LOGIN“Thanks, Chase. I appreciate it.”“I ain’t one to brag, but I’ve gotten good at this touchy feely shit since meeting my Ava Rose.” Chase belched. “Speakin’ of…gotta see what my missus is up to.”Ben had a strange pang of jealousy when Chase swept Ava into his arms and plopped her on his lap, kissing her soundly. They were so in love, so attuned to each other—so oblivious to assorted family members shouting at them to get a room.He had time to study how his family clustered together. His cousin’s wives, Channing, Macie, AJ, Ginger and India had babies propped on their hips. His mom, Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Kimi were carting around their grandkids. Tell, Dalton, Brandt and Jessie had formed their own group in the living room corner. The rest of his cousins were outside because it was damn hot in here. The horde of kids running in and out every ten seconds hadn’t done much to cool the place off.No one bothered him. The groups shifted. He saw his sister-in-law Libby bustling around in the
He watched as she made the rounds with his family, so beautiful and confident and real. For the first time he allowed himself to wonder what would happen when the month was up. Would Ainsley be interested in seeing more of him? And if so, did she want him as Bennett, the man who took great pleasure in awakening her darker sexual needs? Or would she want Ben, the rancher? Maybe she’d want neither and she’d just walk away. That made him want to punch something.Ben stared out the dining room window to the darkness beyond, mentally planning his weekly to-do list instead of obsessively watching Ainsley. A hand clapped him on the back and he stiffened. He hated Steve Talbot’s fake show of camaraderie.“Ben. Good to see you.”“Talbot. Thanks for comin’.”“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Steve tossed a glance over his shoulder. “But I’ll admit I’m surprised you brought my competitor to a family event.”Ben couldn’t very well point out the fact Steve wasn’t family and he was here. “The com
“Come on up here, young cowboy.”The kid didn’t go around and take the stairs. He took a running jump and threw himself onto the stage.This amused everyone at the tables off to the left.Ainsley bent down. “What’s your name?”“Miles McKay.” The kid practically shouted the last part, which incited more laughter.Didn’t it just figure she’d pick a McKay? “So, Miles, what do you want to be when you grow up?”“A bull rider like my daddy and like Chase.”“I’ve always admired a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Have your dad and Chase given you any advice?”He nodded. “Stay on eight seconds.”More laughter.What a charmer. “Okay, Miles, stick your hand in and pick out a winner.”Miles stirred the pieces of paper before he found the one he liked. When he looked up from beneath the brim of his little black hat, with those vivid blue eyes and serious expression, Ainsley immediately thought of another dark-haired, blue-eyed cowboy charmer. She almost said, “Thanks, Ben,” but caugh
“He gets pissy when you rip on yourself. So tell me.”Her exhalations puffed against his lips. “You see me in a different way than I see myself. You can make me feel sexy and pretty.”“You are sexy and pretty.” He pressed smooches to her lips.“And when you give me such awesome compliments? They’re sincere. Not toss off comments because you want to get laid.” She rubbed her mouth over his. “You know I’m a sure thing. So I appreciate them even more.”“The only sure thing about you, angel, is you keep me on my toes. I don’t take for granted that you’re a sure thing because you can stop this at any time. And after last night…I was really afraid you would.”“Ben.” Ainsley placed a kiss on his chin. “I can’t promise you that this won’t end, but I want to see it through until the end date we agreed on. Okay?”That was more than he’d hoped for, but not nearly enough, and it’d have to do for now. He said, “Okay".Ainsley had expected a decent turnout for the community event National West and
“Nope. It’s always been my private place. Well, as private as a public place can be.”“Did you ever come to any life-altering decisions while soaking in the scenery?”“Given that my workin’ life had been predetermined by bein’ born into a ranching family, I’ll say no.”“Are you ever resentful that path was expected for you? And then Chase got to go off and do his own thing?”The depth of the questions surprised him. Like she’d just been waiting for the chance to ask. “There are days, but I’ll admit those days are rare. I’ll also admit I’d probably feel differently about that life if I hadn’t found my place in the club. Besides I’ve always known my station in life regarding our section of the ranch.”She frowned. “I was under the impression the McKay Ranch was one entity.”“It is. But it’s complicated with the additions to the original ranch land. My Uncle Carson and his sons have been buying up land for the last fifteen years. So has my Uncle Cal.”“And your family hasn’t added on?”N
“Ben, it’s—”“It’s not okay. Christ, it’s far from okay. Just hear me out, all right? ’Cause I’m not used to…doin’ shit like this.” He exhaled a frustrated burst of air. “Not that I don’t f**k up from time to time, but I’ve never had to approach a sub and apologize for my inappropriate Dom behavior.”She said nothing.“What I did was out of line. I won’t make excuses. I won’t be the guy who apologizes, and tries to defend his actions after the apology.”“But?”“But nothin’.” Ben studied his drink. “I was wrong. I made the punishment about what I wanted, instead of makin’ it about what you needed. That goes against everything I am as a Dom and as a man. Jesus. I…” He looked into her eyes and felt his stomach bottom out. “Ainsley. I’m sorry.”“I know you are,” she said softly. “I knew it last night. But I appreciate you coming by and saying it and making sure I was all right.”“So are we okay?”“You mean am I willing to continue as we were? With me as your submissive for the next couple
She was totally in love with this man.But she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it. She wasn’t certain if she’d been celibate so long that Kane’s expertise in bed turned her feelings of lust into love. Not only that, if she confessed her feelings, would he think she was no different than the other
Her eyes focused on his cheek. “You’re bleeding.”“Where?”“Your face. Come inside with me and I’ll clean it up.”Brandt shook his head. “I’m sure it’s just a scratch.”“Made by a rusty nail. When was your last tetanus shot? Just let me take a quick look—”“No,” he practically bellowed. “Don’t you unders
“Gourmet meal?”He grinned. “Spaghettios. And canned peaches for dessert.”“Tempting, but I wouldn’t want to intrude.” She crouched down by Landon and straightened the seam on his footie pajamas. “So, I’ll leave the books here, but tomorrow night, I’m thinking we’ll start having story time before bed.
“True. But I’ll climb on a back of a bull as long as I can.” He took another drink of beer. “And the injury is healin’ fine, if my nosy-assed brothers asked you to grill me about it.”“They didn’t.”“Good.” Chase shivered. “I forget how goddamn cold it is here.”“You’re spoiled competing in all those w







