Claimed By Him: (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

by Alexis Winter

  I snicker at her jokes. “I don’t have time for this kind of thing, Aims. I mean, look around you. I need to get this place up and running.”

  “We are up and running.” She stands upright and walks closer. “We will grow with time. It doesn’t mean you have to put your life on hold.” She bends down, placing her forearms on the table to lean on. “If you do, the next thing you know, you’ll look up and be fifty-years-old. You may have a nice clinic, but you’ll be old and lonely. You don’t want that, do you?”

  I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. “I’ll go on the date. Now back off, so I can get some work done.”

  She laughs as she gets off the table. “I’m heading out. Do you need anything before I go?”

  “Yes, set the phone so all calls go to the machine. I’m getting this done, and I’m getting out of here. No extra work tonight.”

  “Yes, captain,” she jokes as she pushes through the swinging door.

  I lock the door behind me then climb behind the wheel of my SUV. It’s going on eight p.m., so the town is already dead. All the shops on Main Street are closed, and the only lights visible are coming from the glowing neon of the single bar we have in town. It’s always packed at night: seven days a week. But I guess since it’s the only place open at this time of the night, it’s the only thing to do.

  I, however, am too tired to want to drink and socialize. I head straight to my apartment. When I walk in, Ace, my fifteen-year-old cat, brushes up against my leg, meowing. I drop my things on the kitchen table and bend down, picking him up against my chest.

  “Hi, Ace. Are you hungry again or did you just miss me?” I ask as I rub my hands down his head and his back, causing him to purr loudly. I sit down on the couch, mindlessly petting him over and over while my mind drifts in a million directions: work, the ranch, Tyler, the things Amy said. Will I really turn out to be an old lady who’s all alone? If I do, will that be enough? I always just assumed that there would be time for it all. But there won’t be—not if I don’t make any.

  I guess Amy is right. Even if things fall through with Tyler, at least I can say I tried. Right? I’ll never find the right person if I don’t put myself out there and try new things. Internally, I laugh. Dating is on my list of new things to try. What kind of weird twenty-six-year-old am I?

  I’ve never had a serious boyfriend. Never. In high school, I was too busy with my studies and planning my future. In college, I dated and slept around from time to time with some guys, but it didn’t mean anything. I knew it wouldn’t ever become anything and so it didn’t. But Tyler could become something, unless, of course, he completely blows the date. It’s been so long now that I don’t even know the difference between a good date and a bad one.

  Pushing it all away, I look at Ace. “Come on, fatty. Let’s get some dinner. Then we can hang out on the couch and watch re-runs of The Bachelor.” I stand and walk into the kitchen to whip up something quick.

  After pouring more food into Ace’s dish, I grab my leftover Chinese takeout from the fridge and plop down on the couch to eat my leftovers and watch mind-numbing tv, hoping to forget all about my problems.

  4

  Saturday morning rolls in and I push myself out of bed. I stumble straight to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and feed Ace. While the coffee brews, I take a quick shower and get ready for the day.

  Every Saturday, I volunteer at the local animal shelter. I offer them quality vet care and help the workers with anything they need done: baths, cleaning out the kennels, feedings, walking. You name it, I’ve done it.

  I pull on a pair of jeans and my adopt a stray t-shirt that I wear every week when I volunteer. Instead of messing with my hair, I pull it into a messy bun on the top of my head. I apply a little mascara and lip gloss before stepping out of the bathroom.

  By the time I get back to the kitchen, Ace has emptied his bowl and is fast asleep on the couch. I giggle to myself and shake my head. Ahh! the life of a spoiled cat.

  I pour my coffee into a thermos, grab my purse and keys, and rush out the door. I’m pulling up to the animal shelter only minutes later. As I’m climbing out of the car, my phone rings and I glance at the screen to see a text.

  Tyler: Can’t wait for our date tonight.

  A smile tugs at my lips as I type back: Me either. I hope to become good friends.

