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She hauled a bunch of full garbage bags downstairs. By the third trip she took a breather on the porch steps. It’d be another hot one today—the thermometer read ninety at ten o’clock. She’d finished her second glass of iced tea when her cell phone rang.
Caller ID said MM.
“Macie McKay, what’s up?”
“My breakfast,” she grumbled. “Anyway, how are you?”
“Tired.”
“Know the feeling. I remember how much work it was being a caretaker and I feel for ya.”
AJ couldn’t confess the real reason for her tiredness—playing grab ass with Cord till the wee hours. Macie would blab to her husband, Carter, and then all the McKays would know about her and Cord. “So didja call me to lend your support?”
“No. I called because I’m coming to Sundance tomorrow.”
“Really? Cool. What time, how long, and all that?”
“Early, we’ll be there overnight.”
“We, meaning you and Carter?”
“No. Me, Gemma and the twins.”
AJ squealed. “Not that it’s not awesome you’re coming, Mace, but I love love love those darling babies.”
“You and everyone else. Channing hasn’t been feeling well enough to travel, so she’s dying to see Gemma and the babies again. Gemma’s a little stir crazy stuck in the house breastfeeding twins every two hours, and I have a building I need to check out.”
“A building? For what?”
“Tell you when I get there. In fact, is there any way you can get tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night off from your caretaking duties? After the business deal, Channing wants a girls’ night with the four of us. I guess she’s kicking Colby out too.”
“Cash isn’t coming?”
“No, it’s haying season and he’ll be working until dark. It’ll drive Dad bonkers to be away from his twins for even a day, but between us, I think Gemma’s looking for a break from him too.”
AJ grinned. Cash Big Crow was all gooey-eyed and awestruck over the newest additions to his family. To hear Macie tell it, because Cash hadn’t been around at all during Macie’s early years, he was determined to do and learn everything this go around and be a very hands-on daddy.
“I’ll talk to my sister and see if I can work something out. If nothing else, maybe one of Mama’s friends would like to come over, especially since we’re moving and it might be a last chance.”
Macie was quiet. “You okay with the McKays buying the Foster ranch, AJ?”
“I don’t really have a choice but to slap on a happy face. I won’t lie; it’s gonna be hard.”
“I know, sweets. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
Over margaritas, AJ hoped. “Where are you staying?”
“You think Channing would let Gemma stay anywhere besides with her?” Macie laughed. “I’d planned on staying there too, but Carter wants me bunking at Carolyn and Carson’s.”
“They’ll be glad to have you.”
“I’ll call from Channing’s and let you know what time I’ll swing by to get you. I’d like to see how your mom is doing before we head out.”
Might be ridiculous, but AJ was touched. Macie’s thoughtfulness and feisty sweetness were just a couple of reasons why they’d become close friends in the last year.
“I’d like that. Mama would too.”
“Good. Then when we’re alone we can gossip about Keely’s latest cowboy on a string and you can tell me exactly how my sexy, gruff brother-in-law deflowered you.”
“Macie! How’d you know?”
“I didn’t until you just told me.” She laughed again. “You’re so easy to tease. Oops, Carter’s bellering at me, gotta go.”
The rest of the morning zipped by. AJ fixed lunch, and settled her mother down for her afternoon nap and a massage. She packed more boxes, pleased by how much she’d accomplished. She’d gone into the garage to find a crowbar, when she heard a vehicle pull up. After stepping outside, she blocked the bright sunlight with her hand and squinted at Cord’s 350 diesel.
He climbed out and the truck door slammed.
“Cord? What’re you doing here?”
“AJ. My dad asked me to stop by and give Flo some papers.”
Disappointment made her shoulders sag. He wasn’t here just to see her. “She’s sleeping. Since she hasn’t been sleeping well, I don’t want to wake her.”
“I understand.”
“You want to leave the papers with a note?”
“How long before she wakes up?”
“Probably an hour.”
He frowned. “Huh. Is Jenn around?”
“No. She and the kids are in town. Why?”
“So you’re all alone?”
“Yeah. Why does that—”
Cord crushed his mouth to hers and pushed her into the barn.
This was what she wanted. Darkness, heat, need. Cord devouring her. Kissing her like she was everything. His rough hands racing all over her body as if he couldn’t decide which part he wanted to touch first.
He ate at her mouth and trailed his teeth down her throat. “Drove me insane when you weren’t there this mornin’. Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Was I supposed to? I don’t know anything about morning after stuff like that. I saw the clock and panicked. You said no overnights and no one knew where I was.”
“I wanted you. I woke up wantin’ you. Seein’ the imprint of your head on the pillow.
The room smelled like you. Sunshine. Sex. The scent of your sweet juices was still in my beard. Made me instantly hard, rememberin’ tastin’ you. Feelin’ your hands on me. That naughty mouth suckin’ me dry. I’ve spent all goddamn day hard as a posthole digger.”
“Cord—”
“Right now, AJ. I wanna pin you against the wall and f**k you hard enough to rattle the stalls. Then I want to bend you over the railin’ and take you from behind, sinkin’ my teeth into that spot at the base of your neck that makes you scream my name.”
AJ swallowed. “Um. Let’s start with just one and work our way down the wish list, okay?”
Cord slanted his mouth over hers. Somehow he lifted her and wrapped her legs around his waist, all while kissing her, all while walking backward.
She opened her eyes. They stopped outside the tack room.
After setting her on her feet, he grabbed her wrists and held them above her head.
