Mastering Elodie [Grizzly Pines] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Paige Warren

He collapsed onto the sofa and kicked his bare feet up on the coffee table, glancing at Beck, who lay sprawled in the recliner.

  “Beau already gone?” he asked.

  Beck nodded. “He came down, gulped half a cup of coffee and took off. He’ll be back around lunchtime. I thought you were spending time with Elodie?”

  “I was. I am. I just thought she might like a little time to soak in the peace and quiet. With three men under the roof and under her feet, I doubt she’s had much of that since coming here. Besides, I wanted to do a little research real quick.”

  “Research?”

  “She said she didn’t have a computer.”

  Beck shook his head. “She’s never had one. Can you believe it? I told her to use the one in the office as much as she wanted.”

  “She needs a laptop, Beck. Something she can take to bed with her. Did you know she likes to read? Have you thought of getting her one of those e-readers?”

  “The two of you must have had a good conversation.”

  “I think we did.”

  Beck shrugged. “Truthfully, other than the toys I ordered the other day, I haven’t thought about buying anything. Not right now, anyway. I don’t have a problem getting her those things if she needs them or wants them. I guess I just didn’t think about it.”

  Cody snorted. “No, you were thinking with your dick.”

  “Oh, please. Like you weren’t doing the same thing.”

  “She’s different, Beck. I refuse to treat her the way I would any other woman. I don’t want to let her go.”

  “What makes you think we’re letting her go?” Beck frowned. “Has she said something?”

  “No, but there’s this uncertainty about her, like she expects the rug to be pulled out from under her at any time. Have you told her you want her here?”

  “She’s here, isn’t she?”

  “I meant as more than a houseguest. Have you told her you want her in your lives? Women need to hear that shit, you know?” Cody shook his head, not sure what to do with his eldest brother. Beck could be really sweet to the fairer sex, but sometimes he was just damn clueless, and Beau was even worse!

  “She knows how we feel about her.” Beck’s brow furrowed. “Doesn’t she?”

  “Have you told her? Did you tell her this was a long-term thing and not just a fling? She might think this is temporary, that you’re just having fun with her, especially if most of your relationship has been about sex so far.”

  “I wanted her the moment I saw her. We’d planned to go back to the diner as often as possible just to sit in her area and have an excuse to talk to her. I had thought it would take a week or so before she’d agree to a date, much less anything more serious, but then she was shot and everything changed.”

  Cody smiled. “So tell her that. Hell, go tell her now, while I look up some nice presents for our sweetheart. You took care of the sexy stuff, let me take care of the more practical things.”

  Beck nodded and stood. “I won’t be long. I know you want more time with her, and I can’t blame you.”

  “I’m hoping I’ll have a lifetime.”

  Beck smiled and headed out of the room. Cody could hear his footfalls on the stairs as his brother made his way up to their little darling. From what he’d gathered, she had body image issues, but she really didn’t need to. Her curves were luscious and he liked that she was more than a handful. He’d be worried the three of them would break a tiny woman. As it was, Elodie was still small in his estimation, but then he was over six feet tall and weighed over two-forty.

  With a few clicks, he placed an order for the top of the line Kindle and began browsing laptops. It didn’t sound like she would use it for a lot, mostly helping him with his book and maybe browsing online. He’d have to hook her up with a Facebook profile, he thought with a grin. He’d love to hook his profile to hers and let the world know he was taken.

  Another fifteen minutes and he had a laptop ordered, along with a carrying case to go with it. He would have bought her a gift card, but he doubted she had an e-mail set up if she’d been without technology for so long. That could wait until later.

