Will this be part of India's Ink and Sky Blue?

No. That's a connecting hallway to the other store and the access to the upstairs.

AJ brushed aside cobwebs and stopped in front of another door. She pushed it open and ventured inside. Dusty, dirty and the windows were covered with soapy grime that filtered out most light. The space was identical in size to India's place, a long narrow single room with high ceilings, accented with crown molding at the top and parquet floor beneath her feet. With a little elbow grease and a couple of well-placed walls, this would make a perfect massage studio. And it was close to home.

Her excitement lasted about ten seconds. She realized when she finished school she wouldn't have a home around here. Not an insurmountable problem if Keely had planned to come back. They could rent a trailer, split the rent and the workload.

But AJ was realistic. Massages would be a hard sell in Crook County. It'd take a few months to build up a clientele and a couple years to make enough money to earn a living. Whereas in a bigger city she'd start making money immediately. After one last regretful look, she returned to Macie and India.

This is karma or something, Macie said. Did you know my middle name is Blue? And my mother considered naming me India?

Seriously?

Macie nodded. India the Indian. My mom was slightly nuts.

India whirled on AJ. If you tell me you have a monarch butterfly tattooed above your butt crack, I'll freak out.

Nope. Sorry. No tattoos.

India smiled slyly. We'll see about changing that tattoo virgin status sometime soon.

Macie's grin rivaled India's. Losing one's virginity is always a good thing. Nice meeting you, India. Keep in touch. If all goes according to plan, we'll start the remodel in about four weeks.

On the way back, AJ managed to keep Macie talking about Carter's upcoming art show, the horses Cash expressed an interest in, and not the situation between her and Cord McKay.

Do you mind if we stop at Carolyn and Carson's house first before I take you home? I'm feeling a little woozy all of a sudden.

No problem. It drove home the point how intertwined her life was with the McKays' when she noticed Cord's truck parked out front at his folks' house.

Her stomach pitched. Be hard to act normal around him after last night.

Carolyn McKay was in her usual spot in the kitchen. She beamed at Macie. Hey, sweetie, how'd it go?

Great. But I actually feel nauseous from the excitement. Do you mind if I lay down before supper?

No, go ahead. Can I get you anything?

Macie shook her head and made a mad dash for the bathroom.

Carolyn's worry lines faded when she saw AJ. How are you?

Good. Any problems with the lawyer today?

Nope. Once the money is squared away and Florence pens her signature to the deed, you and your mother are officially squatters on McKay land.

AJ's face fell.

Oh, honey. I was kidding.

Nice goin', Ma, Cord said dryly. Got salt in your hand, wanna throw that in her eye too?

I need to get going. AJ purposely avoided the word home. She frowned. Shoot. I don't have a car.

I'll take you. I'm headed that way. Cord pecked his mother's forehead. Behave. No pesterin' Macie about you-know-what.

Like I have a choice. Carter made me promise. Carolyn winked at her. Have fun at your girls' night. Call if you need a designated driver, but I believe you'll be the only one drinkin'.

She and Cord didn't speak at all until they were in the truck and a mile down the road. Macie told me she and Carter will be living in my old house.

You okay with that?

No. I guess. Thanks for suggesting Macie tell me. She looked out the window. So are the McKays officially land barons? Buying up everything in Crook and Weston County?

Cord didn't answer.

Sorry. It's just hard.

He slowed down at the next pullout and parked. C'mere.

AJ buried her face against his chest. He didn't say a word; he just held her.

After a while, he said, I wanna be with you like this, dust devils swirlin' around us in the late afternoon heat. Just us, sneakin' some alone time. What do you say?

She nodded.

Cord slipped out and climbed back in the passenger's side, pulling her on his lap. Let me love you up. You look a little lost.

I am. Oh, she'd like it if he loved her, but she accepted the only type of love Cord could offer her was physical.

He kissed her softly, sweetly, running his rough hands up her spine beneath her damp shirt. The languorous kiss seemed endless. Cord seemed equally content just to touch her. He eased away from her mouth and whispered, Lord, I'm gettin' addicted to your kisses, AJ. I feel plain, damn drugged when you're kissin' me. I feel plain, damn lost myself when you ain't around. Then he dove in for another thorough taste of her mouth.

When his erection twitched, she fumbled for his belt. Pants off, cowboy.

Hang on. He lowered the bench seat back. Scoot to the middle for a sec. He shimmied his jeans down his legs. Now you. Take them britches completely off.

AJ kicked her sandals to the floorboard.

And the shirt and bra.

If my shirt comes off, then so does yours.

He grabbed the hem and yanked. Now come here, cowgirl up and show me how good you can ride.

Bracing her hands on the sculpted muscle and hardness of his chest, she straddled his pelvis and began to lower down.

