The week flies by between work and driving back and forth to The O’Connor Ranch. Tyler has been friendly, but not overly friendly. We sit, chat and joke around when I go by, but he doesn’t pressure me for another date or for something more which I greatly appreciate.

Just as I’m about to switch the phone over to the machine for the night, it rings. I reach out and pick up the receiver. “Lawrence Animal Hospital,” I say into the phone, pushing my hair behind my ear as I sit down at my desk.

“Hello. This is Liam O’Connor. I was hoping to speak with Vesper Lawrence.”

“Hi, Mr. O’Connor. This is Vesper. What can I do for you today?”

“It’s good to finally hear your voice, Ms. Lawrence. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you from Tyler.”

“Please, call me Ves.”

“Okay, Ves.” The way he says my name is smooth as silk. I’ve never met this man, but I can already tell he’s tall, dark, and handsome. Sexy.

“You’ve been doing such a good job with Lucy that I was hoping to hire you, full-time.”

I feel my face flush with his praise. “Thank you very much Mr. O’Connor—”

“Please, it’s Liam,” he corrects.

“Okay, Liam. I really do appreciate your offer, but I already have a full-time job. I run my own practice and I’m hoping to expand in the future. So you see, I really don’t have the time that this job would require.”

“Ah, I see. Tyler did mention that. I just thought that maybe you’d change your mind if I asked personally.”

A giggle slips from my lips like a school girl with a crush. “That’s very kind of you, but I’m really happy with where I am. But, as I told Tyler, I will continue to help wherever I can until you hire someone as a full-time vet privately.”

“Thank you very much, Ms.—I mean, Ves.”

“No problem. I look forward to meeting you one of these days.”

“And I as well. Have a good night.”

“You too. Bye,” I manage to croak out, hanging up the phone. I have no idea why my body is reacting the way it is; sweaty palms, goosebumps prickling my skin, rapid heart rate. I don’t even know what this man looks like. He could be a fifty-year-old man with gray hair and a beer belly, for all I know. And here I am, getting all flustered by his voice.

I calm my racing heart and take a deep breath. When I open my eyes, my body has calmed down. I switch the phones off for the night, turn out my light and lock up as I exit the building. Looking at my watch, I see that it’s going on six p.m., but I would really like to swing by The O’Connor Ranch. Check on Lucy and see if any other animals need tending to—maybe even ask Tyler what Liam looks like so I can get this image of ripped muscles and chiseled cheekbones out of my head. You know, the image that sexy, smooth voice brought on.

I make the thirty-minute drive, and as I’m driving up the long gravel driveway, a shiny, red sports car comes into view.

That’s weird. I’ve never seen that car here before.

I pull my car off to the side and climb out. Tyler is just walking out of the barn to greet me.

“Hey, what’s up?” I ask, rounding the front of the hood.

He shrugs as he reaches over his head and grabs his shirt by the back, pulling it off and tossing it to the side, revealing a defined chest and set of abs. “O’Connor’s back. He’s been working my ass off today. Here, feel this.” He tosses his shirt at me and out of reaction, I catch it.

It’s soaking wet, nearly dripping with sweat. I quickly throw it back. “Ew!”

He replies with a loud roar of laughter.

When he finally settles down, I ask, “How’s Lucy today?”

He nods and hangs his shirt over his shoulder. “She’s good. We put her out in the pasture alone today and let her get some exercise. She’s in there grazing on hay now. Want to check her out?”

I smile and nod, and he leads me inside.

I stand on the bottom rung of the gate, petting her nose. “O’Connor called me today and offered me the full-time vet position,” I tell him.

He laughs and shakes his head. “I told him you wouldn’t accept.”

“I declined, but I promised I’d help out as much as I could. Are there any more animals that I need to check out while I’m here?”

“There is a house cat that probably needs vaccinations, but I couldn’t ever take it because I’m allergic,” he admits with a shrug.

“Okay, I’ll come back tomorrow with everything.”

“Great.” He nods with a smile. “I think I’m about to pack up and call it a night. It’s been a long day.”

We start heading out of the barn and toward my vehicle. I stop short when I see a tall man dressed in a suit heading for the red sports car. His blue eyes lock on mine and he pauses before heading over.

“This must be Ves. I’m Liam, we spoke on the phone earlier.” He holds out his strong hand and I place mine inside to shake.

“Y-yes. How are you doing tonight?” I ask, nervously.

“Very well. Are you sure I can’t interest you in a job here?”

I bet my eyes glaze over just from looking him. He’s dressed in a dark suit with a striking red tie. His raven colored hair looks silky and smooth, and for some reason, I long to run my fingers through it. His blue eyes are warm and inviting, like ocean water, and his perfectly plump lips turn up into a small smile when I don’t answer his question.

“Oh, I’m sorry. No, no thank you. I’m very happy where I am at for the moment.” My face heats up as I feel the red creep up my cheeks from being caught staring.

He nods once. “Very well. I’ll back off. You have your list of things to accomplish while I’m gone, right, Tyler?” He points at him.

“I do, and it’ll all be done by the time you get back. You can count on me, sir.”

“I know I can.” He brings his attention back to me. “Ves, I look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully next time you’ll have a different answer for me.” He shoots me a grin then turns and walks away without another word.

