Six Pack Ranch: Books 1-3

by Vivian Arend

  Jaxi wrinkled her nose. “You sure you want to eat here?”

  She stared at the menu as if there was something disgusting on the page. Blake leaned to see if she had something different than him. “You don’t see anything you like?”

  “Well, I’m kinda distracted by the rather large numbers down the side of the page screaming at me.”

  “Oh no, don’t you even look at that part.” He snagged the menu from her. Damn, it was like taking his parents out. Skinflints, the lot of them. “If you’re going to do that, you’re ruining the whole idea of going out to a fancy place.”

  “But I can cook just about everything on that menu. And for a lot cheaper.”

  “You can, but then we can’t visit and talk, and there’d be dishes to do afterward. This is supposed to be talkin’ time, not complaining-about-the-cost time.”

  “But it doesn’t make any sense—”

  Blake leaned back and crossed his arms. Jaxi’s chin lifted in the air as she cut off in mid-sentence.

  “I want to take you out for a meal, and I don’t want to hear another word about ‘this costs so much’ or ‘I could cook that’. Then pick something you can’t cook—that would work, right?”

  Jaxi nodded slowly. “Do I get to pick for you too?”

  Damn. There went the steak he’d been drooling over. The garlic mushrooms—he could almost smell them as they floated away. “Of course. Why don’t you pick something you can’t make, then for our next date I’ll pick something we can cook up together—we’ll set up a restaurant back at the ranch house. You good with that?”

  Mischief streaked her face. “You sure about this?”

  He hesitated. He’d never looked that close at the menu before, going straight to the steaks and eight-ounce burgers. “What kind of frou-frou stuff you planning on tormenting me with?”

  Jaxi straightened her face and held out a hand for the menu. “Oh, I think I can come up with something we can both enjoy, if you’re willing to be a little flexible.”

  Blake stared at her as she opened the folder and her gaze raced over the page. Every now and then she smiled, or frowned, and he fought to keep from twitching.

  “I don’t think I can listen to this.” Blake stood as the waiter approached. “You order, I’m going to wring out my kidneys.”

  Jaxi licked her lips and waved him away. “I changed my mind. This is going to be fun.”

  Fun. Yeah, like the time they’d been castrating and the snippers slipped and nearly took off more than he’d intended.

  He took his time, then wandered back slowly, wondering if he should nab a menu to peek over and figure out exactly what she was going to torture him with.

  “Psst. Blake.”

  Off in the corner he spotted a set of frantically waving hands. Two of his brothers stuck their heads from a hidden booth. Joel grinned like a maniac. Travis wore a more sarcastic leer.

  “What the heck you two doing?”

  They exchanged sheepish gazes. “Chaperoning.”

  Blake scratched the bridge of his nose with his middle finger and listened with amusement to their whispered squabbling about whose bright idea it had been in the first place. “Seems more like stalking than anything. I doubt we need much watching, but if your wallets want a kick in the teeth—be my guest.”

  Joel groaned. “You bastard. Had to pick the most expensive spot in town…and Jaxi can cook most of this for way cheaper.”

  Bloody hell. “I’ve already heard that argument.” Blake stared at Travis. His bruises, courtesy of Jesse, had faded to purple and green. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Matt had some kind of urgent date pop up and cancelled at the last minute. I had nothing else happening tonight and Joel wanted company. I have no objection to eating steak while I watch you make an ass of yourself.” His anger was still there, simmering underneath the surface. Travis jerked and swore at Joel before deliberately changing his expression. Breathing slower, relaxing his shoulders. He grimaced, then glared across the table. “Sorry, Blake. Momentary lapse. Joel, keep your fucking feet to yourself.”

  “You said you’d behave. Be thankful I’m not wearing shit-kickers.”

  “Ass.”

  “Takes one to know one.”

  Oh, Jesus. Blake couldn’t believe this. It was as if they were all still in their teens at times. “Well, this has been wonderful, but I’m kind of busy right now.”

  “You going to take her dancing later?” Joel leaned forward and stared down the length of the restaurant. Blake followed his gaze to find candlelight reflecting off Jaxi’s face. His heart thumped hard a time or two, just thinking how lucky he was to even have this chance. After all the times he’d pushed her away.

