Authors: Lorelei James
She raised an eyebrow as if reading his wicked thoughts. “Ben McKay. What brings you to town?”
“He claims you have a lunch date,” Jenny inserted with a sneer.
Ainsley didn’t miss a beat. She snapped her fingers. “That’s right. We were going to discuss some things that came up after Chase’s event. I believe you mentioned taking me to Fields.”
Sneaky woman picked the newest, most expensive restaurant in town. Ben looked at Jenny and smiled. “Told ya.”
“I’ll just grab my coat,” Ainsley said and ducked back into her office.
“I still find it odd the woman who obsessively writes everything down forgot this date. Makes one wonder why she’s hiding that you two are…friends.”
Ben wouldn’t let this smarmy little bitch take shots at her boss when Ainsley was out of earshot. He leaned closer to Jenny. “Or maybe Miz Hamilton and I are discussing personal bank business and she didn’t want it broadcast. I understand your job is to ensure her schedule runs smoothly, just as I’m sure she can count on you to maintain the discretion that comes along with your position.”
Ainsley sailed out of her office, saying, “Jenny, would you make sure all the paperwork in my outbox is filed?”
Jenny flashed her teeth. “I’m on it. But remember Turton becomes my lord and master after one.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oops. I meant to say taskmaster.” Jenny flitted off.
Ben helped Ainsley with her coat. He opened doors but didn’t reach for her in any way that might be deemed intimate. It about killed him too. She’d worn her hair up and he wanted so badly to press his lips to her bared nape. To taste that fragrant section of skin and watch her body tremble.
Fields was a new restaurant that utilized locally grown food. The owners only served organic beef, chicken, pork and game. Everything was homemade from ingredients found within sixty miles of Sundance, so the menu selection was limited. This place wouldn’t have been his first choice, but he admitted liking the privacy of the high-backed wooden booths and the fact there were hardly any customers to interrupt them.
Ainsley set aside her menu. “So, Ben, why did you really show up at my office today?”
“Were you worried I’d drag you back to your place for a naughty nooner?”
“Worried? No. Disappointed? Yes.”
He swallowed a primitive growl. “You get off taunting me in public, doncha, angel?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Maybe I’ll make you pay for that later.”
“Bring it on.”
The waitress wandered over to take their order. And as usual, Ben knew the woman. He hadn’t dated her, but it wasn’t for lack of trying on her part. He kept up a light banter but he was relieved when she disappeared into the back.
“Does every woman in town have a thing for you?”
Might make him a dick, but he was happy to see a spark of jealousy, even when it was unwarranted; he only had eyes for her. “I’m surprised by it too. Used to be the single ladies only talked to me in hopes I’d introduce them to Chase.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“It’s true. Which is another reason I’ve stayed away from dating those types of women. I was never sure if they were interested in me for me. I’m just a plain, boring rancher. I don’t have interest in bein’ anything else.”
Something like sympathy spread across her face.
“Besides. Aggressive women like that don’t take direction well.”
“And you’re all about that.”
He grinned. “Yep.”
“Okay, Ben. What’s up? Why the surprise lunch date?”
Ease into it? Or just say it. “I need a loan.”
Any warmth in her eyes evaporated.
“Look, it’s a…delicate situation so let me explain before your eyes slice me to ribbons.”
“I’m listening.”
Rather than admitting the truth—he had his eye on a piece of land about to be repossessed—Ben did something he rarely did: he flat-out lied. Not only had he promised Rielle discretion, he’d promised his cousins that same discretion. Ainsley wouldn’t question this reason for needing the money since it was personal. Given all he’d told her about McKay ranching practices, she’d know something was off that he wasn’t including his entire family on the possible land deal. “You know I dabble in carpentry. I’ve built custom furniture for different places. Some previous customers have contacted me, wanting other pieces. Seems I have a chance to expand and get the challenge of creating something new. To do that I’ll need more equipment and keep a wider variety of building materials on hand. And that is expensive.”
“When did you decide this? Because didn’t you just tell me you’re happy being a simple rancher?”
“Yes, I am. But my woodworking hobby has become something more. It’s personal.”
Her eyes softened, no doubt thinking of the carved cat he’d given her, so he laid it on thick. “That’s why I don’t want to go to Settler’s First. Because I know Slim Jim Beal, who handles the loans, will tell Steve Talbot, who will contact my uncles or my cousins and give them a head’s up.”
