They needed to finish the conversation they had started in the shower. There were things she needed to know and even more he had to tell her. He could admit when he was wrong, and the last few years of his life could have been very different. His heart took a stab, knowing that in the end there would be Collin to contend with. After sharing her with Brady, she belonged with them. Of course, that was the easy answer. The truth of the matter, the fallout from what they had experienced couldn’t be undone, nor could the change in relationships.
A heavy weight settled over his chest as he lifted his finger to his lips, signaling to be quiet then shifted and removed himself from the bed then held out a hand to Felicia. She glanced at his hand then untangled her body from Brady’s embrace and turned. Her lips grazed his sleeping lover’s and the tenderness and affection on her face reached down to Mickey’s soul. Beyond all doubt, Felicia cared for them. She stretched out and took Mickey’s hand. He grabbed her heavy robe and helped her into the thick terry before slipping on his own robe. His fingers wrapped around hers and he quietly led her from the room and down the stairs into the kitchen.
He walked over to the coffee maker and started preparing a fresh pot. Felicia pulled out a chair and sat at the table in silence. He darted a glance to her to see her staring at an invisible spot on the tabletop, lost in thought. A small jolt of fear hit his heart and he hoped she wasn’t having regrets. Mickey inhaled a shallow, ragged breath and walked over to the table and took a seat across from her.
She lifted her gaze and met his. The smile which curled across her lips eased some of his hesitation and doubts. “I hate my life in L.A. I don’t want to go back.” The words left her mouth in a soft but matter of fact tone.
He nodded his understanding, she hadn’t been happy when he’d seen her a month ago and the last couple days with Brady and him, she was returning to her old self. “You being here with us, like this, is incredible.” He cast a grin and lifted his brows. “I admit I was worried you were having regrets.”
She shook her head, indicating she wasn’t. “No, actually, I…um…” A thoughtful expression crossed her pretty features and she debated—as to what, he had no clue.
“Doll, what is it?”
“I want to stay here, I feel close to my grandparents when I’m in this house. I have so many memories of them and of you guys.” She glanced at the coffee maker, then pushed her chair back and walked over to the cupboard.
Mickey shifted in his seat took in her tanned legs beneath the large white robe of Brady’s. No denying she was sexier than hell and obviously struggling with some thought process as she grabbed two mugs and proceeded to fill them.
She turned and passed him one of the coffees, but instead of sitting she remained standing and leaned against the counter. “I don’t regret anything we’ve done. I actually think the three of us are great together.”
Brady’s footsteps echoed from the stairs only seconds before he walked into the kitchen. He’d thrown on a pair of jeans and Mickey bet, that was the only thing he had on considering both his feet and chest were bare. Brady’s gaze raked over Felicia as he stepped toward where she stood. She held out the mug she had poured for herself and passed it to him. He lifted the coffee from her hand then leaned in for a quick kiss.
Mickey’s cock stirred at the sight. He’d already gotten accustomed to seeing them together and doubted he’d ever get tired of watching the two people he loved being intimate.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Brady explained, as he cast Mickey an apologetic grin.
“You weren’t,” he assured the other man. “Doll, go on with what you were saying.”
Felicia sighed and nodded, bounced her look between the two men then turned away and faced the cupboards as Brady pulled out a chair and joined him at the table.
She reached up and pulled out another mug. “As I was saying, I think the three of us are great together and…” her words trailed as she poured a cup of coffee and stepped over to the fridge. She remained quiet as she hauled out the container of creamer, added some of the contents to the mug and returned the carton to the fridge.
Mickey darted a glance at Brady who wore a skeptical expression. “Felicia was explaining how she hates her life in Los Angeles.”
“Christ, doll!” Brady studied her as she grabbed a spoon and stirred her coffee. “Then leave. Pack up your stuff, move back home and figure out what will make you happy.”
Felicia placed the spoon down on the rest and turned to face them. “I already know what I don’t want to do. I don’t want to be an accountant anymore for a big firm, or live in the city, especially one as ostentatious and as busy as Los Angeles. More importantly, I don’t want to be good all the time. The perfect socialite, the perfect fiancée, and I most certainly don’t want to be with Paul.” Defeat filled her last words and a weight settled on Mickey’s chest.
“Baby doll, what do you want?” He already knew the answer—or at least he hoped he did.
Hesitation darkened her pretty face as she blinked at him and Brady. “I want to be here with you both.” Her voice wavered with emotion and he worried she was going to cry. “Once upon a time, when I was younger and even into my twenties, I always thought I belonged with one of you—that I would end up with one of you.”
Grief fluttered in her dark gaze. “It didn’t work out that way. I ended up dating men who were completely wrong for me, men that mom would approve of and somewhere along the way I became miserable.”
Mickey exchanged a look with Brady then shoved back his chair and walked over to where she leaned against the counter. He brushed a dark long ringlet back from her cheek and smiled. “Brady’s right, come back home.”
Long lashes fluttered and when her gaze met his, he noticed the big fat tears waiting to spill over her lashes. “I want to. I want to come here; I want to have a life here with the horses and both of you. Do you know what’s like knowing I can have you both and not have to choose?”
