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The men traded a glance. Of all the attached women that lived at Discipline Ranch, Veronica was definitely the hardest nut to crack. Once you earned her respect, however, her loyalty was unmatched.

He could see by Aaron’s expression that the other man was thinking along the same lines, but what he said was, “One girl out of four? That’s not so bad, is it? She might change her mind.”

“I don’t know…” Chyanne gave up on the carrot and began to wring her hands. “Maybe.”

“Why is it so important that she likes you?” Aaron inquired.

Chyanne gave him a sour look. “I don’t know. Just is.”

He chuckled and drew nearer, wrapping his arm around her waist. He tapped her lips with a finger, and she tipped her head back to look at him. “You’re fiery, you’re wild. That’s a bit unusual for that group.”

She arched a brow, her expression perplexed. “You wouldn’t think so in a place like this.”

He laughed again, a deep belly laugh this time. “You’re tellin’ me. It’s a mystery to me, too. But what I’m trying to say is, she might be the cautious sort. Trying to figure you out. And until she does, just give her the space to do that.”

“Not everyone’s goin’ to like you, darlin’,” Chandler put in. “But you don’t need to worry—all the important ones already do.”

She considered them and after her eyes went back and forth she stood up straight and propped her hands on her hips. “Well, that’s one approach. But I have a suggestion.”

Chandler took one look at her dancing eyes and mischievous smile and said, “Uh-oh.”

Aaron groaned simultaneously. “You do, huh? Well, let’s hear it then.”

Chyanne bit down on her bottom lip and chewed it thoughtfully for a moment, then when she spoke, her voice was equal parts thoughtful and amused. “You could demand a meeting with her daddy.”

“Well, first of all, we don’tdemand—”

“Ask then,” she interrupted, waving off his words with a flippant hand. “Ask him for a meeting, and he’llmakeher be nice to me.”

“Hmm… that could work,” Aaron mused.

Chyanne turned to him, her hands clasped under her chin and her face alight with excitement. “Really?”

“Oh, sure. I mean, he’ll tell her to play nice and then she’ll do a one-eighty.” He snapped his fingers. “Just like that. I mean, that’s what happens when we giveyouorders, right?”

Her smile vanished and was immediately replaced with a scowl. “Very funny.”

“Don’t worry.” Chandler slung his arm around her shoulders. “These things tend to work themselves out, given enough time.”

Chyanne’s scowl morphed into a pout. “I don’t want to give it time. I want—”

Aaron popped her lightly on the seat of her jeans. “Maybe we should have some lessons on patience?”

Her lips pursed, but after a moment her expression relaxed and when she spoke again, her tone was respectful. “I’m just saying I could make her change her mind. I could show her the marks on my butt, and then she’llhaveto forgive me!”

“Hmm…I don’t know if that will work, but in order to try we’d have to give you another spankin’ for there to be any marks for her to see,” Chandler remarked, trying to keep a straight face.

“Well, let’s have a look, shall we?” Aaron reached for the button of her pants, and she batted him away, giggling. “What? I’m just trying to give you what you want.”

“Stop,” she demanded, but she was grinning and blushing.

“You’ll be needing some touch-ups if you want to show her marks,” Aaron said with a perfectly straight face. “I’m already pretty busy today, but I guess I can add that to the docket.”

Chyanne scowled and propped her hands on her hips. “Be serious.”

He reached over and gently stroked her hair. “I’m totally serious. You know I’d do anything for you.”

“How… sweet,” she drawled, making both men laugh.