by Liliana Hart
The woman standing over her was quite possibly the most beautiful person she’d ever seen. Her hair was the color of dark mahogany and fell straight as rain to her waist, and her skin was smooth and hinted of the sun. She smiled, showing straight white teeth and a dimple fluttered at the corner of her mouth.
Victoria sat up with a start and groaned as her muscles protested the movement.
“Relax, sugar,” the woman said. “I mean you no harm. I have breakfast ready if you’d care for some. I could hear your stomach growling even in your sleep.”
Victoria felt the blush heat her face, and it was then she looked down and realized she was lying there naked for anyone to see. She hurriedly scrambled for the covers, and the woman helped her adjust them so she was covered adequately. The woman was dressed scandalously in men’s trousers, a white button down shirt and sturdy work boots. And no corset. The thought of being that free was unimaginable.
“I’m sorry for intruding,” Victoria stammered nervously, averting her eyes as she realized she’d been staring at the woman for quite some time. But then she remembered that her family had never cowered before anyone until they’d met Harold, so she straightened her shoulders and looked the woman squarely in the eye. “I needed refuge, and I didn’t think anyone would be home during the night. I’ll gather my things and go.”
“There’s no rush, honey. It’s still early yet, and if you don’t mind me sayin’ so, you could use a couple of days to let your feet heal. I doctored and bandaged them while you were sleeping and pulled the splinters from your hands as best I could. A good long soak in some warm water would probably do you a world of good.”
Victoria almost groaned at the thought of a hot bath. Maybe she could stay a couple of days if there was no sign that the Blackstone Gang was nearby.
“I’m Holly. Holly Behr,” the woman said. “What’s your name?”
“Victoria Goldenrod. Thank you for opening your home to me, but I must warn you, there could be danger in the area.”
Holly’s expression darkened and she nodded her head. “I know. We knew something was wrong when we saw the plume of black smoke rising over the trees. My husband and brother-in-law and I went out to see if we could help, but there was nothing we could do. They’d burned all the bodies and the wagons and were long gone by the time we got there. Is that where you escaped from?”
“Yes,” Victoria nodded, trying not to think about the fact that this woman could be married to the man she’d fantasized about in the painting. “I was just coming back from the creek when I heard the first shots, so I hid in the trees. The Blackstone Gang was responsible for it all. I saw them. And their leader knew I was out there somewhere, so I had no choice but to run. I’m putting your family in danger by staying here.”
Victoria couldn’t hold the tears in any longer. She’d been through more in the last twenty-four hours than she had in her entire life, and a terrible pressure was building inside of her that had to release somehow.
“There, there, honey,” Holly said as she sat on the side of the bed and stroked her hair consolingly. “You don’t have to worry about putting us in danger. We know how to handle ourselves out here, and my brother-in-law is a Federal marshal. He’s been looking for the Blackstone Gang a long time, and he’ll be real eager to hear what you have to say. It isn’t often there are witnesses to their crimes. My husband is a Texas Ranger and they’ve been working with the marshals ever since the Blackstone Gang came back to Texas. You don’t have to worry about not being safe here.”
Victoria didn’t have to read between the lines or the shadowed look that came over Holly’s face to know that if she left their protection, her chances of survival went down drastically. Those who witnessed the Blackstone Gang atrocities never lived long.
“I’ll be glad to talk to your brother-in-law and help put those monsters away if you don’t mind me staying here for a day or two,” Victoria said. The only way she could assure her safety was to make sure the terrible men were locked away.
Holly let a sigh of relief and looked at her with measured respect. “I’m glad to hear it. Not many gently bred ladies would be willing to do such a thing. And I swear to you we’ll keep you safe, for as long as we need to. Now, why don’t we see about getting you something to eat?”
Holly stood and moved to help Victoria out of the bed, but as soon as she put her feet on the floor she knew it wasn’t going to be possible to walk the short distance to the kitchen. Her calf muscles knotted into tight balls and Victoria fell back onto the bed with a cry. She grabbed at her legs as unspeakable pain made her curl into a ball.
