A Real Cowboy Rides a Motorcycle Read online

  A Real Cowboy Rides a Motorcycle

  ISBN 10: 1940968143

  ISBN 13: 9781940968148

  Copyright © 2015 by Stephanie Rowe.

  Cover design ©2015 MJC Imageworks. For more info on the cover artist, please visit www.mjcimageworks.com.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form or by any means or for any use, including recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the author and/or the artist. The only exception is short excerpts or the cover image in reviews.

  Please be a leading force in respecting the right of authors and artists to protect their work. This is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel or on the cover are either products of the author’s or artist’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author or the artist.

  For further information, please contact [email protected]

  A Real Cowboy Rides a Motorcycle

  ***

  A Wyoming Rebels Novel

  Stephanie Rowe

  A Real Cowboy Rides a Motorcycle

  A Wyoming Rebels Novel

  USA Today bestselling author, Stephanie Rowe, delivers a brand new series set in Rogue Valley, Wyoming, home to the Stockton brothers, a clan of fiercely loyal and honorable men, and the women who touch the hearts of these rugged, loner cowboys.

  ***

  After inexplicably abandoning a championship bull riding career, Zane Stockton has become a vagabond. He lives on his motorcycle, using the open road to shield himself from the dark shadows which haunt him. He has no interest in changing, until he meets a bold, spunky woman whose hidden vulnerability awakens the protector buried inside him

  Taylor Shaw’s life of boardrooms and airports is her escape from her failures as a woman. When she pauses in Rogue Valley to help her best friend with her new baby, she feels wildly out of place in this rugged land of horses, endless skies, and one dangerously sensual cowboy.

  When the heat explodes between Taylor and Zane, they have no chance to resist the attraction between them, a fiery combustion that ruthlessly drags them from their safe worlds into the unknown realm of vulnerability, passion, and…love?

  “Rowe is a paranormal star!” ~J.R. Ward

  ***

  Praise for No Knight Needed

  “No Knight Needed is m-a-g-i-c-a-l! Hands down, it is one of the best romances I have read. I can’t wait till it comes out and I can tell the world about it.” ~Sharon Stogner, Love Romance Passion

  “No Knight Needed is contemporary romance at its best….There was not a moment that I wasn’t completely engrossed in the novel, the story, the characters. I very audibly cheered for them and did not shed just one tear, nope, rather bucket fulls. My heart at times broke for them. The narrative and dialogue surrounding these ‘tender’ moments in particular were so beautifully crafted, poetic even; it was this that had me blubbering. And of course on the flip side of the heart-wrenching events, was the amazing, witty humour….If it’s not obvious by now, then just to be clear, I love this book! I would most definitely and happily reread, which is an absolute first for me in this genre.”Becky Johnson, Bex ‘N’ Books

  “No Knight Needed is an amazing story of love and life…I literally laughed out loud, cried and cheered…. No Knight Needed is a must read and must re-read.”Jeanne Stone-Hunter, My Book Addiction Reviews

  ***

  Praise for Not Quite Dead

  “[Rowe] has penned a winner with Not Quite Dead, the first novel in her new NightHunter vampire series…an action-packed, sensual, paranormal romance that will captivate readers from the outset…Brimming with vampires, danger, resurrection, Louisiana bayou, humor, surprising plot twists, fantasy, romance and love, this story is a must-read!” ~Romance Junkies:

  ***

  Praise for Darkness Possessed

  “A story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and characters you won’t soon forget!” - Paige Tyler, USA Today Bestselling Author of the X-OPS Series

  “Stephanie Rowe has really outdone herself! Darkness Possessed is the perfect paranormal. Sexy, dark, and with enough twists to keep you glued to your seat with breathless anticipation. Zach and Rhiannon set the pages of this book on fire!” ~Kerrigan Byrne, International Bestselling Author

