A white catering van had been parked near the rear exit. It appeared I wasn’t the only one seeking an escape. A big guy, roughly the same size as Sutton, rested against the side of the van, one boot heel hooked to the running board. He wore dark jeans and a plain white button down shirt with a logo on the left pocket. He’d angled his head down, obscuring his face. But with that build and that posture, I knew I was looking at a rodeo cowboy.

Something seemed familiar about him.

That’s when I noticed the poker chip in his left hand. He passed it through his fingers over and over again. I recognized that nervous tic.

My gut tightened. I took a few more steps forward, alerting him to my presence.

He palmed the poker chip before he slowly raised his head and looked at me.

Then I was staring into that face. That handsome fucking smug face.

A face I used to dream of.

A face I hadn’t seen in four years, since Sutton and London’s wedding.

I waited for the dismissive sneer to distort that perfect mouth.

A mouth I’d dreamed of nearly as often as his perfect face.

But no sneer formed.

His compelling eyes met mine.

I saw his recognition in those arctic blue depths. Followed by wariness. But no hardness. Or the mean glint I’d unconsciously steeled myself against.

He didn’t move.

Neither did I.

I found my voice. “Breck?”

“Hey, Cres.”

“What are you doin’ out here?”

“Same thing you’re doin’, I reckon. Avoiding the crowd.” He paused and dipped his chin to the empty space beside him. “There’s room if you wanna take a load off.”

I waited for the innuendo.

None came.

Everything inside me cautioned me to beat a fast retreat.

Not everything. My long-dormant libido urged me to stay.

MY THOUGHTS

What’s better than a smoking hot cowboy? TWO smoking hot cowboys!! One is discovering who he is and finding his way after the only world he knows, rodeo, has rejected him. The other will learn that there are different kinds of love and passion and chemistry and there’s a lot of good to be said about a quiet laidback kind of relationship but MAN OH MAN – chemistry like these 2 have together is a once in a lifetime kind of ride!

The dual insights into a family that will disown someone for their life choices and a family that embraces and accepts those same choices was heartbreaking and eye-opening all at the same time.

Creston and Breck pushed all my buttons! I loved that Breck was ready for a HEA! Cres was not ready and fought his feelings out of a misguided loyalty to a man he loved and lost. Reading about them coming together was exactly what this book lover needed!

Lorelei is a go-to author for me and this novella is a prime example as to why! Great addition to her Blacktop Cowboys series!

Grade A+

About Lorelei James:

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.

From Lorelei: “Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.”

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