Rode Hard

By Susan Horsnell

Kyle is a sexy, level-headed cowboy who's keeping a secret from those he loves most.
Luke is a police officer and he's also keeping a secret.

After fifteen years apart, these two men are set to meet again, but all is not as it seems.

Crossed wires, and a misunderstanding has Luke running away, but Kyle has no intention of waiting another fifteen years for the man of his dreams.

Will these once casual acquaintances become lovers?

Why are the people Kyle cares about keeping secrets?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lipstick Publishing
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223483168

Susan Horsnell

I’m an Australian author who lives in Queensland when not travelling and I write in a variety of Romantic sub-genres, including Western,  Historical, Gay, Mafia, and Contemporary Romance.  I have published over 60 books and novellas, many of which feature strong, independent heroines and rugged, alpha male heroes. Some of my popular series include the Outback Australia series and The Carter Brothers series. My books are known for their well-researched historical details, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and real life experiences. My work has garnered praise from readers and critics alike, and I have been a Finalist in both the Rone Awards and Laramie Awards as well as being a multiple times International Bestselling Author and USA Today Bestselling Author. If you're interested in learning more about my books:  Linktree https://linktr.ee/SusanHorsnell   

Book preview

RODE

HARD

Susan Horsnell

USA Today Bestselling Author

Contents:

Copyright

Disclaimer

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

About Susan Horsnell

RODE HARD

Copyright © 2021 by Susan Horsnell

The right of Susan Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

Edited: Redline Editing

Proofread: Leanne Rogers

Published by: Lipstick Publishing

ABN: 573-575-99847

A lipstick and a heart Description automatically generated with medium confidence

A Cowboy and a Cop with feelings for each other.

Will they ever  admit their true feelings?

Disclaimer

This book is a work of fiction written for the enjoyment of the reader. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Real name places are not used in this book. Both they and events occurring in these locales are purely fictitious and for the benefit of the story only.

Written in Australian English.

CHAPTER ONE

KYLE

I gathered the reins on Grifter, my majestic black gelding, and scanned the horizon one last time before turning toward home. I hoped I'd done enough to prevent the feral dogs from taking down any cattle. They didn’t usually kill, but when they attacked in large packs, they caused injury and infection that did lead to death if not treated soon enough.

Electrifying the boundary fence had been costly, and time consuming, but I couldn't keep Dufus in the barn for the rest of his days and wasn’t about to risk losing my prized bull. The randy bull produced high quality calves which sold for a small fortune and it was what kept us making good money rather than just scraping by.

I galloped Grifter across the open paddocks and felt the strength between my thighs as his muscles rippled and flexed. The horse's strides were lengthy; he loved to gallop flat out and he ate up the ground in no time. When I slowed to approach the barn, I noticed my foreperson, Wendy, talking with someone.

Someone who caused my groin to tighten and heart to beat faster. Even with his back to me, there was no doubt in my mind as to who had those curly blonde locks.

His shoulders were much broader than the last time I'd seen him. His hair hung longer and lifted in the slight breeze. The jeans he wore were molded over one helluva sexy arse.

Wendy waved when she saw me approach and the man spun around to face me. My heart missed a few beats when he smiled in my direction. Pressure mounted behind the zipper of the jeans I wore as my cock thickened with interest.

Luke Kelly. I barely whispered the words.

It had been fifteen years since I'd last seen the man who'd haunted my dreams for more than half my life. Once school was done, he'd gone off to university in the big smoke to study law. His family had moved away shortly after when his father had started a new legal practice in Brisbane. I'd assumed Luke would be working with his father. So, what was he doing here? It wasn't as if we'd ever been friends.

Wendy took the Grifter’s reins and I dismounted. Luke took two long strides toward me, his hand outstretched. I knew it was a mistake the moment our fingers touched. A shudder cannoned through me and I fought to keep my composure as we shook.

Kyle Walker, been a long time.

Luke Kelly, it has been a long time. I assume you're working with your father, how's the legal business going? What brings you back here to Clearlea? More specifically, my property?

Didn't much like the business of being a lawyer, so I joined the police force and worked out of the Gold Coast. I tired of being in the city, missed being here in the country where you can see the stars and breathe clean air. I got a promotion to Detective Senior Sargent and when a position opened up here, I requested a transfer to take charge of your town.

Congratulations, but why my place?

I heard your dad left the property to you and came out to say hello. I know we weren't friends or anything in school, but I always admired your ability to ignore those around you and get on with what you were doing.

It wasn't hard to melt into the background when you're a country geek surrounded by football studs and cheerleaders.

We never purposely ignored you, we….

I waved my hand in the air. Long time ago, Luke. Water under the bridge. You still haven't answered me though, I find it hard to believe you only came out here to say hello. Was there something you needed?

Me? Please say me.

Get your fucking head on the right way, Walker. Football Player. Cop. Straight!

I hated that fucking voice that was all common sense.

I caught the glance Luke shot in Wendy's direction and the penny dropped. Straight guy remember and Wendy is one gorgeous woman. One very single, straight, gorgeous woman.

Oh, sorry, you're here to see Wendy, I'll leave you to it.

I stepped away but was stopped in my tracks when Luke's large hand gripped the top of my arm.

No, it's you I need to speak with. I kind of need a favour.

