âUh-huh.ââPlease?âHe gave in. He always did when it came to Keely. âFine. You can stay one night. But if one thing is out of place in my house, or if I see any other person besides you in my home? I will tell everyone in the family and the whole damn county what I saw at Colt and Indyâs wedding reception.âKeely gasped. âYou wouldnât!ââOh, I most definitely would. With absolute glee.â Cam flashed her a cocky grin. âSo do we have a deal, little sis?ââYes, but I am entitled to point out youâre a lot meaner than my other brothers.ââNo, Iâm just not buffaloed as easily as they are.âKeely harrumphed and remained unusually quiet for the rest of the drive.When Cam pulled up the driveway leading to his house, he experienced a sense of joy, a swell of pride, a feeling of peace. This place was the first thing heâd owned outright, finally obtaining the space, freedom and solitude heâd given up during his years in the army. Heâd spent his adult years living in barracks or in tents with jus
Because youâre a cripple. Youâll never be the man you were.Cam gritted his teeth against the voice of that bitter man inside his head, the voice who usually won the argument.Not this time.Domini hadnât known him before his war injury. She knew him now. She wanted him now. That thought gave him the courage to open the door.The creak sounded unnaturally loud in the stillness of her apartment. Cam was shocked heâd heard anything above the swift beating of his heart. âDomini?ââIâm here.âHis head whipped around to see her perched on the couch.Naked.Holy fucking shit. She was beautiful. And even better, she was obedient. He grinned and crooked his finger at her.Domini pushed to her feet and sauntered over.âYouâre naked.ââYou told me to be.âHe traced the line of her jaw down her throat. âWhat are you thinking right now?ââI canât believe youâre really here.â The desire darkening her pale blue irises staggered him. âWhat are you thinking?ââThis.â Cam gripped her shoulders and cru
âI wonât make you beg for itââ he licked the cords straining in her neck, ââthis time. Next time Iâd like to string you along and see how long it takes before you unravel.âHis words rushed her to the next level of need. âCamâââIâll take care of you. Arch back.âHis rhythmic fingers, his sucking kisses, his confidence in seeing to her pleasure, unlocked a place inside her sheâd never trusted another man to access. She closed her eyes and let go.When the first searing ripple started, she tightened her thighs, her interior muscles, her butt cheeks and cried out as the strength of the orgasm sideswiped her.âLook at me.âObeying Camâs gruff command, she stared into his fiery eyes while her pussy pulsed around his skillful fingers and saw her satisfaction and lust reflected on his face.âThatâs it, princess. Give it all to me.âAfter the last throb faded, Domini wanted to bury her face in the side of his neck. Lick the salt from his skin, familiarizing her senses with his taste, drown i
âFor what?â Camâs brow furrowed. âI think itâs obvious.ââItâs not obvious to me, so why donât you explain it?âAn incredulous look appeared only to be replaced with an irritated one. âWhat? You expect me to grovel?ââNo. I expect nothing from you, which is why itâs so ironic that Iâm disappointed.ââNow wait just a damn minuteâââJust go.â Stupid chili pepper powder mustâve blown in her face; her eyes smarted with tears. She sidestepped him, muttering, wishing she was the type of woman who could rant and rave and throw things to relay her frustrations.Cam wheeled her around, boxing her between his body and the steel door of the walk-in cooler. âWill you at least let me apologize before you storm off and start swearing at me in Ukrainian?ââThat was Russian.ââSo Iâm an idiot all the way around, okay? Look, Iâm sorryâŠâ His gaze lingered on her neck. âIâm so goddamn sorry I was such an animal and marked you last night. First thing. You deserve better than a man who mauls you.âHer sto
âSure. Would you like a beer?ââA beer would be fine.ââHead out onto the back deck and Iâll bring it to you.âCam heard the sliding glass door open, forgetting Gracie was penned in the backyard until Domini shrieked. He turned just in time to see Domini leap on the antique oak table.Gracie barked and raced around excitedly, thinking it was a game.âGracie! Sit.âA disbelieving whimper sounded and then the Border collie obeyed.âGood girl.â Cam crossed to the dog, ignoring Domini crouched like a cat about to pounce. He ruffled Gracieâs silky ears. âListen up, pup. Domini hasnât been around dogs as cool as you, so give her some time to adjust. Be on your best behavior and before you know it, youâll have Domini sneakinâ you treats and rubbing your fat belly. Understand?âGracie barked twice.âGood girl. Stay.â Cam grabbed a new rawhide chew out of the pantry. The second Gracie saw it her tail thumped. Her tongue flopped past her gums in a doggie version of a smile. He couldnât help but
