Prologue
A Cowboy’s First Love
“Chase came up with it,” Ry said. “He even created some kind of shared document where we can all upload our opinions about each horse, and then add to it when we get feedback from the guests.”
“He’s a smart guy.”
“Chase? Supersmart and super rich.”
Avery looked up at him, the horse forgotten. “Do you wish you’d gone to college like he did?”
“Nope. Not my thing.” He smiled down at her. “How about you?”
“I had a rodeo scholarship to a place in Texas, but obviously I couldn’t go.”
“That sucks.” He kissed her nose and then, more gently, her mouth.
She gave a quivery sigh and he kissed her again, licking the seam of her lips until she opened her mouth to him. He dove in, seeking her warmth, pressing her closer to him as he explored and luxuriated in her unique taste.
His hat fell off as she shoved a hand into his hair, scraping her nails against his scalp, making him arch his back and purr . . .
Chapter 1
Sacramento, California
Before he even left the parking lot Ry Morgan heard the bass booming through the walls, and the sound of heavy partying from the third-floor apartment. When he turned the corner, he almost walked into a squad car flashing blue lights, and a small crowd of agitated neighbors gathered around the door.
“Hell, not again,” he breathed as one of the helpful neighbors pointed him out to the cop.
He held his ground as she came toward him and the noise from above suddenly shut off.
“Can I help you, Officer?”
She jabbed her thumb in the direction of the apartment block. “You live here?”
“I used to. I just stopped by to pick up my stuff.”
“Are you HW Morgan?”
“Nope, I’m his brother Ry.”
“You sure about that?”
Used to being mistaken for his identical twin, he cautiously reached inside his jacket, took out his wallet, and handed over his driver’s license.
“Thanks.” She studied it, made the usual face at his given name, and then handed it back. “Have you seen your brother recently?”
“Not for about three weeks. What’s up?”
He asked even though it was obvious. The last time HW had thrown a party the police had been called. Maybe HW had learned something by not sticking around long enough to get caught in the aftermath. Ry’s gut tightened.
“Is it okay to go up there? I just want to get my stuff and head out again in the morning.”
“Wise decision.” The officer looked at him steadily. “Maybe you can make sure the party doesn’t start again.”
“I’ll do my best.” He tipped his Stetson to her. “Thanks.”
“And tell your brother that if he keeps this up, he’ll be spending the rest of his evening with the Sacramento Police Department.”
Ry nodded as he turned away and headed for the front entrance of the building. A police officer was escorting a group of partygoers down the stairs. There were others emerging from the two elevators, still complaining loudly about the abrupt end to their evening. Ry ignored them all. They weren’t his kind of people. They stunk of booze, cheap perfume, and other substances he hoped the police hadn’t noticed.
Wearily, he climbed the stairs, spoke to the building security guy who had lingered on the landing to make sure everyone had left, and went inside. The place was a mess. He shut the door and leaned against it, letting his backpack slide to the floor.
“Well, look who’s turned up.”
He raised his head to see Lally Goldstein glaring at him from his brother’s bedroom doorway. She wore a halter top, which had silver spangled bits on it, and tiny blue shorts. Her blond hair was piled up on top of her head in a messy ponytail.
“You still here?” Ry asked. “I thought the cops cleared everyone out.”
“I live here now.”
“First I’ve heard about it.”
She tossed her head. “You left. Someone had to look after your brother.”
“HW knew where I was.” He glanced around the wrecked apartment. “Where is he, by the way?”
“What’s it to you?”
Ry didn’t even bother to answer that, and stared her down. Eventually she gave an elaborate sigh. “He should be back soon. Paul and Araz took him down the stairs when the cops turned up.”
“Protecting their assets, right?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, making her fake boobs jut out. “They’ve done more for him than you ever did—bringing him down, making him feel bad about himself—having to hold himself back for years because he felt sorry for you not being as good a rider as he was.”
