Leah Braemel - Private Property

He eased his hold putting enough distance between them so he stared into her eyes. “Are you visiting or staying?”

Multiple choices-this should be easy. Yet she remained silent pondering his question.

Just pick one, a voice in her head chastised.

“Staying,” she heard herself say.

There, that wasn’t so hard.

Yet saying it aloud authenticated her decision and she wasn’t sure it was the right one. What if she couldn’t find enough work? What if the people in California didn’t like her? She was a country-girl born and raised. What did she know about dealing with people of influence? What she did know were animals, especially horses.

An ear-to-ear grin tugged at Charles’s mouth. His hand fell to rest on her ass. “Need a place to stay?”

His innuendo didn’t escape her. She cocked a brow, grasping his hand to guide it back to her waist. “Got it covered, but thanks for the invitation.”

His palm worked its way back down to ride the top of her ass. “Does that mean tonight is out?”

Men! She shook her head in disbelief.

Relief surfaced when the song came to an end. Hastily, she stepped out of his embrace. “Thanks, but I have plans tonight. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Cutting through the crowd, she avoided Tom when he nodded at her, choosing instead to head for the line growing outside the bathroom door. It was as good as any place for her to catch her bearings.

Tracy probably shouldn’t have ventured outside her uncle’s estate tonight. But her fifteen-year-old cousin had recommended she check out Jester’s party. She didn’t want to speculate how Laurie knew about this place. From everything Tracy’d seen so far it was a meat market and the perfect place to pick up a one-night stand, which was exactly what she was in the mood for, but it would have to wait.

There would be questions if she didn’t come home tonight. An inquisition was something she didn’t need to deal with. But she might have stood a cross-examination for the tall, dark cowboy. She took one more look around the room and wondered if her mystery man had gone down the flight of stairs to the basement.

“Looking for someone, sugar?” The whiskey-smooth male’s voice sounded familiar.

She turned and a smile fell across her face. “Rowdy.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and raised her off her feet to twirl her around, nearly knocking over two other women in line. They cast a disgruntled look, but remained quiet as she slithered down his firm body, raising her skirt to where it barely covered her butt. She gave the hem a tug as he settled her on her feet.

He held her at arm’s length. “I couldn’t believe it was you waltzing around the dance floor. What the hell brings you to this neck of the woods?”

“I could say the same to you.” She took in his athletic build, knowing exactly what hid beneath his cotton shirt; lean strong muscles. Long powerful legs were encased in snug denim that rode low on his lean hips. Yep. She remembered the bulge between his thighs too. Hastily she jerked her gaze back to his face.

A wicked grin fell across his face. He pulled her back into his arms, giving her a squeeze. “Here with someone?” he murmured against her ear.

“No.”

“That makes two of us.” He nibbled on her earlobe. “How about I take you home, tie you up and have my way with you?”

Chills raced across her skin as his hair tickled her neck. The man was gorgeous. Peeking from beneath his Stetson, sandy blond hair framed his tanned face.

“Yes” was on the tip of her tongue. His sexy invitation almost made her forget she needed to call it a night soon. “Sounds delicious, but I’ll have to pass. I work tomorrow.”

His lips were soft trailing along her jaw line and cheeks, until his mouth whispered across hers. “Are you sure?” He caressed his tongue along the crease of her lips. “If I recall, we made some sweet music together.”

Sweet music? That was an understatement.

Rowdy had been her first lover after the divorce. She had been scared and uncertain. He had been patient and understanding and joked around to make her feel comfortable. They had talked, but more importantly he had listened, asking questions and appearing genuinely interested in her plans for the future.

Little touches here-kisses there-and before the night ended she found herself locked in his arms, revealing some of her deepest desires. At the moment there hadn’t seemed to be any danger in her frankness about her sexual desires. He was a stranger passing through town. Hell. After a couple of drinks and another tumble between the sheets, she had even told him about her darkest fantasy-a mйnage a trois.

To her surprise he hadn’t been judgmental. He didn’t make her feel as if her wayward thoughts were disturbing or wrong. In fact, he appeared to be aroused by her confession, taking her in his arms and making passionate love to her once more.

Embarrassment heated her face. I can’t believe I revealed that fantasy.

He smoothed a hand gently over her cheek as if he could sense her sudden discomfort. “It’s me, baby.” He looked at her with warm brown eyes. “I can make your fantasies come true.” He pressed his mouth to her ear. “All of them,” he whispered.

Oh God. He remembered.

A spark sputtered low in her belly. The burn matched the heat flaring across her cheeks. Surely he was just teasing her. Even still, the thought of two men worshipping her body all night long was beyond exciting. It was downright sinful.

“Can’t.” She swallowed hard. “Not tonight.”

Damn. Damn. Damn. It was already getting late and she didn’t want to disturb her uncle’s household. She didn’t miss the disappointment on his face as he released her.

“When?”

“Maybe Monday. My weekend is booked solid.”

“Monday it is. Give me your number.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and punched in her number as she rattled it off. “I’ll call you with the directions to my house.” He caressed her cheek. “Are you up for anything?” There was a spark of devilment in his eyes.

Anything?

“Yes,” slipped from her mouth before she could think twice.

“I promise it will be a night dedicated solely to your pleasure.” He kissed her softly. “Until Monday.”

Eyes closed, lips still puckered, she murmured, “Uh-huh.” He tapped her on the nose. Her eyelids rose.

He winked. “Later, baby.”

She sighed low and long as she watched him walk away. Later couldn’t come anytime too soon.

Torn between the love he has…and the love he’s always wanted.

Rough Riders Series, Book 5

Chassie West Glanzer hasn’t been a stranger to drama and tragedy. A year of wedded bliss to sexy-as-sin cowboy Trevor Glanzer has brought her the happiness and contentment she never thought she’d find, and mellowed Trevor’s rodeo wanderlust. Then Trevor’s old roping partner ambles up the driveway-and Chassie’s life changes drastically.

Trevor never expected to see Edgard Mancuso again, after it became clear he couldn’t be the man Edgard needed. Now Edgard is back from Brazil to sort out their tangled past, and Trevor is plagued with feelings he thought he’d buried over three years ago. Although Trevor is hat-over-bootheels in love with his sweet, feisty wife, the sense his life is missing a piece has always gnawed at him.

Chassie’s shock that Edgard and Trevor were once lovers turns to fear of losing her husband. Or worse, fear that Trevor will stay with her only out of a sense of duty. Yet as the three of them spend time together, the sins of the past blur and fade, leaving raw emotion-and unbridled passion.