A Rancher's Desire by Nikki Winter Page A

Leaving Argentina to compete in the US had been one of the best decisions he’d ever made. But as of late, he wondered if he’d put too much time into his career and not enough into planning for a family; especially since he’d recently bought a cattle ranch.
    Julian couldn’t say what it was that made him do it.  It could’ve been the need for some form of stability   or the need for solace. The problem was, his home was as empty as his heart. Julian wasn’t sure if it was his very own biological clock ticking or the desire for a warm body next to him at night, either way he’d been contemplating on it more and more.
    He’d stop carrying the passion for traveling from place to place, beating out some of the best known bull riders. It was why he’d retired a few years ago. Julian was no longer looking for the confidence boost the competitions had given him as a rookie. Havan enjoyed the fast-paced life competing gave him but that was to be expected when considering where they came from.
    His brother wasn’t planning on retiring or slowing down anytime soon. Havan enjoyed the frontier circuit entirely too much. The only reason he was stuck spending time with his sibling was the fact that Havan would be heading up to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania soon. They wouldn’t have the time to spend together being that he’d be in training until then. So much for him being family orientated.
    To give himself something to do he’d decided to have the house on his land remodeled. Maybe he could start looking for an architectural contractor if he could focus long enough.
    Already having left his brother to fend for himself, he dug around in his jacket pocket for his keys and was so preoccupied that he didn’t notice the woman walking towards him until she bumped into his chest.
    His keys hit the floor at the same time as her bag, the contents inside spilling out.
    “Sorry.” They both murmured simultaneously.
    Julian bent to help her collect what had fallen and handed it to her.
    “Thank you.”
    Normally he would’ve nodded and went about his way but the sound of her husky voice felt like silk running over his skin. His head snapped up and what he saw held him hostage as they both began to slowly stand to their normal heights again.
    During his ten year stint in the rodeo circuit, Julian had been tossed ass over head and back again more times than he could count. He’d had fractured ribs, sprains and a concussion or two but he’d never had the wind knocked out of him quicker than when he looked up and saw her.
    For those few seconds that he let his eyes rake her perfect features before traveling down the bountiful curves of her tall form, he didn’t feel like the self assured grown man that he was. No, he felt like a boy staring into the eyes of his first crush.
    And those large, doe shaped, brown orbs veiled behind heavy lids and thick, curly lashes weren’t the only things he was interested in staring at. Jesús, she was beautiful. Native American features battled for dominance in her face by way of high cheekbones along with the curve of her jaw that held a dimple. While the African American side won her full lips, proud forehead, and nose.
    Both cultures met in the middle to create the flawlessly deep chocolate skin with red and bronze undertones that made up a gorgeous shade of brown. Her thick, black hair was cut into layers around her heart shaped face, slightly longish bangs stopping just a bit above her eyebrows but framing the beauty there just right.
    Yet her body... that is what held his attention captive. Julian bit the inside of his cheek as his heart began to hammer and he gazed at the way her endless, shapely legs and wonderfully rounded hips fit into the skin tight jeans she was wearing.
    She had to be five foot eleven at the least in her bare feet but her steel-toe work boots gave her an extra inch or two. Her waist to hip ratio created a coke bottle shape that made him think of at least fifty dirty