“Cassie.” Ivan stroked the top of her hand. “You remember Mom had peach trees, right?”
She blinked and then smiled. “Interesting change in subject, but yes, I do.”
“She loves feeding people, just like you. In the dead of summer, she’d take her bucket into our orchard and come back with it filled full of peaches so ripe the juice was practically seeping through the skins. Another hour and they’d have fallen from the trees and been no good for anything but the wildlife. She’d come back, a little sunburnt and windblown, with bees buzzing all around her. She’d take a bath to cool down, and when she was done, she’d peel, pit, and slice those peaches and then leave them to simmer on low, low heat while she got supper ready. The scent of those simmering peaches would make my mouth water something fierce.”
He chuckled when he heard Samson swallow. “Is there a point to this story, or are you just trying to make me hungry?”
“Yes, let me finish.”
Cassie took a sip of her drink when Samson slid it closer to her. “You were saying?”
“She’d roll out pie crust dough and take those nearly ruined peaches anyone else would think were past their prime, and she’d make a peach cobbler out of them. You’d take a bite, and it didn’t just make your mouth water or your taste buds twang. It pulled at something much deeper, almost…painful the flavor was so good. To this day, I’ve never been able to replicate it and never tasted anything else like it. Mom saw the value inside those peaches, and she could bring out that beauty because she understood timing and when to make her move.”
Samson nodded and grinned at him and remained silent, as if giving him the go-ahead.
“Cassie, I know you’re probably surprised by what we’ve told you, and you’re worried about all the reasons you think you’re not what we want or need, but we know what we’re asking—and who.”
A little furrow formed between her brows as she gazed at him, and he couldn’t look away from her beautiful, intense eyes. “Women my age, with my issues, sometimes have trouble with…things that aren’t a problem for younger women.”
“You mean with sex?” Samson asked as he leaned toward her, not wanting their conversation to be overheard.
She gave a barely perceptible nod, and her eyes widened. “I get the impression sex with two men is hot, like off-the-charts kind of hot, and that there’s lots of it, which might be difficult…and extra stuff like…” She put her hand to her lips and darted her eyes around. “Anal?”
“There can be,” Ivan said, noticing the way she squirmed in her seat. He didn’t want her to be apprehensive, but the dark flush in her cheeks and the smile she hid with her hand said that wasn’t an issue. “And you’re worried about anal?”
“Yes, but I’m also trying to tell you my meter is ticking and the shelf life for stuff like that would be much longer with a younger woman.”
“But she’s not you. And all the sex is consensual, Cassandra,” Samson murmured. “It’s you we want. Not just sex with you. Hell, if all you could handle was sex with one of us per night, that would be fine, although I’d prefer sleeping with you snuggled up to me every night—”
She held up a finger. “Can we back up for just one minute?”
“Sure.”
She sipped her drink, and there was a fine tremble in her hands as she set the glass back on the table. “I haven’t agreed to date anyone, much less agreed to a sexual relationship. You both live in Morehead, and I’m not moving away from Divine or giving up Divine Drip. I love my shop and Divine. The two of you profess to hate this town, though after what happened, you can’t be blamed for how you feel.
“The real issue isn’t whether I’m capable of taking on the two of you but whether all of it would work logistically. And it wouldn’t hurt if one or both of you told me how you feel, either,” she added with a frustrated-sounding sigh. “I wonder if Grace or Charity’s ‘hey-let’s-start-a-ménage’ conversations with their men were this awkward.” She put her hand over her lips as a giggle escaped her, but she kept a serious face.
Samson raised an eyebrow at his brother. “I figured you would’ve told her how you feel in the car.”
Ivan shrugged. “We were getting to that. Cassie, did you have any idea how I felt about you when we were in high school?” He’d carried the torch this long it was worth seeing the matter through.
