Trey laughed and stood in the roiling water with his hands on both naked hips. Oh well. So he couldn’t f**k her. He could still hang out with her as a friend. He liked her already. She was interesting. Different. Hot as hell. A great kisser. Why would she kiss him like that if she had a boyfriend?“Do you want a job?” she said into her phone. “They want me to hire a personal bodyguard. You’d have to come on tour with me.” She rolled her eyes. “No, that’s not why. Just think about it, okay? It pays a lot, benefits and everything, but I can’t talk right now. I’ve got a date in a hot tub with Trey Mills.”Date?Reagan disconnected the call. She kissed her contract and then headed back into the changing room.Now where was she going? Trey shook his head and returned to his seat in the hot tub. Reagan came back a moment later in her hot pink panties and white tank top. Okay, that was totally unfair. He couldn’t be expected to think of her as a friend in that outfit. He couldn’t think at al
“I’ve seen him naked before. I wasn’t overly impressed,” Dare said and took another sip of his Coke. “Harold!” he yelled.A moment later Dare’s servant/butler/whoever appeared beside the tub. “Did you need something, Mr. Mills?”“I have guests.”“Right.” Harold turned to Reagan and Trey. The shine of the afternoon sun on his bald spot was almost blinding as he bowed slightly. “Would you like a beverage? A snack? Cherry sucker?”Trey nodded.“What do you have?” Reagan asked.“Anything your heart desires,” Harold said.“Sex on the beach?”“Anywhere your heart desires,” Trey said.Reagan slid her hand farther up Trey’s thigh and he stiffened. In more than one location.“I should probably abstain,” she said. “I have to find the correct bus home.”Abstinence should not be a word in this woman’s vocabulary. Trey’s gaze lowered to the shadows of her dusty-pink ni**les just beneath the surface of the water. He bit his lip so he didn’t start with the come-on lines again. Her fingertips stroked
“Oh, I get it now,” Trey said and laughed. “The arrow is pointing to your box. Lunch box.”“A little slow on the uptake today,” Dare said. “Too little blood in your brain, bro?”“Shut up. What kind of ass would make a woman get that tattooed on her hip?”“Same kind of ass that would make you and Brian get matching girlie tattoos on your asses,” Dare said.“I got off easy,” Reagan said. “Our bassist lost the same bet. He has a tat on his ass that says Emergency Entrance with an arrow that points to his… I’m sure you can guess.”“I refuse to ever introduce you to Eric,” Trey said. “If he hears that, I know what tattoo I’ll be forced to get the next time I lose a bet.”Dare massaged the bridge of his nose. “I’m so glad my bandmates aren’t douche bags.”“Me too,” Reagan said. “Should I come back tomorrow? I should probably practice for the tour on decent equipment. My guitar is a piece.”“Yeah, you should do that. Do you need me to send the car for you?”Hmm, let me see… Ride in the limo
“Yes, madam,” the driver said sheepishly.She tried to hang up the phone, but she couldn’t reach. Trey took the receiver and set it in its cradle. When he shifted, his c**k pressed against her mound. Had he been unexcited, or even half-hard, she might have stood a chance, but he was hard as stone. She shuddered and, heaven help her, moaned. His breath caught, and his gaze shifted to her face. The sultry look he gave her set her ablaze. Trey buried both hands in her hair, tilting her head back slightly as he stared down into her eyes.“I want to kiss every inch of you,” he murmured and ground his c**k against her mound. “Then I want to lick every inch. And touch. Then suck. Then f**k.” He gave her hair a hard tug. “Every inch.”She wanted to shout, Yes, Trey, kiss me lick me touch me suck me f**k me, all of me, all of me! but it came out as an incoherent gasp.“I will find all your spots. Pleasure you until you beg me to possess you. When I finally do, I’ll plunge into you hard. Deep.”
“We should probably head back to the limo,” Trey said, careful not to put emphasis on that last word. That would make him as lame as Scott. Trying to impress the girl with material possessions. He didn’t need stuff to impress a woman. But, hello, they had a limo at their disposal.Reagan nodded and took a long sip of her milkshake. Her face twisted in pain and she covered one eye with her free hand. “Brain freeze,” she gasped.“You should—”“Suck it more slowly next time?”“You can suck it as fast as you want.” He winced as soon as it was out of his mouth. He was so used to turning every phrase into innuendo it happened automatically.Reagan laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll suck it real slow. It will last longer that way.”As turned on as he was by this woman, there were no guarantees he’d last at all. No matter how slow she sucked. He stared at her mouth as he took another slurp of his slush, holding the frigid beverage in his mouth to warm it slightly before he swallowed this time.Reaga
The door swung open and she stumbled into the room, pulling some laughing guy into the apartment by his T-shirt. Barefoot, she tossed her boots on the floor near the entryway, which freed her hand to grab onto the guy with both hands. So she could pull his mouth against hers and kiss him hungrily.Ethan’s smile faded. She’d brought home another dipshit who was in no way good enough for her. Ethan straightened his spine, prepared to use all six feet two inches of his muscular frame to its full, intimidating advantage.Said dipshit wrapped both arms around Reagan’s narrow back to deepen their kiss and kicked the door closed behind him. “Where’s the bedroom?” he said against her lips. His hands moved to squeeze her luscious ass. Ethan stifled an angry growl.Reagan drew away, took the guy by the hand, and took two steps in the direction of her bedroom when she noticed Ethan standing there. At least she had the decency to flush.“Oh, Ethan,” she said. “This is… This is Trey. My, um, new…b
“I’m coming,” he said.“Not without me, you aren’t.”He chuckled. The woman made his heart sing. It was stupid of him to even entertain thoughts of anyone but her. When he entered the bathroom, she was bent over the tub adjusting the temperature of the water. All that slick, rosy flesh between her legs instantly grabbed his complete attention. Considering his sexual ADD, that was saying something. Reagan tugged the lever, sending a steady gush of water out of the showerhead, and then stepped into the tub facing the spray. Trey followed her without hesitation.She turned to look at him standing behind her in the shower and laughed. “You forgot to take off your jeans.”“You have stolen my ability to think coherently.”She turned and wrapped her wet arms around Trey’s neck. Her smoky blue eyes were full of mischief when she said, “Is that so?”His hands slid over the slick skin of her back to her hand-filling rump. He loved a woman with a succulent ass. It gave him something to hold on t
Trey lifted his hands to her br**sts, rubbing his thumbs over her ni**les.“You mean he’s not going to leave as soon as he blows his load?” Ethan said.“Nope. I’ll still be here in the morning,” Trey said. “Have fun at work.”He heard Ethan say something that sounded a lot like, “Lying bastard,” under his breath before he slammed the door.“I’m really sorry he’s like that,” Reagan said. “I don’t know why he’s so protective.”Trey knew, but he wasn’t about to tell Reagan that her roommate was still in love with her. Despite the reduced flow of blood to his brain at the moment, he wasn’t a total idiot.Reagan lifted her hips until Trey fell free of her body and then flopped down on the bed beside him. “What a mood killer! God, I could strangle him right now.”Trey didn’t think it would be too hard to get her back in the mood. He rolled on top of her and cradled her face between both hands. “Forget about him,” Trey murmured and kissed her lips. His hands moved in perfect unison as he car
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