“Then text her,” Jace said.Yeah, text her. He couldn’t put his foot in his mouth in a text message.I’m really sorry, baby. I’ll call tomorrow when I have my head on straight. Love you. He sent the message and sank back into the recliner, holding the phone loosely. Within a minute, his phone beeped with a message.His heart dropped when he read it. Fuck you, ass**le. I never want to see you again. Isaac asked me to marry him, and I said yes.“What?” he sputtered. They have one fight, are out of each other’s sight for two hours, and she’s already agreed to marry Isaac? “No f**king way.”He dialed her number. The call connected, then disconnected.“She hung up on me,” Eric grumbled. He dialed her again.“Hello?” a man answered her phone.“Who is this?” Eric growled.“This is Rebekah’s fiancé, Isaac.”“Bullshit. Put her on the phone.”“Look, loser,” Isaac said. “She doesn’t want to talk to you. Don’t call her again.”“Put her on the f**king phone.”“Take a hint. She doesn’t want to be w
“Go get the baking sheet,” Mrs. B said to Rebekah.Rebekah glanced at Eric and then went to retrieve a baking sheet, her buttery hands in the air.“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing,” Mrs. B said to Eric as soon as Rebekah was out of earshot. “Trying to interfere with her relationship with Isaac. It won’t work. She will marry that young man, and you will not mess things up.”Wow, this woman hated him. It wasn’t the first time someone had hated Eric, but it didn’t usually bother him this much.Articles you may likeTop Health Insurance Companies in the US: for everyoneTop Health Insurance Companies in the US: for everyoneSeveral Common Types of InsuranceSeveral Common Types of InsuranceBusiness Insurance: A Complete GuideBusiness Insurance: A Complete GuideImportant Reasons for Having Mirrors in ElevatorsImportant Reasons for Having Mirrors in Elevators“Why are you busting my balls, lady?”Mrs. B’s eyebrows attempted to disappear into her hairline. “Didn’t your mother
“Can’t wait to hear that. The piano piece sounds amazing on ‘Sever.’ Did you write that, Jace?”Jace flushed and shook his head. “It was originally one of Brian’s guitar solos. Eric modified it into piano music.”Eric caught Rebekah staring at him with something that might have been adulation. He wasn’t sure what had brought it on all of a sudden.“So when can we expect the new album to hit the shelves?”“This spring. We still have some tour dates to make up in January, and then we’ll hit the studio hard and heavy in February. After that, we’ll take a little break and start a tour next summer to promote the new album.”“Sounds busy.”Sed chuckled. “We’re always busy.”“And we’re all happy about that.” The reporter turned to Dave. “You’re the soundboard operator who was injured in the bus crash in Canada, right?”“Yeah. David Blake. I’ve been working with Sinners for several years now.”“Are you still part of the crew?”“No, I—”“Yes,” Sed interrupted. “That’s why I called you over her
Isaac’s suction intensified, his fingers curled forward and pressed against Trey’s prostate. How had he known… Oh yeah, the guy was a doctor. “That feels amazing,” Trey whispered. “You can rub harder.”When he complied, Trey groaned. Close to orgasm, Trey eased Isaac back. Trey sucked a breath of air through his teeth as his c**k popped free of Isaac’s tight suction. Damn, he loved the power of a man’s mouth.“Did I do it wrong?” Isaac asked. The uncertainty in those trembling words brought a smile to Trey’s lips.“No, baby. You were perfect. I’m seconds from coming, and I want to give you what you want now.”Isaac’s fingers slid free of his ass, and Trey urged him to his feet. He turned Isaac to face the wall and moved behind him. He wished they had all the time in the world to explore each other’s bodies, but he knew the reality was that they had to hurry. Someone would probably come looking for them soon and Isaac needed time to adjust to what he was discovering about himself befor
“Yes, you did. And then Isaac answered your phone and told me you didn’t want to talk to me and that I should never call you again.”She hesitated. “Isaac answered my phone? When?”“A couple hours after I saw you kiss him.”“I didn’t kiss him! He kissed me.”“Well, you didn’t stop him!”“I didn’t get the chance. You punched him before I could retaliate.”Now Eric hesitated. “You didn’t want him to kiss you?”“No. I love you, you f**king idiot. Why would I want to kiss another man?”Eric panted heavily, a mixture of anger and confusion and joy. She loved him. Sure, she had called him a f**king idiot, but she loved him. He almost believed her, but the hurt of the past few days made him hesitate. “If you love me so much, why did you hang up on me?”“I would never hang up on you. Never. I wanted you to call, so we could work things out.”“Then why didn’t you call me?”“Isaac made me think that you didn’t want to talk to me.”Eric’s fists clenched. “That little weasel.”“Did you really cal
She grinned wickedly. “Of course.”As soon as he sat in the chair and turned his attention to the TV, she began to rub her mound through her panties. So she didn’t really want to watch TV. She wanted to put on a little show. Hell yeah. He was more than ready to watch that.She propped her feet on the coffee table and slid her hand into her panties. He couldn’t see what she was doing to herself inside those panties. Could only imagine her fingers sliding over her slick folds. Disappearing into her tight pu**y. Eric was instantly hard and ready to devour her. But he stayed in his chair and just watched.Rebekah’s eyes were closed, but her mouth was open as she continued to give herself pleasure just out of sight. Her ni**les strained against the lace of her bra. She moved her free hand to massage her breast and pinch her nipple through the fabric.“Oh, oh, oh,” she gasped. “I’m coming. I’m coming.” Her back arched off the sofa, and she shuddered hard.Eric winced and pressed a hand agai
Rebekah took a deep breath and knocked on Isaac’s apartment door. She knew she probably shouldn’t show up unannounced. He might not even be home. She wanted to clear the air between them now. She didn’t want anything to weigh on her thoughts while she was having dinner with Eric. Or while they picked out her engagement ring.A minute later the door swung open, and Trey Mills stood in the doorway in nothing but a pair of black satin boxer shorts. “Hey, Rebekah,” he said with a devilish grin. “What brings you here?”“Uh…” Why was Trey in Isaac’s apartment? Maybe they’d hit it off after she and Eric had left the evening before. Okay. That made sense. But why was he almost naked? “Is… is I-Isaac h-here?”“Yeah, he’s here. Why don’t you come in?”Trey stepped to the side, and Rebekah entered the apartment. She could smell dinner cooking. Garlic, oregano, parmesan. Isaac had always been an excellent cook. Italian cuisine was only one of his specialties. Trey shut the door behind her and pre
“I’m always interested in a party,” Trey said.“No,” Isaac said emphatically.“I’ll see you guys later,” Rebekah said.Trey grabbed her and hugged her. “Thanks for introducing me to your ex-boyfriend,” Trey murmured into her ear so Isaac couldn’t hear. “He’s way fun to f**k with. Mmm, and f**k.”Poor Isaac. He had no idea who he’d gotten himself tangled up with here.Trey released her and offered a lopsided, ornery grin. He winked. Rebekah’s heart skipped a beat. On second thought. Lucky Isaac. He had no idea who he’d gotten himself tangled up with here.“You should totally mess with Eric when you see him. Make him think you were doing something with me and Isaac. It will drive him insane.”She shook her head. “No way. We’re still in the making-up phase.”“He wouldn’t hesitate to do it to you, you know.”Probably true, but she’d already kept him waiting for over an hour and needed to put the poor guy out of his misery. “Bye, Isaac.” She waved at Trey and let herself out of the apartme
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