She looked down at her hands and eventually nodded. “About the middle of our sophomore year, I realized something was happening. We didn’t see each other over Christmas vacation, and…I expected to miss Samson. Vacation was nearly over, and I was excited about going back to school…so I could see both of you. And I grasped what was between us was more than friendship. You were so careful around me, and for a long time, I wasn’t sure if it was just me. How my father would react was always a worry, and of course, I didn’t want to do or say anything that would hurt this big guy.”
She reached up and caressed Samson’s chest with the back of her hand in a gesture so casual it could’ve been something she did every day. Ivan hoped that meant she was seriously considering what they were saying. She beckoned to Samson, and his eyes twinkled as he leaned close so she could whisper in his ear. He chuckled and met her gaze. “I wouldn’t be offended at all. That was the point of this conversation.”
Looking encouraged, she nodded, and then she riveted her gaze on Ivan and arched a brow. “I often wondered if you kissed as good as your brother.”
Chapter Seven
“Well, honey, I think it’s time you found out, don’t you?” Ivan’s inviting smile gave her the courage to slide her hand around the back of his head, tickling her fingertips with the short hairs there, and draw him close to her.
The scent of the Scotch whiskey he’d been sipping swirled in her head as she shared a breath with him before their lips joined. She’d always wondered if the attraction was simply because he resembled his brother but no, oh no. Where Samson was firm and solid, pressing into her until she tilted her head to drink in his kiss, Ivan was teasing, drawing her to him. She felt the smile forming on his lips as she leaned against him, her breasts brushing against his chest, hardening her nipples. His soft groan vibrated against her lips as he wrapped his arm around her, like before on the dance floor, trapping her against him until he was ready to let her go.
Her pussy throbbed with insistent need as he tilted his head and pulled back only a few millimeters so she could draw a quick breath. Then he rubbed his lower lip against hers and caught the sensitive flesh between his teeth in a gentle but possessive manner. Sliding his warm fingers into her hair at the base of her skull, he lightly massaged the tight muscles there as he kissed her once more, frazzling her senses until she grew dizzy and clung to him. As if that was his goal, he smiled once more as he withdrew just far enough to gaze into her eyes.
She blinked, and then realized she was practically in his lap. A nearby giggle drew her attention, and she realized Bunny and Joseph Hazelle were standing next to Samson. Bunny had her hand over her mouth.
Joseph took Cassie’s hand when she offered it and cupped it between his in his usual, and slightly formal, greeting. “Cassie, you’re looking very well. I see Samson managed to get back into your good graces. Ivan, it’s good to see you again.” It didn’t seem to faze Joseph that she’d just been involved in a lip-lock with Samson’s brother.
Hello? Mister Tall, Dark, and Dominating has probably seen it all.
Cassie blinked again and then pointed between Ivan and Joseph. “You two know each other?”
Ivan nodded as he shook Joseph’s hand. “Yes, I joined Samson and Joseph for supper a couple of years ago.” It hadn’t even occurred to her Ivan might like bondage and dominance, too.
Joseph nodded and said, “But you’re always welcome as Samson’s guest. Both of you,” he said, glancing at her and offering a reassuring smile.
“Oh, uh, err…” was all Cassie managed to get out. She couldn’t picture herself in leather and bondage cuffs or anything of the sort. W
ith her luck, she’d get a Charlie horse.
Bunny winked at her and said, “Grace and Jack just got here, and Violet was looking for you. She wanted to know how the reunion went. She was headed to the ladies’ room when we came over.” She winked at her new and rather intimidating husband and said, “Beastly, we’re taking a potty break, okay? Don’t devise any evil plans while I’m gone. And you,” she added, poking Samson’s shoulder, “I hope you’re being nice to my friend.”
Samson lips flattened into a straight line, and he arched one brow as he squinted at her. “Did you just poke me, brat?”
Brat?
Grinning at him in challenge, Bunny cocked a hip and rested a hand on it—and poked him again with her finger. “Yeah, I did, Grumpy Grizzly.” Bunny instantaneously jumped and squealed.