  He headed to the kitchen and grabbed a second cup of coffee while he waited for Beck to return. He didn’t want to go charging in there and break up what could be a tender moment between Elodie and his brother. If their roles were reversed, he’d certainly want the time to be with her. He’d never met a more amazing woman in his life. She’d lost everything, had been shot, and yet here she was, still standing and tackling life. Hell, she’d taken on three men when she’d had no sexual experience before the other day. He didn’t know many women who would be that adventurous. Just the memory of being with her turned him on. She’d been so soft and warm, so wet and ready. She felt like hot silk as she clenched his cock with her pussy. He’d thought he would explode the moment he entered her, but he’d managed to last long enough to please her, which had been his only goal.

  His jeans became a little snug as he thought about his incredible time with Elodie, even if it hadn’t lasted very long. It had been their first time together, and would forever remain special to him. He knew there would be other times he would cherish, like his first time with her by himself, but they would all pale in comparison to that first taste he’d had of her. Even now, he could hear her sweet moans and whimpers as she’d come apart in their arms, her back arching, her body straining for release. He’d felt her tense before she came, had known it was coming, but it hadn’t prepared him for the sheer beauty of it.

  Beck strolled back into the room, a funny grin on his face.

  Cody arched a brow. “I take it the talk went well?”

  “I told her that she meant a lot to me, that I wanted her in my life, not just today but every day, and she smiled and said she felt the same about me. Now we just have to get Beau to talk to her, which might be tricky. You know how he is when it comes to discussing feelings.”

  “I think he’s tried to tell her,” Cody said, “but he didn’t straight up say it. He danced around the subject so all she heard were a few flowery phrases that didn’t mean diddly squat when she didn’t understand the context behind them. You have a chat with Beau, I’ll go help the lovely Elodie out of her bath.”

  “Already done. She was putting on my robe to come downstairs. She said something about you washing her hair.”

  “She was upset about not being able to take a shower or get her shoulder wet earlier, so I offered to wash her hair in the kitchen sink. If it makes her happy, I’ll do it.”

  Beck’s eyes widened a little. “Don’t say that too loud. She’ll have you vacuuming the living room and washing dishes.”

  Cody laughed. “If I thought it would please her, I’d do it. I want to make her life easier, not harder. Knowing Beau and you, you probably asked her to clean your house.”

  He watched as his brother’s face flushed and knew he’d hit the mark.

  “I know you were trying to find something for her to do around here, but instead of making her a glorified maid, why didn’t you ask her for help in the office? I’m sure she could help you file things, or even learn to type your correspondence so she could help answer the ranch e-mails.”

  Beck just shook his head. “Sometimes you’re too damn smart. I’ll talk it over with Beau, but I don’t see why she can’t do that. I know we said there would be two of us in the house at all times, but I get the feeling you want some more alone time with her. I’ll be nearby outside in case you need me, but I’m going to step out for a bit. If you decide to get frisky in the kitchen, close the wood door.”

  Cody laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, but right now I just want to relax her. I thought I’d help her with her hair then maybe give her a back massage.”

  “You’re going to spoil her rotten.”

  “That’s sort of the plan, Beck. We all need to be doing that. Don’t you feel that she deserves it?”

  “Of course I do!”

  “Then stop acting like I’m s
ome sap or something, just because I’m trying to be nice to her and treat her decently.”

  Beck grumbled. “It’s just out of character for you. I’m used to being the nice one of the three of us. This new and improved you is taking some getting used to. But if you make Elodie happy, that’s all that matters. We might give you shit every now and then for it because, let’s face it, she has you whipped already, but deep down we appreciate what you’re doing for her.”

  “Get the hell out of here.” Cody smiled. “Go dig up some weeds in the garden or something. Just leave Elodie in my capable hands for a little while. You just make sure that insane asshole doesn’t get anywhere near the house.”

  “Done.”

  Beck saluted him and ambled out the door, the screen door smacking closed behind him. Cody was about to go in search of Elodie when she appeared in the doorway, looking way too damn cute in Beck’s robe, which was two sizes too big on her. He’d never seen someone look so adorable before.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s take care of that hair of yours. I bet you’ll be happy to get it cleaned.”

