The next week was both Heaven and Hell for Gabe. He was getting completely addicted to Chloe, and they made rounds together every morning, talking about what he wanted to accomplish with each mare that was due to foal in the spring.
She had a true affinity with horses, and the more time he spent with Chloe, the more he appreciated her intelligence and spirit.
His heart had ached when he’d gifted Chloe with a gelding Palomino that he’d had sent in especially for her after she’d decided to take a position here at the ranch. He’d questioned Aileen, trying to find out what type of horse Chloe would like to have. When Chloe’s mom had mentioned that her daughter had always had a fondness for Palominos, and that her childhood horse had died while Chloe was in vet school, Gabe had gone on the hunt for the perfect mount for her.
Since there wasn’t much casual about the horse’s registered name, Chloe had dubbed the gelding Prince because she said he looked like a fairy tale horse, and she’d burst into tears just because he’d gotten her a damn Palomino. Granted, Prince was a beauty of a horse…but Christ! He was a horse rancher. Was it really that big of a deal that he’d sought out a good gelding for her?
She’d said it was amazing, and that she’d never been given a better gift. Gabe had been confused, wondering what kind of gifts Chloe had gotten in the past if a damn horse touched her that much. But considering that her ex hadn’t even bothered to buy her an engagement ring, maybe he did kind of understand.
Chloe was an excellent rider, and his fear that Prince would be too much horse for her was quickly dispelled. She handled the spirited animal as well as she handled him, which was a little too well for his liking. Even though he didn’t want her working full days yet, she’d jumped right into her job, checking out the mares, doing ultrasounds on the pregnant females, checking their diets, vaccinating, and scurrying around doing what seemed like a hundred things at one time. Most nights, she got home about the same time he did, and Gabe didn’t like it. She’d be worn out before spring.
His staff all loved her, but Gabe had never doubted that they would. Even his general manager, Calvin, acted like he was half in love with her, and the man was close to retirement age, for God’s sake. All Chloe had to do was turn that pretty smile of hers on any of his men, and they adored her.
I should know. I’m one of those guys who can’t resist her smile.
It was getting harder and harder to be in the same room with her without wanting to rip her clothes off and nail her against just about any surface that was handy. Gabe wasn’t sure how much longer his will would be able to overcome his desperate need to bury his cock so deep inside her that she’d never want another man again.
Not happening, Walker. Forget it. She’s Blake’s sister.
“Screw Blake,” he whispered to himself as he left the restroom and headed back to the dinner table. “Where was Blake when she needed protection? Bastard.” His best friend wasn’t home yet on recess from Congress, but Gabe planned on having a long discussion with him about his family responsibilities when he got back. Either that, or Gabe was determined to watch out for Chloe himself. More than likely, he’d end up looking out for her anyway. He couldn’t seem to help himself.
He arrived back at the dining room table to see his oldest cousin in what looked like a serious discussion with Chloe.
Trace Walker was currently an unwanted guest. Gabe didn’t like the way he’d assessed Chloe thoroughly when he’d arrived—unexpected, as usual—that afternoon. Trace had a place in Denver, and he was there fairly often on business. He usually landed his jet on the Colter airstrip to visit when he was coming in and out of town. Occasionally, he drove to Rocky Springs for a visit, but it didn’t happen often. Trace was all about business almost all the time.
Gabe usually enjoyed his company whenever he passed by. Today…not so much.
He’s a few years younger than Chloe. She needs somebody more mature than Trace.
As he sat back down at the table, he had to admit that Trace was pretty damn responsible. Gabe’s uncle had been just as rich as his father, and Trace had picked up the reins of his father’s business admirably after the latter’s death. Trace might be young, but he was far from immature. Not that Gabe really wanted to admit that right now. At the moment, he wanted nothing more than to punch his cousin in the face to keep him from getting so damn close to Chloe.
“So you understand why I need a woman?” Trace asked Chloe casually.
What. The. Fuck?
Gabe had entered the middle of the conversation, but he knew it couldn’t be good.
“Chloe isn’t available,” Gabe growled.
“He wasn’t trying to recruit me,” Chloe said with a smile.
“On the contrary,” Trace answered smoothly. “I would if you were willing.”
“She’s not,” Gabe answered roughly. When in the hell did Trace get so damn charming? It was actually pretty damn nauseating, but Chloe seemed to genuinely like his cousin.
“You’d be perfect,” Trace answered charmingly.
If that bastard doesn’t quit smiling at her, I’m going over the table for him! I’ll give him five seconds to back off her.
One…Two…Three…
“He needs a fiancée,” Chloe told Gabe, turning her smile to him.
Four…and fucking Five!!
“Touch Chloe and I’ll kill you,” Gabe told his cousin in a dangerously feral voice. He was finally losing his patience, and he wasn’t letting anyone take his woman. Trace could find his own female, and it wouldn’t be Chloe.
Chloe gaped at Gabe, and then finally turned back to Trace. “I love my job here, but thanks. If I think of anybody who can help you out, I’ll let you know. I hate to think about you going it alone.”
“Thank you,” Trace told her politely as he went back to his meal.
While he was relieved that Trace had moved back from Chloe, Gabe still wanted to fly over the table at his cousin and strangle him. What the hell did he need a woman for? He had women literally throwing themselves at him. He was rich, supposedly handsome, and he was usually immaculately dressed in a custom suit, wearing the mantle of a billionaire much better than Gabe did.
