Claimed By Him: (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Read online

  Claimed By Him

  A Contemporary Romance Collection

  Alexis Winter

  Just Friends

  MOUNTAIN RIDGE SERIES

  BOOK 1

  A Novel

  By

  ALEXIS WINTER

  ♥ Copyright 2019 by Alexis Winter - All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  I have it all…Money, cars, women and my ranch in the mountains.

  The last thing I want is a complicated woman I’d have to write a hefty check to just to get her attention.

  Then the spicy little veterinarian shows up on my ranch with an attitude bigger than she is and a body I want to claim.

  I didn’t know what I was missing until I had her in my bed.

  Only, she’s determined not to fall for me.

  I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to her I’m the man she wants…the man she needs.

  * * *

  Even if that means ruining every other man for her…including my own ranch hand.

  * * *

  She thinks I’m going to walk away?

  * * *

  Not happening. She’s mine…Forever.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Protect Me

  A Novel

  The arrogant bastard is back…

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Baby Shock

  A Novel

  Brooding, hotter than hell and everything I shouldn’t want…

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chaper 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Keep Reading For The Castille Hotel Series!

  Business & Pleasure

  A Novel

  Never mix business and pleasure

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Baby Mistake

  A Novel

  How to destroy your career in three easy steps…

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Fake It

  I can fake anything for fifty grand…

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Damaged

  I’m Damaged. Dark. Haunted.

  Also by Alexis Winter

  About the Author

  1

  “Ves, your next patient is here to see you,” Amy, my assistant, calls out to me from behind the counter in the waiting room.

  I quickly push my papers back into a neat stack and stand away from my desk, pulling my white coat on as I exit my office.

  As I walk out into the waiting room, I find Mrs. Stevens standing behind the counter, holding a little gray kitten to her chest.

  “Who do we have here?” I ask, closing the distance between us and gently rubbing the kitten on its head.

  Mrs. Stevens offers a wide smile that makes her blue eyes shine. “This is Lola. I found her in a box, on the side of the road. Can you believe someone would dump such an adorable kitten?”

  Hearing the news causes a bout of pain to surge through my chest. I don’t understand how people can be so cruel and heartless. “Well, it looks like she’s found a good home now. Haven’t you?” I pet the kitten, and she lets out a soft meow.

  “Let’s go back to exam room one and I’ll give her a once over before we start up her first round of vaccines.”

  I lead Mrs. Stevens and Lola back to the exam room and pull on my gloves. “How’s Mr. Stevens doing? I’m sure he’s just as much in love with this new kitten as you are.” I feel my lips turn up into a smile. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are one of my favorite couples in town. They take in all the stray animals in need without question. I can only hope to find a man that loves animals as much as the Stevens do. Already I dream about spending my future working on farmland that is overrun by animals.

  “He’s doing very well,” she says as I begin to examine the kitten. “He’s looking forward to this one getting a clean bill of health, so he can introduce her to the rest of the family.”

  “Well, she looks pretty healthy to me. I think she’ll just need some de-worming and some vaccines, then she’ll be good to go home and meet them all.” I pick the kitten up and hold it softly against my chest. “What do you think of that, Lola?” I ask, looking down at her.

  She replies by settling into my hand, purring
loudly as her green eyes close to enjoy all the attention she’s getting today.

  I gently hand her back to Mrs. Stevens. “Let me go get everything I need and I’ll be right back.” I pull off my gloves and leave the room to get the vaccines from the cooler in the back.

  Amy sticks her head through the swinging door as I’m preparing everything for Lola. “Hey, Ves, I just got a call about a horse at the O’Connor Ranch. Would you be able to drive up there and check her out?”

  I look at my watch before turning back to my work. “I can head that way as soon as I’m done with Lola. Do you have directions?” I look at her from over my shoulder.

  “I’ll have everything you need by the time you’re done.” She spins around, long dark curls fanning out behind her.

  I make my way back into the exam room with the tray of needed supplies. “Okay, Lola. Are you ready?” I ask as I pull on a fresh set of gloves.

  Mrs. Stevens places her back on the table and I pick up the syringe of de-worming solution. “How about we do the easy part first?” I place the end of the syringe against the kitten’s mouth and gently push down on the plunger, allowing her to taste the meat-flavored medication. With one lick, Lola falls in love, giving no trouble at all.

  “Good girl,” I coo, gently petting her head. “Was that good stuff?”

  The kitten meows, wanting more.

  “Okay, Lola, I’m going to give you the vaccine now. Hold still, and it will be very quick.” I pick up the syringe and uncap it. Pinching the fluff of her neck, I insert the needle and push down on the plunger, injecting the vaccine. Lola meows loudly, but by the time she begins to lose her patience, I’m already done and releasing her to run back to Mrs. Stevens.

  “All done,” I say as Mrs. Stevens picks Lola up against her chest.

  “Thank you, Vesper. You’re the best vet in town.” She smiles wide before looking back down at the little kitten in her hands.

  I laugh. “I’m the only vet in town.” I pull off my gloves, then reach out to pet Lola. “Hopefully, by the next time you see me, you’ll have forgotten all about that little poke.”

