Champagne and Cowboys

by Donna Michaels

  Luke hasn’t had fun in—forever. But he can’t stop grinning after he meets Kiley Endicott. It’s more than her being a totally uninhibited lover, but God knows he can’t get enough of that either. She makes him laugh.

  She says nobody can know. Okay, he’s trained in stealth. He sets up a call system, a taboo frequency, guaranteeing her twenty-four-hour access in every way. But he’s not just waiting for their secret meets. He’s planning a take-over.

  An Excerpt:

  On the trip back to Doug’s place, Luke’s uninhibited partner sat on the seat, her hands folded primly in her lap. Even though he’d aired out the cab, he still inhaled the erotic mix of sweat and sex.

  Other than that, it was hard to believe that they’d both gorged on lust moments before. He couldn’t tell if she was regretting what they’d done or was too sated to talk.

  He didn’t have a clue what to say, so he didn’t say anything until they’d almost reached her car.

  “I’d like to see you again.” As soon as he said it, he wanted to retract the words. “But, I don’t really have time for a relationship.” The man who had nothing but time on his hands tried to make his life seem busy. “When I’m not working I’m thinking about working.”

  That sounded pompous as hell and he floundered, knowing he was blowing the moment and dammit, he didn’t want to. He looked at her sideways, before pulling her closer, sliding his arm around her shoulders so her body rested against his.

  Risking a quick glance from the road to look at Kiley, he took in her swollen lips and flushed cheeks. She laid her hand on his thigh, and he liked the feel of her palm there.

  “I’m busy, but that doesn’t mean I’m a eunuch,” he amended.

  “Noted,” she agreed, patting his leg as she gave him a speculative look. “I’d also like to do this again.” She squeezed his thigh and it didn’t surprise him when his cock stirred, already half aroused and ready for more of her.

  “Maybe we can help each other,” she said looking up at him. He didn’t know what she had in mind but he listened to find out.

  “I’m a single mom. I don’t have a steady man because I don’t want one hanging around my two kids who are right now with my mom. She doesn’t babysit often and aside from Marcie, I don’t leave them with anyone else. I have a full-time life that includes a job and no time for a relationship.”

  “And?” He squeezed her shoulders, urging her to make an offer he wasn’t going to refuse regardless of what it was.

  “And—I have certain biological needs I’d like to satisfy with something other than plastic.” She closed her eyes, her blush denying the intimacies they’d just enjoyed at the same time her hand stroked his thigh, promising more.

  “Well as to those biological needs—seems like we can find a way to get them satisfied. When you’ve got the time, I’ll find the place.” He pulled up next to her car and put the truck in park, idling in front of her sister’s house, waiting for Kiley’s answer.

  When she remained mute, he decided coaxing was in order. “You do the calling,” he said, switching on his truck’s overhead light to search in the glove compartment for paper.

  “I’d just as soon the whole town not know we’re carrying on,” Kiley murmured, her blush turning her pink cheeks to ruby.

  “Carrying on?” After the uninhibited fucking they’d just engaged in, her old-fashioned description made him smile.

  His quick rummaging turned up no paper, so before shutting off the overhead light, he held her hand and wrote his number on her palm. “If you change your mind and don’t call, it’s okay. I’ll not bother you. If you do call, I’ve marked your number a TF.”

  “TF?”

  “That’s military speak for taboo frequency—an open line strictly for emergencies. You call when you’re able to get free and I’ll make sure we get together.”

  He let her get half out the door before he added his last addendum to their deal. “As to the plastic, you might want to bring it along for a ride or two. No sense in letting it feel neglected.” He liked a little variety in the sheets and he figured he’d let her know up front, he wasn’t all vanilla. He had a feeling neither was she.