“Trace was just telling me that he needed to hire a fake fiancée for the holidays,” Chloe told Gabe casually.
“Fake?” Gabe asked, confusion permeating his jealousy.
“He needs someone to play the part because he doesn’t want to deal with his ex. It was an honest job offer.” Chloe emphasized the last part of her comment. “If I knew someone, I’d tell him. I wish Ellie was here…”
Gabe’s anger fled as he heard the pain in Chloe’s voice. There was still no sign of her best friend, and Gabe knew that wasn’t good. More than likely, she was dead, the chances of finding her alive after all these months pretty damn slim.
“Any news on her?” Gabe asked quietly.
“None,” Chloe answered with a shake of her head.
“The woman who disappeared?” Trace asked curiously. “I saw the information in the paper quite some time ago. You knew her?”
“She’s my best friend,” Chloe confirmed sadly.
Trace shot Gabe a questioning look, and he knew what his cousin was thinking. The same thing he was thinking: that the outcome of the case was probably going to end in tragedy.
Gabe shook his head discreetly at his cousin to discourage any more discussion. Chloe had already been through so much. The last thing she needed was for the police to find her best friend’s body dumped in the woods somewhere.
“Doctor Colter?” The questioning male voice came from the entry of the dining room.
Gabe’s head turned to see his general manager, Calvin, standing at the doorway of the room, looking anxious.
“Yes. What’s wrong, Cal?” Chloe asked as she rose from her chair.
“We got a mare that injured herself on the fence. Her leg is cut,” Cal told Chloe, sounding apologetic for interrupting her meal.
“Work calls,” Chloe said hastily, moving quickly toward Cal.
“I’ll go with you.” Gabe started to rise from his chair.
“You stay here,” she demanded. “Trace is only here until later tonight. It’s a simple suture job, right?” She looked at Cal.
“Looks like it,” the manager answered affirmatively.
“I’ll be back when I’m done.” Chloe gave Gabe a stern look. “No need to interrupt your visit with your cousin. I’ll see you soon.”
Gabe watched as Chloe hurried out of the room with Cal, already asking for details about how the mare was injured and where the cut was located.
“She’s pretty, smart, and nice,” Trace observed. “You’ve got it bad for her.”
Gabe wanted to argue, but he couldn’t. “I suppose I do.” He was tired of fighting his attraction to Chloe. Every day, it was a little bit harder…literally and figuratively. Every day, he found one more thing about her to like. Every day, Gabe tried to convince himself that he couldn’t have her. It was getting old quick, and his reasons for not pursuing her were becoming less and less important.
Trace shrugged. “What’s the problem? I think it would be nice to know that a woman isn’t after you for your money.” His voice held more than a little bitterness.
“Which problem do you want me to start with?” Gabe answered, knowing he wouldn’t give up Chloe’s secrets. “She just got out of a bad relationship, and my best friend is her older brother.”
“If her relationship sucked, I’d think he’d be happy that you’re with her now,” Trace observed, dropping his fork on his plate and pushing the empty dish away.
There was so much more to Chloe’s situation, but he wasn’t about to tell Trace anything else. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his cousin, but Chloe was too damn personal to talk about with anybody. “It’s complicated,” Gabe finally grumbled. “So what’s the deal about you needing to hire a fiancée?”
Trace grinned back at Gabe. “It’s complicated.”
“Women chase after you all the time. I wouldn’t think getting one of them would be a problem.”
“I don’t just need any woman.” Trace glared at Gabe, looking annoyed. “I need one who won’t expect anything except payment for a job.”
“You’re right. That is complicated,” Gabe answered, finding it highly unlikely that his cousin would find a woman who would expect nothing from him if she was going to act as his fiancée.
“I’ll figure it out,” Trace answered in a clipped voice. “Chloe’s a nice woman, Gabe. I like her. She’s different from most rich women. She seems almost innocent.”
“She’s not. She’s been hurt. And she’s older than you are,” Gabe answered in a warning voice.
Trace held up a hand to signal surrender. “I’m not trying to steal her from you. But she’s only a few years older, and I don’t think age makes a difference. Chloe seems genuinely nice.”
“She is,” Gabe agreed. “Sometimes too damn nice. She gets taken for granted.”
Or just plain abused and neglected.
“Then go after her,” Trace advised. “She’s rich, so she’s going to be a prime target for every single guy in the county. Since you already have more money than most men in the world, she’ll know you aren’t after hers.”
“I don’t give a shit about her money.” All Gabe wanted was for Chloe to be happy, and the last thing he needed was more money.
“That’s my point,” Trace answered smugly. “You want her for the woman she is, not the money she has. But do you really think most guys think that way?”
The thought of another man courting Chloe for her money infuriated Gabe. “Probably not. But I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“You can’t stop her if she wants to date somebody. She is just your employee,” Trace remarked casually.
“Bullshit. She’s not dating anybody else.” Gabe slammed his fist on the table.
Trace laughed. “Then you’re going to have to do something before she hooks up with someone.”
Chloe wasn’t going to hook up with anybody else.
Gabe looked at Trace, who was staring at him with a teasing, bemused expression.
That was the moment Gabe decided that he was done making excuses. Trace was right, and he wasn’t going to watch while some other guy touched the woman he wanted more than he’d ever coveted anything else in his life.
He was going to seduce Chloe Colter.