Page 30 of The Billionaire Who Hated Me (Until He Loved Me)

I glance over to see her biting her bottom lip with worry.

“You good?”

“Uh, are there rattlesnakes here?”

I suppress a laugh.“Most definitely.Several varieties.Any particular variety you’re hoping to see today?”

Even behind those dark glasses, I can tell she’s rolling her eyes.

We have to go off-road to access Sulfur Springs, and I check to make sure she’s buckled in.The landscape changes a bit as we climb the higher terrain, and all around us is the stark beauty of the high desert, with its Chamisa, hedgehog cactus, and yucca.It will be slow going until we reach the crest of the hill and can make our way down to the springs.

“Hey, Cal?”

I’m pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve heard her use my name without an edge of annoyance or anger.The sound of it sends a jolt through my body.My name sounds different somehow, coming from her lips.I like it too much.“Yeah?”

“I know you were a SEAL, right?”

“I was.”

“Is it as hardcore as people say?”

I have no idea who these people are, but I bet they don’t know shit about the life of a Navy SEAL.“Whatever you’ve heard, it’s wrong.The reality is a lot worse—or better—depending on who you’re asking.”

“I’m asking you.”

I nod.“I fucking loved it.My ten years as a SEAL damn near killed me, but it damn near kills everyone.Just ask Special K.”

“Who?”

“My baby brother, Kevin.We call him Special K because he was a surprise baby.He was a SEAL too.We all were, all five of us MacLaine boys, for varying amounts of time.”

“Wait,what?”She turns in the passenger seat to get a better look at me.“You're telling me thatallyour brothers were SEALs?”

“I figured you knew that.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and looks straight ahead again.

“You know, I’m starting to think you didn’t do much background research before your little impromptu visit to Yosemite Ranch.”

She gives her head a quick shake.“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hey, just making an observation.”

“Let’s change the subject.Tell me about Sulfur Springs.”

“How about I show you instead?Good thing you’re wearing your hiking boots.”

We crest the hill.

I hear her gasp.“Whoa.”She reaches for the grab bar and tries to stand up in the Jeep, but her seat belt jerks her down.“Thisis Sulfur Springs?”

CHAPTER 18

Cal

“You were expecting something else?”

“I…” she doesn’t finish her sentence.