Cowboys Last All Night

by Jennifer Ashley

  “He’s an ass.” Some of her tension evaporated as righteous satisfaction replaced it. “And he’s no longer in my life—thank God for cross-country transfers. I hope he enjoys driving deliveries in rural Quebec. I hope he gets lost. Often.”

  “Vindictive woman. I like your claws.”

  “Rawr.” She scratched his chest, and something other than ex-husbands or worrying about family shot back to the top of his agenda.

  “Not to change the subject, but…” He glanced at his watch. “If you plan on giving me that blow job before we leave, get cracking.”

  Her smile turned mischievous. “Are you sure? Because with our track record, chances are your brother Trevor will show up at exactly the wrong moment, and you’ll spend the rest of the evening with a problem in your pants.”

  Lee didn’t bother to stop his laughter. The past week had held more emotion than he’d experienced in all his previous years. Passion, excitement, fear, anticipation—sorrow.

  And intermingled with all of them was the special joy Rachel had brought to his life.

  “Fine, I can wait.” He curled himself to a sitting position and brought her with him, hungrily taking her lips because he couldn’t stop himself.

  When they parted breathlessly, she offered him a huge smile. “Maybe we can find a broom closet at the party, or something.”

  Lee reached under the nearest pillow, cupping the box in the palm of his hand so Rachel wouldn’t see it. “That’s a dirty offer.”

  “You bring out the best in me,” she replied with a wink.

  She did the same for him. “I know Valentine’s Day isn’t your favourite thing, but because I’m a guy, this is the best time to do this so I have an easy date to remember.”

  He held out his surprise.

  Her smile froze. “Lee?”

  He bumped the box into her fingers. “Trust me.”

  Rachel cracked it open as if a spider were going to leap out, and the breath she’d been holding released in a long, steady stream. “My God, really?”

  He pulled the ring from the container and caught her fingers in his. “It’s not what you think.” He looked into her big brown eyes earnestly. “It’s a promise ring. It means I want you in my life, but I know we need time before we take the next step. I want you to wear this until you’re ready.”

  She laid a hand over her chest. “Something in here just expanded a few sizes.”

  “Good to know branding you ‘taken’ gives you heartburn,” Lee teased. He slipped the ring on her finger, wrapping his hand around hers. “Now it’s up to you. When you’re ready, let me know. Waiting won’t change the way I feel about you, so there’s no rush.”

  It had seemed a little juvenile when he’d come up with the idea, but from the moisture in her eyes and the smile she offered him, he’d done the right thing.

  “I’ll let you know,” she promised, leaning into him and offering her lips all over again. “I love you, Lee Coleman.”

  “I love you too, even though you seem hell-bent on us missing tonight’s party.” He laid his hands over her wrists where she was working on undressing him.

  Rachel raised a brow. “Tell me you’d prefer to go out instead of us having our own party here at home. Tell me that truthfully, and I’ll stop.” She undid his zipper and reached into his pants, wrapping her fingers around him. “Well?”

  She gave a damn convincing argument.

  “Why fight fate? I’m putty in your hands, Rachel Malone.” He folded his arms behind his head and offered his most risqué smile. “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey.”

  It was so much more than he’d set out to find that cold November day. What had been planted in the midst of a winter storm had taken root. Like a crocus pushing through the lingering snow, joyful anticipation had bloomed into brilliant love.

  They never did make it to the party.

  I hope you enjoyed Lee and Rachel’s story. You can receive updates on new releases (like Trevor’s story, coming summer 2015!) including free vignettes by signing up for my newsletter here.

  If you’d like to find out more about how Steve and Melody got together, you’ll find their story in ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCE. Even though that’s book 7 in the Six Pack Ranch series, it’s completely stand alone, and a safe place to jump in.

  Or if you’d like to go back to the beginning, ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT: Six Pack Ranch 1 is available for FREE. Click here.

  The other series you can check out is the Thompson & Sons, which starts with Mitch & Anna’s story—the cop and the town bad boy!

  Thompson & Sons

  Rocky Ride

  (Baby Be Mine- bonus book!)

  One Sexy Ride

  Let It Ride

  A Wild Ride

  Try a taste of ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCE

  Second chances are the sweetest—and the hottest.

  It took a spectacularly embarrassing break-up to knock Steve Moonshine Coleman off his lazy butt. In the ten months since that night, he’s changed his ways. Now that Melody’s back in town, it’s time for this sweet-talking cowboy to convince her to get back in the saddle with him.

  A return to her veterinary position in Rocky Mountain House was always in the cards for Melody Langley. Getting back together with Steve? Never part of the plan. He had lots of potential but zero ambition, and there’s no way she’ll accept anything less than a man who can keep up with her, in and out of bed.

  But the new-and-improved cowboy is impossible to resist, so Melody issues a challenge. Three months to prove he’s reformed. Three months of Steve orchestrating one sexual indulgence after another—

  He’s got one shot to prove with more than words what’s in his heart and soul.

  Read on for an excerpt…

  “I want to see you again,” Steve blurted out.

  Maybe if she’d never imagined hearing those words this would’ve been more awkward, but she’d had enough time to think it over. She’d prepared for every possibility when she’d decided to return to Rocky Mountain House, even this one.

