Her Tycoon to Tame by Emilie Rose

wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever met, wasn’t the sexiest and certainly wasn’t the most amenable. In fact, she might be the most argumentative. Regardless, something about her had snagged his attention.
    Something besides a piece of property that put a doughnut hole in his land and devalued the farm. Something besides her faux Miss Goody Two-shoes attitude. He just couldn’t put his finger on what it was about her that didn’t add up. Yet. But he would.
    His rampant hormones couldn’t be anything more than a natural response to prolonged abstinence. He’d had a rough few months since his realization that Sam was a danger to himself. The subsequent frantic search for doctors who had provided frustratingly few answers had led to the decision to take responsibility for Sam and the breakup with Lana. Add in the preparation for launching the new ad campaign as well as the property search and Wyatt hadn’t had any time for even the most casual encounters.
    He was paying for that now with inappropriate thoughts about an employee. But soon she’d be out of the picture and life would return to normal. The sooner, the better.
    â€œHave you looked at any properties?”
    â€œIt’s only been a few days since you issued your ultimatum. I haven’t had time.”
    Frustrated, he swirled his wine in his glass and inhaled, trying to appreciate the tart green-apple bouquet. Trying and failing. “Do you collect antiques?”
    She followed his glance around the room. “Not intentionally. My grandparents started their marriage with what they called hand-me-downs from their families. When they could afford to add pieces they scavenged yard sales—yard sales they often took me to—for items that matched what they already had. This was all here when I moved in after vet school.”
    â€œThe contents belong to you?” Tens of thousands of dollars worth of furniture—he could thank his greedy mother for his ability to assess value.
    She nodded. “I guess you could say the furniture—like this farm—is my family history.”
    â€œYou can’t be ignorant of the value.”
    She frowned. “I’ve never thought about it other than the sentimental value.”
    He didn’t believe that for a second. “And the BMW? Did you inherit that, too?”
    She stiffened. “Where are you going with this, Wyatt?”
    â€œYou live beyond your salary.”
    â€œYou’re determined to think the worst of me, aren’t you? The car was a gift from my father, a reward for a record-breaking year last year. It’s totally impractical, but I won’t deny it’s fun to drive.
    â€œIt’s a long commute to your distillery from here. Too far to drive every day. Why buy a place so far from work? There are beautiful properties closer to Asheville.”
    She’d done her research. But his reasons for his purchase were none of her business. “I’ve told you before. The property suited my needs.”
    â€œYour sudden burning need to own a horse farm? Neither the staff nor I are buying that since you have nothing to do with the horses. You haven’t finished your tour and you never visit the barns.”
    â€œSutherland Farm has a competent management team. Would you prefer I become more active in the day-to-day operation?”
    â€œNo. As you said, the staff knows what they’re doing.”
    He pushed his empty plate aside and leaned back in his chair. “What is this evening really about, Hannah?”
    Annoyance flashed across her face. She slid away from the table and rose. “You really fail at this setting-the-mood thing. Bring your wine to the living room. I have something to show you.”
    Setting the mood for what?
    Leaving his wine behind because he needed a clear head around her, he followed her to the den, arriving in time to see her bend over the coffee table. The action made her