The Triple Threat (Love In Dayton Valley Book 1)

by Nikki Ashton

  Shaw shrugged. “I don’t know, man. She’s hot and real smart, but… I’m twenty.”

  “Look at Mom and Dad,” Bronte said as she helped pack up the cards. “I know they didn’t start dating seriously until after college, but Mom said Dad took her on a couple of dates in high school. Melinda and Henry actually met at college.”

  “Yeah and my mom and pop were real young too,” I added.

  Shaw gave Austen a sideways look and then patted him on the back. “Hey, Aust’, why don’t you go ask Dad if you can have one beer?”

  Austen’s face lit up. “You think he’ll let me?”

  Shaw shrugged. “You never know.”

  Austen raced off and Bronte rounded on her brother. “He’s only just let you start drinking at home, there’s no way he’s going to let Austen.”

  “I know, but I needed to get rid of him.”

  “Why? You need some advice on the fairer sex?” Carter asked with a grin.

  Bronte rolled her eyes and turned to her brother. “If you do, don’t ask him.”

  “No,” Shaw replied. “It’s about something else.”

  “What is it?” What’s wrong?” Carter frowned and placed a hand on Shaw’s shoulder.

  “You not noticed how Mom and Dad barely speak to each other?” he asked turning to his sister.

  Bronte shook her head slowly, but when she flopped back down onto her seat with the color draining from her face, it was obvious that it wasn’t news to her.

  “I got up to get a drink real late last night and Dad was sleeping on the sofa.”

  Ellie immediately rounded the table and nudged Carter out of the way so she could take his place behind Bronte and wrap her arms around her friend.

  “It doesn’t mean anything,” Bronte said, looking up at Ellie. “Right? They probably just had an argument. Or maybe Mom had enough of him snoring. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard him.”

  Shaw looked like he was about to say something but then gave Bronte a huge smile instead. “Yeah, that’s probably it.”

  I grabbed my beer and took a long drink. Shit, it didn’t bear thinking about Jim and Darcy not being happy. Both sets of parents had been a constant my whole life along with my own and being without Mom had changed the dynamic. Losing Jim or Darcy as well was a hard thought to get my head around.

  “Hey, guess what?” Austen came barreling in from outside, breaking the tense atmosphere. “Dad said yes to me having a beer, and, they all want to play Sardines.”

  Carter scrubbed a hand down his face and groaned. “Fuck my life.” He bent to speak to Shaw. “You sure you’re okay?”

  Shaw nodded. “Yeah Bronte’s probably right.”

  “Hey guys,” Melinda’s slightly drunk voice sounded out as she entered the den where we were, stopping any further discussion about the Jackson’s marriage. “I vote Ellie is the sardine.”

  “Yeah, Ellie Belly you go first,” Henry replied coming up behind Melinda.

  I figured it was my queue to duck out and pretend I needed to make a call to Tom or Sam Williams to check on the ranch. When I looked over at Pop though, his eyes were shining with a laughter and a joy I hadn’t seen from him in a while. He had an arm around each of my aunts and he looked happy. Not the ‘I just got laid’ happy that I’d been used to seeing from him recently, but instead a real unadulterated contentment beamed out.

  “Okay,” Ellie said reluctantly. “I’ll go hide. No cheating, Dad, I know what you’re like. And I can hide outside or inside, no boundaries.”

  As Henry argued his innocence, Ellie sashayed out of the room and when she paused at the door to scratch the left cheek of her butt, my phone call was forgotten. I was searching first, and I was going to find her and hope to God no one else guessed where we were.

  Ellie

  Waiting to be found was boring. I knew what they were all like, they’d be distracted with wine, Jack D and gossip. That was why I’d taken my Kindle with me and was reading the book I’d been losing myself in. The sex in it was pretty hot, well at least I’d thought it had been until I’d had sex with Hunter – now that was totally what I’d call boiling point.