  “Why? You boys want to show us how to two-step? Who’s gonna lead?”

  Travis snickered. “Can’t be Joel. He lets Jesse do all the leading from what I hear.”

  “Oh, that’s a load of bullshit, right there.”

  The squabbling started again and Blake gave up. He had better things to do with his time than referee his brothers. “Have a nice night, boys.”

  He ignored their continued whispered suggestions as he made his way back to his table. Jaxi had changed her seat and was now in the chair across from him. “You didn’t like the view?”

  “Didn’t want to sit next to you. I thought it would be more fun to have a clear shot of your face as the food arrives.”

  Oh sweet mercy. Heaven save him from this disaster of a get to know Jaxi better idea. “That’s a marvelous idea.”

  She reclined in her chair and crossed her legs. One high-heeled shoe dangled from her toes as her foot bounced lightly. He stared in admiration, considering whatever it was that she’d ordered as a minor penalty to pay for the view he was enjoying.

  At least, he thought that until the waiter arrived and placed a single plate between them. The pristine white surface had a tiny mound of twisted tube-like brown lumps in the middle. A thin line of dark sauce had been artistically drizzled over the entire thing in a zigzag pattern.

  Jaxi leaned forward to examine the offering more closely at the same time he did. “What’s that?” he asked.

  “Not telling.”

  Blake grimaced. “Now, that doesn’t seem very fair…”

  Jaxi shook her head. “If you know ahead of time what it is, you might be prejudiced to not like it just on principle.”

  She picked up her fork, speared a small portion and placed it in her mouth. She chewed slowly, staring at the ceiling, not giving any indication if she liked it…whatever it was…or not.

  Damn weird foods. Blake poked himself one and popped the piece in his mouth.

  Fire licked over his tongue and shot from his nostrils. The sauce was a twist on a savoury barbecue, but the actual lump was like chomping on strands of combustible fiber. His throat burned as he swallowed, and once his water glass was empty he reached without thinking to drain Jaxi’s as well.

  She stared, eyes widening. “What’s wrong?”

  Once his throat was no longer an inferno, he lowered the glass with a sigh. “Nothing. Just enjoying our appetizer.”

  Her mouth twitched, and she took another piece, lifting her fork in the air in salute before closing her lips around it. She licked the utensil clean and watched him closely.

  Blake shuddered and valiantly took another try. There was no way he would admit defeat with Jaxi happily chewing not even two feet away from him. What kind of wimp was he anyway?

  This time the chunk wasn’t anywhere near what he’d gotten the first time out. Tender and only a tiny bit spicy, the meat fell apart in his mouth.

  “Hey, that’s not bad.” He prodded the food with his fork, leaning in to take a closer look.

  “Blake!” Jaxi slapped the back of his hand. “Stop poking at it and eat.”

  “But—” She gave him a stern look and that was all the warning he needed. He straightened up right quick, still trying to figure out if there was a way to tell the de
mon chunks from the angelic ones without sacrificing what was left of his tonsils.

  Every bite after that was an exercise in anticipation totally different than he was used to around Jaxi. Her fire burned him all the time. These bastard hunks of meat seemed to have no rhyme or reason.

  “Just so you know, I only ordered one thing for each course. I figured we could share.” Jaxi blinked innocently at him.

  He laughed. “You minx. That’s an interesting way to get around the prices.”

  “I have no idea what you mean.” She sipped her wine, batting her lashes, a sly smile sneaking out. “The appetizer was ginger beef, by the way.”

  The empty plate was removed and a new dish brought. He barely heard her, the new item of potential torture holding him in awe. “Is that…still alive?”

  She covered her mouth with a hand, her eyes shining like diamonds. “Oh dear.”

  “Well, not that I’m saying no to trying whatever it is that you’ve got arranged here, but you got to understand that usually I kill the beast before I toss it in the pot.”