“Yeah?” Ry wanted to turn around and walk away from all the shit that was coming out of her mouth, but he refused to leave first. He hoisted his backpack onto his shoulder. “I’m going to bed.”
“You can’t—”
He spun around so fast she took a step back. “HW and I rent this place. Until I hear differently, I’m going to bed.”
He unlocked the padlock he’d installed on his bedroom door, and went inside. Nothing looked as if it had been touched, which made a change. His twin tended to think that what was Ry’s was his, but not vice versa. Not that Ry wanted anything his brother had.
With a groan he placed his hat on the desk and shoved a hand through his short blond hair. His stomach growled, but he wasn’t going out there again to face Lally. If HW came back he could knock on the door, and be polite. Maybe Ry would talk to him.
Maybe.
He stripped off his shirt and jeans, and took a quick shower in the tiny bathroom attached to his bedroom. There was no more partying, but whether HW would come back Ry no longer knew. Sometimes his twin would stay away for days and return so shit-faced he’d sleep for a week and be as grumpy as hell if Ry tried to talk to him about anything.
He wasn’t sure he cared anymore. Hunkering down on the rug beside his bed, he delved into his backpack, where his grandma Ruth had deposited enough food to feed an army. Just the thought of her lightened Ry’s dark mood and gave him strength. He pictured his family at the ranch—his older brothers, Chase and Blue, and his father, Billy. They liked him for who he was. They loved him.
A knock on the door made him go still.
“Ry? You in there?”
He took out the bundle of food and placed it on the desk before slowly turning to the door and opening it. His twin stood there grinning like a loon and swaying slightly in his fancy cowboy boots. They were identical, so it was like looking at a drunk version of himself.
“Dude! You’re back!”
Ry stepped aside and let HW in.
“Something smells good. Did you bring stuff back from the ranch?” HW wandered over to the desk and went to grab the container of food. Ry, who was stone cold sober, moved faster and blocked his twin’s hand.
“What do you want, HW?”
His brother blinked big golden eyes at him. “That’s harsh, Ry. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Ry leaned against the edge of the desk, folded his arms over his chest, and repeated, “What do you want?”
HW retreated to the bed and sank down on it, his expression disgruntled. “Some of Ruth’s good cooking, but it looks like you’ve decided to hog it all for yourself.”
“I’ll gladly share the food with you after you’ve told me what’s going on.”
“You mean about the party?” HW hiccuped a laugh. “That was so sick, man. Those cops have no sense of humor.”
“Those cops told me to tell you that if you host a party again they’ll be taking you in and charging you.”
“Not unless they catch me first.”
“I think they’ll manage it, especially if you keep drinking.”
HW sighed. “Gawd, when did you become such a boring Dudley Do-Right, bro? I’m just having some fun.”
“Yeah.” Ry studied his twin. HW’s pupils were too wide, his eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body was shaking. “You should go to bed. I’ll talk to you in the morning, okay?”
“What’s wrong with talking now?”
“Because you’re too drunk, or high, or whatever the stimulant of the day is, to talk much sense.”
HW rose unsteadily to his feet. “Don’t preach at me.”
Ry set his jaw. “I’m tired. I’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.”
His twin took three lurching steps forward that brought him right in Ry’s face. “Screw you. Talk to me about wussing out on me.”
Ry straightened, almost overbalancing his twin. “I am not talking to a belligerent drunk! Get out of my space, or I’ll be the one calling the cops.”
For one frozen second, Ry couldn’t believe what he’d said, and then he realized he meant every word.
“Get out, HW. I’ll speak to you in the morning.”
His twin mumbled something obscene and stumbled away, slamming the bedroom door behind him. In the stillness Ry waited until he heard his brother’s girlfriend start in on him, and then there was comparative silence. He slowly let out his breath.
No regrets. He’d promised himself that he’d make a clean break, so tomorrow he’d tell HW what was happening, and leave. His hand clenched into a fist, and he sat down heavily on the desk chair. Now all he had to do was follow through with his plan, and this time make sure he stuck the landing.
Spice:
