Free Twin Pleasures by Suzanne Thomas

Gus exclaimed. “Liana McCarty is an overall cutting champion. She won last year’s NCHA world championship in Fort Worth. Remember, Chase? You couldn’t make the event and wished you could have met the winner and horse. Hell! That horse was Majesty, Chase. The owners were Petersen farms, but the rider was Liana McCarty. That, my friends, is a champion at work. Holy hell! Look at her move! I have never seen Jack so responsive, Mac."
    “God, I remember that. When the list came up for Majesty’s wins, I never connected the two. The rider name was L. McCarty, and I didn’t realize that was her. It’s like watching an artist at work. She’s beautiful,” Chase said.
    Donavan’s thoughts were along the same path but for an entirely different purpose. He didn’t know if he could handle her day-to-day participation in working with the cutters. The thought of her constant exposure to danger made his insides freeze. Watching her glide across the pen effortlessly, he knew it was going to be a battle he would lose if he tried to take this away from her, and he'd possibly lose her entirely if he pushed. What saved him from total despair was the realization that a pregnant woman couldn’t ride. We will just keep her pregnant then, he concluded happily.
    Girl, horse, and calf danced in a classic move of control as the stubborn calf tried to get around the huge monster blocking him from his mates. Shift and sink, the three fought a battle of wills until at last the calf turned and scuttled up the ramp to the pen assigned him. The process was repeated over and over until the last calf was separated and the job was complete. Donavan couldn’t take his eyes off her.
    She galloped to the entrance and followed the rest of the men out. She spotted them and waved, heading in that direction. She dismounted and wrapped a hand around the lead to pull Jack alongside of her. When she reached them, she surprised Donavan by throwing herself into his arms and planting a kiss on his lips.
    He took full advantage and cupped her butt, pulling her into a ravishing kiss that had a hint of relief that she was safe. When he broke away, she grinned up at him happily. She did the same thing with Chase. Donavan stood glaring at the other cowboys when he noticed them gawking at Liana.
    “Mac, Jack is a wonderful cutter. I can’t remember working with one so responsive. He is just as good as Majesty. Even with a new rider, he worked flawlessly. Thank you for the opportunity to work with him. You did a great job training him,” Liana gushed as she handed the reins to him.

    * * * *

    “Hey, Mac, did you know about her experience?” Gus asked, knowing his man. He saw the reddened cheeks and got his answer. He glared at the man in disbelief. The brothers didn’t notice as they were concentrating on the woman and walking away, each with an arm around her. “What the fuck were you thinking, asshole? She could have been hurt bad. Didn’t you realize that the bosses have fallen for her, you egotistical shit for brains? If I see you do something like this again, I will fire your ass.” With that parting shot, he stormed off in pursuit of the three who had just left.
    When Gus caught up with the group, he found them in the barn. He had to clear his throat to get their attention because two of them were lip-locked again while Chase stood beside them petting the woman’s sweat-stained back. Chase looked up and grinned at him. Gus knew the brothers' lifestyle, and it didn’t faze him a bit.
    “Liana McCarty, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last. I watched you ride last year, and you were great. Congratulations on winning the Nationals. I was there for the roping and had my hands full or I would have introduced myself back then.” Gus held out his hand to vigorously shake her hand.
    “If you were in the roping then you might know my cousin Jackie Stuart. She won the amateur championship go-around that rodeo,” Liana said, a little out of