  Jaxi shook with her laughter, tears running down her face. She wiped at her eyes with her napkin, before taking a deep breath and grinning widely. “Thank you for taking me out, even if this kind of fancy-schmancy thing isn’t what I’d want to do all the time. It’s been a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”

  Blake tried to ignore the simmering pot that sat in the middle of their table, concentrating on her face instead. Nope. Didn’t work. The steam rising between them created a haze that kept drawing his gaze downward. He lifted his spoon and bravely scooped a bit. “You’re welcome. Gonna be nice this time and tell me what this is?”

  Jaxi hesitated, before nodding agreement. “Stewed monkey brains.”

  “Ahhhh…” He jerked to a stop with the spoon barely touching his lips. Five seconds later and he would have spewed all over the pristine white tablecloth. Her choked laughter started again, and he shook his head, delight filling him.

  Damn woman. Damn fine woman.

  Only two more courses to go. Heaven help him.

  17

  Matt clicked on the light beside the bed. The tiny loft apartment over the back barn hadn’t been used for a long time. He’d gone out earlier in the day to make sure it was clean and ready.

  And to wonder just how fucked he was in the head to have agreed to arranging a ménage.

  The lighting in the room was low, and Matt stared at Helen, wondering if the flush staining her cheeks was fear or anticipation. “You okay?”

  She hesitated. “Yeah. It’s just…strange. Thinking about being with someone other than you.”

  “I know.” The idea of sharing her still sat funny. Matt pulled her close, nuzzling against her neck. “We don’t have to do this, you know. Gabe ain’t gonna say a word if he shows up and we tell him to take a hike.”

  He didn’t want to admit how much he really wanted her to choose that option. To tell him that this was all a mistake and she was madly in love with him and him alone.

  Damn it, he wanted the words and the actions.

  Helen linked her fingers around his neck and pulled him in for a long lingering kiss. He nibbled on her lips, taking the time to lick and caress. Stroking with his tongue, teasing with his fingers across her lower back. Tiny brushes on the bare skin between the bottom of her T-shirt and the top of her low-rider jeans.

  He kissed his way along her jaw, sucking the dangling lobe of her ear into his mouth. “You want to be naked before he gets here?”

  She shook her head. “No. I think…I want to go slow.”

  Matt scooped her up and carried her to the bed. Before Gabe arrived, and after he left, Helen was going to be all his, even if he had to share her for a short while.

  He laid her down, crawled beside her and stared into her eyes. “I’ve wanted to be with you since we were little tykes riding the school bus. You’d hop on at the second-to-last stop, and I’d try to make it look like a real coincidence that there was an empty seat next to me. Didn’t let you know that I’d just kicked Daniel out of the way to make room for you.”

  She laughed and cupped his face in her hands. “Matt Coleman, why does every session of lovemaking seem to include a trip down memory lane?”

  Because she’d been there his whole life. He grinned. “I like travelogs.”

  Matt rolled over top of her and settled between her legs, their hips separated by their clothing, but the heat more than enough to be felt between them. He rocked slowly, the ridge of his cock riding the seam of her jeans, and she opened her thighs and closed her eyes.

  “Yeah. I feel that so good. Oh, Matt, it’s like you know everywhere to touch, everywhere to make me squirm.”

  He did. All her hot-buttons were so familiar to him, what she liked, what she wanted. Except for her request for this ménage—that one had come out of the blue. “You okay me getting you off quick the first time?”

  She smiled, bright blue eyes flashing. “Now what kind of silly question is that? As if I’m going to turn down a patented Coleman orgasm.”

  They laughed together, then paused as he caught her gaze. He wanted her to know how he felt, even if she didn’t want to hear the words. She was going to know in spite of him not saying it.

  He tugged her T-shirt aside, unsnapping the button of her pants and slowly undoing her zipper to allow him to slip his hand under the waistline. He stayed overtop of her undies, cupping her heat as he took her lips again. She flicked the tip of her tongue against his, tiny motions that he matched with increased pressure, his middle finger bearing down on her clit.

  She gasped. “Oh yes, that’s the spot. More.”

