تسجيل الدخولBen wondered if he should leave the room.A pause. “You listen to me, Ellen. If you sign the consent form, I’ll be at my attorney’s office first thing tomorrow morning, filing for sole custody of Sierra, without visitation rights. Because she doesn’t need to get her goddamn eyebrow pierced! Or her nose or her lip or her belly button. Don’t try that bullshit argument with me. End of discussion. And I’d better not see one f**king piercing on her body anywhere when I pick her up tonight, we clear? Put her back on.” Gavin paced. “Hey. No, honey, slow down. Sierra-bear, you know how she gets. It’s all right. I’m glad you called me. Of course. I miss you too. See you tonight.” He calmly shut the phone and braced his hands against the counter, letting his head hang down.“Mother-fucking-sonofabitch-goddamn-it-all-to-hell-I’m-going-to-fucking-kill-her-with-my-bare-hands.”That was unexpected from Mr. Calm and Refined.Gavin took several deep breaths, before he glanced up at Ben. “Sorry. Somet
“Spoken like a bachelor.” Gavin helped himself to a cup of coffee. “But that doesn’t explain why it appears Rielle’s has been crying.”She laughed a tad too cheerfully. “It’s from chopping onions for the quiche we’re having for lunch.”Gavin looked like didn’t believe her, but he smiled at her anyway. “Good to know. I’d hate to have to pound on Ben if he somehow maligned your muffins.”Rielle rolled her eyes. “Ben would never do that. He’s a good guy, honest as the day is long.”Ben made a gagging noise.“Plus, he knows what side his muffin is buttered on.” She winked. “If you need anything else, holler. I’ll be in my office.”Gavin refilled his coffee and loaded his plate with a muffin and a banana.“You seem to get along with Rielle,” Ben remarked.“This is the third time I’ve stayed with her.”Like that explained it. “So how long you staying?”“I leave at six tonight on the direct flight out of Rapid City to Phoenix.” He cut the banana into precise quarters. “I’d like to stay longe
The dogs jumped out of the truck bed and raced off into the trees with Rielle’s three mutts.Rielle met him at the front door and held open the screen. “Hey, stranger.”“Mornin’, Rielle. Something smells good.”“There’s fresh coffee and warm muffins inside.”She was in a good mood, which boded well for him. “I didn’t stop over here expecting to be fed, but I ain’t gonna say no now that you offered.” He followed her into the kitchen.“I don’t imagine you stopped over to talk to me anyway.” She pointed to the mugs. “Help yourself.”“Is Gavin up?”“He hopped into the shower as you pulled in.”Ben sat at the counter, poured himself a cup of coffee and set two blueberry muffins on a plate. “I did want to talk to you about something.”“Sounds serious.”“It is. I wanted to bring it up in private.”“Now you’re really scaring me.”Ben looked Rielle in the eyes. “I won’t beat around the bush. How much financial trouble are you in?”Rielle’s cheeks turned bright red and her hands squeezed her co
“Not yet. I wouldn’t mind getting under the covers, though.”After they slipped between the sheets, Ben ended up spooned behind her, tucking her against his body, almost completely immobilizing her.“Thanks for inviting me to your folks’ party.”“You’re welcome. You deserved to be there. You fit right in.”“Which is odd, given I’m never around my family, and rarely around so many kids.”“The McKays were out in full force today.”“You were…scarce.”His rough-tipped fingers trailed up and down her arm. “That’s the way it goes. I’m considered one of the quiet ones, a man of few words, and usually none of importance, so no one pays much attention to me.”“But that gives you the opportunity to pay attention to them.” She paused. “Is that why you’re so in tune with…people? Because you’ve spent a lifetime observing?”“Probably. And without goin’ all psychobabble, I’ve been the middle boy. Even now that Gavin is around I’m still in the middle. Quinn…well, Dad thinks the sun rises and sets wit
Ainsley stood and draped the sweater over the back of the chair. She unbuttoned her skirt and it slithered down her legs to the floor. Bennett’s hands were on the bottom of her lace shell. He pulled it over her head, tossing it aside and attacked the hooks on her bra. Then she was stark naked except for her shoes. And Bennett’s hungry eyes ate up every inch.He led her to the bathroom and flipped on all the lights. “Up on your knees. On the counter. Facing the mirror.”She actually blurted, “But why?” before the two hard smacks stung her backside.“Now.”Not only did her face heat, but her whole body burned as she scrambled onto the low countertop. She did not want to see all her body flaws in what felt like stadium lighting. Her head fell forward of its own accord and her hair obscured her face.Bennett grabbed a handful of hair and jerked her back up. “Look at yourself.”“I-I don’t want to.”“Not a request.” She watched his big hands in the mirror. His roughness to her softness. Tho
Ainsley flipped on the lamps in the living room. She shut the shades. She fought the need to tidy up—straighten the fleece blanket draped over the couch, gather the newspaper and mug on the coffee table. How could she be so nervous in her own house?“Ainsley.”She looked at him, definitely in Dom mode now, nonchalantly leaning against the wall. With that look in his eye. The man knew how to smolder. “Yes?”“Come here.”A mere twenty steps across the small space and she stood in front of him. More nervous than before.Bennett ran his knuckles down her cheek. Then he cupped her chin and traced the outline of her lips with his thumb. “Put your mouth on me.”Ainsley didn’t move. Didn’t think. He’d tell her exactly what he wanted her to do. And that was exactly what she wanted. After being in charge all day, she’d gladly let Bennett take charge of her.His hand fell to his waist and he worked his belt buckle, his midnight-blue eyes remained locked on hers.She lowered to the carpet. She un
“Goddammit, Jessie, look at me.”Miracle of miracles, she rolled over, angrily pushed her tangled hair from her face and squinted at him.Brandt didn’t let his gaze fall below her chin.Jessie had that glassy-eyed look from too much alcohol, and her reaction time was slower, but she didn’t react like h
“Don’t leave me hangin’ now,” he half-snarled.“What about your family? I think Dalton and Tell will be okay with us being together. But your dad?He hates me. Can you—”“What’s the worst he can do? Say no?” Brandt kissed her. “Nothin’ would be worse than not havin’you in my life, Jess. Nothin’.”“Then
“I know more than you do. When Samantha lived with Drex, she talked about turning the boy over to his father’s family so she could be free. Most the time she was so wasted she didn’t remember she even had a kid, let alone knowing how to take care of him. Get used to him being around permanently, bec
When Ethel gobbled the carrot chunk from Landon’s hand, he shrieked with happiness.Both he and Jessie winced. “We’ve gotta find a better way for him to communicate.”“Agreed. I’m almost finished.”“With all the animals?”“No, just the llamas. See? Here come the horses.”The six horses trotted in from th







