such words.

  Get! A! Grip! Raffi!

  I give myself one last mental shake while Aidan starts talking about snow tires and engines and batteries. He gestures to my tires and bends down as he speaks, and I'm immediately distracted by the way his pants stretch across his behind.

  Oh my God, I'm such a perv.

  But...

  That ass of his is seriously sexy. Just perfectly muscled, and—-

  "Ma'am?"

  My gaze darts back guiltily to his direction, and I feel my cheeks turn pink when I realize he's caught me ogling his lovely behind. "Um...oops?"

  He doesn't say anything this time, but the way his dark gaze smolders has me torn between swooning and panicking.

  A little help here, God? Please?

  I've long sworn off forbidden fruits like Chief Aidan Blackwood, but how the heck am I supposed to stay unaffected when Wyoming Keanu keeps looking at me like I'm his next meal?

  I wait for God to answer, but all I hear is crickets.

  Fine then.

  I look back at Mr. Temptation-Come-To-Life, thinking it's time to make things clear, but—-

  "About your car," he suddenly murmurs, and I perk up right away, relieved to hear him changing the subject just when I need him to.

  "I can have it towed first thing tomorrow."

  "That would be a huge help," I say right away.

  "But in the meantime...if you've got somewhere to go, maybe I can give you a lift?"

  THINGS MOVED PRETTY quickly after that, and before I know it I'm struggling to contain my breathless excitement while seated next to Aidan in the tight, dark quarters of his pick-up. The whole thing feels rather surreal, and my heart's pounding so hard I'm seriously worried it's about to burst out of my chest.

  Distraction.

  That's what I need a.s.a.p., but when I ask for his permission to play some music—-

  "I'd rather talk to you," he murmurs, "if you don't mind." He slides a glance at me, asking, "Are you here for business or pleasure?"

  I frown at him. "How do you know I'm not local?"

  Wyoming Keanu smirks. "Anyone who doesn't know the difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard better not be local or he'd be dumber than a doornail."

  I gape at him, torn between shock and laughter. "Did you just call me stupid?"

  "Only if you're local."

  I make a face, knowing he has me there.

  "Well?"

  "You already know I'm not local."

  "And?"

  I roll my eyes but answer him all the same. "Both, I guess?"

  "You don't sound sure."

  "Story of my life." The words are out before I can stop myself, and I can't help wincing at how terribly emo I sound. "Sorry. Ignore that, please—-"

  "What are the other things you're unsure of?"

  "I just asked you to ignore that," I exclaim.

  "Ignoring things isn't one of my talents, I'm afraid."

  "But rudeness is?"

  "I prefer...roguish."

  God, he's impossible, and even worse, I'm having a hard time keeping myself from smiling.

  "It's always easier to talk to strangers," he says suddenly. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that?"

  I shake my head.

  "It's true, though."

  "Of course you'd say that."

  "Come on," he says cajolingly. "What's there for you to lose?"

  "A lot."

  His brows shoot up, and I realize I've done it again. If there's anything I dread more than the C-word, then it's the E-word. There's nothing I find more appalling than being emo, but...isn't that the whole point of this trip as well?

  Eat Pray Love is just one giant emo fest, and if I want to carve a path of self-discovery the way Julia Roberts did, then...

  "I don't know what I want to do with my life," I blurt out.

  "And you have a deadline for that?"

  I expel a sound of frustration. "You know what I mean."

  "And I think you also know what I mean," he says equably.

  I suppose I do, but...it's different for him. One look at Wyoming Keanu, and I know he already has things figured out. He knows what he'll be doing until his 101st birthday, and while I'm happy for him, that just makes me feel like I suck even more. I don't even know what I'm going to do in the next hour—-

  "Do you know Stan Lee?"

  The question throws me for a loop, and I look at him, confused. "Not personally, no, but I know of him."

  "Then there you go."

  "I'm sorry, but you've totally lost me."

  "Stan Lee was in his late thirties when he hit it big with Fantastic Four."

  Hearing Wyoming Keanu use a Marvel analogy is just so unexpected I find myself fighting off another smile.

  "And Vera Wang—-"

  I can't help laughing now. "Seriously?"

  "I'm not making any of this up—-"

  "I k-know you're not, b-but..." I try to finish, but I'm laughing too hard to be coherent. This really isn't good, but I just can't help it. Wyoming Keanu almost seems to have a secret key to my funny bone, and I need to clear my throat several times before I can finally start speaking again. "I'm sorry. "I just never expected a macho guy like you to even know who Vera Wang is."

  A moment passes, and then he says, "Thank you."

  "For what?"

  "For thinking I'm macho."

  Oh my God, this guy is totally killing me with his lines, and that is so not good—-

  "By the way..."

  I stare at him warily, wondering if he's about to threaten my heart again with another killer line.

  "You never told me your name."

