A Rancher's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

not that she’d be upset about my alleged cookie liking, she’d be upset that I wasn’t the one to inform her of this sudden new preference.”
    “And,” Aiyanna continued taking a comfortable spot on Lalani’s couch, “I do believe I’ve officially been banned from family dinners.”
    “She tried to set you up again didn’t she?”
    Aiyanna grinned. “Tried and failed.”
    “Did you make this one cry?”
    Shrugging, Aiyanna said, “Nope. His eyes watered a little but he didn’t break. It was actually pretty admirable.”
    Lalani shook her head. “You were disappointed when he didn’t cry weren’t you?”
    “Well...”
    “Sick, just sick.” Her friend looked down at her watch. “Aren’t you supposed to be on your way up to Madison to see your future husband’s ranch?”
    Aiyanna snorted. “He’s not my future husband.”
    “Okay. Let’s try this. Aren’t you supposed to be on your way up to Madison to see the giant, gorgeous, panty soaking man who wants to fuck you bowlegged?”
    “Yup.” Aiyanna nodded making Lalani laugh. “I just came in here to warn you that if Mom Alana calls, it’s my fault and I’m sorry ahead of time.”
    Lalani smirked. “No you’re not.”
    “You’re right. I’m not. But you love me anyway.” Aiyanna stood and started for the door.
    “Oh, before I forget. Here.” Lalani stood and tossed her a brown paper bag.
    “What the hell?” Aiyanna was slow to open it, scared of what she might see. Her head jerked back up. “Lalani...”
    The other woman shrugged. “Be good. If you can’t be good then be safe. If you can’t be safe,” she grinned wide, “then name it after me.”
    The sad thing was, Aiyanna took the bag. She had no intentions of sleeping with Julian now, if ever, but with the way that man made her feel, she couldn’t be too sure that her resolve would hold.
    “Dear God, please don’t let me do anything stupid today,” Aiyanna murmured as she climbed into her truck and made her way to Madison.
     

     
    “Dear God, I’m gonna do something stupid today.” Aiyanna stood wide eyed, watching Julian as he herded his horses. The herding part isn’t what had her feet frozen and her mouth slightly open.
    No, with it being a few weeks into summer the heat in Virginia had already started to ratchet up and that inevitably meant less clothes would be worn. Apparently, that was also the case for her rancher because there was no full shirt in sight and God help her, Aiyanna was so grateful for that.
    His Stetson, a tight, white tank, dark jeans, and boots were the only things that made up his wardrobe for the day. Oh, and sweat. Sweat counted as a part of it right? How could it not with the way it glistened off of each and every cut of his abdomen, arms and back making his shirt virtually see-through. Aiyanna leaned forward and watched him move with his horse in a fluid grace that had her mesmerized. Okay, honestly it wasn’t the riding, it was the sweat but that was to be expected considering the fact he was so damn beautiful.
    Julian finally looked up and caught her staring from the side of the fenced in pasture. The smile that lit his face and eyes left her breathless and Aiyanna felt herself tumble deeper down the rabbit hole.
    She hiked her book bag higher on her shoulder as he directed his horse to trot over to where she was standing, wishing that she had chosen to wear something other than jeans, a v-neck tee, her work boots and a Falcons cap. Not wanting to tempt fate anymore than she was by coming here, she’d chosen to keep her clothes as simple as possible. But Julian was blowing through all her walls with one smile so the point had been moot.
    He finally stopped in front of her, his horse’s hooves kicking up dust. Julian’s grin never faded. “You’re early, Hermosa.”
    Gripping her bag’s strap and tilting her head back so she could look up at him, she said, “Sorry. I wanted to check everything out a little bit earlier so I can