Maybe she should be offended by his crass compliment, but it made her heart sing. She couldn’t help but smile when he took her hand and led her into the venue through the back entrance.The stage had already been assembled by a combination of temporary workers and Sinners’ regular roadies. Marcus was barking orders like a general. He scowled when he noticed Rebekah. That scowl deepened when he saw that Eric was holding her hand.“Your drums are behind the stage,” Marcus said, before turning to find some other temp to bellow at.“He doesn’t like me,” Rebekah told Eric.“Do I need to kick his ass?”She rolled her eyes and shook her head.“I’ll do it. I will. Say the word.”“Stop it, Eric. Let’s get your drum kit set up.”They started with the bass drums. He explained how important it was to get the three of them in the proper order. “Or I’ll sound like shit.”“I seriously doubt that.”They worked on the toms next and then the cymbals. He placed his stool in the center of the kit and too
She found that hard to believe. “Well, I’m not most girls.”“That’s what I like about you most.”And there he was just blurting it all out in the open, giving her no time to reflect or ponder or wonder. She knew exactly where he stood. She found it strangely refreshing after all the head games her mother and Isaac had put her through over the past several years.“I haven’t decided what I like about you most,” she said with a teasing grin. “There’s just so much to like.”Eric’s breath caught, and she found herself wrapped in his long arms and crushed against his hard chest. “Where have you been all my life?” He kissed the top of her head, his heart thudding like a bass drum against her ear.Someone cleared his throat behind them.“Go away,” Eric insisted and squeezed Rebekah more tightly.“We need to rehearse, Sticks,” Sed said in an amused tone. “You can cuddle with your new girl later.”Eric eased away slightly, and she craned her neck to look up at him.“Can I cuddle with you later?
He sought her lips and kissed her deeply.“You’re incredible,” he said into her mouth. He drew her closer. Kissed her more deeply, stroking her tongue with his and sucking her lips with tender abandon. His hand cupped her breast and squeezed. This was totally the wrong place, but she wanted him fiercely. And she wanted to be straight with him. To tell him about herself. If he was going to keep coming back for more, she felt she owed it to him.“Eric,” she gasped and pulled away. He bent to nibble on her earlobe. She shuddered violently, her fingers digging into his hard chest. “Eric, not here.”“This is what I want to do to your clit right now,” he whispered. He sucked on her earlobe and stroked it rapidly with the tip of his tongue.“Oh God,” she panted, her clit swelling in response.“And your pu**y.” His tongue dipped into her ear.Her pu**y pulsed in response. “I need…” Oh, wow. “I need to tell you.”“Tell me?” The husky timbre of his voice had swollen, pulsing parts throbbing inc
She approached him and pulled his sweaty T-shirt over his head. If anyone needed a shower after a live show, it was him.“Now your pants,” she said, her fingertips trailing down one side of his chest to his rib cage. She snagged his nipple ring on the way down and tugged it just hard enough to make his belly tighten.Eric kicked off his shoes and lifted his hips from the bench to remove his jeans and underwear.She leaned over him, her fingertips skimming the length of his cock. His entire body jerked at her attention. “I know I said you weren’t going to get lesson two until tomorrow, but I’m going to be proven a liar. I am so going to suck your c**k tonight. Probably more than once. I want your cum in my mouth. To taste it. To feel it hit the back of my throat. To swallow it.”He groaned.“Do you want that?”He nodded.She glanced over his shoulder. “Is there a lock on that door?”Her words took awhile to register. Her close proximity and promises of coming in her mouth had all ratio
He paused in front of Rebekah and she looked up at him, all beautiful and sweet and delicate. No way could she have some ulterior motive. Right?“Before I do something all stupid like fall in love with you, tell me exactly why you’re with me tonight,” he blurted.Her eyes widened as if she’d been caught doing something wrong, and Eric’s heart plummeted into his belly. Great. Just f**king wonderful. She did have some scheme planned. Did she want his money? Someone in the band wrapped around her finger as job security? A way to get closer to Trey? What?“You’re going to make me say it?” she asked uneasily.“Yeah. I’ve been nothing but honest with you. I think you should be just as honest with me.”She flushed and struggled to maintain eye contact. “Okay. You… you make me feel special.”“And?” he pressed. “What else?”“That’s it.”“That’s it?”“Well, that, and I like to be with you.” She placed a hand on his abdomen and leaned closer. “I like you, period.”He couldn’t help but grin. “Yea
He laughed. “That’s not a fantasy, baby.”“Maybe not for you, but it is for me.” Arms overloaded with purchases, she tilted her head back and offered her lips. “We need to go. It’s getting late.”He kissed her. “Yeah, we’ve both had a long day. We’ll probably just fall asleep as soon as we find a bed.” He glanced at her sidelong, giving her a chance to back out if she wanted to.She chuckled in the back of her throat. “You’ll be lucky if I let you sleep at all. I’m ready to have fun. I hope you’re ready to be up all night.”He smiled. She still wanted him, even knowing he was far more Mr. Porn Star than Mr. Romance. His arms full, he nudged her toward the checkout. While Rebekah oversaw the process, Eric browsed an aisle for various oils. He caught Rebekah sneaking things into their pile of purchases when she thought he wasn’t looking.Standing at the counter beside Rebekah, a display caught his eye. He lifted the package and read its contents. “They have numbing condoms I could try,”
“Ah God, that feels good.” She gasped, her head falling back as she rode him and rubbed her clit against his perfectly placed fingers. Her pleasure built slowly. She was nearing her peak when Eric grabbed her hips to hold her down on his shaft as he shuddered in bliss.“Fuck,” he cried. When his trembling stilled, he whispered, “Sorry.” Eric forced his unfocused eyes open.She leaned forward and kissed him. “It’s okay,” she assured him. “Stop apologizing.”“Did you come?”She was tempted to lie and tell him that she had, but they’d started this relationship with honesty, and she wasn’t about to lie now. “Not yet.”“I really am sorry. You just feel so good. I can’t focus on anything but your Certified Grade A pu**y.”“My what?”He closed one eye and winced. “Certified… Grade A… pussy…”She chuckled and shook her head. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”“You should,” he insisted. “Few pussies get that distinction.”“I was close, Eric. I just needed another minute, and I would have come.”