  I let out a sigh thinking about it and how since that night I’d been desperate for more. Not even my vibrator, under the covers to muffle the noise, had been enough. It appeared that only Hunter Meredith – that still cracked me up – Delaney’s dick would ever be big or good enough for me ever again. The size still astounded me, that and the fact that it actually fit. Sheesh, the phrase baby’s arm had never been truer.

  The thought of Hunter sticking his penis that was way mightier than the sword inside of me, had me feeling all hot and bothered. The pear wine had me relaxed enough to consider slipping my hand inside my jeans and panties, but the sound of footsteps soon put a stop to that idea. I closed my Kindle and held my breath while they moved around and opened up the cupboard opposite my hiding place. A few seconds later everything went quiet and I was convinced I’d got away with it. Just as I let out my breath, the lid lifted from the wicker basket I was hiding in and I was blinded by Hunter’s smile.

  “I knew this was where you’d be.” He grinned at me and lifted a leg up.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting in. I found you, so I have to hide with you, or have you forgotten the rules?”

  “N-No.” My heart began to hammer at the thought of being alone with him, in the summerhouse, in the old wicker basket that my mom kept all our old dress up clothes in. “You won’t fit.”

  “Well you chose it, Ellie, so you’ll have to suffer the consequences.”

  “How did you know I’d be here?” I asked.

  He shrugged and then lowered himself down. “It’s where you always hid when were kids.” His hand reached for the lid. “Comfy. Okay, let’s wait.”

  He wriggled around beside me, groaning a little as he did, and I didn’t want to consider the reason why. His body was pretty much plastered to mine, his long leg between mine and one arm over my stomach.

  “Lift your head,” he said as he wriggled his butt.

  Thinking it was easier than arguing, I craned my neck and then dropped my head onto his chest as soon as he let out a sigh.

  “Well, ain’t this cozy.”

  Hunter’s face was so close to mine that his breath, which smelled of beer and mint, ghosted over my skin and sent ripples of excitement through my body.

  “So, tell me, how do you propose we get anyone else in here?”

  Hunter edged closer and it didn’t escape my notice that you’d barely have been able to slide a slip of paper between our mouths. I swallowed hard and thanked God I hadn’t had any of Dad’s god-awful onion sauce with my turkey.

  “Didn’t think that far ahead,” I whispered. “I was pretty sure no one would find me. I’m surprised you remembered to be truthful.”

  I couldn’t see his face properly, but I just knew Hunter was staring at me, trying to make out my expression in the darkness.

  “Funny,” he replied, and I heard him swallow. “I didn’t realize how much I do remember about you.”

  We were so quiet he must have heard my heart banging against my chest bone, begging to come out.

  “Nothing to say?”

  “Nope,” I breathed out.

  “Wow, that’s different.” Hunter chuckled low and pushed closer to me.

  I gasped quietly feeling that damn big schlong of his pressing against my leg. Even through his denims I was pretty sure I could feel every inch and every ridge of it against my leg.

  “Well, that was rude,” I hissed hoping that some sass would break the tension inside the basket.

  The thought caused me to giggle.

  “What?” Hunter asked as he ran his hand down my arm. “What’s so funny?”

  “Us. Being in a basket. It’s just funny is all.”

  “I guess we do hang out in some strange places.” His fingertips trailed up toward my shoulder and drew small circles causing my stomach to flip. “
Storerooms, dress up baskets, wherever next?”

  My nipples sprang to life and I knew that Hunter could feel them when his breath hitched.

  “I thought we agreed that this wasn’t going to happen again,” I mumbled into the darkness, not sure whether I was talking to Hunter, myself or my nipples.

  “You said that, not me,” Hunter replied and shifted even closer, snaking his arm around my back and pushing his hand up my shirt. “And nothing is happening… yet.”

  Rough fingertips trailed the goosebumps which broke out across my sensitive skin and I started to breath heavily as he reached the fastener on my bra. With a deft flick of the wrist he unclipped it giving my girls the freedom they were craving – well they were craving his touch, but you can’t be too greedy.

  “Hunter,” I protested a little lamely.

  “Ellie.”

  He mocked my tone and even though our mouths weren’t touching, I could feel him smile.

  “What are you doing?’