“Roll over, honey. The only way to get rid of cramps like that is to rub them out,” Holly said, going to a shelf by the washstand and grabbing a blue jar.
Victoria did as she asked, the pain too great for her to care that she was naked.
“This is my own blend of liniment and it should help ease your pain. Sometimes my husband gets aches after he’s been on a particularly difficult case.”
The scent of lavender filled the room as the bottle was uncorked, and Victoria tried to relax as Holly began rubbing her calves in a circular motion that had her gritting her teeth in pain. But Holly was firm and gentle as she methodically worked up Victoria’s legs. The liniment was slick against her skin, and she felt her body relax bit by bit, until all she was focused on were Holly’s fingers and the sinuous pressure against her skin.
Victoria kept her eyes closed and tried not to squirm on the bed as Holly’s touch made her feel things she had no business feeling with another woman. Moisture pooled between her legs and she was terrified Holly would notice. Her body tensed as Holly worked the muscles on the backs of her thighs, and she closed her legs tight so Holly wouldn’t notice her disgraceful behavior.
“Relax, Victoria,” Holly said soothingly. Her hands moved in slow circles up her thighs to the muscles in her buttocks and then higher still to the small of her back.
Warm oil drizzled across her skin, but Victoria shivered as the sensation sent tingles to the tips of her breasts. Her breathing became heavy and her fingers dug into the soft down of the mattress.
“Can I confess something to you, Victoria?” Holly asked.
“Yes,” she answered, barely recognizing her own voice.
“I have to confess that I knew when I first saw you sleeping in my bed—”
Victoria waited, but Holly didn’t finish her thought. “Knew what?”
“I knew you’d belong with us. Do you think I can’t feel what my touch is doing to your body? That I can’t see your desire on the inside of your thighs?”
Victoria’s eyes snapped open, and she tried to sit up, but Holly stopped the motion by trailing her finger to the inside of Victoria’s thigh. Holly brought her finger back up to her mouth, glistening and coated with Victoria’s lust, and she sucked on it gently, savoring Victoria’s need as if it were honey.
“I can see the shame in your eyes. That you think your reaction to my touch is somehow wrong. But it’s not. Pleasure can be given in many ways. And there’s never anything wrong with seeking pleasure. Your body would be the first to tell you if you were doing something wrong. Don’t listen to your head. Listen to your heart. What’s your body saying, Victoria?”
Victoria pushed up on her arms and rolled to her side, and she watched Holly unbutton her shirt slowly, so the peeks of flesh she gave teased Victoria into wanting to see more. Holly shrugged her shoulders and the shirt dropped away, revealing a pair of plump, high breasts that had Victoria licking her lips in anticipation.
“My body is curious,” she finally answered. “It needs…I don’t know. Something.”
Holly sat on the side of the bed and unlaced her boots, never breaking eye contact with Victoria, and then stood again after she’d taken them off and moved her hands to the buckle of her belt.
“What is your body curious about?” she asked as she unbuckled the belt and her fingers worked at the fastening on her trousers. S
he pushed them to the ground and stepped out of them daintily, letting Victoria take her time as she looked her over. Holly was lovely—her breasts full and her hips curvy. She was luscious in every way.
“It wants to know if your skin is as soft is it looks. What your breasts would feel like rubbing against me and what they’d taste like against my tongue.”
Holly crawled onto the bed so her legs straddled one of Victoria’s thighs and her arms caged around her waist.
“I knew you’d be perfect for us,” she said.
“Perfect for what?” Victoria asked, her eyes trailing from the perfection of Holly’s body to the startling green of her eyes.
“My husband, his brother and I have been looking for someone who is curious—as you are—and someone who is open to possibilities. We’ve been looking for something more for our family. I believe Dillon is going to like you very much.”
