“Nah. I’m on tap to drive to Valentine.”
Channing reached for his hand and he winced and jerked it back.
“What? You don’t want to hold my hand now?”
“It ain’t that.”
“Then what?”
“I’m just a little sore. Forget it.”
“No. Let me see.”
“It ain’t nothin’. Let’s go.”
She stepped in front of him, bumped her sandals into his boots and rose to her tiptoes to get in his face. “Let me see it or I’m dragging you back to sports medicine for them to take a look.”
“I told you—”
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“And I’m telling you, I’m serious, Colby McKay, so don’t think you can sweet talk your way around this one. Let me see it right now.”
He glared at her. Then he slowly brought up his riding hand. “Fine.
See? It’s a little beat up, but it’s fine.”
Channing glanced down and her stomach churned. His hand looked like he was wearing a baseball glove, as it was swollen to twice its normal size. Red and puffy with dark crisscrosses around the wrist. The knuckles were scuffed, rubbed raw and scabbed over. Without thinking she placed her lips on the worst scrapes. “Oh, Colby. Oh, honey, oh, baby, it’s not fine. That has to hurt something fierce. You need—”
With his good hand Colby tipped her face to his and kissed her.
Deeply. Thoroughly enough to make her feel dizzy.
“Wow.” She blinked up at him. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”
“For carin’ about me. It’s the first time since I was about ten years old that I’ve had someone give me a kiss on a rodeo boo-boo to make it feel better.” A wicked grin flashed. “Come to think of it, shug, when I was on that bull, on that last spin, he also gave me a real serious slam to my—”
“You are such a… man, using my concern for you against me for sexual favors.”
“Can’t blame me for tryin’.”
“No. But I will tell you that no way in hell are you driving to Valentine.”
He sighed. “It don’t work like that. It’s my turn.”
“Or mine. I’ve haven’t taken my turn churning up the pavement yet.”
“You ever driven a 350 diesel pickup haulin’ a horse trailer loaded down with three horses?”
“No. But that doesn’t mean I can’t learn.”
“True. And as much as I ‘preciate you wantin’ to help out, I’m fine.
This ain’t the worst hand injury I’ve ever had. Hell, it’s not even the worst one I’ve suffered through this year. I’ll put ice on it when we get settled in Nebraska, okay?”
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“Nice try, but you’ll take care of it now. Neither Trevor nor Edgard competed in six events today, Colby. They sure as shit can drive while you rest.” He opened his mouth but she made it snap back shut with a fiery look. “Don’t push me on this issue.”
From behind her Edgard said, “She’s right. You can’t drive with that hand. Besides, it ain’t no big deal. I’ll drive. Trevor can navigate. You might as well crawl in the horse trailer and sleep it off. You look dead beat, McKay.”
Channing watched as a sense of relief crossed Colby’s face. No one else probably caught it, but she did.
“Fine. I ain’t gonna argue when it’s two against one.” He cradled his sore hand to his waist and moved to block their conversation from Edgard. In a low tone he said, “Since I’m not drivin’, you gonna keep me company?”
“If you promise you’ll actually rest instead of expecting me to fool around with you for the next few hours.”
He bent down and whispered, “Aw, darlin’, that ain’t no fun at all.”
She readjusted his hat so she could peer in his eyes. “I can guarantee you won’t have any fun with me at all for days if you don’t rest up.”
“You threatenin’ to hold out on me?”
“Damn straight.”
Colby sighed. “You ain’t a pushover, Miz Channing, but neither am I so I’ll make you a deal.”
Her heart rate increased, thinking about the last “deal” they’d struck.
“Which is?”
“If I promise to get a little shuteye, will you promise to mess around with me later? After I get my strength back.” He rubbed his cheek against hers and murmured, “Damn, but I missed you today, Chan. The day seems like it’s been a week long. Seems like it’s been forever since I held you in my arms. Kissed that mouth until kisses are no longer enough and clothes start flyin’ and we’re rollin’ around between the sheets.”
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Channing refused to get distracted by his sweet-talking. “I know. I missed you too, cowboy. Now get your ass up in that bed. I’ll be right there to tuck you in.”
“Bossy thing.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet. Don’t make me break out the ropes.”
Colby lifted a dark brow. “Now that could be downright interestin’.”
He ambled off, his gait more measured than usual.
Channing watched him until he disappeared inside the horse trailer and then she blew out a frustrated sigh.
“You okay?” Edgard said.
No. “I’m fine. I’m going to get him some ice and then we can take off.”
Edgard snagged her hand and turned her around. “Trev and I are concerned about what happened a while ago—”
“Don’t be. My only concern right now is making sure Colby gets ice on his hand and that he gets some rest.”
“You really do care about him, don’t you, chica?”
“Yes.” She studied Edgard’s face. He seemed just as tense around her as he had been this morning. She’d hoped maybe things would be a bit easier between them now. “Are you surprised?”