She stroked his hair with both hands. “What do you mean? You aren’t having second thoughts, are you?” She could feel him slipping through her fingers already. It wasn’t fair. She knew they should have taken things more slowly. She shouldn’t have spouted her feelings so carelessly. She wished she could take the words back.“No one has ever loved me before. Not really. Not for who I am. Maybe for what I could give them, but not for me.”Her breath caught. She was so glad she couldn’t take the words back, because she meant them. “I love you for who you are, Eric.” She hugged him closer. “I do.”“Last night when I was delirious with pleasure it was easy to believe. Now…” He looked up at her. The loneliness in his blue eyes stole her breath. “I’m sorry. I should learn to keep my mouth shut.”“So when you were delirious with pleasure you believed that I love you, but now that your head’s clear, you don’t?”“I don’t know. I want to believe it.”“I guess there’s only one thing to do in a situ
Ava gave Hannah an arch look. “Besides I know how damn good the man looks in chaps?"“Smartass. But really, what’s the point after Chase’s meltdown last night?”Her heart seized, thinking about how Chase had lost it on live TV. She’d wanted to jump through the screen and drag him off to comfort him. Assure him that not every wreck would have the same outcome as Ryan’s. Assure him she’d be there for him no matter what.“I know you can hear me, Ava, so stop ignoring—”“Ssh… They’re giving the injury report on Dirk.”The camera cut to an interview with the head of the sports medicine team. When he finished detailing the bull rider’s injuries, the announcer asked his opinion on Chase McKay’s comments about mandatory safety helmets. The doctor looked directly into the camera and said, “Helmets save lives. Period.”The camera returned to the main announcers. Their on-air banter circled to rider standings on tour and current matchups with bulls for the final round. When the list of the fifte
Ava gave Hannah an arch look. “Besides I know how damn good the man looks in chaps?”“Smartass. But really, what’s the point after Chase’s meltdown last night?”Her heart seized, thinking about how Chase had lost it on live TV. She’d wanted to jump through the screen and drag him off to comfort him. Assure him that not every wreck would have the same outcome as Ryan’s. Assure him she’d be there for him no matter what.“I know you can hear me, Ava, so stop ignoring—”“Ssh… They’re giving the injury report on Dirk.”The camera cut to an interview with the head of the sports medicine team. When he finished detailing the bull rider’s injuries, the announcer asked his opinion on Chase McKay’s comments about mandatory safety helmets. The doctor looked directly into the camera and said, “Helmets save lives. Period.”The camera returned to the main announcers. Their on-air banter circled to rider standings on tour and current matchups with bulls for the final round. When the list of the fifte
“After a few years, we started having you boys and… Well, my life was busy. Good. Happy. But I never forgot about that sweet baby boy I held in my arms for one short hour. Not a single day went by that I didn’t wonder about him. Pray his life was good. Pray he was loved.”*****Gavin’s eyes were on the shot glass he rolled between his fingers.“So I was shocked when your Aunt Kimi confronted me after your grandpa Jed died. She said one night Jed was loopy on pain meds and he told her that my father told him that I was pregnant. My father bragged to Jed I’d rather give the baby up than have it raised in a godless home as a McKay. Which was a total lie, but Jed must’ve believed it. After Kimi told me that, I finally understood why Jed never liked me and why he refused to live with us.”“Aunt Kimi never told Uncle Cal?” Chase asked.“No. But she told your Aunt Carolyn.”Gavin said nothing.“When did you tell Dad?” Ben asked gently.“Right after Quinn and Libby got back together.” She loo
Quinn? Yes.Ben? Yes.His folks? Absolutely.And probably any other McKay relation he called.They were just that way. They might fight like cats and dogs, but when it came down to it, family was everything. And he would do everything to reclaim his place in his family.“Chase?”“I’m here. Just figuring the logistics. If I leave now, I can be there by noon tomorrow. Is that early enough?”“You’re really not gonna compete in the final round and you’re coming home?” Ben said with total shock.“Hard to believe, but yeah. I’ve realized there are more important things than those eight seconds I spend on the back of a bull. I ain’t gonna be the one who lets Mom and Dad down.”Ben was very quiet.“What?”“You have changed. I’m looking forward to seein’ you. Drive safe.”Immediately after Chase hung up he called Elroy.“You’d better not be calling me to bail you outta jail, McKay,” Elroy barked.“Good morning to you too, sunshine. I’ll keep this brief. I have a family emergency in Wyoming and
