Page 31 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)

“I know it’s short notice, but everything is moving so quickly, and I could use someone right away.

This is what we need…” Ciara spent the next few minutes outlining the position, detailing everything from pay and hours to duties and responsibilities.

Chelsea spoke afterwards, outlining her education, experience and skills, a background that would be invaluable to the fledgling operation.

Grandma Leigh hadn’t been exaggerating when she said Chelsea underutilized her skills.

Not only did she have an M.B.A. from a respectable university, but she’d been in high level positions in several companies, performing a wide array of functions.

Chelsea’s personality was as impressive as her resume. She was confident and kind, intelligent and personable. She was a gifted orator, portraying vivid stories interjected with dashes of humor. By the time the hour passed, Ciara had found her candidate. “I’ve heard enough.”

Chelsea bit her bottom lip, yet she sat up straight. Ciara looked to Rowan, and he inclined his head. She didn’t need to ask to know his opinion. “Would you be able to provide references?”

Chelsea swiftly nodded. “Of course.”

“Then…” She paused. “I’d like to offer you the position.”

Chelsea’s cheeks pinkened with unmistakable joy. “Do you mean it?”

“You’re great,” Ciara said honestly. “I never thought I’d find someone with such outstanding qualifications in Waterstone. I don’t have a lot of time, but I can give you a few days to consider it.”

Chelsea turned to Grandma Leigh, who was servicing a table just a few feet away. The proprietress looked up, winked at her daughter-in-law and gave a thumbs up.

The soon-to-be former waitress chuckled. “No privacy in this small town,” she grumbled, but her voice was thick with affection. She straightened. “I already know my answer. I’ll take the job.”

Yes. Ciara clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful.”

Chelsea beamed as if she’d found the fabled pot of gold underneath a rainbow. “I was so excited, I never even asked the name of the rescue.”

Ciara opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She laughed and shook her head. “I haven’t any idea. Up until today, it was just a dream. Now it’s a dream come true. I’ll have to figure out details like that. You’re already helping!”

Chelsea laughed. “I can’t wait to get started, but I have to talk to Grandma Leigh before I give an exact start date. I don’t want to–”

“Just give me until the end of the week.” The proprietress suddenly materialized behind them, no longer pretending she hadn’t been listening.

“One of my friends asked about a job for her daughter a while ago, and I’m pretty sure she’s still unemployed.

If that doesn’t work out, there are always college kids looking for work. ”

Chelsea took her mother-in-law’s hand. “Are you sure, Leigh? Because if–”

“I’m sure.” The older woman didn’t let her finish. “You’ll do great.”

Ciara couldn’t agree more.

Suddenly the lyrics to “Money, Money, Money” rang out.

Ciara lunged into her purse and fished out her phone, her lungs seizing as the Caller ID lit with the bank phone number.

Before she could say anything, Rowan gestured to the door.

With a quick wave, she rose and dashed into the brilliant afternoon.

“Good afternoon,” she greeted in forced casualness.

She listened carefully, her heart beating faster with every word the banker said. Yes, she was approved for the loan. Yes, the full amount. Could she come right now to sign the paperwork? Yes.

With a somber affirmative to each question, she calmly hung up the phone. Then, she released a not-so-calm squeal of joy.

Rowan grinned as he exited the building. “I take it everything is all right.”

“Everything is better than all right. It’s perfect.” And it was. The horse rescue was really happening. They had sufficient funds and their dream location. They’d already filled a position and had a lead on more. As for what was happening between her and Rowan?

That was the most exciting of all.

Do not approach her. Do not go to her. Do not inform her she is yours.

Rowan had no reason to visit Ciara until their date that evening. No reason to begin a conversation, interrupt either of their endless tasks. In fact, a hundred reasons existed for him to stay away. And yet…

He couldn’t.

He hadn’t felt such a pull to a woman since…

well, her. He was a strong man., but every instinct commanded him to take her back into his life, this woman he never should’ve let go.

He’d stayed away for her, so she could have the life she deserved, without a man who’d inherited his father’s darkness.

