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He drew himself up at that, lifting his chin and giving her his most imperious look. “I am not spoiled. I am the Alpha of the Zehvrd dragon clutch, and you will show me some respect in my own territory.”
Instead of being impressed, Gerri swatted him on the arm again. “Hush, she’s coming back here. Try to make a good impression, will you? She was nervous enough about this.”
Hope was indeed coming back their way, brushing her hands off on her pants. She was short, her hair an auburn that shone copper in the light, and would be set off wonderfully by a pale green dress. They would look great next to each other, complimenting colors and pleasing contrasts.
Her eyes lingered on the lines of his legs, his shoulders. He shifted his posture to give her a better angle to appreciate. He was an attractive man, he knew, and he liked for people to notice. But no one’s attention had ever warmed him like hers did.
His clothes were designed to be able to work in, but they were still tailored to show off his physique to its best advantage and in his preferred color palette. Blacks, creams, and purple were the main colors, gold and green to accent and show off his ruby eyes, golden hair, and warm brown skin.
Her eyes were a deep, perfect sapphire blue, and he had an immediate vision of a gift he wanted to have made for her. Earrings made to match his own, sapphire for her eyes where his were rubies. Like his, they would be cut to catch the light inside so they seemed full of flame.
He was pulled from his fantasy by her voice, brisk and professional. “Well, I’m done with my first look. I can’t say for sure yet what’s wrong with them.”
“But you agree that something is?” His chest tightened at the prospect of a solution, of proof that this wasn’t just a foolish endeavor on his part, that the cow’s sickness hadn’t been inevitable.
She nodded, mouth screwed up in thought. It brought out the cupid’s bow of her lips. “Definitely. But livestock can be pretty tricky to care for, so there’s lots of room for problems. Feed, for example, or how often they’re being washed.”
He frowned. He knew that. What kind of know-nothing did she think he was? “My animals are given the best possible food and are immaculately clean. They provide the best beef you can find on the planet, in fact.”
She laughed. “I’m sure, but is there really much competition? Honestly, before I came here, I was skeptical of raising cows on an alien planet at all.”
Fury sparked in his chest, incandescent and brilliant. Bad enough for his clutch to be questioning him, but now the woman who was supposed to help was declaring him a failure too. And she’d had the gall to make him think she was on his side.
How dare she come onto his planet, tohis ranch,to tell him he had no idea what he was doing. Had she spent the time selecting the best animals? Had she tested plant after plant, looking for just the right mix to nourish them and let them thrive?
He squared his shoulders and glared at her. “I am not a novice, Miss Oliver. My cows are well cared for, I’ll have you know. I’ve done a lot of research, and my herd is the healthiest on Nova Aurora.” Or they were before this.
“Simmer down there, Deimos,” Gerri said, digging her elbow into his ribs. “Let the woman talk.”
He ignored her. “I would pit my cattle against any that can be found on Earth. I have put my blood into this project. I am a skilled rancher. I take proper care of these cows. I will not stand here and beinsulted.” He bared his teeth at Hope.
She stepped right up to him, sticking her finger into his chest, eyebrows knitting over one hell of a scowl. “Back off there, mister. I recommend you get your ears checked because I didn’t say anything like that!”
He snorted, tossing his head. “If you weren’t trying to insult me, whatwasthe meaning of your comments?”
“I was just illustrating how difficult this problem might be to solve. These are obviously well-cared-for cows that are sick or ill. Their eyes are dull, and their noses are dry, but they’re trusting, and their muscles look great.” She looked at him flatly. “Want to keep yelling?”
His anger still burned, but embarrassment tempered it. He should have let her finish, not make assumptions. Glee glittered in the back of his mind. She thought his cows were in good condition. She’d noticed their strength!
He took a deep breath, wrestling his feelings back. Gerri was right. He needed help. Needed to trust Hope. His desire for her was clouding his judgment, making him sensitive. He had to put it aside. His herd needed him right now.
He relaxed his face, clearing the irritation from it, instead arranging it in an appealing smile. Thyone called it a pout, but he’d practiced it in the mirror, and he didn’t agree. “I’m sorry,” he said in a gentle voice. “I shouldn’t have snapped.”
Hope crossed her arms, resting her weight on her left foot. “No, you shouldn’t have. I appreciate the apology.”
She didn’t look angry anymore, but she wasn’t obviously appeased either. He couldn’t read her face. It was strange to talk to someone he hadn’t known since childhood.
He dipped his head in acknowledgment of the point. A good leader knows when to apologize and how to do it sincerely. He had to admit his fault. “It’s been a stressful time for me, and I forgot my manners. Would you give me another chance? Please, help me. Try to find out what’s wrong with my herd.”
She looked at him, mouth pursed, thinking. His heart was in his throat as he waited for her response. Nervous energy crackled through him, oddly energizing. Would she say yes? Would she be pleased with him?
He’d never wanted someone’s regard this much, not even his father’s. He was used to working to impress, but it had never left him breathless before. It seemed as if her rejection would cut him to the bone while her approval would give him bliss like he’d never known.
He would provide for her if she agreed. She could stay in the ranch house. It was well appointed, if not as elegant as his main residence. She would still find it more than satisfactory if she were a woman of any taste at all. And how could his fated mate not be?
“Please, Hope,” he whispered, looking deeply into her eyes, a prayer he was barely aware of making. He had to get a grip on himself. But how could he when it felt this good to fall?
He was in big trouble.
