“Trouble?”
It was Wes who spoke. Remy just stood there silently staring at her. She could feel his gaze tracking over her body. Heat suffused her and was quickly followed by a flash of anger.
“The damn truck started sputtering and just stopped.” She had no idea what the problem was.
“You’ve got fuel?”
Remy’s deep voice gave her the shivers, which she did her best to ignore. “Yes, Einstein, I’ve got fuel.” She didn’t know for sure that the gas gauge worked, but it was reading a quarter of a tank.
Wes walked toward her and Cherry had to force herself not to take a step back. He held his hand out to her. “Everything will be okay, Cherry.”
The air around her grew thinner. His voice wasn’t as deep as his brother’s but it was just as mesmerizing. They made their money breeding and training horses. Word was they could tame the meanest horse simply by talking to it. She could well believe that tale. Just hearing Wes made her want to walk into his arms and stay there.
Cherry shook herself. “I need a lift home.”
Wes dropped his hand back by his side and stared at her until she began to feel uncomfortable. They’d stopped to help, were trying to be friendly and neighborly and she was being a first-class bitch.
They’d been childhood friends. Good friends. Leaving them behind had been like cutting off a limb and she’d felt the loss every single day she’d been away.
She dragged her fingers through her curly hair and dug deep for some patience and a semblance of manners. They were only trying to help. Her problem with them was just that—hers. They didn’t deserve her anger. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”
Wes’ arm shot out and he cupped one large hand around the back of her neck, pulling her toward him. Before she knew it, her face was snuggled against his chest and his strong arms were around her.
God almighty. A knot of emotion threatened to choke Wes. After all these long years, Cherry was finally back in his arms. Maybe not quite the way he wanted her to be, but it was a start. Seeing the glaze of tears in her eyes, the frustration and anger, had almost brought him to his knees.
Wes was a strong man. Many would call him a tough son of a bitch. But in the face of Cherry’s obvious unhappiness, he felt powerless, unable to fix what was making her so sad. He couldn’t bring back her father, but he would do everything in his power to help her cope.
She fit in his arms as though she’d been made for them. Her face tucked right beneath his chin and her breasts snuggled nicely against his chest. He kept his hips pulled back slightly, not wanting her to realize just how aroused he was. Last thing she needed was his dick poking her stomach.
Or maybe that was exactly what she needed.
If she’d let him, he’d take her to bed and love her so long and hard she’d forget her troubles for a few hours.
Wes turned his head slightly, knowing Remy was watching them. He recognized the hunger burning in his brother’s eyes, knew he’d see the same if he was to look into a mirror right about now.
Ten long years. Lonely years. He’d had more than his share of women over the past decade, but none of them had filled the hole Cherry had left in his heart when she’d left so suddenly after graduation. He’d not only lost the woman he loved, he’d lost one of his best friends.
“Why?” he asked before he could think better of it. “Why did you leave and stay away all those years?” That question had haunted him for a long time.
Cherry pulled away and he reluctantly let her go. She squared her shoulders and tilted her proud chin slightly upward. He caught himself before he grinned. That would only ruffle her feathers, but he couldn’t help but be attracted to the self-assured woman she’d become.
“That’s really not your concern,” she began.
“I think it is.” Remy kept his voice low, but Cherry still flinched.
Wes frowned. Was she afraid of Remy? That didn’t seem right. “Cherry?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment and he barely bit back a groan. His dick was throbbing worse than his thumb had when he’d accidentally pounded it with the hammer last week. He shifted his stance slightly, but it didn’t do a thing to alleviate the growing pressure.
Only having Cherry naked with his cock powering in and out of her sweet pussy would help.
“Remy kissed me. The night you took me to the prom.” Cherry looked appalled at what she’d blurted out, but she pressed forward, determination stamped on her face. “Then you kissed me when you took me home. I liked it when you kissed me.” She paused. “When both of you kissed me.”
Wes shared a look with his brother. God almighty, they were responsible for her leaving. They’d frightened her away.
“You left because of us?” Wes wanted her to spell it out for them so there was no more confusion.
She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her hands over her upper arms as though she was cold, even though it was a warm evening. “I liked the way both of you kissed me. What kind of a woman does that make me? You’re brothers.”
Wes could barely believe what he was hearing. He glanced at Remy and his older brother appeared to be just as shocked as he was. Remy had mentioned he’d kissed Cherry, but neither of them had imagined that was what had made her flee their hometown soon after.
Why the hell had Remy kissed her that night? Prom night was supposed to have been his. They’d talked about the two of them taking turns dating her for a while before they even approached the idea of her dating the two of them at once.
Still, it was water under the bridge. No point in getting worked up about it now. Although, he might be tempted to beat the crap out of Remy at some later date.
“It makes you special.” Remy took a step closer to Cherry. She backed away until she hit the side of the truck.
“Cherry.” Wes waited until she gave him her attention. “Nothing has changed. We both still want you.” Better to lay their cards on the table and deal with any objections she might have.
Cherry wasn’t sure she was hearing correctly. They both still wanted her? Impossible. Or maybe not, considering the expressions on their faces. They were dead serious and she was in deep trouble.