  I hope he gets the message I was sending by using the word friends.

  “Hey, Ves,” Judy says as I walk through the doors of the animal shelter.

  I smile and wave. “How are you?” I stop at the counter to sign in and get my volunteer sticker.

  She smiles wide. “Great. I found a home for the dog I’ve been fostering.”

  “That’s great news!” I drop the pen onto the counter. “What about Sammy?”

  Her happy face falls to one of sadness. “Not yet. But he’s so sweet, I know he will find the right family.”

  I offer her a sad smile. “I’m sure he will. And I know you won’t stop looking until you find them.” Sammy is a five-year-old American Pit Bull that was severely abused. When they found him, he was malnourished and covered in scars. He was so afraid of men and loud noises that he would cower in the corner and cry. Judy has been working with him for months, and if you were to look at him now, you wouldn’t think he’s had a rough past. He’s such a lovable lap dog, even though he weighs nearly fifty pounds.

  I head to the back of the building and pick up the clipboard, scanning over what animals need to be checked out today. There are only three that need vaccines, meaning I’ll have a quick day. Which is good, because I get time to work up the courage to actually go on this date.

  Amy walks in as I’m flipping through the pages on the clipboard. “Hey, boss.” She drops her large purse on the table. “What do we have here today?”

  “We need Bently, Warren, and Jasper for vaccines.” I look up at her bloodshot eyes. “You want to get Bently while I’m setting up?”

  She yawns and nods her head.

  I laugh. “Did someone have a little too much fun last night?”

  Instead of answering me, she holds up her thumb and index finger, gesturing a little bit.

  “With any luck, you’ll look like this tomorrow,” she says, pushing her way out the door to retrieve the first dog.

  I roll my eyes as I begin setting out the items I’ll need, my mind never settling from the nervousness that’s pumping through me with each beat of my heart.

  I’ve managed to get all three dogs vaccinated, walked a few, and helped clean out some kennels. It’s going on two p.m. and the closer it gets to date time, the faster my heart pounds. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I know that I’m going on this date on a ‘just friends’ basis, but a part of me thinks that Tyler is hoping for more, that something will come out of it, and I know that’s not the case. I just hope that he accepts what I’m willing to give and that things don’t get too weird when we have to work together.

  When I get home, Ace greets me at the door, meowing at my feet.

  “Don’t give me that, mister. It’s not dinner time, and you know it,” I tell him as I pick him up against my chest and rub his fat belly. I take a seat on the couch and immediately, he jumps from my arms and runs back into the kitchen, probably to scratch at the container of cat food. I kick off my shoes and sit back, thinking about what I’m going to wear on this date tonight.

  My phone rings, pulling me back from my thoughts.

  I pull my phone from my back pocket. “Hello?” I answer, without checking the caller ID.

  “Hi, honey. How’d your shift at the animal shelter go?” Mom asks.

  I shrug like she can see me. “Good, I guess.”

  “What’s the matter?” she asks, obviously picking up on something in my tone.

  “Nothing... I just… I have a date tonight,” I admit.

  “That’s wonderful. With who? Tell me all about him!” she gushes.

  I laugh. “It’s nobody you know. His name is Tyler, and
he is the ranch hand at O’Connor’s place. But don’t get your hopes up. It’s just as friends. I’m not ready for anything serious.”

  “You’re twenty-six, Vesper. It’s time you start thinking about your future. Not to mention, I’d like to have grandchildren before I’m senile and can’t remember their names,” she jokes.

  I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. “Mom, I’m nowhere near ready to think about settling down and having kids. I just got my clinic open. I have big plans. I want to expand. Getting into a serious relationship at the beginning of my business venture isn’t smart. I need to keep my time freed up. Nobody wants to be with a woman who works all the time. Plus, when I find the right man, I want to have everything up and running, so he gets more of my time than my job.” I shake my head. “Now just isn’t the time.”

  She scoffs. “You sound just as your father did when he opened up that tractor supply store.”