  End of excerpt

  Rhythm, Smoke Inc. Book 3:

  Marty Jones: I’ve always been proud of my self-control. But lately, I’ve been unraveling, though I don’t know why. Smoke, Inc. is prospering, albeit the legality of some of the jobs could be questioned. I’m doing what I need to do to keep my crew employed, paid, and alive, but it’s taking its toll. I know I’m wound too tight and I’ve got to cut loose. That’s why I signed up to participate in a charity dance-a-thon. All I need for a partner is a warm body who knows how to move. Is that too much to ask?

  Holly Smith: My dream is to be a full-time hermit living alone in my fully remodeled house. I’m working two and three jobs at a time to support my latest project—the kitchen. The unexpected cost of certain supplies recently halted my progress. Luckily, a friend has a lead on yet another side job. It involves moonlighting as a dancing escort—emphasis on dancing and only dancing. I said I’d do it because I’ll get paid enough to buy my sink hardware. It’s an evening of small talk, and at the worst, sore feet if the guy’s a bad dancer. What could go wrong?

  “Dancing is a perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.”

  – George Bernard Shaw

  An excerpt:

  I had the unusual experience of tilting my head just a bit as he frowned down at me. Dark brown eyes topped by unruly brows met my gaze. Sun lines marked his wide forehead. A shaggy lock of hair dangled there, missed by him when he’d shoved the rest away from his face. I resisted the urge to tidy him and examined the rest of my dance partner. His physique impressed me more than his costume.

  Under the pink shirt, pecs bulged as the incredible hulk flexed his arms. Did I mention his height? At five feet eleven barefoot, I didn’t often gaze up at anyone. At six feet three in the strappy four-inch silver heels I had on, it should have been even less likely. And yet, there he was, looming above me, my own personal dancing bear.

  I gritted my teeth and winced as I surveyed his feet.

  “Size fourteens,” I muttered, scrunching my toes inside barely-there sandals and wishing I had more protection between me and his gray suede shoes.

  “Fifteen,” he grunted without looking at me. “Wide.”

  Having shared his shoe size, he led me to the official starter table and registered.

  “Good to see you Marty.” The guy at the table beamed at him and barely looked at me, which was good.

  Okay. I can do this. I was saved from further embarrassing dialogue when the DJ announced us.

  “Jones and partner, Team One for Smoke, Inc.” Though the audience was meager, a smattering of applause and a few cheers from the balcony greeted us. It surprised me. He had fans.

  End of Excerpt Rhythm

  Copyright © 2017

  A Note from the Author

  Hi. I’m Gem Sivad. Nice to meet you. I live in the southern part of an enchanted kingdom where I enjoy the slow pace of life, study the world, and tell stories about incredible things. Whether my characters live in present day Pittsburgh, nineteenth century Texas, or a paranormal world of witches and shifters, my heroines are always resilient, resourceful, and smart, and my heroes are wickedly dangerous and seriously hot.

  Although I have hermit tendencies, occasionally I come out of the writer’s den to meet readers at book signing events. Hope to see you there. But in case we miss each other, you can find me at the cyber locations below.

  Happy reading,

  Gem Sivad

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  More books by Gem

  Historical Westerns

  Eclipse Heat series:
>
  Quincy’s Woman

  Intimate Strangers

  Wolf’s Tender

  Tupelo Gold

  Five Card Stud

  Breed True

  Trouble in Disguise

  Whispering Grace

  Unlikely Gentlemen series:

  River’s Edge

  Outrageous Pride

  Cerise Amour

  Stand Alone Titles:

  Staged Affair

  Pinch of Naughty

  Historical Paranormal

  Jinx series:

  Cat Nip

  Blood Stoned

  Contemporary Paranormal

  Bitter Creek Holler series:

  Call Me Miz

  Miz Spelled

  Ursus Horribilis

  Contemporary Romantic Suspense

  Smoke, Inc. series

  Taboo Frequency, Kindle World – Hell Yeah

  Cowboy Burn – Champagne and Cowboys 2017

  Rhythm – 2017

  A Kiss at Midnight

  Western Romance

  by

  Kathleen Ball

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to all my readers. Thank you for all of your support and friendship. It really means everything to me.

