Tiny little aftershocks washed through her, reminding them all she’d just had an explosive—and, he’d bet, her first—orgasm.
He felt ten feet tall and invincible.
Finally, Holly sighed. When she moved, he loosened his hold of her, so that she had enough space to get comfortable. He liked the look of contentment mixed with embarrassment she wore. When she sighed again and rolled onto her back, he and his best friend adjusted their positions to accommodate her.
Between them, they took care that the late-afternoon sun wasn’t laying claim to her pretty, uncovered skin.
“How do you feel, honey?”
“That was…that was wow.” She met his gaze, and then Duncan’s. When she turned back to him her brow furrowed. Without hesitation she reached out to his chest, and began to move her hand lower.
He grinned, caught it, and brought it to his lips.
“But you didn’t…” Her cheeks turned that even deeper pink color he found so damned attractive on her.
He leaned over her and gave her a very chaste kiss. When he pulled back, Duncan bent over her and kissed her the same way. Then Duncan stroked her cheek, and she turned her head toward him.
“Watching you come apart like that? Knowing it was your first time? Sweetheart, that was the most satisfying moment I’ve had in a long, long while.”
“To know that we were able to give you pleasure, that you trust us enough to do that for you, fills us with pride.” Alan tipped her face up. “It’s enough for today. We want you to be very sure, before we bring you to our bed—or join you in yours.”
Alan knew how excited she’d been, how hot. He realized that he and Duncan were being a little high-handed with her. But if they’d rushed headlong to where their cocks had wanted them to be and she later regretted it? We’d both hate ourselves for that. A single orgasm wasn’t worth their futures.
Alan wondered if she’d try to argue them out of the decision they’d made. He hoped she didn’t because he wanted her so badly that he didn’t know if his better angels would prevail, or not.
Holly exhaled, and then she smiled. “I never understood, before, how women could claim to have been so carried away by the moment that they gave themselves to their lovers without thought or heed of protection.” She looked at him, and then Duncan. “I get it now. So I’ll say thank you for taking care of me—even though there is a brand-new naughty-girl part of me that’s not happy with your decision.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I want you to know that the naughty-boy part of me would love to spend hours looking at your beautiful breasts. But let’s get you dressed, honey. I don’t want Mr. Naughty to rear his selfish head.”
Holly giggled. “I heard some men named their cocks. Mr. Naughty is an interesting choice.”
He and Duncan both laughed. Then they helped her sit up, and put her bra and shirt back on her.
Holly didn’t lie back down. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her bent knees, her feet flat on the blanket. Her gaze seemed to roam the surrounding area.
“Is this the same place where that nasty photographer ambushed Ari and her men?”
Alan felt his face color—being fair haired meant he did blush sometimes. He nodded. “We were hoping you didn’t know about that,” he shrugged. “This really is the nicest—and usually the most private—spot on the ranch, that is also the closest to the house and barn.”
Holly grinned. “Someone said something not long after I came to town. I must admit that rampant curiosity had me doing some online searches.” She met his gaze, and then Duncan’s. “I’m not a gossip, you understand. But…”
“But once your imagination has been engaged, then you want all the knowledge you can get.”
“It’s true. It was my curiosity that started me on reading ménage romance in the first place. I overheard someone talking about them and the tone of wonder she had…well, let’s just say I was intrigued. And don’t get me started on that BDSM craze that had everyone in its grasp awhile back.” She sighed. “It’s my curiosity that is nudging me to ask a question, now, and I’m hoping it won’t get me in trouble.”
“You can ask us anything at all, sweetheart.” Duncan moved on the blanket, positioning himself so that the three of them made a triangle.
Alan nodded. “There is no taboo subject between us, Holly.” He picked up her hand and stroked it. “I know this has just been our first date, but you need to understand that we hope to build something solid with you. Something that will last.” It was the closest he could come to the truth. He couldn’t tell her that he and Duncan were already more than halfway in love with her. Holly was an educated woman—sophisticated, for all that she was sexually untutored. Would she believe in love at first sight? Hell, he couldn’t blame her if her response to a declaration now would be to scoff. He hadn’t believed in love at first sight—until he’d laid eyes on her for the first time last night. He nodded to her. “So ask us whatever you like.”
He figured it was a very personal question by the way she blushed, and then couldn’t meet either his gaze, or Duncan’s.
She stared down at her toes. “I sometimes imagined what it would be like—being with two men at the same time. And I wondered. I read a survey once, and I was astonished at one difference between men and women. If two women found themselves stranded and the only motel room had a large Queen bed, they would have no trouble sharing that bed, whereas men would never share the bed. They’d come up with some way to determine who got the bed and who got the floor—or even the tub in the bathroom.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” Duncan said. “Don’t ask us to explain that, but that is one difference between men and women.”
“So…when the three of us are naked and making love…won’t y’all be worried about…well, being in the same bed and accidental instances of crossed swords?”
Alan met Duncan’s eyes. Duncan grinned, telling him that since he was the more Alpha between them he could answer Holly’s question.
