“No kidding.”Skylar froze. Not only were these women confiding something incredibly personal in her, neither of them realized Eliza’s existence was due to lack of a condom. Which meant Kade hadn’t told anyone the down and dirty details about their initial encounter.“Oh, crap.” Macie clapped a hand over her mouth and raced out of the tent.“Poor thing. I’ll see if I can’t track Kade down for you,” AJ said.Skylar’s respite was short-lived. A gorgeous woman with legs up to her armpits, sporting the dark McKay hair and sparkling blue eyes approached her.“This is the girl muscling in on my territory.”“Excuse me?”“Can I hold her?”“Maybe you oughta introduce yourself first,” Chassie suggested from behind her.“Oh. I’m Keely McKay.”“Ah. The prodigal McKay daughter,” Skylar said. “I’ve heard about you.”“Don’t believe any of it. All lies perpetrated by my brothers and cousins to distract everyone from their wild ways.”Skylar handed Eliza to her and Keely cradled the baby like a pro.“
“I’ll fill you in, since I see the questions in your eyes but you’re too polite to ask, which will change once you’re firmly in the bosom of the buttinsky McKays. Quinn and I have been married the longest of any of his cousins and we’re the only ones without kids.So at family functions I hear that question over and over, until I snap at perfect strangers.” She smiled again. “Ignore me. Everyone else does.” Her eyes focused on an object over Skylar’s shoulder. “Well, well, speak of the ignorant devil. There’s my darling husband now. I’ll head him off at the pass and spare you from our marital spat.”Libby met a stocky man with his hat pulled down so low Sky couldn’t see his face.They fought. Not loudly, but body language spoke more than words anyway. The fight didn’t last long. Libby stomped off and her husband didn’t chase her down. He just watched her go. Didn’t appear airing family grievances was better than keeping them bottled up for Quinn and Libby. The scene bothered Sky enoug
Skylar whimpered at the contrasting sensations. His tight grip on her wrists. The feather light touches on her pussy as he sucked the air from her lungs and common sense from her brain.Gradually his fingers slipped beneath the elastic and into the slippery wetness. He thrust his fingers inside her and she twisted from his hold.Her freed hands zeroed in on his belt buckle.“Guess I’m gonna hafta remind you who’s in charge later.”“Fine. Whatever. Help me get these damn jeans off—”Laughing softly, he said, “I love that you’re impatient,” and stripped the denim to the tops of his boots, clamping his hands on her ass. “Wrap your legs around my waist as I lift you up.”“I’m too heavy—” earned her four sharp smacks on her ass that stung like a bitch.“Hey!”“More where that came from if you say shit like that again.”He hoisted her against the wall. His cock impaled her in one swift movement.Skylar gasped.“Ssh.” He kissed her and began to thrust slow and steady.She wreathed her arms a
Once Eliza was in her car seat in the back of the deluxe cab, and they were driving down the dusty road, Skylar scooted across the bench seat to sit right next to Kade. She set her head on his shoulder and sighed.Kade didn’t say a word. He just wrapped his arm around her and smiled like he knew exactly what she was thinking.Her last thought before she floated into sleepy contentment was maybe she wasn’t so smart to keep saying no to this man.*****The second they walked in the door, Eliza was all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.When it became obvious the baby wasn’t interested in napping, Skylar begged off to finish paperwork at the manufacturing plant.Kade had noticed a few things outside Skylar’s place that needed further inspection.He tied a hat on Eliza’s head, and dressed her in an outfit which completely covered her lily-white skin. Took him some time to decipher how the baby pack worked. Once he’d strapped her to his belly, facing forward so she could see the world, her legs
He said, “That’s a fine choice, me hearty lass,” and started toward her.“I’m going. But I don’t mind telling you I’m a little nervous.”“You should be, darlin’, ’cause I am a force to be reckoned with when it comes to ropes.” To prove it, he snapped one rope low to the floor, and a crack reverberated through the air, loud as a gunshot.Skylar took off like a bullet.Kade waited a full five minutes before he followed her, as he let the scenarios run in his head.Nothing painful. Nothing degrading. Nothing but her at his mercy.A dark thrill zipped through him, potent as whiskey.The bedroom door was ajar. Lamplight spilled across the carpet into the hallway. No candles. He’d been half-afraid candles would cast the room with a dungeon-like vibe and he didn’t want her to be scared. Kade wanted Skylar turned on beyond compare.She sat in the middle of the bed, knees drawn up to her chest, eyeing the ropes attached to the wooden posts, not with curiosity, or fear, but with resignation.Be
