Surrender to Chance [King's Bluff, Wyoming 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Fiona Archer

  Was it ridiculous that he felt somewhat pleased she’d passed muster?

  Phillip looked to Alex. “Car’s ready, Alex.”

  Yep, first name. Private company. Official stamp of approval.

  “Kane’s upstairs getting his stuff together.”

  “I’ll take Olivia’s bags.” Phillip gathered her luggage and moved out.

  Bonnie excused herself with a final wave and a promise to e-mail Olivia some recipe.

  Alex faced Red. “You’ve made friends there.”

  “I’m happy to say so. Bonnie’s delightful. She and Phillip make a great couple.”

  “True. On both counts.” Alex stepped close, his body inches from hers. He lifted a hand, and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. He could stroke her skin all day. “Thank you, Olivia, for agreeing to spend the weekend here with us.”

  “I… I don’t know what to say here.” She licked her lips.

  “Good, just listen. Kane will see you home and you can discuss anything with him about how you’re feeling. Remember our talk about sub drop?”

  “I do.”

  He hated the fact he was stuck here in Seattle, but his meetings couldn’t be postponed. Kane would be on-site next week in King’s Bluff, so she’d have one of her Masters taking care of her. “I’ll call during the week.”

  “If you’re busy, Kane will be at the lodge, and I’ve got friends who I can talk to if needed.”

  Alex went still. “Is that what you’d prefer?”

  Had he read her wrong? His gut tightened.

  “No.” She rushed out. “I mean, I’d love to hear from you. I just wasn’t sure if you’d want to contact me. You’ve made it clear that this was a weekend deal. Kane made some mention of seeing how things were at the end of it, but you didn’t.” She dropped her gaze to his chest. “And I don’t want to make things uncomfortable or complicated.”

  Because he’d made her feel uncomfortable. Christ, what a mess.

  “Red, look at me.”

  Slowly, and with obvious reluctance, she lifted her head.

  “I’m a hard, unyielding bastard who doesn’t do relationships.” Her face closed, went blank. “Or didn’t until you came along.” Her mouth opened, eyes lost that shuttered look. “Both Kane and Nathan made it clear to me that I’d be a fool not to get to know you better.”

  “Oh,” she said in a breathy voice that went straight to his cock, making him hard.

  “I’m many things, Red. Stubborn, arrogant, and other easy-to-get-along with traits, but I’m not a fool. Timing is against us. I’d rather be flying back to King’s Bluff with you sitting on my lap, but I’m stuck in meetings in Seattle all week.” He gripped her nape, watching her eyes dilate as he firmed his hold. “Let’s be clear. I’ll be calling, Red. Considering I’m used to getting my own way, am relationship phobic, and you’re still working up to accepting the fact you want to be mastered in and occasionally out of the bedroom, you can bet your cute ass that things are going to get complicated.”

  “Alrighty,” she said with forced lightness just before she swallowed.

  Seriously, she was fucking cute.

  He claimed her mouth, allowing himself the time to push his tongue deep inside and taste her. Wrapping his arms around her, he grew harder as her small hands glided over his back, pressing into the material of his shirt, her touch at first tentative then bolder, harder, as she rubbed over his shoulder blades, then back down his lats.

  He ignored the sounds of Kane’s tread on the stairs and cupped her bottom, his hands running over the weave of her Capris. After a quick squeeze, he lifted his head. “You’re not wearing panties.”

  “Sometimes I can follow orders,” Olivia teased.

  Brat.

  Kane dumped his large overnight bag on the ground at his feet. There was no need for them to take clothing or grooming supplies. Their house was fully stocked with whatever they needed.

  After taking the time to fully inspect their sub, a gleam entered his brother’s eye.

  Alex immediately went on alert.

  “Did big brother tell you about my extra wingman duties?”

  Alex gritted his teeth. There was a Sig Sauer locked in a draw in the formal living room. It would take, what, ten seconds to get there and open it? He could shoot from there. Plenty of time.

  Olivia looked between them. “Um, no?”