  I also dedicate this book to my in-laws Charles and Virginia Ball for all of their love and support.

  Of course I dedicate this book to Bruce, Steven, Colt and Clara because I love them.

  Chapter One

  Panic filled Anora as her husband’s big hands shoved her out the door. A backpack flew past her head and landed on the sidewalk. The door abruptly slammed and the clicking of the lock echoed.

  Her shoulders slumped as she tried to wrap her mind around the last few minutes. She made a fist around the wad of money he’d pressed in her hands. What the heck? Maybe she could go to the police. Sighing, she shook her head, it wouldn’t do any good. The last thing she needed was to make Andy even madder.

  Her hands shook as she zipped her jacket against the cold. Thank God, she had it on. What had he packed in the backpack? Hopefully, it was something useful but knowing Andy it wouldn’t be. How she’d wished for this moment, well not this moment but she wished to be free of him and his threats.

  Grabbing the backpack, she shrugged it on and stuffed the money into her pocket. It wasn’t worth counting they never had much money. Snowflakes started to fall and she smiled. It didn’t snow much in Texas and certainly not before Thanksgiving. Hopefully, there’d be someone around on this cold Tuesday night. There was one cheap motel near the end of town she could walk to. There probably wasn’t even enough money for a hotel room.

  The bright lights of Cindy’s Diner beckoned to her and she went in. It was nice and warm. It was a homey place with plenty of tables and chairs. She’d only been there once before. None of the chairs matched and it made her smile. Just as predicted no one else was around.

  “Can I get you some coffee, Anora?”

  Anora smiled at the motherly owner and nodded. “It’s a cold one tonight.”

  Cindy poured the coffee into the brown mug already on the counter. Her hair hung down her back in a thick white braid. Her face appeared too young for white hair. “I never see you out this late.”

  “You’re right about that. Andy wants me home or he did…”

  Cindy put her warm hand over Anora’s. “What happened? You have tragedy written all over your face.”

  Anora took a sip of her coffee trying to figure out what to say. Everyone thought they’d had the perfect marriage and she didn’t dare put Andy in a bad light. “A difference in opinion is all. I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She held her breath staring at Cindy, hoping she believed her.

  “Oh Lord, you don’t have to sugarcoat it, honey. We all know that your husband is a brute.” She sighed. “What I mean to say is that I understand. If you left him, you didn’t go very far.”

  Anora blinked back tears. “No, he threw me out.” Her face grew hot and her voice quavered. “It was so sudden…”

  “You’ll be just fine, Anora. Do you have a place to stay?”

  Cindy’s well-meaning questions were too much and tears trailed down her face. She grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her eyes. “No.” She pulled her money out of her pocket and quickly counted it, only thirty-five lousy bucks. That scum. “I haven’t had time to think. How late are you open tonight?”

  “I’m not going to kick you out if that’s what you mean. Let me make a phone call. I know of someone that needs help on their ranch.”

  Anora clasped her hands together, there really wasn’t much choice. “If you know them, I’d be grateful.”

  Damn, the snow was sure coming down but thankfully it wasn’t sticking, yet. It made for some slick roads, though. If it hadn’t been Cindy who needed his help, Maverick would still be home eating the pot pie his neighbor Joleen brought over. She had her eye on him and usually he ignored her but not when it came to her cooking.

  Finally, the one traffic light in Maverick Creek was in sight. It wasn’t much further to the diner. He still wanted to know what she meant by a “friend in need.” Any friend of Cindy’s, after all she did help him keep his ranch afloat many years back. He repaid her, but he owed her more than he could ever repay.

  His truck practically slid into a parking spot in front of the diner. Good thing he’d put on his winter boots before he headed out, he didn’t want to be sliding instead of walking. He pushed open the diner door, took off his hat and flashed Cindy a warm smile. “Hey, good to see you.”

