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“Fascinating. Can you decipher anything?”

“I’m not sure. Take a glance at this file. This is the single one that appears as if unencrypted on purpose. Maybe I’m making too much out of it.” He sat back, rubbing his eyes.

I placed both hands on his shoulders, squeezing his muscles. “You’re tense.”

“Yeah, I am.”

When I started massaging, he took a deep breath.

“You need to work out all those kinks.”

“Kinks, huh? I like the sound of that.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I could say the same about you. Why don’t we get out of here. I think it’s time I show you the ranch in all its glory.”

Bending down, I nipped his earlobe, offering him my most sultry voice. “I’d like that even if all you’re doing is trying to take my mind off the nightmare.”

“Well? What do you think?” Maddox was leaning against the stone fireplace, studying my reaction as I turned in a full circle.

Maddox’s voice held an entirely different tone. After leaving the house, he’d driven around the ranch, taking his time to point out his favorite location. He’d even allowed me to take some time petting several cows, which he’d called ridiculous, reminding me they weren’t pets.

I’d learned during the show and tell phase that he hadn’t planned on buying a home let alone a ranch; the man was content with renting tiny spaces just so he could maintain an address for receiving checks and other benefits from his service in the military.

The barns were incredible, although at least one needed a little work. There were several men repairing miles of fencing, all taking the time to wave to their boss as we drove by. It all seemed surreal.

“I think you could do so much with the guesthouses. But that will take money and time. The light is incredible, the view spectacular. With some additions of furniture and art, you could soon make an incredible income from renting out to tourists and people eager to take a week or two of respite away from their daily grind.” I stood staring out the floor-to-ceiling window of the third guesthouse he’d allowed me to see, marveling in the majesty of the mountains in the late afternoon sun as a backdrop.

They were snowcapped and the light dusting of freshly fallen snow provided a cozy, romantic feel even though the small home remained empty.

He’d been right to get me outside. My mind was clearer.

“Money, I have. Expertise, I don’t.”

“I would be happy to help you. You know. All that free time I have on my hands since someone I know won’t allow me to do the job I was born and bred to do.”

“Born and bred to write articles? Fascinating, but the answer is still no. And you’d really consider becoming my assistant?”

I tipped my head, studying his face. The man’s grin was practically evil. He was even more rugged looking than before. Standing in faded denim blue jeans, a red and black flannel shirt, and rugged work boots, I envisioned him holding an ax instead of a sharpshooter-style weapon.

Even his adorable scruffy beard added to the allure. Female visitors would eat him up with a spoon.

Somehow, that made the streak of jealousy that much more formidable.

However, even with his mischievous smile, the Glock now worn in a shoulder holster was a reminder of the continued danger we were both in.

I’d brought the constant thought of peril to him. Should I feel guilty? I wasn’t certain. What I did know what that the man would do anything in his power to keep me safe.

“Why not? As long as you listened to my advice, which I realize will take an act of God,” I said with a slight hint of arrogance in my tone on purpose.

“You’ll need to establish a tourist destination complete with hot spots for Wi-Fi use.

You’ll need to provide meals, maybe at least breakfast at the main house.

Clear-cut activities such as horseback riding and watching cowboys wrangle cattle.

” I was laughing as I made the suggestions from seeing the near look of horror crossing his face.

“Well, at least I have the hot spots. Everything is wired for sound.”

“Wow. Such a secure man. I’m surprised.”

“Came with the property. I’ve locked down the internet in the house. I assure you no one, including you, can gain access.”

“Hmmm… You don’t trust me.”

Now his look turned mischievous. “Not with certain things, Miss Dangerous One.”

“Just remember that, buster. I am dangerous.”

As expected, his nostrils flared. He swaggered closer, the dark look in his eyes the same one that had both attracted and irritated the hell out of me from the beginning.

“Do I need to remind you who’s boss for a second time?”

His words thrilled me, more so than they should. Every time I shifted, I was reminded of his determined dominance over me. While the spanking had been more playful than anything, I continued to feel the effects of the brutal cracks of his hand.

A wave of desire swept through me. The man pushed every button in both the right and wrong directions, but I’d never felt so alive.

“Not a chance, mountain man.” He said nothing, finally turning his attention away from me and staring out the same window. “I’m curious. Why did you purchase the ranch?”

He scratched his head, his lips tight. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well, you better figure it out. That might be holding you back on deciding what you want to do.”

After a few seconds, he moved beside me.

“My uncle was a cattle rancher. When I was a kid, I was considered a delinquent, believe it or not.” He laughed and I could tell the memories were good ones.

“My dad thought he’d offer some tough love since I was a mostly a city kid.

He sent me to live there for the summer.

I thought I had total freedom. Boy, was I wrong. ”

“Tough man?”

“If anyone thought our drill sergeants were tough, they needed to experience living on a working ranch for three months. Let me tell you, I’ve never worked so hard in my life.

Up at four in the morning, milking cows and slopping the barns, learning how to corral the cattle.

By the time I dropped into bed at eight or nine, I was exhausted.

My uncle didn’t allow me to get away with anything. ”

“Sounds like it was good for you.”

“Yeah, it was. I also saw what happened when you get too attached to an animal. I witnessed them being taken to slaughter and I had nightmares for months afterwards. At least it taught me hard work paid off. I grew four inches and twenty-five pounds of muscle.”

“You purchased the ranch to ground you, to bring you back to your roots because you felt out of control.”

“I was. After getting out of the Navy, I worked odd jobs, never staying in one place but so long. I’m not proud of it, but I fell into the bottle, the haze lasting for years.

One morning I woke up after consuming almost a bottle of bourbon and knew I needed a change.

I saw an ad for the ranch and bought it. Now, here we are.”

“What do you think?”

He laughed. “I think we need to get back before it gets dark, and stop being a psychologist. I’ve had enough of that shit to last a lifetime.”

I pouted my lips on purpose. “Here’s the thing.

Whether or not you feel overwhelmed with owning the ranch, it’s already brought you peace.

You dealt with so much guilt for so many years that your psyche knew you needed a reminder of who you are as a man.

That’s what being a journalist does for me.

I feel whole when I can bring something to light or provide assistance to an organization that doesn’t have anyone fighting for them.

While I had no clue what I was doing by getting in the middle of Alfaro’s regime, I need to see the story through.

I don’t do well running from my responsibilities. ”

The way he studied me sent a shiver down my spine. With his hand cupping my cheek, he lowered his head. “The answer is still no. Too dangerous.”

As he backed away, I took a deep breath. I knew he was looking out for my best interest, but I was too far along on the article to stop where I was. Maybe it wouldn’t leave my computer, but at least I felt better by putting the notes I’d written in a single document.

Then again, I was a very naughty girl.

“Hmmm… The ranch suits you. Maybe you just need to get a dog to keep you company.” The hint of sarcasm wasn’t lost on the powerful man.

His eyes lit up. “Maybe you’re right. Or maybe there’s something else I can do.”

“What’s that?”

“Purchase a cage to keep you from getting yourself in the middle of more trouble.”

When I gave him the finger, he swatted my bottom.

For once in my life, I felt something bigger than myself and it was all because of a rugged, crusty on the outside man who just happened to have a heart of gold.

The very one I’d fallen hopelessly, desperately in love with.