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Would he place those hands on my neck, letting me know who was in charge while he thrust into me?
I shift in my seat, bearing my line of thought. I can’t go there with him. I don’t even know him. But yet, here I am sitting in his kitchen thinking about the wicked things those dirty hands could do.
“Alright, say I agree to this; what do I need to know?” I let my gaze drag up his body until I meet his striking green eyes. The same green eyes that made my heart race when I first saw them. The very green eyes that now stare at me with what I can only describe as a mix of heat and annoyance.
“It’ll be here at the ranch.” He stops for a moment as he lowers his head to his chest and takes a deep breath. “All the sponsors and bigwig assholes I need to impress will be there.”
“I’m sure you’re going to win them all over with an attitude like that.” Chance doesn’t respond, just raises his head, eyes narrowed as he looks at me, which makes me chuckle. “Why does this rest solely on you to impress?”
“Other than being the largest ranch in town?” He smirks, making my core ignite. I hate my reaction to him. The more he speaks, the more I’m sure he’s going to land high on my asshole-o-meter. Another reason why I can’t get involved with him. “We host a fair here on the ranch ground for the families. Carnival games, food, the like. We are also the biggest sponsors of the rodeo and it’s important that we get the right people on board to keep it successful.”
“Okay, so what do you need me to do?”
He stares at me for a long moment before answering. The tension between us is thick. I usually have a good read on people, a necessity in my job, but I can’t read him. He shuts down his emotions like Fort Knox, leaving me confused and curious. I don’t know what made him this hardened, but deep down, I want to find out.
I just don’t know why.
After making me wait, his smooth, gravelly voice answers in a clipped tone. “I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend. Make it look like it’s serious. Hell, I don’t know; do what you have to do so that they can stop fucking around and invest in the rodeo.”
“Okay…” I draw out the word, trying to figure out how we could make this work. We don’t even know each other, and we have just over a week to make it look like we’re in a serious relationship.
“Weren’t you just seen out with some tiny blonde a few days ago?” I ask.
“So?” he growls.
Damn, that voice is going to get me into trouble.
His hands shift from the counter to the edge of the quartz, holding on so tight his knuckles turn white.
“So,” I repeat. “I’m trying to figure out how we are going to get people to believe that we’re a couple when you’re still being seen with your revolving door of women. I refuse to be made a fool of in this project of yours, Chance.”
“Dammit, Dakota!” he bellows, slamming his hand on the counter, making me jump. “I’m not going to apologize for who I am. Not to you, not to this city, and definitely not to the board of fucking investors that have sticks up their asses!”
His breath heaves as he looks at me. The room is too quiet around us. I don’t dare move. I don’t dare speak. I’m trying to make sense of everything that’s happening. How I got caught up in all of this. How I can make it believable that one minute he’s with a small blonde and the next he’s with me. And I need to make it look like he’s been with me all along.
I just went to the bar for a drink. One damn drink after a long day, and now I’m stuck in this ridiculous situation with Chance fucking Declan.
“And if I say no?” I ask, lifting my chin.
“I don’t think you really have a choice, sweetheart.” He uses the term of endearment mockingly. He holds my gaze as he stalks around the island; each step bringing him closer and closer. He doesn’t stop until he’s an inch away from me. My chest grazing against his with every breath. The scent of beer on his breath fanning over me as he holds my chin with his thumb and finger, daring me to give anything but him my full attention. “You made your move when you put your hand on me tonight. You made it your choice when you declared in front of the bar that I was your boyfriend. Do you really think Laughlin is just going to let this go? Laugh it off as some joke?”
“I don’t think…”
“That’s right, you didn’t think. And look where it landed us.” He stops, towering over me as I stare up at him, perched on my stool. He doesn’t let go of my chin, just like he doesn’t break his gaze from mine. All I can do is drink him in, everything from his strong, broad chest to his crystal blue eyes. It should be illegal for a man this sexy to have the personality he does.
“So now, do you really think you have the right to say no?” he growls, leaning in further. My heart stops as I feel his warm breath on my cheek. I shouldn’t be this turned on, but I am, and I hate myself for it.
I have options. I’m a smart, independent woman. A strong-willed lawyer known for my ability to stand up for what’s right and fight against those who use their power against those less fortunate. I deal with people like Chance Declan all the time.
There is the option to walk right out that door with my head held high, knowing that I won’t be pushed around by the likes of him, the man now firmly in place on my asshole-o-meter.
Who does he think he is? He may own this ranch, but he doesn’t own the town, and he certainly doesn’t own me.
On the other hand, if I want out, the town and Laughlin will know I lied. I’m not prepared to look like an idiot in front of him. He’s taken enough from me and damaged my pride in the breakup. There’s no way I can give him that satisfaction.
I also can’t risk my reputation as a lawyer in this town. I’ve spent too long working my way up since law school.
I have no other option.