  She came out from behind the counter, her apron practically wrapped around her twice. She was a little bit of a thing, but she took no guff. “Howdy handsome, I see you’ve cut that dark hair of yours. You could have cut it shorter you know.”

  He hugged her and lifted her off her feet. Setting her down, he kissed her cheek. “I like it longer.”

  Cindy blushed and lightly slapped his arm. “I’m too old for you to try to sweep me off my feet.” Her brown eyes twinkled.

  “I’ll pour you some coffee, go ahead and sit down.” She tilted her head toward the red head at the counter. “This is Anora Garrity. Anora, this is Maverick Cole.”

  “Garrity? It’s you! I hope this isn’t the favor, Cindy, because I’m going to have to say no.”

  Anora’s sky-blue eyes widened and her lips formed a thin line. “Have we met? I think I would have remembered you.” Her arms crossed in front of her as she looked him up and down.

  “Listen, lady, you know very well we haven’t met. I’ve been beating my head against the wall trying to get you arrested.”

  “Whoa, Maverick, this little gal is one of the good ones,” Cindy stated.

  “Anyone who tries to steal a horse is not a ‘good one.’ She’s a horse thief, plain and simple.”

  Anora stood up and grabbed the backpack from the stool on the other side of her. “Thanks anyway, Cindy.” She glared at him. “I know I look pitiful, but you don’t have to make up a reason not to give me a job. I’m stronger than I look and I’ll be just fine without your help.”

  He lightly grabbed her arm as she tried to walk by. “What help was I supposed to give you anyway? Did you need a horse?”

  She gasped.

  Cindy rounded the counter again and stood next to Anora, putting her arm around her small shoulders. “Maverick, you should be ashamed of yourself. Anora is a sweet, kind girl and I don’t know where you get off making accusations against her!”

  He let go of Anora. “Oh hell, don’t get so wound up. Do you or don’t you own a red pick-up?”

  She lifted her chin and gazed at him. “No, I do not. But—”

  “I don’t need your lies lady. The red pickup was identified as yours. I know for a fact it’s registered to you. How stupid do you think I am?” He reached into his coat pocket and grabbed his cellphone. “I’m turning you in. You might have tricked the sheriff but not me, sweetheart.”

  Anora curled her hands into tiny fists as though
she was ready to take him on. He would have laughed at her stance and glare if it hadn’t been about his horse. “Look, the truck is registered to you. One of my ranch hands, Cooper, saw your truck with a horse trailer hitched to it. Rumble had somehow gotten out of the barn and the gate to the paddock was wide open. What am I supposed to think?”

  Cindy shook her head. “I don’t think—”

  “It’s fine, Cindy, I have an idea of what happened. Listen, mister, I’m as sorry as can be about what happened to you. Please accept my apology.” Her shoulders slumped as her voice trailed off. She gave Cindy a sad smile and walked out the door.

  “Damn it, Maverick, that little gal has nowhere to go.”

  “Seems to me that’s her fault.”

  “You are so dang stubborn. Anora is hardly ever allowed out of her house. She probably didn’t even know the truck was registered to her, I’ve never seen her drive it.”

  He’d never seen Cindy so riled up before. He frowned as he glanced outside, it was snowing harder. “Where’s her husband now?”

  Cindy shrugged her left shoulder. “Home I guess. He threw Anora out and she has no one. Her husband is a mean son of a bitch, and I don’t know what will happen to her if she tries to go back home.”

  His anger slipped away. “I’ll take her out to the ranch for the night, but that doesn’t mean I trust her.”

  Cindy stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on his cheek. “You have a good heart.”

  Crying in front of strangers? She’d survived this far, and she’d damn well survive this. Andy tried for years to break her, but she stood strong. Well, maybe not strong enough to walk away but that was pure fear. There was a difference, wasn’t there?

  She bowed her head as she walked further into the small town. No way was she going back to Andy, he’d lock her back up. No, this was the blessing she’d been looking for. Maybe a disguised blessing but one all the same.