Stripped Down (15 page)

Mel laughed. She loved her sister. Over the years, Alyssa had taken total control of her life. She didn’t take shit from anyone, including their parents, and she’d plow over anyone who got in her way of achieving her many goals. The woman was a muscular beast—on her upper half anyway—and she could inflict some serious damage on anyone dumb enough to assume that being paralyzed from the waist down meant that her brain was somehow impaired. “I can say this to you because you understand, but Mom was a stone-cold bitch when I told her about my diagnosis. And I don’t have type 2 diabetes, I have type 1. Which means I’ll be insulin dependent for the rest of my life. Of course, Mom being the medical expert on all things insisted I didn’t know my own diagnosis.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Nope.” And because it felt good to get all of this off her chest with Wynton, she did it again, detailing the entire conversation between her and their mother.

Alyssa was so quiet for so long afterward that Mel thought they’d gotten disconnected.

“Hello?”

“I’m still here. Checking my blood pressure because I’m fuming so hard. First of all, it sucks that not only did you discover you have a serious health issue, you didn’t have family support after you found out.” She paused. “You didn’t keep me out of the loop about your diagnosis to pay me back for bein’ such a sorry-assed cunt to you after my accident?”

Mel snorted. How had she forgotten that bloody cunt and sorry-assed cunt were her sister’s favorite words? “God, no. I knew you were rolling across the globe, being the world spokeswoman for impaired athletes and inspiring millions. I didn’t want to burden you.”

“Burden me,” Alyssa repeated. “That’s horseshit. You’ve supported me through more than I care to think about. You should’ve let me rot in my own misery, but you didn’t. And it sucks that you wouldn’t allow me to be there for you. You didn’t have the right to take that away from me. Yeah, I probably wouldn’t have flown home, but goddammit, Mel, I have a fucking phone. We could’ve talked about it.”

“I never knew what time zone you were in and international calls are expensive.”

Alyssa snarled, “Expensive? What the ever-loving fuck? Jesus, Mel, we both have a damn trust fund! Money hasn’t ever been an issue, nor will it ever be. Try again.”

Wynton strolled into the kitchen and smiled at her. But his smile dried when he saw she was on the phone. He mouthed, “You okay?”

She nodded.

“Still waiting
Mel-is-sa.
” Alyssa singsonged her full name like their mother used to.

“After I told you how Mom reacted, you’re honestly surprised that I didn’t break my finger trying to dial you up to sob on your shoulder?”

“Fine. You’ve got me there. But the fact is, I’m back in the States now. I missed you. I want to catch up on your wild, on-the-road rodeo tales. Isn’t it about time for national championships to start?”

“Yeah, but I sorta…gave up competing after my diagnosis.”

Silence. “Gave up. Please don’t tell me it’s some kind of stupid safety rule the organization enforces and you’re being discriminated against due to your health impairment. Because you know I have a team of lawyers who love to go after those kinds of cases.”

“Simmer down, crusader. I had a couple of episodes where I put myself, my horse, and the others in the corral with me in danger. It spooked me. So I’ve been taking stock.”

“That better not be Mel-speak for quitting.”

“And if it is?”

“I’ll harass you endlessly. And you have to listen to me because I’m
paralyzed
and I still compete.”

“Omigod, Alyssa. You do
not
get to play the paralyzed card with me!” She shot Wynton a look and he seemed…shocked by the conversation. Most people would be, but this is how it was between her and her sister, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Alyssa laughed. “Wrong. I
always
get to play the paralyzed card.” She paused. “The question is…do you miss competing?”

Mel locked gazes with Wynton. “Actually, no. I don’t miss it as much as I thought I would. I’m thinking about getting my teaching certificate so I can torture teens with words instead of a riding crop.”

“You’d kill at that, sis. Good for you.”

“Oh, and I
am
utilizing all the equestrian skills I’ve learned over the years. I’ve been helping out at this beautiful ranch in Colorado. I’ve even got this smokin’ hot cowboy rancher who wants me to stick around and be his personal ranch hand. He’s the lucky one I’ve been showing all my best riding tricks.”

Wynton grinned.

“You have a boyfriend! Is it serious?”

“Yes, it’s serious.”

“I want to meet this guy,” Alyssa demanded.

To Wynton, Mel said, “Alyssa is demanding to meet you.”

“She’s welcome here any time. I’ll even install a wheelchair ramp for her.”

She melted. She mouthed, “I love you,” at him before she said, “Did you hear that?” to her sister.

“Yes, I heard that and I think I’m a little bit in love with him. Does he have a brother?”

“He has two brothers, but one is married and the other one is gay.”

“Story of my life. I’m happy for you sis. Truly.”

“Thanks.”

“Take care of yourself. You’ve been feeling okay?”

How weird to have her sister asking about
her
health. “I still miscalculate sometimes, but I’m in the beginning stage of learning to live with it.”

“Call me whenever you need someone to listen.”

“I will.”

“Okay. Love you, and be expecting a phone call from Mom at some point this week because I am going to ream her—and Dad—a new one. It’s going to be fucking epic.”

Mel was still smiling when she hung up.

Then Wynton was right there, curling his hands around her face. “Sounded like that went…well.”

“Alyssa is pissed on my behalf. She can lay on the guilt trip to our folks way better than I can, so I’ll let her.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.” He paused. “You’re serious about looking in to getting a teaching certificate?”

