LOGIN“That’s a relief.”“For me too.”“Why?”“Performance anxiety.”She laughed softly, naturally. “I doubt you’ve ever suffered from that in your life.”“There’s always that first time. Now, I’ve gotta make an embarrassing confession.” Ben hung his head. “I’m addicted to Wheel of Fortune. Most nights I eat supper in front of the TV so I can get my fix.”“Well, that changes things between us dramatically. Because I’m more of a Jeopardy fan myself.”“That’s because you have way more brain power than me, smart girl.”“Because you’re just a simple rancher, right?” she teased.“Yep. So how about if I fix us a bowl of popcorn and you can snicker at me as I try to guess the puzzles?”“Sounds good. You need help?”“Why? Do you think I’ll burn it?”“No. I just want to make sure you pour extra butter on mine.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. “If your goal is to keep me off balance, it’s working.”They settled in front of the TV. Ben thought you could learn a lot about a person by how they ate p
“That’s an excellent suggestion, Ben.” Mark said. “Would Chase be interested?”“I can ask him. If he is you’ll have to get in touch with his PR people to finalize the details. I only see one problem with this.”“What’s that?”“The McKays have always been customers at Settler’s First Bank. I reckon they won’t take too kindly to a celebration for Chase McKay bein’ sponsored by a competing bank.”Silence.Ainsley looked impressed…and a little peeved.“I’m sure we could work something out.” Mark glanced at his watch. “I’m afraid I’ve got a meeting. Could I drop you off at the bank, Ainsley?”“No. I’ll walk back. I’d like to talk a little more in depth with Mr. McKay about his ideas.” She winked at Mark. “Maybe try to sweet talk him into hearing my National West Bank pitch about all the services we offer our new customers.”“Excellent idea. Enjoy.” He hustled out the door.Ben gestured to the booth. “Could I interest you in a slice of pie or a cup of coffee while I hear how well you can se
Ben gave them credit for quick thinking. “We’ve always wanted that creek front section. But they’ve always refused to sell.”“It don’t look like Rielle’s got an option now. The sale of that acreage will give her enough money to keep her bed and breakfast open if she wants.”“Who else have you talked to about this?”“No one,” Dalton said. “Not even Brandt.”“Why not?”“Because as much as we appreciate that Brandt’s a hard worker, he’s a damn do-gooder. He’ll see even talkin’ to Rielle as takin’ advantage of her. We don’t see it that way. We figured you wouldn’t either. So, we’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to Quinn.”It clicked. “Quinn would feel the same as Brandt.”Tell nodded. “You’re practical, Ben. And to some extent, unsentimental, like us. It’s just business.”“Good business,” Dalton inserted. “It has to be just the three of us, if we can swing it.”“Because you don’t want Uncle Carson or Uncle Cal to get wind of this either.”“And buy it right out from under us? Fuc
“He drinks until he passes out. We stop by to check on him.”“To make sure he ain’t dead,” Dalton said.The muscle in Tell’s jaw flexed. “Mom would have a conniption fit if she saw the state of the house. It’s nasty. Dad’s been livin’ like a drunken hermit since their divorce was finalized.”Dalton scowled. “Even after all the shit Dad did to Jessie over the years, she still tried to help him. Cleaned the place top to bottom. Washed his clothes. Cooked for him. He’s such an ungrateful bastard that Brandt won’t let Jess go over there anymore.”“Too bad you can’t just move your dad’s stuff to Brandt’s trailer and then he and Jessie could have the house. It’s at least fifteen minutes closer to her job.”Tell and Dalton exchanged a pained look. “We think that’s what they’re waitin’ for.”“Waiting for Uncle Casper to die?” Ben said sharply.“He’s killin’ himself, Ben. He won’t listen to any of us. Believe it or not, Mom had some influence over him, but that’s gone. They haven’t spoken sinc
“Yes, you’re definitely a master at what you do.”A harsh look darkened Bennett’s face. “I don’t have a playbook. I’m not thinking, if I stroke her pu**y fourteen more times she’ll cream on my hand.”Ainsley knew he’d intentionally used crude language to drive home his point. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I meant you should have that designated Master title because…well, you are a master at this stuff. It’s a compliment.”When she looked at him, Bennett was gone. Seemed strange to think of him as two separate personalities, but he really did have a switch that turned Ben, the easygoing rancher, into Bennett, the intense Dom.“I ain’t gonna lie. I want more of that with you. I’ve been kicking this idea around all day.”“What idea?”“I want you as my submissive.”He wasn’t joking. She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll never be a lifestyle submissive like Layla.”“And I’d never demand that of you.”“What would you demand?”“Time alone with you. Conditioning you to learn to let go. Showing
After they’d taken a couple of bites, Ben spoke. “Given the way we met, seems strange to swap life stories, but I reckon we oughta get the basics out of the way. So go ahead. Ask me anything.”That was a loaded question. “You’re part of the McKay family ranching dynasty.”“Dynasty.” Ben snorted. “I’m just a simple rancher.”“So your main job is…”“Cattle. Feeding them, breeding them, moving them, selling them. I work with my older brother Quinn on our section of the ranch. But we all help each other out if need be. Certain times of the year are busier than others. It ain’t a nine to five job, like bankers’ hours.”She bristled until she realized he was teasing. “Funny, cattleman. Have you ever been married?”“Nope.” He shot her a sideways glance. “You?”“I was married for almost five years. Been divorced almost two years.”“Kids?”“None.”“So what happened to bust up your marriage?”Ben’s forthright manner was refreshing. “The things that made us compatible in the beginning of our rel
“Okay, forget the mermaid. I’ve got a better idea.” Ten minutes later, Rebekah was wearing a French maid’s uniform and had Eric naked with his wrists tied to the headboard with silk scarves. She took her feather duster and lightly flicked it over his chest. He laughed and tried to escape her ticklin
“One more.”His weak arm shook uncontrollably. He felt the weight slipping. Sed’s hand hovered near the bar, but he didn’t grab it.“Focus, Jace. You can do this.”Jace couldn’t explain the feeling Sed gave him. Always gave him. It was as if he wanted Sed to be proud—such a strange ambition. It did giv
He was that transparent, was he? She was right. They would have other nights. Days. Evenings. Mornings. Afternoons. Hopefully, a lifetime full of them.“Let’s go take a shower,” she said.Eric lifted his head about an inch off the pillow but couldn’t muster the strength to open his eyes and look at he
She found that hard to believe. “Well, I’m not most girls.”“That’s what I like about you most.”And there he was just blurting it all out in the open, giving her no time to reflect or ponder or wonder. She knew exactly where he stood. She found it strangely refreshing after all the head games her mot