Brady chuckled. “Actually, we do.”
She peered around Mickey and her full lips curved into a smile as she glanced at Brady. “I guess you would.”
Mickey pulled the belt of her robe and drew her in close. Again, her gaze met his. “I could use help on the ranch. If you come home, then Brady can help me and you can hopefully find order in the disaster pit he calls an office.”
“He’s right,” Brady chimed in. “You’d be happy, in our arms, in our bed and a huge help. Plus, you can figure out what you want to do.”
A nervous expression crossed her face and she darted a glance at Brady. “I already know.” She worked her bottom lip between her teeth and hesitated. “I want to write children’s books.”
Okay, didn’t see that one coming.
He studied the woman only inches away from his body. “For real?”
She met his gaze with a sheepish expression. “Yeah, as impractical—and to borrow a word from my mother…flighty—as it sounds.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “I have this little porcupine character in my head, who’s different than other kids and over a series of books, he makes friends and gains confidence and—”
“That sounds adorable.”
Mickey grinned. He couldn’t agree more with Brady. “He’s right.”
Felicia darted her attention between them and the threatening tears dissipated and a smiled again crossed her kissable lips. “You both think so?”
“Definitely.” Mickey tightened his hold on the belt of the robe and pulled her in for a brief kiss—at least that was his intention.
His mouth covered hers and heat ignited his body. He slipped his tongue between her lips and tasted her coffee on her tongue. Her arms laced around his neck and as crazy as it was, the simplest gestured stirred his cock. Mickey begrudgingly ended the kiss, but wrapped his arms around her waist. “Come home.”
She scanned his face, shot a grin to Brady who sat smiling at the table then met Mickey’s gaze. “Silly, cowboy, I already am.”
An
d we’re never letting you go.
The last two days of Brady’s life had been damn near perfect. He was back outdoors and working the ranch with Mickey. Felicia, despite dealing with Clarissa every few hours, re-hashing the same argument, was happy and had already found part of the desk in the office. The place looked a lot better and the accounting software on the computer treated her better than it ever had him.
Not to mention, the nights were nothing but pleasure for them all. He no longer lived the lie. He had both the man and woman he loved in his bed and his life on a daily basis. Brady still had some guilty feelings where Collin was concerned and he knew Clarissa would blow a gasket if she knew what was happening under her parent’s former roof.
He was grateful for the way both Mrs. Morgan and her parents had treated him after the car accident that took both his parents and made him a multi-millionaire. They had treated him like family.
Yet, he couldn’t be beholden forever. He had to live his life.
He and Mickey had not only kept up where Clarissa’s father, Keith, had left off, with a bit of extra money from his inheritance and the instinct to know what horses to breed, he and Mickey had turned more profit in a few years than Keith could have ever dreamed of.
It was a mighty good thing too, considering their love of buying Felicia nice things. Neither he nor Mickey ever complained and there was never any argument over the last three years—what the doll wanted—the doll got. Hell, half the time they’d see something she’d love and had to get it or she’d want to take a trip so they could see Collin and of course, she always needed a vacation. They never wanted her to go without anything—and she didn’t—except for them.
Grief swamped his heart for a fleeting moment, as he remembered her drunken state and the heartache she’d gone through. If they’d only known earlier what they did now. There would be no Paul, no high expectations and the woman they loved would’ve had happiness sooner.
“You okay?” Mickey asked walking into the stables.
He nodded and grinned from where he stood in front of one of their newest additions, a black and white Gypsy Vanner with tobiano markings. “I’m better than okay. Actually life is great.”
Mickey shook his head. “No, there’s something more.”
He inhaled deep and nodded at the other cowboy. “I don’t want this to end and I wish we would’ve had her here with us sooner.
His friend studied him as he stepped toward him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We can’t change the past and all three of us are much happier.” A smile tore across his mouth. “I admit, seeing her happy, laughing smiling, neither of us has seen her like that in a long time.”
Brady agreed. Over the last few years, Felicia’s laughter happened less and less. A month ago at lunch, though she was as beautiful as ever, all joy had been drained from her and sadness filled her doe like eyes. “I’m pretty much done here, I can hardly wait to show Felicia her new present.” He glanced at the horse and Mickey stepped over. She loves Gypsy’s and she’s going to adore her.”
Mickey studied the horse then turned and grinned at Brady. “Do I want to know what she cost?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Do you care?”
Mickey chuckled and darted another glance to the five-year-old mare. “Nope. Lets head up to the house and see if she’s found more of the desk. Then bring her down to see her new baby.”
Brady nodded and they walked out of the stables and turned toward the direction of the house. “Despite her being happy, have you noticed she is looking a bit tired.”
The other man sighed. “Yeah, I’m wondering if we’re wearing her out.”
He grinned and turned to his friend. “I thought that’s what she was doing to us.” His groin stiffened of the memories flashing through his mind of their sex. “I don’t think she’s sleeping well.”