“It’s something I always wanted to do, but I’ve been too unsettled to follow through with it. Being with you…I feel settled for the first time ever, and not because I settled. But because I’m finally where I’m meant to be.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He kissed her and chuckled against her mouth.

“What’s so funny?”

“Remember one of the first nights you stayed here and we were talking about the difference between love and lust? I told you I warned Sutton that no one falls in love in a month? And you admitted you told London the same thing?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Because we beat them by falling in love in three weeks.”

Mel sighed. “Is everything always going to be a competition between you and your brothers?”

“Probably.”

“You know, London and Sutton are going to take full credit for us getting together.”

“Let ’em. You and I will always know the truth.”

“Which is?”

“Super Man-Slut and the Amazing Slut-Girl were destined to hook up and then hang up their unopened packets of condoms for good so they could become the one and only for each other, forever.”

“I love a happy ending.”

“Me too.” He scooped her into his arms. “Speaking of happy endings…you owe me one, woman.”

“Hey, I thought you owed
me
one.”

Wynton gave her a depraved look that sent her pulse tripping. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Uh-huh.”

Then they said
sixty-nine
simultaneously.

And they both got their happy ending…

Sign up
for the 1001 Dark Nights Newsletter

and be entered to win a Tiffany Key necklace.

There's a contest every month!

Click
here
to subscribe.

As a bonus, all subscribers will receive a free

1001 Dark Nights story

The First Night

by Lexi Blake & M.J. Rose

Turn the page for a full list of the

1001 Dark Nights fabulous novellas...

1001 Dark Nights

Click to purchase

WICKED WOLF
by Carrie Ann Ryan

A Redwood Pack Novella

WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING
by Heather Graham

A Krewe of Hunters Novella

EASY WITH YOU
by Kristen Proby

A With Me In Seattle Novella

MASTER OF FREEDOM
by Cherise Sinclair

A Mountain Masters Novella

CARESS OF PLEASURE
by Julie Kenner

A Dark Pleasures Novella

ADORED
by Lexi Blake

A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

HADES
by Larissa Ione

A Demonica Novella

RAVAGED
by Elisabeth Naughton

An Eternal Guardians Novella

DREAM OF YOU
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Wait For You Novella

STRIPPED DOWN
by Lorelei James

A Blacktop Cowboys ® Novella

RAGE/KILLIAN
by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

Bayou Heat Novellas

DRAGON KING
by Donna Grant

A Dark Kings Novella

PURE WICKED
by Shayla Black

A Wicked Lovers Novella

HARD AS STEEL
by Laura Kaye

A Hard Ink/Raven Riders Crossover

STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
by Lara Adrian

A Midnight Breed Novella

ALL HALLOWS EVE
by Heather Graham

A Krewe of Hunters Novella

KISS THE FLAME
by Christopher Rice

A Desire Exchange Novella

DARING HER LOVE
by Melissa Foster

A Bradens Novella

TEASED
by Rebecca Zanetti

A Dark Protectors Novella

THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER
by Liliana Hart

A MacKenzie Family Novella

FOREVER WICKED
by Shayla Black

A Wicked Lovers Novella

CRIMSON TWILIGHT
by Heather Graham

A Krewe of Hunters Novella

CAPTURED IN SURRENDER
by Liliana Hart

A MacKenzie Family Novella

SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING
by Tina Folsom

A Scanguards Vampire Novella

DUNGEON GAMES
by Lexi Blake

A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

AZAGOTH
by Larissa Ione

A Demonica Novella

NEED YOU NOW
by Lisa Renee Jones

A Shattered Promises Series Prelude

SHOW ME, BABY
by Cherise Sinclair

A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella

ROPED IN
by Lorelei James

A Blacktop Cowboys ® Novella

TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT
by Lara Adrian

A Midnight Breed Novella

THE FLAME
by Christopher Rice

A Desire Exchange Novella

CARESS OF DARKNESS
by Julie Kenner

A Dark Pleasures Novella

Also from Evil Eye Concepts:

TAME ME
by J. Kenner

A Stark International Novella

THE SURRENDER GATE
By Christopher Rice

A Desire Exchange Novel

SERVICING THE TARGET
By Cherise Sinclair

A Masters of the Shadowlands Novel

Bundles:

BUNDLE ONE

Includes Forever Wicked by Shayla Black

Crimson Twilight by Heather Graham

Captured in Surrender by Liliana Hart

Silent Bite by Tina Folsom

BUNDLE TWO

Includes Dungeon Games by Lexi Blake

Azagoth by Larissa Ione

Need You Now by Lisa Renee Jones

Show My, Baby by Cherise Sinclair

BUNDLE THREE

Includes Roped In by Lorelei James

Tempted By Midnight by Lara Adrian

The Flame by Christopher Rice

Caress of Darkness by Julie Kenner

Roped In

A Blacktop Cowboys® Novella

By Lorelei James

Now Available!

For more information or to purchase, click
here
.

Ambition has always been his biggest downfall...until he meets her
.

World champion bulldogger Sutton Grant works hard on the road, but his quiet charm has earned the nickname “The Saint” because he's never been the love 'em and leave 'em type with the ladies. When he’s sidelined by an injury, he needs help keeping his horse in competition shape, but he fears trying to sweet-talk premier horse trainer London Gradsky is a losing proposition--because the woman sorta despises him.