She was innocent in all this, after all. Still, Jeff was entitled to her share of Bay Crossing, and he meant to have it. You slept with my brother and had his child— this beautiful girl in front of us. Dear Granddad had all but hanged me already. I would have believed you.
I would have stood by you. You had already run to Wayne by then. Your argument is with me, not her. Yet you stand there and tell me you had feelings for me all that time ago. Icing on the cake. Not a nice smile. He knew it. Jeff startled when his skin tightened.
Even in anger, her touch still moved him. How he longed to grab Maria and drag her into his arms. So warm, so sweet. And she smelled the same, like wild berries and sweet vanilla. He forced himself not to inhale. Then she plowed into him with her chocolate gaze. Wayne Bay is not your biological father. Jefferson Bay is. This could not be happening. This child? This woman?
His daughter? This beautiful girl… She was…what? Thirty-two then? No, none of you gave it a second thought. It seemed so obvious to me, but neither you, Wayne, nor your grandfather batted an eye over it. This was real. Maria rushed to her and helped her to one of the queen beds in the hotel room. I never meant for you to find out like this.
I never meant for you to find out at all. How could you lie to me all these years? Never suspected? Get a grip. She rubbed it lightly. With all your trouble with the law, I assumed you were guilty. Ire flamed within him. Do you really think I could kill someone? There was no way around it. You had a record. I needed to make sure my baby—our baby—had a chance at the life and the name she deserved. So I seduced Wayne and, a month later, told him the child was his.
But he adored your daughter, Jeff. She was his favorite. She wanted for nothing while he was alive. All these years. What are you not telling me? To fight for us. I was ready to prove it to you. For us. A child I never knew. I never strayed during our marriage. Not once. Yes, he was angry. This woman had stolen his life. A real father who adored you. But what does it matter? Are you serious? What would you have done with a child? What would I have done as a single mother?
He deserved to be loved. For you. Your boyfriend was going to prison and you were stuck pregnant. You trapped an innocent man into a marriage neither of you wanted. I loved you. I would have done anything for you.
For our child. I could have gotten a better lawyer. A decision that I thought was best for my child. She had everything a little girl could want. My sainted brother. He had everything. He was the older. He had everything I could never have, except you. I had you. But you took that away and gave yourself to him. You gave my child to him! You were. They were nothing but lies. Now the two of you get the hell out of my hotel room.
Yet you still stay in that tiny house. Her onyx hair still fell past her shoulders in bouncing waves—just like it always had. Her warm brown eyes gazed up at him with searching innocence—just as they had thirty-three years ago.
He inhaled to clear his mind. Maria was no innocent. Still, his heart roared at him to grab her and kiss her the way he used to—the way he had when he was a young man in love for the first time.
The only time. Wayne Bay had died never knowing that his younger brother had fathered his oldest child. Now, Jeff and Angie were building a relationship as father-uncle and daughter.
Angie called him Jeff. Nope, Jeff had been a convicted felon serving time. A true skeleton in the closet. With Angie, Jeff had patience. She and her husband were expecting their first child. He was treading carefully with Angie. Not one of his finer moments. That honor went to her mother. Not so innocent. His first and only love still captivated him, though. Even as he worked on the ranch, when she came near he found his gaze drawn to her flowing hair, her curvy body that looked sumptuous in simple jeans and a western shirt.
But sleep… That was a different story. And now here she stood, hands on her hips, fire darting from her dark brown eyes. How long does it take to get over thirty years of lies? The truth was he wanted her back in his life. Back in his bed. But prison had hardened him. Yet whenever he moved forward to smile, to take Mia into his arms, to forgive, unwanted images popped into his mind.
Perfect Wayne. God, no. Not my Mia. But you refuse even that. Angie and Rafe are in town and would like to see you. That was a horse of a different color. He nodded. Thank you for the invite. And he went back to work. We never knew. I had a husband, children, a family to take care of.
You all deserved my best. God bless her wonderful son. But she was fine now, happily married and expecting.
