He’s left me panting behind him. My body is now shaking with something different from fear. Something more carnal and intense. I’m throbbing between my legs and heat rises in my body. I sit still until the door opens again and Rhett smirks when he notices I’m exactly how he left me. He puts my bags next to the bed.

“I told Laine, the cook, to prepare dinner for us. Come down when you’re ready.”

I nod and look around nervously.

“You’re sure there isn’t that thing in this room, right? It can’t come in?” I feel stupid for being scared, but I can’t help it. I haven’t seen even a ladybug let alone a moth.

He looks me up and down lazily, with a smirk on his face. His former understanding is now lost behind his amusement.

“If you want to stay here, darlin,’ moths are the last thing you should worry about,” he says with a smirk.

I feel my eyes widen and he laughs at my expression before leaving the room with a wink. I don’t know whether he said that just to mess with me, but even if he did, I know there’s truth behind his words. I find myself checking my surroundings every five minutes. I curse myself under my breath for not being a more of a nature girl but growing up in a penthouse and choosing the social events that happens inside the four walls in college didn't introduce me with Mother Nature and all her children that wait to attack me.

After putting on another pencil skirt and a blouse, I walk out of my room, barefoot. Since this is a work trip, pencil skirts, blouses, and high heeled shoes are the only clothes I brought with me. I hadn't thought I'd be hitting a gym. So, I didn't even bring my sneakers.

I go down to the first floor, roaming around to find the kitchen. Just when I'm about to enter the first door I see, a girl comes out of it, almost knocking me down.

“Oh my, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?” she asks in a panic.

“Yes, I'm good,” I murmur, smiling at her reassuringly.

The girl is beautiful. Blonde hair, killer body, jeans short, shirt, and cowboy boots, she looks exactly how I imagine a cowgirl looks. How I would imagine Rhett Cooper's wife would look if I stopped eye fucking him or making a fool of myself and thought for a second. Of course, a guy like him would be taken.

I curse myself for glancing over this information. I've known the guy for a few hours, and I'm already feeling bad that he has a relationship.

“Mr. Cooper invited me for dinner. Where should I go?” I murmur.

“He's in here,” she points out the door she's just left. Of course.

I nod. “Thank you,” I say as I pass her.

When I enter the room, I see it's a big kitchen. It's almost bigger than the penthouse I live in.

The one side is a big kitchen, while the other side that is separated with a glass door, is the dining room.

I see Rhett right away. It's hard not to see someone like him: Tall, built like a wall, and oozing power. He's wearing a pair of faded jeans, boots and a flannel shirt unbuttoned, showing the t-shirt under it. I've never seen a guy like him. In my life, guys wear pristine shirts with shiny shoes. They wear polo shirts and designer jeans even at their most laid-back state. In my life, men look too proper and too well-groomed, almost making them look feminine. Maybe this is why Rhett Cooper has so much effect on my body. Maybe that's the reason for the sudden attraction toward him.

He's different. So rough, powerful, untamed. I don't know if it's a hormonal thing, but when I look at him, all I can think of is sex: Hard. Deep. Toe-curling, mind-blowing sex.

“I've been waiting for you, Aubrey,” he says, coming toward me.

I see him smirk when he notices my bare feet, but he doesn't comment on it while guiding me to the table.

My mouth waters when I see what's on my plate. Grilled chicken, fried potatoes, and grilled cheese. Also, there's a bowl of salad in front of me.

“Iced tea or beer?” he asks.

“Tea, please.”

I check him out a little more as he pours me a glass. Then, I shake my head. Remembering the cowgirl who is probably Mrs. Cooper.

“I'd like to hear your idea for the place, Mr. Cooper,” I say, reminding myself to keep it business and hopefully make up my lack of professionalism with all the fear I showed him.

“My parents left this place to my brother and I. As you know, Braxton loves his city life, so the ranch is my responsibility. I want this place to be alive, to do well. I want-"

“You want to make your parents proud,” I finish his words.

He looks at me with an expression I can't read and nods before saying, “Tell me about yourself, Aubrey.”

I swallow. My name on his lips sounds so good. That Southern drawl makes it sinfully sexy.

“Nothing interesting about me. I'm from New York City, born and raised there. I have a rather small but quickly improving design company. So, all my life is about work lately.”

“Any siblings? Your parents?”

“I'm an only child. My parents were both attorneys. Now, they're going around the world, enjoying their early retirement. The last time we talked, they were in Italy, doing wine tasting.” I smile at their newfound adventurous sides.

“You live alone?”

“Yes. Living in my parent's penthouse and working. Pretty boring life it would be if I didn't love my job, a lot.”

He nods, and we don't talk for a while, enjoying our food. Then, he breaks the silence again.

“You’re not fond of nature.” It’s an observation, but I still confirm it with my nod.

“I think I didn’t have time for it. All my life I was inside the four walls. I have to admit, being here would be both challenging and liberating for me.”

“So, you’re up for a challenge?” he asks with a smirk.

“I’m not promising not to be afraid, but I promise not to give up until I’ll give you something you’ll be happy with,” I say, and as soon as the words leave my mouth, his eyes get mischief, and he wiggles his eyebrows.

I laugh nervously, trying to cover the heat rising up my cheeks with my hair.

He must’ve decided to show mercy, he changes the topic. “I can show you around after finishing up with dinner if you'd like? You won’t see the whole glory of the place, but it’s good at night too.”

“Yes, please. Will Mrs. Cooper be joining us? I’d like to get her opinion on the ranch, too?”

He chokes on his beer, coughing. He catches his breath when I’m just about to consider using the Heimlich maneuver.

“Mrs. Cooper?” he asks.

“Did I assume wrong?” I try to hide the hope in my tone, but don’t know if I could muster.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I’m not married or in any kind of relationship, Aubrey. Whoever you see in this place is my employee, the people here help me to return this place to its good times,” he says slowly but with certainty.

I nod. “I’m sorry-” I start, but he interrupts me.

“Now that we cleared up my relationship status, would you like to have a walk?”

I bite my lip to stop myself smiling as I nod.

God, Aubrey. Stop. He’s not in a relationship, so what?