Tied Up, Tied Down

Book 4 of the Rough Riders Series

A secret baby, cinnamon roll hero, forced proximity, small town romance from NY Times Bestselling author Lorelei James.

This sweet-talking cowboy is about to get the surprise of his life.

Skylar Ellison never intended to get tangled up with a sexy Wyoming cowboy—let alone conceive a baby with him. When it appears her baby’s daddy has taken off for greener pastures, Skylar deals with it as she does everything else: alone.

Rancher Kade McKay is knocked sideways when he returns home after a year and learns he’s the father of a three-month-old baby girl. When Skylar refuses to marry him, Kade grits his teeth, moves in and plays house by her rules.

Despite Skylar’s insistence they are to remain strictly co-parents, their passion flares hotter than before. Kade knows what Skylar needs to bridge the gap between lust and love and he demands her total physical surrender. While Skylar willingly submits her body to the hot-blooded cowboy, she’s still hesitant to give him her heart.

Can Kade convince Skylar he’s playing for keeps? Or will her fear keep them from becoming the family she’s secretly dreamed of?

LJLA, LLC
(August 18, 2015)
298 pages
ISBN: 978-1517265861

Praise for Tied Up, Tied Down »

“
I enjoy the family-ness of this series…the fierceness of protecting each other no matter what…Ms. James’ catches the “cowboy” attitude and way of talking perfectly…when I’m in the mood for some Levi-wearin’, buck-broncin’, grinnin’ cowboys after reading this latest Rough Rider installment!
” –
The Good, The Bad, and The Unread
“
From the tempting cover to the final page, Tied Up, Tied Down is one terrific read…The scenes with Kade and Eliza will bring a warm feeling to your heart and the scenes with Kade and Skylar will bring that warm feeling a little lower! This story touches all your emotions and lightly deals with issues real people face every day…
” –
The Romance Studio
“
TIED UP, TIED DOWN is…a perfect blend of endearing romance with super hot love scenes that leave the reader cheering for a happily ever after between Skyler and Kade. I love the characters in the Rough Rider series and look forward to future works from Ms. Lorelei James. TIED UP, TIED DOWN is not to be missed.
” –
Romance Junkies
“
Tied Up, Tied Down is Ms. James’ newest release in her ongoing Rough Rider series, and it’s just as fast paced, sexy and fun as its predecessors. Kade is a good guy, and he’s also a down-to-earth hottie who has turned into a one-woman man. He’s also a man who is willing to do whatever is necessary to take care of the two girls who mean the most to him…Skylar and Eliza… This well-written western romance pulls at the heart-strings, but ultimately it offers hope for the future, making it an excellent read for anyone.
” –
Literary Nymphs
“
I found Tied Up, Tied Down to be exceptionally well written. The flames between Skylar and Kade leapt off each page…I would recommend this book to every reader who loves strong, sexy cowboys!
” –
Fallen Angels Reviews
“
Cowboys and more Hot and sexy Cowboys…in this steamy read from Ms. James…Stubborn men and even more stubborn women make this a story that will have you laughing, crying, swooning and panting all at once, taking you on an exciting traipse thru cowboy country, one you will not want to miss.
” –
Coffee Time Romance
“
Lorelei James is the complete package. Characters, plot, emotion, heat—even laughter—it’s all there. One question I might have is that how can one family be so front-end loaded with hot, charming cowboys? Answer: Who cares? Count me in as a member of the James Gang!
” –
Erotic Romance Writers, Recommended Read
“
TIED UP, TIED DOWN is full of passion and romance. The conflict is all internal as the lovers settle their differences. Kade shows Skylar just how good a cowboy can be with his rope. Readers who enjoy a little bondage will love this book…a sexy read.
” –
Romance Reviews Today

Excerpt »

The food arrived. Instead of blathering on, Kade let the silence linger until they finished eating. Then the flirty waitress swung by with a tray of decadent desserts. “The chocolate cake looks good.” He prompted, “Skylar?”

“None for me, thanks.”

Kade frowned. He’d swear she’d been eyeballing that same piece of cake. “You don’t like sweets?”

