Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(131)

“Do what?”


“Go beastly Dom on me.”


He held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry.”


“At least you didn’t say, sorry, habit.”


Ben smiled. “So touchin’ you right now is out, too? Because I missed it last night.”


Ainsley stared at him, her eyes conflicted, but also resolute. “Touching me at any

time is out.”


“What?”


“You do understand this—” she gestured to the empty space between them, “—ends if

I take your loan application.”


“What? Why?”


“I can’t compromise my position at the bank. Any hint of professional impropriety

will have long-term repercussions on my career. So while I’m willing to help you

secure a loan, once the paperwork is underway, we will only have a business

relationship. Period.”


Christ. He hadn’t considered it’d come down to that. He hadn’t considered how much

her casual dismissal of him would sting. “It has to be that black and white?”


“Yes.” The firm set to her jaw meant this was nonnegotiable. “Even if we were in a

normal dating situation, I’d end it the instant business entered the equation. You

have the choice to keep our original agreement intact.”


“By askin’ Settler’s First to lend me the money.”


She nodded.


He stretched across the table, and reached for her hand, hoping charm would have some

effect on her. “I need the loan. I want you. I want you like f*ckin’ crazy. I can’t

have it both ways. For a man used to havin’ his way in all things? This absolutely

sucks balls. Why can’t we—”


“Sneak around more than we already are?” she supplied coolly. “We both knew this

would end. You’re just choosing to end it sooner.”


And with that comment, she’d put the ball squarely in his court. Ainsley could chalk

up their time together as an experiment. She wouldn’t have to consider going into a

long term Dom/sub relationship with him. Goddammit, this wasn’t fair. The first time

he’d found a woman who could—


“Ben?”


Fuck. Not again. He looked up and casually eased back, hiding his annoyance at how

quickly Ainsley jerked her hand away from his. “Rielle. What are you doin’ here?”


“Dropping off the last of my okra and spaghetti squash in the kitchen.”


“Rielle, have you met Ainsley Hamilton? We were just wrapping up a few things from

Chase’s event.” Why did he have to qualify that?


“Rielle Wetzler. Ben’s neighbor. A pleasure to meet you. We did briefly cross paths

at the new bank a couple weeks back.”


“Yes. I remember. Nice to meet you too. So do you run a farmer’s market?”


“A small one. This time of year I’m about tapped out. I’m down to root vegetables,

apples and some herbs.”


Ainsley sighed. “I’ve been wanting to make some fall soups and the A&P doesn’t have

a huge selection of vegetables.”


“What are you looking for?”


“Turnips. Parsnips. Leeks. Do you have beets?”