Meredith Blair—my graphic artist, who created this gorgeous cover, and who deals with my yes—no—maybe—yeah let’s revisit that later—million ideas with firm humor. See, M? I GOT THIS DONE like I said I would for once—hahaha—love you too.
Melissa Frain—copy editor extraordinaire, who went above and beyond in rapid turnaround to this book that ended up…ah, longer than I said it would (no surprise, I write LONG) Melissa has also copy edited numerous Rough Riders books and I’m thrilled she had time in her schedule to do this one—thanks a ton, Melissa.
My husband, Mr. James—who has been urging me to write this story for YEARS. He’s been my pandemic rock, keeping the larder full and taking care of me through the crazy six weeks I invested in writing this book. Love you—almost 35 years of living our own love story, baby
If you loved Silas and Dinah’s story and want to read about the modern day McKay’s, here’s an excerpt from Long Hard Ride, book 1 in the Rough Riders series.
Chapter One
On a drunken dare after too many kamikazes, Channing Kinkaid found herself standing on a shellacked bartop while a bartender named Moose sprayed her chest with ice-cold beer.
“Contestant number four! Strut your stuff, baby!”
Channing thrust out her enormous rack, hardened nipples leading the charge. She completely overshadowed the other contestants. She grinned saucily. It was the first time since her thirteenth birthday she hadn’t been ashamed of her large breasts.
Amidst catcalls and wolf whistles she sexed it up, shimmying her hips. Stretching on tiptoe to force the tight T-shirt higher up her flat belly. Widening her stance, she spun on her boot heels, bent over, and grabbed her ankles, jiggling her ass and her boobs.
The crowd of men went absolutely wild.
The tease paid off when Moose announced she’d won the Golden Knockers trophy and one hundred bucks.
“Yee-haw!” she yelled and jumped from the bar.
Never in a million years would anyone she grew up with believe Channing would enter a wet T-shirt contest, let alone win first place.
A tiny chorus of Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now?” broke out inside her head and she smirked.
After receiving congratulations from admiring cowboys on the circuit and a few frat brats, she poured a fresh kamikaze in the trophy cup. She toasted herself in the cracked mirror behind the bar and liked what she saw.
She glanced around, half-afraid she’d see Jared storming toward her, intent on spoiling her fun by dragging her off to celebrate her victory in private. The man was seriously antisocial. And dammit, she was having fun for a change.
The Western bar was jam-packed. Jared hated crowds, but he hated leaving her alone in a crowd—especially a group of horny, drunken men. Where could he have gone?
Did she really care?
Sweet, warm breath tickled her ear. “Lookin’ for someone, darlin’?”
Channing tilted her head. Colby McKay—king of the rodeo circuit—stared down at her. From far away he looked a total package. Up close he was simply stunning. Icy blue eyes, dark chestnut hair and chiseled features that weren’t typical rugged cowboy, but rather, brought to mind the image of a brooding poet.
His toned body spoke of his athletic prowess with horses and bulls; his thickly muscled arms and big, callused hands spoke of his skill with ropes. Mmm. Mmm. He was yummy and he knew it. He also was aware he made her skittish as a new colt.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder, a nervous gesture she hoped he’d misread as dismissive. “Hey, Colby. Have you seen Jared?”
“He’s on his cell phone over by the bathroom.” The eye-catching cowboy flashed his dimples. “Which leaves you unattended. Which is a damn shame. Dance with me.”
Her stomach jumped, a reaction she blamed on booze, and not the intensely sexy way Colby studied her.
Okay, that was a total lie. She always acted tongue-tied whenever she got within licking distance of Colby, and his equally sexy traveling buddy, Trevor Glanzer.
Jared had kept her sequestered so she hadn’t put truth to the rumors Colby and Trevor were the bad boys of the circuit. She knew they were fierce competitors; they worked hard and played hard—on and off the dirt. She’d seen the buckle bunnies of all ages and sizes constantly vying for their attention.
But she, little city-slicker nobody Channing Kinkaid, had captured Colby’s interest.