  Another glance back to the formal living room. Eight seconds if he went flat out. Maybe seven.

  “Don’t worry, sweetness, I’ll share on the plane.” Kane laughed, ignoring his death stare.

  “You are a gigantic pain in my ass.” Alex shook his head.

  Kane just smiled as he clapped his brother on the back. “Love you, bro.” He picked up his bag, then glanced down at Olivia. “I’ll meet you at the car.”

  Alex watched Kane exit then wasted no time hauling Olivia close to his body. The softness of her breasts pressed against his chest. He ran his hands over her bottom, hips, up her back. She was all woman and he couldn’t get enough of her.

  He said a silent prayer of gratitude for the tenacity of his brother and godfather. No other men would have called him out with such success. At least not without some blood being spilled.

  Olivia gazed up at him.

  “I’ll call you tonight.” Alex’s voice went low by its own volition.

  “I’ll be expecting that call.” She met his look, held it. Then her mouth widened and that confidence he found so attractive when she allowed it to shine lit up her eyes and powered her return stare.

  This time, their kiss was slow, long, and held the promise of more.

  Alex swore against her lips before gently, and with a great deal of reluctance, took a step back. “I’ll see you Saturday morning, Red.”

  “The Community Day. Wear your best cowboy boots.” She winked, and then let him guide her out to the SUV.

  He watched until the car turned onto the road. As he made his way inside, he checked himself. It was now noon, and yet he felt like he’d just risen to a brand new day.

  Was that the power of happiness?

  For a moment, he felt the pinch of uncertainty. He’d been here before. Had fallen. Landed hard. Then he remembered Olivia’s face, that smile, and her eyes that didn’t seem to have the capacity to hide what was behind them.

  He hoped to God he was right. Because this time if he fell, he might not recover from the rough landing.

  * * * *

  Olivia snuggled as close to Kane as possible on the Gulfstream’s leather two-seat sofa, but the seatbelt across her lap held her in check. She huffed to herself. Stupid turbulence. So much for her fantasies of joining the mile-high club.

  Less than fifteen minutes into their two-hour flight, Kane had received word of bad weather ahead. But hey, with less than thirty minutes to go, she was in a luxurious private jet, sitting next to a gorgeous man and sipping champagne. Life was tough.

  “Tell me more about your mom.” Kane gathered up her free hand in his, running his thumb over her knuckles.

  He did that a fair bit. Kane loved touching her, stroking her arm, holding her hand. And the feel of his big hand swallowing up hers?

  Magic.

  “My mom?” She turned her head to face him.

  “I’m going to meet her when I take you home this afternoon, and I’d like to be armed with something beyond the bare facts.”

  Fair enough. “Well, let’s see.” She rolled her lips together. Might as well start at the beginning. “She came from a small town in Colorado. Both parents died when she was sixteen, so she moved in with a distant cousin, finished school, worked hard after that.” She shrugged. “From what I can tell, it wasn’t a happy place for her. There was no chance of college, even though she was smart. The cousin was more interested in charging her rent than providing any kind of family life.”

  “That’s a tough break for someone left alone. What happened to her family home?”

  “Her parents had rented, lived from we
ek to week. Let’s just say my mom’s upbringing was vastly different to mine.” And one of the reasons Olivia didn’t pry. When she asked about her mom’s family, a shadow would cross her face, and Olivia could practically taste the sorrow. “She worked as a waitress in a couple of diners. She was working in a truck stop when she met my dad.”

  She smiled, the love for her father warming her from the inside out. “And that’s when Mom’s life turned around. She called him her prince. Still thinks of him that way.” Her throat tightened as it always did when thinking of how her father’s heart attack had stolen so many years from her parents.

  “Anyway, Mom worked for the local doctor as his receptionist. When he retired and Jackson Gordon took over, she stayed, supported him when he, Adam King, and Flynn Taylor built the new medical center.” Taking a sip of champagne, she allowed the bubbles to refresh her mouth as she reflected. “I think that job and the challenges of the new clinic were her saving grace after Dad’s death.”

