“But you said . . .”“What did I say, baby?”She huffed in a breath, expelling it long over her lips. “You said it wasn’t like that. That I have a choice. That you wouldn’t do something I didn’t want.”He sighed patiently, his gaze boring into her face. “Baby, it’s done. You don’t get a choice because the choice has already been made. And I’m not going to apologize for not discussing it with you beforehand. It was my choice to make. You belong to me. Told you from the start that I take that very seriously. That means I protect you. I do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe and well cared for.”“Would I have ever known if I hadn’t run into him?” she whispered.Ash immediately shook his head. Unapologetic. Gaze steady. Unwavering.“No. Not something I’d ever want you to know or even think about. I’m pissed because you had to see him at all.”She closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to shake off the buzzing in her ears. This was crazy, wasn’t it? Ash had taken a huge risk. Fo
She loved those words from his lips. His beautiful little submissive. The way he said it. So much tenderness and affection in his voice. And she knew what he was doing. She loved him even more for it. He was wiping away the thoughts of Michael. Of her relationship with him. The fact that he never gave back anything he took.Tonight Ash was offering her the most precious gift she could receive. Himself. His trust. Him relinquishing control to her.This was not a man who ever handed over control or dominance. And she didn’t delude herself. She was in charge but he would effectively be topping from the bottom. Because she knew he would still be in control. He would just be controlling her being in control.“Get on the bed,” she said huskily. “Flat on your back, head on the pillow. I want you to be comfortable.”“Baby, I have to say, you on top of me with me deep inside you? Doesn’t matter where I am. I’ll be comfortable.”She smiled and caressed his jaw before turning him toward the bed.
The wistful tone in her voice made Josie wince with sympathy. But she sat quietly, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.The waiter came and took their orders, and Ash leaned back, reaching for Josie. She slid into his side, their chairs mashed up against each other. His arm settled around her shoulders as he continued his conversation with Brittany.“So how long have you two been dating?” Brittany asked.Josie went still, her mouth suddenly unable to work. What could she say? They didn’t date. One could hardly call what they’d done dating. They’d bypassed that stage all together. And somehow, the word dating seemed so tame. Not at all indicative of the intensity of their relationship.“Josie and I have been together a while now,” Ash said easily.“Oh, that’s good. You look so good together. Tell me more about you, Josie. What do you do?”Apparently Ash hadn’t spoken of Josie to Brittany. Josie licked her lips, suddenly feeling self-conscious in front of his sister. No matter t
Ash smiled at his sister. “Be ready at seven. It’s Jace’s turn to ride herd so he’ll be around in a car. I’ll let him know to pick you up and to drop you back off when you’re done.”Her eyes glittered with excitement. In that moment, Josie was glad she’d issued the impulsive invitation.“Thank you for inviting me, Josie. It sounds like fun!”Josie smiled warmly at Ash’s sister and then reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Us girls have to stick together, right?”Brittany grinned back. “Yep. And with guys like Ash around, it’s even more important not to let them get one over on us.”“Hey,” Ash defended.Josie elbowed him in the gut and he pretended to double over in pain.“Let’s finish eating. Not going to let that bitch ruin the meal for us,” Ash proclaimed. “You have to get back to work, Britt, and Josie and I have some shopping to do.”Brittany’s eyes rounded. “Shopping? You?”Ash glared at her. “Some things are worth going shopping for. Like the results of this shopping t
“Now there’s an idea,” Mia drawled. “Our own private club. It has a certain ring to it.”Bethany snorted as they piled out. “All you’d have to do is tell Gabe you want one and he’d buy it for you.”Mia grinned. “This is true.”“Chessy, Gina and Trish are already inside waiting at the table,” Caroline explained.Then a big, goofy smile attacked her face and Josie glanced up to see what she was looking at.A tall, very muscular, very hot guy stood there, smiling indulgently. He had a goatee and he wore an earring in his left ear. It was obvious, judging by the way Caroline looked at him and the way he looked at her, that this had to be Brandon, the bouncer. He certainly looked the part.“Ladies,” he greeted. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your table.”“You did awesome, Brandon,” Mia said, patting him on the shoulder. “Caro’s ring is gorgeous!”He smiled. “Glad you approve. I wanted her to have the perfect ring. It’s only fair. I get the perfect girl so she gets the perfect ring.