  I laugh. “And look how well that’s doing! He did things the smart way.” Daddy’s tractor supply is the only one that’s still up and running in this town, even after nearly twenty years. He’s put every local dealer out of business. Everyone in a hundred-mile radius knows he’s the man to go to when you need a new tractor.

  “Well, I was going to call and invite you to dinner tonight, but since you have plans, I’ll let your Daddy know, and we can do it another time.”

  “Sounds good, Mom. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Vesper!” she suddenly shouts.

  “What?” I ask, alarmed.

  “What are you going to wear on this date?”

  I laugh. Only she would be concerned about that. “I don’t know. Probably just a pair of jeans and a cute top. Why?”

  “Oh, Vesper. Didn’t I teach you anything? You need to wear that little black dress you wore to our anniversary party last year. He won’t be able to take his eyes off you if you wear that dress.”

  “Goodbye, Mama.”

  “Oh, and wear your hair down,” she adds on.

  “Bye, Mom.”

  “Bye,” she finally says, hanging up the phone.

  I toss the phone onto the couch beside me, wondering if she’s right. Should I wear that dress?

  I roll my eyes and shake my head, clearing it of all the confusion.

  I guess I fell asleep, because the next thing I know, I’m waking up to someone beating on the door. I jump up from the couch and rush through the kitchen to answer it. I throw open the door, and there stands Amy, holding her makeup bag.

  I lean against the door frame and cross my arms over my chest. “What are you doing here?”

  She offers a wide smile. “I’m here to help you get ready for your date.” She pushes past me, walking into the kitchen.

  I close the door and spin around. “My mother put you up to this, didn’t she?”

  She freezes. “No?” I hear the question in that statement.

  “Ugh,” I groan as my shoulders fall and my head dips back so I’m staring at the ceiling.

  “She made me promise that I wouldn’t tell. But can you blame her? I mean, look at you.” She motions toward me. “He will be here in an hour, and you haven’t even showered yet.” She steps closer and sniffs me. “You smell like wet dog. Go shower.”

  “I’ve spent the day at the animal shelter,” I mumble as I head toward the bathroom.

  Ten minutes later, I’m stepping out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, when she barges through the door, her arms loaded down with supplies.

  “We’re going to apply some makeup—maybe give you a hint of a smoky eye. Then we’re going to straighten that hair until it’s silky smooth.” She drops her makeup bag onto the bathroom counter and plugs in the flat iron.

  “Uh, hello!” My eyes grow wide.

  “What?” She looks at me from over her shoulder.

  “I’m naked! Can’t this wait until I’m dressed?”

  “Fifty minutes and counting, Ves. What do you think?” She tilts her head to the side and lifts her brows.

  I pull my towel tighter around me. “Fine,” I mumble.

  “Go get some clothes on while this flat iron warms up.” She points toward my bedroom as I plug in my hairdryer.

  I basically stomp from the bathroom and into my bedroom like a spoiled teenage girl. Why in the hell didn’t they think I could do this on my own? I mean, I’ve been dressing myself for years now. And Amy, of all people, knows how I feel about this date. To me, it’s not a date. It’s just two people, that work together, getting to know one another a little better. There will be no goodnight kiss, no second date.

  I pull on a pair of sweatpants and a ratty old tank-top and head back to the bathroom where she has all her makeup pulled out from the case and laying it out on the counter.

  “Have a seat,” she says, pointing at the toilet.

  5

  Thirty minutes later, Amy steps away. “Okay, now you can look.”

  I stand in front of the mirror. My strawberry-blonde hair is sleek and smooth, framing my face and hanging to my mid-back. My green eyes practically look like they’re glowing from all the dark eyeshadow and eyeliner that surrounds them, and my face has angles and definition now that she’s contoured every possible inch that she could.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  I don’t look anything like myself. “I’m not sure,” I answer, turning my head to the left and then the right to see every angle. “I mean, it looks good. It just doesn’t look like me, you know?”

