Read Online Tying You Down by Cheyenne McCray - Free Book Online

does anything to hurt her, you let me know.”
    She smiled at the sense of protectiveness he seemed to have over Charlee. “You didn’t come here to talk about Charlee. What’s up?”
    “It’s Creed’s birthday and Danica is throwing a party for him,” Tate said. “I was wondering if you could get away from Jo-Jo’s for a while and come with me.”
    She paused for a moment. “I take it everyone’s going to be there.”
    “Pretty much.” Tate grinned. “At least my parents along with all of my brothers and sisters-in-law.”
    She looked down at her dress before meeting his gaze again. “You’re dressed casual. Am I overdressed?”
    “You look perfect.” He trailed his fingers over her shoulder. “It’s getting a bit chilly out. You might want to bring something to keep out the cold. Although,” he paused and gave her a sexy little grin, “I can always keep you warm.”
    “I bet you would.” She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Okay, I’ll go with you. Be right back.”
    She called Jo-Jo’s to make sure everything was going well and that she wasn’t needed, and everything seemed to be fine. They had her number if they had to get hold of her.
    Once she was off the phone, she picked out a cashmere wrap that went well with the dress, then picked up the purse she’d intended to take with her tonight to the club. When she returned to the living room, Tate was looking at the family pictures on the mantel of her fireplace.
    “Your dad was a fine man,” Tate said as he studied a picture of her at five with her father and mother, about a year before her mother died. “I only met your mom a couple of times, but I always thought she was a nice lady.”
    Jo smiled. “They weren’t perfect, but they were great parents.” Familiar sadness drifted through her. “I miss them both.”
    He looked at the pictures of her with her father and then with her half-sister, and pictures of each of them alone. She hadn’t kept any pictures of her stepmother.
    When he turned away from the photos, he said, “Ready?”
    She nodded and linked her arm in his. “You bet.”
     

Chapter 9
     
    Jo did feel a bit overdressed when she walked into the McBride family home and saw that most were wearing casual clothing. But she knew everyone there and didn’t feel too uncomfortable. It had been years since she’d seen Mom and Dad McBride—Del and Bull.
    The house was where the McBride boys had grown up. Even now it was full of noise and laughter and a kind of energy that always seemed to be noticeable around the McBride clan.
    Tess hugged Jo the moment she walked into the house. Tess and Gage had just returned from their honeymoon, and Jo hadn’t had a chance to visit with her since they’d come back.
    “Thanks for bringing Jenny home.” Tess drew away and smiled. “She had a good time with you and Tate.”
    “I bet she’s looking forward to your upcoming Disneyland trip,” Jo said.
    Tess laughed and shook back her short blonde curls. “Don’t you know it.”
    Megan, Tess’s sister, hugged Jo next, and then Megan’s husband, Ryan gave her a one-armed embrace.
    Cat and Danica came in along with Blake and Creed. Jo didn’t know the two women as well as she knew the others in the room, but she’d always liked them both.
    Blake tended not to talk as much as his brothers and his features were a little harsher. He exuded power and virility and had a hard look to his tanned face. But when his gaze settled on Cat, his facial expression softened and Jo could tell that the woman meant everything to him.
    Creed and Gage looked the most alike out of the brothers. Both had powerful builds, dark hair, and green eyes. Gage had a sexy, charming grin. It was easy to see that he’d been a lady-killer before he met Tess. Creed had an ease and confidence in his nature, but as a bull rider who’d almost been killed by a bull, he was one hell of a tough guy, a real alpha male bad boy.
    Just as tall as his brothers,