  He forced the wet silk between her folds, molding the fabric to her, teasing with a light touch that maintained constant pressure. Helen writhed on the bed, her head twisting slowly from side to side as he kept up the pace. Then he leaned over and covered one breast with his mouth, biting her nipple through the fabric, and she came, shaking under him.

  When she opened her eyes, it was to sigh with satisfaction, one hand cupping his cheek.

  He was leaning forward to kiss her again when the knock sounded.

  Something went icy cold inside, until she flicked a glance toward the door. Her breathing sped up, a flush rose over her neck. The intensity of her arousal answered the unspoken question of whether she really wanted this or not.

  Matt kissed her, hard, intense, before scrambling off the bed and heading for the door. He cracked it open just in time to spot Gabe shift position, straightening up from where he’d reclined against the railing of the landing.

  Gabe rubbed his mouth. “Am I invited in, or no?”

  For one long second Matt stood motionless, tempted beyond belief to tell his cousin to take off.

  Helen pressed against his back, her hands wrapping around his waist. Her lips, warm and gentle, made contact with his neck as she kissed him. She wanted this, and he’d give it to her. This once, and only this once.

  He motioned with his head and pulled the door open. “Party for three, ready to begin.”

  Gabe slipped past, clutching his cowboy hat in his hands. Helen remained tucked against Matt’s side, and he pulled her around to face him.

  “Anything makes you uncomfortable, you want to stop, you tell us. Any time, any time at all, alright?” He stared into Helen’s blue eyes, searching for signs of fear.

  She licked her lips and nodded. “I trust you.” Helen glanced over his shoulder at Gabe. “And you’re…”

  He waggled his brows. “Lucky?”

  Matt laughed at the optimistic tone in his cousin’s voice. “Bloody lucky.”

  “That wasn’t the word I was looking for, but if you like it, okay.” Helen leaned against Matt and threaded her fingers through his hair, tugging until his mouth came down to her level.

  Matt took a deep breath and concentrated on giving his lover the fantasy she’d asked for. He kissed her, and she trembled as he caressed his hands up her waist, o
ver the sides of her breasts. He swallowed her groan of delight, bracing himself as she pressed closer. When he realized she’d shifted position because Gabe had stepped behind her, trapping her between their two male bodies, a streak of desire hit Matt hard enough to make his knees shake.

  Okay, he’d wondered how he would feel, having another guy touch Helen. But right now, he was amazed at the intensity of the excitement sweeping him.

  Matt stepped back, leaving Helen leaning against Gabe’s chest. Her eyes were wide, mouth open in an O. She shivered, her head leaning to the side as Gabe kissed her neck. There were goose bumps on her arms, and small gasps of pleasure escaped her lips, her eyes closing as Matt observed for a moment.

  “I’d love to say hello properly and get a taste of your lips.” Gabe gazed over her shoulder at Matt. He nodded agreement even as Helen answered.

  “If you’re going to ask permission every time before you do anything, this will be a very slow evening.”

  Gabe turned her to face him, winking lightly. “Oh, there’re times to go slow and times to go fast, and I’m pretty sure Matt and me can show you which is which. Don’t you worry, darling.”

  He leaned in and kissed her, a bare brush of his lips over hers. Gabe pulled away and Helen leaned after him, as if trying to make the contact last longer.

  “Ah-ah. You ain’t in charge here. Kiss Matt and show him how much you appreciate him setting this up, and then we’ll see about what’s coming next.”

  Helen twirled away from Gabe, her mocking pout fading as she stepped to Matt’s side and pressed herself against him tight. She cupped his face and smiled sweetly. “I do think you’re pretty damn special, Matt Coleman. Thank you.” She kissed him like she was on fire, tongue and lips taking him by storm. Matt curled an arm around her and let her cling like a burr as they shared a moment—hot and wild. No holds barred. Gabe could have been a million miles away and all that remained was need and heat. When they drew apart, Matt gasped for air.

  Gabe brought Helen back to his side and took her lips again. This time, his kiss was as heated as what she’d just shared with Matt. Gabe caught her hands and pulled them down by her sides, and Matt got inspired. He tugged off his belt and clasped her wrists himself, looping the leather over and over until she was bound, helpless to free her arms.