  She nodded. “I tried to wash it myself yesterday morning, but I couldn’t manage it without getting my shoulder wet, so I had to abandon the project. It’s starting to get nasty. I usually wash it every day.”

  “Well, consider me your official hair washer until you’re able to do it yourself.”

  She smiled and moved closer, sliding her hand into his. “Thank you for doing this, Cody. No one else thought to. I know they would have if I’d asked, but I don’t want to be any more of a burden than I already am.”

  “Honey, you aren’t a burden. It’s pure pleasure taking care of you, and I don’t just speak for myself when I say that. I know Beau and Beck feel the same way.”

  “I’ll just feel better when I chip in more around here. Making dinner is nice and all, but I can’t exactly mop or vacuum, or put the dishes away if they’re on the higher shelves because it hurts to reach upward.”

  He placed a finger over her lips, shushing her. “You are here because we want you here, Elodie. You aren’t a guest, you aren’t a laborer…you’re part of the family. If you want to help, we’ll let you, but don’t do it because you feel obligated to. We only want you to take on what you want to, or what you’re comfortable doing. Make sense?”

  She bit her lip and he smoothed it with his thumb.

  “It’s not like I’m your wife, Cody. I’m not even sure I’m classified as your girlfriend, I’m just…here.”

  Yet. You aren’t our wife yet, sweetheart. But you will be.

  “I know Beck had a talk with you, about how important you are to him, and I already told you how I feel. Beau is the same as us, Elodie, he’s fallen for you head over heels. He might not say it in so many words, but I promise he feels it.”

  She sighed, whether in acceptance or defeat, he didn’t know.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get your hair clean, then I’m going to give you a massage and you’re going to rest until lunch. Beck checked his e-mail this morning and mumbled something about a package being delivered.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “He was serious about ordering toys?”

  “So it would seem.” Cody grinned. “Personally, I can’t wait to see what’s in the box when it gets here.”

  “Can we open it when it gets here?”

  “Oh no. I’m not touching it without Beck here. He’s like a kid at Christmas right now.”

  She sighed and moved closer to the sink, turning on the water. She held her hand under the stream and adjusted the knobs until she must have gotten it right. Holding out her hand, she beckoned him closer.

  “Ready for that hair washing?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “Tip your head over the edge, honey. Just let me grab a towel from the laundry room and we’ll get started.”

  He ducked into the attached room long enough to pull a fat, fluffy towel off the shelf, then return to his sweet Elodie. Being gentle, he wet her hair, running his fingers through the tresses to make sure they were saturated. The shampoo she’d apparently tried to use before was still on the counter and he grabbed the bottle and squeezed a generous amount into his palm. Cody rubbed his hands together, and then began massaging the soap into her hair.

  Elodie groaned as his fingers worked along her scalp. When she seemed sufficiently relaxed, he tackled the length of her hair, making sure he got all of it. Cody grabbed the spray nozzle and began rinsing her long locks with the warm water, using his free hand to work the soap from her hair. When the water ran clear and there wasn’t a soap bubble left anywhere in the sink or on her, he shut off the water and wrung her hair out.

  “If you’ll slowly back away, I’ll wrap your hair in the towel and squeeze more of the moisture from it.” He used the edge of the towel to dry the stray water droplets from her face and neck.

  Elodie eased back and Cody wrapped the towel around her head. He gently dried her hair, then wrapped the towel around her head like a turban. Guiding her into the living room, he had her sit on the sofa and he disappeared upstairs long enough to retrieve a hairdryer. He’d seen one under the sink in the hall bathroom earlier that morning. Cody paused in her bedroom long enough to snag a brush he assumed was hers and hurried back down to her.

  “I’m going to sit with my back against the arm of the couch and I want you to face away from me, but sit close enough that I can reach you.”