Neither man had any issue with their women going out and having fun because afterward they came home to them and the reward was pretty spectacular.His cell phone rang, and he picked it up immediately, thinking it might be Josie. He hoped the evening was going well and that she was relaxed and having fun.He frowned when he saw his doorman’s name as the incoming call.“Ash,” he said shortly.“Mr. McIntyre, you have visitors in the lobby. They wanted to go up, but I called first. They say they’re your parents.”“Oh Jesus,” Ash muttered. Just kill him now. They had to be here tonight of all nights? They’d never set foot in his apartment building, just as they’d never set foot in his office building either. Hell, before the lunch his mother had intruded on earlier in the week, he seriously doubted they’d ever stepped into one of his hotels either.Such a move reeked of desperation. His mother had wanted to “talk” after making her scene in the restaurant and he’d let her know in no uncert
“I’ll be back to check on you in a little while,” Brandon said to Caroline as he brushed a kiss over her lips.Caroline flopped onto the comfortable couch next to Josie. Mia took the other side of Caroline and Bethany perched on the arm.“So you’re moving to Las Vegas,” Mia murmured.Tears filled Caroline’s eyes. “Yeah. Brandon wants to get married before we go. We have six weeks to find a place to live there, get married and move out there before he starts his new job. Mr. Wellington is being fabulous about everything. He’s paying for relocation and also helping with the down payment on the house. He’s very serious about Brandon and wants him to consider this a long-term position. He’s doubling Brandon’s salary so we won’t have to worry about money and I have plenty of time to find a job out there.”“That’s wonderful, Caro,” Mia said softly. “But I’ll miss you terribly.”“We all will,” Bethany amended. “Girls’ night out just won’t be the same without you!”Caroline hugged them both a
Thank God Brandon was out waiting for them. The line was still long. They would have never gotten in if it weren’t for Brandon.“Do I even want to know?” Gabe asked Brandon as they headed in.Brandon laughed. “No, I doubt it. They had a good night, though. Nobody messed with them. The club owner hung out with them most of the night and security is always tight around him.”“Who is this club owner and why the fuck was he hanging with our women?” Ash demanded.Brandon laughed again. “Not women. Just one. He seems pretty interested in Brittany. He’s been velcroed to her all night and that’s not like him. He’s never short on women to keep him company, but it’s rare for him to seek a woman out like he did Brittany.”Ash scowled. The man needed to stay away from his sister.Brandon led them up a short flight of stairs to the second level where many private boxes and open tables formed a semicircle above the dance floor. At the door, Brandon knocked softly and it opened, revealing Jace and a
Ava nearly snorted. Since Petra lived in a fifteen-million-dollar apartment on Park Avenue, her little cocktail party probably meant a guest list of fifty, a black tie affair with a quartet from the New York Philharmonic providing entertainment.“As a matter of fact, I won’t allow you to say no, Ava.”“Be honest, Petra. How elaborate is this party? And what’s the dress code?”Petra sighed. “Twenty guests. Just appetizers. New York casual. Really, it’s practically a barbecue.”Ava laughed at the image of stylish, elegant and immaculately coiffed Petra in jeans and a gingham-checked shirt, serving fried chicken.“Glad I amuse you. Show up any time after seven-thirty. And feel free to bring the gentleman in the hat. Ta.”The gentleman in the hat might be optional after he got wind of their tabloid appearance.Almost on cue, the door opened and Chase walked in.She should be used to his jaw-dropping physique by now. The massive biceps, bulging triceps, thick forearms, bulked up chest, the
“No fucking way in hell.”Ava walked over to sit on the edge of the rumpled bed. “What’s going on with you?”“Nothin’.”“Bullshit. Talk to me.”Chase crossed his arms over his chest. “You wanna hit the pricey stores on Fifth Avenue tomorrow? Fine. That’s your thing. Not mine. I’m sure you have girlfriends who’d love to shop with you for a few hours while you’re in town. You’ve probably already lined up a car service. You don’t need me. And you shouldn’t expect me to trail behind you, carrying your bags and standing around like a fucking idiot while you’re pawing though purses.”Her eyes narrowed. “You’re too manly for that?”He rolled to his feet on the opposite side of the bed. “Yes. And you’d be wise to remember I ain’t a lap dog like Jake neither.” He slammed the bedroom door behind him and grabbed another beer—his third of the night.Christ. He should’ve known. Ava Dumond was fine being with a dirty rodeo cowboy in his world, but when it came to Ava Cooper’s world, he didn’t measu
“How is it any different than sponsors fawning over you?”He scowled over his shoulder. “Big difference. Trust me.”At a loss of how to deal with his reaction to their economic disparity, she retreated to the opposite sitting area. Less than fifteen minutes ago they were as physically close as possible. Chase had looked her in the eye and assured her he knew her. Were those just babbled words uttered in a moment of lust?She’d shared every facet of herself with him. Ava never lied about her family background. Could he only deal with her when she was in his world? A transplanted city girl who had to rely on him for everything?It didn’t matter if he didn’t want her to be this Ava. Truth was, this was the real her.Chase had known her family had money.To think he’d been afraid a Hollywood actress was out of his league? That was a drop in the bucket compared to seeing her as the billion-dollar baby.He needed a drink. He correctly guessed which cabinet held the minibar and opened it, sn
