Claimed By Him: (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

by Alexis Winter

  I smile and nod. “I know. Seems like yesterday. I was only six when he started this place, and my mom almost had a fit when he quit his nine-to-five job. She was so sure we were going to go bankrupt.”

  He slides his hands into his pockets, eyes downcast. “Listen, Ves…”

  I take a deep breath. Nothing good ever starts with a deep breath and the words listen, Ves.

  “I was just wondering if maybe you’d like to go out sometime? We’ve known one another since kindergarten, and I just thought we’d make a good match.”

  I force a smile but shake my head slightly. “I’m sorry, Jason. I’m just not open to dating anyone at the moment. I’m really trying to keep my attention on the new animal hospital I started a few months ago. I just don’t have time for dating and relationships right now.”

  I see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows down the rejection. “Oh, yeah. Of course. Don’t worry about it.” He quickly looks around, looking for an escape to avoid further embarrassment. “Oh, I need to go help that customer. See you around, Ves.” He waves goodbye just before he rushes off.

  “What was that about?” Mom asks as she sets the drinks down on the table.

  I turn to face her. “He asked me out.”

  She sticks out her bottom lip and pulls her brows together while nodding. “Well, look at you. You have men interested everywhere.”

  “Just what I need in my life right now,” I say sarcastically.

  8

  The week flies by between work and driving back and forth to the O’Connor Ranch. Tyler has been friendly, but not overly friendly. We sit, chat, and joke around when I go by, but he doesn’t pressure me for another date or for something more, which I greatly appreciate.

  Just as I’m about to switch the phone over to the machine for the night, it rings. I reach out and pick up the receiver. “Lawrence Animal Hospital,” I say into the phone, pushing my hair behind my ear as I sit down at my desk.

  “Hello. This is Liam O’Connor. I was hoping to speak with Vesper Lawrence.”

  “Hi, Mr. O’Connor. This is Vesper. What can I do for you today?”

  “It’s good to hear your voice finally, Ms. Lawrence. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you from Tyler.”

  “Please, call me Ves.”

  “Okay, Ves.” The way he says my name is smooth as silk. I’ve never met this man, but I can already tell he’s tall, dark, and handsome. Sexy.

  “You’ve been doing such a good job with Lucy that I was hoping to hire you, full-time.”

  I feel my face flush with his praise. “Thank you very much, Mr. O’Connor—”

  “Please, it’s Liam,” he corrects.

  “Okay, Liam. I really do appreciate your offer, but I already have a full-time job. I run my own practice, and I’m hoping to expand in the future. So you see, I don’t have the time that this job would require.”

  “Ah, I see. Tyler did mention that. I just thought that maybe you’d change your mind if I asked personally.”

  A giggle slips from my lips like a school girl with a crush. “That’s very kind of you, but I’m really happy with where I am. But, as I told Tyler, I will continue to help wherever I can until you hire someone as a full-time vet privately.”

  “Thank you very much, Ms.—I mean, Ves.”

  “No problem. I look forward to meeting you one of these days.”

  “And I as well. Have a good night.”

  “You too. Bye,” I manage to croak out, hanging up the phone. I have no idea why my body is reacting the way it is: sweaty palms, goosebumps prickling my skin, rapid heart rate. I don’t even know what this man looks like. He could be a fifty-year-old man with gray hair and a beer belly, for all I know. And here I am, getting all flustered by his voice.

  I calm my racing heart and take a deep breath. When I open my eyes, my body has calmed down. I switch the phones off for the night, turn out my light, and lock up as I exit the building. Looking at my watch, I see that it’s going on six p.m., but I would like to swing by the O’Connor Ranch. Check on Lucy and see if any other animals need tending to—maybe even ask Tyler what Liam looks like so I can get this image of ripped muscles and chiseled cheekbones out of my head.

  I make the thirty-minute drive, and as I’m driving up the long gravel driveway, a shiny red sports car comes into view.

  That’s weird. I’ve never seen that car here before.

