Bought by The Billionaire Rancher

by Tee, Marian

  Devon and Hilary now had two-year-old Jamie, Sean and Isla had their one-year-old Izzy, Nick and Bee had their eight-month-old twins, and even Charlotte looked quite maternal as she chatted with Danny, Nick's son from a previous relationship.

  A nanny had come in with a sleepy-looking Liam, but the toddler's face immediately brightened as soon as he saw his uncle.

  "Logan!"

  It was Tilly's first time to see the billionaire and his nephew together, and they made an incredibly lovely sight, with the little one chortling as Logan had the toddler riding his shoulders before pretending to lose his balance and turning the whole thing into an exciting roller-coaster-like experience.

  Just one look at them, and it was so obvious that Logan already loved his nephew like a son. And yet in the contract they signed with Heart's Match, the billionaire had made it seem like Liam was nothing but a hindrance to him.

  Self-denial at its finest, Tilly concluded, and who could blame him really? The breakdown of his parents' marriage had understandably scarred the billionaire, but hopefully, someday, she'd be able to break enough walls around his heart, even if it was just to let little Liam in.

  Dinner was served soon after, with Liam seated in a high chair between the two of them. The conversation flowed easily, with the womenfolk determined to make their newest member feel welcomed and comfortable.

  Liam needed to have his nappy changed by the time Devon proposed they move to the balcony for some coffee, and when Tilly excused herself to take Liam back up to the nursery, she could feel the billionaire's gaze following her as she headed up the stairs.

  She was tempted to tease him about missing her too soon, but remembering that they weren't alone made Tilly change her mind.

  What a strange man Logan Hardwall was, Tilly mused while giving Liam a thorough wash. He could have any woman in the world, and yet it was her the billionaire wanted.

  Then again, this could just be a temporary thing, and he only wanted her because he thought of her as a novelty for some reason. The time might still come when he'd realize he no longer desired her, and if that ever happened...

  Just imagining such a scenario made her heart hurt, but Tilly swiftly reminded herself not to be greedy. As long as Billie was safe and healthy, she could and would bear anything and everything.

  Liam, exhausted by the hours of play he enjoyed with the other children, was fast asleep by the time she finished changing him, and Tilly gently lowered him to the crib before turning around to dispose of the toddler's soiled diaper.

  The door to the nursery opened a moment later, with Logan walking inside without her being aware of it.

  The lifestyle of the rich and famous, Tilly thought absently while washing her hands, was really something ordinary people couldn't ever begin to comprehend until they experienced it for themselves. She had heard about wealthy people having multiple guestrooms in their home, but who would've imagined that they'd also have guest nurseries, too?

  Stepping out of the washroom, Tilly was startled to see Logan standing by the crib and gazing down at the sleeping Liam.

  "Hey," she whispered.

  He turned to her, and she was once again struck by how devastatingly handsome he was. Was this man truly her husband?

  The billionaire crooked a finger at her, and she nearly smiled. Arrogant to a fault, but since he looked so much sexier because of it, she wasn't going to complain. She walked towards him, but as soon as she was close enough for him to reach, the billionaire's fingers curled around her wrist---

  Oh!

  She was suddenly yanked into his arms, and her startled gasp was lost in the passionate heat of the billionaire's kiss. Her toes curled hard, and she had to struggle not to cry out loud as he sucked on her lower lip hungrily before kissing all the way down to the side of her neck while his hands roamed her body.

  He started kneading her breasts, and her teeth sank into her lower lip in a desperate effort to keep her from making any noise. She could feel her tits swelling and ache, and when he tweaked her nipples, she had to quickly cover her mouth lest her gasps wake his nephew.

  Shaking her head in protest, she tried pushing him away, worried of what would happen if she lost control, but the billionaire only responded by forcing her to move back until he had her trapped between him and the cold, hard wall behind her.

  One hand pinched her nipple hard, and her body buckled. His other hand reached for the hem of her dress, and her eyes widened. He started inching it up, and her eyes widened. Cold air began to tease her bare skin. From her knees, to her thighs, and OH MY GOD, how could she have forgotten she had no panties on?

  Logan reluctantly let go when Tilly's struggles became too insistent to ignore. "What is it?"

  "You can't touch me here," she protested under her breath.

  "Why not?"

  She could only stare at him, unable to believe he was seriously asking such a question, when he hadn't even bothered to lock the door and anyone could've walked in on them. "You're really used to women letting you get away with anything, aren't you?"

  "You really think I'd answer that honestly," he returned blandly, "considering how much I want to fuck you?"

  Tilly pretended to pout. "At least say you've never wanted any girl as much as you want me."

  "It's true."

  The billionaire's tone was disgruntled, and she had to quickly suppress a smile. Smiling up at him, she said gravely, "We can pick up where we left off as soon as we get home---"

  She had barely finished speaking when the billionaire was already walking out of the nursery, telling her over his shoulder to get Liam ready, and Tilly was seriously torn between laughing and having a doctor check on Logan.

  Why did this man want her so?

  None of Logan's friends batted an eye when he told them that he and Tilly had to leave, and they were equally circumspect when the billionaire, as soon as Tilly joined them in the balcony, took Liam in his arms and then used his other free hand to hold Tilly's.