His hand curled around her hips. Slow. I wanna see your body takin' me in. Oh yeah, that's so goddamn sexy. Bring those pretty tasty nipples to my mouth. Immediately Cord expelled a groan and began to lick and suck, not in his usual, forceful way, but with as much languor as he'd kissed her mouth.

Witnessing the sheer joy on his face as he suckled, feeling him gliding deep touched something inside her. Every rapid inhalation of the air in the cab filled her lungs with the scent of him. Of them. Of dust, hot sage, wool seat covers, sunshine and home. A bead of moisture zigzagged down her chest and Cord lapped at it, following the wet line back to the source behind her ear.

He whispered, Need it faster, baby doll. Let's move from a canter to a trot.

She rocked her hips more briskly, gripping the headrest above Cord's head. Each downstroke ground her clit against his pelvic bone and she moaned in complete abandon.

Such sexy noises. Arch back. I wanna watch your face as I make you come.

Cord cupped her breasts and squeezed, latching on to the right tip as his thumb scraped across the left.

The swirling sensation in her groin gathered momentum and the next wave catapulted AJ over the edge. She closed her eyes, losing her sanity as the pulses in her nipples synchronized to the deep pulses inside her.

He rolled his pelvis, his hands clamped her ass and he thrust hard three times. Cord hid his face in her hair, his groan a husky rasp of pleasure.

They stayed plastered together until their breathing evened out. You fit me so damn good. Maybe we could just nap like this for awhile.

Last time we napped together, I woke up at five a.m. I don't particularly want old Sheriff Comas finding us naked. Old guy might have a heart attack.

True. And I do have chores to finish. His mouth grazed the inside of her arm. I'm gonna miss you tonight.

She peeled her body from his. Is that what this was about? Needed a little nookie to get through the lonely night, Cord?

No. That nookie wasn't because I needed TLC, AJ, it was because you needed it.

Her eyes swam with tears.

Hey now. None of that. Cord soothed her, raining soft kisses on her face and gentle caresses on her body.

Finally he lifted her off his softened cock. He yanked his jeans back up, zipped and buckled.

While he left the cab to climb back into the driver's seat, AJ grabbed her capris, bra and shirt and dressed.

How had Cord known her mood? Known exactly that she'd needed tenderness and understanding?

Baby doll, you okay?

Yeah. Have you heard from Colt?

Dad has him workin' someplace else. Don't know where. I do know what Ma and Aunt Kimi found at the Boars Nest made 'em madder than wet hens: excessive empty condom wrappers and liquor bottles. They said it would've been easier to set fire to the house than to clean it.

Cord turned into the driveway leading to her home. First Ma sent Dag back to Uncle Harland's. Then she left an angry message on Colt's cell. Colt blew a gasket, railin' about invasion of privacy and so forth. It was another ugly scene and now Dad's pissed 'cause Colt made Ma cry. Probably a good thing Carter didn't come with Macie.

Why, because you think Carter's a Mama's boy and her crying would piss him off?

No. Carter would try to reason with Colt first. Then he'd use his fists. When Colby catches wind that Colt beat on another brother, hurt Ma and pissed Dad off, well, I ain't sure Colby wouldn't kill Colt outright.

I'm sorry. It's a bad situation.

I have a feelin' it'll get worse before it gets better.

AJ did too. She opened the cab door. Thanks for the ride.

What? No goodbye kiss?

We're in public, remember?

Cord scowled. Yeah. Be careful tonight.

Of what? The thing I'm most in danger from is being barfed on either by the babies or the mothers-to-be.

She told you?

She blinked innocently. Who told me what?

Macie. She told you she's pregnant?

AJ gaped at him. You know?

Carter can't keep his mouth shut to save his life. Macie should've made him the last person to know.

Hard to do when he's the father.

I imagine that boy is struttin' around like a damn peacock. He smiled wistfully. I remember I did.

I'm excited for them. I can't wait until I get the all clear to tell Mama. She'll be happy to hear this house will be filled with kids again.

Listen, AJ about that Have a good night.

AJ bounded up the steps without looking back.

Chapter Twenty-one.

I still can't believe you had a baby before I did, Channing said.

Two babies. Gemma pointed at Channing's belly. And unless you're growing a pair, you'll have to go through the whole pregnancy thing again to catch me.

I can't wait. Look at this sweet little face. What wondrous things babies are. Channing cuddled Ryder close and smiled at him. He is beautiful. Perfect everything. So much hair. Such a mellow disposition. Definitely takes after Cash, not you, Gem.

Just then Ella wailed.

Macie grinned and handed Ella to Gemma. That's Mama's rowdy girl. Feeding time for my loud sis.

Chan, bring Ryder after I get Ella settled, willya? He'll smell food the second my milk lets down.

Do I have to? He looks so comfy. I think he's fine, she cooed, kissing his forehead, aren't you darlin' boy?