“One of the reasons we’re not concerned about that possibility, is that we have experienced a couple of ménages in the past. The first time was with a woman out in California, who more or less propositioned us. We were young, randy, and—a trait you may recognize—curious. She wasn’t interested in a relationship, she just wanted to try a threesome. But that time awakened our interest, and so when a second opportunity arose, we took it. This woman wasn’t interested in anything other than the casual occasional night.” He wished Holly would look at him, because he worried that she’d think they were a couple of man sluts. As if she’d sensed his nerves, she looked up, met his gaze, and nodded.
“I didn’t expect y’all to be virgins. And I’m glad, in a way, because you know what you’re doing, and what you’re getting into.” Then her eyes widened, her mouth opened, and she blushed. “Oh, my goodness I can’t believe I just said that.”
Alan laughed, then he picked up her hand and kissed it. “Thank you, honey, for being so understanding. But the main reason we’re not worried about it, is because our focus will be on you. We figure that just as it’s a special and sacred thing when two people make love, it’ll be that way when the two of us make love with you. And that is what we’ll be doing—making love to you.”
“You’ll be our center, Holly.” Duncan picked up her other hand. “All we’ll be thinking about is pleasing you.”
Holly looked down at her feet for a moment, then she raised her head and looked from him to Duncan. Worry sat on her brow. “That’s what I’m worried the most about—pleasing you. I’m worried I might not be able to please you both.”
* * * *
Maybe she was being reckless, letting them see exactly how vulnerable she felt. Sure, she’d read a lot of romance novels, but that didn’t mean she understood how real-life relationships worked.
But in her reading, she’d seen enough silly mistakes—miscommunications, misread attitudes—that she was determined not to let anything stupid get in the way
of her developing something special with these two men. She figured that those were devices used by the authors to craft their stories, and create tension and suspense, and nothing more than that.
Holly wasn’t necessarily thinking ahead to the proverbial happy ending, either. She just wanted to explore whatever this was without shooting herself in the foot.
“Sweetheart…you already please us.” Duncan’s smile nearly made her heart turn over. “You melt in our arms, you kiss like an angel, and you taste delicious.”
“Your response to our touch nearly set us both off.” Alan leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. “Duncan’s right. You already please us.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “We want you more than we can tell you.” He gave her another completely unsatisfying kiss, and then practically sprang to his feet. “Come on, woman. Let’s head back.”
It didn’t take them long to pack up the blanket and mount the horses. This time it was Duncan who helped her into the saddle. The ride back to the ranch was far too short. Holly thoroughly enjoyed being on horseback again. It was a part of her life she’d neglected the last few years back home. She’d convinced herself that she was too busy—too busy working, and too busy spending time with her niece, Jacqui. Thinking about the last few years now, she wondered why she’d made excuses to avoid doing something she loved.
“That’s quite a frown, Holly. Is there anything wrong?”
She looked over at Duncan. “No, just giving myself a little talking to. I love riding, but I haven’t made the time for it over the last couple of years the way I should have.”
“We can make this a regular activity, if you like,” Alan said. “Maybe near the end of the day on Saturday—or whatever day is best for you.”
“I’d like that, but I hate inconveniencing Carrie by taking her horse all the time.”
“Now that we know you’re beyond a beginning rider, we can let you use one of our horses—we each own two, and brought them with us when we moved here.”
“Thank you. I’d like that a lot.”
When they returned to the barn, Alan and Duncan introduced her to their foreman, Ricoh Stone.
The man touched his hat and nodded. “Ma’am. Did you enjoy the ride?”
“Yes, I did.” Holly had the devil’s own time keeping her blush down. She wondered if there was a lifetime limit on the condition. If so, maybe she’d reach hers soon.
When the guys offered to take care of her horse for her, she shook her head. “I rode her. I’ll take care of her. Just show me where the comb, brush, and pick are, please.” It had been several years since she had done this, too, but it was part of the ritual of going for her weekly ride she’d loved. It was quiet time, just the rider and her horse time, where the rider cared for the animal, in what Holly had always considered as a way of saying thank you to the noble beasts.
“You’re going to smell like horse,” Alan said. He teased her but she thought he was quite pleased that she wanted to work beside them.
The last bit of care she gave the horse was to tend to her hooves. She carefully used the pick to ensure there were no pebbles or rocks caught up in the shoe. It had been stressed on her, during those early lessons, that failure to see to this could result in a horse pulling up lame.
Buttercup seemed pleased with the attention, as she bent her head down when Holly stroked her neck.
The men had finished their grooming tasks, and released their horses out to the paddock. Then they pointed out Buttercup’s stall. Holly closed the gate after the mare was inside, and just stood for a moment, happy the horse seemed content.
“The Benedicts won’t be home for a couple of hours. We were just going to grab some sandwiches for supper. Care to join us?”
“I’d like that. Thanks.”
She used a downstairs bathroom to wash her hands and tidy her appearance. She wondered if the color on her face was a permanent blush, of if she’d gotten a bit more sun than she’d thought.
In the kitchen, all three men were at work hauling out meat and cheese, bread and mustard, and pickled peppers.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Yes.” Duncan came over, picked her up, and set her on one of the high stools by the butcher block. He set a glass of sweet tea in front of her. “You can sip this, and act as if you are in awe of our culinary skills.”
