Romance, huh? He could do romance.Two hours later the phone rang in Gemma’s kitchen.“Hello?”An angry voice demanded, “Why is it that I have to hear from my mother-in-law that Cash Big Crow is working for you as your ranch foreman?”Gemma smiled. “Hey, Channing.”“Are you sleeping with him too?”“Yep.”“I have half a mind to come to the Bar 9 and kick your ass.”“Gonna have to grow a bit, Mrs. McKay.”“I can’t believe you didn’t call me, Gem. So spill the details, woman.”“Huh-uh. I ain’t telling you nothin’ over the phone.”“How about just a small hint?”“Nope.”“You’re getting mean in your old age, Gemma.”“Damn. I’ve missed your smart mouth. I’d take a chance on you whipping my butt if it meant you were comin’ for a visit.”“Funny you should mention that.”“Yeah? What’s up?”“Well, we were cleaning out the big barn on Colby’s folks place last week and I saw Colby has all this bull ridin’ stuff, which he’ll never use again. Round about that time Amy Jo Foster and a couple of her y
“I had no idea.” She studied his face. “When did that happen?”“Four years ago.” Cash finally found the guts to look at his daughter. Comprehension dawned in her big brown eyes, before those same beautiful, wise eyes filled with tears.Shit. He’d never dealt well with tears.“Oh Dad. That was right around the time mom died, wasn’t it?”He nodded.“Why didn’t you tell me?”“Because you had enough shit to deal with, Macie, without me addin’ to it. I’ve never given you anything—”Macie threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbed like her heart was breaking.Cash held her tightly, offering her comfort she’d never sought from him. Soothing her. Holding her. His child. Feeling like a total selfish prick because on some level, he was happy, happy, that she’d turned to him for something.Macie’s cries slowed to the occasional hiccupping stutter. Still she didn’t release her grip on him. He had the good sense not to let go of her either.Finally he murmured, “Better, hon
Anticipation made him crazy. Waiting for her cool, strong hand to circle his cock.Followed by her hot, wet mouth and wicked little tongue.“Cash? Up against the bookcase.”Zero argument from him. He shuffled sideways until his ass met cold wood. She dropped to her knees.“Spread those legs wider.”“Yes’m.”“Now, see here, cowboy. I won’t have you knocking off my knickknacks on the bookshelves. You’re gonna have to hold still. No buckin’ your hips. Got it?”“I can move someplace sturdier. Maybe we oughta do this by a wall?”“No.” Gemma slapped his thigh.Shit. That was sexy, her taking charge and acting all bossy. His dick jerked against his belly.“I will stop if you don’t obey me, Cash.”“I’ll obey.”“Good boy. Hands by your sides.”He clenched his fists by his clenched thighs.She nuzzled the hair covering his sac. “How is it you smell so…sweet right here?When you’re all hard, tough male?” Her hand slipped up the inside of his leg. Then she cupped his balls and rolled them between
“I miss you, Macie.”“What?” Her hand flew to her throat. A nervous gesture? From stand-offish Macie?“I miss you.”“Carter—”“I miss you.”“You already said that.”“It bears repeatin’.”Talk to her. Ask her questions. Show her you’re interested in her mind, not just her body.“So what were you doin’ before I barged in?”She pointed to the tin on the table next to him. “I was just about to have a piece of pie. You hungry?”For you. I want to savor you. I want to devour you.“Carter?”“No.”“You sure? It’s a new recipe and I have whipped cream. Not fresh, it’s the canned kind—”“Have you even been listenin’ to me, Macie?” He stood and crowded her against the small refrigerator imbedded in the wall. “I said I miss you.”“How can that be? It’s only been two days since we—”“—fucked? Yeah, I know. But it’s been a couple of weeks since we talked. Really sat down and talked. Or fought. Or did anything but fuck like wild rabbits then disappear into our separate little hidey holes.”“Sorry to
