Perfect Tales of the Were - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,22

at your place. It worked out well because I’m still close enough to keep an eye on Megan, but she insisted rather forcefully that she doesn’t want me coddling her. Still, she’s my baby sister. I want to be nearby if she needs me, and working at the ranch is a useful way to give us each our own space, yet be near each other. She’s used to me being a little eccentric, and I truly like the work{MISSING SYMBOL}and your baking{MISSING SYMBOL}so it’s all good.”

“So, you’re saying working with Rich is just a sort of…a cover for you?” She had to chuckle at her own words. It sounded like something out of a bad spy novel to her, but he wasn’t laughing. In fact, he looked very serious. “I mean, if you own a house like this, you must not need the money, right?”

“You got me. I am pretty well set, but like most folks, I do need to work, and I really do enjoy working with horses. I’ve always been able to coax them to do what I want and train them for others. I like the challenge and the satisfaction when things go right. And then, there’s you.” His gaze zeroed in on her.

“Me?” Her mouth went dry.

“From the moment I first saw you, I was intrigued. What was a city gal like you doing owning such a big spread? I liked the way you hired experts and let them do what they did best. You have a natural management style that really works. You inspire your people, and they love you for the pastries, but even more for yourself.”

“Management style?”

“Hmm.” He gave her a rueful grin. “Not a cowboy thing to say?”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid not. It’s more like something we city slickers would say.” She offered him a teasing smile, hoping he’d say more. She was already fascinated by the things he’d revealed.

She’d wanted to get to know him, and she felt glad he’d decided to open up and share parts of his life with her. These little bits of information only made her want to know it all. To understand all his facets and what made him tick.

Chapter Seven

“Would you be disappointed to learn that I’ve spent a little more time in the city than you might think?” His mysterious eyes twinkled at her in the darkening night.

“Now you’ve got me even more curious—but not disappointed. I don’t think you could ever disappoint me, Cody.” She held her breath after making such a bald admission, but it didn’t seem to faze him. He only smiled in that devilish way that melted her bones.

“That’s good, Cassie, because although I was born here in ranch country, I’ve never worked for anyone as a cowboy until now. My last name isn’t Tyler. Tyler’s my middle name. My last name is Billings. As in Billings Industries International.”

“You’re C.T. Billings?” she whispered, astounded at the idea.

“Damn, I guess it was too much to hope that you’d never heard of my company.”

“Give me a little credit. I did own a business for more than a few years. And I have an M.B.A. Heck, we studied your corporate structure in one of my classes! You started with small airplanes, right? And expanded from there.” Shock held her still, though he continued to stroke her hand. “I’ve been having sex with C.T. Billings?” Hysteria rose, fast and hard.

“Making love.” Cody unlatched her seatbelt and pulled her across the bench seat into his arms. “We’ve been making love, Cassie. It isn’t just sex when we’re together. At least not for me.”

Her heart skipped a beat. The look in his eyes was so open now, so yearning. She could deny him nothing.

“Not for me, either. Oh, Cody!”

He kissed her, urging her body as close as possible though the steering wheel got in the way. She was lost in the magic of his kiss, unable to focus on anything other than his words of…almost love. He hadn’t come out and actually declared himself, but it was enough for now. Too many shocks were making her lightheaded.

Tapping on the driver’s side window finally broke them apart. Cassie looked up to see a laughing blonde woman watching them.

“Away, brat!” Cody called in a good-natured tone. “We’ll be out in a minute.” The blonde laughed and went back to the porch but stood watching them with an impish grin. “That little hellion is my sister, Megan.”

Cody groused about the interruption but got out of the truck,