  I pull my car off to the side and climb out. Tyler is just walking out of the barn to greet me.

  “Hey, what’s up?” I ask, rounding the front of the hood.

  He shrugs as he reaches over his head and grabs his shirt by the back, pulling it off and tossing it to the side, revealing a defined chest and set of abs. “O’Connor’s back. He’s been working my ass off today. Here, feel this.” He tosses his shirt at me and out of reaction, I catch it.

  It’s soaking wet, nearly dripping with sweat. I quickly throw it back. “Ew!”

  He replies with a roar of laughter.

  When he finally settles down, I ask, “How’s Lucy today?”

  He nods and hangs his shirt over his shoulder. “She’s good. We put her out in the pasture alone today and let her get some exercise. She’s in there grazing on hay now. Want to check her out?”

  I smile and nod, and he leads me inside.

  I stand on the bottom rung of the gate, petting her nose. “O’Connor called me today and offered me the full-time vet position,” I tell him.

  He laughs and shakes his head. “I told him you wouldn’t accept.”

  “I declined, but I promised I’d help out as much as I could. Are there any more animals that I need to check out while I’m here?”

  “There is a house cat that probably needs vaccinations but I couldn’t ever take it because I’m allergic,” he admits with a shrug.

  “Okay, I’ll come back tomorrow with everything.”

  “Great.” He nods with a smile. “I think I’m about to pack up and call it a night. It’s been a long day.”

  We start heading out of the barn and toward my vehicle. I stop short when I see a tall man dressed in a suit heading for the red sports car. His blue eyes lock on mine, and he pauses before heading over.

  “This must be Ves. I’m Liam; we spoke on the phone earlier.” He holds out his strong hand, and I place mine inside to shake.

  “Y-yes. How are you doing tonight?” I ask, nervously.

  “Very well. Are you sure I can’t interest you in a job here?”

  I bet my eyes glaze over just from looking him. He’s dressed in a dark suit with a striking red tie. His raven colored hair looks silky and smooth, and for some reason, I long to run my fingers through it. His blue eyes are warm and inviting, like ocean water, and his perfectly plump lips turn up into a small smile when I don’t answer his question.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. No, no thank you. I’ve very happy where I am at for the moment.” My face heats up as I feel the red creep up my cheeks from being caught staring.

  He nods once. “Very well. I’ll back off. You have your list of things to accomplish while I’m gone, right, Tyler?” He points at him.

  “I do, and it’ll all be done by the time you get back. You can count on me, sir.”

  “I know I can.” He brings his attention back to me. “Ves, I look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully next time you’ll have a different answer for me.” He shoots me a grin then turns and walks away without another word.

  “I-it was nice meeting you,” I call out, even though he’s across the driveway by the time my brain kicks in and gets my mouth to form words.

  Tyler and I stand back and watch as he drives the red sports car down the drive, kicking up a cloud of dust all around us.

  Once he’s out of sight, Tyler busts out into a fit of laughter.

  “What?”

  “You.” He points at me.

  “What about me?” My face only grows redder. “Was I being weird or something?”

  Slowly, his laughing di
es down. “Keep dreaming, princess.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “He is a billionaire. And not only that, but he has some famous, supermodel girlfriend too. You don’t have a shot.” He gently shoves my shoulder.

  I spin around to face him quickly. “What? No. No. You misunderstood. I don’t have a thing for him. Why would you think that?”

  “Hmmm, let me think. You were a stuttering mess for one. When he asked you a question, you were so spaced out that it took you like five minutes to answer it, and that red on your cheeks makes it all too easy to read you.”

  “I was just surprised. I’ve never met a billionaire before. He has a very powerful presence about him.”

  Tyler rolls his dark eyes. “Yeah, pretty sure that’s nothing more than his height and that suit that probably cost more than your whole animal clinic.”

  I let out a long breath. “There is something wrong with you,” I joke as I push myself forward, heading for my car.

