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“There’s no comparison.”
“I know.”
“You’re so much more beautiful than they could ever be.” Her quick glance, the expression on her face, made him realize she didn’t believe him. Damn Jase McCord and his manipulative bullshit. How many men had told her she was beautiful, then never talked to her again?
“Is that what this is about?” Matt waved his hand at the dress, the shoes, the makeup. “A competition with the As?”
She made a sound of derision, but she
wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I had to talk to a man about some business. The As thought I needed help.”
“The As are the ones who need help. They should leave you alone.”
“I wish they would. Unfortunately, they’ve still got several more days on their ranch package. Unless…” Gina lifted her gaze to his, and her lip trembled.
Matt took a step forward, hand outstretched: What was there on this earth that could cause Gina O’Neil’s lip to tremble? Whatever it was, he would make it go away.
“Unless you’re going to close the place down right away.”
“I’m going to…” Matt let his hand fall back to his side. “What?”
“You bought the ranch.” She glanced out the window, and her shoulders slumped, making the dress pooch across the bodice. He could see the smooth, supple curve of one breast, and right now he didn’t even care.
“I did,” he agreed. “But—”
“Must be nice to be rich. To be able to buy anything you see that you might want.”
He knew there was a trap in there somewhere, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was. “It is.”
Her gaze flicked back to his. “You spoiled, elitist, rich-boy snob.” She lifted her chin. “You can’t buy me.”
CHAPTER 10
What had happened to her honey-versus-vinegar plan? It had lasted about as long as her patience.
Gina didn’t have the money to buy back the ranch. Hell, she didn’t have the money to buy lunch. So she might as well scream, throw things, maybe even pop Teo in the nose. It might make her feel better as she packed up and left the only home she’d ever known.
“What I don’t understand is why?” Gina took a step closer. Smart man that he was, Teo kept his gaze on her face, even as he took a step in reverse. “Did getting thrown off infuriate you so much you just had to throw us off back?”
Confusion flickered in his still-gorgeous eyes, more green than brown now that they were free of the lenses. “Throw you off?”
She took several more steps, quick like a bunny despite the obnoxiously high heels, and poked him in the chest, concentrating on shirt and not actual chest. She was having a hard-enough time forgetting what it felt like, smooth and firm and hot— Gina swallowed. She didn’t need to feel it again.
“What the hell are you going to do with a ranch anyway?” she asked. “I mean after you dig it up and make it crap? Do you have so much money that you can just shrug and walk away?”
“Yes,” he answered. Then, when she narrowed her eyes, he hurriedly said, “No!”
“Which is it? ‘Yes’?” She purposely took another step forward, grinding the spike of her heel onto his toe. “Or ‘no’?”
He hissed in pain, but he didn’t push her away, and a trickle of admiration pierced her fury. “I … uh…” He winced, and she removed her foot. No need to make him bleed. Yet.
“I am that rich.” He lifted his hands. “I can’t help it! My family. I was the last one. I got it all.”
“How much is all?”
“Millions.”
“Three? Four?”
