LOGIN“That’s an excellent suggestion, Ben.” Mark said. “Would Chase be interested?”“I can ask him. If he is you’ll have to get in touch with his PR people to finalize the details. I only see one problem with this.”“What’s that?”“The McKays have always been customers at Settler’s First Bank. I reckon they won’t take too kindly to a celebration for Chase McKay bein’ sponsored by a competing bank.”Silence.Ainsley looked impressed…and a little peeved.“I’m sure we could work something out.” Mark glanced at his watch. “I’m afraid I’ve got a meeting. Could I drop you off at the bank, Ainsley?”“No. I’ll walk back. I’d like to talk a little more in depth with Mr. McKay about his ideas.” She winked at Mark. “Maybe try to sweet talk him into hearing my National West Bank pitch about all the services we offer our new customers.”“Excellent idea. Enjoy.” He hustled out the door.Ben gestured to the booth. “Could I interest you in a slice of pie or a cup of coffee while I hear how well you can se
Ben gave them credit for quick thinking. “We’ve always wanted that creek front section. But they’ve always refused to sell.”“It don’t look like Rielle’s got an option now. The sale of that acreage will give her enough money to keep her bed and breakfast open if she wants.”“Who else have you talked to about this?”“No one,” Dalton said. “Not even Brandt.”“Why not?”“Because as much as we appreciate that Brandt’s a hard worker, he’s a damn do-gooder. He’ll see even talkin’ to Rielle as takin’ advantage of her. We don’t see it that way. We figured you wouldn’t either. So, we’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to Quinn.”It clicked. “Quinn would feel the same as Brandt.”Tell nodded. “You’re practical, Ben. And to some extent, unsentimental, like us. It’s just business.”“Good business,” Dalton inserted. “It has to be just the three of us, if we can swing it.”“Because you don’t want Uncle Carson or Uncle Cal to get wind of this either.”“And buy it right out from under us? Fuc
“He drinks until he passes out. We stop by to check on him.”“To make sure he ain’t dead,” Dalton said.The muscle in Tell’s jaw flexed. “Mom would have a conniption fit if she saw the state of the house. It’s nasty. Dad’s been livin’ like a drunken hermit since their divorce was finalized.”Dalton scowled. “Even after all the shit Dad did to Jessie over the years, she still tried to help him. Cleaned the place top to bottom. Washed his clothes. Cooked for him. He’s such an ungrateful bastard that Brandt won’t let Jess go over there anymore.”“Too bad you can’t just move your dad’s stuff to Brandt’s trailer and then he and Jessie could have the house. It’s at least fifteen minutes closer to her job.”Tell and Dalton exchanged a pained look. “We think that’s what they’re waitin’ for.”“Waiting for Uncle Casper to die?” Ben said sharply.“He’s killin’ himself, Ben. He won’t listen to any of us. Believe it or not, Mom had some influence over him, but that’s gone. They haven’t spoken sinc
“Yes, you’re definitely a master at what you do.”A harsh look darkened Bennett’s face. “I don’t have a playbook. I’m not thinking, if I stroke her pu**y fourteen more times she’ll cream on my hand.”Ainsley knew he’d intentionally used crude language to drive home his point. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I meant you should have that designated Master title because…well, you are a master at this stuff. It’s a compliment.”When she looked at him, Bennett was gone. Seemed strange to think of him as two separate personalities, but he really did have a switch that turned Ben, the easygoing rancher, into Bennett, the intense Dom.“I ain’t gonna lie. I want more of that with you. I’ve been kicking this idea around all day.”“What idea?”“I want you as my submissive.”He wasn’t joking. She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll never be a lifestyle submissive like Layla.”“And I’d never demand that of you.”“What would you demand?”“Time alone with you. Conditioning you to learn to let go. Showing
After they’d taken a couple of bites, Ben spoke. “Given the way we met, seems strange to swap life stories, but I reckon we oughta get the basics out of the way. So go ahead. Ask me anything.”That was a loaded question. “You’re part of the McKay family ranching dynasty.”“Dynasty.” Ben snorted. “I’m just a simple rancher.”“So your main job is…”“Cattle. Feeding them, breeding them, moving them, selling them. I work with my older brother Quinn on our section of the ranch. But we all help each other out if need be. Certain times of the year are busier than others. It ain’t a nine to five job, like bankers’ hours.”She bristled until she realized he was teasing. “Funny, cattleman. Have you ever been married?”“Nope.” He shot her a sideways glance. “You?”“I was married for almost five years. Been divorced almost two years.”“Kids?”“None.”“So what happened to bust up your marriage?”Ben’s forthright manner was refreshing. “The things that made us compatible in the beginning of our rel
“No, we were just finishing up. But as long as you asked, what can you tell me about him?”“Besides he’s as hot as fire? Mama, those blue eyes of his just like…look right into you, know what I mean?”Yes, she’d been on the receiving end of those soul-pondering looks.“He’s pretty quiet compared to the rest of his family. But like the rest of them, he’s involved in the McKay ranching operation. He’s not much into the bar scene around here. He probably gets sick of women hanging all over him, but he’s too polite and gentlemanly to say anything, know what I mean?”No, that didn’t ring true. Ainsley clearly remembered Bennett telling her exactly what he wanted her to do.“He doesn’t really date, definitely not like his cousins do. Because of that, some nasty people around here whisper he’s g*y, but I don’t believe that for a second.”That man was far, far from g*y.Evidently Jenny realized that Ainsley hadn’t responded to anything she’d said. Her baby blues widened. “You aren’t involved w
Something slammed Jessica in the face. Pain streaked through her right cheek and eye. She stumbled into the wall, her arm raised defensively. Someone grabbed two handfuls of her hair and slammed her into the wall, then dragged her face down to the floor.“Ain’t so high and mighty now, are you, bitch?
“Is Trey with you?”“Yeah, I’ve got him. We’re weaning him off his pain meds. If it works, you might actually recognize him the next time you see him.”“What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just take someone off narcotic painkillers without medical consultation. Myrna said he’ll go through all so
Brian snorted with laughter. “Apparently, they’ve never seen you passed out with your head in a toilet.”The guys in the audience hollered their approval.Sed appeared between them and looped an arm around each of their shoulders. “Are you fuckers going to talk all night or are you going to play some
There was a loud thunk on the other side of the door. A moment later, Brian yanked it open. He had a sheet bunched around his naked hips. His entire body was drenched in sweat and his shoulder-length black hair stuck to his damp face and neck.“This better be important.”“Is that Sed?” Myrna appeared