  “Yeah, there’s something wrong with me, not the girl that’s standing here drooling over a billionaire.” He lets out another roar of laughter.

  My smile breaks free at his contagious happiness, and I hold my middle finger in the air as I climb into the car. When I shift into drive and take off, he’s leaning against the barn with his arms crossed over his chest, grinning as he watches me drive off.

  I can’t get his face out of my head the whole drive home. His blue eyes, his defined facial structure, high cheekbones, and strong chin with a little dimple in the center. That silky-smooth hair that I so desperately want to thread my fingers through. His voice. Just thinking about the entire package does things to me that I haven’t felt in a long time, and I’ve never felt it this strongly before.

  I walk into my apartment and throw myself down on the couch. Ace jumps up, meowing as he cuddles next to my side. “Oh, Ace. You’re so lucky. You don’t care about anything other than food. Why couldn’t I have been born a cat?”

  He purrs before looking up at me and meowing, asking for food. That’s the only time he ever meows.

  I scoff and roll my eyes dramatically. “Fine, come on.” I stand and head for the kitchen to feed him yet again.

  I whip up a quick dinner of spaghetti and sit on the couch to eat and watch tv. Placing my empty bowl on the coffee table, I stretch out to get comfy. I’m worn out from today’s events, but not tired enough to fall asleep. I just need some rest and relaxation. I turn the tv to the movie channel and see the title, The Billionaire’s Secret Love Affair, written across the screen. It immediately gets my attention.

  I kick back and watch the movie as it starts with a good-looking businessman walking into the office demanding the attention of everyone he passes. Every woman stops what they’re doing just to watch him walk by.

  The billionaire I met tonight is much better looking than the broke actor that’s playing the role on tv, I think.

  The role of the businessman on tv is cocky, arrogant, and self-absorbed. He pays no attention to anything but his business, until she walks in. And for the first time, he can’t keep his mind on his business until he has her. A passionate love affair ensues and keeps me captivated throughout.

  I let out a sigh. “Why can’t that happen to me, Ace?” I look over at him. “Huh?” I wait for a response even though I know I won’t get anything more than him looking at me like I’m crazy.

  “Because I don’t have the time in my life,” I tell him like it should have been him telling me. I roll my eyes and let my head fall back. “You’re useless, Ace,” I joke before turning off the tv and heading for bed.

  I crawl deep beneath the covers and get comfy. My eyes drift closed, and whose face do I see? Liam O’Connor’s.

  I drift into a deep sleep, picturing his face behind my eyelids.

  “Ves?” a deep voice calls out.

  I find myself in the barn, and I turn around to face him.

  He’s dressed in his suit that hugs his strong body perfectly. “I’ve been hoping you’d come back. I haven’t been able to get you off my mind.” He closes the distance between us but doesn’t touch me. His sweet breath blows against my lips, causing me to wet them.

  “I…I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” My eyes set on his plump lips and that dimple that sits directly below them.

  “I want you, Ves.” He reaches out and pulls me against his chest. “I’ve never wanted anyone more.” He leans in and presses his lips to mine. They’re soft and forceful. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I can taste just how sweet he is. My hands fly up around his neck and thread into the silky strands of his hair like they’ve been dying to. I pull him closer, needing more of him.

  He reaches down and picks me up by my hips, setting me on the old wooden workbench. Something rattles and falls over, but neither of us stop our exploration to see what it was. Instead, he keeps kissing me while his hands slowly tour my body.

  He breaks the kiss and looks longingly into my eyes. “Wake up, Ves.”

  “What?”

  My eyes pop open to the blinding light. A form standing over the foot of my bed. “Wake up, Ves!” Amy yells.

  “What? What time is it?”

  “It’s going on nine. You’re late. What the hell? Didn’t you set your alarm?”

  I sit up and push the blankets down my legs, looking at the app on my phone. “I guess I forgot.”

  “I’ve had to reschedule two patients already. Get up before we lose more business.”

  I quickly stand and rush to my closet, digging out something to wear so I can hurry to work.