  In all the years they had known him, not once had Logan displayed such keen interest or attachment to any of the women he dated, and it was only when the couple had left did everyone start talking.

  Did you see that, Harry blurted out.

  He cares for her, doesn't he, Bee asked.

  I'd say he's already halfway in love with her, Sean asserted with a snort.

  And throughout it, Charlotte simply smiled in silent satisfaction. It was nice to know she still hadn't lost her touch, but she also knew she couldn't quite celebrate yet. It was only when Tilly officially became Mrs. Logan Hardwall that the real test would begin, and Logan would inevitably find himself having to choose between the secure future his ambition promised...and all the ups and downs that came with falling in love.

  Chapter 10

  It was close to ten in the evening by the time they arrived back home, and Logan took hold of Liam before helping her out of the limousine. After, she insisted on carrying the toddler again, and the billionaire had to satisfy himself with an arm curled possessively around her waist.

  Anyone seeing them would've been forgiven for thinking they were a young couple with their firstborn rather than the nanny with her young charge and handsome boss, and it was exactly the case when they found a visibly-confused Billie seated at the top of the stairs.

  "Billie!" Tilly tried not to look guilty even as she self-consciously moved away from the billionaire. "Why are you still up?"

  "I was waiting for you."

  "But I specifically told you not to---"

  The younger girl only shrugged, her curious gaze still on Logan. "Are you dating my sister?"

  Tilly choked. "Billie, what on earth---"

  "Yes, I am."

  Her gaze flew to the billionaire in shock. What about the timeline? Weren't they supposed to stick to their timeline?

  "But you've only just met her," the girl pointed out suspiciously.

  "Things like this happen lightning-fast sometimes."


  Billie wrinkled her nose. "You mean like love?"

  "Oh my God, Billie---" Tilly could've died of embarrassment with the way her sister was keeping the billionaire in the hot seat. "You don't have to answer that, Mr. Hardwall---"

  "I don't see why I shouldn't," Logan said easily.

  "You don't?"

  But the billionaire's attention had already switched back to Billie.

  "It's not always love right away," Logan was saying carefully, "but I do care for your sister a lot, and I'd like to continue seeing her. It would make me very happy if you and Tilly become a part of my life - if you don't have any objections, that is?"

  A thoughtful expression crossed the girl's face. "Well...I'd be stupid if I did, right? I mean, your house is much bigger than my school."

  Logan nearly smiled.

  "You have more cars than we have shoes, too."

  What a mercenary little thing, the billionaire thought, but somehow he found himself more amused than offended, probably because the child was so being earnestly honest with the whole thing.

  "And you're not all wrinkly like Mr. Hodge---"

  "Mary Billie Jean!"

  Seeing Tilly look like she was about to murder her on the spot right now, Billie realized it was time to go and said hurriedly, "It was nice talking to you, Mr. Hardwall. I've always wanted a big brother like you---"

  "Oh, for the love of---" Scheming little brat! The girl was actually playing the long game, making sure that the billionaire would know he'd end up breaking more than one heart if he ever stopped dating Tilly.

  "But I should really go now," Billie finished. "I still have school tomorrow. Night, Mr. Hardwall. Night, Tilly!" She studiously avoided her sister's gaze as she turned away and dashed back to her room.

  As soon as the younger girl was out of their view, Logan and Tilly turned to each other, speaking at the same time.

  "I'm so sorry---"

  "I like your sister."

  Tilly's mouth opened and closed.

  "She's smart for her age," Logan commented.

  "Were you able to tell because of all those dollar signs in her eyes?"

  A grin tugged at the billionaire's lips even as he felt duty-bound to defend his sister-in-law, saying, "There's nothing wrong with being practical."

  Tilly wrinkled her nose, thinking it was just like the billionaire to see Billie's talent for manipulation in a positive light. "She's cunning, that's what she is."

  "Perhaps strategic is a better word."

  She shot him a look. "You'd say that, of course. She really is more like your sister than mine in that sense."

  "I'll take that as a compliment."

  "You shouldn't."

  Anyone listening with their ear to the door might've assumed they were arguing, but in truth, Tilly's eyes were filled with mirth while the billionaire's dark gaze gleamed with amusement.

  Logan had never really spent time talking to any of his former mistresses, but even if he had, he doubted talking to them would have been any fun, considering how shallow and materialistic they had all been.

  Tilly, however, was different, and the reminder had Logan's silence turning from pensive to brooding as he watched Tilly move about the room, preparing for Liam's next scheduled feeding, checking the baby monitor, and using the intercom to call for the night nurse.

  All those other women would never have cared for Liam the way Tilly obviously did, and that was yet another way his mail-order bride was in a class all on her own compared to them.

  She was just too damn different, Logan thought tensely, in more ways than one, and that wasn't exactly something to celebrate, was it? At the end of the day, she was just the nanny he had the right to fuck because she was wearing his ring on her finger.

  He must never let himself forget that, and if staying in control meant denying himself the pleasure of having her in his bed...

  "Logan?"

