It’s been a week, and that dream still haunts me. I go by the ranch every day after work, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but that red sports car hasn’t been back since the day I met him. I know it will never happen with us. And I know I don’t have time in my life for some random fling or a serious relationship, but something inside of me won’t let me shake him off. Something inside me, craves for him. I yearn to feel his hand brush against my cheek, to hear him say the words he said to me in my dream, to know how sweet those plump lips taste.

I’m sitting at my desk, staring off into space as I think of that dream for what feels like the hundredth time.

“Ves?” Amy says, sticking her head into my office.

I jump, unaware that she’s been standing there watching me stare at a wall. “Yeah?”

She walks deeper into my office and looks at the spot on the wall I’ve been staring at and then back at me. “You okay?” She cocks her head to the side, honestly concerned about me and my behavior.

I let out a nervous laugh and wave my hand through the air. “I’m fine. What’s up?”

“The last appointment for the day is here.” She uses her thumb to motion over her shoulder.

“Oh, okay.” I quickly push away from my desk and stand, rushing out the door.

“Mr. Warren how are you and Taco today?” I bend down to pet the Chihuahua, but he barks and tries nipping me. “Oh, Taco, you always make this so difficult.”

I stand up and look at Mr. Warren. “Bring him back to exam room four, please.” I walk back behind the counter. “I’ll grab the muzzle.”

I meet him back in the room and hand the muzzle over to Mr. Warren for him to put in place. Once Taco can no longer bite me, he places him on the table.

“What’s going on with Taco today?”

“He hasn’t been eating. He seems more grumpy than usual, and I’ve noticed he’s been having some issues when he goes for number two,” the old man states, his brows pulling into a frown that causes his wrinkles to deepen.

“Issues? Like he can’t go?”

He shakes his head. “The other way around. Every time I can get him to eat a little, it’s running out before we can even get outside.”

“What have you been feeding him?”

He shrugs. “Whatever he’ll eat—the same thing I eat.”

I feel my shoulder fall. “We’ve talked about this Mr. Warren. Dogs can’t handle human food the same way we do. I’ve given you many dog food samples, will he not eat any of them?”

“He’s eaten a couple, but dog food is too expensive. I’m living on a budget. I’m retired, you know.”

I feel my heart crack for him. He loves his dog. I know he does. And all he wants to do is spoil him but he’s about to spoil him to death. This dog already weighs about twenty pounds.

“Look, Mr. Warren. Stop giving him human food. Offer him the dog food I’m going to send you home with. Place it in front of him twice a day. If he doesn’t eat it, take it away and try again later. Don’t feed him anything else until he eats it. Okay? Taco is just spoiled to tasty human food. He doesn’t know it will hurt him. It’s up to you to make those tough calls. Got it?”

He nods. “But how can I afford it?”

I wave my hand through the air as I pull off my gloves. “We get plenty. Any time you run out, just come by and grab some. Okay?”

“Okay, Vesper. Thank you for helping an old man out. You know I wouldn’t be able to do this without your help.” I pat him on the back and lead him back to the counter. “It’s no problem, Mr. Warren. Promise me.” I point my finger at him. “No more human food?”

He holds up his hands, palms facing me. “Alright, alright. No more human food. No matter how much he begs and cries for it.”

“It will also help him to lose a little bit of that extra weight he’s packing around.” I laugh and shake my head as I make my way to the back to get my things.

Shortly after I leave work, I’m pulling up to the ranch. I park my car and walk into the barn to find Tyler mucking the stalls, his shirtless muscles flexing with his every movement.

He must feel me watching him, because he stops and turns toward me. “You going to stand there gawking all day or you going to pick up a shovel and help?”

I quickly think it over. “Gawking, please.”

He laughs and rolls his eyes but drops the shovel, removes his gloves and he walks closer to me. “What’s going on? I wasn’t expecting you again today.”

I push myself up onto the old, wooden work bench that Liam had me pressed against in my dream.

I shrug. “Nothing much. Just bored and had nothing else to do.” I look around the barn. “I like it here.”

“Want to take a walk?” he asks with a raise of his brow.

“Sure.” I jump down, and he leads me out the back door.

We walk through the field and around the pond silently, just enjoying the view of the green fields and the beautiful sunset. The wind is slightly blowing, cooling my skin, and birds and crickets are chirping, relaxing every muscle in my body.

“You look beautiful today, Ves,” he says so soft it’s nearly a whisper.

I turn to look at him and my lips part, unsure of what to say.

“I saw the way you were looking at me in there. You’re obviously attracted to me. Why won’t you let your guard down with me?” He steps closer and my heart beats faster.

“I…” I shake my head. “I can’t deny that you’re attractive, Tyler.”

He takes another step, cutting me off. His chest is nearly touching mine now. “Then why won’t you let me in, Ves?” He raises his hand and cups my cheek, directing my eyes to his.

