Read Online Slow Ride Home (The Grady Legacy) by Leah Braemel - Free Book Online

straightened, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto quad’s seat.
    Allie hissed a breath when she saw the fist-shaped bruises on Logan’s chest and side.
    “Don’t say anything about it, okay?” Ben murmured.
    “But—”
    “I told you his dad’s an asshole with a wicked temper, but Lo gets pissed off if you mention it, okay? He’ll think you’re implying he’s weak. All he has to do is get through the summer and then he’s at school in Austin and he never has to see his dad again.”
    With a self-confidence Ben had never seen his friend display before, he dropped his shorts and underwear in one move then stared at them both and bawked like a chicken. “Come on in, I dare you.”
    Then Lo, his white ass blinding in the bright sun, swaggered down to the edge of the river and dove into the sparkling water.
    Allie had never been shy about being naked around him, but he’d expected her to hesitate about stripping down in front of Logan. Then again, he’d forgotten Allie never turned down a challenge. After slipping off her earrings and bracelets and stashing them in the toe of her shoe, she took off her shirt. His jaw dropped when she undid her bra and dropped it on her shirt, then shimmied out of her jeans, leaving her naked except for her panties.
    Jesus, she was beautiful—not that she believed him whenever he’d said it.
    With a flash of white lace, she raced into the water, cutting through the water with strong strokes until she reached Logan.
    “Hey, Grady, whatcha waiting for, you yellowbelly?” she called, sheer joy filling her expression, taking all the breath from his lungs. “Get naked and get yer ass in here.”
    “Just enjoyin’ the view, darlin’.” And damn, what a view. The water droplets sparkled on the curve of her breast as it dripped from her hair as if she were wearing a vest made of diamonds.
    The sight of her smile, one just for him, made his heart ache. This time next week, she’d be his for the rest of their lives. If he could just get the day off to go into town to buy her an engagement ring. If only Gramps hadn’t gotten all hot under the collar about him going to college the other day, the diamond ring might already be in his pocket. He kicked a rock with his boot, watching it clatter along the dirt and off the thick rock canyon wall.
    He hadn’t meant to lose his temper at the old man the way he had, but now here he was stuck refencing the entire seven-mile stretch of the spread bordering the county road on the hottest day of the year. Thank heavens Logan and Allie had snuck away to help him—even if it was against Gramps’ orders.
    They had just under two miles left when Logan had damned near collapsed in the late June heat and suggested they stop off at the Hollow for a break.
    So he wouldn’t get to propose at the graduation party his mother was planning to throw for the three of them, but he could still get a ring before Thanksgiving. Propose to her then. Because she was definitely the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
    “Hey, Grady. Get your ass in here or I’ll kiss your girlfriend. And once she’s had a taste of me, she’ll never kiss you again!” Logan taunted.
    Like Logan had ever dared kiss a girl before. Or that Allie would choose Lo over him. Chuckling at the empty threat, Ben toed off his boots, ditched his shirt and jeans. He hesitated before dropping his briefs and glanced around.
    “What’s the matter, chicken?” Logan draped his arm around Allie’s shoulders and pulled her closer. “I think you’re afraid to prove to your girlfriend here that my dick is bigger than yours.”
    “As if.” He glanced around again, looking for any sign of movement on the hills. If a ranch hand was up there and reported to Gramps he was slacking off, he’d never hear the end of it.
    “Come on, Ben.” Allie lowered herself into the water until Logan’s arm dropped to his side. She swam a few feet toward him, then rose again, the