  She places her hands on my shoulders and peeks around my head to look at me through the mirror. “That’s kind of the point. You look hot!” She leans back and smacks me on the ass, to which I jump and swat her away.

  “Now, let’s get into the dress.”

  “I can do it by myself, thank you very much,” I chastise as I cross the hallway into my room.

  I pull off my sweats and slip on the dress. I slide on a pair of sky-high heels and look myself over in the mirror. The black lace hugs every curve of my body, making my breasts and hips appear more defined. The neckline is low, and the hem of the dress stops mid-thigh—showing off plenty of leg and cleavage.

  I step out of my room and walk down the hallway to find Amy standing in the living room, waiting for me the way an anxious mother waits for her daughter on prom night.

  “Oh my God, Ves!” she gushes as she rushes up and walks circles around me. “You look so beautiful! If this dress doesn’t get you laid, I don’t know what will.” Her eyes are wide with excitement, and her lips are turned up into a tight smile.

  “There will be no getting laid tonight,” I tell her with a stern look on my face.

  She rolls her blue eyes and her shoulders fall with disappointment. “Oh, come on! Live a little.”

  I walk past her, stuffing my keys and phone into my purse. “I still have to work with this guy for who knows how long. No way am I going to go and make that awkward by sleeping with him. We’re friends; that’s it.”

  “Fine. You’re such a stick in the mud.” She grabs her things. “Call me when you get back and let me know all the gritty details, so I can pass them to your Mom.” She laughs as she opens the front door and walks out, carrying out all the stuff she brought in.

  My phone chimes and I pull it from my purse.

  Tyler: It just occurred to me that I have no idea where you live.

  I laugh and type out my address before sending the message.

  I quickly pour Ace his dinner, and as soon as fatty hears the rattle of the food, he comes running. I squat down and pet his head, letting my hand run down his back and over his tail. “You’re lucky, Ace. I wish I could just sit around eating all day long.” He doesn’t look away from his dish. “And napping,” I add on. “We can’t forget napping.”

  I stand and refill his water dish, then grab my purse off the counter and look myself over in the mirror that’s hanging on the far wall of the kitchen. It doesn’t even feel like I’m looking at myself. I’m used to jeans and t-shirts, mini
mal makeup, and messy buns. Not sleek hair, layers upon layers of makeup, and a stuffy dress with painful heels. All I can do is thank my lucky stars that I’m not a girlie-girl.

  My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. I take a deep breath and step toward it, telling myself that everything will be alright.

  “Hey,” I say as I open the door to find Tyler on the other side, looking mouthwatering good, I might add. His dirty-blonde hair is styled nicely instead of being covered by an old, beat-up cowboy hat, and the sleeves of his black button-up shirt are rolled up to his elbows, showing his strong, tan forearms. It’s tucked in at the waist of his dark-wash Wranglers, and his big, silver belt buckle is front and center. Cowboy through and through.

  “You look…beautiful,” he breathes out as he leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.

  My face instantly flushes. “Thank you. Are those for me?” I point at the bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.

  “Oh, yes!” he says like he had forgotten he’s holding them.

  A giggle escapes my lips as I reach out and take the flowers. “I’ll just put these in some water and I’ll be ready to go. Would you like to step inside for a minute?” I leave the door open as I turn around, walking across the kitchen floor to take a vase from the cabinet.

  He steps into the small room and looks around. “You have a cat?”

  I place the flowers in the vase and begin filling it with water. “Yeah. His name is Ace. I’ve had him since I was a kid. He’s almost fifteen-years-old.”

  “I’m allergic to cats,” he states flatly, stepping as far away as he can.

  My eyes grow wide. “Oh, no. Let’s get out of here then.” I urge him toward the door before the sneezing fit can ensue.

  I lock the door behind me and follow him out to the parking lot where he stops at a brand-new Chevy truck. He hits the unlock button and opens the passenger side door for me.

  “Thank you,” I say, taking my seat.