“I love sweets. I’m trying to watch what I eat so I don’t have more of a weight problem.”

Being polite flew right out the window. “What weight problem? You’re perfect, all curvy and sexy and feminine like a woman oughta be. You’re gorgeous and if I wasn’t tryin’ so damn hard to be a gentleman I’d…” Nice going, now she’ll really think you’re reverting to Kane-like behavior. Kade sighed. “Never mind.”

Skylar angled closer, her eyes burned with interest. “No. Tell me, gentleman McKay. What would you do?”

“I’d feed you the cake just to see your lips wrap around the fork. Then I’d watch your beautiful throat muscles work as you swallowed the sticky sweetness, fantasizin’ about smearin’ chocolate frosting down your neck so I could lick it off. Slowly. And when I finished feedin’ you, I’d press my mouth to yours for a thorough taste of you and the cake.”

She didn’t draw back or recoil.

“Shocked, darlin’?”

“I’m more than a little turned on, if you want to know the real truth.”

“Lucky for you I’m willin’ to share.” He enjoyed the first few bites, then shoved the plate in the middle of the table. “I wanna see you eat up.”

“Is that an order?” She dug the tines of the fork into the mound of vanilla ice cream. “If I don’t eat a bite will you force feed me?”

“Do you want me to force feed you?”

“What if I said yes?”

“I’d be on your side of the table faster than you could blink.”

Skylar said, “Yes,” loud and clear.

Kade zoomed around and stretched his left arm along the back of her side of the booth, pressing his thigh to hers.

“You weren’t kidding.”

“Nope. I never turn down the opportunity to share a taste of the sweet stuff in life.” He swirled the fork through the thick chocolate frosting and held it to her mouth. “Open for me.”

Her full lips parted slightly.

He slipped the fork inside. “Suck the sweetness off the tip. Just like that. Then I wanna see that pretty throat movin’ as you swallow every bit of sticky goodness.”

Kade broke eye contact only to watch her swallow. He groaned. “Again. Don’t know why I’m torturin’ myself, but I can’t help it. Lord, you have the sexiest neck I’ve ever seen.”

“First time a date has waxed poetic about the area above my nipples,” she said huskily.

“Sweetheart, you’ve been datin’ the wrong man.” She didn’t know how true that was.

“I get that now.”

Kade scooped on another forkful and teased it across the seam of her mouth. “Lick it a little.”

Her tongue darted out.

“You want the whole thing, not just a dainty taste.”

“It’s too big.”

“You can take it. Open wide. You know you want to take it all.”

Those luscious red lips divided and her moist chocolate-scented breath drifted out.

He set the fork on her tongue. “Suck it off. Oh yeah, just like that.” His gaze zoomed to her throat. “I wanna sink my teeth into that hot spot where I see your pulse poundin’. I wanna lick it from bottom to top.”

“Stop.”

“What?” He dragged his eyes back to hers.

“I think the crotch on my nylons melted you’ve gotten me so hot. And suddenly I could care less about cake.”

Kade swept his thumb across the pouty swell of her bottom lip. He showed her the dab of chocolate he swiped before he brought it to his mouth and sucked it away. “Mmm.”

“You are the devil.”

“Devil’s food, baby, the best kind.” Kade allowed a smirk. “That mean I’ve redeemed myself?”

“Uh.” She cleared her throat. “Yeah.”

“Will you go out with me again, Skylar? For coffee. To a movie.” He smiled slyly. “Or just for dessert? Whatever you want.”

She appeared to consider him carefully. “How about if you meet me out front of the feed store at seven the night after next?”

“I’d like to pick you up at your place if it’s a date.”

“Not a good idea.”

Damn. Kade thought he’d been making progress with her. “Don’t you trust me?”

Skylar nudged him so he scooted out of the booth and she stood next to him. “After the way your sweet-talkin’ activated more than my sweet tooth? I don’t trust myself.” She swept her fingers over brim of his hat. “Stay out of the drugstore aisle, McKay, and don’t be late.” A swish of her hips and she was gone.