It surprised him when Trevor admitted, “I wasn’t sleepin’ either. I heard you.”“You did?”“Yeah. Now I’m thinkin’ if I would’ve gotten up when you did maybe we coulda saved that damn horse.”Edgard frowned. “But you told Chassie—”“I told Chassie what she needed to hear so she didn’t feel guilty,” Trevor said irritably. “If anyone’s gonna be takin’ on the brunt of the guilt around here, it’s gonna be me, not her.”“Which is noble, Trev, but you didn’t have to be so cruel to her.”“You tellin’ me how to handle my wife, Ed?”“No. I’m telling you after what she’s been through in the last couple of days you should’ve expected she’d be an emotional train wreck. You should’ve been more sympathetic to her losing the horse, not less.” Edgard mentally braced himself for Trevor’s temper to explode.But it didn’t, he just nodded. “I know. Even as that mean shit was runnin’ out of my mouth like I’d developed a case of scour, I couldn’t stop it.” Trevor hit the brakes and threw the truck in park.
After Colby’s injury, Edgard left and Trevor hadn’t gotten close to anyone again until Chassie. Much as he loved everything about her, moving onto her homeplace meant he hadn’t met many of the locals besides Gus and Chassie’s assorted West and McKay relatives. Chassie wasn’t overly social, but she’d grown up outside of Sundance and, whenever they went to town, it was obvious she knew everyone.He’d liked having Edgard to tool around with in the truck. Fixing equipment, doing shit work that Chassie shouldn’t have to deal with—though she’d pop him upside the head for hinting she had less guts than any man. Lord. He’d really missed that “buddy”part of his relationship with Edgard and it’d be worse once Edgard left.So where did that leave them? Despite the comment his truck was ready, Edgard hadn’t indicated he’d be moving on soon. Chassie hadn’t been chomping at the bit to kick him out either—even after last night. It boggled Trevor’s mind that not only had Edgard sought out Chassie to
Edgard’s voice dropped to a sexy bass rumble. “Then we could compare ideas to see whose is the best.”“You’re so bad, Edgard, usin’ that sexy Portuguese drawl against me,” she taunted.“No wonder Trevor can’t resist you. You tryin’ to put us both under your spell?”Good Lord. They were flirting. Right in front of him. Trevor couldn’t look away.Especially not after his cock had taken notice of their sexy, playful banter.“Is it workin’?”“Mmm. Depends.”“On?”“On whether I’ll be watchin’ again or participating in your magic act tonight.”“Definitely participating. Would that sweeten the offer?”“How about if we find out just how sweet it can be after supper?”“Deal.” Edgard jumped to his feet. “Let’s eat. Right now.”“I’m starved,” Trevor added.Chassie laughed. “You guys are insatiable.”As the implications of this next step and the possibilities stretched before them, Trevor figured this’d be the shortest meal ever.But he hoped it’d be the longest night of his life.*****They’d ma
She teetered so close to the edge of orgasm that Chassie clutched Trevor’s hair in her fists, desperate for that headlong rush into pleasure.He looked up. “No hands. Ed make sure her hands stay outta my way.”“If you insist.” Edgard circled both her wrists in one strong hand, pinning them above her head. His face was inches from hers. “Leave them so I can touch you. There will be consequences if you disobey.”“What kind of consequences?”Edgard didn’t respond. His exhalations ruffled the damp skin of her neck as he placed his lips in the hollow of her throat.Right then Trevor sucked on her clit.“Oh God.” Her pelvis pushed forward to force additional contact with that sucking mouth.But Edgard’s hand slid down her belly and the activity on her clit stopped.She lifted her head and saw silent communication pass between them. Trevor fluttered just his tongue over that throbbing bit of flesh.A wet lash on the very tip of her nipple made her cry out. It happened again. And again. Delic
Feel Trevor’s body clamping around him. Hear the surprised moans rumbling from Trevor’s chest every time he nailed that gland as he rode him.When Edgard began to grind with more force, Trevor broke away. His eyes said everything his mouth couldn’t.“I’ll be gentle, meu amore.” Edgard brushed his lips over the shell of Trevor’s ear and whispered, “At least until you beg me not to be.”Trevor shuddered.Edgard wouldn’t be denied this bit of foreplay. He tugged on Trevor’s earlobe with his teeth, not bothering to hide his ragged breathing. “Get in position so I can touch you.”Trevor levered his body over Chassie. He stole a kiss and her slender fingers curled into his shoulders as he pushed inside her.While Chassie and Trevor rocked together, Edgard knelt in the space between Trevor’s calves and rolled on a condom. He squirted lube on his fingers and coated his cock.Trevor’s beautiful, strong back, ridged with muscles, was stretched out before him like a feast. Edgard rubbed his stub
“We were at the Denver Stock Show. Somehow I ended up going to dinner with Trevor and his family. His brother Brent started talking shit about a hired hand who’d recently come out. Brent spewed all these dumb gay jokes. Normally, I ignore that kinda behavior, consider the source and all that. But Trevor drank too much—like he always does when he’s forced to deal with his family—and he joined in, acting like a homophobic prick because that’s what his family expected.”“What’d you do?”“What could I do? I was beyond pissed off. Trevor not telling anyone about us was always a big issue between us. I understood his reasons and never pushed it. But when he made fun of guys who had the balls to come out of the closet? That was a line he shouldn’t’ve crossed. I hated he’d done it in front of me.” Edgard shoved a hand through his hair. “After dinner, the whole family loaded up and went to the big rodeo dance. I declined.“I burned my bootheels getting to the gay cowboy bar in Denver and hooke
“Ed? You suited up?” Trevor asked without breaking eye contact with Chassie.“Yep.”Trevor scooped her up and placed her legs around his waist. “For this first time we’ll go in separately. Next time, I wanna see your face as we ram into you together.”She didn’t doubt there’d be a next time and she couldn’t wait to experience every bit of pleasure these two men could offer her. She lowered onto Trevor’s cock and tipped her head back with a heartfelt moan. “Damn. That’s always so good.”Trevor pulled her butt cheeks apart so Edgard could line his cock up. “Rock your hips back a little, baby. Good. Like that.” Just the cockhead popped in through the tight ring of muscles and she tensed.“Relax, naughty girl. Ain’t no shame in admitting you like taking it up the ass.”Edgard sank his teeth into her nape and pushed past her resistance until he was completely in.Chassie gasped at the full, hot sensation. She squeezed her muscles and both men groaned.“Baby, is it okay for us to move?”She
“I know that too, querida. And I’m also aware I have you to thank for getting him this far.”After clicking off the light, Edgard climbed in beside Trevor. He closed his eyes at the familiar feel of Trevor’s warm body and the unfamiliar feel of Chassie’s hand enclosed in his.“Good night, Edgard.”He choked out, “’Night,” over the lump in his throat and wondered if they’d notice the tear stains on his pillowcase come morning.A raging hard-on and Trevor’s lips brushing his nipples woke Edgard from a deep sleep. He cracked his eyes open, expecting it to be another damn dream.Nope. Trevor looked down at him and said huskily, “Want you. Want you bad.”Edgard’s gaze landed on Chassie curled up on Trevor’s other side. “Is she…?”“Sleepin’? Yep.”“Would she be okay with this?”“Let’s ask.” Trevor ran his hand down the outside line of her naked body. “Chass?Baby, you awake?”“Mmmff.”“Do you mind if Edgard and I screw around a little bit this mornin’?”She mumbled, “No. Just don’t bounce m
“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