  Prepared, and planned to enjoy it.

  Melody kept walking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t think we had an actual relationship, not one that I’m interested in rekindling.”

  “I get that. I told you I was a fool, but I’ve changed. I want a chance to prove it.”

  “Prove it?” A burst of laughter escaped before she could stop it. “Steve, when we were dating, half the time you didn’t know what day it was. And I don’t even know that I want to call it dating. More like conveniently seeing each other when it worked out. That part wasn’t just your fault. I’ll take some of the blame, because I was damn busy with my job.”

  “We were both busy, but that doesn’t give me an excuse for being a shit. It also doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m talking about right now.”

  Melody jerked to a halt so she could toss him her most disdainful expression. “What happened between us a year ago, and more? How does that have nothing to do with the fact you want to see me again? You’re not making any sense.”

  His lips twitched upward as his gaze drifted over her, his attraction apparent. “Let’s start with a clean slate. Hi, you must be the new vet in town. I’m Steve Coleman, and you’re going to be seeing a lot of me.”

  Unbelievable. And yet…interesting. The old Steve would have joked around, but never with that intense focus as if he was prepared to actually do something if she argued with him. “Well, it appears you’ve grown some balls since the last time we met, but I don’t know that it’s enough.”

  “Trust me, I’ve got the balls, for many things.”

  She shook her head, clicking her tongue as if in disbelief. “If that was some sly reference toward your sexual prowess? There’s another place you’re mistaken. I’ll give you points for knowing where to find a woman’s clit, and I had more than a few orgasms with you—thanks for them, by the way.”

  His grin broadened, and she was almost reluctant to deliver the k
illing blow.

  “But, Steve? I’m afraid you’re just too vanilla for me.”

  Melody spun on her heel and marched away, her own grin breaking free as he stood frozen on the spot behind her, sputtering in response. She kept walking, catching hold of her door and quickly crawling into the borrowed truck.

  She got the door shut before he caught up with her, but there was no way she could ignore him. Steve stood inches from her closed door, his expression folded into a frown until she relented and rolled down her window.

  He started in right away before she could speak, his utter shock apparent. “Too vanilla for you?”

  Melody answered briskly. “I found out a few things about myself while I was away at school this year. So, I’m glad we’re going to be friends, and I look forward to working with the Colemans now that I’m back, but that’s pretty much all us time is going to be. Have a nice day.”

  She put the truck in drive and left him standing in the dirt, containing her laughter until she was on the main highway and headed for home.

  This was where the Steve she’d known would saunter back to the party and forget about her. Oh, maybe he’d give a few moments’ thought to challenging her comments, but then something would distract him, and the next time they met? It would be as if this conversation had never happened. He’d ask her out again, she’d turn him down.

  Eventually he’d get bored and move on. It was sad, but inevitable.

  Except…the flash of fire she’d seen in his eyes in her rearview mirror as she drove away wasn’t familiar. Something fluttered in her belly, and she wondered if maybe she’d poked a little too hard.

  ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCE is available now

  ~~*~~

  Vivian Arend in one word: Adventurous. In a sentence: Willing to try just about anything once. That wide-eyed attitude has taken her around North America, through parts of Europe, and into Central and South America, often with no running water.

  Her optimistic outlook also meant that when challenged to write a book, she gave it a shot, and discovered creating worlds to play in was nearly as addictive as traveling the real one. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both contemporary and paranormal stories, Vivian continues to explore, write and otherwise keep herself well entertained.

  Vivian Arend: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter

  Slow Burn

  Lawmen Series

  Cheyenne McCray

  Chapter One

  “Even the FBI doesn’t want you to go to Bisbee.” Natasha bounced on the bed as Christie folded another shirt and packed it into her medium-sized suitcase.

  Christie Simpson let out a heavy sigh, not wanting to go through this same argument over and over again with her cousin. Even if Natasha was her favorite cousin.

  “You’re going to make my suitcase fall off.” Christie grabbed a stack of panties from her lingerie drawer and stuffed them into a zippered pocket of the case that was perched precariously on the edge of the mattress.

  “Too bad you don’t have some hot FBI hunk watching over you.” Natasha leaned on her elbows on the bed, her dark hair falling away from her heart-shaped face. If she’d had red hair like Christie, they could almost be twins. “A hunk like the one in The Bodyguard, that movie we watched forever ago.” Natasha fell back onto the bed, her hands over her heart. “Swoon.” She was the same age as Christie but sometimes she acted like a teenager.

  Christie tried not to laugh. “You’re a nut.”

  “I’m a romantic.” Natasha pushed herself back up to her elbows. “And there’s nothing hotter or sexier than a lawman.”

  Christie shrugged. “Not interested.”

  Natasha waved off Christie’s response. “That female agent is nice and all, but you need a stud.”

  “Agent Stillwater is just my contact, more or less.” Christie shrugged. “Laura is the senior agent assigned to my protection, but I don’t want or need anyone watching over me.” Laura was also one of the agents that had helped take down her ex, but enough was enough. Christie shoved the suitcase back so it wouldn’t fall off the bed. “I’m tired of people telling me what to do.”

