by Jane Jamison
“Let me get straight to the point.”
She swallowed and prepared for the worst. “That sounds good to me. And just so you know, I’d prefer a firing squad to a hanging.”
He laughed, and she liked him for that. At least he had a sense of humor. “No need for any executions. However, there remains the question of how you came onto the ranch.”
“I thought they already explained that.”
“They did.” His dark gaze slid over her as though judging her.
She straightened in her chair. No one, not even the great Gabriel had a right to judge her.
Still, she needed to apologize. “I want to say that I’m sorry about how I slipped onto the ranch and into their home.” She leveled her gaze on his. “I want to, but I can’t. If I hadn’t done those things I’d never have met the men I love.”
He blinked then leaned his forearms on the desk. “You cut to the chase. I like that.”
His dark eyes seemed to soften. “I had a slew of questions for you, but I’m not going there now. What matters to me the most is what you just said.”
“I’m sorry?”
His gaze drifted to the men and back to her. “These guys work with me. Not for me. In repayment of their help, they built that house and own some of the land. I don’t have the right to tell them who to love. I do, however, have the right to worry about what someone with your high profile might bring to the ranch. Our organization, this place, isn’t a secret, but it isn’t out there for the world, either. I don’t want a bunch of reporters and fans running over here to see you.”
She’d worried about the same thing. But she didn’t want to give up her career either. “I understand. But that’s my work and I’m going to keep doing it.”
“Duly noted. So here’s the proposal I’d like to make.”
“Go on.” She felt Bill put his hand on her shoulder just when she needed the support. She reached up and put hers on top of his.
“Obviously, you’re going to want to live on the ranch with these lugs.”
She smiled at his choice of words. “Obviously.”
“Then what I need to ask is that you don’t tell anyone else where you live. Not your manager, not your closest friend. No one.”
It would be tough, but she’d heard of other stars keeping the location of their home private. “Okay. I can agree to that.” She’d get Grisham to understand that they could meet only when she went to Tulsa.
“Good.” He stood and put out his hand again, bringing their meeting to a close. “Welcome to Second Chance Ranch, Sela.”
She got to her feet and took his hand. “Thanks, Gabriel. I’m glad to be here.”
Epilogue
Sela patted Chuck on the arm then pulled off her heels and put on her running shoes. “You know the drill, right?”
“Sure do. Just like last time and the time before that.”
She leaned back in the seat and watched the land speed past her window. A few months earlier, she’d gone down this same road, oblivious to how it would change her life. Since then, she’d left Second Chance Ranch and her men only when she had to.
She’d finished the tour then had gone to L.A. to record her first album. Now she was headed home after meeting with her manager as well as a movie producer who wanted her to play the lead in his next movie. Although it would take her away from the ranch for several months, she couldn’t turn down the fantastic opportunity. But the movie was only in the first stages of development, so she had some time before that would demand her attention. Thankfully, her men understood and supported her career. She was even hoping that they’d come with her. After the movie was finished, she planned to take off enough time to get pregnant and have their first child.
“Here we are, Sela.”
Chuck pulled the Mercedes to the side of the road. “Are you sure I can’t take you all the way this time?”
She laughed. She knew that she’d embarrass him but that he’d take the joke well enough. “All the way, Chuck? Why, you hound dog, you. You know I’m taken.”
He rolled his eyes, and she loved him for the gesture. “Nope. I promised to keep it secret. And you’re mums on it, too, right?”
“Of course. Your secret’s in my vault.”
“Cool.” She opened the door and stepped out. “Go on. I’ll be fine from here.”
After Chuck had turned the car around and waved as he’d driven off, she picked up her bag and hurried down the road. The men—her men—had offered to pick her up as they always did, but she liked the routine of replaying her trek to the ranch on that first day.
She was almost running by the time she made it to the front porch. Bursting through the door, she screeched as William jumped from behind her and whirled her around.
Her shriek turned into laughter of joy as she dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around his neck. His kiss was the best welcome-home present she could have ever wanted.
“Hey, don’t hog our woman.”
Bill pulled her out of William’s arms and lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around him. She kissed him hard and long before finally having to break for air.
She arched an eyebrow and cast her gaze downward. “Hmm. If that hard rod pressed against my pussy is any indication, you missed me big-time.”
“You know I did.”
“Same here.” This time it was Carter who took her. He carried her away from the other men and sat down on the couch, putting her on top of him. “I missed you just as much. Can’t you tell?”
She giggled and put her hand over his growing crotch. “And I missed you guys, too. More than you’ll ever know.”
Carter’s kiss was just as sweet as William’s and as intense as Bill’s. She tossed her head back as he started nibbling on her neck.
“Tell us you don’t have to go away again anytime soon.”
She shook her head then pushed her body off Carter. They all reached for her, but she slinked away, intent on getting to the kitchen. “Uh-uh. I’ve got a whole six months off. During which time, I intend to write a bunch of songs. All inspired by my sexy men.”
They strode toward her, decked out in their worn jeans that fit their hips just right, with their T-shirts hugging the muscles of their chests and arms.
She forced her gaze off them and opened a cabinet to find the bottle of tequila they always kept there. William grabbed shot glasses while Carter dug into the refrigerator for limes and scooped the saltshaker off the other counter.
She grinned as she gave Bill the bottle and started unbuttoning her dress. “Want to guess the title of the first song I’m going to write?”
“I’m thinking it should be something like ‘Cowboys for Hire.’”
She bopped Carter on the tip of his nose. “Hmm, sounds good, but that’s not it. Besides, Gabriel would skin us if I used that.”
They guessed a few more titles, each more hilarious than the last. She laughed as she poured the liquor into the four shot glasses. “Sorry. You’re all wrong.”
Bill took his glass, as did the other men. “So tell us, babe? What’s the title?”
She gave them a huge grin, knowing it would bring out her dimples. “My next song is called ‘Riding Her Rough.’”
Lifting their glasses into the air, they toasted to the song. As the fiery liquid seared down her throat, she glanced around her. She was right where she belonged with the men she trusted and loved.
Holy gumdrops.
THE END
WWW.JANEJAMISON.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Jamison has always liked “weird stuff” as her mother called it. From an early age she was fascinated with stories about werewolves, vampires, space, aliens, and whatever was hiding in her bedroom closet. (To this day, she still swears she can hear growls and moans whenever the lights are out.)
Being born under the sign of Scorpio meant Jane was destined to be very sensual. Some would say she was (and remains) downright sexual. Then one day she put her two favorite things
together on paper and found her life’s true ambition: to be an erotica paranormal romance author.
Jane spends at least six days a week locked in her office surrounded by the characters she loves. Every day a new character will knock on the door of her imagination. Her plans include taking care of her loving husband, traveling, and writing at least twelve books a year.
For all titles by Jane Jamison, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/jane-jamison
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About the Author