“Me.”“And who are you?”Gavin took a deep breath. “I believe I’m your son.”****The crowd roared behind him, ready to party at the PBR on a Saturday night.Chase braced himself. The PBR’s newest female reporter, a fiery redhead named Lissa, stuck the microphone in his face as soon as he cleared the contestant gate. He’d been expecting it since he’d avoided an on camera interview last night. To ensure his cooperation, the cameraman blocked him in. Bastard.“We’re here with Chase McKay after that amazing ninety-one point ride on Devil’s Due. Congratulations, Chase, that’s gotta feel good to be back on top.”He focused on the woman and not the camera. “It does. Especially after an extended break and such a poor showing in Dallas.”“Tell us about the ride.”“Well, Devil’s Due is an ornery little cuss and highly unpredictable, so I wasn’t sure if he’d go into spin mode tonight or hopscotch around. Luckily I was able to stay with him no matter what he did.”“So the past few weeks you’ve b
“Okay. Thanks.”“And if that doesn’t work? Go with plan B.”Her mother, businesswoman extraordinaire, always had a backup plan. “And what is that?”“Track him down, tie him up and force him to listen to reason. It helps if you’re naked. And holding beer.”“Ah, Mom. I don’t think that will work.”“It sure did with your dad. Good luck, sweetie, keep in touch.”Ava packed her bag and booked a commercial flight to LA.“Why am I so nervous?” Ava asked Hannah, two days later.“I’ll tell you what I think after the audition.” Hannah straightened Ava’s miniskirt for the third time.“That’s not helping my nerves.” She tried not to think that Chase would know exactly what to say to her to calm her down. The door to the conference room opened and a long-legged blond strolled out. “We’re ready for you, Miss Cooper.”Ava squeezed Hannah’s hand and followed Corporate Casting Barbie into the conference room. Well, at least this production company didn’t have the clichéd casting couch. Ava chose the c
“No. And here’s fair warning: that is not a topic of discussion. With you. Or anyone else.”“Never thought I’d be happy to hear you say ‘no comment’ and mean it. Warms the cockles of my cold PR heart, McKay.”“You’re a riot. What else?”“The PBR is picking up your transportation expenses. You’re in New York now?”“Yeah.”“I can’t get you to Wichita directly—”“Book me into Omaha. I left my truck there. I’ll drive to Wichita.”“Done. What day you wanna leave?”“Today. As soon as possible.”Ava stared at him with shock.“The event isn’t for another couple days.”“I’m aware of that. But there are other things I need to take care of first.”Elroy sighed. “Fine. Contact me when you get to Kansas. And I don’t gotta remind you no press unless you’re escorted by a PBR media liaison.”“I get it. I’ll keep in touch.”“Good.” Elroy hung up.Chase returned to the bedroom and picked up his bag.“You’re leaving? Just like that?”“Yep.”“No discussion. No yelling, no hashing it out?”“What is there
Evidently he hadn’t realized she’d set up a goddamn camera in their room either.He hit the pause button, his head spinning, his gut churning, his thoughts focused on one awful thing.Betrayal.Yes, he knew she’d been taping all the fucking time, but he had no idea she’d been making a goddamned movie. The whole time they were together. To think he’d invited her to share his experiences on the road. He froze. Wait a second. He hadn’t invited her. She’d invited herself. Offering a convincing argument about wanting to see real life outside her poor, privileged upbringing.But Chase sure as hell hadn’t encouraged her to creep around, sticking that camera in everyone’s face. Capturing their private moments. Having no shame in using them for her own gain. For a woman who claimed to hate the intrusion of paparazzi, she’d become damn good at acting like one of them. She’d promised him she wouldn’t show her home movies to anyone.A new thought chilled his blood. Did Ava have footage of Ryan’s
“So I’ll think of you whenever I wear it.” Like I’ll ever stop thinking of you. Ava tried really hard not to cry, but a couple of tears slipped free. The last man who’d given her jewelry had been her grandfather.“Ava?” Chase tipped her face up. “Ah, hell. Don’t cry. I told you that you can take it back.”She made a sound half-laugh, half-sob. “No way am I taking it back, McKay. It’s beautiful. Perfect. I love it. Thank you.”The guardedness in his eyes vanished. “You’re welcome.”Chase paced in the hotel room, glaring at his phone. He hadn’t minded that the fucker hadn’t worked at all yesterday, since he and Ava had spent the whole day in their room, most of it in bed after they’d returned early in the morning from the penthouse.Dammit. He needed to access his email. Nothing was showing up on his phone. And he’d been in such a hurry to get away from the sorrow in Nebraska he’d accidentally left his laptop in his truck at the Omaha airport.His gaze landed on Ava’s computer on the de