Page 2 of The Rancher’s Wedding Betrayal (Billionaires of Evergreen, Texas #17)

EIGHT YEARS AGO

Hunter watched his stepsister throw her bags into the trunk of her battered Honda through the living room window. Each movement was sharp and angry, her slender shoulders stiff with the effort of holding herself together.

Behind him, Evelline's mother sobbed quietly in his father’s arms, and Hunter's jaw clenched. He hated having to hurt June like this. She was kind and sweet...while her daughter was not, and that was why this had to happen.

“Hunter.” His father’s voice was grave. “This has gone far enough. Whatever happened with Midnight—”

“Isn’t the point.” Hunter cut him off without turning around. His prized stallion would recover, eventually. The animal’s injuries weren’t what kept his blood boiling.

It was her refusal to admit what she’d done.

Boris moved to stand beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Son—”

“No one asked her to leave," he reminded his father coldly. "This is her choice alone, and we'll do her no favors by coddling her. She's old enough to face the consequences of her actions."

The sound of Evelline slamming the trunk closed had his jaw clenching. His gaze swung back to her, just in time to see her dark hair whip around her face in the Texas wind.

Damn her.

Even now, even furious, she was beautiful in a way that made him grit his teeth against the need to call her back.

Why, dammit?

Why couldn’t she just admit she was at fault?

Evelline turned then, looking up at the window where he stood. Even from this distance, he could see the tears streaming down her face, and for one fragile moment—

He could see it in her eyes.

The desire to speak the truth.

He could see it...just like he was sure that she, too, could see how much he hated having to let her go.

So just say it, dammit.

Admit it!

Stop being so damn proud.

And then...nothing.

She was gone.

She didn't even look back again as she climbed into her car and drive away.

This was for the best, Hunter told himself.

This had to happen.

For both their sakes.

HUNTER HEARD HER FOOTSTEPS before she appeared in the doorway.

Eight years.

Eight damn years of silence, and now she was walking into his study like she’d never left.

He kept his eyes on the contract before him, refusing to look up immediately. A power play. Let her wait. Let her squirm. He’d learned long ago that anticipation was a weapon more effective than any shouted command.

“Mr. Ferguson.” Cathy’s voice from the doorway. “Ms. Ramirez is here.”

“Thank you, Cathy.” His voice remained perfectly neutral. Only then did he allow himself to look up.

Fuck.

Evelline Ramirez at thirty was even more beautiful than the girl who’d haunted his dreams for eight years.

Her dark eyes still flashed with that defiant fire.

Her full lips still pressed together when she was nervous.

..just like now. But the softness of youth had given way to elegant angles and quiet confidence despite her current circumstances.

Something primal and possessive unfurled in his chest.

Rein it in, Ferguson.

He remembered his cousin Janelle’s words all those years ago.

I overheard Eve saying she knows your secret.

She hadn't said anything else, but he wasn't an idiot. He knew what she wasn't saying, and that was how Eve had been so damn childish and proud, with the way she had even cared to brag about the truth.

And that truth...was how much he wanted her.

Had always wanted her.

From the start.

And he still did, dammit.

His jaw clenched as he stared at his former stepsister. She stood awkwardly in the center of his study, looking out of place in her simple blouse and jeans. His fingers itched to touch her, to see if her skin was as soft as he remembered.

But he could not.

Or at least not yet.

Not until she understood that this time...

This time, he would not let her damn pride get between them. It was why he hadn’t gone after her when she’d left after the accident.

This time, he would make her understand that she would never be able to manipulate him.

Because this time, he would also make sure that she realized there was no need for her to do so.

She was his, and by his side she would stay...whether she liked it or not.

“So..." The single syllable from Hunter sliced through the silence between them. “Look at you.”

And even though Eve had been praying to God all this time—

Please make me humble, please, please!

Pride got the better of her once again, and she found herself lifting her chin. "Look at me."

Ugh.

She had no idea why she had even said those words or if they even made sense.

Did they?