So, for some unknown reason, Trevor and Colby courted her shamelessly at every opportunity. Sometimes separately. Sometimes double-teaming her with hefty doses of good ol’ boy charm. It made her wonder what it’d be like to have them double-teaming her in private.
Whoo-ee. With as hard as they rode livestock? They’d probably break the damn bed frame. Or her.
“Come on, Channing,” Colby cajoled. “One dance.”
Jarred from her fantasy of becoming a Colby/Trevor sandwich, she stammered, “I-I’m all wet. And I smell like beer.”
Colby’s hot gaze zoomed to her chest. “I ain’t complainin’.”
“You will be once I’m plastered against you and getting you wet.”
He bent to her ear and murmured, “Nuh-uh, shug. I like my women wet. Really wet. I like it when they get that wetness all over me. All over my fingers. All over my face. All over my—”
“Colby McKay!” Flustered by the image of his dark head burrowed between her legs, his mouth shiny-wet with her juices, she attempted to push him away. He didn’t budge. The man redefined rock solid. No wonder bulls and broncs had a tough time tossing him off.
“You ain’t as indignant as you’d like me to believe, Miz Channing. In fact—” he nipped her earlobe, sending tingles in an electric line directly to her nipples, “—I suspect a firecracker such as yourself prefers dirty talk.”
The subtle pine scent of Colby’s aftershave and the underlying hint of aroused male soaked into her skin more thoroughly than the beer. A purely sexual shiver worked loose from her head to the pointed toes of her cowgirl boots.
“Come on and dance with me. Let’s see if we can’t spread that wetness around a little.” Without waiting for her compliance, Colby tugged her toward the dance floor.
“Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” blasted from the speakers.
The second they were engulfed by the mass of dancers, Colby hauled her flush against his firm body. A big, strapping man, he was hard everywhere—from his brawny chest to his powerfully built thighs. No two-stepping for them. He clasped her right hand in his left, nestling his right palm in the small of her back. That single touch seared her flesh like a red-hot brand.
Lord. And the long hard thing poking her belly sure as shooting wasn’t his championship belt buckle.
“You okay?”
Channing nodded, even when her head spun with the idea the hottest cowboy on the circuit had a massive hard-on for her—right here in front of rodeo queens, stock contractors, old-timers and everyone else.
“See? This ain’t so bad, is it?”
“No. Actually, it’s really nice, Colby.” She rested her cheek on his chest and sighed softly.
“Nice? I’ll take that, though, I’d prefer naughty.” His hold on her tightened. “Be nicer yet if we were naked,” he whispered against her temple.
Naked line dancing. That might be interesting. Gave a new definition to the term swingers.
Booted feet shuffled and stomped in the sawdust. Men and women whirled in flashes of bright fringe and glittering rhinestones. Finally Colby spoke again. “Can I ask you something, sweetheart?”
“I guess.”
“How’d you end up with Jared?”
Because I didn’t see you first.
Channing didn’t look up; rather she studied the pearl studs on his plaid Western shirt. “We met after he did a bull-riding exhibition. We got to talking and I told him I wanted an adventure. We hooked up and here I am. Why?”
“So you ain’t goofy in love with him? Hopin’ he’ll put a ring on your finger at summer’s end?”
<
br /> “No.” Truth be told, she suspected she’d made a mistake in choosing Jared. Beneath his enchanting Australian accent lurked a moody, possessive man with secrets. She had no idea what to do about it. “Why?”
“This don’t seem like your thing.”
“What? Traveling on the rodeo circuit?”
“Well, that too. But mostly I was talkin’ ’bout a classy broad like you shackin’ up with that lyin’ slimeball.”
Channing glanced up. Instead of acting snappy and defensive, she batted her eyelashes and sweetened her tone. “Why, Colby McKay, I didn’t realize you cared about my virtue.”
“It ain’t your virtue I’m concerned about.”
“Then what?”
His hungry gaze captured every nuance of her face, ultimately homing in on her mouth. Heat from his eyes raced down her spine, gathering in her core. She felt more exposed than if he’d stripped her buck naked.
“Jesus. Every time I look at you I lose my damn train of thought.”
