She’d never had much of a sex life, so the fact she was getting some good lovin’ on a regular basis should’ve made her swoon like giggling maiden. So why did it bug the crap out of her that sex had turned…routine? And that was saying a lot, coming from someone like Skylar who thrived on routine. Not only was she too chicken to take a chance on initiating sex with Kade, she was afraid he’d balk at seeing her flab-ulous post-baby body and end all sexual contact. She kept all naked encounters in the dark, figuring so-so sex was better than no sex? Right?Wrong. The niggling feeling that something was missing outside of the bedroom didn’t help her frame of mind because she had no frame of reference for a situation like this—sexually or personally. For the first time in a long time, she had no plan of attack, no earthly idea on how to go about implementing changes.Sky left the office and headed home. The big screen TV in the living room wasn’t on. Kade wasn’t sprawled on the couch. The ba
Crap. She should’ve known he’d figure that out. It was a silly ploy anyway and she was surprised it’d worked as long as it did.“I’ll still get up with Eliza at night. I bought another baby monitor for my room so I can hear her. But you might wanna keep in mind I won’t be back until late the next coupla nights.”Ask him where he’s going.Like hell. The old, stubborn Skylar asserted herself and pointed out they weren’t married. Kade could do whatever he wanted and damn him for not being satisfied with her in bed or out of it. But wasn’t that just the story of her life? “Anything else?”“Nope.” He pointed to the living room. “Unless you’re up for watchin’ a little TV with me now that we got that long overdue discussion outta the way?”Frustrated with him, but mostly herself, she half snarled, half growled as she stormed up the stairs.She heard Kade say, “I guess I can take that as a no.”******“Hey, baby girl. Stop screaming. Ssh. It’s okay. Mama’s right here. Ssh.”Eliza kept right o
Skylar stared. Good God. Was every single one of the blasted McKay men so sinfully good-looking? No question this man was related to Kade—same dark hair, same vivid blue eyes.But Cord only had eyes for AJ. Hungry eyes. “Hey, baby doll. I was lookin’ for you.”“And you found me.”“Appears you found your way to the babies again,” he murmured and angled over her shoulder to examine Eliza.“I can’t help it. Isn’t she the sweetest thing?”“Yes, she is. Least that’s what her daddy says.” Cord’s eyes met Skylar’s, almost in challenge.Sky’s mocking look challenged him back. “Kade is a sucker. He’s already promised to buy her a pony.”“I imagine so.” He thrust out his hand. “I’ve seen you around, and I know India, but we’ve never been introduced. Cord McKay.”She shook his hand. “Skylar Ellison. Do all you McKay cousins and brothers look alike?”“The wonder twins notwithstandin’, I don’t see the resemblance, but other folks do. I imagine we all oughta wear name tags tomorrow, so you don’t ge
“For Christsake, Colt, that’s the dumbest damn thing I ever heard. I’m a little old to be defendin’ my honor, let alone yours.”“Kade’s got a point.”“Shut the fuck up, Buck.” Colt grinned. “I gotta admit I’m likin’ the way your new name rhymes.”Buck gave him the finger.“Maybe I didn’t mean honor as much as I meant I don’t wanna get shown up,” Colt said.“Shown up by who?”“Quinn and Bennett are competin’.”“So? They been travelin’ the circuit team ropin’ on a regular basis?”“Nah. But that don’t mean they ain’t been practicin’ together down at the south end of the ranch when we’ve been up here workin’ on our separate sections. If you’ll remember, they whupped our butts but good last time.”“That was damn near seven years ago.”“Hey, ain’t that the time Cam and Carter teamed up?” Buck asked.“Yep. Folks were laughin’ at my brothers attempts at ropin’ and wrestlin’, instead of laughin’ at the damn rodeo clown,” Colt grumbled. “So it is about honor. The honor of kickin’ our cousins’ s
“Then why is this the first I’ve heard of it, Kade McKay?”His hand froze. “Shit. I didn’t tell you?”“Nope.”“You’re sure?”Skylar lifted up to look at him. “Positive. You haven’t exactly been around the last couple days to tell me anything.”“Ah hell, Sky, I meant to. I’m so damn sorry.”“Me too.” Could he read between the lines and understand she was sorry for so many things that’d gone wrong between them?“I’d understand if you didn’t want to come on such short notice.”His sheepish expression squashed her intent to keep teasing him. “Lucky thing Miz Eliza Belle and I don’t have anything else to do so she can make her McKay family debut, huh?”Relief swept his face. “Lucky indeed.”“Will you be around?”“Some. Why?”Sky could scarcely think over the clucking noises echoing in her head. Truth was, she might be totally confident when it came to running her business, but this social situation absolutely petrified her, especially when she’d heard rumors about the wild, boisterous McKa
“I tried calling you, but Uncle Cal said you were already gone. Is he coming?”“I expect him any time now.”“Oh wow, is this who I think it is?”“Yep. This is Eliza Belle. Isn’t she a doll?”“Absolutely precious.” Chassie bent closer. “We girls are few and far between so we gotta stick together. Man. She does look like Kade. Bet he’s struttin’ around like cock of the walk.”“That he is.”Chassie straightened. Her liquid brown eyes sparkled, and her sweet, wide grin was infectious. “Ah. You’d be the vessel who brought forth the long-awaited McKay girl baby?”Skylar smiled. “Aptly put.”“Skylar Ellison, this is my niece Chassie West.”“It’s Chassie Glanzer now.” She wiped her hand on her jeans before she offered it to Sky. “Nice to meetcha, Skylar. Congrats on the wee one and welcome to the family.”“Thanks.” Chassie wasn’t much bigger than Kimi and Sky felt positively Amazonian next to the petite, skinny women.“Chassie just got married in February. She and her husband Trevor took over
The announcer’s voice boomed. “First up. Buck McKay. Not a McKay name I’m familiar with.”Carter laughed. “The SOB really did it. Said he was gonna do something drastic to set himself apart.”“Set himself apart from who?” Macie demanded.“From Colt, but mostly from Kade. Kane—aka Buck—is determined to get his new nickname to stick. Aunt Kimi is appalled.”“Is Kade his hazer?” Gemma asked.“Yep. Poor Kade got roped into all sorts of events,” Carter said.Sky leaned over and asked Chassie, “What in the world is a hazer?”“The rider who keeps the steer in a straight line for the bulldogger is called a hazer.”The chute opened, a steer bolted into the arena and two horses raced after it.Skylar didn’t see Buck launch himself onto the steer and flip it over. She was too busy staring at Kade—all grace and control—atop the sleek and powerful horse. It was the first time she’d seen him duded up in full cowboy regalia. She was used to him coming home from work, dirty and tired, but she’d never
Skylar said yes.Sure as hell not what Kade expected, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.At best, he’d imagined her trying to negotiate a different scenario. At worst, well, it involved her seeking revenge by tying him up to the four-poster bed.That fantasy had taken on a life of its own the last couple days. In his triple X version, Skylar wore PVC, blood red lipstick and a lewd smile as she disciplined him.Both his folks showed up to watch Eliza. His dad wasn’t the type to go gaga over kids. Kade doubted Calvin McKay had changed a diaper in his life. So it really shocked him when his gruff pops plopped down, eager to hold his granddaughter.“Why you starin’ at me, son?”“Just wonderin’—”“—if I know anything about babies?” His dad smiled. “Been awhile, but we did have two boys at once, so I’ve done my fair share of holdin’ and rockin’ and feedin’ babies.”Kade hadn’t considered that. “Well, call me on my cell if you need anything. We’ll be back in an hour.”“Ta