  “Well, Ellie, there’s this thing called sex and—”

  “Don’t be such a dick,” I replied, but moved my crotch closer to his hard on.

  It was like he had a magnet in his dick, and I had a metal plate in my pussy – the damn hussy wouldn’t stop moving toward him.

  “Do I need to continue with the sex-ed theory, or shall we move straight to the practical part of the lesson?”

  As much as I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, my traitorous vagina sent a message to my brain, which then zapped it to my mouth.

  “Just get on with getting me off, Hunter, because you’re actually getting on my last nerve.”

  Hunter laughed low and moved his hand to the button of my jeans.

  “Last chance to say no to me making you come all over your Cinderella and Princess Jasmine costumes.”

  “Really. God, Hunter, I was going to donate them to the elementary school. How can I do that with sex juice on them.”

  “You have heard of dry cleaning, right?” Hunter’s mouth found mine and his tongue licked slowly across the seam of my lips. “They’ve been in this basket for years. They probably smell real bad anyway.”

  I thought about it for a second. “Yeah, true.” I grabbed the back of his head and pulled him to me.

  We kissed like we were a couple of teenagers. All teeth, tongues and grabby hands. In seconds my jeans were undone, and Hunter’s hand was inside my panties. My hand was around his beautiful appendage and we began to pump and finger in unison until we were both gasping.

  “What if someone comes?” I gasped as Hunter pushed another finger inside of me.

  “Someone aside from you?”

  I didn’t want to laugh but couldn’t help my breathy giggle.

  “Oh fuck,” Hunter groaned. “That laugh is just so damn sexy.”

  Spurred on by his words, I nipped at his bottom lip and began to pump harder. I felt his butt tense under my hand, and I couldn’t help but give it a squeeze.

  “Love your damn ass,” I breathed out.

  “Good… damn… to know. Keep going, I’m gonna—-”

  “Shush.” I stilled my hand and listened. “Did you hear that?”

  I held my breath, but Hunter grabbed my hand with his that wasn’t in my panties—there was no way I’d have let him remove it anyway—and forced me to keep pumping. When he gave a quiet moan, I fused my mouth to his and listened but there was nothing.

  “No one there. Sorry.”

  “Don’t give a fuck if the whole town are waiting outside this basket, just keep going.”

  He moaned against my mouth and increased the speed of his fingers while his free hand moved up my shirt and palmed my boob. A thumb softly rubbed against my nipple and my skin set on fire as I began to come undone.

  “Oh my God,” I gasped momentarily forgetting I was supposed to be pumping his dick.

  Hunter thrust upward, urging me to continue and when my body tensed with my own orgasm, he groaned with his lips against my neck.

  “Ah, fuck.”

  “Hunter.”

  Breathlessly we both rode out the pleasure, leaving gasps of breathlessness in the air. Our chests were heaving heavily and the atmosphere inside the basket felt electric.

  “Shit, I’ve got jizz all over my sweater.”

  “Spoil a moment why don’t you.” I started to giggle. “I think there’s a Captain Hook outfit in here. Complete with hook for your hand.”

  “It’ll disguise the smell of my fingers, I guess.”

  I slapped at his chest but couldn’t help but smile. “Sometimes you’re too disgusting for words.”

  He pulled his hand from my panties and sniffed loudly. “Yep, I’ll be needing that hook.”

  We both laughed and then fell into silence, as Hunter gently stroked my cheek.

  “We should get back,” I said wishing away the euphoria rising inside me. “I don’t think anyone is going to find us.”

  “No, I don’t think so,” he replied but didn’t move.

  I wasn’t sure how to deal. Did I make the first move to leave, or should I wait for Hunter? Did I tell him it was great - again – and that I was starting to want more for us, or did I act cool? I had no damn clue. The only thing I did know was that the stolen moments were starting to feel not enough. Having sex with a guy and getting off from his fingers were not the sort of thing I did. I’d always been a relationship kind of girl. Yes, Dominic had ruined that. Even though the sex and playing around with Hunter was amazing, I didn’t want to be his regular fuck buddy until he got bored and went back to his one-night stands.

