Christmas With the Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter

Author:Mandy Baxter
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466890350
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Eight

“What’s his name?”

Nate watched as Chloe nuzzled the little white-faced calf through the slats of the chute. Damned thing was already pushing a hundred and fifty pounds and would take all of his muscle to restrain. But Chloe treated it like it was a helpless newborn, tiny enough to carry around in her arms.

“He doesn’t have a name,” Nate replied. “He’s a steer.”

“He has to have a name.” If Chloe had it her way, every last cow on the ranch would be wearing a name tag and a bow by the end of the week.

“His name’s cheeseburger,” Nate replied.

Chloe swatted at his shoulder before moving her hands to hover over the calf’s ears. “Nate! He’ll hear you!”

For the past few days, Nate had felt as though he were living another man’s life. And that scared the shit out of him. With Chloe around, his mind was more than occupied. The familiar panic attacks made fewer and fewer appearances. His muscles had begun to loosen by small degrees and the tension that had strung his body taut for over a year was completely gone. He could almost picture a regular life in her presence. One where he smiled. Relaxed. Hell, laughed every once in a while.

He loved this sweet, caring side to her personality. She giggled as the calf nudged her face, his long tongue lapping out at her cheek. Seeing her like this made his heart feel as though it floated around in his chest. As though he could float away right along with it.

There was a flip side to her lightheartedness, though. A passionate intensity and a hunger that rivaled Nate’s own. She wasn’t ashamed to want him. To want satisfaction. He couldn’t get enough of her fierce kisses, loud moans, and hoarse cries. The thought of her hands on him was enough to make him hard. Shit, he’d take her right here in the corral if she’d let him. Anywhere. Anytime. Nate couldn’t imagine ever not wanting Chloe.

“Hand me that syringe, darlin’.”

Chloe looked up and smiled. “Darlin’, huh?”

Nate’s breath stalled as though he’d been gut punched. The endearment had rolled of his tongue with ease. He hadn’t even given it a second thought. He took the syringe from Chloe’s outstretched hand and loaded it with the correct dosage of the vaccination. “Would you prefer I call you cheeseburger, too?”

Chloe soothed the calf with long strokes of her hand while Nate administered the vaccination. “I don’t mind being called darlin’,” she said without meeting his eyes. “But I think you’d better reconsider cheeseburger.”

Nate sent the calf back out to the corral and urged the next one up into the chute. Chloe reached through the wood fence and stroked its red muzzle. The nervous animal calmed under her touch. Nate knew just how he felt.

“Have you thought any more about what we talked about the other day?”

Nate paused as he loaded the syringe and studied Chloe. “What do you mean?”

“About keeping the money,” she replied.

“No.” Nate tamped down his rising temper.

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