Her brows furrowed harder and she was silent for a long moment.“Why didn’t you tell me when you gave it to me?”He pushed up to one elbow so they were more eye to eye. He reached out to touch her cheek, caressing the smooth skin. Then he let his fingers drift down to the choker, to the diamond that rested against her throat.“I was afraid that it was too soon. That you wouldn’t fully understand. I didn’t want to pressure you. I was afraid you wouldn’t want it if you knew what it truly meant.”She bit her lip pensively. “But Jace, why would you want me to wear it if I didn’t understand the significance? It’s not real until I know what it means. Any satisfaction you felt at having me wear it had to have been hollow because I didn’t know what it was I wore.”His lips twisted ruefully. “You have me there. And you’re right. For me it was enough to see it around your neck and for me to know what it meant. But you’re correct. It could never mean what it should until you recognized and accep
He glanced down to where Bethany’s dark head lay on his shoulder. She hadn’t stirred either. They’d made love countless times until they’d both fallen into an exhausted sleep.He reached for his cell phone lying on the nightstand and saw that Kaden was calling.“Jace Crestwell,” he answered.“Mr. Crestwell, I thought you’d like to know that Kingston returned to the apartment.”“He’s there now?” Jace asked in a low voice.“Yes, sir. Came in a few minutes ago. Let himself in and he hasn’t left yet.”“Make sure he doesn’t,” Jace said curtly. “I’ll be right over.”“Yes, sir.”Jace disconnected the call as Bethany stirred beside him. She lifted her head and gazed at him with sleepy eyes.“Everything okay?”He kissed her forehead. “I have to go out for a while.” He hesitated a moment. “Jack came back to the apartment.”Her eyes became more alert, shaking off the veil of sleep. “I’ll go with you.”He shook his head. “No. I’ll handle this, Bethany.”She became agitated and before she could wo
“Be good to her,” Jack said quietly.There again in his eyes was that flicker that told Jace that Bethany meant more to Jack than a sibling.“You need to understand this isn’t a temporary thing with me and Bethany,” Jace said, not caring that he was being merciless. Jack needed to understand where Jace stood and that Bethany was never going to be a possibility for Jack.“Yeah, I get it,” Jack muttered. “I knew I never had a chance with her, but she’s always belonged to me.”“Not anymore,” Jace said. “She’s mine and I protect what’s mine. You ever try to hurt her and I’ll crush you.”“Just make her happy. That’s all I ask.”“You can make her happy by cleaning up your act,” Jace pointed out.Resignation was dark and churning in Jack’s eyes. For the first time, Jace got a glimpse of the demons driving the other man. Demons that had once held Bethany in their grip too.“I’ll try,” Jack said flatly.**********Jace and Bethany spent New Year’s Eve with Gabe, Mia and Ash. Things were less a
Bethany drew away, her lips curving ruefully. “I only hope I continue to make him happy. I love him.”“And he loves you,” Mia said matter-of-factly. “It’s so plain to see. I’ve never seen him so gaga over a woman. I have to tell you, it’s astonishing to witness!”The car pulled to a stop in front of another apartment complex, where four women stood waiting. Mia jumped out, pulling Bethany with her.“I’ll make this quick. It’s freezing!” Mia said. “Bethany, I want you to meet my best friends on earth, Caroline, Chessy, Gina and Trish. Guys, this is Jace’s girlfriend, Bethany.”“Ah damn it, Mia, break my heart, why don’t you,” Chessy said dramatically.Bethany looked at the pretty woman in confusion.Mia laughed. “She’s had the hots for Jace forever. It’s slaying her that he’s off the market now.”Bethany burst into laughter. “Sorry. Well, not really.”The others laughed with her.“I wouldn’t be sorry either,” Trish said. “Jace is one fine specimen of a man. You’re a lucky woman, Bethan
A shiver worked over Bethany’s shoulders. “I’d planned to sober up before we went back home. I didn’t want Jace to know I got drunk. He’d worry and probably disapprove. But if what you’re saying is true . . .”Mia bumped into Bethany’s side and threw her arms up in the air. “Oh it’s true,” Mia shouted. “He won’t be able to resist!”“In that case, let’s get our drink on some more!” Bethany shouted back.“After we give Gabe a show he won’t soon forget,” Mia said with a wink.Bethany laughed and the two got into the beat of the music. Caroline joined them a moment later, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling with happiness. The three put on a show that later would mortify Bethany when she thought back on it, but it was so much fun, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d really let loose and had such a fabulous time.When the song ended, Mia grabbed Bethany’s arm and the two fell all over each other getting back to the table where, predictably, the waitress was waiting with anoth
He chuckled, his breath sizzling over her bare neck just before he pressed his mouth to her nape, sending chill bumps racing down her spine. “Oh, you’re drunk. And you’re cute as hell. I’m going to fuck your mouth, your pussy and that sweet ass. If you pass out on me, I’m not going to be pleased.”She closed her eyes, weaving unsteadily until he caught her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest as he let her dress fall to the floor. No way in hell she was going to miss this.“Love the lingerie,” he whispered as he nuzzled just behind her ear. “Love those heels even more. And yeah, I’m absolutely going to fuck you in them.”A low whimper of need welled in her throat.“Don’t see any reason to tie you up tonight,” he said in amusement. “You’re as helpless as a kitten. I’m liking it. I’m thinking a regular girls’ night out would be a very good thing.”He unfastened her bra and lowered the straps down her arms before tossing it aside. Then he turned her around to face him and back
Lowering his head back down he began to lick and eat more boldly, applying more pressure, touching her in the places he knew she was particularly sensitive. He knew every inch of her body. Knew she loved when he slid his finger into her pussy and pressed just so against her G-spot. She loved when he rolled his tongue around her clit, but she didn’t like when he sucked it too hard. And she loved to have the rim of her pussy opening toyed and teased with his tongue, his fingers and his cock. The quickest way to drive her insane was to fuck her with very short, shallow strokes with barely the head of his dick inside her.“You are a genius with your mouth,” she said dreamily. “I gotta tell Mia about this. All she said was that Gabe fucked her just inside the door, but I bet she doesn’t get this.”He raised his head, leveling a baleful stare in her direction. “Not cool, baby. Not cool at all.”Her eyes danced merrily and she giggled, momentarily releasing one knee to cover her mouth to sti
He laughed. “I haven’t gained size in my dick, baby. It’s the same size it’s always been.”“Okay, but it feels a lot bigger,” she grumbled.And then she pushed down, taking him to the balls. He groaned at the instant pressure surrounding him. She gripped him like a fist, squeezing and milking his dick like she wanted every drop of his cum.“Oh hell,” he muttered. “Need you to move, baby. This is going to be fast.”She shook her head and frowned. “Not until I say.”He lifted an eyebrow in question.“You can’t come until I say,” she said with a fierce glare.He laughed again and gripped her hips, holding her down in place. “Then you better say soon or you’re going to have an ass full of my cum and there won’t be a damn thing you can do about it.”She looked disgruntled but then she sat back, her hands sliding down his chest to his abdomen. She rotated experimentally, twitching her body this way and that until he was to the point of begging her to stop. She was going to be the death of h
“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