Masuk“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,
“You shouldn’t be. Them bankers usually have their minds made up before you even walk in the door. Bunch of controlling bastards. Least, that’s been my experience.”“I thought all the McKays had more money than they knew what to do with and didn’t owe anyone anything.”“Not all the McKays. Especially not those of us who’ve built houses or businesses or bought land. I’ve got monthly payments.”“So what do you think my chances are of getting the money?”“Most bankers are real tight-asses in this economy. They’ll take into account that you own the land. But they’ll also take into account if your proposed improvements will actually increase the property value.”Rielle sighed. “Too bad the barter system doesn’t still work with everyone.”“No kiddin’. Speaking of…thanks for checking in on the dogs this weekend.”“No biggie. I had nothing else going on. Rory was supposed to be home this weekend but she had to work.”“How’s her first semester of graduate school?”“Good. She’s still bartending
She popped her feet out of both boots, tossed them to a stage runner, and stood barefoot on the stage wriggling her toes in delight. “Now I can get my rock on.”She played a random string of notes that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Okay, so this was a lot of fun. She dug her fingers into her hair, me
“No, I can go at it all night. I just feel so much better now. Thanks.”Ethan grinned to himself. “No thanks necessary.” He joined him on the bed and settled over his back. “Don’t come unless I tell you to.”“Ethan.”“Don’t speak either. Just take it.”Trey relaxed beneath him. “Yes,” he whispered. “Giv
Myrna shook her head at him. “What Malcolm needs is his father. And I need my husband. This will be our home, Brian. Just because it moves doesn’t mean it’s not a stable environment for him. When we’re parked, I can write.”“And I can sew,” Aggie said.“And Malcolm can play and grow up knowing his fat
“I understand,” he said. “This is enough.”But it wasn’t and Reagan knew that. “I should have been more discrete with Trey too. If I can’t be open about both of you, I shouldn’t be open about either of you.”“We can publicly pretend to break up, if you want,” Trey said.“Don’t be stupid,” Ethan said. “







