Page 37 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

“I’ll do anything for her,” he says. “Even live on this ranch for a year, because it means I’ll go home a billionaire and—”

“Wait, what?” I lift my head to meet his eyes.

I had no idea my breasts are so sensitive, that I could get close to coming from just his thorough touch. His hands haven’t left them, haven’t dipped lower. I’m achy and needy all over again and it’s hard to focus.

“That’s why you have to stay here?”

He nods. “My father’s will has the three of us inheriting evenly. With the stipulation that Miles and I live here at Bridger Ranch for a year first.”

I blink. I knew the Bridgers had money. Their property is too impressive for them to be anything but ridiculously rich. But billionaires?

“Mom will have everything she needs to live a happy and fulfilled life for as many years as she has left.” His hands finally fall away.

Maybe it’s because he’s talking about his mother and feeling me up at the same time. Maybe he’s getting as worked up as me.

“What will you do while you’re here then? I mean, you’re not a cowboy.”

I take his hand and pull it back to touch me again, but he redirects me, setting my hand this time on his chest. He’s giving me permission to touch him, to learn him, too.

He raises a brow as if I’ve offended him. “If Chance has his way, Miles and I will be whipped into shape before the month’s out.”

“Don’t you miss flying?” I brush my fingers over one of his flat nipples.

His breath catches. “Hell, yeah. But working the land doesn’t suck all that much. Maybe it’s the Bridger blood in me.”

I lean into him, relish his muscled body, and I feel. The heat of his skin. The hard play of muscle and bone beneath.

I feel so much, only it’s not purely physical this time.

This time, it’s—

I pull back quickly. “Shit!”

His body stiffens and he looks around. “What’s wrong?”

“How long have we been gone? I have to get back to work. This is only my second day. I’m going to get my ass fired.”

“It’s okay.” He winks and relaxes. “I know your boss.”

“Austin, no. I told you I’m not going to play that card. Come on.” I wade out of the water, mindful of my faint scars and wishing for a towel.

“Baby,” he groans.

“Don’t baby me. I have a job and I’m serious about it.”

Still, I’m disappointed. I liked having my hands on him. I liked his hands on me even more.

I wipe as much wetness off me as I can and hastily don my clothes before he can notice the scarring. At least my hair is dry. I didn’t go under the waterfall with him.

He doesn’t say anything further. Doesn’t belittle my job or my desire to get back to it. Quietly, he dresses as well. We get into the car and head back to the vets’ office on the ranch. No sooner are we parked than I exit without saying goodbye and run in.

“Lexie?”

I breathe a sigh of relief. She’s not back from lunch yet, and it turns out I’m only five minutes late. I head back outside to say goodbye to Austin.

But he’s gone. Shit.

“Carly,” Dad says at dinner, “I need to talk to you about the Bridgers.”