Mickey’s brows furrowed. “I don’t think so either, both mornings she’s been up before us and…” the other man came to a halt and stared at the drive. “What the hell?”
Brady turned and spotted Paul’s black BMW parked next to the Lexus and his heart froze. “Christ! What the hell is that asshole doing here?”
“Let’s go find out.
Chapter Seven
Mickey’s heart pounded against his chest. Never in a million years did he think the dick attorney would ever show up out here. The one time he’d been out to the modern ranch, he’d considered it beneath him. He questioned if leaving Felicia in the house alone had been wise.
Brady beat him up the steps and ran to the door.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass how sorry you are! Get the hell out of this house!” Felicia’s voice all but screamed.
“You have to marry me.”
Temper roiled within Mickey as he stepped into the office. “The lady asked you to leave.”
Paul spun around and glared at him and Brady, who entered the office and stood next to Mickey.
“I’m not leaving here without Felicia and I wouldn’t go calling her a lady in that outfit.” He turned to Felicia and growled. “You look like a farmhand in those cut offs.”
“Fuck you!” The doll swiped the stapler and both he and Brady dodged as the heavy metal went airborne.
“You’ll be sorry for that!” Paul bellowed at her.
“I’m sorry I ever met you.” Felicia reached for the ceramic mug and Mickey intervened. In two quick strides he crossed the floor. His arms went around her and prevented anything else from hitting the asshole attorney. By the rage stewing in her dark depths, he had a good feeling the ceramic would make contact with Paul’s head. “He’s not worth it, doll.”
Brady stepped up to Paul. “Allow me to show you out.”
Paul however stared at Felicia, who made no effort to remove herself from his hold. “Are you fucking him?”
“It doesn’t matter if I am or not. Get out.”
Paul laughed maliciously and shook his head. “I thought these two farmers were a couple; who knew one of them liked women? Jeez, you have a lot of nerve saying anything about me cheating—tell me Felicia, are you fucking one or both?”
“That isn’t any of your business,” Brady told him calmly. However, Mickey’s eyes burned like the fires of hell and Brady guessed it took every ounce of self control not to knock the dick attorney’s teeth out.
Paul glared at Brady. “She’s my fiancée. I have—”
“You have no rights,” Felicia hissed like a snake. “Get the hell out or Brady will boot fuck you through the door.”
“So you are screwing both?” He shook his head. “I don’t care. I still love you, no matter how many women I screw.”
Felicia stiffened and inhaled a deep breath. “I don’t love you.” Her voice carried an eerie calm. “I love Mickey and Brady and I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks.”
Stunned. Mickey was stunned. He knew the doll loved them, but it was the first time she had openly admitted it to someone other than them.
Paul blinked in shock. “I bet your mother will love to hear this one.” Another malicious laugh escaped his begging-to-be-punched mouth.
“She’s going to find out soon enough when I move out of the condo and move back here.”
“You really are a whore.”
Brady grabbed Paul and threw him against the wall. Mickey released Felicia and bolted over as Brady wrapped his hand around the other man’s throat. “You’re the stupid whore,” he roared.
“We’re going to show you to the door and you’re going to get in your car.” Mickey pulled Brady off the idiot who just proved he was never for one second worthy of the doll. “You’re going to leave and stay the hell away from this property and Felicia.”
Paul glared at Mickey. “This isn’t over.”
“Sure it is.” Brady told him and grabbed him again, this time by the arm and pinned it to his back. He walked Paul out of the office and Mickey followed.
Mickey opened the door and Brady threw the son-of-a-bitch o
ver the threshold. “Leave or we call the sheriff.”
Paul stormed off the steps to his car and didn’t look back. He opened the car door and sent them a lethal stare. “Like I said, this is far from over.” He got in his car and in record time tore down the drive.
Brady slammed the door and locked it, then cast Mickey a bleak expression. “We got here just in time.”
Mickey agreed. “We need to call the sheriff and warn him there might be trouble.” He walked back in the office with Brady and glanced to Felicia. “Are you okay?”
“I love you both, so much.”
Mickey smiled and nodded. “We know.”
Brady stepped closer to her and brushed his lips lightly against her full mouth. “You could have any man you want. Why us, doll, how did we ever get that lucky?”
She offered a weak smile, but the gesture didn’t reach her eyes. She lifted a shaky hand and caressed Brady’s cheek. He turned and placed a kiss in her palm before she lowered her arm.
“First it was you then Mickey then you, again. Somewhere along the way I lost track who I loved more.” She sat back down in the wooden office chair. Defeat registered in her pretty features. “Mickey changed his mind about women more than you did. I always thought…”
“We know what you thought.”
Mickey exchanged a questioning expression with Brady then both men glanced back at the disheveled and distraught doll.
Her expression took on a distant and fatigued expression. “I want to be able to tell you when things shifted. Only one day you were Collin’s friends. The next, Mickey held my heart and you were so involved with the Patterson girl, and Brady gave me pennies every time something went wrong, how could I not give him my heart?”
Bad Bride Good Cowboys Page 9