You had Angie. All that time, he was rotting in prison. Her son was right, of course. Their children had grown up happy and secure. Jeff, on the other hand, had lived a nightmare in prison.
I know. They had to move forward. He needs to work for his supper. Harper told her daily what a great job he was doing, how he worked harder than any of the other hands. And Lord God, it showed. He was just as handsome, if not more so, with his wavy dark hair now sprinkled with a little salt.
He just needs to get through this. And he will. Look how well he and Angie are doing. Ironically, Angie had been the closest to Wayne, closer than either of his biological children. The hottie and her friend were across the street in the high school parking lot. Just admiring the view. Jailbait and all. How do you know? So you know her? But I met that friend of hers a while back, before the big falling out, and Shelley mentioned that she was exactly a month older than her friend.
Shelley turned eighteen almost two months ago, so do the math. I heard he held up Moon Liquors last weekend. His face was beautiful—angelic almost—but in a completely masculine way.
God, he screamed man with a capital M. Jeff Bay. The one and only. In his twenties. You and Greg are practically engaged. College is going to be a blast. So what are you making moon eyes over Jeff Bay for? He was handsome, and he was smart, and he was captain of the football team…yada yada yada. He was also boring. All they did was make out. That excuse no longer held water. But it would happen, and soon.
She knew that. She was still staring at the gorgeous cowboy on a motorcycle when his dark gaze suddenly met hers. His eyes were laced with hunger. Was he actually melting her clothes off her body? She gulped. Suddenly her Styx Tshirt felt infantile.
What did you say? Get your head out of the clouds. Heck, they were graduating in two weeks. She had a three point nine grade point average. Who needed to go to class? I need to run back to the car. Forgot one of my notebooks. Slowly, Maria ambled toward her car. Shelley was right. Most guys did. She was used to that—the power of long dark hair and large breasts. It had been going on since she was fourteen. But for one more minute—sixty more seconds—she wanted to dream that the gorgeous bad boy on the bike might be hers someday.
Maria fumbled in her car for a few minutes and then walked toward the school, turning her back to the gorgeous biker. God, what an idiot I am. He is so not my type. The slow thundering of a motorcycle engine revved up behind her, and she gulped and turned her head.
Next to her, mounted on his bike, was her dream man. He turned to her, his eyes blazing. She just hopped on, happy to obey his command.
No helmet, no leather jacket—she had no protective gear at all except the pack full of books on her back. Jeff rode slowly through the high school parking lot and out onto the street, and then he gunned it onto the highway. Maria had never felt anything like it.
Her eyelashes blew against her eyelids. If only she could reach into her backpack for her sunglasses. Oh, well, next time. Would there be a next time? Or of Jeff Bay, she hoped. They screamed down the highway toward the countryside. All that mattered was the vibrating seat between her thighs and the strong, hard back of the man in front of her. She wanted to ride like the wind. For a half hour they rode, until he finally got off the highway, trekked down a county road, and stopped at a little mom-and-pop shop on the corner.
He helped her off the bike and met her gaze. Yeah, she was parched. She nodded. I can give you some money. No worries. When she looked in the mirror, she nearly had a coronary. Her hair was a mass of tangles and waves. She dug into her backpack for her brush and tugged it through her hair until the last snarl was gone. Then she laughed out loud.
It would just happen again when she went back on the bike. And she had every intention of getting back on that bike. She took a moment to look at her reflection.
Her cheeks were pink. Damn, they were glowing. And her lips were ruby red. Riding a motorcycle agreed with her. Or Jeff Bay agreed with her. She walked back out to find Jeff waiting with her drink by the bike. He had removed his T-shirt, and his tanned, broad chest glistened with perspiration. Oh, God. Her cheeks heated. Damn, they were already ruddy from the ride. He smiled. It fits you. My friend knew who you were. The kiss was deep and passionate… Chapter Three Jeff finished currying the last mare and stretched.
Amazing how much he enjoyed ranch work after all these years. She was trying. She betrayed me with my own brother and kept a child from me for thirty-two years. He had an income now. Harper, his nephew, who legally owned Cha Cha Ranch now that Wayne had passed, paid him a good salary. Plus, Harper let him use the small house Angie had lived in before she married Rafe and moved to the western slope to manage Bay Crossing.