  “Darkness Possessed…is an action-packed, adrenaline pumping paranormal romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat… Suspense, danger, evil, life threatening situations, magic, hunky Calydons, humor, fantasy, mystery, scorching sensuality, romance, and love – what more could you ask for in a story? Readers – take my advice – do not miss this dark, sexy tale!” ~Romance Junkies

  ***

  Praise for Darkness Unleashed

  “Once more, award winning author Stephanie Rowe pens a winner with Darkness Unleashed, the seventh book in her amazing Order Of The Blade series…[an] action-packed, sensual story that will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to discover the outcome…one of the best paranormal books I have read this year.” ~Dottie, Romancejunkies.com

  ***

  Praise for Forever in Darkness

  “Stephanie Rowe has done it again. The Order Of The Blade series is one of the best urban fantasy/paranormal series I have read. Ian’s story held me riveted from page one. It is sure to delight all her fans. Keep them coming!” ~ Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway Book Blog

  ***

  Praise for Darkness Awakened

  “A fast-paced plot with strong characters, blazing sexual tension and sprinkled with witty banter, Darkness Awakened sucked me in and kept me hooked until the very last page.” ~ Literary Escapism

  “Rarely do I find a book that so captivates my attention, that makes me laugh out loud, and cry when things look bad. And the sex, wow! It took my breath away… The pace kept me on the edge of my seat, and turning the pages. I did not want to put this book down… [Darkness Awakened] is a must read.” ~ D. Alexx Miller, Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway Book Blog

  ***

  Praise for Darkness Seduced

  “[D]ark, edgy, sexy … sizzles on the page…sex with soul shattering connections that leave the reader a little breathless!…Darkness Seduced delivers tight plot lines, well written, witty and lyrical - Rowe lays down some seriously dark and sexy tracks. There is no doubt that this series will have a cult following. ” ~ Guilty Indulgence Book Club

  “I was absolutely enthralled by this book…heart stopping action fueled by dangerous passions and hunky, primal men…If you’re looking for a book that will grab hold of you and not let go until it has been totally devoured, look no further than Darkness Seduced.”~When Pen Met Paper Reviews

  ***

  Praise for Darkness Surrendered

  “Book three of the Order of the Blades series is…superbly original and excellent, yet the passion, struggle and the depth of emotion that Ana and Elijah face is so brutal, yet is also pretty awe inspiring. I was swept away by Stephanie’s depth of character detail and emotion. I absolutely loved the roller-coaster that Stephanie, Ana and Elijah took me on.” ~ Becky Johnson, Bex ‘n’ Books!

  “Darkness Surrendered drew me so deeply into the story that I felt Ana and Elijah’s emotions as if they were my own…they completely engulfed me in their story…Ingenious plot turns and edge of your seat suspense…make Darkness Surrendered one of the best novels I have read in years.” ~Tamara Hoffa, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews

  ***

  Praise for Ice

  “Ice, by Stephanie Rowe, is a
thrill ride!” ~ Lisa Jackson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

  “Passion explodes even in the face of spiraling danger as Rowe offers a chilling thrill-ride through a vivid—and unforgiving—Alaskan wilderness.” ~ Cheyenne McCray, New York Times bestselling author

  “Ice delivers pulse-pounding chills and hot romance as it races toward its exciting climax!” ~ JoAnn Ross, New York Times bestselling author

  “Stephanie Rowe explodes onto the romantic suspense scene with this edgy, sexy and gripping thriller. From the very first page, the suspense is chilling, and there’s enough sizzling passion between the two main characters to melt the thickest arctic ice. Get ready for a tense and dangerous adventure.” ~ Fresh Fiction

  “Stephanie Rowe makes her entry into Romantic Suspense, and what an awesome entry! From the very first pages to the end, heart-stopping danger and passion grab the heart. … sends shivers down the spine… magnificent… mind-chilling suspense… riveting… A wonderful romance through and through!” ~ Merrimon Book Reviews

  “[a] thrilling entry into romantic suspense… Rowe comes through with crackling tension as the killer closes in.” ~ Publisher’s Weekly