Holly lowered her lips so they barely whispered against Victoria’s, and Victoria leaned in, opening her mouth and tasting the sweetness of Holly’s lips. Their tongues tangled and sighs turned into moans of want and desire as their kiss grew carnal. Holly came down on top of Victoria so skin touched skin, and Victoria writhed beneath her as she felt the pressure of Holly’s thigh against her mound.
Victoria’s breath was labored as they finally broke apart and stared at each other with a combination of surprise and desire. Neither of them had expected things to get quite so out of hand.
“I don’t understand. Is Dillon your husband? He won’t care—”
“Dillon is my brother-in-law. My husband and I have a very unusual relationship. It’s why we choose to live so secluded. Most people wouldn’t understand. But we love Dillon very much and only want him to be happy.”
“Wait,” Victoria said before Holly could kiss her again. “You have to tell me—which one is your husband in the painting over the hearth?”
“Cole is the one who looks like Prince Charming. Dillon is the one who looks like a fallen angel.” Holly laughed as Victoria let out a relieved sigh. “I can see by your expression that you’re not disappointed.”
Holly trailed kisses down her neck, and Victoria tensed in anticipation as her lips hovered just over the tip of her breast. Holly wetted her finger and rubbed Victoria’s nipple in a slow, circular motion while she continued talking.
“Dillon is a loner. His job makes it difficult for him to get close to anyone, and all he really has is me and Cole. And a man as potent as Dillon has certain needs that aren’t always easy to meet. His tastes run to the darker side of things, and while I’m happy to give in to his needs once in a while, there are certain things he enjoys that don’t bring me pleasure.”
Victoria was dying to ask what those things were, but she didn’t want Holly to think her rude.
“My heart and my soul belong to Cole, but when Dillon needs my body, Cole and I are both there for him. I can give him release, but Dillon needs someone that can belong completely to him.”
“I don’t understand. Do you mean that you give yourself to both your husband and his brother?” Victoria asked as Holly switched her attention to the other nipple. “Why would you need me if the three of you are happy as you are?”
“I don’t belong to Dillon, but we’re very territorial with each other. If you were to join our family, then it would have to be agreed to by all of us. If you’ll accept both Cole and I into your bed and body, and we all found pleasure together there, then Dillon would know that he has our blessing to accept you into the family. He needs someone who understands him. Someone to claim as his own.”
“What you’re suggesting is so strange,” Victoria said. “I’ve never known or heard of anyone who does things this way. And what about Dillon? What makes you think that just because you and your husband accept me, that he will as well? He might not want me once he sees me or speaks with me. Especially if I’m going to be a witness against the Blackstone Gang.”
There was also Harold to consider. She shuddered to think what he might do if he ever found out she’d promised herself to another man. Or that she’d been involved in something so scandalous. Harold was big on propriety.
“Well, I can tell you he’s already seen every inch of you. He stood in that doorway right there and said point blank, She’s mine. Prepare her for me. And from the lust I saw in his eyes and the size of the bulge behind his zipper, he definitely wants you. I don’t know how the hell he managed to sit his horse after he left the house.”
Victoria couldn’t help but snicker at the thought of this man who might soon be her lover.
“As far as how he’ll feel about you once he meets you, anything is possible,” Holly said. “Dillon’s a strong man. His personality is abrupt and sometimes forceful. You’re a beautiful woman, and it’s obvious you’re used to a pampered life. Maybe a little bit spoiled? A little selfish? I don’t know, any more than you do, if Dillon will be attracted to those characteristics. Just as I don’t know if you’ll be attracted to his personality. He can be a real pain in the ass. But I have a good feeling about the two of you. I’ve always personally believed in the power of lust at first sight, and that it gives a good foundation for a relationship to be built on.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes at Holly’s quick rundown of her character. So what? Maybe she was spoiled and pampered. She was the daughter of a wealthy tradesman who ran ships from the harbor in Boston to every port across the ocean. How else was she supposed to be? And if her father hadn’t made several bad business ventures, she would still be his pampered daughter instead of running for her life and engaged to a conniving rancher from Texas.
