A Rancher's Desire Read Free

Now he had a name to match the physical perfection along with a number and a work location. To top it all off, she was an architect and he was looking for an architect.
    Julian’s grin widened as he pocketed the card and pushed out of the doors into the parking lot. It looked like Aiyanna was going to be getting new clientele come Monday.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Aiyanna felt something tickling her cheek and slapped at it. The feeling disappeared for a moment but came back again. This time she swatted harder and of course hit herself in the face. That wasn’t what woke her up. Lalani’s laughter however...
    Aiyanna sat up, glaring as she placed a hand over her now throbbing eye. “An eye for an eye Lalani...an eye for an eye...” she grumbled.
    Lalani simply smiled, her sparkling white teeth a contrast to her deep sienna skin. “You left yourself vulnerable, King.”
    “So if I slip a mickey into one of your drinks, drive you out into the middle of nowhere while you’re asleep, and leave your carcass to be feasted on, does that mean I can use the same excuse?”
    Her brows rose as she sat back and tapped her chin. “That sounds about right.”
    Balling up a piece of paper, Aiyanna chucked it at her as she lay her head back on her desk and groaned, “Go away.”
    She went around to Aiyanna  and sat on the edge of the desk where she rested her head. “No can do, grumpy. We have a thing called a client, waiting to be serviced.”
    Aiyanna peeked out of her good eye. “Take my couch cushions and enjoy yourself. They should be soft enough for your knees.”
    Lalani plucked her in the forehead. “Stop being an asshole and c’mon.”
    She pouted, turned her head like a little kid and settled back down. “I don’t wanna.”
    “Dude, this is not a good way to run a business. Mr. Almanza is waiting.”
    She was right of course. But after pulling an all nighter working on a new design, the last thing she really wanted to do was deal with a new and possibly finicky client. She’d escaped at least an hour before from a consultation to try her hand at a nap. Aiyanna had been pretty successful until the nap ruiner came along. “You have help. Why do I need to be out there too?”
    “Um maybe because you own half of this place?”
    She shook her head slightly. “Nah, not good enough.” Lifting an arm, Aiyanna waved towards the door. “Begone with you. Leave me to my sleep now, peon.”
    Of course she didn’t think that would work so she wasn’t surprised when Lalani snorted, stuck her hand to Aiyanna’s side and tickled her, causing her to almost fall out of her seat.
    “Cut it out!” Aiyanna was gasping and wiggling but Lalani just kept pressing.
    “Are you gonna get up and come be a good little architect?”
    “You’re not making me go out there!”
    Lalani pressed harder and Aiyanna doubled over. “That’s not what I wanna hear, Aiyanna.”
    “This can be deemed,” she tried to catch her breath. “As sexual harassment in the workplace!”
    “I dare you to scream that out and see how quickly John and Das run in here to watch rather than help.”
    “I hate you!”
    “Try again, Aiyanna.”
    “Fine! Fine, I’m up!” Lalani stopped and Aiyanna scrambled away from her. “You’re psycho.”
    “For tickling you?” Her mouth twitched.
    “No, that’s just one reason and when the sleep fog clears, I’ll be more than glad to name more.” Sticking out her tongue Aiyanna made the childish noise of blowing a raspberry at her and headed for her office door.
    “Real mature, King.”
    “You just got done playing tickle monster with me to bend me to your evil will.” As Aiyanna pointed that out she swung open the door to find John—their architectural consultant—on the other side grinning.
    He waggled his brows. “I don’t know what that was about, but it sounded hot and I’m upset that I missed it.”
    Dastan—their architectural manager—walked past carrying blueprints. “Missed