That forceful statement delivered in his masculine growl sent a curl of heat through her. Yes, she’d missed this sexual part of Chase because it was such an important part of who he was. “I wouldn’t dream of horning in on your territory.”They exited the plane and wended through the crowd at baggage claim. After Chase hefted their luggage, Ava led him to the area where private transportation companies waited. A man in a black sports coat stepped in front of another guy wearing a gray pinstriped suit. “Miss Cooper?”“Yes.”“I’m Gino. I hope your flight was enjoyable.”The young man attempted to take the duffel bags from Chase, earning a dark scowl as Chase increased his grip on the luggage. “I’ve got it.”“That’s fine, sir. The car is this way, please.”The heat and stench assaulted her as they left the cool comfort of the terminal. God. The noise didn’t bother her, but somehow she’d forgotten how rank the city smelled in the summer months—garbage, urine, grease and exhaust fumes.Gino
Time passed in a vacuum of misery.After she heard the toilet flush for the third time, she curled her palm around the handle, praying he hadn’t started locking the door. The door swung open with a loud squeak.Chase sat on the floor, his face hidden in his hands. He said, “Get out,” in that dangerously low tone.She parked herself next to him, hip to hip. When he didn’t bark at her to leave, she placed her hand on his knee, wondering if he’d accept her need to soothe him.Try.“You want some water?” she asked.No answer.She counted to one hundred. “Chase? Do you need—”“I don’t need anything. Just go.”“I can’t.”“Don’t you understand? I don’t need you.”Ava ignored the sharp pang his words caused. “But I need you.”Chase slowly lifted his head and looked at her with red-rimmed eyes. “What?”The stark misery had her reaching for him without conscious thought. “Don’t turn me away. It’s ripping me up to see you like this. I need to help you. Tell me how. Please.”“You can’t.”“Can’t w
“No. They haven’t told me anything.”“Did you call someone to wait with you?”“My boyfriend is on his way. I won’t call the rest of my family until I know what’s going on. I appreciate you coming. I know Ryan will appreciate it too. It can be a group effort to chew his ass for worrying us once they let us see him.”“Anything I can get you?” Ava asked. “A drink? Something to eat? A blanket?”Jackie shook her head and continued pacing.Chase wanted to bust through the swinging doors and get some answers. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he braced his shoulders against the cement wall, his stomach too queasy to pace.Time dragged. The click of Jackie’s heels competed with the beeping machines that echoed from the nurse’s station.Ava left him alone. She left Jackie alone too. The three of them were the only ones in the waiting room, but they might as well have been miles apart.The doors opened.“Jackie Ackerman?” a woman wearing blue scrubs asked.“Yes. I’m here. I’m Jackie.”The woman
Once they’d reached Jackson Hole, Chase found a luxury resort and surprised Ava by booking a suite. She’d actually teared up when he arranged for two hours of in-room spa treatments and left her alone to be pampered.While she was getting massaged, he took his truck for an oil change and called his family to catch up. Maybe it stung a bit, their shock he’d contacted them without prompting. But Chase was determined to prove he could make changes in all areas of his life and stick to them.“What are you thinking about?” Ava asked.Chase grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “How fantastic these last six days have been. Just me’n you seeing the sights. Hanging out with my friend. Then you rockin’ my world in bed and out of it.”She permitted a smug smile. “I did, didn’t I?”After driving through Riverton, Ava suggested they drive up to Thermopolis to see the famous hot springs. Then she surprised him and booked a room at a bed and breakfast joint that boasted a small private hot spring.
“Well, that is your job. Take care.” And she hung up as Chase entered the room.“Who was on the phone?”“Hannah.” Fibbing didn’t feel right, but Chase would insist she go back to LA. Even when he wasn’t the only reason she’d said no. Her gaze flicked to her laptop. She’d made progress on her project and hoped to have something tangible to show Chase in the next week, especially since he’d mentioned her secretiveness about it today.“Is everything all right?”“Yes. But save the soda for later. Right now I need a beer.”At the rodeo grounds they scarfed down Indian tacos and drank beer. They chose seats at the top of the bleachers, away from the main crowd.Chase watched her digging in her bag. “I’m surprised you brought your cameras.”“My cinematography efforts haven’t been solely focused on you, you know.” She wanted to video Ryan’s ride. The long angle from the stands would be a nice contrast to the rest of the footage she’d shot.She fiddled with the zoom function. Looky there. Two
He’d never seen Tell so mad. And what sucked is Chase didn’t blame him for his fury because Tell hadn’t said a thing that Chase hadn’t considered.But you discarded the guilt and did what you wanted anyway, didn’t you?“Look. I’m sorry.”“Goddamn right you should be. Does your family know you’ve done this?”He shook his head.“And why is that?” Tell let the pause linger. “Because you know it’s wrong. They’d tell you it’s wrong, and they’d kick your ass until you made it right. I look at you and I feel like I don’t know you at all.” Tell stormed off, stopping when he reached the metal fence by the livestock gate. His fingers curled around the rail and he stared across the arena, his posture vibrated with anger.Why hadn’t Chase considered he might run into his cousin while skipping from event to event in Tell’s jurisdiction?Because once again you only thought about yourself.Seemed to be a theme.Chase slumped against the corral and waited for the impending ass-chewing from his upstan