“Deke?” Luc called from the door.His cousin was asking what he planned to do. Deke whipped his head around to meet Luc’s dark, inquiring gaze. What the fuck could he say? The temptation to break his every rule gnawed at him. Kimber wasn’t someone else’s woman. If he fucked her now, she wouldn’t belong to another man who would take responsibility if something went bad.At least in this moment, she belonged to him. Only him.“I offered,” Kimber explained softly. “I asked him to make love to me. To be the first.”Luc’s smile was damn near blinding as he entered the room, sat on the sofa, and grabbed Kimber’s hand. “It’s a lovely gift. If Deke hasn’t said it yet, he’s touched and honored.”Deke shot his cousin a dirty glare. “I didn’t accept.” Brow raised, Luc took in their position, the way Kimber was all spread out and welcoming, Deke’s cock gloved up and ready.Deke let out a shaky breath. The fact was, he hadn’t turned her down, either.He had to do something. Now. The need bubbling
Making a great show of straightening the pillows on the sofa, he was unprepared when Kimber tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to her, and she smacked him across the face. Hard.“If all this vile shit you’re saying is the truth, then you’re a first-class asshole and I wish I hadn’t come here in the first place. If you’re saying it so you can leave your precious scarred heart wrapped in ice, then not only are you an asshole, you’re a coward. Unless you get over the past, you’ll be alone for the rest of your life, because Luc will someday meet a great girl, get married, and leave you to rot alone.Enjoy your misery; it’s well deserved.”She spun and stormed away. Victory. And yet he’d never felt more wretched.“Kimber…” Luc called after her departing figure, auburn hair curling around her back. “Sweetheart!”She didn’t hesitate, much less stop. Instead, Kimber just marched out of the room, across the house to Luc’s room, then slammed the door.Deke flinched at the angry sound of the
He waved her compliment away. “It’s easy when you have a hairdresser, a personal trainer, a chef, blah, blah, blah. Sit down. It’s great to see you!” He tugged her to the sofa and she sat beside him. “Since we haven’t had the chance to catch up in a couple of weeks, tell me how your dad has been?”“You know the Colonel. Always busy. Always running a tight unit. He’s been all over the world lately. He’ll be heading home next week for a mini-vacation. He hasn’t had one in over a year.”Jesse nodded. “That man was always driven. Remember that week at the lake we all spent the summer he guarded me?”Remember? That’s where she and Jesse had fallen for each other, and they’d started talking about the possibilities of a future together.Nothing had changed since then. Yet everything had. Jesse had drifted into a wild lifestyle, according to the tabloids. Now,Deke kept intruding in Kimber’s thoughts. Her stomach was in a constant knot of pain. Standing in front of Jesse with Ryan looking on,
But now she’d never know.Jesse breathed a sigh of relief. “So they just talked to you?”“They touched me. I learned to touch them.” She wasn’t going to lie. She just wasn’t going to tell him she was in love with someone else.Thunder boomed across Jesse’s dark face. “Touch, how?”“Enough that I understand the appeal of the ménage and what draws you to do it.I never expected you to change your sexuality for me. So I tried to adapt for you.” I tried to find out what fascination a crass, difficult soldier had for me and I got burned.The answer seemed to mollify him. “That’s… Wow, you’re an amazing woman.But You’re not like the whores and bimbos around all the time. I had no intention of sharing you. Not with Ryan. Not with anyone. If I make you bad, how can your good rub off on me?”His tone was half-joking. Kimber wasn’t laughing. They really needed to get past this Virgin Mary image he had of her.“Thanks for not wanting to share me with Ryan.”Jesse leaned over, pulled her close.
“That’s it?”“Um, I’m sure it’ll be great.” Was he put out because she wasn’t jumping up and down to find out about the secret?“I hope you think so.” He stared, those piercing dark eyes looking anxious and confused.She sighed. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing.”A denial, pure and simple. Damn, the man was so moody. From highs to lows, from mischief to pensive, all in a snap. Everyone always just adapted, Kimber noticed. Jesse was so used to the world revolving around him. It was so unlike her father and brothers, who only had three modes: work, laughter, and anger—in that order. Jesse was all over the emotional map.“What happened to the you I used to know?” The question was out before she could stop it.Jesse’s gaze snapped back to her. “What do you mean?” Kimber fought the urge to fidget and looked away. But they hadn’t had an honest conversation in the last week. Passing and superficial, yes. He’d asked about her family, her schooling, scraped a bit of the surface about her wishes for th
Hell no!But that was reality, and it shredded his guts like a thousand dull razors. McCall had proposed, and she’d said yes. Jesse was happy, if his smile in the picture was anything to go by. Kimber’s picture was in profile, but she had to be happy. This was the realization of her little white lace, virgin-girl dream. While he… Hell, he’d been a fucking pissed-off wreck ever since she’d left, wrenching his heart out with her tears.“She wasn’t ours,” he managed to croak out. “This just proves it.”“Kimber might have stayed if you’d been decent to her. She offered you her—”“I wasn’t taking her virginity. It didn’t belong to me, just like she didn’t!” The fact that the girl and her virginity belonged to the smiling crooner in the picture didn’t exactly thrill him. Correction: it made him want to tear McCall apart slowly, with his bare hands, and inflict maximum pain.Lord knew the army had trained him to do it.Luc pointed an accusing finger in his face. “You made her believe she did
Shit! He yanked away from Alyssa.Luc barely noticed. Instead, he pulled her onto his lap.With one hand, he threaded his fingers into her hair, angled her mouth under his, and sank into her. Deep. Like he didn’t care if he came up for air anytime this century.What the hell?Alyssa curled her arms around Luc’s neck and wriggled on his lap. Clearly, she hit something sensitive because Luc growled, lifted her until she straddled him, then ground her against his cock.As she threw back her head, a cascade of pale blonde hair landed in Deke’s lap.Luc’s mouth descended, closing around one of her nipples. He wasn’t teasing.There was no toying in this touch. It was all fierce intent.“Luc! Yes!”His cousin’s response? He merely transferred his attention to her other breast, curled a passionate fist into her hair, and grabbed as if he planned to bend her to his will.“Are these nipples hard for me?” Luc demanded. He stared at her as if she was the only other person in the room. As if she w
Jesse lived like this?Her head throbbed. People she didn’t know were grabbing her to congratulate her on her engagement. The engagement that had completely blindsided her mere hours ago and she hadn’t agreed to. Hurting Jesse’s feelings wasn’t something she wanted to do, but there was no way in hell she could live this sort of life.The door to the suite opened, and Jesse sauntered in, bright, perfectly symmetrical smile in place. The little crowd cheered. Ryan paused in banging his blonde to wave. At Jesse’s back, Call scowled and took in the scene, grousing something in Jesse’s ear.It caused Jesse’s smile to turn to thunder, and he whirled, fists clenched. Hmm, whatever Call said, Jesse didn’t like it.The pair exchanged words. Ugly words, Kimber guessed from their body language. Then Jesse stormed off. And stomped in her direction.“Hey, babe.” He forced a new smile and grabbed her, hauling her off the sofa and into his arms. “Let’s step outside and get away from all this.” More
“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