Kade’s thighs were clenched tight as he pumped his hips into her face. He loved to watch his cock tunneling in and out of her mouth. Loved to see the flush on her cheeks.Loved the feminine look of power and surrender in her eyes.When she began to suck hard, hollowing her cheeks, well, Kade went a little crazy.He pushed a bit deeper, thrust faster at the visual of her lips stretched around his girth.“Skylar.” Careening over the edge of insanity, he plunged in and gripped her head, keeping it still as his cock emptied down the back of her throat. He groaned at the sensation of those strong throat muscles working as she swallowed until he had nothing left.He slipped his cock from her mouth, and rested his head on her belly, catching his breath.Her voice was just above a whisper. “I wish I could touch you. Kade, untie me. Please.”“No.” Kade scattered kisses over her stomach, surprised his dick was raring to go again. “I’m gonna fuck you like this. Putting my hands, my mouth, my ton
“Sure. I promised Eliza a pony. I think I promised to buy her a Corvette when she turned sixteen to get her to stop bawlin’ tonight.”“Sucker.”“Well, it didn’t work, so I don’t think it counts. Anyway, I thought I’d talk to Cord about gettin’ us a coupla horses so we can go ridin’ when the mood strikes us. And that chicken coop is in good shape if you wanna try your hand at raisin’ chickens. Ma has some great setters. She’d be happy to getcha started.”“Is this where you make a crack like ‘horse feathers’ to the city slicker when I say yes to ponies and hens?”Kade snickered.The swing creaked as they rocked. Night sounds surrounded them in a soothing outdoor lullaby.He asked, “Can you smell that sweet scent?”“Mmm-hmm.”“What kind of flower is that?”She inhaled. “Which one? The faint floral of the petunias? The pungent pepper of the marigolds? The sugary sweetness of the sweet peas? Or the heavy perfume of the clematis?”“You can tell the difference between all of them? That’s ama
Had Kade ever picked up diapers and formula? She wandered into the living room and saw Eliza on a blanket on the floor and Kade lying on his side next to her.He said, “I think she’s gonna roll over soon.”“She’s too young.”“Not accordin’ to Brazelton. Lookit how fast she’s kickin’ them legs. Any time now she’s gonna be rockin’ and rollin’, ain’t you, baby girl?”Eliza grinned and made a goo noise.That girl was shameless when it came to charming her daddy.“You know, I think she’s teethin’, that’s why she’s been so cranky.”“Could be.”“Isn’t she supposed to be gettin’ another round of shots at four months?”“Yeah. I haven’t made the appointment yet.”“Huh. Well, we don’t want her fallin’ behind schedule. Be best if it was taken care of right away.”Skylar crossed her arms over her chest. “Why don’t you take care of it? Eliza sees Dr. Monroe. She’s in Moorcroft. Set it up in one of the convenient Monday through Friday, nine-to-five timeslots, wait with other sick kids for two hours
“I believe you. I’m sorry I left the way I did. I had a lot of time to think between Omaha and Wichita.”“About us?”“That and some other stuff.”“Like what?”“I’ve been thinkin’ about safety issues and helmets and all that since Ryan died. And then after what happened to Dirk, I realized I wanna do more than talk about it; I wanna act on it. It’s a murky idea right now, but I have an opportunity to make a difference and I’m going to take it.” He kissed her just because he could, because she was here with him, where she belonged. “Enough about that. Tell me how long you were in LA, because Hollywood, I was headed there first thing in the morning.”“A couple of hours after you left, I got a casting call for a new sitcom and flew back to LA. I should come clean and let you know that my agent called me three times over the course of our road trip, after she’d lined up auditions. And every time I declined to go back to LA to audition. I didn’t know what it meant at the time, besides I didn
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