  She’d lived with that for far too long with Salvatore Reyes after she’d married him, for twenty years. She’d been under his thumb from the moment she’d fallen for the bastard. These past fifteen months, after he’d gone to jail and then prison, she’d found a new independence and strength that she hadn’t known she possessed. She’d also discovered a formerly repressed redhead temperament that came out every now and then. The counseling she’d been through had helped her find herself.

  “They’re just concerned.” Natasha pushed herself up so that her palms were braced to either side of her, her voice quieter now. “I’m concerned.”

  “I want to be in Bisbee tomorrow when they induce the birth.” Christie’s voice and heart softened as she paused and met her cousin’s gaze. “I want to be with Dylan and Belle when their baby is born.”

  “I get it.” Natasha’s expression turned serious. “But what if the cartel finds out you’re in town?”

  “How could they?” Christie took several bras out of the lingerie drawer before dropping them into the suitcase. “I haven’t told anyone. I’ll use my middle name and be known as Ann while I’m there. The cartel doesn’t know I dropped that bastard’s last name, and that now it’s Simpson.” Just changing back to her maiden name had been liberating.

  “Still don’t like it.” Natasha frowned. “Dylan and Belle don’t even know you’re coming.”

  Christie shrugged. “I want it to be a surprise.” Not to mention she knew they’d try to talk her out of it.

  Natasha picked a red lacy bra out of the suitcase and held it up, a mischievous look now on her face. “Planning on meeting someone in Arizona for a little recreation?”

  “You never know.” Christie’s cheeks warmed as she snatched the bra from Natasha’s hand and dropped it back into the case.

  Truth was, Salvatore had been her one and only sexual experience, and it was time she changed that. But it had to be the right man…whoever that might be. She didn’t want to sleep with just anyone, but she could find someone to have no strings attached sex with, couldn’t she? A kind of friends with benefits?

  In her mind she groaned. She wasn’t sure she was capable of a relationship like that, but like she’d said to Natasha, one never knew.

  Christie knelt and pulled open a drawer filled with folded pairs of jeans. She took out a few before standing and putting them into the suitcase.

  Natasha sat on the edge of the mattress and swung her legs. She never could sit still for long. “Don’t know what I’ll do without you at the shop. You really should stay and help until you have to be there for the trial.”

  “Ha, ha. Nice try.” Christie rolled her eyes. “You’ll manage.”

  Despite her nervous energy, or maybe because of it, Natasha owned a successful craft and gift shop in the small town.

  Natasha continued to swing her legs. “Are you nervous about the trial?”

  Christie hesitated as she thought about the trial that was just days away. She shook her head. “Nope. Not nervous. Can’t wait to help send that sonofabitch to prison for good.”

  Her testimony would help the prosecution put Salvatore away for the contract murders of two of her friends in the Circle of Seven, and solicitation for murder for the rest of the CoS. Not to mention the murder she witnessed that Salvatore committed himself. She would testify that he’d raped her after he found her listening outside a door when he had been talking about the murders and ordering someone to execute the others.

  The evidence Dylan and Belle had recovered should get Salvatore convicted for money laundering, among other charges.

  In short, Salvatore was screwed—as long as nothing went wrong on the prosecution side.

  “I still think you need a hot federal agent as a bodyguard.” Natasha leaned her head to the side. “Yes, you definitely need one.”

&nb
sp; “Hot federal agent” made her think of the agent who’d saved her life, Trace Davidson, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security. He’d been the best man in Belle and Dylan’s wedding and Christie had been the maid of honor. She’d been in the process of getting the divorce from Salvatore and she had refused to be called “matron of honor.”

  Agent Davidson had not only saved her life, but had taken care of her when it was all over with and she’d been in shock.

  At the wedding she had managed to thank him for what he’d done for her, but she didn’t think she had done a very good job of it. The FBI had escorted her to the wedding, hung over her like vultures, and swept her back to her hiding place before she had known what was happening.

  She’d thought about Trace over the past months since she’d once again fled Arizona for this small backwoods Indiana town. Usually a near stranger’s image would fade over time, but his never had. His flint-gray eyes, the cleft in his chin, and the hard line of his jaw were clear in her memory.

  She still remembered the night he and the other agents had saved her life and had taken down her ex-husband, as clearly as if it had just happened. She could hear his Texan drawl as he’d asked her if she was all right, and the concern in his eyes when he’d helped her to her feet. He’d been the one to wrap a blanket around her shoulders and stay with her for a while when she started to go into shock.

  Christie shook her head as she dashed away the memories. “Sorry to crush your hopes about a hot federal agent watching over me, but it’s not happening. I’ll be in and out of there and back in Indiana before you know it.”

  “Please don’t go to Bisbee.” Natasha leaned forward, still for that moment. “Just wait and go to Phoenix when they need you.”

  Christie closed her eyes for a moment, her mind whirling through the reasons she needed to see Belle, Dylan, and their newborn when he or she arrived. She’d never been able to have children, and she’d wanted to be a mother so badly. She was grateful now that she hadn’t had children with the bastard, but the ache was still there.