Billionaire Boss by Meagan McKinney

sensible, get out an equity loan and pay him back. Then the fact that they’d had a little sex wouldn’t hurt so much. It wouldn’t leave her so vulnerable and hoping there might be more.
    Comforting herself, she knew she could be the queen of denial. They’d had a little sex, and it was no big deal. It meant nothing. No obligations on either side.
    She closed her eyes and let the water rundown her. Of course, she was fooling herself. Their night together had been the kind she would comfort herself with when she was old. Indeed, she’d finally known what it was like to be fully a woman, to make love with a man who neglected neither body nor soul.
    A small moan escaped her lips. They hadn’t used any birth control. There might be repercussions beyond just the two of them.
    It seemed unimaginable that she could have Seth’s child, but it was a possibility. Nature was something that had a will of its own. And if she did become pregnant, she knew she would have the child. He would be very much like Seth, yet untainted by money and cynicism.
    She shook her wet head, letting the drops spray across the marble tiles.
    No, starting now, she was the queen of denial. She wouldn’t think about all the consequences right now. She just really needed to focus on what she was going to say when she saw him next, how she would act, how she would smile and shrug off the most magical night of her life as no big deal.
    Queen of denial. Queen of denial, she kept repeating to herself like a chant.
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    She saw Seth out in a paddock working on one of his barrel racers. Coolly observing hisexpertise on the quarter horse, she walked up to the fence and perched on it.
    He spied her and loped toward her.
    â€œHowdy, ma’am,” he said in his best cowboy accent. He took off his hat to her.
    She smiled. He always looked particularly roguish and handsome in jeans and a flannel shirt.
    Losing her control, she imagined how wonderful it would be to have come to the paddock, given him a kiss and told him how much last night had meant to her….
    Queen of denial. Queen of denial.
    She let the smile freeze on her face. “I just wanted to see if you had anything you needed me to do. I have to go to town this afternoon. To take out an equity loan to pay you back for Mom’s house.”
    â€œDon’t bother.” He studied her, his eyes hooded beneath the straw brim of his hat.
    She shook her head. “I told you, I can’t accept the offer. It’s out of the question.”
    â€œI thought now was different. I mean, after last night I really don’t see the need to pay me back.”
    His words cut into her heart like a dull, serrated knife.
    He clearly thought she’d slept with him to get the house. She’d told him she wasn’t about to pay for it with her body, but from his point of view, he’d ponied up the cash and right after he’d paid, there she was, waiting for him on the couch, as pliable and complicit as a spoiled mistress.
    Choosing each word with care, she answered, “Last night changed nothing. I will pay you for the house.”
    â€œChanged nothing? Or meant nothing?” he demanded gruffly.
    â€œOf course it meant something. I had fun—didn’t you?”
    Her tone was light, her words breezy. Inside she was anything but that.
    She couldn’t believe the conversation. It was breaking her heart. But she had to remain collected. She had to save herself.
    Queen of denial. Queen, queen, queen…
    â€œFun?” He repeated the word dully, as if he didn’t understand it.
    â€œLook, I want to be gracious about the house, but I can’t accept the help, and I will be paying you back. I don’t want any strings. I said that before, and I’ll say it again—no strings.”
    His face took on a rock-hard cast.
    She could have sworn he said, “Holding outfor more, huh?” but before she could ask him to speak up, he