  9

  It’s been a week, and that dream still haunts me. I go by the ranch every day after work, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but that red sports car hasn’t been back since the day I met him. I know it will never happen with us. And I know I don’t have time in my life for some random fling or a serious relationship but something inside of me won’t let me shake him off. Something inside me craves him. I yearn to feel his hand brush against my cheek, to hear him say the words he said to me in my dream, to know how sweet those plump lips taste.

  I’m sitting at my desk, staring off into space as I think of that dream for what feels like the hundredth time.

  “Ves?” Amy says, sticking her head into my office.

  I jump, unaware that she’s been standing there watching me stare at a wall. “Yeah?”

  She walks deeper into my office and looks at the spot on the wall I’ve been staring at and then back at me. “You okay?” She cocks her head to the side, honestly concerned about me and my behavior.

  I let out a nervous laugh and wave my hand through the air. “I’m fine. What’s up?”

  “The last appointment for the day is here.” She uses her thumb to motion over her shoulder.

  “Oh, okay.” I quickly push away from my desk and stand, rushing out the door.

  “Mr. Warren, how are you and Taco today?” I bend down to pet the Chihuahua, but he barks and tries nipping me. “Oh, Taco, you always make this so difficult.”

  I stand up and look at Mr. Warren. “Bring him back to exam room four, please.” I walk back behind the counter. “I’ll grab the muzzle.”

  I meet him back in the room and hand the muzzle over to Mr. Warren for him to put in place. Once Taco can no longer bite me, he places him on the table.

  “What’s going on with Taco today?”

  “He hasn’t been eating. He seems more grumpy than usual, and I’ve noticed he’s been having some issues when he goes for number two,” the old man states, his brows pulling into a frown that causes his wrinkles to deepen.

  “Issues? Like he can’t go?”

  He shakes his head. “The other way around. Every time I can get him to eat a little, it’s running out before we can even get outside.”

  “What have you been feeding him?”

  He shrugs. “Whatever he’ll eat—the same thing I eat.”

  I feel my shoulder fall. “We’ve talked about this, Mr. Warren. Do
gs can’t handle human food the same way we do. I’ve given you many dog food samples; will he not eat any of them?”

  “He’s eaten a couple, but dog food is too expensive. I’m living on a budget. I’m retired, you know.”

  I feel my heart crack for him. He loves his dog. I know he does. And all he wants to do is spoil him, but he’s about to spoil him to death. This dog already weighs about twenty pounds.

  “Look, Mr. Warren. Stop giving him human food. Offer him the dog food I’m going to send you home with. Place it in front of him twice a day. If he doesn’t eat it, take it away and try again later. Don’t feed him anything else until he eats it. Okay? Taco is just spoiled to tasty human food. He doesn’t know it will hurt him. It’s up to you to make those tough calls. Got it?”

  He nods. “But how can I afford it?”

  I wave my hand through the air as I pull off my gloves. “We get plenty. Any time you run out, just come by and grab some. Okay?”

  “Okay, Vesper. Thank you for helping an old man out. You know I wouldn’t be able to do this without your help.” I pat him on the back and lead him back to the counter. “It’s no problem, Mr. Warren. Promise me.” I point my finger at him. “No more human food?”

  He holds up his hands, palms facing me. “Alright, alright. No more human food. No matter how much he begs and cries for it.”

  “It will also help him to lose a little bit of that extra weight he’s packing.” I laugh and shake my head as I make my way to the back to get my things.

  Shortly after I leave work, I’m pulling up to the ranch. I park my car and walk into the barn to find Tyler mucking the stalls, his shirtless muscles flexing with his every movement.

  He must feel me watching him because he stops and turns toward me. “You going to stand there gawking all day or you going to pick up a shovel and help?”

  I quickly think it over. “Gawking, please.”

  He laughs and rolls his eyes but drops the shovel, removes his gloves, and walks closer to me. “What’s going on? I wasn’t expecting you again today.”