“No. I’m happy. And truth be told, I’m a little jealous.” He brushed his lips over her knuckles. “You are good for him. Take care of him and we’ll take care of the driving and everything else.”
Channing managed to track down some gel-pack cold compresses from the first-aid tent, as well as a big bag of ice. The door was open when she returned to the trailer. With her hands full, she tripped over Colby’s rigging bag, which was plopped in the middle of the floor.
Trevor caught her. “Whoa, there. Let me help you.”
“Thanks.” She tossed everything on the table and looked at Colby sitting rigidly in the chair by the bathroom door. His eyes were squeezed shut, his mouth was a flat line and it was obvious he was in pain. He still wore his hat, his chaps, his jeans, his boots, and his vest. Her anger surfaced. “Why aren’t you undressed and in bed, Colby McKay?”
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No answer.
Trevor said, “I don’t think he can get undressed by himself.”
She whirled on Trevor. “Then why didn’t you help him?”
“Because I don’t want his help,” Colby snapped.
Trevor shrugged.
Take a deep breath, don’t yell at him. He’s hurting and he doesn’t want you to know it. And he doesn’t want to look weak in front of his friend.
In a breezy tone, she said, “Touched as I am that you want me to undress you personally, I’m not exactly well-versed on how to get you out of those sexy chaps.” She paused and walked to him to touch the pulse throbbing in his neck, then skimmed her hand up to rest on his cheek.
His face was clammy. “So, will you let Trevor help me do that much and then I’ll take care of the rest of your pesky clothes all by my little lonesome?”
Heavy silence.
Finally, Colby nodded.
“Good. Boots off first.”
Between them, they unhooked Colby’s spurs, yanked off his boots, unbuckled Colby’s chaps and peeled them down his legs. Tr
evor took the dirty, sweat-dampened chaps and hung them in the tack room before he said goodbye and returned to the truck cab.
Channing had noticed Colby wincing when they’d jerked on the strap between his hips. She unzipped his vest and eased him out of it, an arm at a time. Then she unbuttoned his soggy cotton shirt, keeping her eyes on his until she had to strip the material down his riding arm.
Once he stood bare-chested in front of her, she saw the bruises on his ribcage, under his ribs and everywhere across his upper torso. Purple and black splotches that looked like smears of dirt, but she knew were smudges of blood and broken tissue—a “rodeo tattoo” courtesy of rough stock.
“It ain’t as bad as it looks,” he said softly.
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She couldn’t say a word, lest she start bawling. As she rolled down his jeans, Colby sucked in another harsh breath. She realized he had another half-moon-shaped bruise the size of a softball on his inner left thigh. And a contusion by his knee.
“Channing, darlin’—”
“I am trying very hard not to yell at you, so don’t you Channing darlin’ me.”
Colby pointed to the bag on the table. “If you’re determined to fix me up, there’s liniment and wraps in there.”
“Good.” Channing rummaged around until she found the half-empty tube. “So, stubborn man, can you crawl up in bed by yourself, or do I need to get Edgard and Trevor back here to give you a boost?”
“I ain’t a cripple,” he grumbled. With painstaking weariness he shuffled up the ladder, his boxers hanging low off his slim hips and perfectly round little ass. Besides his underwear, he wore only his grungy gray athletic socks and his dusty cowboy hat. At any other time she might’ve snickered at the funny picture he made, but at that moment laughter was the furthest thing from her mind.
A loud male grunt and he stretched himself flat on his back and didn’t budge again.
Channing busied herself getting an icepack ready for his hand, knowing she’d need to use the compresses for his ribs—whether he liked it or not. She rummaged in her bag until she found a bottle of Tylenol with codeine. Then she climbed up beside him. Her stomach roiled to see such a virile man so vulnerable.
Sweat coated his skin, yet he was shivering like a naked baby. His mouth was set, like that tough, determined action alone could drive away the pain.
Right. Maybe it had worked in the past, but she wasn’t going to let it slide on her watch.
“Listen up, McKay. You’re taking these pain pills. Then I’m icing up your poor hand and your ribs and spread this stinky junk all over you.
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Once I’ve got you doctored up, you’re going to sleep. And you’ll stay up here, resting up and healing up until I say otherwise, understand?”
Surprisingly enough, he didn’t argue. He merely nodded and winced when she removed his hat. Lord. If just taking off his hat hurt him, how would she get through the rest of this?
Only after she’d finished carefully tending his injuries, did she allow herself to give him the type of lover’s comfort she sensed he needed from her. Her fingertips swept the damp hair from his brow. Repeatedly, she smoothed the back of her hand over the five-o’clock shadow on his rigidly set jaw. “Are you comfy enough so you can rest?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“No problem. Is there anything else I can do?”
“Yeah. Kiss me, darlin’. When you’re kissin’ me I forget about everything else but how good your sweet mouth feels on mine.”
“You didn’t hit your head hard enough to injure that silver tongue of yours, did you, cowboy?” she murmured.
“Not hard enough to knock any sense into my fool head, either.” He looked at her; his blue eyes were stark and needy. “Please.”
