Free Chasin' Eight: Rough Riders, Book 12 by Lorelei James Page B

paused. Her mouth tasted like ass. The shower was running and Chase probably wouldn’t notice if she just popped in and grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste.
    Ava turned the door handle. Unlocked. She slowly pushed the door open and came face-to-face with a completely nude Chase. Her eyes followed the dark line of hair—his treasure trail—stopping when she hit the mother lode. Wow. Chase was aroused. And well hung. Very well hung.
    “Jesus, Hollywood. Do you not understand privacy at all?”
    Rather than reminding him the door had a lock, she said, “I need my toothbrush.”
    He stomped closer, which caused his dick to jump against his belly. “Get out.”
    “God, Chase, relax. It’s just a penis. And here’s a newsflash for you. I’ve seen other penises, so it’s no big deal.” Such a liar, Ava.
    “It’s a big deal to me,” he snarled. “Get the fuck out of the bathroom and wait your turn.”
    “Let me grab my toothbrush and toothpaste and I’ll go.”
    “Get your eyes off my junk and you’ll see that I have your toothbrush and toothpaste in my hand.”
    Oh shit. She raised her gaze only high enough to see, yes indeed, Chase was holding her oral hygiene supplies. She snatched them from him and exited the bathroom.
    The door slammed behind her. She heard the lock click and some pretty choice swear words.
    She stopped outside the kitchen upon seeing Kane and Ginger in a private moment. His lower back rested against the counter with the front of Ginger’s body pressed to his. He had one hand fisted in her hair as he kissed the side of her neck and he’d jammed his other hand in the back pocket of her jeans. Everything about the way they were entwined together screamed love, not just lovers.
    Despite Ava’s joy that Ginger found a man who loved her so completely, Ava felt a smidgen of jealousy. Would she ever find that total love and acceptance for herself?
    She cleared her throat and the couple parted.
    Kane grinned unrepentantly. “I tend to get carried away when I have alone time with my beautiful wife.”
    “I imagine,” she said distractedly, staring at the section of skin where Ginger’s blouse had slipped down. “Since when do you have a tattoo?”
    Ginger’s fingers brushed her left shoulder. “I got it after the twins were born.”
    “What is it?”
    “The McKay brand.” Ginger rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t look so appalled. It’s not a symbol of ownership. It’s become a tradition for the women who marry into the McKay family.”
    “Who started the tradition?”
    “Keely. When she was the only McKay girl. After she married Jack Donohue, she insisted that he, like the other spouses who married into the family, should be tattooed with the McKay brand. Jack refused—not surprising if you knew Jack—and insisted Keely tattoo his initials on her body, since she was no longer a McKay.”
    “How’d that work out?”
    “Keely had India put Jack’s initials below the pair of lips tattooed on her butt.” Kane shook his head. “And Jack thought once they were married she’d become docile. That girl is about as tame as a mountain lion.”
    Ava grinned. “I knew I liked her. Now if you’ll step aside, I need to use the sink.”
    Kane squinted at her.
    “What?”
    “It’s weird. Watchin’ you on TV you always look so much smaller. I forget how tall you are in person.”
    “I look short on Miller’s Ridge because my costar, Alex Summers, is six foot six. He’s the first man who makes me look petite.” But he’s not the first guy who made me feel small.
    Dammit. No negativity today.
    After she washed her face and brushed her teeth, Ava started a pot of coffee. A jolt of caffeine would lessen the pounding in her head. She stared out the window, lost in thought, and only roused herself when she heard Chase join Kane and Ginger’s conversation about other McKay family members.
    Ginger sidled up next to her. “Sorry about the Chase mix- up.”
    “It’s okay. I didn’t give