  “Your dad was your hero.”

  She blinked hard but didn’t look away, even when his image went all blurry. “Yes, he was,” she managed to get out around the tightness in her throat. “And Mom’s my heroine.”

  “You’re lucky, Olivia.” He stretched his long legs out in front of him, showing once again why he was the perfect model for a pair of jeans. “Not taking away anything from your loss, but you had time with your dad, got to know him. Your mom sounds like a survivor, someone I’d respect. I wish I’d had that chance with my folks.”

  So did she, wished that so much for both he and Alex. “What do you remember about him?”

  “He was tall, strong. When he lifted me up onto his shoulders, I thought I was on top of the world.” Kane’s face turned reflective. “His voice was deep, his laugh full, and he taught me how to catch a football.” He sighed and with it an air of regret filled the cabin. “I don’t remember much more. I was six when he died. One of my last memories of him was the two of us reading Where the Wild Things Are. I’d had problems with my reading, so Dad and I read it together every night in the week before his death.”

  “It sounds like your dad was your hero, too.”

  Kane gazed across the cabin to the windows opposite. “He was. Then Alex took over that role.”

  That wasn’t hard to imagine. “He’s your classic big brother, huh?”

  He turned. She went still, riveted by the fierce pride in his gaze. “You have no idea.”

  “I’d like to know one day,” she said, her voice soft.

  He lifted a hand and brushed the back of his finger over her cheek. “Soon, sweetness.”

  Their moment was shattered by the male attendant. The young man, dressed in smart black pants and a crisp white and black striped shirt with a gray tie branded with the MacKenzie logo, spoke directly to Kane.

  “Sir, the captain’s received a message for you from Seattle. He’s asking for you to go to the cockpit.”

  Kane frowned but nodded to the attendant, who after checking to see if she needed her glass of champagne topped up—she didn’t, one glass was enough at high altitude—disappeared behind one of the screens.

  “Won’t be long.” Kane unsnapped his belt, then leaned across to give her a quick kiss, his afternoon stubble tickling as his face brushed hers.

  After he left, she studied the cabin, taking in its sleek undertones that still held accents of warmth. The leather seating in light-caramel teamed perfectly with the deep-red, brown, and smoky-gray pillows and afghan throws. Polished wood tables, screens, and benches built into the cabin added to the overall luxury. Stroking the buttery soft leather sofa, she liked how the two long seats were fitted against either side of the cabin’s walls. The coffee table in between allowed people to socialize easier.

  Traveling in coach next time was going to be the pits.

  With a wry chuckle, she stretched out her legs and wiggled her toes, smiling to herself as she studied the deep-red scarlet nail polish she’d chosen during her pedi at Beauty To Dye For last week. Wow, it had held up well. No chips or discernable wear. Lark was good at her job and had a calming personality. Maybe she could get her mom a mani and pedi? Or a facial? They could spend the morning there together. She should ask Suzie if—

  The door to the cockpit closed with a loud click. Olivia turned, and gasped.

  Kane’s face was ashen.

  Olivia’s stomached dropped, as he sat beside her. “Kane, what is it.”

  He reached for her hand but looked across the cabin. “There’s been an accident at my old project in Alaska. One of my managers, the guy I left in charge, he died on-site this afternoon. A small explosion of some kind. They think it may have been a large gas cylinder. We don’t know the details yet.”

  “Oh my God.” She rubbed her hands over his shoulders, and then up and down his upper arms. “Honey, I’m so sorry.”

  He nodded, then grabbed her hands, holding them together in front of him. “Olivia, it was my project. My guy.” He looked away for a moment, worked his jaw, then looked back. “I knew his wife and kids. Ate with them in their home. I owe it to him to be there.”

  “Of course, I understand.” She wanted to tear her hands from his and wrap her arms around him, but he was already focusing on what was ahead.

  He sucked in some air. “This is not what either Alex or I wanted. Fuck, he felt bad enough about not coming and now I’m leaving you.”

  “Baby, it’s okay. I’ll be here when you can get back.”