  “You think maybe this might be a good time to talk?” he asked as he pulled up my zipper. “Like I wanted to after we had sex.”

  “We did talk.”

  If we talked now, I knew I’d ask him for things he wasn’t ready for, and then I’d be the fool, once again. No, it’d be much better for my heart and self-respect if we didn’t talk.

  “No, Ellie, we didn’t. You told me we weren’t happening and then closed me down. You didn’t even give me a chance to tell you what I want.”

  My laugh sounded a little sarcastic. “Oh, I can imagine what you want,” I huffed out, unable to hide the hurt that I pre-empted from me wanting him so damn much.

  “Really? So, you’re a mind reader now?” Hunter sighed heavily and shifted his body to reach for his own zipper.

  “No, never said I was, but you’re so predictable. I’d be shocked if you wanted anything else other than to have me as a fuck buddy.”

  I could just about make out his face. He didn’t look thrilled at my theory.

  “Your opinion of me is so fucking stellar, isn’t it?” he said as he shoved up the lid of the basket.

  He pushed himself up and maneuvered out. Pausing to fasten the button of his jeans he then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed at the white stain on his sweater.

  “Has it come off?” I asked, trying to alleviate the awkwardness I felt at lying back in the basket as he stood over me.

  Hunter glanced down at me with hooded eyes and sighed. “I’m going back,” he replied not answering my question. “You coming or not?”

  I nodded and held up my hand. Hunter tugged on it, pulling me to my feet. I then stepped out and brushed myself down, chancing a look at him as he continued rubbing at his sweater.

  “I’m sorry, okay.”

  “Just forget about,” he replied, glancing up at me. “I was stupid to even think you’d talk about what’s happening.”

  “Which is having fun, just like you said. So why do we need to talk about it?” I argued as Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “No, you’re right, we don’t.” He gave me a thin-lipped smile. “It’s just fun, nothing at all to discuss.”

  Before I could respond, he stormed off back toward the house. Feeling a lot of annoyance and frustration of my own, I ran after him. I called his name, but his pace never let up. He flung open the door into the kitchen and then let it slam
closed behind him.

  When I spun into the den, Hunter was standing in the doorway, with his hands on his hips. Even from behind I could see his anger; his butt was tensed so it wasn’t difficult.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, standing alongside him.

  He let out a long exhale and pointed into the room. Everyone was in there, well into a game of Monopoly.

  “They look like they’ve been playing that for an age,” I whispered.

  “Yeah.” He didn’t say anything else to me but stepped into the room. “Did any of you actually come and look for us?”

  Jefferson looked up from taking a wad of notes from Austen and smiled.

  “Oh, sorry, son, we totally forgot. We kinda got engrossed in this game of Monopoly. Your Aunt L is raking the money in.”

  I looked over at Lynn-Ann who was sitting proudly on one of the love seats with Shaw and counting the huge pile of money she had.

  “Yeah, sorry, honey,” Mom called without even looking away from the board. “We forgot. There’s pumpkin pie just out of the oven if you and Hunter want some.”

  I growled and Hunter looked at me. His eyes were still full of indignation, but I wasn’t sure if it was just down to me or our families as well.

  “You want some pie?” I asked, trying to clear the air.

  His eyes raked up and down my body and then stopped right at my crotch. He shook his head and then looked back at my face, a wicked grin on his own.

  “No thanks just had some.”

  Chuckling to himself, he turned on his heels and went off toward the kitchen where all the beer was, leaving me with the distinct feeling that I might regret not hearing him out.

  I looked back into the den deciding whether to join them or get pie first, when I noticed Bronte staring up at Jefferson, all starry-eyed. Every time he spoke, she giggled and flipped her hair and a feeling of foreboding passed over me. She was down and out flirting and in front of everyone. It was not good.

  “Excuse me,” Hunter said coming back from getting his beer, and laying a hand on my waist. “Just need to squeeze past you here.”

  “Have you seen Bronte?” I asked, barring his way into the den. “She’s outwardly flirting with your dad.”