“Thirty, homeless, and unemployed.” His voice gave nothing away. No amusement, no satisfaction. Just cold assessment. “A spectacular hat trick.”

“Did you bring me here just to gloat?” Eve shot back.

So much for being humble, yeargh!

“Because I’d rather sleep in my car—”

“How fortunate for you that choice isn’t necessary.” Hunter’s gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering just long enough on her lips to make her pulse quicken traitorously. “Though I imagine even your car is gone now.”

Eve crossed her arms over her chest. "Is there a point to all these flowery compliments?” She knew she was being childish, but she just couldn't help it. Old habits died hard, and she would rather change the subject that admit Hunter was right.

“There’s always a point with me, Evelline.” He gestured to the leather chair across from his desk. “Sit.”

“I’m not one of your ranch dogs.”

“Sit,” he repeated, his tone unchanged. “Please.”

That unexpected “please” knocked her more off-balance than his commanding tone ever could. Eve sank into the chair, hating how the buttery leather seemed to embrace her tired body.

She’d lost weight , Hunter noted grimly.

The shadows beneath her eyes spoke of sleepless nights.

The delicate bones of her wrists seemed more prominent as she gripped the arms of the chair.

A part of him was glad to see her suffer.

At least this time, she would understand what she herself had made him feel the day she had walked out.

Now, she knew what it felt like, to lose fucking everything.

And yet...

Why did her vulnerability also feel like a knife twisting in his gut?

His Evelline began shifting in her seat, her movements speaking of restlessness and unease. It was the cue he had been waiting for, and his next words also gained him the exact reaction he wanted.

"Levi Perry..."

Eve sat up involuntarily upon hearing the name of the HR manager in her company.

"I had some time to spare while waiting for you to arrive," Hunter drawled. "And fortunately enough, my assistant—I'm sure you remember Tony?"

Eve could feel herself paling. Did this mean—

"Levi happened to owe Tony a favor, and so he was more than willing to talk."

Was this going to be the past all over again?

Hunter reached for a folder on his desk, flipping it open with deliberate slowness. “Interesting situation at Thompson & Burke. Corporate espionage. Client list theft. Senior executives implicated.”

Was he going to accuse her without even asking—

“You discovered it, didn’t you? Found evidence that your superiors were selling client data to competitors.” His eyes never left her face. “And when confronted, they made you the scapegoat.”

She stared at him, stunned into silence.

“Lucky for them, you're also the type to refuse to say anything to defend yourself.” It wasn’t a question. “You walked away rather than fight...just like when you left after I accused you about the accident.”

H-How did he—

How long had he—

"I can see all the questions you have in your eyes, Evelline. So ask ."

Eve shook her head without knowing why.

"Damn you."

The words were uttered in quiet rage, and yet...it didn't scare her at all. It only made her want to cry, and she didn't know why either.

"When you left eight years ago," Hunter snarled, "I assumed you stayed silent out of guilt."

"Who says you were wrong—"

"Don't."

Eve didn't even realize she was being flippant out of habit until Hunter snapped.

"Why the hell are you so damn proud?" Hunter grated out.

Eve’s nails dug into her palms. “Not everyone feels the need to explain themselves to the world—"

"So you'll just let everyone hang you dry? For what?"

"I just don't want to—"

"You don't even have a reason, do you?" Hunter bit out. "All you have is your damn pride."

The word landed like a slap, and it was getting harder and harder not to cry.

“Pride is what cost you your job. Your apartment. Even your fucking car."

Each word was another nail in the coffin of her dignity. Eve’s eyes burned, but she’d rather die than let him see her cry.

"So tell me, Eve. Is it worth it? Losing every fucking thing—"

"No, it's not."

Eve hated the way her voice cracked in the end. But even so, she didn't regret speaking up. Didn't regret finally owing up to past mistakes...because it was the right thing to do, and she was tired, so damn tired of doing things wrong.

"It wasn't worth it. It never was—"

"Then will you tell me what happened eight years ago?"