Ricoh made a choking sound and shook his head. Holly chuckled, and blushed when the ranch foreman winked at her.
In fairly short order, sandwiches were made. Ricoh took his food, nodded to her, and left the kitchen. Alan set a plate in front of her, and then with Duncan sat so that she was between them.
“I must say I’m disappointed by the lack of oohs and ahhs.”
Holly shot a look at Alan, and noticed the corner of his mouth seemed to be twitching.
“I was so mesmerized, simple sound was…well, simply beyond me. However, you must give me your recipe. Perhaps I’ll enter it into a competition somewhere.”
Alan grinned. He looked over at Duncan. “You have to love a woman with a quick wit.”
“Absolutely.”
Holly shook her head. “I usually only show that side of me to my niece, Jacqui. You bring out the imp in me.”
“I like that imp,” Alan said. “Jacqui—your brother’s daughter who lives with him at your parents’ house?”
Holly nodded. “It’s a pretty big house. James, of course, had his own house when he and Monica—his second wife and Jacqui’s mother—were married. But she pretty much scalped him in the divorce. And then, five years later, she dropped Jacqui on him.” Holly picked up the second half of her sandwich. “I liked Monica until then. What kind of a mother decides she doesn’t want to be a mother anymore? Anyway, James figured it was better for Jacqui if they stayed at Mom and Dad’s. He thought that she’d benefit from having three women in residence.”
Alan tilted his head to the side. “I bet you became her surrogate mom, didn’t you?”
“Mom, and my sister, Becky Lynn, were there of course, so it wasn’t all on me. But, I don’t know, Jacqui and Becky are close in age, so there was more of a sibling rivalry mentality going on between them then an aunt-niece relationship. Jacqui and I just sort of gravitated to each other.”
“How’s she doing, now that you’ve moved away?” Duncan asked.
“I was worried about that at first. But she’s twenty-one, and has finished her second year of college. We keep in touch. These last couple of weeks she’s seemed a lot more settled. I think we’re good.” Holly liked that Alan and Duncan seemed to be able to zero in on what was important to her. That told her they paid attention. It occurred to her then that there hadn’t been that many people in her life who’d actually paid attention to her.
That wasn’t something that bothered her particularly. It was just a fact of life. But she was very glad that to these men—who were very soon going to be her first lovers—she very clearly mattered on more than just a physical level.
Chapter 7
“A little birdie told me you have a couple of boyfriends.”
Holly looked up and took in Nancy Jessop’s laughing face. They were sitting at one of the large work tables in the library, and before them were the schematics for Nancy’s soon-to-be-opened bookstore. Holly had volunteered to help her friend plan and set up her new business.
They’d just come from inspecting the work—and eating at Lusty Appetites. The archway between the two businesses hadn’t been installed yet. Jordan planned to do it on a Sunday night after the restaurant closed, and work on it through Monday, the one day of the week Lusty Appetites wasn’t open for business.
Holly brought her attention back to the conversation. “A little birdie, huh?”
Nancy nodded vigorously. “I heard that last Saturday you had lunch with two very hot and handsome wranglers, and that after lunch, you all went for a ride.” Nancy raised her eyebrows twice in quick succession. The gesture seemed so comic coming from her, Holly
laughed.
She also had to put her palms against her heated cheeks. “We went for a horseback ride, woman.”
“Ah…so nothing exciting happened? It was just a walk-in-the-park kind of date?”
“Um…well.” Holly exhaled. She’d never had a really close girlfriend—the kind that she heard other girls had. She’d never experienced a sleepover party with girls dishing on boys, doing each other’s hair, giving each other manis and pedis. This was all new territory for her. But since she’d met Nancy a few weeks before, she’d known that she, Holly Rose Bethune, finally had that kind of a friend.
“You don’t have to tell me anything if it makes you uncomfortable.” Nancy put her hand over top of Holly’s. “You’re entitled to your privacy.”
“No…it’s not that. Or maybe it is.” She looked around the library, just to ensure they were still alone. Of course we’re alone. The library had closed an hour before. They’d gone to inspect the work on the bookstore, grabbed a quick supper, and then came back here. Nancy asked for her help figuring out what books should go where, and Holly had of course agreed. The library was the perfect place to work—large table, technical resources, and quiet.
Nancy had confessed to having used this very building as her own personal go-to space when she’d been younger. Holly had done the same thing back home at her own local library. Becoming a librarian had been as natural a step for her as she could imagine.
“Well then, if it doesn’t make you too uncomfortable, dish away.”
“I don’t know where to start. They came in here Saturday to get library cards…”
“When it was the librarian they really wanted?”
Holly reveled in the sense of wonder. “Yes, and that really surprised me.” It had been three days since she’d had lunch and then gone riding with Alan and Duncan. Three long days, and three long nights, when the emotions and sensations she’d experienced Saturday afternoon had returned to her over and over, teasing her, arousing her, and making her wish that time would move faster.
Love Under Two Wranglers [The Lusty, Texas Collection] (Siren Ménage Everlasting) Page 6