  ***

  Praise for Chill

  “Chill is a riveting story of danger, betrayal, intrigue and the healing powers of love… Chill has everything a reader needs – death, threats, thefts, attraction and hot, sweet romance.” ~ Jeanne Stone Hunter, My Book Addiction Reviews

  “Once again Rowe has delivered a story with adrenalin-inducing action, suspense and a dark edged hero that will melt your heart and send a chill down your spine.” ~ Sharon Stogner, Love Romance Passion

  “Chill packs page turning suspense with tremendous emotional impact. Buy a box of Kleenex before you read Chill, because you will definitely need it! …Chill had a wonderfully complicated plot, full of twist and turns. “ ~ Tamara Hoffa, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Copyright Page

  Title Page

  Praise for Stephanie Rowe

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Sneak Peek: No Knight Needed

  Sneak Peek: Shadows of Darkness

  Sneak Peek: A Real Cowboy Never Says No

  Sneak Peek: Ghost

  Select List of Other Books

  Stephanie Rowe Bio

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Taylor Shaw peered through the torrential rain hammering her windshield, inspecting the somewhat grand ranch house stretched out in front of her. It was a single story, but the huge porch and the massive picture windows gave the impression of grandeur and luxury that made her smile. This was the home of her best friend, Mira Cabot, and it was perfect.

  For a brief moment, tears burned in her eyes and her throat tightened, as she recalled how hard Mira’s path had been for so long. And now…she’d found her place. You go, girl.

  God, she couldn’t wait to hug Mira, and to hear about the life she’d been brave enough to tackle. Taylor knew she’d never have been as courageous as Mira, and she was so damn proud of her. Unable to keep the grin off her face, Taylor shoved open the door of the tiny rental car she’d managed to procure at the airport and almost dove out of the car in her eagerness to see Mira.

  Dodging the flood of raindrops pummeling the Wyoming ranch, Taylor bolted across the muddy driveway, and vaulted up the steps to the front door. She rang the doorbell, and hopped back and forth, trying to keep warm as she waited for Mira to open the door.

  She was drenched within seconds, but she didn’t care one bit that she’d left her coat in the car. Who needed a coat when she was going to be hugging her best friend after months of being apart? She waited eagerly, barely even noticing how the rain was driving the coldness right through to her bones. In seconds, she would be hugging Mira. Seconds!

  Footsteps thudded inside, and she grinned wider as she saw the door begin to open. She flung out her arms with a squeal. “Surprise—!” She cut herself off, startled to see a tall, well-muscled cowboy staring at her like she was some crazed, bedraggled freak. His blue plaid shirt was unbuttoned, revealing an amazing chest, and his dark hair was tousled, as if he’d been climbing into bed just before she’d rung the doorbell.

  Whoops. She immediately dropped her arms and tried to appear harmless and sane. “Oh, sorry. I thought Mira would answer. Is she here?” She tried to peek past him, but he was big and muscular, blocking the door.

  “She’s asleep.” He looked her up and down. “Can I help you?”

  “Asleep?” She stared at him, horrified at his comment. “What time is it? Is it late?” She knew she’d gotten lost a couple times on the way there, but it couldn’t be that late, could it?

  “It’s nine o’clock, but she gets tired easily.” He narrowed his eyes, and there was no doubt of his protectiveness of Mira, which, of course Taylor appreciated, except for the fact that Mira didn’t need protection from her.

  There was only one man who would defend her friend so determinedly, and that would be the man who Mira had traveled cross-country to shack up with, Chase Stockton. Taylor smiled and held out her hand to shake his, realizing belatedly that introductions would probably be appropriate before barging into his house. He couldn’t be expected to know how to handle their typical interactions. “You must be Chase. I’m Taylor Shaw, Mira’s best friend from home.”

  “Taylor!” His frown disappeared into a welcoming smile that made him devastatingly handsome, and he swung the door open. “Come on in. I didn’t know you were coming today. I thought it was next week. The wedding isn’t for ten days.”

