A Rancher's Desire by Nikki Winter Read Free Book Online Page B

logic.”
    “Fuck you.”
    “Julian’s job,” Aiyanna sang.
    “Not if he doesn’t stop with his sudden vow of celibacy,” Lalani sang back.
    “Facts and examples, Lalani. I asked you for neither.” Despite her teasing, what her friend suggested actually had some merit. She’d been hurt yesterday when Julian had pulled back so quickly but now it was a little bit clearer. He’d been more than ready to take her, Aiyanna had seen it in his eyes yet he’d stopped. Why? Because when they’d first met she told him that she wasn’t interested in being a playmate. Now what?
    She was horny and didn’t exactly know how to ask for what she wanted. Playing games was never really something that interested her and she couldn’t exactly grab his dick and make demands. Could she?
    Aiyanna shook the thought away. No, no, no, she’d be normal. The question was, what did that mean exactly?
    “Hey, you wanna stop your mental conversation and answer your phone before I throw it across the room? The buzzing is getting on my nerves.”
    Aiyanna snapped out of her thoughts and grabbed her cell. “ That’s the four beers you had, not my phone that’s giving you a buzz.”
    Lalani scowled and she stuck out her tongue before looking down at her cell. “Oh shit, it’s Julian.”
    “Don’t sit there looking stupid, answer it!”
    “What do I say?”
    “Just be cool and aloof.”
    “Oh yeah, because I’m really great at both of those. Remember ninth grade when Tommy Wilkins tried to ask me out and you gave me the same advice?”
    Lalani winced. “He really was never the same after you accidentally knocked him into the home economics stove. Although, I heard he did go on to become a firefighter.”
    Aiyanna went to reply when she realized her phone had stopped ringing.
    “See? I told you to answer it!”
    “Don’t yell at me and uh-oh it’s ringing again.”
    “Answer it!”
    “Stop yelling!”
    “Aiyanna Jordyn so help me God...”
    “Okay, okay.” She finally hit the button to answer it. “Hello?”
    Lalani fell out giggling at her impression of “cool and aloof.” Aiyanna kicked her.
    “I want to take you to dinner tonight.” There wasn’t the slightest hint of hesitation in Julian’s smooth voice.
    Aiyanna bit her lip and waved a hand at Lalani who had apparently heard him and kept mouthing, “Say yes!”
    “I don’t know, Julian. I’m kind of busy today.”
    “No she’s not!” Lalani shouted.
    Taking both sock clad feet, Aiyanna managed to push her friend all the way off the sectional.
    “Ow, you bitch!”
    Julian’s chuckle came in clear. “Busy committing acts of violence against your partner in crime?”
    Her lips twitched. “Maybe.”
    “Have dinner with me? Please? I was an ass yesterday.”
    Leaning back on the couch, she shook her head but realized he couldn’t see her. “No, you weren’t. I think I understand why you did it.”
    There was a pause. “You shouldn’t ever doubt how much I want you, Hermosa. I just didn’t want to push you.”
    “I wasn’t exactly fighting you off, Julian.”
    Lalani’s head popped up long enough for her to make kissing noises. Aiyanna’s foot swung but Lalani ducked. “Ah-ha!” That’s when Aiyanna threw a pillow and knocked her back down.
    “I hate you!”
    Julian was full on laughing now, the deep sound making Aiyanna smile. “Are you enjoying my torment Mr. Almanza?”
    “If I say no will you finally put me out of my misery and agree to dinner?”
    “Maybe.”
    Somehow Lalani was fast enough to snatch the phone out of her hands and being that she was only a size smaller than Aiyanna, she held her own when Aiyanna tried to wrestle it back from her. “Hello? Julian. Hi! Yes, I’m surviving her cruel abuse. I know! She’s so mean to me. Tell you what, I’ll have her ready by eight. Is that okay? Ah, great. I’ll even make sure she has on no panties.” 
    “Well Julian, if you even make it to the restaurant to kill male gawking