“Can you feel the current between us when we touch? I can feel it and I think you can too.” Slowly, he leans in and my eyes flutter close. His soft lips press against mine, his tongue sliding into my mouth. The kiss is slow and deep, and I feel like he’s trying to show me how much he wants me since I refuse to listen. But that doesn’t change my mind.

I break the kiss and turn away, crossing my arms over my chest. I try and sort out the erratic thoughts that are spinning around inside of my head at an alarming rate.

“I’m sorry. I just…” He lets out a long breath. “I just needed to do that. I wanted to show you how I feel about you. I know it doesn’t change anything, but at least now you know.”

I turn back around to face him. “It doesn’t change anything, Tyler,” I say softly, shaking my head. “I know that you want more. But I’m sorry, I don’t. I completely understand if you don’t want to see me anymore.” I step past him, walking back to the barn to climb behind the wheel and take off.

“Ves!” he calls out behind me.

I don’t stop or turn around. I pick up my pace.

“Vesper!” he shouts again.

Finally, I’m across the field and walking up beside the barn when I hear the crunch of the gravel. I stop and look around just in time to see Liam park his car and climb out. I freeze, needing to look at him. His suit that accented his body so well the last time, is gone, now replaced with a pair of form fitting jeans and a white t-shirt that clings to his hard chest and biceps. His dark-hair is styled perfectly and his blue eyes are sparkling with the setting sun shining against them.

“Good evening, Ves. How are you doing?” he asks, coming to a stop directly in front of me.

I nod. “I’m okay. And yourself?”

He offers up a shy grin. “Very well. I’m glad to see that you’re back. I was worried you had taken off while I was gone.”

Tyler comes to a stop directly behind me, and I look at him from over my shoulder before forcing my eyes back to Liam.

“Please excuse me. I need to be getting back.” I don’t wait for goodbyes, I just force myself forward.

“Ves!” Tyler shouts, following me to my car.

I open the door and climb behind the wheel, but as I’m pulling the door close, he catches it and bends down to eye level.

“I’m sorry, Ves. It won’t happen again. You don’t want more, and I accept it. I won’t touch you again.”

I look at him from the corner of my eye but without uttering a word.

“I’ll let you go now, but I want you to know that you’re welcome here any time. Please don’t stop coming because I messed up.” Without another word, he stands and softly closes my door. I sit watching as he walks away.

I start the car, but when I look up, Liam’s eyes are on mine. He has a curious look on his face along with a mix of worry. He’s obviously picking up on what happened between Tyler and me, but he doesn’t question anything or tries to stop me. Instead, he pulls his eyes from mine and follows Tyler into the barn, giving me a chance to escape.

I keep my mind clear of all thoughts as I drive back to town. But instead of going home, I go to Amy’s. I need to talk about it all—process it.

I walk into her apartment and flop down on the couch at her side.

“What’s up?” she asks, muting the tv show she’s watching.

“Tyler kissed me,” I admit, not looking away from the spot on the wall I’m staring at.

“What?” She bounces up and down. “I thought he was cool with being friends?”

I take a deep breath and adjust myself, so I’m facing her. “Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been getting closer, as friends. I think he’s getting the wrong idea about us. I mean, we laugh and joke around. I help him out with his work and go out there even when I don’t have any real reason to, other than to just hang out.” I pause, swallowing down my fear. “He caught me checking him out today. He was mucking the stalls and he wasn’t wearing a shirt. I didn’t mean anything by it.” I shrug. “I mean, he’s good looking. That doesn’t have anything to do with why I don’t want a relationship with him.”

“Maybe you just need to put a little distance between the two of you,” Amy suggests.

I roll my eyes. “I wish I could. But now, I have a whole new reason to go there.”

Her brows pull together as she pushes her red hair behind her ear. “What?”

I can’t look at her when I say it. I force myself to look at my hands in my lap. “Liam O’Connor.”

She giggles. “You have a crush on the ranch owner?”

“Something like that. I don’t know what it is about him. He called me at the clinic once and he had me hooked from hello. I hadn’t even seen him then, but already I knew I’d drop my panties for him if he asked.”

“So, you haven’t seen him?” She’s wearing a wide smile, now suddenly amused by the mess that is my life.

“I met him after he called, and he is drop dead gorgeous, Aims. His voice is deep and demanding. He has silky black hair, ocean blue eyes, and cheek bones that go on for days. He’s tall and built. Sexy as hell.”

She laughs. “So, what’s the problem? Go for it,” she encourages.

“He’s a billionaire. He has a super model girlfriend and he’s always jet setting around the world. He’s not available in more ways than one.”

“So?” she says, confused.

“So, what? He’s not an option.”

She lets out a long laugh. “Ves, he may not be the one, but he would be a fun ride. Who cares if it doesn’t work out? Just have some fun for God’s sake.”