“Don’t forget I’m standing here within easy reach, fiammetta,” Joseph said with a chuckle as he took a sip from the amber liquid in his rocks glass. “I have my clicker with me. Go visit with Violet and Grace but try not to get into any more trouble. Cassie, it’s a pleasure seeing you again. Don’t let my lovely wife corrupt you with her naughty behavior.”
Cassie giggled and smiled back at him, wondering if maybe he wasn’t as scary as she’d always assumed. She didn’t know what he’d done to Bunny, but it’d sure gotten a reaction.
She glanced at both Samson and Ivan and said, “I’ll be right back. It was time for a pit-stop anyway.” I need to collect all my fried brain cells from that kiss.
Samson’s expression changed completely as he turned his attention back to Cassie, and a warm wave coursed through her as he smiled. His shift in demeanor made her curious about the club he frequented. When he went through those doors, what was he like? Maybe Bunny could give her some clues.
“What did he mean he has his clicker with him?” she asked of Bunny once they were away from the table—and out of reach.
Bunny giggled again and said, “Come on and I’ll tell you all about it.”
* * * *
Samson gestured for Joseph to take the seat Cassie had temporarily vacated and glanced at his brother, shaking his head when Ivan made a move to leave. There was no reason.
“How are things working out this evening?” Joseph asked as he unbuttoned his suit coat and took the offered seat. “Was she surprised to see you both at the reunion?”
Warmth filled him as he nodded, recalling her reaction when he cut in on her dance with Hank and had kissed her. She’d allowed him to apologize and explain face-to-face, which was better than over the phone. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t envied Ivan just a little bit the exuberant greeting he’d gotten a few minutes later. She was there with them and at least willing to talk—
“Does she understand what you do at the club—beyond being my right hand? Your proclivities?”
Samson shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about my proclivities until we’ve hashed out the more basic details between the three of us. Ivan isn’t interested in the kink…and I don’t hold that against him. He knows it’s just the way I’m wired.”
Joseph sipped from his glass again. “I recommend openness and honesty from this point forward, my friend. Better to shock her a little now, rather than to risk her falling for you and then making discoveries that, for her, may be untenable.”
Samson sighed, knowing Joseph was right and had all of their interests at heart. She’d been at the mansion for the wedding, and she had friends who were in the lifestyle and had probably told her a few things. “I appreciate the advice and will take it under advisement. Right now, she’s the most important thing. And I know what you’re going to say, but I’m not trying to recapture my youth. I’m taking the second chance I’ve been given—we’ve been given. My lifestyle is secondary.”
Raising an eyebrow, Joseph nodded. “You’d be content not having the kink in your life anymore if it meant she was with you?”
Samson met Ivan’s searching gaze and thought of the last session he’d had with Victoria at the club. Had his heart been in it, or was he fulfilling the role a friend he respected needed him to fill? With the potential for Cassie becoming a part of his life, how badly did he need it? He nodded at his friend. “Absolutely. You don’t know what it’s like to miss a particular person for that many years and wish you had another chance—”
A change in Joseph’s demeanor and his slight frown made Samson search for whatever drew Joseph’s attention as his friend said, “Incoming.”
Cassie marched across the club, high color in her cheeks and her lips set in a grim line. Bunny was hot on her heels, followed closely by Grace. Joseph vacated her seat, and she waved a dismissive hand at him, her usual timidity at his presence all but gone. Nailing Samson with a steely look that must’ve been honed in the last three decades, she said, “Did you strike my friend?” Without letting him reply, she lapsed into rapid Spanish. He caught the words for asshole and dog shit, and he was thankful she at least modulated her tone.
“But—”
“Don’t ‘but’ me, tu diablo,” she said with a fierce light in her eyes as she unleashed the Latina she-cat. Her proud display of backbone very inconveniently tightened his dick as she threw caution to the wind while he battled the urge to put her over his knee for cutting him off while he was attempting to explain.
Bunny bit her lip, her eyes filled with apologies, but she wisely stayed silent while they dealt with Cassie’s question.
