Hard Ridin' Read Online Free PDF Page B

ship, he’d had little time to think about anything but safely working the nets. A minor slip could have cost him his life—or worse, a fellow crew member’s. And the few times they’d docked, Holden was ashamed to admit he’d gotten stinking, falling down drunk just to stop feeling the frigid spray of the sea.
    “I screwed up, okay? It’s none of your goddamn business.”
    “It’s my business now. Laurel’s hurting, and dammit, if I’d known all this time that you were the reason…” Jens dug his knuckles into Holden’s chest and shoved him back a few inches.
    “You what?” Holden shot out.
    “I woulda hunted you down on that fishing boat and busted your skull. She deserved better, Holden.”
    The verbal blow struck Holden straight in the heart. She had deserved better, and he hadn’t remotely proved that. Now he’d probably lose her to Jens and smash their friendship to bits at the same time.
    He kicked a heel into the dirt. “Fuck!”
    “Yeah, feels like we’re all fucked. That was my point in suggesting she continue to see both of us. If we hem her in, pressure her for a decision now, she’ll leave. She’ll turn around and walk right off this farm in those sexy little cowgirl boots. I don’t want that to happen.” Jens’s voice broke.
    Holden gave him a long, sideways look, and then tugged his hat lower. “I don’t either.”
    “She leaves and she also gives up her dreams. She saved a long time for this endeavor, man, and I don’t want to see her lose the hope.”
    Remaining quiet, Holden fought to get a grip on this whole arrangement. “So what do we do? I take her for day visitation and you take her for nights?”
    “Well, I hadn’t thought about it that deeply, but yeah, sounds good to me.”
    The more Holden considered it, the more the idea grew on him. He’d have a chance to win her back fair and square. To show Laurel just how serious he was, and how damn sorry he was for the past too. He’d have no trouble one-upping Jens.
    “What happens as far as…the physical relationship goes?”
    Jens shrugged nonchalantly, but his expression darkened. “That’s up to her. We’ll all play it safe, of course.”
    “You think she’s going to agree to this? She was mighty pissed off when she left here.”
    At this, Jens scuffed his knuckles over his jaw. “Yeah, she was. We don’t have much choice. We’re in this together, man. If you say yes, then we just wait for her to agree.”
    “And if she dumps us both?”
    “Then we’ll cry in our beers.”

Chapter Four
    The country road pitched steeply downward and Laurel geared down. Her muscles ached from riding the four-wheeler for so long. She was almost out of gas, which meant she couldn’t run forever. Eventually she’d have to go home and face up to reality.
    She was in love with two men.
    And they wanted to share her.
    Well, at least Jens did. A thrill rocketed through her body at the thought, and dark heat took up residence between her thighs. Contemplating it made her hot as hell. Jesus, having one hunky man in her bed was amazing. But two? She didn’t know if her heart would stand up to it.
    She’d already lost herself to both of them. Her love for Holden was equal to that of Jens. In her mind, they were very separate, and she adored them for different reasons. Where Holden was rough passion, Jens was playful. She had to drag every thought from Holden, whereas Jens always asked Laurel what was on her mind.
    God, what am I thinking? I can’t take both of them.
    Then again, why not? No signatures were scribbled on a wedding certificate. She was free, and so were they. They’d never agreed to be monogamous, and that meant if she wanted to go pick up a guy tonight, she could.
    Though, she’d never do that. Having two rowdy cowboys fist-fighting over her was enough.
    She tried to picture what would happen if she were to accept Jens’s crazy offer. Jumping from man to man. Could they actually handle it? Could she?
    What if she