LOGINBen 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
“I’ll stand, thanks.”“I’d think you were a gentleman, saving the chair for your wife or girlfriend, if I didn’t just see you order her to sit alone in the truck.”Any veneer of calmness fled. Ben cut across the room and placed his hands on her desk, looming over her. “First off, I wouldn’t have been in the Rawhide Club screwing around with other women if I was married or seeing someone.” Breathe, man. His gaze dropped to the nameplate. Whoa. Her name wasn’t Angel? “Maybe I oughta be questioning you and your motives, since you, oh, lied about your damn name and wore that ridiculous wig.”“Given my occupation, I’m sure you understand why I disguised myself. Plus, I had no idea what to expect from an establishment like the Rawhide Club since it was my first foray into such a place. Better to be safe than sorry.”“Fine. I guess I can buy that.”She fiddled with a pen. “Can you please sit down?”“Am I makin’ you nervous?”“We already established last weekend that you make me very nervous,
She’d never had much of a sex life, so the fact she was getting some good lovin’ on a regular basis should’ve made her swoon like giggling maiden. So why did it bug the crap out of her that sex had turned…routine? And that was saying a lot, coming from someone like Skylar who thrived on routine. Not
“Enough!” Cord snarled and rolled her so she was in his arms. Holding her like a baby, he walked them to the rug. He set her on her feet, keeping her back to his chest. His heavy, harsh breathing stirred her hair. “On your hands and knees. Now.”AJ dropped to the rug, once again that slight edge of f
AJ hopped up and snagged her prize off the podium and hefted it in the air like she’d won the gold buckle at the rodeo.A few women noticed and clapped.Carolyn McKay floated her a thumbs up before she and her sister snuck out.The deputy and male bar patrons stared in horror at the decorations and the
“Least you got an heir. I thought I’d be married by now. Have a couple of kids. It ain’t really bothered me until recently. I figured there was time. Now that I’ve been livin’ with my folks, might sound sappy as shit, but I want what they have. I’m afraid I’m gonna wake up in ten years and be a grum