He feared he never would. Well, not exactly a loner. Angie had let him into her life and had promised to let him be a grandpa to her baby when it came. He counted his lucky stars for that. Harper and Catie had accepted him as well. Harper made no bones about the fact that Jeff worked harder than any other hand on the ranch. His daughter was visiting. Excuse me. No sense using the formal dining room for family. They were all more comfortable here in her big country kitchen. Jeff stumbled in a few minutes later, his hair damp, looking luscious in jeans and a clean white shirt.
Jeff nodded. Give Annie a call. Maria tapped her foot. Well, fine then. Two can play this game. Angie returned to the table and Maria sat down without nodding to Jeff. He sat down, once everyone else was seated, next to Angie. Harper and Rafe began a conversation about the steers at Bay Crossing, and Jeff joined in. She loved beef empanadas, but her stomach felt like lead at the moment.
Jeff smiled at the others, even chuckled a time or two. She gently removed the sheet to view his magnificent body. The satiny bronze of his skin lightened where the streams of sunlight touched it. His cock could have been carved by a Renaissance artist in marble, so perfect it was. Her sex pulsed just looking at it.
She wanted it in her mouth, touching the back of her throat. Quietly she leaned over and touched her lips to the salty head. She trailed tiny kisses up and down the shaft, licked around his sac. His eyes were still closed. A slight smile curved the corners of his beautiful lips. She smiled and bent back to work. She twirled her tongue over his head, savoring the masculine flavor and his husky moans.
She took it all until he grazed the back of her throat. She let up, allowing herself to get used to the sensation. She caressed the hard muscle of his taut thighs as she continued her assault on his beautiful cock. She took him in again to the back of her throat, his moans fueling her desire to please him. His brown eyes were open and locked upon hers. She wanted him to come. She wanted to take him, swallow for him. I want you to.
She continued, and his hips began thrusting upward in time with her oral strokes. Soon the pulses began low on his shaft, and when his fluid shot into her mouth, she took him, relishing the creamy texture, the salty flavor. Happiness flowed through her. I think I have some granola bars in my bag. I can make the little pot of coffee too. God, sex is good. Sex with Sam is good. A high school classmate had taken her virginity in a clumsy coupling. That was the extent of her experience, save for Sam.
Now they lay together, their arms and legs intertwined, kissing each other sweetly and softly. They licked each other, made love with their mouths. A knock on the door startled her. She jerked beneath Sam. He raised his head. How would that look? Course she was over eighteen. But still, they were her parents.
She rose and retrieved her robe from the bathroom. Before she opened the door, she threw Sam his jeans. The knocking pounded again. His blond hair was cut above his ears, and his blue gaze penetrated her. Now what? At least he was getting dressed. What time was it? She had no idea. Dawn had already broken when she awoke. Rod leaned in for a kiss. She turned her head and his lips slid over her cheek.
No such luck. The squeak of the bathroom door brought Sam into the room. His smile turned downward when he rested his gaze upon Rod. He held out his hand. He turned to Sydney. Did it make a difference? After she won a purse. But how could she get Sam to believe that now?
And how could she explain this to Rod? Sam, though fully clothed, was clearly disheveled. What would Rod think? And Sam? She should not have slept with Sam while she was still engaged to Rod. She should have broken up with Rod before she came here. He took his Stetson from the desk. A brother of a friend, actually. Rod grabbed her hand. In my safe. The last five years had been the most wonderful and the most terrible of her life at the same time.
How had it come to this? Rod was not a violent person, at least as far as she knew, but he was a powerful businessman. He could hurt her in worse ways than physically. She slowly nodded her head. I never meant to hurt you. You think a little slut like you could hurt me? They rang with truth. Had she heard right? A man has needs.
You said you wanted to wait until we were married. Although obviously you got over that last night. I never planned on being faithful to you. This is the kind of marriage you wanted? My father likes twenty-something blond girls. Ironically, so does my mother. But this engagement is over. It is not over. Beautiful to the eye. My parents have gone to a lot of expense and trouble for our impending marriage.