“Why?”
“’Cause you got the sweet face of an innocent and the body of a high-priced whore.”
Her mouth dropped open.
Studying her eyes, Colby gave her a devilish smile and lowered his head. Taking advantage of her parted lips, his tongue darted inside her mouth. No hard, fast kiss. Just a fleeting brush of his soft lips. A lingering stroke of his velvety tongue. His heated breath mingled with hers and her pulse quickened. Everywhere.
Oh. As his talented tongue slid along hers, any pretense of her resistance fled. She savored his taste; a spicy tang of beer, Copenhagen and toothpaste. Another shudder ran through her and she moaned softly.
“Does that shock you, darlin’?” he murmured against the corner of her trembling mouth.
Channing forced her traitorous lips away from his lazy assault. “Does it shock me that you classify me as a whore, same as those buckle bunnies following you around? No.”
His eyes flashed blue fire, as if she’d somehow insulted him. “I didn’t call you a whore. I didn’t call you an innocent, either, but I noticed you didn’t focus on that portion of my remark.”
“Then explain yourself, Mr. McKay.”
“I spend way more time thinkin’ ’bout you than I should, Miz Channing.” Colby didn’t miss a dance beat as he smoothly shoved a firm thigh between hers and waltzed her forward.
Startled by the searing friction of his leg grinding into her crotch, she blurted, “What do you think about, when you’re thinking about me?”
“Well, I ain’t fantasizin’ ’bout holdin’ your hand and takin’ you to the Sunday church ice-cream social.”
“No. Really?”
“Yes’m. Though, my thoughts do tend to wander on how many ways I can take you nine-ways-til-Sunday.”
A blush crawled up her neck. “Why do you do this?”
“What?”
“Tease me all the time.”
“I ain’t teasin’ you. I just made my intentions clear.”
“No, you talked about your fantasies. Not your intentions.”
“That mean you think I’m all talk? I guarantee I’m not foolin’ around, Channing, darlin’.” He nuzzled her temple, tracking soft, moist kisses up her hairline and back down to her ear. He blew gently. Then he sucked all the air back out.
Channing actually felt the sharp vibration in her pussy. This wild man could make her sopping wet with one well-placed whisper.
“A little haughty, ain’t ya?” His fingers slipped under the hem of her shirt. Callused fingertips idly stroked the damp skin beneath the waistband of her jeans on her lower back. “I like your fire. A woman like you could burn a man up. And I’d enjoy every hot second as I went down in flames.”
Her breath caught at the eroticism in his simple words and teasing touch.
“Are you trying to see how far you can push me?”
“I suspect you’re embarrassed to admit you’d like to be pushed by me. Or tied up, trussed up, any way I want you. At my every wicked whim. And no doubt, shug, I know my way around wicked.”
Something about this straight-talking, sweet-talking man made her wild. And horny as hell.
“Colby—”
“Ssh. When you wise up to what Jared really is doin’, come talk to me before you do anything rash, okay?”
“But—”
“Promise me, Channing.”
“Okay. But why?”
“’Cause, sweetheart, I’m dyin’ to show you what you’ve been missin’.”
Another hot burst of moisture exploded in her panties. “What about Jared?”
“Yeah, what about me, mate?” Jared said.
She wheeled around guiltily. Crap. Jared lurked less than two feet away, his hands resting accusingly on his lean hips, as he glared at them.
Colby released her and retreated. “Nothin’. You’re a lucky fella, that’s all.” He tipped his hat to Channing and winked. “Thanks for the dance. See you around. Remember what I said.”
Channing watched Colby until he disappeared out the side door, a predatory cowgirl hot on his boot heels.
Jared snagged her hand and jerked her into an awkward embrace. “What were you and King Cheese yapping about?”
“Nothing really.”
“You should watch out for him and his buddy, Trevor. Nasty pair, those two.”
“What makes you say that?”
Jared tromped on her toe as he twirled her sideways. “Haven’t you seen the way the lasses gather around them? Not that I begrudge the blokes for taking their pick of pussy, but crikey. What they expect those chippies to do with not one, but both of them? At the same time?”