  She adjusted once he sat down and Cody unwrapped her hair. As gently as he could, he worked the tangles from her hair, starting at the bottom and working his way up. When he was finished, he turned the hairdryer on low and used the brush to help dry the long, thick mass. Elodie had truly beautiful hair and he hoped she never cut it. Not only did long hair look good on her, but cutting something so gorgeous would be a crime.

  It took over half an hour for him to finish, and with her head slumped forward the way it was, he wasn’t entirely sure she was still awake. He clicked off the hairdryer and slowly moved off the couch. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was slow and even, a sure sign she’d fallen asleep. Being mindful of her shoulder, he lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs to her bedroom. The bed was still rumpled from the night before and he realized the sheets needed to be washed. Making a quick decision, he carried her to his room and settled her in the bed, pulling the covers up to her shoulders to ward off the chill from the air conditioner.

  Tiptoeing from the room, he closed the door most of the way and headed back downstairs, where he would find something to occupy his time while he waited for Sleeping Beauty to wake up.

  Chapter Nine

  When Beck entered the barn, Beau was stuffing his cell phone back into his pocket. Considering the hour, Beck figured it must be family. Only they would interrupt morning chores. He was actually surprised someone hadn’t called sooner. He knew Beau had talked to their parents about Elodie when she’d first come to stay with them, and their mom was notorious for spreading gossip through the family like wildfire. It wouldn’t surprise him to learn that all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and even close family friends knew what was going on. Of course, they hadn’t told them the latest, that someone had been in their house, threatening their woman.

  “That was Asher,” Beau said, confirming Beck’s suspicions.

  “What’s up with the cousins these days?”

  “They want to come help. Actually, Asher said his brothers wanted to follow in our footsteps and buy their own ranch. Something about it being time to get out from under the old man’s shadow.”

  Beck laughed. “Uncle Will giving them grief?”

  “Probably.” Beau smiled. “I told them about the place up the road that’s for sale. The one we looked at when we were shopping around.”

  “The Morning Glory?”

  Beau laughed. “Yeah. They’d obviously change the name, but it was a nice little spread. Not quite as large as ours, but they said they weren’t looking for anything big.”<
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  “Are they coming down this way?”

  “Asher said they’d hit the road day after tomorrow, maybe sooner if they could swing it. I told him about the hotel in town. If you can consider the Sleep Days Motel a hotel. More like a roach motel if you ask me.”

  “It wasn’t that bad. Just old.”

  Beau tipped his head from one side to the other, cracking his neck. “If we don’t have this issue with Elodie resolved by the time they get here, they’ll help watch over her during the day so we can all work. We’re going to fall behind if just one of us is out in the barn and trying to work the herds, too.”

  “I’ll give you a break this afternoon and take my turn out here.”

  Beau lifted a brow. “So Cody gets to spend all day with Elodie?”

  “Seems only fair. He hasn’t had as much time with her as we have.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. So what are you doing out here? Aren’t you on Elodie duty?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about something. Besides, Cody was going to give her a massage and put her to bed.”

  “With him in it?” Beau grinned.

  “Maybe. Can’t say I’d blame him if he crawled in there with her. I think he’s trying to pamper her though. He bought her a new laptop, an e-reader, and God knows what else this morning while she was soaking in the tub. Knowing him, he expedited it so that everything will arrive tomorrow or day after.”

  “He’s going to spoil her.”

  “I think that’s the idea. Anyway, we were talking and he made me realize something this morning. He confessed to Elodie how he feels, even if he has only known her for a day. It’s obvious she’s different from anyone else he’s ever met and he’s serious about being with her, and only her, and he kind of called me out. I just assumed that Elodie knew how I felt, what with the time we’ve spent together and all, but it turns out she didn’t.”

  Beau’s brow furrowed. “What are you saying?”

  “Elodie didn’t understand that we’re in this for the long haul. She’s been taking things one day at a time, afraid to feel anything for us because she thought we were going to kick her out the door sooner or later. She just figured we were having a good time with her.”