by Becca Van
He sure as hell hoped that was true.
Chapter Two
“Hi, Martha. Hi, May. How are you both today?” Alicia asked as she walked into the kitchen.
“Hi, honey,” Martha replied. “We’re fine. It’s a beautiful day. I am so glad winter is finally over. Was there something you needed, Alicia?”
“No, but I thought I could come and give you a hand since Brooke isn’t feeling well. And I’m used to working, and since I’ve been pretty idle, I’m beginning to get bored.” She sometimes thought about asking if she could stay on and work with the horses, but she wasn’t any kind of expert. Alicia looked around the kitchen and wondered if maybe she could make herself so useful as a cook that the men, particularly the Tiltman brothers, would invite her to stay.
They did say I could stay as long as I wanted. Alicia was inclined to write that off to chivalry, though. She didn’t have a life for her in Bismarck, so of course the Tiltmans weren’t going to kick her out. That didn’t mean she could stay without a reason, though.
Being with them would be an awfully nice reason…
Martha’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“Well, maybe you’d like to whip up a batch of biscuits.”
“Sure. Anything. Thanks, Martha.”
“What are you intending to do now that the danger has passed?” May questioned as she stirred a big pot on the stove.
“To be honest, I don’t have a clue.” Alicia sighed as she gathered the ingredients from the pantry for the biscuits. “I’ve been looking for employment online, but there’s not much going in my hometown.”
“Do you really need or want to go back to Bismarck? You said you don’t have any family.”
“No. I suppose not. It’s just that I like small towns. I couldn’t stand having to move to the city just to work. They’re so noisy and crowded as well as polluted, but I may not have a choice. I need to earn a living and find somewhere to live.”
The last thing Alicia wanted was to go back to Bismarck. There was nothing there for her. She had been alone all her life. Even when she was shuffled from foster home to foster home and then to state care she had never felt like she fit in. Often she was thought of as shy and timid, and even though she had never done anything to change people’s perspective of her personality, she was far from either of those traits. Alicia just didn’t feel the need to make waves unless absolutely necessary. Plus it hurt too much to make friends and have them leave or be made to leave when she had been moved on to another family. The only time she stood up to be counted was when people she cared for were in danger or being picked on, and that included herself.
In one of the foster homes she had stayed in for a few weeks there had been two other kids living there as well. Karen, the young girl she had shared a room with, had been very timid. The teenage boy, Luke, had figured this out quite quickly and had taunted Karen. Alicia had caught him scaring the poor girl with stories of a ghost living in the house and had decided she would get back at the little prick. She had hid in his room one night, and when he had come in, before he’d had a chance to turn the light on, Alicia had made quiet moaning sounds. She had never seen a boy move so fast. Luke had lit out of that room as if his pants were on fire, and she had snuck back to her room. Being who she was, she hadn’t been able to let Luke continue thinking he was being haunted, so when she had caught him alone, she had confessed to what she had done. She had made Luke promise to leave poor Karen alone. From that day on he had treated Karen with the respect she deserved. Martha’s voice pulled her from her introspection.
“There’s no rush, is there, honey? It’s not like you don’t have anywhere to stay.”
“Yeah, but I feel like I’m freeloading by being here.” Alicia dumped another cup of flour into the bowl, sighing. “I feel guilty staying without contributing to the household.”
“No. None of us think like that, Alicia. May and I love having more women around the place. It was rather frustrating to be surrounded by so much testosterone, even if three of those men are my sons. And I know for a fact the men are happy to have female companionship.”
“But Brooke and Janie are here because they are in relationships. I feel like a third wheel.” Or fourth wheel. The thought made Alicia’s neck heat. Both Janie and Brooke, the lucky women, had three husbands each. A ménage a quatre had been completely foreign to Alicia before a few months ago, but after living alongside those happy couples, she was beginning to think of it as almost normal.
It was certainly desirable, and she liked living here. She felt like she almost fit in for the first time in her life.
“Don’t you fret, young lady, I’m sure things will all work out in the end.”
Alicia sighed as she began to make the biscuits. She would love nothing more than to stay, especially since she would be so close to Stedman, Ward, and Bronsin. The thought of leaving and never seeing them again cut her to the quick. At first she wasn’t sure she liked the three brothers, them being so big and bossy. They were used to giving orders and having them obeyed immediately. Slowly but surely they had worked their way under her skin, and now she worried they were irrevocably part of her heart.
Having them near, spending time and talking with them, was the highlight of her day. But could she be happy and content just idling the hours of her day away, with nothing to do? No. Alicia needed more to feel fulfilled. If I’m not happy, then how can I stay and make those three men happy?
Whoa, Alicia! Stop that train of thought right now. The Tiltman brothers had never shown that they were interested in her. They’d been in and out on missions trying to break up the organ-smuggling ring, and now that they’d succeeded, they seemed content to settle down and work the stud.
