“I don’t think anyone intends to break hearts.” He paused. “Well, Sed, maybe. I’d just like a few minutes with something a little more permanent than a fucking tour bus, you know?”“I understand, but—”“Even if I’m just pretending.”“Brian, if I’m not careful, the person who is going to get their heart broken is me.”“We could always try to make something out of this.”“It’s just not pos—” He covered her mouth with one hand.“Okay, don’t say it. Just let me pretend then.” He kissed her temple and moved his hand from her mouth to her breast. “I’ll get really drunk tomorrow to try to forget you.”“Brian.”“I’m kidding. If you want no strings, no strings you’ll get.”She didn’t know if she believed him, but she felt a measure of relief. Her career was complicated enough. She didn’t have time for a serious relationship. Especially a long distance one that had no chance of success. And afterJeremy… She forced thoughts of her ex-husband out of her mind.Brian lifted her from her comfortabl
Myrna watched Eric tuck his slack cock into his pants and button his fly. He sat in the water in his jeans and beckoned her closer. She didn’t trust him and, now that she was no longer delirious with pleasure, she was embarrassed that he’d seen her with Brian. She covered her breasts with her hands and sank deeper into the water.“I can wash it out,” she said, avoiding his self-satisfied grin by focusing on the edge of the tub.The sound of Brian’s guitar throbbed through the wall. Wow. This solo rocked more than the last one he’d composed while in her company.“I’m not going to molest you, Myrna.” Eric chuckled. “Unless you want me to.”She knew he’d just watched her get fucked, suck cock, and ram her fingers up his friend’s ass, but she couldn’t relax.“I’ll just wash your hair. I promise. Besides, I’m not even horny anymore. You’re perfectly safe.”She did like to have her hair washed. A simple, soothing pleasure. One of her favorite luxuries. But Eric? She wasn’t sure she wanted h
“Trey has a point,” he said.He pulled out and Myrna groaned in protest. He dropped to his knees between her legs and plunged his tongue inside her. He gripped her thighs as he ate her out. Sucking, biting, licking, probing her cunt, her ass, her cunt again with his tongue. She couldn’t keep track of his chaotic motions, could only focus on the excitement and pleasure it drew from her trembling body. When his mouth shifted to her clit, she cried out with release. “God, yes, Brian. Yes! Yes!” Her juices dripped down the crack of her ass. He lapped up every drop.“What are you doing to her?” someone called from the other room.“He’s eating,” Myrna yelled. “Don’t bother him.”There was a smattering of laughter from beyond the dining room. Brian stood up and smiled down at her crookedly. His lips were wet and swollen. She rose up to kiss him. The taste of her fluids on his lips made her belly quiver. She grabbed his cock and guided it inside her body, shifting forward to force him deeper.
Brian led Myrna to the bedroom and closed the door. She looked up at him expectantly in the limited light spilling between the heavy drapes. He smiled, cupping her cheek and running his thumb over her cheekbone. This woman. This beautiful, intelligent, witty, fun, sexy woman. How could he not fall for her? He knew she’d crush his heart like a bug and didn’t care. He wondered if she had marathon sex with every lover she’d taken. She was certainly eager and skilled. He didn’t dare ask her. He didn’t want to know that he wasn’t special. Wanted to believe that he was the first, the only man with whom she’d experienced this level of passion. He could pretend. And he could indulge. If new experiences were what she wanted, he’d do his damnedest to give them to her.She laid a gentle hand on his bare belly and he tensed. He was still rock hard, but he wanted to go slow with her this time, not lose himself in mindless fucking. Not that mindless fucking was bad. It was spectacular, and she was
Myrna knocked at the “Staff Only” door behind the stadium. A large man pulled the door ajar, blocking its opening with his broad body.“Can I help you, ma’am?”She’d had nothing to wear but professional attire, but being called ma’am smacked of elderly lady and set her teeth on edge.“I’m a guest of Sinners.”He gave her a “yeah, right” look and consulted a paper attached to his clipboard. “Name?”“Myrna.” She coughed. “Myrna Suxsed.”He grinned at her. “You must have a lot of sisters. There are half a dozen girls with that same last name on my list.”She cleared her throat. “Indeed.”He stepped aside, handed her a backstage pass with her fake name on it and pointed her down a corridor. People stood outside doors marked with the names of the opening bands. Most of the hall-dwellers were young women who looked as expected. Wearing a black bra as a shirt seemed to be the norm. Myrna pretended to fit in, but she stuck out like a sore thumb. Every person she passed stopped talking in mid-
Standing on the floor looking up at the stage with a couple of the roadies and several girls from the dressing room, Myrna waited for Sinners to make their entrance. Her heart thudded with anticipation.“Who are you, anyway?” one of the dressing room girls asked.“None of your business. Go get me a beer,” Myrna said.The girl scowled at her, creasing her heavy blue and black eye makeup. Myrna wondered if she thought that much glitter was really necessary. It detracted from her looks rather than adding to them.“Uh. That was a joke,” Myrna said. “I’m a friend of Brian’s.”“Did you babysit him when he was in elementary school or something?”Ouch.“No, actually, I’m fucking him.”“Heh, I thought so.” The girl grinned. “How’d he hook up with a stuffy chick like you?”Myrna shrugged. “Who are you here with?”“Sed or Trey. I was hoping Brian, since Angie split, but he’s a one chick kind of guy.”“Sed or Trey?”“Maybe both. Depends on their mood and how tired they are after the show.”“Not E
He paused and turned in her direction. His smile, meant only for her, dazzled. She ran to him and wrapped him in an enthusiastic embrace. Her ears were numb from the loud music, but every other sense was heightened. The scent of his sweat made her tremble.“You are amazing,” she sputtered.He popped the earplugs out of his ears. “Don’t get all fan girl on me now.”He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her past the dressing room. As they passed, Myrna caught a glimpse of Sed, minus his shirt, surrounded by several girls.“Where are we going?” Myrna asked.“Trust me, you don’t want to go anywhere near Sed for a while. He’s in one of his moods. We’re going to the bus. Is that okay?”She nodded. If he asked her to walk on hot coals, she would have eagerly complied. And why was that? She didn’t understand her own psychology at the moment.He kissed her temple. “Did you like your solo?”“How could I not? All I could think about was you making love to me when you wrote it.”He ch
Brian headed for the crowd, starting at one end of the barrier fence and working his way down. He signed autographs, shook hands, offered the occasional hug, allowed his picture to be taken dozens of times and put up with a heck of a lot of groping from female fans. Myrna waited patiently, trying to curtail her jealousy. She knew this was important. His fans made his entire career possible. Still, she didn’t like all the touchy-feely young women rubbing up against him while he was distracted with signing an autograph or answering a question.After about fifteen minutes, he offered a salute to the crowd and returned to Myrna’s side.“I’ll have to go around the front of the bus and then sneak along the back side. Otherwise, they’ll see me again and we’ll never catch a break. You go between the buses and meet me on the other side. Pretend like we’re saying good-bye now.”“Okay.”He hugged her with the same kind detachment he hugged enthusiastic fans, and waved at her slightly before turn
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