She could still feel the heat from Wes’ big body, still smell the unique scent of sun and leather and man. It had felt so natural to have his strong arms around her, to nestle against his chest and lean on him for even a moment.
He’d tried to hide the fact he was aroused, but that was impossible. There was no denying the hard pulse of his cock against her stomach or the way his breathing had grown harsher.
It had awakened a deep yearning inside her, one she hadn’t felt in years, not since she’d left home.
Cherry had been very aware of Remy watching them, had felt his penetrating stare.
Both brothers wanted her.
She hadn’t meant to blurt out what happened all those years ago, but she was sick and tired of feeling as though she’d done something wrong. They were the ones who’d kissed her. Yes, she’d kissed them both back, but what was she supposed to do?
“I don’t understand.” Ten years later and the Smith brothers were still confusing the heck out of her. “How can you both want me?” No way was she becoming some contest, some bone of contention between the two. “I’m not some prize to be won.”
“Oh, you’re a prize all right.” Remy traced the side of her cheek with a calloused finger. Cherry did her best to suppress the thrill of pleasure that washed over her, the way her nipples stood at attention, and especially the way her pussy pulsed and ached.
It had been two long years since her last serious relationship. Two years of lonely nights and abstinence. Battery-operated toys helped take the edge of her needs, but there was nothing like hot, sweaty sex. Having a man over her, in her, driving his cock into her over and over.
Cherry felt a flush wash over her cheeks and knew they had to be red. Nothing she could do about it so she looked down, hoping the dim light would hide
her discomfort. She should have known better. Nothing got by these two.
Remy caught her chin in his hand and tipped it up. He took it slow, giving her plenty of time to object as he moved closer. But she didn’t.
She tossed common sense to the wind and decided what the hell. For years, she’d wondered if the Smith brothers’ kisses were as good as she remembered or if they were nothing more than the product of her overactive teenage mind. Now was the time to find out.
His lips were warm and soft as they brushed hers. Then his tongue traced her bottom lip, gently, so gently, drawing a moan of pleasure. The second her lips parted, his tongue slid inside her mouth. Strong and sure, he explored. Remy tilted his head to deepen the connection.
Cherry moaned again, her tongue gliding against his, playfully and then more intently. He tasted like beer and hot male.
Strong hands slid down her back and she arched into them like a cat being petted. An alarm bell sounded in the back of her head but she ignored it. This was too good to stop. She was faintly aware that Wes was watching them, but couldn’t bring herself to care.
Remy’s hands cupped her butt and pulled her closer. His cock was hard and thick against her stomach. That jolted her back to reality like nothing else. She quickly pulled away and took stock of the situation.
Remy was aroused. For that matter, so was Wes. And there was no doubt she was extremely stirred up. Her panties were damp and it felt as though every nerve ending in her body was raw and exposed.
“That,” she began, slightly out of breath. “That almost got out of hand.” She licked her lips and had to swallow back a moan. She could still taste Remy.
“That didn’t go nearly far enough,” Remy countered.
“I think it’s time for me to go home.” Before she did something really stupid. Nothing had changed in ten years. She might be older and wiser, have more experience when it came to men, but the Smith brothers still left her feeling totally confused.
They’d been her best friends for years. Then suddenly, almost overnight, they’d turned into attractive men who made her very aware she was becoming a woman. A woman who yearned for two different men. Maybe if her mother had been alive and she’d been able to talk to her about her mixed-up feelings things would have been different. Or maybe not.
“We’ll take you home if that’s what you really want.” Wes stepped closer until she was penned in with him on one side of her and Remy on the other.
Wes cupped the side of her face and leaned toward her. He wasn’t going to kiss her, was he? He couldn’t. His brother had just kissed her.
But he was and he did. Wes’ lips weren’t as rough as Remy’s, but his kiss was no less intense. She tasted the beer he’d drunk at the bar, but beyond that was the taste of rising desire, of Wes. They both kissed better than any other man she’d ever known, but each was unique to the man doing the kissing.
Even as he devoured her, nibbling at her lips before he consumed them, there was a gentleness, a subtlety about him that Remy lacked. Neither was better. They were just different.
Cherry didn’t know what to think, what to do. And then it was out of her hands as her body took over, ignoring her brain screaming for her to stop this madness before it went any further. She leaned into the kiss, tasting his tongue, following it when it retreated until it was she who was exploring his mouth.
He didn’t touch her other than where their mouths met and she found herself wanting to rub her body against his. It was the lure of the forbidden, the promise of a hard, hot male body. And it was almost impossible to resist.
It was Wes who broke the embrace, but she wasn’t the only one breathing heavy. He didn’t look to be in much better shape than she did.
“Come home with us.” Remy’s voice was thick with desire, with lust, and sent a shiver of longing through her.
“Let us take care of you.” Wes hooked a stray curl behind her ear. “Let us pleasure you.”
Cherry swallowed hard. For ten long years she’d wondered if she’d done the right thing by leaving. She’d questioned her decision, but hadn’t known what else to do.
What was waiting for her at the ranch? And empty house. Empty dreams.