“I can see I’ve offended you, and that wasn’t at all my intention,” Holly said, taking her hand and linking their fingers. “Being pampered doesn’t make you without self worth. You’re also courageous and intelligent. And you’re carrying around guilt that you survived the Blackstone Gang’s attack while the others didn’t. You have compassion and know true remorse. And the fact that you’re even willing to try what I’m suggesting means that you’re one of the bravest and most adventurous people I’ve ever met. All I’m asking is for you to give Dillon a chance. To give us all a chance. We’re family. And to us, there is no stronger bond. You can make up your own mind once you meet Dillon in the flesh.”
“His portrait—I was instantly drawn to it. I wanted him even before you told me of your plan. I can’t explain it. I’ve never had a reaction like that to another man. It’s as if we’re already linked somehow.”
“Sometimes these things can’t be explained. Just enjoy the feeling.”
“I’m enjoying it too much. If you don’t stop teasing me I’m going to get violent.”
Holly laughed, and her warm breath tingled against Victoria’s skin just before Holly took a rigid nipple into her mouth.
“Ohmigod,” Victoria moaned, lacing her fingers into Holly’s thick hair as her mouth began suctioning against Victoria’s plump flesh.
“Tell me what you’re feeling when I touch you.”
“Your lips are so soft against my skin. Your mouth so hot. I didn’t know it would feel this way. That it would feel so good. Please—”
“Have you experienced pleasure of this kind before, Victoria? Have you had the pleasure of a man so far deep inside you that he can feel your soul?”
“Not pleasure, no.”
“Ahh, I see,” Holly said, kissing her way down the slope of Victoria’s breasts to the dip of her stomach. “I take it by the look in your eyes that he wasn’t gentle with you.”
“You could say that. It also would have been nice if he hadn’t blackmailed me into compromising myself.”
“Then let me give you some new memories. This time will be just for you.”
Victoria couldn’t get coherent words past her lips as Holly moved between her thighs and parted her womanly folds.
“So beautiful, Victoria. Glistening and pink. Wanting me.”
Victoria moaned as she felt the glide of Holly
’s tongue against her clitoris, and her fingers tightened in Holly’s hair as her tongue moved faster and faster, building an indescribable pressure in her womb. She thrust her hips against Holly’s mouth and screamed in frustration as Holly slowed her tongue to long, teasing licks.
“Please—I need—”
“I know exactly what you need,” Holly said.
Victoria felt the gentle stretch and pressure as Holly inserted a finger inside of her. She moved it in and out, coating it with Victoria’s desire before adding a second finger to her ministrations. Her tongue kept working slowly against Victoria’s clit as her fingers started a slow thrust, in and out of her body.
“Too slow,” Victoria whimpered. “Faster. Harder.”
“As you wish,” Holly purred.
Victoria screamed as Holly thrust her fingers inside of her hard, curving them upwards at the last minute so they hit a spot inside of her that Victoria didn’t even know existed. Her hips came off the bed, but Holly’s mouth stayed clamped to her in an intimate kiss, her tongue flicking across her nub with frantic speed.
Something gathered deep inside Victoria, electric and crackling as Holly did something magical with her fingers and unleashed the storm. The tingle exploded in a bolt of lightning from her womb and traveled down her arms and legs as wave after wave of pleasure wracked her body in spasms.
Holly slid back up Victoria’s body, the rigid peaks of her nipples sending shivers through her as they scraped across Victoria’s skin. Holly took her mouth in a gentle kiss, and they moaned in tandem as their flavors mixed.
“Rest for a few minutes, love,” Holly said. “I’ll draw your bath and get you some breakfast. I have a feeling you and I are going to get to know each other very well today.”
Chapter Four:
Cole Behr
Victoria was exhausted and her body well used and satisfied. She and Holly had spent the day together in sensual bliss. They’d had breakfast and then they’d bathed together, which only led to them ending up back between the soft covers, pleasuring each other into oblivion, and then dozing in each others arms. The bath had helped the soreness in Victoria’s feet and muscles a great deal, and she was finally able to move around without being in constant pain.