“I-it was nice meeting you,” I call out, even though he’s across the driveway by the time my brain kicks in and gets my mouth to form words.

Tyler and I stand back and watch as he drives the red sports car down the drive, kicking up a cloud of dust all around us.

Once he’s out of sight, Tyler busts out into a fit of laughter.

“What?”

“You.” He points at me.

“What about me?” My face only grows more red. “Was I being weird or something?”

Slowly, his laughing dies down. “Keep dreaming, princess.”

“Excuse me?”

“He is a billionaire. And not only that, but he has some famous, super model girlfriend too. You don’t have a shot.” He gently shoves my shoulder.

I spin around to face him quickly. “What? No. No. You misunderstood. I don’t have a thing for him. Why would you think that?”

“Hmmm, let me think. You were a stuttering mess for one. When he asked you a question, you were so spaced out that it took you like five minutes to answer it, and that red on your cheeks, makes it all too easy to read you.”

“I was just surprised. I’ve never met a billionaire before. He has a very powerful presence about him.”

Tyler rolls his dark eyes. “Yea, pretty sure that’s nothing more than his height and that suit that probably cost more than your whole animal clinic.”

I let out a long breath. “There is something wrong with you,” I joke as I push myself forward, heading for my car.

“Yeah, there’s something wrong with me, not the girl that’s standing here drooling over a billionaire.” He lets out another roar of laughter.

My smile breaks free at his contagious happiness and I hold my middle finger in the air as I climb into the car. When I shift into drive and take off, he’s leaning against the barn with his arms crossed over his chest, grinning as he watches me drive off.

I can’t get his face out of my head the whole drive home. His blue eyes, his defined facial structure, high cheekbones and a strong chin with a little dimple in the center. Those silky-smooth hair that I so desperately want to thread my fingers through. His voice. Just thinking about the entire package does things to me that I haven’t felt in a long time, and I’ve never felt it this strongly before.

I walk into my apartment and throw myself down on the couch. Ace jumps up, meowing as he cuddles next to my side. “Oh, Ace. You’re so lucky. You don’t care about anything other than food. Why couldn’t I have been born a cat?”

He purrs before looking up at me and meowing, asking for food. That’s the only time he ever meows.

I scoff and roll my eyes dramatically, “Fine, come on.” I stand and head for the kitchen to feed him yet again.

I whip up a quick dinner of spaghetti and sit on the couch to eat and watch tv. Placing my empty bowl on the coffee table, I stretch out to get comfy. I’m worn out from today’s events, but not tired enough to fall asleep. I just need some rest and relaxation. I turn the tv to the movie channel and see the title, The Billionaire’s Secret Love Affair written across the screen. It immediately gets my attention.

I kick back and watch the movie as it starts with a good-looking business man, walking into the office demanding the attention of everyone he passes. Every woman stops what they’re doing, just to watch him walk by.

The billionaire I met tonight is much better looking than the broke actor that’s playing the role on tv, I think.

The role of the businessman on tv is cocky, arrogant and self-absorbed. He pays no attention to anything but his business, until she walks in. And for the first time, he can’t keep his mind on his business until he has her. A passionate love affair ensues and keeps me captivated throughout.

I let out a sigh. “Why can’t that happen to me, Ace?” I look over at him. “Huh?” I wait for a response even though I know I won’t get anything more than him looking at me like I’m crazy.

“Because I don’t have the time in my life,” I tell him like it should have been him telling me. I roll my eyes and let my head fall back. “You’re useless, Ace,” I joke before turning off the tv and heading for bed.

I crawl deep beneath the covers and get comfy. My eyes drift closed and who’s face do I see? Liam O’Connor.

I drift into a deep sleep, picturing his face behind my eyelids.

“Ves?” a deep voice calls out.

I find myself in the barn and I turn around to face him.

He’s dressed in his suit that hugs his strong body perfectly. “I’ve been hoping you’d come back. I haven’t been able to get you off my mind.” He closes the distance between us but doesn’t touch me. His sweet breath blows against my lips, causing me to wet them.

“I… I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” My eyes set on his plump lips and that dimple that sits directly below them.

“I want you, Ves.” He reaches out and pulls me against his chest. “I’ve never wanted anyone more.” He leans in and presses his lips to mine. They’re soft and forceful. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I can taste just how sweet he is. My hands fly up around his neck and thread into the silky strands of his hair like they’ve been dying to. I pull him closer, needing more of him.

He reaches down and picks me up by my hips, setting me on the old, wooden work bench. Something rattles and falls over, but neither of us stop our exploration to see what it was. Instead, he keeps kissing me while his hands slowly tour my body.

He breaks the kiss and looks longingly into my eyes. “Wake up, Ves.”

“What?”

My eyes pop open to the blinding light. A form standing over the foot of my bed. “Wake up, Ves!” Amy yells.

“What? What time is it?”

“It’s going on nine. You’re late. What the hell? Didn’t you set your alarm?”

I sit up and push the blankets down my legs, looking at the clock. “I guess I forgot.”

“I’ve had to reschedule two patients already. Get up before we lose more business.”

I quickly stand and rush to my closet, digging out something to wear so I can hurry to work.