"No." On this, she wouldn't change her mind. Couldn't. Because as much as she hated to admit this...it still hurt. Every time she thought about how easy it had been for him back then, it just hurt so, so much to remember how he had accused her outright.

"It's water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned," Eve said tightly. "There's no need to talk about it."

"The way you can't even meet my eyes—"

Eve's head jerked up as she glared at him. "Better now?"

No, Hunter thought grimly. Nothing would ever make him feel better about the past...now that he, too, had changed.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

And in the past eight years, living without her had made him smarter.

Or at least smart enough to realize, with just one look at his Evelline's pale face and trembling lips...

I got it all wrong.

He still didn't know how Midnight had gotten out eight years ago. But this time, he was absolutely certain Evelline wasn't to blame.

“I’ll let it slide for now," Hunter said finally, "but I should warn you. We will talk about it. Sooner or later.”

"What for?" Eve demanded. "It's been eight years. Shouldn't you be more concerned about who I am today—"

"I am, actually—" Hunter was not the type to look at a gift horse in the mouth. "So please, enlighten me."

Eve fought against the urge to squirm in her seat. Why did it suddenly feel like she had just dug her own grave?

"Are you dating someone?"

"E-Excuse me?"

"None then?"

"I didn't say—"

"Yes or no, Evelline." Hunter's tone remained lazy...even though the mere thought of her with another man made something dangerous rise within him.

"Why is this even your business?"

"Because you're about to live here—"

Eve's eyes widened. "I never said—" Unbelievable! "I came here for a loan—"

"I know."

"Then why would you—"

"But it's not what I intend to give you."

"What do you mean it's not—" Eve couldn't help feeling a little dizzy, with all the twists and turns their conversation had taken. "Look, I just—"

"Do you have any lovers right now?"

" Why do you keep asking—"

"Are you being defensive?"

Oh my gosh, how could he even...

"No," she finally burst out. "None. Nada. I've never even had a boyfriend! Never even dated! I'm pure as the day I was born—"

"So, my stepsister is still a virgin."

"Former," she couldn't help but correct in a snarl, "and so what if I am?

" Eve refused to look away even as she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

Why had she even admitted that? Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut when she was supposed to?

Why, oh why were her emotions always too.

..too uncontrollable where this man was concerned?

Hunter slowly rose from his chair as that one word ricocheted through his mind and unleashed something...forbidden inside of him.

Virgin.

His Evelline was still a virgin.

Eve started in shock when she realized Hunter was suddenly standing in front of her, and he was now pulling her to her feet, and the look on his gorgeous face—

"W-What—"

His mouth crashed down on hers, one hand tangling in her hair while the other pressed against the small of her back, molding her body to his.

His Evelline tasted exactly as he’d imagined.

Sweet, with an underlying fire that threatened to consume him.

Her hands pushed against his chest, weakly.

It was almost as she was forcing herself to struggle, but already he could feel her starting to surrender as he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue.

Eve could only moan as his kiss deepened, and her body betrayed her, his stubble scraping deliciously against her skin as his mouth moved over hers—

Wait! Stop! Why am I letting this happen?

Eve managed to wrench away as she shoved Hunter off. "You—"

"Did what was necessary."

She sputtered in shock.

"I had to check if we can pull it off—"

"Pull what off?"

“Being married.”

What did he just say?

She opened her mouth, intending to ask if he had lost his mind—

"Would you say you've already learned your lesson, Evelline?"

Or maybe she was the one losing her mind because she was just completely lost. Where did those words even come from?

"Because I'd like to see you choose to do the sensible thing for once...once I tell you my offer."

"Are you asking me to work for you?"

"No, darling."

Eve's world turned upside down with just those two words.

"I'm asking you to marry me."

And it stayed that way, too, after what he had just said.

"You've gone mad," she whispered. "You know that, don't you?"

"On the contrary." Hunter's lips twisted in a sardonic smile. "It's only because I have to think... objectively that I'm asking this." And since there was no point dragging things out—

"Our parents have started dating again."

Hunter simply went straight for the jugular.

"And they're keeping it a secret because of you."