  Mrs. Stevens starts making her way out of the exam room and into the waiting room. I join her at the counter. “Amy, Lola will need a six-month check-up.”

  “Okay, would you like to go ahead and make that appointment now, Mrs. Stevens?”

  “Absolutely. We have to make sure we keep this little one healthy, don’t we?” she asks the kitten in her hands.

  “It was good seeing you again, Mrs. Stevens. Tell Mr. Stevens I said hello.” I make my way behind the counter, heading for my office.

  “I sure will, honey. And you tell your Daddy that I’m making some of that pineapple upside-down cake he loves so much.”

  I laugh. “You know if I do, he’ll be beating down your door for a slice.” I use my shoulder to push open the swinging door that leads to the back of the building.

  “That’s quite alright. We have enough to go around; don’t we, Lola?”

  I smile at the love she has for her new kitten. “Have a good day!” I say as I slip past the door to gather my things.

  I remove my white coat and hang it behind my office door as I make my way to the desk to shut down the computer and get my things. It’s already going on five, and the O’Connor Ranch is at least thirty minutes outside of town. Luckily, it’s mid-spring and daylight lasts a bit longer.

  I climb behind the wheel of my SUV and place my purse and medical bag in the passenger side seat as I program the address into my GPS. Immediately, I roll down all my windows, letting the warm Colorado air blow through the vehicle.

  I turn the radio up loudly as I drive through my small town—a town I’ve lived in my entire life, but also a town I love and never want to leave. I can’t help but notice the way it’s coming to life with the season. The trees have bright green leaves, and the grass is lush and starting to grow thick. Our little main street has potted plants lining the business fronts, helping to bring beauty and charm to the town.

  As I drive past County Line Road, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the rearview mirror. My strawberry blonde hair is blowing all around me from the air coming through the windows, and my green eyes are shining bright in the setting sun. I pull out my sunglasses and put them into place. Stopping at a stop sign, I pull the ponytail holder off my wrist with my teeth and tie my hair up into a messy bun. Looking both ways at the crossroad, I hit the gas and the car leaps forward, carrying me off to my destination.

  2

  The sun is starting to set, causing the sky to look like a swirl of watercolors—oranges, pinks, and purples. The mountain range up ahead is beautiful with the setting sun glistening off its peaks. The air is thick and warm and consumed by the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the wet earth from the spring shower we had earlier today.

  Some people might get bored staring at nothing but land and sky, but there is a beauty in it that I find comforting. I could never be bored looking at this view. There are a couple of foxes running wild through the field to my left, and I can’t help but watch them. My eyes quickly bounce from the road to the animals, and back. I’m so lost in watching them play and run that I almost drive right by the ranch.

  “You’ve arrived at your destination,” the GPS tells me.

  As I hit the brakes and slow down the car, the entrance of the property appears to my right. There is nothing but big, fenced-in fields. Off in the distance, through the trees, I get a glimpse of a red barn. It takes another half a mile of driving, but finally, I find the entrance and turn right, into the gravel.

  I make my way up the long drive that has thick trees on either side. Finally, the narrow road opens up, and the red barn comes into view. Further back on the property is the house that has been completely re-done in cedar siding with navy shutters and metal roof. It’s big for an old farmhouse out in these parts and looks to have a porch that wraps the entirety of the bottom level. There are a couple of old wooden rocking chairs lining the front porch, and multicolored flowers that are growing up the antique wagon wheels and shepherds’ hooks.

  I put the car in park and shut off the engine. Grabbing my medical bag, I step out, looking around the property.

  “You must be Vesper Lawrence, the vet I’ve heard so much about.”

  I tear my eyes away from the immaculate property and spin around to find a man in a cowboy hat walking toward me, holding out his hand to shake.

  “Yes, I’m Vesper. And you are?” I step forward, placing my hand in his.

  He removes his hat and bows his head. His short, dirty-blond hair a mess from being kept under a hat all day. “I’m Tyler Stern. I’m the ranch hand around here.” He offers a sweet smile, revealing his perfect teeth. His dark eyes seem to linger as he drinks me in. “I’m glad you could make it on such short notice.”

  I wave my hand through the air as my face heats up from his stare, dismissing the thought. “It wasn’t a problem.” I return his smile and bite my lower lip, hoping my embarrassment isn’t staining my cheeks. His white t-shirt is clinging to his bulging biceps as he places his hat back on his head and crosses his arms.

  “So…” I pull my eyes away from him and readjust the bag on my shoulder. “You have a sick horse?” I place my hand above my eyes, shielding them from the setting sun.

  “No, she’s not sick.” He turns around and motions with his hand for me to follow him into the barn. “I think she may be pregnant.”

  “Oh. When was she bred?” I ask, following him into the barn.

  He leads me to the horse stall before he turns around to face me. “She wasn’t exactly bred. One of our stallions made its way into her pasture. We don’t usually breed until summer.” He places his elbow on the top of the gate, leaning against it in a cocky sort of way.