So what the hell am I supposed to do? She had no job, no apartment, nothing but the few boxes of clothes, books, and trinkets in the Tiltmans’ guest bedroom. Reality check, girl. You have nothing that those three men would ever be interested in. Why would they want me? I’m just an ordinary-looking female and small compared to them. I don’t have any family. I have no idea who my parents were. They haven’t looked at me like they are even remotely attracted. I’m okay to look at but not really pretty. Those three men were probably more interested in tall, leggy, busty blondes. But she was just vertically challenged and mousy to boot. I have nothing to offer but myself, and they haven’t even looked at me twice. But the thought of offering herself up to those three men was very, very appealing. It wasn’t just her body she wanted to give them. It was her heart as well.
“Okay, the biscuits are ready for the oven,” Alicia said. “Is there anything else I can do to help, ladies?”
“Could you wash and then chop that spinach for me, please, honey? It goes into the pot at the last minute.”
“Sure.”
Alicia had nearly finished chopping the spinach when the knife slipped beneath her hand. She tried to pull back as the blade flipped under her palm, but she was too late. Sucking in a breath as the knife edge sliced into her palm, she quickly drew back so she wouldn’t get blood on the vegetables and moved aside the knife so it wouldn’t contaminate the food.
Looking down at her hand was the worst thing she could have done. Even though she could help out anyone else if they were injured, hurt, or even bleeding, Alicia couldn’t stand the sight of her own blood. She felt the blood drain from her face and swayed on her feet.
“Uh, Martha, could you…” Pausing to take a deep breath when her vision blurred, she locked her legs so she wouldn’t crumple to the floor. “Could you please pass me a clean towel?”
“Oh my stars,” Martha gasped when she came up beside her. “Here, let me wrap that. We need to get you to Wolf.”
“I don’t think I can walk that far. I need to sit down before I fall down.”
“May, help me get Alicia to a seat and then call Wolf.”
Alicia let the two women guide her to a chair and lowered her head between her knees. Martha rubbed her back and talked to her,
but she couldn’t ascertain what was being said. All her concentration centered on not passing out. Her hand throbbed like a bitch, but the image of her own blood pouring out of her was what made her light-headed. She felt a giggle try to rise up her throat. So much for being indispensable in the kitchen. I can’t even chop vegetables.
When she was feeling better she sat up again and looked at the blood soaking the towel wrapped around her hand. She had obviously done quite a bit of damage. Hurried footsteps drew her eyes to the door, and she watched as Wolf, the team medic, rushed toward her.
“Alicia, are you all right, honey? What have you done?”
“Um, I had a little accident.”
“Let me take a look, sweetheart.”
Wolf lifted her arm and placed it on the table then carefully unwrapped the towel.
“Shit, honey. How did you do this?”
“I was cutting up some spinach and I slipped.”
“I’m going to give you a local anesthetic. Then I’ll clean out the wound and stitch you up.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“’Fraid so, honey. By my estimate you’re going to need at least ten sutures.”
“Shit.” Alicia bit her lower lip as Wolf opened his medical kit and prepared the things he would need. “Surely just a bandage will do.”
“Nope.” Wolf set a metal dish on the table and put a covered needle in the dish. Then he placed disinfectant as well as a needle and thread in another dish off to the side. “Okay, take a deep breath, honey. This is going to sting.”
Alicia turned her head away and bit harder into her lip. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, and she realized she had punctured her own flesh. Easing up slightly, she couldn’t contain her gasp of pain as the needle slid into her flesh. Feeling light-headed again, she looked toward the door when she heard more heavy footsteps hurry up the timber deck leading to the back door.
Stedman, Ward, and Bronsin rushed into the room, making a beeline for her and all beginning to talk at the same time.
“Alicia, are you okay?”
“What happened, honey?”
“Darlin’, where are you hurt?”
Alicia couldn’t speak because Wolf had started to clean the cut. There was still a little feeling in her hand, and she sucked in a ragged breath as her wound began to sting fiercely.
Wolf heard the pain-filled sound and immediately stopped what he was doing. “Sorry, honey. I thought enough time had passed for the local to have worked. I’ll leave it alone for another couple of minutes.”
“What the hell happened?” Stedman snarled when he stood over her looking down at her cut hand.
Alicia was still fighting the sting, so she just shook her head.
“She had an accident with a knife while cutting up vegetables,” Wolf replied.
Stedman gently picked her up and then sat down with her on his lap, all the time being careful not to jostle her injured hand.
“You’re as pale as a ghost. Are you sure you’re all right?”
Alicia nodded. The pain in her hand was now blessedly numb, and instead of feeling woozy, her blood began to heat. She could feel the muscles in Stedman’s thighs flexing beneath her legs and ass, which under normal circumstances would have sent her libido into meltdown.
Bronsin sat down in the chair next to her and Stedman while Ward continued to stand over them.
Wolf looked up at Ward. “You’re in my light.”
“Sorry.” Ward moved away but hovered close by.
“Are you ready now, honey?”
Alicia nodded again.
“All right, but let me know if you can still feel anything. Okay?”
Once again she nodded.
Wolf worked quickly and efficiently, but he was very gentle with her. By the time he had stitched up her injury and bandaged her hand, Alicia was exhausted.
“All done,” Wolf pronounced. “Keep that hand out of water, and come and see me if you experience too much pain or any seepage. Here are a couple of painkillers. You are to take those when the numbness starts to wear off.”