  I breathe a sigh of relief. Oh thank God. Something prosaic to talk about, finally, and I'm just so grateful I happily give my name up. "It's Raffi."

  "Just Raffi?"

  "Short for Serafina."

  "Much better."

  The words startle a smile out of me. "That's kinda telling, don't you think?" I shift in my seat to look at Wyoming Keanu, thinking I'd tease him about being old-fashioned—-

  Shit.

  I quickly look away before the heat in his eyes has me doing something stupid. I just don't understand this guy. He's Wyoming Keanu, for God's sake, while I'm...well...I'm the type of girl guys like to hang out rather than make out with. I bring the big O to ordinary, and yet I just caught him staring at me like he's been eye-fucking me this entire time. Is it because there's a shortage of females in Wyoming or...wait a minute.

  I think I finally get why he's acting like this, and I turn to him right away, saying, "I think I should make something clear."

  "I'm listening."

  I clear my throat, and then I say as firmly as I can, "I Am Not Easy. Okay?"

  Silence.

  "I know it's hard to believe when it seems like I've come on to you first
, telling you you're handsome and...and macho, but you shouldn't really read anything into it."

  "I shouldn't?"

  "You can feel flattered if you want."

  "I can?"

  "I mean, I don't normally say things like that."

  "You don't?"

  I open my mouth to answer when it suddenly hits me. I look at him suspiciously, and as if sensing my gaze, Wyoming Keanu also turns my way...with a sexy little smirk playing over his lips.

  "Jerk!" I sock his shoulder hard even as a helpless laugh bubbles past my lips. I can't believe it took me so long to realize he was letting the whole conversation play out just to enjoy the sight of me squirming.

  "You're Chief of Police," I say chidingly. "You're not supposed to act like a jerk."

  "You're probably right," he agrees. "But since I'm off duty right now..."

  His tone lowers a notch, and I manage to make myself scowl even as my whole body feels like it's on fire. "Will you quit that?" I grumble. "I mean it when I said—-"

  "I never thought you were easy."

  The mildness of his tone throws me off, and my mind goes blank. He has to be lying. He has to. Why else would he bother—-

  "We're here."

  What was that? What does he mean we're here—-oh. I realize what he means when I see him switching the engine off, and I quickly paste a smile on my face even as my heart aches at the thought of him leaving. "Right. Um. Thanks then."

  "Let me open—-"

  "It's fine, thanks." I open my door and jump out of the pick-up without looking at him. It was nice spending time with Wyoming Keanu, but it's time for a reality check.

  A blast of icy wind strikes my skin as I study the B&B he's taken me to. It's a picturesque three-story brick building, and I hear its doors being unlocked just as Aidan takes my hand-carry out of the backseat.

  "Thank you for all of your help," I say politely.

  "I'll help you check in."

  "It's not necessary." I try reaching for the handle of my luggage, but he swiftly puts it behind his back, and I end up falling against him as I lose my balance.

  Shit.

  Before I can even try moving away, one hand is already gripping my hair while Aidan has his other arm going around my waist.

  "Stop—-"

  But he's already pulling me closer, and my heart races. I put my hands up, intending to push him away, but the moment I come into contact with the muscular wall of his chest—-

  Oh God.

  My senses reel at the hard warmth of his body, and I find myself clutching his shirt instead of pushing him away.

  "Serafina..."

  Hearing my name on his lips makes me whimper, and the sound makes his hold on my hair tighten...just before his mouth crashes over mine, and I'm suddenly drowning in a maelstrom of heat and passion. The kiss deepens, and my heart slams against my chest. His lips ravage mine over and over, his kiss scorching the air around us until every inch of me is burning—-

  No!

  I manage to wrench myself away, shaken and desperately clinging to the last smallest piece of sanity inside of me. "Why did you do that?"

  "Because I want to kiss you."

  "You just can't kiss—-"

  "I also want you to be my girlfriend."

  "What?"

  "But if you're ready for marriage—-"

  "Are you insane?"

  "Please don't think this is a dig on your current situation, but..." His broad shoulders move in a shrug. "I've never had problems knowing what I want."

  Shit.

  It really does sound like a dig, and I almost wish I can convince myself it is one.

  But one look at his gaze, and I know Wyoming Keanu isn't lying. He really does think he likes me. Really does think he wants me to be his girlfriend, and...I just wish I can make myself think it's true.

  "I'm flattered," I say lightly, "but I'll have to say no. One of us has to be sensible, and you don't even know me—-"

  "I know enough," he says quietly.

  What does that even mean?

  "I know you think what just happened is next to crazy—-"

  "Because it is," I cry out.

  "And I can tell you're running away from something—-"

  I freeze.

  "But whatever it is—-"

  I start shaking my head.

  "I can—-"

  "You can't." It hurts to say the words, and it hurts even more to see the way Aidan's looking at me and think of what could've been. It hurts because I want so badly to think it's real.

  But it's not.