I was intrigued. Luke Kelly, who had some long official name with the third at the end, a man from one of the wealthiest families in the area, wanted a favour from me? I was all ears.

I'll take care of Grifter while you two talk Wendy turned and headed for the stables.

Um, Wendy, can you hold on, Luke called.

She spun back around. Yes?

This concerns you too being as your Kyle's wife.

Wendy and I exchanged a quick glance and burst out laughing.

What? Luke’s eyes ping-ponged back and forth, his expression one of confusion.

Such a beautiful face—strong, square jaw, a nose which sat crooked thanks to being broken a few times on the football field only added to his beauty. And the bluest eyes God ever bestowed on a person. I decided to erase his confusion.

We're not married, we're friends. Wendy is my foreperson. Why would I think you were here to see her if we were married?

Luke dragged his hand over his face, and for one brief moment I thought I saw relief flash in those baby blues. I wondered…for about a millisecond, then the thought hit me…he was interested in my sexy cowgirl friend.

Okay, let me explain…Dad phoned just before I finished Uni and said the station was mine if I wanted it because him and mum were moving to the coast. Wendy and I had become close friends in Uni and she urged me to take him up on the offer. She insisted if it were her, she wouldn’t hesitate to accept. After giving it a little thought, I told dad I’d love to continue on with the place and I could put my degrees in Farm and Station Management and Ag Science to good use. Since Wendy had revealed that living out here would be here dream come true, I invited her out here to work with me and share the bills. When dad’s…our foreman passed away about five years ago, Wendy asked me to give her a crack at the position. She’d been doing pretty much all of the job anyway, so I agreed. I haven't regretted it for one second.

I smiled at the woman in question and her eyes lit up as she smiled back.

So, there's nothing? You live with this gorgeous gal and there's nothing? Luke was becoming more confused.

Wendy opened her mouth to speak and I was concerned she might inadvertently ‘out’ me, I shook my head and her mouth snapped shut. She was the only one around these parts who knew I was gay. I didn’t need any backlash from the bigoted townspeople, the station would suffer. It was me who reassured him.

Nope, we're just good friends.

When Luke directed his next question to me I found it rather odd.

Do you date?

Nope, haven't got the time. Too busy keeping this place viable. It was only a small lie. "Luke, you still haven't answered my question about why you’re here." I cocked an eyebrow at him.

He seemed nervous, his fingers repeatedly twirled the Akubra in his hands.

I start work here in three weeks and there's no place in town suitable for me to rent. The place which is usually available to the town cop is being fixed up, and I told them to go ahead and rent it to a family when it was done. Most of it would never get used if I lived there. Mrs Henning at the post office suggested I come and speak to you. She said you have a big place with a bunkhouse and could probably offer me a room until something came available in town.

Right now, I didn't know whether to kiss Mrs Henning, or strangle her, for suggesting Luke stay under the same roof as me. The bunkhouse is full, but there’s plenty of room up at the house. Only Wendy and I live there.

Are you sure? I’d hate to intrude but would appreciate it if you can help. It's only a fifteen minute drive into town and I'll pay you a fair rental. I can help with chores when I'm not working.

I smothered a groan. How was I going to deal with the man I'd wanted since the age of fourteen living under the same roof as me? He hadn’t noticed me in school, but I sure as fuck hadn’t missed noticing him at every opportunity.

Living with him would be torture. My mouth obviously didn’t get the memo my brain was telegraphing because it opened and I said, of course I’m sure. You can have the room next to mine upstairs, and there's an adjoining bathroom we can share. Wendy has the guest suite downstairs. Anything you need stored can go in the barn and we can stable your horse, we have three stalls empty at the moment.

Wendy, is it okay with you? Luke asked.

I don’t have a problem with you being here as long as you follow three rules. Don't hit on me, I'm not interested. I don't cook every night, with you here it will be one in three unless one of us is working, or away, and I don’t do laundry—except my own. We share the cost of the housekeeper—Mrs Roby. She comes in once a week and if you sweet talk her, like Kyle does, she'll probably do your laundry for you. Can you cook?"

Nothing fancy but I cook a mean beef stew. Past roommates tell me my food is edible.

Wendy nodded. Good, one in three it is. I can't cook for shit, and attempts to teach me by Kyle, and everyone else around here, have failed so my turn is usually takeout. Kyle's a pretty good cook. Oh, and one other thing, if you want to bring a fuck home, take her to the shack on the south side near the river.

Is that what you do? Luke asked me.

Why was he asking me?

Nope, told you, don’t have time but I have a good hand which has me shooting when I feel the need. I had a feeling I was gonna be using my hand a great deal more once Luke moved in.

Fuck! Don’t either of you have a filter? I agree to your terms and thank you.

I held my hand out to shake on our deal. I knew it was a fucking mistake the minute our fingers touched. How pathetic am I? Smitten with a man who I'm sure had women falling all over him and now I’d be forced to watch him parading them past me. This time my groan did escape and both Luke and Wendy gave me a strange look.

If that's it, I'll bed Grifter down. It's Kyle's night to cook. Wendy led the horse toward the stables and we stood in silence watching her go.

Stay for dinner? I asked.

Why? Why…why…why? Why the fuck are you so intent on torturing yourself? I could have maybe avoided him for a couple of days before he moved in, but noooo, once again my mouth had gone off in auto. It really needed to get with the program my brain had in place. The more time I