With his usual calm control, Joseph said, “It’s much more complicated than that, Cassandra. If you’d like to visit the club, I would be happy to explain the intricacies—”
Cassie turned the death glare on Joseph and held up a hand, halting him in mid-sentence, something he rarely saw happen to Joseph. “With all due respect, Sir, zip it.”
Joseph sighed, glanced at Bunny, who looked ready to cry, and nodded as he held up placating hands. “I apologize.”
Cassie glanced at Joseph, as if making sure he knew she meant no offense but then straightened her spine as she turned that fierce gaze on Samson again. “Did you strike Bunny?”
Bunny put a hand on her shoulder, but Cassie held up the other hand, halting her from speaking.
This was not how he wanted to introduce her to his sadistic tendencies. But even though it meant she might walk away, he owed her complete honesty and openness. “Yes, I gave her one hard swat across the derriere with a leather strap, with Joseph’s approval.”
She gulped and then firmed her jaw. “Did you enjoy it?”
He closed his eyes for a second, knowing this was it. They’d never even had a chance, thanks to him. “Yes.”
She picked up her purse from the table and slung it on her shoulder. “Right. Thank you for being honest. I need to go home.”
Grace touched her shoulder and said, “Cassie, don’t do this. Don’t make this mistake. You don’t understand.”
Cassie held up that staying hand again, without looking at her friend. “I need time to process this. You’ll ride back to Morehead with your brother?” she asked of Ivan, who sat in stoic silence and then nodded.
“Cassie, please,” Bunny pleaded softly, after checking with Joseph. “Please let me tell you the rest. It’s not what you think.”
Cassie shook her head as she rifled in her purse for her keys. “What I’m thinking right now is that I’ve been dominated by men all my life. I’ve been talked down to, ordered around like a servant, told what to do and what not to do, lied to, cheated on, and I might’ve been spanked as a small child, but at least none of them ever wanted to beat on me. I’m not ready to cater to a man who wants that, much less to inflict pain for his own pleasure.”
Samson caught Ivan’s eyes and said, “Go with her. She shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Cassie shook her finger. “No. ‘Alone’ is exactly what I need right now, and I don’t need you handling this situation.”
Samson reached for her hand, but she backed out of his reach. “But you’re upset. I’m thinking of your safety
, not bossing you around, Cassandra.”
“The two of you are a package deal. That wouldn’t be fair.” Her chin wobbled, and hurt filled her eyes before she slipped through the crowd and hurried toward the door. Even mad at him, she was still soft hearted.
Grace hurried off after her, while Samson reeled, attempting to process the last couple of minutes. When she returned, she said, “Mike said he would make sure she got into her car and on her way safely.”
Samson turned to Bunny and counted to ten as she quailed before him and Joseph, not looking afraid so much as worried on his behalf. Bunny took Samson’s hand in her smaller ones and said, “Sir, I’m very sorry. I didn’t bring up what happened between us my first night at the club. I was explaining about Master Joseph’s clicker,” she said, glancing her husband’s way, including the title in there like she was hoping there wasn’t a punishment spanking in this for her. “And she must’ve extrapolated on what I said and drew her own conclusions. She point-blank asked me if you had ever spanked me. And…”
Joseph stroked her shoulder. “And you can’t tell a lie to save your soul.”
“I’m sorry. So sorry. I can go see her tomorrow or call her. She’ll let me explain once she’s calmed down.”
* * * *
Halfway home, Cassie wanted to turn the car around and go back. The timing for her hissy fit couldn’t have been worse, and she’d seen the regret in Samson’s eyes, along with the reluctant honesty. But the mental image of Samson laying a strap across Bunny’s bum made her cringe, and she kept going.
There were lots of things she wanted in life, but that wasn’t one of them. And it wasn’t even the fact it’d been one of her friends he’d spanked or the fact Bunny had probably been in some state of undress when it happened. Cassie wasn’t completely naïve. She could guess at how things worked. But if that was something he needed to feel fulfilled, she’d be damned if she’d stand by and observe him “servicing” other women and getting off on it.
How Cassie Got Her Grind Back [Divine Creek Ranch 23] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 9
