The double meaning wasn’t lost on Ethan. He rested his weight on one elbow and used his free hand to stroke Trey’s cock. Trey’s eyelids fluttered as he lost himself to pleasure, but he didn’t look away. Even when he let go in Ethan’s hand, he continued to stare into Ethan’s eyes. Ethan shuddered as he followed Trey to bliss, equally lost in the connection between them as he was in the release offered to his body.He kissed Trey’s lips briefly. “That felt good,” he said.“Of course it did.”“I mean to finally tell you I love you. I’ve known since our first time together. Now that you know, are you going to make me leave?”Trey shook his head and touched Ethan’s face. He searched his eyes for a moment. “It’s gone,” he said.“What’s gone?”“The emptiness. Reagan filled much of it, but there was a part of me I thought only Brian would ever touch. I don’t need him to feel loved anymore. I think… I think I need you for that, Ethan.”Ethan smiled, his heart thudding with joy. “Do you mean th
Trey held her on his lap and stroked her hair as he spoke to her. She seemed groggy but coherent. “We’re going for a ride in an ambulance. Doesn’t that sound fun?” Trey asked her.“I’d rather ride in the limo.” She groaned. “Damn, my head hurts.”“How’s your neck?”“I don’t know. I feel sort of numb. And tired. And nauseous.” She turned her head and stared at the guy who had Ethan’s knee in his back and his arms pulled up behind him at a sharp angle. He wasn’t going anywhere. Reagan shook her head and laughed. “I can’t believe I’ve been afraid of Pyre this whole time. In a fair fight, I could take him down myself.”“I’ve got him pinned, if you want to take a cheap shot at him,” Ethan said.“Maybe later,” she murmured.“Are you okay, Reagan?” Sed asked, looking from her to Pyre as if he couldn’t decide if he’d rather comfort her or kick the shit out of Pyre.“I’ll be fine. I’m just tired.” Her eyelids fluttered and Trey gave her a harsh shake.“Try to stay awake. Okay?” he said. “I’m p
“We’re all set?” Reagan asked.“All set.” He crawled up on the bed beside her and took her hand. He kissed her knuckles as he stared into her eyes. “In a way, this will be like me losing my virginity.”“In a very loose interpretation of the definition kind of way,” Reagan teased.Ethan appeared in the doorway. “I figured she’d be halfway to her third orgasm by now. Were you waiting for me?”“Trey was calling the clinic to find out our test results.”Ethan’s eyebrows shot up and he swiveled his head in Trey’s direction. “And?”“I don’t have to worry about being caught without a condom ever again. We’re all clean.”“That’s good,” Ethan said, “because we have a lot of unprotected o**l s*x.”Trey laughed. “That’s true.”“Get in here and close the door,” Reagan demanded. “Take off your clothes. Take off my clothes. Ravish my body.”Reagan opened her arms wide in invitation. Trey worked on removing her shirt and bra, while Ethan removed her jeans, panties, and sandals. When they had her nak
Myrna shook her head at him. “What Malcolm needs is his father. And I need my husband. This will be our home, Brian. Just because it moves doesn’t mean it’s not a stable environment for him. When we’re parked, I can write.”“And I can sew,” Aggie said.“And Malcolm can play and grow up knowing his father,” Myrna said.“What about when we tour Europe?” Brian asked.“I’ve been looking into real estate in France. I already ordered my passport. We can follow you there too.”“And South America? Australia? Asia?”“We’ll figure out a way to be together as much as possible. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you didn’t want us here, Brian,” Myrna said.“It just seems too good to be true.”“I think it’s a perfect solution,” Trey said. “Myrna, you’re brilliant.”“Thank you, Trey.” Myrna gave his arm a squeeze and really looked at him for the first time. She smiled. “You look happy, sweetie. Did you just eat a cherry pie?”“He’s in love,” Brian said and rolled his eyes.“Reagan?” Myrna asked, he
Mary knelt down on the floor and bowed her head in her evening prayer. Her hand slipped to the small wooden cross hanging from a bit of leather around her neck, and her thumb rubbed a familiar path over the now smooth surface.For several long minutes, she whispered the words she’d recited since she was a child, and then she ended it as she always did. Please, God. Don’t let them find me.She pushed herself from the floor, her knees scraping the uneven stones. The plain, brown garb she wore signaled her place along the other novices. Though she’d been here far longer than the others, she’d never taken the vows that would complete her spiritual journey. It was never her intention.She went to the basin in the corner and poured from the pitcher of water. She smiled as she dampened her cloth, and Mother Serenity’s words came floating to mind. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.She wiped her face and started to remove her gown to extend her wash when she heard a terrible crash. Startled, s
Mary stroked his hair as his warm breath blew over her breast. He sounded so much older than his tender years. And so proud.“I escaped and hid in the cart of a traveling merchant. I rode for a day before he discovered me.” He tilted his head up, bumping her sore jaw again. “Where are we, Mary?” he whispered. “Are we very far from home?”“I’m not sure where your home is,” she said ruefully. “But we are in the lowlands, and I would wager we’re at least a two days’ ride from your keep.”“The lowlands,” he spat. “Are you a lowlander?”She smiled at his vehemence. “Nay, Crispen. I’m a highlander.”“Then what are you doing here?” he persisted. “Did they steal you from your home?”She sighed. “ ’Tis a long story. One that began before you were born.”When he tensed for another question, she hushed him with a gentle squeeze. “Go to sleep now, Crispen. We must keep our strength up if we are to escape.”“We’re going to escape?” he whispered.“Aye, of course. That’s what prisoners do,” she said
“There’s my bride now,” Duncan said, as he turned from his conversation with the priest.His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and he studied her intently, almost as if he were warning her of the consequences if she refused.God, help me.The priest cleared his throat and focused his attention on Mary. “Are you willing?”Silence fell as all awaited her response. Then slowly, she shook her head. The priest swung his gaze to Duncan, a look of accusation in his eyes.“What is this, Laird? You told me you both wished this marriage.”The look on Duncan’s face had the priest backtracking. The priest hastily crossed himself and positioned himself a safe distance from Duncan.Then Duncan turned to her, and her blood ran cold. For such a handsome man, he was, in that moment, very ugly.He stepped toward her, grasping her arm above the elbow, squeezing until she feared her bone would snap.“I’ll ask this only once more,” he said in a deceptively soft voice. “Are you willing?”She knew. She knew that
“I won’t hurt her, lad,” Alan said softly.He knelt down and brushed aside the hair from her face and realized she was unconscious. There was a bruise on one cheek, but otherwise she didn’t look injured.“Where is she hurt?” he asked Crispen.Tears filled Crispen’s eyes, and he wiped hastily at them with the back of his grubby hand.“Her stomach. And her back. It hurts her fierce if anyone touches her.”Carefully, so as not to alarm the boy, Alan pulled at her clothing. When her abdomen and back came into view, he sucked in his breath. Around him, his men alternately cursed and murmured their pity for the slight lass.“God in heaven, what happened to her?” Alan asked.Her entire rib cage was purple, and ugly bruises marred her smooth back. He could swear one of them was in the shape of a man’s boot.“He beat her,” Crispen choked out. “Take us home, Uncle Alan. I want my papa.”Not wanting the boy to lose his composure in front of the other men, Alan nodded and patted him on the arm. T
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