“That’s against the law.”
“But that’s how it works here. Sucks, but it’s true. I can just imagine my cousins confronting me, worried I won’t be pullin’ my weight on the ranch because I’m too busy building furniture.”
“I can see where that might bring up questions.”
“Questions I’m not ready to answer. But I don’t want to lose out on a good opportunity. I’ve got equity in my house. A steady income. Ties to the area. I’d be a good bet.”
“I imagine. And you came to me because…”
Her hard expression said,
Because you expect as your sub I’ll automatically say yes.
“Christ, no. Don’t look at me like that. I came to you because I trust you’ll be discreet. I’m not askin’ for any special favors beyond discretion in the loan application process.”
Ainsley had on her shrewd bank president face. “Say I agree to help you. Would there be a chance I’d get any of the other McKay banking business?”
That question brought him up short. Was what Steve Talbot said true? She had her eye on his family’s coffers? “You’d have some of mine. Isn’t that a start?”
“I suppose, but I am first, and foremost, a businesswoman so I’d really like the chance to pitch National West’s financial benefits to your entire family—”
“Hey, Ben.”
Startled at the interruption, he glanced up and bit back a groan. He hadn’t seen Michelle Littlefield, a woman he’d dated right out of high school, for several years. This was one of his least favorite things about living in Sundance—he always ran into someone he knew. “Michelle. How are you?”
“Great. When Gloria came back into the kitchen to tell me you were in the dining room, I had to come out and say hello.”
“It’s been a while.”
“About eight years since I left to attend cooking school. I just recently returned to Sundance.”
Then it clicked. Littlefield. “Fields is your restaurant?”
“I always knew a smart guy lurked beneath that handsome face of yours,” she teased.
Ben felt his cheeks warm beneath Michelle’s admiring gaze and Ainsley’s curious one. “Ah, Michelle, this is Ainsley Hamilton. She’s the bank president at National West. Ainsley, Michelle Littlefield.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Michelle.”
“Same here. Sorry if I interrupted a business lunch. I wanted to say hello and mention I’d love to catch up with you sometime, Ben.”
Luckily Michelle left before Ben had to formulate another lie about how much he’d enjoy that.
Ainsley raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry.”
“Not your fault. But I’m beginning to understand why you prefer spending your free time at the club in Gillette.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because you can whip the women who annoy you.”
He chuckled.
“Back to the loan issues. I’m not trying to discourage you. But you need to be aware loans are very hard to come by in this economy. Even for people like you, who I’m assuming has established good credit. Taking on additional financial burden without a guarantee you’ll have increased income? I want you to consider very carefully about applying at your regular bank first.”
“I have. And I can’t.”
She studied him. “I’d have to delve into your financials, Ben, and I don’t know how comfortable I am with that.”
“It’s nothin’ I wouldn’t tell you if you just asked me.”
“You’re that open about your finances with everyone?”
“No. But we’re more than just casual acquaintances, Ainsley, way more.”
She turned her gaze away from his.
“Look at me.”
That command grabbed her attention but she glared at him. “Don’t do that.”
“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 fuckin’ 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?”
“Actually, I do. Three different varieties.”
“Please, please, please sell me some. I’m desperate to make a batch of borscht.”
Rielle laughed. “I’ll sell you anything you want. Come by anytime. I run the Sage Creek Bed and Breakfast out on Bridger Gap Road. I’m usually there or in the gardens.”
“You’d better swing by tonight after work, Ainsley. In case there’s a run on beets tomorrow,” Ben suggested dryly.
Rielle whapped his arm. “Such a smart aleck. I’ll leave you to enjoy your lunch. Nice to meet you, Ainsley.”
“You too, Rielle.”
The waitress dropped off the food and several minutes passed before either spoke.
“You are coming to my place tonight after you stop at Rielle’s.” Not a question.
Ainsley pointed at him with her fork. “You’ve got a short attention span, cowboy. No slap and tickle between us any more.”
“You said this would end
after
I’ve filled out the loan paperwork and you’ve submitted it. Even if I get everything filled out today, the soonest you can get started on it is tomorrow. Which means I’ll expect you at my place tonight as soon as you get off work.”
“Ben—”
“Bennett,” he corrected. “This is not up for discussion. The parameters of our agreement change tomorrow.”
“Yes, Sir,” she snapped off.