Page 43 (1/2)

"I didn’t realize you were so buddy-buddy with htthan Joan McKay, as the only other woman close by besides Libby"

As Ainsley shifted her stance, feeling woefully out of place, three dogs ca out of the treeline Ace and Deuceher last doggie bribe There went this brand new pair of pantyhose

"Ace! Deuce! Sit Stay," Ben coe to obey

Rielle’s dog cowered by her feet and stared balefully at the man with the obey now voice

Ben smiled at Ainsley "Kept thes?" Rielle asked

"They’re fine I’m just more of a cat person Cats are more self-sufficient and easier to leave at ho," Rielle said dryly "Rory had an ornery cat that would shred every roll of toilet paper in the house if she was gone for more than a day Which is why all our kitties are outside cats"

"Rory is your…"

"Daughter She’s getting her h to have a daughter that age

Ben tapped the side of the wheelbarrow "You got bags for these sorab them"

Ainsley watched her duck around the corner Then she focused on Ben "I’m surprised to see you here"

"Why?"

"Just seems…coincidental you’re here exactly the sa by and help Rielle occasionally"

"You have a standing date with her on Tuesdays at five thirty-five?"

Ben’s eyes narrowed "If you’ve got so to hide sos? Because you’re awful abrupt whenever she’s around Always trying to get rid of her"

"You’re is"

"Like the first timeeach other at the bank? You shooed her away pretty fast Then at lunch today, you were uncomfortable when she approached us And now, you’re here, running interference again Why?"

He dusted the dirt from his hands as he closed the distance between them "Because your bank turned her down for a loan She’s a little sensitive about it and I thought she et produce So yeah, I’ot in his face "Back off, Ben I don’t need you playingwith custo in here to rescuelike I can’t handle myself in a professional capacity I can handle myself just fine"

"Or you’re just snippy because you’re jealous"

"I am not jealous" I’ain So far today you’ve usedon to the next sub

An amused smile quirked his lips "Sure you are"

She wanted to slide that sht off his face, because this was about so much more than her female jealousy and he refused to see it "Don’t flatter yourself Don’t you think if Rielle wanted to burn up the sheets with you, she’d been tied to your bed years ago, wearing a custohbors and you know each other’s secrets?"

Silence "Angel, you are gonna regret that s over ht now"

"It’s not a role for me And it looks like you need a re to scare me, cowboy?" She purposely taunted hi to him To show him she could turn off her connection to him any time--just like he could

He put his ht just got a lot "

Ainsley sed hard The heat of hi power and masculinity made her head spin Made her want to plaster her body to his and lose herself in hi him to take his loan business elsewhere so they could continue this Beg him to understand she’d never had--maybe she’d never find--another man who knehat she needed like he did And that pissed her off Stupid traitorous body Stupid sex-addled brain "You can’t just--"

"I can, I will, and I did I want you nekkid and sitting on et ho him? Because he pushed her into a corner first? Or because she wanted their last night together to be memorable?

"Says you I think I’m bein’ more than fair"

"I won’t do it"

Bennett eased back, fire dancing in his eyes "Gonna run rather than face the consequences?"

"No I didn’t do anything wrong"

"You insultedRielle"

He half-snarled, "That earned you another ten"