Have it your way. I missed you. You just wanted to see what was going on. You want to control me. Clearly he was also a control freak in his personal life. How had she gotten involved with him? Unfortunately, she knew the answer to that question. Sydney and her parents were carrying some major debt. Rod had been her savior. She wanted out.
Now get the hell out of here. That realization made her even more comfortable with her decision to break it off. For that, she was glad. Now, what to do about Sam? That was out of the question. She didn't want to hurt anyone, but especially not Sam. She wanted him to know that last night had meant something to her.
That their time five years ago had meant something. How could he have misjudged her? Sam raked his fingers through his disheveled hair. He needed a shower. He drove up to his small guest house on Zach and Dusty's ranch and took refuge inside. He inhaled. He could still smell her.
Yep, he definitely needed that shower. And it needed to be a cold one. Even now, his cock still throbbed for her. The woman was like a disease. She got into his body and wreaked havoc.
The sex had been amazing, though. He connected with her on a level unknown to him with any other woman. He was done trying. Dallas and Annie had four adorable kids, and Chad and Catie had a beautiful little girl named Violet. They all loved their Uncle Sam. In a flash, an image of a smiling little boy with sandy brown hair and dark brooding eyes soared into his mind.
His son with the woman he loved. He let grief consume him for only a few moments. Then he washed his hair, stepped out of the shower, and dried off.
Nearly losing his baby sister. Still, life had grown stale. He needed a change. Not to be. He dressed quickly and headed over to the main house to see Dusty. She and Zach were sitting at the table, drinking coffee. Want some coffee? He and Sydney were over. Sam took a long drink of the coffee. Good and strong, just as he liked it. Sam took another sip. What is it? It has sentimental value to both of us. Dust and I have discussed this at length with Dallas and Chad and their wives.
A new place. A new job. New challenges. New people to meet, and family to spend time with. It might be just the cure for a life that had grown stale.
Sounded like a gift dropped from heaven. You are the best man for this job. Then dropped to his belly. He stood. Thanks for the coffee. Too bad his heart was still in the room. You want some coffee cake? Seraphina left a nice one. She took Seanie out for the day. Sam had run from her like an ant from a grasshopper. Not that she blamed him. Of course she had. Zach rose. Got work to do.
And nice to see you, Sydney. It turned out the way it needed to turn out. Sometimes it takes a while to see the ultimate plan, but it eventually surfaces. The last five years had been a both a blessing and a hardship. That whole relationship had been a mistake, further evidenced by his visit this morning. The warmth of friendship infused her. Could she really talk to this woman? But she had no one else, and she needed Sam to know the truth.
Or at least part of it. Goodness no. I appreciate that. I was going to break up with him as soon as I got home. In fact, I should have done it sooner. We broke up this morning. Oddly, he was okay with that. I was the one who ended it. I never did. Rod is the heir to a huge hotel business in Carson City.
He offered financial security. Believe it or not, I was once in financial trouble myself. I know how it feels. I nearly sold my Regina to get money I needed. Yes, she is. I applied for a job at his office. He recognized me from a magazine article on the WPRA. He wanted a woman who had a recognizable name and a good face and body to be arm candy. That was evident when I applied to work at his company. So he asked you out? It was a whirlwind courtship. I think his daddy told him it was time to get married or something.
Within a month, my face was plastered all over the society pages in Carson City. We were the talk of the town. And I found out today he never loved me either. This was to be solely a business arrangement. I never meant to. Just talk to him. I need to get out of here for a while. But Zach was his brother-in-law and a good friend. You know, back when you and Dusty hooked up.
Did Chad ever tell you about the problems he had with the woman he hooked up with that night? Though it came at a rotten time. Right after our ma died. He did love the ladies. But that night with Sydney stands out as the best. But she and I got together last night, and it was just as good.
Better, even. A little fact she neglected to tell me. He showed up at her hotel room this morning while I was still there.