  “Thanks.” Ah, yes, being invited indoors was way better than having her path blocked. Inside was definitely preferable to standing in a torrential downpour. “I wanted to surprise her, so I didn’t call ahead. We like to do that to each other sometimes.” She didn’t mention that she’d also been desperate to escape from work. It was sucking the life out of her, and she needed to regroup and figure out what to do. What better place to regroup than with her best friend and a pint of ice cream, like they’d done countless times over the years?

  As uninspiring as her work was, the problem wasn’t that simple. As it turned out, having Edward become her ex-boyfriend, while still being her boss, was making work almost intolerable. Every time she saw him, a thousand emotions came flooding back, none of which were ones that made her want to jump for joy and dance on top of her desk in celebration.

  So, she’d come here to support Mira in her upcoming wedding, as planned, but she’d come early because she needed her friend’s advice and support. She and Mira had always been there for each other, especially when neither of them had anyone else to turn to, which had been the situation for both of them for a long time.

  “Well, come on in,” Chase said, gesturing her inside. “Get out of the rain.”

  Whoops. She’d forgotten to actually accept his invitation and go indoors. Oy. She was more stressed than she’d even realized. “Right. I’m on it.” She stepped inside, and her flats squelched on the floor. They both looked down at the pool of muddy water spreading out from her feet and across the gorgeous stone floor. Heat flooded her cheeks. “Oh… I’ll just wait outside—”

  Chase snorted. “It’s a ranch, Taylor. It’s made for mud.”

  “Yes, but it’s a really lovely ranch.” The entry was paved with stone, but gleaming hardwood floors stretched across the rest of the house. She could see into a sleek modern kitchen, and a comfortable, r
ustic living room was just off to the right. The house was beautiful and homey, and a little bit of envy trickled through her when she thought of the stark apartment that she slept in on the rare occasion she wasn’t traveling for work.

  He grinned. “Thanks. We’ve put a lot of work into it.” The pride was evident in his voice, making Taylor smile. She could tell already that Chase was a good man. Mira had been right to believe in him.

  “I’ll go see if she’s awake. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.” Chase indicated the kitchen, and then strode down the hallway, his cowboy boots clicking on the beautiful floor, his Wranglers faded like a real cowboy’s should be. There was no doubt Mira had found herself a genuine cowboy, one that was every bit the man Mira had thought he was.

  He disappeared through a closed door at the end of the hall, leaving Taylor alone. She let out a sigh as her stomach rumbled with hunger. She glanced longingly at the kitchen, but made no move toward it. Normally, she wouldn’t hesitate to raid Mira’s cabinets in search of sustenance, but this was Chase’s house, and she was a stranger.

  She shifted restlessly, afraid to walk around and drip all over everything. Hugging herself against the encroaching chill while she waited, she heard low, intimate murmurings from down the hall, whispers that weren’t for her, whispers that she’d expected to be a part of when she’d decided to come here.

  Wow. Right. She wasn’t Mira’s number one anymore. She hadn’t thought of that.

  She took a deep breath. That was okay. She was ecstatic Mira had found Chase. There was still room for best friends even when a man was in the picture.

  “Taylor?” Mira’s sleepy voice echoed down the hall, and Taylor’s heart leapt.

  She spun toward her friend, and then her mouth dropped open when she saw Mira waddling toward her, her massive belly barely covered by her pale pink robe. Her dark blond curls were longer now, and she was no longer sporting the too-skinny look that had worried Taylor for the last few years. Her breasts had tripled in size, and she looked radiant, gorgeous, and healthy, everything Taylor had hoped for with all her heart, everything that Taylor had never been able to do for her. “Wow. You’re huge, girl. It’s like you have half the kitchen tucked up under there.” Of course she’d known her friend was pregnant, but seeing her that way was a shocking reality. Chase was walking beside her, his arm over her shoulders, as if he couldn’t bear not to be touching her, and Taylor’s sense of exclusion grew stronger.