Now there were even more reasons to be cautious, literal miles that would soon divide them. And yet, how could he stay away?

Even here, his responsibilities were endless.

Since he’d officially moved his base of operations to the ranch, his huge backlog of work had followed him.

Not long ago, he would have thrown himself wholly into his work, dedicating fourteen hours a day to managing affairs, yet now he sought more balance.

Delegating more work to his brothers, Rodrigo and other trusted employees, he focused on the most important tasks.

He even gave in to his desire to spend time with the horses.

Then he gave in to his desire to see Ciara.

He found her in the paddock, perfectly at home with the bright sunshine and playful animals.

She wore a sky-blue blouse that fell off her shoulders, revealing a tantalizing hint of creamy skin, and dark blue jeans that molded to her curves perfectly.

She’d tied her wavy locks into a ponytail, with a few wispy tendrils framing her face.

Although she wore no makeup, her cheeks were pink from the sun, and she looked like a ray of sunshine.

She was currently with Mischief Maker, a horse named for his penchant for slyness.

“Hey there,” he called.

She turned, displaying a brilliant smile that nearly unarmed him. “Hey you! I thought you had a century of work to do.”

“Three centuries, actually,” he informed her in grave seriousness. “I should be done sometime after we’ve colonized Mars.”

“Really?” She adopted the same somber expression. “Don’t tell me the ever-responsible Rowan Byrne is playing hooky.”

“I would never do such a thing.”

“Never do it or never tell me?”

“I’ve already said too much.”

She laughed. “How do you joke with such a straight face?”

The answer was easy. He had a lot of practice hiding his true feelings.

Mischief Maker whinnied next to her, clearly indignant at the loss of the pretty lady’s attention. Ciara eyed Rowan speculatively. “Since you’re slacking with your work, you might as well help me with mine.”

He bowed his head. “I am at your service.”

Fed up with her diverted focus, Mischief Maker gave Ciara a gentle nudge. She laughed, attaching a long lead to the precocious horse. “This water-loving horse splashes in every pond, river and watering hole. I’m taking him to the creek for a little cool down. Care to join me?”

He should say no, give a logical yet gracious denial, yet instead he nodded. “Sure.” A rustling drew his attention. In the other paddock, Sweetheart was prancing around. “Mind if I bring my horse?”

“Not at all.”

They chatted amicably as they prepared the horses and gathered the necessary supplies.

They set off on the short walk, and Mischief Maker was indeed rambunctious, exploring every inch of the natural world.

When he was adopted, he would need an active owner.

There was a family with three teenage daughters coming to the ranch tomorrow – he would definitely mention him to them.

They arrived at the watering hole, a small, shallow creek with crystal clear waters and a smooth rock bottom.

Dappled sunlight streamed from a flawless aqua sky, casting a warm amber glow through the soft canopy of trees.

Sparkling waters flowed in the tinkling creek, framed by colorful flowers that dotted the shore and flavored the air with their exotic scent.

It was beautiful, breathtaking beyond compare.

But Ciara was the loveliest of all.

They tied the leads to a tree, giving the horses plenty of room to roam and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Both horses seemed thrilled at the water, immediately pawing and splashing in the cool streams. Ciara perched herself on a rock, watching from a comfortable distance, but Rowan wandered close.

A little too close, it seemed, as Mischief Maker happily splashed water on him.

Rowan jumped back and gaped at the horse. He shook his head, spreading water droplets all around. “Did he do it on purpose?”

Ciara laughed. “There’s a pretty good chance. If you’d like to test it, go back and see what he does.”

Rowan folded his arms across his chest. “Isn’t it your turn?”

She leaned back against the rock like it was a plush recliner. “Nope. I’m good.”

Opportunity beckoned. Like all good strategists, he never ignored a chance to pursue what he desired. “Want to make a bet on whether Mischief Maker gets me wet again?”

She sat up. “Of course, he will,” she said confidently. “He did it on purpose the first time.”

“And I think it was just a coincidence.”

“So what are the terms?”

“If I win – and if you are interested – I’d like a kiss.”