“Thanks, Wolf,” she said quietly and began to push off Stedman’s lap.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Stedman wrapped his arm around her waist to prevent her from moving.
“I need to lie down for a while.”
“You’re not feeling so hot, are you, darlin’?” Bronsin asked.
Alicia bit her lip and shook her head. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes, but she had no idea why. Maybe she was suffering a bit of shock and that was why she felt so tired. She shifted on Stedman’s lap, trying to get comfortable, and froze when she felt something hard pressing against her hip. Just as she was about to look up at him, he moved.
Stedman rose to his feet, taking her with him. “Wrap your arm around my neck, baby. I’ll get you back home, where you can lie down.”
She did as she was told and rested her cheek against his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his musky, masculine scent and his lemony aftershave. God, Alicia, you have got it bad, girl. What the hell am I going to do now? Not once in the three months I’ve been here have they shown any sign of returning my attraction, but I felt his hard-on. Was that for me, or was it an involuntary reaction to having my ass sitting snuggly against him?
Stedman carried her up the steps and into the house. Ward was holding the door wide for his brother. Two sets of footsteps followed behind, and she knew Ward and Bronsin were bringing up the rear. Her mind was flitting from one thing to another, and she thought it was unusual to actually hear the men walking. Usually they startled her because she never heard them coming before they spoke. Maybe they were too worried about her to move with their usual stealth. A smile drifted across her face but then was replaced with a frown when Stedman placed her on the large bed she slept in. Alicia had liked being in his arms, and now that he let her go, she felt cold and almost bereft. It felt as if she had been surrounded by his love and comfort, and when he withdrew, she felt almost empty inside.
“Okay, baby, let’s get you more comfortable.” Stedman removed one of her shoes, and Ward took off the other. Bronsin moved up beside her and sat on the edge of the mattress.
“Let me help you get your sweater off, darlin’.”
“No. I’m okay.” Alicia didn’t want him taking her top off. She was only wearing a bra beneath the layer of material.
“Alicia, you’re not going to be comfortable trying to sleep in that sweater,” Stedman said. “Now you let Bronsin help you get it off.”
“Arrogant, bossy…” She’d never admit it, but her heart thundered at the thought of them seeing her without her clothes on.
Stedman looked down at her without blanching at the insult. “Yes, I am.
He was more than that. As the eldest of the three men, Stedman was arrogant, bossy, and sexy as hell. He stood at around six foot two or three, and even though he was muscular, he wasn’t overly developed like a body builder. His hair was black as sin and his eyes were a deep, dark brown.
She had to stop admiring him when he continued, “But you’re going to do as you’re told.”
With careful maneuvering, Ward helped Alicia get her injured hand out of the sweater, and then he pulled it off. Cool air hit her body, causing her nipples to pucker beneath the lace of her bra.
She glanced up at him, nervous that he’d see her reaction. Ward topped Stedman by a couple of inches and had dark-brown hair and hazel-colored eyes. His build was similar to his older brother’s and similarly breathtaking.
Also, nothing slipped by him. She’d have sworn she caught him smiling as he turned to put aside her sweater.
A shadow moved over her, and she looked all the way up at Bronsin. Standing at around six foot six, maybe even seven, he was the tallest out of all three of them and was built like a weightlifter.
He swooped down and tugged the waistband of her jeans. “These, too, darlin’.”
His amber-colored eyes met hers as he
pulled the jeans down over her hips, leaving her matching panties behind. She thought she heard a groan, but when she looked up the three men tending to her had blank expressions on their faces.
You didn’t really expect them to try and jump your bones when they saw you in your underwear, did you, girl? Get real, Alicia. They’re not interested. Not only were these three men sex gods, but they were so much older than she was. They were in their early to mid-thirties, and she was only twenty-four. Standing beneath their scrutiny, she felt her youth and inexperience more than ever.
She was lifted again and then placed under the cool cotton sheet. They pulled up the covers, and she rolled onto her side.
Bronsin kissed her temple. “Get some sleep, darlin’. Hopefully you’ll feel better when you wake up.”
Ward came and kissed her cheek. “Just yell out if you need anything, honey.”
Stedman knelt on the bed behind her and stroked her hair. “Just rest, baby. We’ll be here to help you after you’ve rested.”
The three men left the room, but this time she didn’t hear them move. Their presence was gone and the door snicked softly into place as it was closed.
Tears leaked out from beneath her closed eyelids. She was glad they had left. The last thing she needed was for them to see her crying. It wasn’t her injury that made her weep.
It was the fact that she had deep feelings for those three men and they didn’t seem to feel anything.
Chapter Three
“Fuck! Did you see all that blood?” Ward got mugs from the kitchen cabinet and set them out. He had just put on a pot of coffee, and Bronsin had gone over to the main house to get them some food. There was no way in hell he or his brothers were leaving Alicia alone in the house now that she was injured.
“Yeah, she was hurting pretty bad, too. Her face was so white I was scared she was going to pass out.”
“She’s gonna need our help with everything. That was her right hand, and we all know that’s her dominant hand.”
