Cord jammed the tobacco in his cheek next to his molars. He only chewed occasionally, and only when Ky wasn’t around. Kade said, “Before you ask, no, I don’t know where your stupid brother is either. Been busy after work with Ma’s side of the family. First Uncle Darren wanted my help.” He sighed. “You know how our dads are about Uncle Harland, so I couldn’t exactly tell him I’ve been helpin’ out Uncle H since Dag went on another bender. Spent the last coupla nights at his place. Early this mornin’ I get to the northeast corner where we been fixin’ fence and Kane tells me Dag had enough of Uncle H’s naggin’ and me tryin’ to— quote ‘be the son Dag could never be’ so he packed his shit and now he’s livin’ at the Boars Nest in my old room.” “Uncle H tell you what went on to make Dag bail?” “Hell no. Truth is, I don’t know why Dag’d move up there besides the free-for-all-anyway you want sex. The place is a fuckin’ pigsty. Kane and me cleaned it up a couple of times in the last month,

Cord wore a towel. A small towel. Even when her hormones did the boot scootin’ boogie from the sight of all that yummy bare man flesh and bulging muscles, she noticed the dejected set of his shoulders, the swollen bump on his jaw, the mouse under his eye and the cut on his cheekbone.He sighed. “That bad, huh?”“What?”“You should see the look on your face, AJ.”“This look?” She made a funny face and his faint smile appeared.“Like I said, baby doll, you’re a real laugh a minute.” He kept a hand on the towel and pointed. “The bed make you so mad that you ripped it apart?”“No. Just getting it ready.”Cord sighed again. “No offense, but I’m not really in the mood tonight. In fact, I’ll probably be lousy company so it might be best if you went on home.”“Huh-uh. The hottest man I know is stark naked right in front of me, no way am I going anywhere. Lay face down on the mattress, McKay.”“This bossy side of you is new.”“Hah. Ky wouldn’t agree. He once said I was as bossy as…well, you if

A much better description than Colt’s accusation of him being a cold bastard.“You’ll wake me up?”“Early in the morning so you can sneak in bed before anyone knows you were out all night.” Selfish of him, but he didn’t want her to leave.“Good plan. Which means that’s another virginity you can claim.”“What’s that?”“I’ve never slept in the same bed with a man. Ever. Not for an hour, especially not all night. I’m glad it’s with you.”“Me too.”******AJ woke with a start. Where was she? And why was she…naked? A snore behind her made her jump. She turned slightly and saw Cord sprawled face down on the mattress beside her. Just as naked as she.She was in Cord’s bed? Her gaze flew to the clock. Five a.m.Damn. She’d been out all night.So? You’re an adult. You’re entitled to cut loose once in awhile.True. But neither her mom nor sister needed the extra worry in their lives.AJ slid off the bed and kept an eagle eye on her lover as she dressed. Part of her wanted to wake him; part of h

A sheepish look crossed his face and she knew he’d used the papers as an excuse to see her. She was absurdly pleased.“Nah.” He brushed the dust off his hat and put it back on before he headed outside.She followed.After she had the manila envelope in her hand, he said, “Don’t be late tonight.Seventeen penalties is plenty to get me started,” before his rig took off in a cloud of dust.******AJ arrived at Cord’s house early evening to find a note taped to the door.Strip. Lock the door. Sit by the fireplace, put on the blindfold and wait. No talking.Oh man. What did he have in store for her?She’d anticipated he’d want her naked as soon as possible, so she’d worn a summer sun dress—easy on, easy off, no bra, no panties. After she was naked, she paraded into the living room. The coffee table had been shoved against the far wall, leaving the big area rug empty.The sitting area directly in front of the fireplace grate was constructed of slabs of slate. Despite the hot day, that dark

Double whoa. The woman was absolutely stunning. Her face was sharp angles-razor blade cheekbones, a square jawline. Her features were softened by pouty lips the envy of Angelina Jolie.The woman didn’t smile. “Can I get you to move please? That door opens out, which is the first thing I’m going to change.”AJ’s ears perked up and she shuffled aside. “Change?”“My sister and I are opening up a shop here once we can get the changes approved from the landlord.”“Landlord? Doesn’t Dewey own this building?”“It’d be easier if he did. He sold it last year. Any changes have to get approval from this mysterious owner.” The woman’s vivid blue gaze narrowed. “Why?”“Because Dewey neglected to tell my friend that. She’s talking to him about taking over his restaurant.”Blue eyes finally smiled. “Dewey is a miscreant. Let’s crash their meeting and see how old Dewey reacts.”AJ led the way. Dewey blinked rapidly when he saw the woman behind her.“Now, Dewey, please tell me you aren’t misleading t