âYes.âHe bit back a growl of approval. âYou oughta know Iâm beyond demanding when it comes to getting what I need from my lover.ââHave you been in a relationship like this before?âCam debated on how much to tell her. But if he expected honesty from her, heâd better reciprocate. âYes, Iâve been in several. Not sinceââ I lost my leg and my nerve, ââmy injury.âDomini regarded him pensively. âSo we would fulfill each otherâs sexual needs and thatâs all? No relationship beyond that?âHell no. Little did Domini know now that heâd uncovered this surprising side of her, after he got her in his bed, heâd never let her out. Sheâd belong to him. But his reassurance he wouldnât attempt to turn this into a traditional dating relationship seemed important to her. It went against everything Cam was to lie. But because he wanted her with an acute ache, an unfathomable need, a sense of rightness heâd never felt in his life, he lied with a straight face.âItâs a small town, Domini. If my truck is p
âProp yourself on your elbows.âShe looked at Cam across the length of her body.He curled his hands around her knees and set her feet on the table. In a purposefully drawn-out and sexy move, he teased her sundress up over her thighs and hips until it bunched at her waist.Thank God sheâd worn decent underwear.Cam idly traced the triangle of fabric stretched over her groin. âI wouldnât have pegged you as the black lace type. But it looks damn good against your snowy white skin.â He urged to her raise her hips, slipped the scrap of lace from her body and tossed it aside. Cam lowered his head and kissed her belly button. He paused at the surgical scar below it.Please donât ask. Please donât ask now.âWhatâs this from?â His thumb followed the white slash.âAppendix,â she said automatically.âHuh. Thatâs a weird place for it.â He tickled it with his tongue. âThey must do surgery different in the Ukraine, huh?â While he teased her skin with little licks and nipping kisses, he noticed the
Lust slammed into him. Instantly Cam envisioned her long fingers rolling his balls like that. Teasing them with feathery touches. He imagined the moist heat of her breath, down low between his inner thighs, right before she sucked the sac into her mouth.He mustâve groaned because Domini whipped around.Her eyes widened as if sheâd peeked inside his brain. But he didnât see shock in the pale blue depths, just interest. When her mouth softened, Cam couldnât keep his hands off her another second.His glass hit the counter. He stood and lifted her to her feet, then his mouth claimed hers in blistering kiss. God he loved how wickedly eager her tongue was sliding beside his. How recklessly and hotly she writhed against him.So crazed was his need for her, his hands trembled as he yanked her sundress down. It fluttered to the floor, allowing her pert breasts and hard-tipped nipples to fill his greedy hands.Domini sucked in a surprised breath.Cam flicked little whips of his tongue around t
âI believe you. Iâm sorry I left the way I did. I had a lot of time to think between Omaha and Wichita.ââAbout us?ââThat and some other stuff.ââLike what?ââIâve been thinkinâ 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. Itâs a murky idea right now, but I have an opportunity to make a difference and Iâm going to take it.â He kissed her just because he could, because she was here with him, where she belonged. âEnough about that. Tell me how long you were in LA, because Hollywood, I was headed there first thing in the morning.ââA 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 sheâd lined up auditions. And every time I declined to go back to LA to audition. I didnât know what it meant at the time, besides I didn
Ava gave Hannah an arch look. âBesides I know how damn good the man looks in chaps?ââSmartass. But really, whatâs the point after Chaseâs meltdown last night?âHer heart seized, thinking about how Chase had lost it on live TV. Sheâd 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 Ryanâs. Assure him sheâd be there for him no matter what.âI know you can hear me, Ava, so stop ignoringâââSsh⊠Theyâre giving the injury report on Dirk.âThe camera cut to an interview with the head of the sports medicine team. When he finished detailing the bull riderâs injuries, the announcer asked his opinion on Chase McKayâs comments about mandatory safety helmets. The doctor looked directly into the camera and said, âHelmets save lives. Period.âThe 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
âAfter 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 didnât wonder about him. Pray his life was good. Pray he was loved.â*****Gavinâs eyes were on the shot glass he rolled between his fingers.âSo 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 Iâd rather give the baby up than have it raised in a godless home as a McKay. Which was a total lie, but Jed mustâve believed it. After Kimi told me that, I finally understood why Jed never liked me and why he refused to live with us.ââAunt Kimi never told Uncle Cal?â Chase asked.âNo. But she told your Aunt Carolyn.âGavin said nothing.âWhen did you tell Dad?â Ben asked gently.âRight after Quinn and Libby got back together.â 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.âChase?ââIâm here. Just figuring the logistics. If I leave now, I can be there by noon tomorrow. Is that early enough?ââYouâre really not gonna compete in the final round and youâre coming home?â Ben said with total shock.âHard to believe, but yeah. Iâve realized there are more important things than those eight seconds I spend on the back of a bull. I ainât gonna be the one who lets Mom and Dad down.âBen was very quiet.âWhat?ââYou have changed. Iâm looking forward to seeinâ you. Drive safe.âImmediately after Chase hung up he called Elroy.âYouâd better not be calling me to bail you outta jail, McKay,â Elroy barked.âGood morning to you too, sunshine. Iâll keep this brief. I have a family emergency in Wyoming and
