Billionaires' Indulgence 1 , Irresistible Attraction(18)

 

I waltz to the main bedroom and hoist my big suitcase onto the chair in the corner of the room to unpack and hang my clothing. As I pull out every piece I brought with me, I can’t help but think how underwhelming everything looks. I was under the impression I was going to spend the summer with Riley, her four kids and her nanny and I didn’t feel the pressure to look interesting, but after meeting Jake and Hunter, I regret not having anything better to wear.

 

What’s wrong with you, girl? You’ve only known them for a New York minute. Calm down.

 

I shrug off the thought that either of these two rugged and dangerously handsome men would give me the time of the day.

 

I’m still taking in my summer home when my phone rings. I run back to the living room where I left it at the bottom of my handbag and I answer immediately when Gwyn’s name appears on my screen.

 

“Hey, darling, how’s life in the wild?”

 

“I wouldn’t say Colorado is exactly wilderness.”

 

“Honey, you’re out in the middle of nowhere with no hope in hell of getting a mani-pedi during your lunch break. In my world, that’s wilderness.” She chuckles.

 

“I’ve definitely missed your wacky humor since leaving your place.” I laugh.

 

“Have you settled in yet?”

 

“Yes, I just walked into my new house.”

 

“House?”

 

“Yes, I thought I was going to end up in a small room, but I have a large house all to myself. I didn’t know my new boss lived on a huge ranch. I was caught off guard. In any case, it’s stunning and Riley’s brother built a number of homes on his property so everyone can have their own little private hideaway.”

 

“Wait a minute. Slow down that car, step on the brakes and now put it in reverse. Did you just say Riley’s brother?”

 

I roll my eyes in the phone. My best friend doesn’t miss a beat. “I did.”

 

“You never mentioned a brother before.”

 

“I didn’t know. I found out when I got here and I also found out the brother, who happens to be the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on, has an equally sexy business partner who also lives on the land.”

 

“Girl, two hot cowboys?”

 

“I don’t think they call themselves that,” I say, shaking my head. “Jake and Hunter own this massive ranch and all this sprawling land, but they hire real, bona fide cowboys to manage the day-to-day. It’s like owning a restaurant, but hiring a top-notch chef to take care of the cooking.”

 

“I get it. How old are they?”

 

“Hmmm,” I say, lifting my eyes to the ceiling. “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I’d guess Gaven’s age.”

 

“So late twenties. Nice.”

 

“Yeah. They’re quite young considering their level of success. From what Jake explained, they became billionaires overnight in their mid-twenties when their dotcom company was sold.”

 

“Holy Jesus. Are you serious?”

 

“I know. It’s very impressive, but they’re so down-to-earth and normal, you’d never know.”

 

“Oh, honey, you’re so lucky. Which one do you prefer?”

 

“Whoa! You’re moving too fast, Gwyn. I’ve barely arrived. It’s not as if I’ve had time to make that kind of decision.”

 

“You’re so bullshitting me right now. Which one is it?” she pressures me, knowing full well I’ve had plenty of time to check them out.

 

“It’s all in my head. These two are both delicious and in my wildest dreams I’d love to have both, but I also know it’s a dream and it will never become reality.”

 

“Why not?”

 

I bite the inside of my mouth, unwilling to say the words.

 

“Allison, what are you thinking?”

 

I skirt the issue and hope I can distract her. “Riley explained there are twelve male workers who come to the ranch every single day. Perhaps I might get lucky with one of them.” There’s no way in hell a girl like me has a chance with either Jake or Hunter.

 

“You’re forgetting the most important part of this equation.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“What if you aren’t interested in any of these twelve workers because you’re totally into one of those ranch owners you seem to be fond of?”

 

“To be fair, I haven’t yet met these workers. Sparks could fly.”

 

“Allison, don’t settle again. Please.”

 

“Gwyn, I hate to admit it, but I desperately crave a man’s touch. It’s been over nine months since Clark last touched me and although he was an average lover, at least when we were intimate, I was able to feel his hands all over my body. These last few months have been horribly lonely and I’ve never felt so unattractive, undesired and unloved as I did at the tail end of my relationship. I’m sure he lost interest because I put on a few pounds.”