For a second, she looked startled, then a faint blush tinted her cheeks, revealing just how interested she was. “What do I get if I win?”

“What do you want?”

The blush deepened. She shrugged, yet the nonchalance was clearly feigned. She was as affected as he. “Help me clean Mischief Maker when we get home.”

“Clean Mischief Maker.” He added the appropriate level of horror to his voice. “I’ll be soaked from head to toe.”

“If you’re afraid of a little friendly competition…” Anticipation sparked in her eyes, and he hid his satisfaction. Even if she wouldn’t admit it, she wanted to lose as much as he wanted to win.

Slowly, he approached the horse. He’d spent his life playing by the rules – perhaps it was time to bend them just a little.

Mischief Maker watched with a glint in his eye, unmoving, as if plotting his own strategy.

Rowan took one step and then another, approaching carefully, relying solely on his reflexes.

Just as Mischief Maker kicked, he jumped back, out of reach of the water.

Although the horse had tried to splash him, he remained perfectly dry.

“He splashed you.” Ciara clapped. “I win!”

“Not so fast.” He pivoted, strode with sure steps. “The bet wasn’t if he splashed me, but whether he got me wet. He didn’t, which means I win.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You cheated. The whole point was whether he would splash you. I should win.”

He shrugged. “Not according to the rules.”

“But only because you cheated!”

He smiled at the fiery beauty. Her cheeks were pinkened with emotion, but not with anger. Instead, lurked surprise, amusement…

And pure, unadulterated desire.

“Are you trying to get out of granting my reward?”

She blushed, then stood up. “I, for one, play fair.”

She licked her lips, red, plump and oh-so-inviting.

Her luscious curves rose with every breath, womanly and feminine, as the sun glinted off her golden locks, casting an ethereal glow to her rare beauty.

She was loveliness defined, but nothing could compare to her spirit, her drive, the determination and goodness she heralded in strength.

Only one word described her: Perfection .

He forced himself to move slowly, to not gather her in his arms as the predator in him demanded, to possess, protect and cherish this beautiful creature. Instead, he gave her space, waited as she slowly reached up, up, up and kissed…

His nose.

His smile widened as the little imp winked. He threw back his head and laughed, the last of his neutral mask falling away at this beautiful sprite who enchanted him so. “Playing fair?”

She shrugged lightly, all feigned innocence and mischief. “The rules didn’t specify a kiss on the lips.”

He reached out to her. “Well, if you’re not going to play by the rules…”

She gasped as he captured her, as he brought those tantalizing curves against him.

Her gasps turned to sighs of pleasure as he molded her against him, deepening the kiss as she started her own exploration.

She kissed tentatively at first, and then with increasing boldness.

Nameless emotions swirled within him, urging him closer, to keep her where she belonged. With her, it would never be enough.

Suddenly… a deluge. Rowan sputtered and Ciara gasped as water soaked them like a sudden rain shower. Water dripped from his hair into his eyes, seeping under his clothing and saturating his skin. He spun around, searched for the source of the sudden drenching. He stopped, stared…

At a very satisfied horse.

“You picked an inopportune time.” He glared at Mischief Maker. The horse responded with another thorough splashing, and this time Rowan couldn’t jump back swiftly enough to avoid it. They must have edged closer to the horse during the kiss, putting them directly in range of the aptly named equine.

“I won after all.” Ciara’s cheeks were bright pink from the kiss, and her impish look had returned. “I hope you plan on following through with your payment.”

He hung his head in feigned disappointment, but in truth, he’d always planned to help. After all, he had cheated. But it had been worth it.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in charming serenity.

They enjoyed light banter and pleasant conversation, as the horses frolicked playfully.

When the animals finally tired, they led them back to the paddock, yet even cleaning Mischief Maker was enjoyable.

As expected, Rowan got drenched, but he also managed to steal a kiss from Ciara. Not to be outdone, she stole two.

Did she realize how close they were becoming? As their bond strengthened, the future beckoned, and her part became ever-clearer. Everything would change with their first date this evening, most of all him .

What would she do when she realized this time, he had no intention of letting her go?