âMe.ââAnd who are you?âGavin took a deep breath. âI believe Iâm your son.â****The crowd roared behind him, ready to party at the PBR on a Saturday night.Chase braced himself. The PBRâs newest female reporter, a fiery redhead named Lissa, stuck the microphone in his face as soon as he cleared the contestant gate. Heâd been expecting it since heâd avoided an on camera interview last night. To ensure his cooperation, the cameraman blocked him in. Bastard.âWeâre here with Chase McKay after that amazing ninety-one point ride on Devilâs Due. Congratulations, Chase, thatâs gotta feel good to be back on top.âHe focused on the woman and not the camera. âIt does. Especially after an extended break and such a poor showing in Dallas.ââTell us about the ride.ââWell, Devilâs Due is an ornery little cuss and highly unpredictable, so I wasnât sure if heâd go into spin mode tonight or hopscotch around. Luckily I was able to stay with him no matter what he did.ââSo the past few weeks youâve b
âOkay. Thanks.ââAnd if that doesnât work? Go with plan B.âHer mother, businesswoman extraordinaire, always had a backup plan. âAnd what is that?ââTrack him down, tie him up and force him to listen to reason. It helps if youâre naked. And holding beer.ââAh, Mom. I donât think that will work.ââIt sure did with your dad. Good luck, sweetie, keep in touch.âAva packed her bag and booked a commercial flight to LA.âWhy am I so nervous?â Ava asked Hannah, two days later.âIâll tell you what I think after the audition.â Hannah straightened Avaâs miniskirt for the third time.âThatâs not helping my nerves.â 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. âWeâre ready for you, Miss Cooper.âAva squeezed Hannahâs hand and followed Corporate Casting Barbie into the conference room. Well, at least this production company didnât have the clichĂ©d casting couch. Ava chose the c
âNo. And hereâs fair warning: that is not a topic of discussion. With you. Or anyone else.ââNever thought Iâd be happy to hear you say âno commentâ and mean it. Warms the cockles of my cold PR heart, McKay.ââYouâre a riot. What else?ââThe PBR is picking up your transportation expenses. Youâre in New York now?ââYeah.ââI canât get you to Wichita directlyâââBook me into Omaha. I left my truck there. Iâll drive to Wichita.ââDone. What day you wanna leave?ââToday. As soon as possible.âAva stared at him with shock.âThe event isnât for another couple days.ââIâm aware of that. But there are other things I need to take care of first.âElroy sighed. âFine. Contact me when you get to Kansas. And I donât gotta remind you no press unless youâre escorted by a PBR media liaison.ââI get it. Iâll keep in touch.ââGood.â Elroy hung up.Chase returned to the bedroom and picked up his bag.âYouâre leaving? Just like that?ââYep.ââNo discussion. No yelling, no hashing it out?ââWhat is there
Evidently he hadnât realized sheâd 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 sheâd been taping all the fucking time, but he had no idea sheâd been making a goddamned movie. The whole time they were together. To think heâd invited her to share his experiences on the road. He froze. Wait a second. He hadnât invited her. Sheâd invited herself. Offering a convincing argument about wanting to see real life outside her poor, privileged upbringing.But Chase sure as hell hadnât encouraged her to creep around, sticking that camera in everyoneâs 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, sheâd become damn good at acting like one of them. Sheâd promised him she wouldnât show her home movies to anyone.A new thought chilled his blood. Did Ava have footage of Ryanâs
âSo Iâll think of you whenever I wear it.â Like Iâll ever stop thinking of you. Ava tried really hard not to cry, but a couple of tears slipped free. The last man whoâd given her jewelry had been her grandfather.âAva?â Chase tipped her face up. âAh, hell. Donât cry. I told you that you can take it back.âShe made a sound half-laugh, half-sob. âNo way am I taking it back, McKay. Itâs beautiful. Perfect. I love it. Thank you.âThe guardedness in his eyes vanished. âYouâre welcome.âChase paced in the hotel room, glaring at his phone. He hadnât minded that the fucker hadnât worked at all yesterday, since he and Ava had spent the whole day in their room, most of it in bed after theyâd returned early in the morning from the penthouse.Dammit. He needed to access his email. Nothing was showing up on his phone. And heâd been in such a hurry to get away from the sorrow in Nebraska heâd accidentally left his laptop in his truck at the Omaha airport.His gaze landed on Avaâs computer on the de