  I show him the necklace resting under my shirt, and the way his jaw clenches tells me Wyoming Keanu knows exactly what the ring hanging from it means.

  Chapter Three

  "Good...morning?" What starts out as a cheerful greeting ends in an understandable note of concern, and I hastily muster up a smile when Bettina's gaze grows increasingly anxious as she watches me descend the last steps of the B&B's spiral staircase.

  I can't blame her, really. I had hoped a long, relaxing shower would repair some of last night's damage, but my reflection on the mirror says otherwise.

  Wyoming Keanu kept me up all night, and it totally shows. Think dark shadows under slightly puffy eyes, and a faintly red spot on the edge of my forehead that may or may not be the birth of a dreaded pimple. Honestly, I can't even remember the last time I've had acne problems. Maybe seven years ago? Or eight? Point is, that's how much he troubles me, and it's just...not...right!

  I'm supposed to know better, but instead of making myself forget him I ended up doing the opposite, just tossing and turning in my bed while memories of our last moments together play endlessly in my mind.

  When I showed him my ring last night, a part of me was expecting him to do either of two things: blow me off...or blow up in rage.

  But instead he had said rather simply, "I'll see you tomorrow."

  And that was it.

  Four words that could've meant nothing or everything, and even though hours had already passed since I watched him drive away, those words still have me emotionally paralyzed.

  I'm sure he knows what my ring means.

  So why say those words?

  I just don't get it. I just don't get him. And while I know I should simply leave it at that and get on with my life...

  "Good morning, Bettina." I beam widely at the younger girl as soon as I reach the reception desk, and Bettina's worried expression turns into one of relief.

  "I hope you had a pleasant sleep, Ms. Edison."

  "I did, absolutely," I have no qualms about lying. "And I'm sorry again for checking in so late—-"

  Bettina quickly shakes her head. "We always welcome guests," she says firmly, "no matter what."

  "That's so sweet of you." I take a deep breath after this, knowing that the time has come to find a way to steer the conversation towards...

  "I'm just glad Chief Blackwood found you the way he did last night."

  That.

  "You must've been awful frightened," Bettina says earnestly, "when you were stuck in the snow like that—-"

  "I was terrified," I hear myself admit.

  "Even though it was just a snowstorm."

  "Uh..." What is it with these people about snowstorms and blizzards? Weren't they the same freaking thing?

  "Chief Blackwood actually called earlier," Bettina goes on to say. "He wanted to make sure you're okay."

  It's the cue I've been waiting for, and I clear my throat, saying, "Well, about that..."

  Don't do it, Raffi.

  It's the last bit of rationality I have remaining inside of me, and it's on its knees, begging me to reconsider even though I've yet to say anything definitive.

  Don't. Do. It.

  Just begging me not to be stupid and reminding me that I still have a chance to turn my back on temptation and hold on to my sanity.

  One last chance...

  But instead I hear myself say, "I was hoping to thank Wy—-I mean,
Chief Blackwood in person for his help last night, so..."

  Last chance, Raffi!

  "Do you think you could give me directions to the police station?"

  REDWOOD CAFE, Bettina told me earlier, was my best bet at finding the chief. It's part of his morning routine apparently, and since the place is a ten-minute walk from here, I take my phone out, intending to do some work except...

  Riiiight.

  I keep forgetting the whole of Hartland is just one giant dead spot, and I can only shake my head while tapping the Messages app. No point checking my emails, but maybe there are texts I can answer, and sure enough there's one unread message waiting for me...which happens to be from Jack.

  You don't belong there. Your life is here. With me.

  Jack and I have been going out for over two years now, and from the very start, he's been the one and only thing I want in a guy: someone I can trust not to dump me for the next pretty little thing that comes his way. I know I'm lucky to have someone like him, but...whoa.

  My steps crash to a halt. I've finally reached Redwood Cafe, and the first thing I see through its windows is Wyoming Keanu—-

  I mean, Aidan.

  I really should start thinking of him as Aidan now, especially since there seems to be...another Aidan?

  The third guy in their table notices me staring, and seeing him tap Aidan on the shoulder snaps me out of my shock. I look away quickly, but my mind goes blank just as I spin around and prepare to leave. Where exactly do I go from here—-

  "Serafina?"

  My senses come wildly alive at the deep sound of his voice, and my stomach flips over as Aidan comes into my view a moment later. He's dressed in his uniform this time, and holy cowabunga, but he looks seriously hot in it. I've never been the type to dig men in uniform, but Aidan is definitely making me want to get arrested. Power and authority totally suits him, and...the glint in Chief Blackwood's eyes tells me he totally knows it.

  I wrinkle my nose at him, knowing there's no point denying the undeniable. "I'm sorry for staring."

  "Stare as long as you like, baby."

  What did he just call me?

  "You know I'm all yours."

  My heart trips, and even though he's making me want to throw myself at him, I control myself and glower at Aidan instead. "Not funny."