  He released her hands to cup her face. The strength contained in those hands—firm, comforting—pulled at her heart. Even when he needed it most, he wanted her to feel reassured. What did that say about the man? He kissed her forehead. “Friday night. Saturday at the latest, hopefully.”

  “Right now, you have other priorities. Find out what happened. Do what’s right for this man’s family.”

  Kane leaned back, his face etched with the pain of loss. “Quinn and Mike will meet us at the airport. Mike will drive you home. We’ll refuel, then Quinn and I will fly to Anchorage. Quinn will leave no stone unturned to find out what happened.” He glanced at his leather satchel containing his laptop. “I have to get started on things.”

  “Okay, honey.” She’d give him whatever comfort he needed. If that was to give space to let him work, then so be it.

  She didn’t let him go without another kiss, this time on his lips, then she sat back against the seat. Dipping her hand into her bag, she reached for a pad and notepaper. What did a girl do when under stress? She made lists, specifically about what she could do on a local level to get the right message out to staff and the community at King’s Bluff.

  After a few goes, she had a workable draft she could e-mail to Andy in marketing for a second opinion. No doubt the company would have an overall official statement, but she also knew the locals back home would appreciate having the personal addition, too. Considering the seriousness of the event, she’d be guided by corporate headquarters.

  In minutes they’d landed, and she’d been relieved to see Reagan standing beside her husbands, Quinn and Mike, at the small airport terminal. Olivia made a quick restroom stop, giving the guys a chance to converse. By the time she’d returned, Mike had loaded her luggage in his truck out in the parking lot, and Reagan was sitting in the vehicle, her smile full of understanding.

  Her good-bye with Kane was all too brief, but he needed to get to work while the plane refueled.

  After a kiss and bone-crushing hug, she still didn’t want to let go, twisting her fingers in the fabric of his cotton shirt.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised as he began to step back.

  Forcing her hands to let go, she nodded. “When you can, honey. I’ll be waiting.” Her last words weren’t about pressuring him but letting him know he mattered. “Your friend will be in my prayers tonight.”

  “Thank you, baby.” He gave her arms another squeeze, then headed back inside the tiny three-room terminal with Quinn.
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br />   She glanced up at Mike, a tall man with a swimmer’s physique of broad shoulders and trim hips. His eyes, a deep dark brown, showed an understanding she didn’t bother to question, but appreciated. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you home.” The big man’s hand landed on her shoulder as he gently steered her to his truck. Funny, even though she’d known him but minutes, his touch felt reassuring.

  She didn’t remember much of the drive home. Reagan offered conversation but didn’t push the point. Mostly she and Mike allowed her time to her thoughts.

  It had been a huge weekend. They had decided to explore the future together. Yes, she still had control issues, but her heart was now involved, enough to work on that sticking point. One day at a time, right? Besides, there had been no declarations of love from the guys.

  And she was here in King’s Bluff.

  So she’d do the only thing she could. Concentrate on making next Saturday’s Community Day a fabulous success, thereby supporting not only the lodge, but the two men who were fast becoming important people in her life.

  Whatever else was in store for them this week, Saturday was going to be fabulous.

  Chapter Eleven

  The sun’s bright light streamed through the open curtain of Kane’s motel room. It might be five-freaking a.m. on a Thursday, but this was Alaska in summer. He held the phone close to his ear, trying to memorize the husky just-woken-up sound of Olivia’s voice, even as her questions demanded his concentration.

  “Have the police confirmed their preliminary findings? I know it’s only been three days.”

  He had run the gauntlet of so many governmental agencies he could barely remember the last time he ate.

  “Tragic accident. Mitch swerved to avoid hitting an elk that wandered on to the site. The car skidded on some loose gravel, then ploughed into one of the site’s main gas tanks.” Kane swallowed, picturing the charred remains of the car and imagining his friend’s terror. “He never stood a chance.”

  “Oh, Kane.” Olivia’s soft voice held the same level of powerlessness he’d felt as he and Quinn had examined the crash site.