“I’d say no if it weren’t for the fact you can still charm the hell out of me while you’re flat on your back and frozen in pain.” She ran her thumb over the dark circles under his eye, noticing a mouse high on his cheekbone. “But I’m finding I can’t deny you a damn thing, Colby McKay.
So c’mere and let me lay a big, sloppy, wet kiss on you.”
Channing rubbed her lips over Colby’s, infusing him with all the sweetness and joy and heat he usually gave her. He melted deeper into the mattress, and let her have total control of the kiss. Of him. His surrender was as rewarding as it was arousing.
It was a long time before either one of them could speak after their mouths reluctantly parted.
“Stay with me?” he asked gruffly.
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“For as long as you want,” she whispered. She pulled the flannel sleeping bag over them and rested her head beside his chest, drifting off to the solid, steady beat of his heart next to her ear.
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Chapter Fourteen
A loud clank woke her from a light sleep. Channing opened her eyes and realized the trailer was bumping up and down like a logging truck, which meant they were still tooling down the highway.
She lifted her head from where it’d been resting beside Colby’s bare chest. She looked up, expecting to see him sleeping, but his eyes were open and he was staring at her.
He smiled gently. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself. How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a buckin’ bull and a wild bronc.”
Channing kissed his left pec. “You were run over by a bull and a bronc today.”
“Well, no wonder I’m feelin’ it.” Colby absentmindedly twisted a section of hair around his finger. “Thanks for stickin’ around.”
“You’re welcome.” She pushed up. “I probably need to get some more ice for your hand.”
“My hand is fine.”
“Do you need—”
He pulled her back down. “I need you to stay snuggled up to me like this. It’s makin’ me feel much better, shug.”
“Oh.”
“Of course, I’d feel even more like my old self if you took off the rest of your clothes.”
Channing rolled her eyes. “One thing at a time, okay?”
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“Okay. Scoot closer. I like havin’ your softness and warmth wrapped around me. It’s like heaven, bein’ with you.”
They stayed cocooned together in companionable silence. Colby dragged the fingers of his left hand up and down her spine.
Finally, he said, “I guess you found out about Trevor and Edgard, huh?”
Her stomach did a little flip. “Yeah.”
“Kinda shockin’ to see them like that, ain’t it? That’s how I found out.
I walked in on them. Wanted to gouge my eyes out with a hot poker afterward.”
“And it doesn’t bother you? I mean, you’re still traveling with them.
You haven’t gotten them blackballed to the ‘gay’ rodeo circuit or anything. Especially if people do find out, they might assume you’re just like them.”
He snorted. “I ain’t gay. Or bi. I gotta be honest, I don’t understand it, wantin’ to be with another guy.” A small shiver worked through him.
“Trevor never once made advances toward me like that or I’da busted him in the chops—and he and I have had our share of threesomes so there’s been ample opportunities. Damn. It’s just plain weird. I think it must be something about Edgard alone that he’s attracted to. Trev and I have been friends for our whole lives. We’ve been damn near as close as brothers. I always jokingly said that he’d fuck anything that walked, only I didn’t know how true that actually was.”
“Aren’t most cowboys highly homophobic?”
“Yeah.”
“Including you?”
“Yeah. If it would’ve been somebody else I’d seen doin’ that…I might not have
been so understandin’. Then I think about if someone else would’ve discovered them before I knew about it. How they might’ve started vicious rumors to get them blackballed from the circuit. Bugs me because I ain’t like that.
“What they do is their business. Besides, Trev is with women just as often as I am. Or as I was before you. I don’t think many people—even 160
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folks who know them well—would believe that he and Edgard are more than ropin’ partners.”
For the first time she thought there might be another reason why Colby had been eager to have her ride the circuit with them. “So having me traveling with you guys is good for everybody? A cover story for them, so to speak? The girl willing to do all three cowboys, when in fact, two of the cowboys are content just to do each other?”
Colby didn’t say anything.
Channing raised her head and looked at him. “What?”
“I didn’t ask you to come along for them, Channing. I asked you to come along for me. I want you here.”
“Why me?”
“Because something about your fire and sweetness called out to me.
From the first time I saw you, Chan, I knew you were just as lonely as I was. Stubborn about it, too.” He closed his eyes. “Can we talk about this later, darlin’? I’m getting tired again.”
She wanted to demand they finish the conversation now. Instead, she waited until he was dozing and untangled from his embrace. No way could she go back to sleep after that.
Colby was still out by the time they reached Valentine. The motels were full, so it appeared they’d all be sleeping in the horse trailer at the rodeo grounds for at least a night.
While Trevor took care of the horses, Channing and Edgard made a run for food. They didn’t talk, letting the country music on the radio fill the void in the truck.
But Channing couldn’t stand it any longer. She’d keep the conversation neutral, but dammit, they were going to talk to each other and stop playing this avoidance game. She said, “Tell me how a Brazilian www.samhainpublishing.com 161
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