She flat out lied to me. Coming here to Colorado, being near my sister and nephew, might be just what the doctor ordered. When can you start? I think I can persuade my foreman to take over. You can move in anytime. We can ride on over and take a look at it. Once the rodeo was over and Sydney Buchanan went back to Nevada, he could concentrate on starting his new life.
Sam was amazing, and such a nice man. And she adored Dusty and her little boy. God, her little boy. Some hurts never healed. And yes, the guy showed up. But you can just explain to Sam that you were planning to break up with him, which is the truth.
He was there for me all those years when I needed him. He sacrificed his own happiness so I was taken care of.
It left me nearly infertile. Sean was a gift from heaven. How selfish could she be? But my point is Sam was there for me when I needed him. He took care of me. My father passed away during that time, and Sam was all I had.
Sam was wonderful. But other things could never be forgiven. Whatever is bothering you, I promise it will work out. You will too. Good luck. That means a lot. She was last to go in the competition, which only made her more tense.
But at least she knew what she was up against. So far, the fastest time belonged to a local girl at She could still take first, but it would require intense concentration and perfect form. She had to win. She needed the money. Especially now that Rod was out of the picture for good. One more deep breath and she closed her eyes. In her mind, she and Sapphire ran like the wind, skating around every barrel with perfect ease. She opened her eyes, signaled to the judge, and then kicked into high gear.
She and Sapphire crossed the electric eye and raced toward the first barrel. Sydney clenched her teeth as she set the mare up to turn the first barrel without knocking it over. Then, in a whirlwind, Sydney took Sapphire around the first barrel perfectly.
Pursing her lips, she looked straight ahead and galloped toward the second, taking Sapphire around in the opposite direction.
One more to go. Running toward the backside of the arena, she and the mare aimed toward the third and final barrel, the sweet rush of adrenaline empowering her. Yes, yes, she was doing it! Sapphire was in fine form as she rounded the last barrel. Thundering applause echoed from the stands.
Talon loves Jade deeply and longs to possess her forever, so he faces his worst fears and exposes his rawest wounds in an attempt to heal. He loves his city career and his luxurious downtown loft, and life is going just how he planned it…until his mother, the city attorney for his hometown of Snow Creek, Colorado, asks him to move back and work for her when her assistant retires.
Mom asks? Donny goes. The fact that he can pick up where he left off with gorgeous Callie Pike is simply a fringe benefit.
When Donny and Callie meet again, sparks do more than fly. They shoot like rockets to the stars. Her past is coming back to haunt her. His present is haunting him. She should be the happiest woman on the planet, and she is…but her nemesis from ten years ago seems intent on destroying her newfound bliss. Donny Steel will do anything to protect his family, even sacrifice his ethics and his own happiness.
The end to his story has already been written… Brad Steel made a promise to his wife and children—to create a legacy born from his love for them and his desire to protect them from harm.
It was a worthy ambition… But along the way, something went terribly wrong. She escapes when she must, still always putting Brad and their children first. Mysteries deepen, secrets are unveiled, and Brad vows to continue to protect his family at all costs. But is the price too high? Jonah Steel is intelligent, rich, and hard-working. As the oldest of his siblings, he was charged by his father to protect them.
He failed in the worst way. Melanie Carmichael has her own baggage. As Melanie and Jonah attempt to work through their issues together, desperately trying to ignore the desire brewing between them, ghosts from both their pasts surface…and danger draws near. Bradford Steel never believed in fate…until he met the girl of his dreams. As sole heir to the Steel ranch and fortune, Brad knows what his future holds.
Fate has other plans, though, when he meets college freshman Daphne Wade—an innocent and beautiful young woman who loves sunrises, animals, and the color yellow. Daphne is on her own for the first time, and she vows to make the most of every minute. Never again will she fall victim to the anxiety and depression that plagued her through high school.
When handsome senior Brad Steel shows an interest in her, she gathers her courage and dives in. Their relationship moves more quickly than either of them expect, and before long, fate blooms into love. Brad is determined to eliminate all the obstacles in their way and protect Daphne.
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