What would it feel like, writhing between two hard male bodies? Two sets of rough-skinned hands touching her. Two hot, hungry mouths, kissing, tasting, licking, tormenting every bared inch of her quivering flesh. Two big cocks demanding entrance into her body.
“You listening to me?”
“So, how have you seen them doing…things with one woman?”
“They don’t hide it. Ask anyone what they done last year behind the chutes in Cheyenne.” He leaned in so she heard the full account. “They had this young chickie stretched out naked over a stack of saddles. Hands tied behind her back with a piggin’ string. A bandana covering her eyes.”
“Was she there willingly?”
He snorted. “Those kind of women always are.”
“What were they doing to her?”
“Using her like a blow-up toy. She was sucking Trevor’s cock as Colby nailed her from behind. Then they’d switch, like some kinda Chinese fire drill. Laughing, carrying-on. They’ve no shame, either of them. No respect for women either, if you ask me. Then joking afterwards about that being the proper way to ‘break in a new saddle’.” His gaze narrowed. “Why? Did that cheese head proposition you?”
I wish. “Umm. No.”
“Good. Stay away from their other traveling partner, Edgard. Something about that bloke rubs me the wrong way.”
Jared’s foul mood required an abrupt switch in the conversation. “Guess what? I won the wet T-shirt contest.”
“As you bloody well should have. You’ve got fantastic tits, love.” Jared’s hand snaked up her belly. He yanked up the damp shirt and cupped her bared left breast.
Channing squirmed. “Hello? We’re in public.”
“So?”
“So, if you want to maul me, let’s go back to the room.” She tugged the shirt down to cover her belly.
“Ah. I see. You can flash these titties to the whole bar, but the minute I want to touch them, they’re off-limits? Crikey, I could’ve stayed in the Outback and gotten that attitude.”
An acute sense of unease built. “What is wrong with you tonight? You eat a bad kiwi or something?”
“No.”
“Then knock it off.”
He laughed harshly. Meanly. “Little Miss Prim and Proper, are we now, love?”
Jared squeezed her nipple hard enough that it brought tea
rs to her eyes. She slapped his hand.
“That wasn’t how you were last night.”
“How much have you been drinking?”
“Not nearly enough.” He puffed up with belligerence. “I oughta be asking you that question.”
“Why?”
“You know why. A little liquid courage is what you need.”
“Need for what, Jared?”
Jared clamped his hands on her hips, spun her until they were back to front and dry humped her. “A few beers would loosen you up. When you gonna give up this tight ass? It’s been a week and I’m bloody well tired of waiting.”
Ignoring the burning in her cheeks, Channing twisted from his hold. She latched on to his polyester shirt with both hands, hauling herself up until they were nose to nose. “Lower your voice.”
“That bothers you? People hearing you love to do the nasty stuff? Or knowing you’re a hypocrite for begging me to use my fingers on your tight little hole, and then pretending it disgusts you?”
Infuriated, she released his lapels. “It doesn’t disgust me. The way you’re acting disgusts me.” She wasn’t ashamed of a thing they’d done behind closed doors. But him talking about it as if it were some big joke made her feel used and cheap.
“S’matter? Truth sting a bit, love?”
She stared at him. Who was this cruel man? Something had set him off tonight. Before she could formulate a snappy response, Cash Big Crow sauntered up and tapped Jared on the shoulder.
Cash was another heart-stoppingly handsome cowboy on the rodeo circuit. Native American, short and stocky, with long dark hair he wore in a braid, he had a grin as wide as the brim of his black Stetson. Cash was a little older than the youngsters on the circuit, and a bit bowlegged from years spent riding bulls, broncs and “anything that bucked”.
“Hoka-hey. Hope I’m not interruptin’ a lovers’ spat.”
“You are,” Jared snarled. “What the bloody hell do you want?”
“Whoa, hold on, partner. Just wanted to return this to the lady.” He handed Channing her trophy. “You forgot it on the bar. Wouldn’t want some other gal to steal it, seeings you worked so hard to win it.” He winked.
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