Read Online Christmas With the Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter - Free Book Online

sound. Hell, she’d probably sound adorable grunting and wheezing after a twenty-mile run. There wasn’t anything about her that Nate didn’t like. They barely knew each other, but Nate found himself wanting to learn more about her. This wasn’t about only sex anymore. Last night had proved that. The spark he felt for this woman went far beyond a simple physical attraction.
    â€œI need to get ready for work.” Her eyes were still closed and she didn’t even try to get out of bed. “I have a meeting at nine with our board and—”
    â€œSkip it,” Nate said. The thought of her leaving for even a second made his stomach want to heave.
    â€œI can’t.” Chloe turned in his embrace as her eyes slowly opened. The smile she gave him made the sun seem dull in comparison. “Good morning.”
    He lowered his mouth to hers for a quick kiss. “Good morning.”
    â€œI’ve already put this meeting off twice. No more skipping out for me. Plus, I promised Derrick that I’d take him out for lunch.”
    Nate played with the silky strands of her hair, loving the way it felt when it slipped through his fingers. “Derrick?” He couldn’t do anything to keep the possessiveness from his tone. Who in the hell was Derrick?
    Chloe bestowed him with a wry smile. “Jealous?”
    The hairs at the back of Nate’s neck prickled. Something was up. Her demeanor changed in an instant, her body no longer soft and pliant against his, but tense. It could have been work stress. Hell, for all he knew, that sense that she was keeping something from him was his own damned paranoia.
    â€œMaybe.”
    She gave a nervous laugh which did nothing for the tension that pulled his muscles taut. “Derrick is one of the kids in our program. He’s sort of my pet project. He’s bounced around between too many foster homes to count and he works the system better than any kid I’ve ever seen. I try to keep an eye out for him because even soccer can’t keep him completely out of trouble.”
    â€œAh.” Nate wondered at the relief that flooded his body. “Lucky kid. I bet you’re good for him, though. You’ve done a pretty good job of keeping me in line so far.” Chloe flushed and it made Nate want to say something else, something far dirtier to coax that color to her cheeks. “When will you be free?”
    â€œHmm. Probably after six or seven. What about you? Don’t you have another full day of lawyers and yes-men kissing your newly moneyed ass?”
    â€œUnfortunately.” Nate was more than ready to have this business of his father’s estate over and done with. Miranda was champing at the bit, more than ready to take ownership of the company’s controlling stock and the money that had been Nate’s share of his father’s legacy.
    â€œNate, can I ask you something?”
    Chloe faced him once again. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Was there anything she did that wasn’t goddamned adorable? The uncertainty in her voice gave him pause, though.
    â€œSure. Ask away.”
    â€œWhy do you want to get rid of this money so badly?” Her brows drew down over her brilliant eyes. “Did you ever consider that your father was trying to patch things up with his sons by leaving everything to you and your brothers?”
    Nate had never really given it much thought. He’d spent so many years being mad at his father that he’d never bothered with whether or not his father felt bad about what had happened between them. “I guess I figured that he was rubbing my nose in it. Like he knew I’d never make anything out of myself and so he had no choice but to leave it me. To save the family name or some shit.”
    Chloe reached up and cupped his cheek. Nate fought the urge to close his eyes and fall into that comfort she gave him without even trying. “No one is saying that you