  At the soft, husky murmur of his name, the billionaire turned towards her---

  Click.

  Her hands were behind her back, and the telltale sound told him she had just locked the door.

  "The night nurse's sick, and I can't leave Liam alone."

  "I see." Logan told himself he wasn't disappointed. He had already decided against fucking her tonight, so this was exactly what he wanted.

  "But since there's a perfectly functional bed right next to you---"

  Logan's head snapped towards the direction she was looking at, and yes, there was a bed, narrow enough just for one person, but he could make it work---

  Shit.

  Wasn't he supposed to deny himself tonight?

  "I was thinking, maybe I can show you what else I have to offer as a wife...here?"

  Logan's head snapped back to Tilly at her words, just in time for him to see her take her dress off.

  Fuck.

  The moment he saw her naked pussy, he was a goner, with his cock going from limp and dead to hard and throbbing with life in seconds.

  Fuck.

  FUCK self-denial.

  The dress fell to the floor, and her bra followed shortly after.

  Because he was going to fuck his wife tonight, and to hell with the fucking consequences.

  "What do you say, Mr. Hardwall?"

  Their gazes met, and the ravenous need that glittered in his eyes made Tilly catch her breath.

  He was back to being the wolf again, and oh, the way this man was staring at her...

  It was as if he fully intended to feast on every inch of her...in every way possible...all...night...long.

  Chapter 11

  He was the devil again, Tilly the sacrificial virgin, and the thought had her feelings all over the place. She felt terrified and vulnerable, but she also felt restless and thrilled, half of her dreading the possibility that she would disappoint him, while the other half couldn't wait for the magic to begin.

  And so it did, the moment the billionaire drew her to stand between his legs as he lowered his powerful form on the edge of the bed.

  Even seated as he was, he still towered over her by several inches, and this close, it was impossible not to notice how so much larger he was. Stronger. Harder. Everywhere.

  Logan started palming her breasts, and her lips parted in a silent moan at the first touch of his fingers. She could feel his gaze hungrily taking in her every reaction, and instead of feeling shy, it made her want to relish the pleasure, to let him know how much she was enjoying his attention.

  Even though she had never had a boyfriend, a part of her had always known that she would be the type to enjoy sex, especially with how she had learned to touch herself even in her teens.

  And now that she finally had a lover to take her virginity without having to worry about her virginity...

  When Logan bent his head to take one nipple into his mouth, she found herself even assisting him. She cupped her own breasts to make it easier for him, and she heard him growl in approval at the way she boldly pushed her nipple deeper into his mouth. He sucked harder, and her knees buckled.

  He was practically eating her now, just as his gaze had promised earlier, and it felt so good - too incredibly good, actually, that she found herself clutching his shoulders in fear of her knees giving out completely.

  When his mouth suddenly left her breast, Tilly couldn't help digging her fingers into his back in silent protest, unable to make a sound with Liam still sleeping soundly a few feet away from them.

  He smirked up at her, and she was torn between strangling and begging him to pleasure her again.

  "Lo---"

  The rest of his name disappeared in a drugging kiss, and she could only lean into him, her tongue drawn into mating with his...and then his mouth was gone again, and Tilly's entire body shook in frustration.

  "Stop playing with me," she half-demanded, half-pleaded.

  "Sssh." The billionaire nipped her upper lip. "It's going to get better." His hands clasped her hips as he spoke, using it to pull her close, and before she knew
what he was planning, he had already planted his lips at the hottest, wettest center of her core.

  Oh God.

  She found herself grinding her pussy against his mouth even as her cheeks burned at the wantonness of her attitude. He truly was temptation incarnate, and the thought was further reinforced when he started sucking on her clit. She tried to hold back, tried to withstand the sweet torment to delay the inevitable.

  But with every second that passed, she could feel her body tightening from the inside, pleasure twisting and spiraling---

  His hands suddenly moved, one to squeeze the left cheek of her ass, and the second to give the other half of her ass a good, hard spank. It came completely as a shock to her, but it was also exactly what she needed to push her past the edge.

  She came hard and fast, her lips parted in another silent moan, powerful tremors racking her naked body since he still hadn't let go and his tongue continued its relentless drive even as creamy moisture dripped out of her.

  Even by the time the billionaire finally laid her down on the bed, aftermath jolts were still rocking her body, and she could only watch dazedly as he swiftly stripped himself of his clothes. A moment later, and he was joining her in bed, his hands firmly parting her legs open so his large, powerful body could settle between them.

  Her throat dried as she watched him take hold of his big, hard cock, and she couldn't tear her gaze away even as he used its swollen head to rub up and down against her folds, which were once again moist and quivering. The feel of it was agonizingly sensual, and she could only hold her breath when the first few inches of his member finally slipped in.

  Oh God.

  She had known beforehand that having his cock penetrate her would make her feel full, but she realized right away that her imagination was a far pale imitation of reality. Because right now, what she was feeling was so, so much more, with him making her feel stuffed, his cock so exquisitely long and big that it really did seem he could tear her apart.

  "Hang on." His voice was strained and made hoarse by the effort it took to keep a measured pace as he drove his cock deeper into her.