CHAPTER 129

A kid screamed, another one yelled, “Mom!” Jenn sighed and disappeared upstairs.

Cord gave AJ’s jeans and T-shirt a once over. “Get your boots on.”

“Cord—”

“Now.”

“They’re in the entryway.”

He held the door open for her. “After you.”

AJ reached for the red ropers lined against the wall with the others. He noticed the silver spiked-heeled boots and pointed at them. “Bring those too.”

“I can’t ride in those.”

“You can for the kind of ridin’ I got planned.”

“Fine.” She slipped on the boots and grabbed the other pair.

“Get in the truck.”

“Bossy much?”

“Oh, you ain’t seen bossy, baby doll. Not by half.”

She swallowed hard and climbed in.

Cord purposely didn’t speak to her at all during the ride to his place. He didn’t crank the radio either. His silence would keep her on edge, right where he wanted her.

He parked in front of his house and stared straight ahead as he spoke. “You’ve pushed me to the limits of my control, AJ. Today ain’t so much about discipline, but playin’ catch up for the