“A rope.”“You’d be right. Stretch out across the bed and put your wrists together above your head.”“Why?”“Because I said so.”“I thought we were beyond games, Carter.”“You thought wrong.”“But—”“Don’t argue with me. Just do it.”“Or what?”“Or I’ll leave.”She stared at him. Defiantly. Warily.“I ain’t kiddin’, Macie. My way or no way.”Something shifted in her eyes and she nodded. She rolled on her back, knocked the pillows aside and pressed her palms to the paneled wall.“Good girl.” Carter climbed on the bed and straddled her pelvis, ignoring the questions in her eyes as he bound her. After he was satisfied she couldn’t get loose, he knelt between her widespread thighs. He snatched the pillows and said, “Lift,” so he could slide them beneath her ass.Then he dragged the tips of his fingers, oh-so-slowly, over the sensitive skin on the inside of her arms, until his palms rested on her ribs. “The rope will burn your wrists if you wiggle too much, so my advice is to stay still. N
Macie was still sprawled on her back. Using tender, soft strokes, he wiped her belly and thighs. Rinsed, and cleaned the stickiness from between her legs. Then he crawled in bed beside her, giving her no choice but to let him hold her.Carter knew her silence was an attempt to put distance between them. Not a chance in hell of that happening. He kissed the top of her head. “So, I guess me fuckin’ you in the ass tonight went beyond normal couple stuff, huh?”Macie burst out laughing. “You are a dumbass, McKay.”“I love it when you sweet talk me, Amazin’ Macie.” He growled, “That was the hottest sex I’ve ever had.”“Was pretty hot on my end too.”“You okay?”“Might be a little sore. But it was worth it.”“I’m glad. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”“You’d be the first.”He closed his eyes and breathed her in. “What changed earlier tonight? We were talkin’, getting along just fine with our clothes on and then, wham, you were on me like a bear on honey.”“It was watching you eat my pie.
For some reason Macie was pleased he’d acknowledged her first.“Whatcha ladies doin’?”“Celebrating Macie volunteering to pull my ass out of the fire. She’s gonna cook up a storm today before the McKays arrive tomorrow.”“Really? Honey-girl, that’s awesome.”“No biggie.” Though it was, because she could see how happy it made him.“You gonna wow them with your special caramel apple pie, eh?” He frowned. “Hey, didja ever bring back that can of whipped cream you borrowed?”Macie choked on her beer, and waved off her father as he started toward her with a worried look on his face.Gemma’s eyes narrowed, then widened with comprehension. She hid a grin behind her beer bottle.“You ready, sweets?” Cash said to Gemma. “We need to hit the road.”“Soon as I hit the bathroom.” Gemma stood and smiled at Macie. “Thanks again for helping out. I enjoy talking with you. Don’t be a stranger.” She disappeared up the stairs.“You’ll be okay here alone tonight?” her dad asked. “Last time we left there wa
“Grounded? Need I remind you I’m twenty, not ten?”Gemma lifted her eyebrows. “Need I remind you the legal drinkin’ age is twenty-one, and you doin’ a half-nekkid—”“Fine. I’ll shut up now.”“Good. Besides, that thing is not one of them wussy bulls they use in cowboy bars and charge you five bucks to try. That one of Colby’s is a nasty piece of machinery and the closest to getting on the back of a real bull. It’s dangerous.”“Told ya so,” Amy Jo said.“Why don’t you try to stay out of trouble and see if Cash’s daughter needs any help in the kitchen?”“Her name’s Macie, right?” Amy Jo inquired politely. “She seems nice.”“She seems young.” Keely demanded, “Hey, are you using her as free slave labor just because she’s too young to know better and because Cash is working for you?”“No. She’s a professional cook and she’s older than you, smarty.” Gemma debated on mentioning Macie’s relationship with Carter, but Keely would find out soon enough.“No way. How old is she?”“Twenty-two.”Keel
“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