Maybe it was time to deal with the Smith brothers once and for all. If she had them, maybe she could get them out of her system and move on, have a fresh start in life. Once she tied up the loose ends of her father’s estate and sold the ranch she’d never be back.
Cherry ignored the way her heart clutched at the thought of never coming home again. But this wasn’t home anymore. Was it? Her life and her business were in Boston.
No, it was time to be an adult. If she gave into the explosive attraction between her and Wes and Remy maybe she could move forward in life. She knew she was guilty of comparing all the men she’d dated over the years to them. Even when they were teenagers they were more manly than most men she knew—tough, determined, honest and not afraid of hard work. They didn’t play games, which made the whole idea of the two of them wanting her even more intriguing.
But Cherry didn’t want to delve any deeper than the physical. She didn’t want to go home alone, didn’t want to shoulder the heartache and demands of her father’s death. Tonight, she wanted to forget all her troubles and what better way to do it than in the arms of two handsome men who both wanted her.
“Okay, I’ll go. But just for tonight.”
She thought Wes might object, but Remy silenced his brother with little more than a sharp glance.
“Okay,” Remy agreed. Butterflies filled her stomach and, for a moment, she wondered if she’d lost her ever-loving mind.
Wes dropped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. “Let’s get your keys and lock up the truck. We’ll come back in the morning and see if we can fix what’s wrong. If we can’t get it going we’ll tow it into town and have it looked at.”
Both men were incredibly efficient and before she knew it, Cherry was seated between them on the bench seat of their truck. The darkness of the night closed in around them as the miles clicked by. They didn’t speak, but Wes held her right hand tight in his, while Remy held her left.
What in the name of God had she agreed to?
As if sensing her growing nerves, Wes gave her fingers a quick squeeze.
Cherry took a deep breath and tried to relax. She’d agreed to go home with them, which meant she’d agreed to make love with both of them. No, not love. She’d consented to have sex with them. Hot, pounding, mind-blowing sex. That was all it was, all it could be.
And that was all she wanted. Wasn’t it?
Chapter Three
Remy worried on the drive back to their ranch. Never had the ride seemed so long. He kept waiting for Cherry to change her mind and demand to be taken home. He still couldn’t believe she was here, that she’d agreed to go home with them.
His cock was hard as a fence post and had been since he’d kissed her, and the condition showed no sign of abating anytime soon. He wanted to take his time, to kiss and lick and taste every square inch of Cherry’s body, but feared the first time they came together would be hard and fast. Once he’d taken the edge off his lust he could take his time.
They had all night. And, if he had his way, a lot longer.
Cherry had agreed only to one night, but he intended it to be more than that and knew Wes felt the same. They’d take whatever she would give them and build on that. They were good at making plans and seeing things through, at finding ways to make them work.
And this was the most important night of their lives. Cherry the most important goal they’d ever tried to achieve. They wanted her in their lives. Permanently.
Remy was ready to do whatever it took to make that happen.
He turned off the main road and started down the gravel road to the ranch. They hit a bump and Cherry fell against him before righting herself. He wouldn’t have minded if she’d stayed cuddled against him.
He could still taste her on his lips. The kiss
was everything he’d thought it would be and more. Even better than it had been when they were teenagers—more explosive, more powerful, more consuming. He sure as hell hadn’t lived like a monk all these years, but nothing he’d ever experienced equaled what he felt when he kissed Cherry.
Remy pulled in behind the box-shaped, two-story farmhouse and shut off the truck. The headlights went out, leaving only the porch light illuminating the yard. Two furry shapes stood on the back porch watching them with tails wagging. “That’s Bourbon and Whiskey.”
“Seriously?” Cherry asked. “You named your dogs after liquor?”
Wes chuckled. “Yup. I favor bourbon and Remy prefers whiskey.”
Remy climbed out and both dogs came running toward him, tails wagging, bodies wiggling. “They’re a mix between German Shepherd Dog and retriever. Bourbon is the one with the darker coat.”
Cherry slid out on Wes’ side of the vehicle and came around to see the dogs. Remy was grateful to the mutts for breaking the tension. Cherry had always loved animals and it seemed that hadn’t changed.
“Oh, they’re gorgeous.” She bent down and put out her hand. Both dogs pushed their noses against her palm. Seemed even their dogs were falling under her spell.
“They’re so friendly.” She crooned to the two dogs as she rubbed them behind their ears. Both animals gave little groans of pleasure.
“Usually they’re a little more reserved.” Wes gave both dogs a quick scrub. “They like you.”
Remy gave a command and both dogs reluctantly trotted back to the porch, glancing back to make sure they were following. “Let’s go inside.”
Now that she was here, the butterflies in Cherry’s stomach were all doing backflips. It was easy to think about having sex with two handsome men. I mean, it was a fantasy a lot of women had but never had the opportunity to fulfill, right? And here she was with the perfect situation handed to her.
But the reality of it was far different. She’d never been easy with sex. Her only two partners were men she’d been involved in long-term relationships with. She’d never had a one-night stand before and that’s all this was. Still, she wasn’t about to turn back now. If she did, she knew she’d regret it for the rest of her life. She had to know what it would be like to have sex with Remy and with Wes.
Double or Nothing Page 2
