The crowd was restless and chanting, “Sinners. Sinners. Sinners,” at full volume. As Murphy’s Law would have it, Brian needn’t have rushed so much. There was a problem in one of the video panels behind the drum kit. Their effects technician was working to get it back online as quickly as possible and the crowd grew louder and more restless with each passing moment. Brian pulled Jace aside to talk to him while they waited for the signal to go on stage.“Can I borrow your restraints tonight?” Brian asked.If Brian’s request surprised Jace, he didn’t show it. “Do you know how to work them? You don’t want them too tight or too loose.”“If I can’t figure them out, I’ll call you.”“The suspension chain should be in the case with them. Make sure her knees can touch the bed or you’ll hurt her shoulders.”“I was just going to tie her down, flat on her back.”Jace shrugged. “I guess that’s okay, but then you only have one side of her body to work with.”Brian glanced over his shoulder to make s
Brian snorted with laughter. “Apparently, they’ve never seen you passed out with your head in a toilet.”The guys in the audience hollered their approval.Sed appeared between them and looped an arm around each of their shoulders. “Are you fuckers going to talk all night or are you going to play some music?”“I guess we can play our new dueling solo,” Brian said. “Do you want to hear it?” he asked the crowd. “It’s up to you. We can collect bras all night as far as I’m concerned.”He glanced over his shoulder at Myrna again. She was still smiling at his antics. God, he loved her. Perfect. She was absolutely perfect.A few more bras landed on the stage. The girls flashing their breasts had the guys in the crowd worked into a frenzy.Brian leaned closer to Trey to speak to him without the microphone picking up their conversation. “I hope you’re ready to play the new dueling solo live.”He shrugged. “I wouldn’t want you to be the only one to fuck up in front of ten thousand people tonight
Wary, Myrna watched Brian approach the bed. Her eyes moved to the camel-colored leather restraints in his hand and then to the chain suspended from the ceiling above her. She’d never been restrained before. She was pretty sure she wasn’t going to like it. She was, however, open to new experiences and willing to experiment with Brian.“Before you start,” she said, “I want you to promise me you’ll stop if I ask you to.”“Jace said I should gag you when that happens.”Her eyes widened and her heart began to race.“But I’m not Jace,” Brian continued. “I’ll stop if you ask me to stop. Do you trust me?”She hesitated, her eyes dropping to the restraints again. “I think so.”He walked around the edge of the bed and placed the restraints and an MP3 player on the nightstand. Empty handed, he crawled onto the bed with her. They knelt in the center of the mattress, facing each other.He took her hands in his and stared into her eyes. He still had his stage makeup on, which reminded her how sexy
A moment later he spanked her with the paddle and, surprised, she released his hand. He left the ice inside her and backed away. Cool water dripped down her inner thigh as the ice melted. Something hot burned a trail over her lower back.“Ah!” she gasped, twisting away from the heat. It was very hot but didn’t burn for long. The smell of paraffin alerted her to his current antics. A second splash of hot wax dripped over her thigh.The bus rocked forward. They were on the road again. She wondered fleetingly if anyone had found her car, but lost the thought as another piece of ice trailed over her skin, beside the hardening wax on her thigh. Brian’s thumb touched her chin. When she opened her mouth, he put something on her tongue. A sweet square of chocolate melted in her mouth. She turned her head to inhale Brian’s scent on the T-shirt still draped over her shoulders. One of Brian’s best solos now played in her ear.She protested when he tugged the ear bud out of her ear again. She enj
The bus lurched to a sudden halt, sending empty beer cans scuttling over Myrna’s sandals. Something thick and gooey spilled from one of the cans and trickled between her toes. She retched and jumped from the bench, slipping with her first step and sticking to the floor on her second. She’d had enough! She stomped over to where the guys sat perched on a pile of dirty clothes playing a video game in the living area. There was a sofa under that mountain of filth somewhere.Myrna planted her fists on her hips and glanced from one band member to the next. “All right, guys. Some things need to change around here.”Four pairs of eyes turned toward Brian. Control your chick, they seemed to say.She pointed to her foot. “Would someone like to tell me what just dripped out of a beer can onto my foot?”“A loogie?” Trey guessed.“As in phlegm?” Myra sputtered. “Oh. My. God.”Brian tossed her a dirty shirt, which smelled like ass, and she used it to wipe the slimy mess off her foot. It wouldn’t su
Brian smiled slightly, but didn’t look at Myrna when he said, “Don’t we all?”They didn’t lose their tail as they wound through the aisles, but Kevin was a little less obvious about following them. He watched them from one aisle over.The store had an excellent butcher who produced choice cuts of fresh meat. “We’ll have to clean out the freezer when we get back,” Myrna said. “I can’t pass up this meat.”“The freezer is highly toxic,” Trey said. “Can’t we just throw out the whole refrigerator and get a new one?”“Yeah, let’s do that,” Jace agreed. He was tossing T-bones into the cart as if they were having a buy-one-get-ten-free steak sale.“Sheesh, Jace, are you hungry?” Myrna asked.“There are fourteen of us.”“Good point. Get ground beef. I’ll make chili.”“Do you really want to be trapped on a tour bus with a bunch of guys who’ve consumed large quantities of chili beans?” Brian asked.Myrna laughed. “Another good point. Okay, I’ll make lasagna instead. Tomorrow.”“Now you’re talkin
Myrna shook her head at Brian. “We’ve been through this a hundred times. I’m not staying in L.A. with you.”“You can get your work done while we’re rehearsing and in the recording studio,” he said. “And we have a music video shoot in a couple of days. You can use that entire day to work.”Lounging on his back in one of the curtained bunks, Brian trailed his fingers lightly over her bare shoulder, tracing the spaghetti strap of her satin nightgown. She lay on his belly, her folded arms on his chest and her chin resting on her interlaced fingers. She stared up at his face, which was mostly concealed in shadows, contemplating her options. He’d been wearing her down for almost a week, and as much as she wanted to have fun with him, she knew she had to use this opportunity to get caught up on her work.“You know if I stay, I’ll want to watch everything you do. You’re too much of a distraction. Besides, it’s only a week. It won’t kill us to be apart for seven days.”“We’ve been together alm
Why was she so nervous? They were just parents. Yes, one of them was Malcolm O’Neil, but that shouldn’t make her tummy flutter or her palms sweat.“Are you okay?” Brian asked.“Fine,” she squeaked.“Don’t be nervous. They’ll love you.”The mood backstage was more sedate than usual, with scarcely a scantily clad woman to be found. Brian opened the dressing room door and ushered Myrna inside. The instant Brian stepped into the room, a stunning woman grabbed him in a crushing hug and kissed him square on the mouth.“Excuse me,” Myrna said crossly.“Mom,” Brian gasped. “Can’t breathe.”“I don’t see you for two months and you greet me with ‘can’t breathe’?”He gave his mom a hug that lifted her feet off the ground. She laughed.“Put your mother down,” a deep voice said behind Myrna.She turned and looked up at Malcolm O’Neil. Her heart did a somersault in her chest. She’d been afraid of this. She gaped up at him like a fish out of water —her throat trying to produce sounds, her mouth openi
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