Lang, Chloe - Captured by Cowboys [Doms of Destiny, Colorado 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Chloe Lang

  “Right what?” Bryant asked.

  “That was one of the words she was saying over and over. Right and bliss. Does that help you?”

  She sure wished it did, but it didn’t spark a single thing in her locked-down brain. “No. Anything else, Emmett?”

  He touched her cheek. “I’m sorry, but no.”

  Cody walked in carrying a tray with the four promised mugs. Each was steaming hot. “We don’t have any fancy teas, sweetheart. I hope you like tried-and-true Lipton.”

  She held out her hand and saw the tremble of her fingers. Immediately, she recoiled her hand back. “Thank you, Cody. I’ll drink it later.”

  “You’ll drink it now, doll,” he commanded. “You get to pick which cup, but once done, you’ll drink all of it. Consider it your medicine.” His I-mean-business tone was easy to detect, but his eyes sparkled with mischievousness that was not hard to miss.

  “It will make you feel better,” Bryant cajoled. “Might stop your trembles, too.”

  “Lucky me,” she joked. “Three nurses disguised as cowboys. I’m not sure I’m really awake.”

  Bryant cupped her chin. “You’re awake. And by the looks of you and the tone in your voice, I’d say you’re doing well. Drink.”

  She had a feeling these cowboys could persuade her to do just about anything if they worked together. “Three against one isn’t fair.”

  Emmett’s fixed gaze unnerved her. “We never play fair, miss. Drink.”

  “Your bedside manners seem to be hardening.” She laughed, her anxiety still present but a little less crushing. “I think I like the way you guys were earlier.”

  Cody sat on the bed, his weight depressing the mattress. He held one of the cups in front of her. “This one is straight. Nothing added.”

  “I surrender.” All three cowboys’ eyes seemed to light up. She took the cup from Cody and sipped the warm liquid. “It’s fine.”

  “Not good enough. Try this one.” He held out another cup. “This one is cream only.”

  Bryant took the first cup from her, and she curled her fingers around the new one, taking a quick sip. “Good. This will do.”

  “She’s a tough one for sure.” Emmett picked up one of the cups from the tray. “What’s in this one?” he asked.

  “Cream and sugar,” Cody answered.

  “Here,” he said, handing it to her and taking away the cream-only cup. “I’m betting this will be the one you like the best.”

  “I like the other two just fine.”

  “Stubborn.” Cody shook his head. “Perhaps that’s what we should call you until you remember your name. What do you think, guys?”

  She closed her eyes, searching her brain for any memories from before awakening here in this cabin. “I wish I could remember my name. You can’t imagine how disconcerting that is to me.”

  “It’s tough but you will remember. Trust us.” Bryant’s masculine face softened. “Now drink.”

  Even though they were strangers to her, she was feeling more comfortable with them. If they wanted to harm her, they could’ve easily done so even if she didn’t have the bump on her head. They were men. Strong men. Muscled men. Powerful men. Three men. No way would she have any chance if their intentions were something dark and dangerous. Thankfully, they were being helpful and attentive, but they were also being intensely demanding and bullheaded. Still, they seemed kind and even sweet. She wanted to trust her instincts, but wasn’t sure she should. Had her instincts worked for her in the past? Her muddled brain wouldn’t release that or any other bit of information.

  She took a sip of the cream-and-sugar cup of tea. The flavors exploded in her mouth in a familiar way. “This is it. I like cream and sugar in my tea. I think I’ve liked it for some time.” Excitement welled up in her.

  “I knew it,” Emmett said, grinning from ear to ear. “What else do you remember?”

  She closed her eyes and took another long drink, filling her mouth with the steamy goodness. Yes. She had enjoyed her tea with cream and sugar. But where? And when? Was that an odd combination in the United States? Had she visited England sometime? Why could she remember this was the United States but not her own name? Not her own home?

  Another sip.

  An image floated to her mind of a boy. A beautiful Hispanic boy. He was sitting in front of a television watching a cartoon, something about a dragon. He turned his head and smiled at her, warming her heart. What was his name? She fisted the cup with both hands, trying to call forth anything that might unlock her memories. Did this boy have anything to do with the accident? No. A single kernel of her past came to her. She’d been alone when this occurred. What’s my name? What’s his name?

  “I’m remembering.” She sipped on the magic brew again. Still, she couldn’t call forth the boy’s name or hers, but they were linked somehow. She knew it down to her very core but wasn’t sure how or why. “I was alone when the accident happened.”

  “Keep going, sweetheart.” Cody’s excitement shook his voice.

  Another taste. Right and bliss? What did those words mean? Then the spell ended and the images vanished.

  “That’s it. I saw a boy in front of a television set.”

  “Your son, maybe?” Bryant asked.

  “Perhaps.” Disappointment swept through her like a steamroller. She handed the empty cup back to Cody. “I’m not sure. Thank you for the tea.”

  “I’ve got an idea if you’re up for it, sweetheart.”

  “No more tea. Please.” Tea wasn’t going to solve her problems.

  “No.” Cody shook his head. “How about a bath? It might unfasten those ties that are holding your memories from you.”

  The idea wasn’t half bad. “Does your bathroom have a mirror?”

  “Shit. We should’ve thought of that.” Emmett opened a drawer and pulled out a hand mirror. “Seeing yourself might jog your memory.”

  “No,” Bryant stated firmly. “She shouldn’t see herself this way. Not with blood in her hair.”

  “I don’t understand,” she said.

  “Put it away, Emmett,” Bryant ordered. “Let’s get her cleaned up, and then she can see her reflection and not until.”

  “You’re going to clean me up?” Her nerves went into overdrive. “I can bathe myself, fellows.” In fact, she wanted to. They were the only people she knew in the whole world at the moment, but they were still strangers to her. She was lost and alone until her mind healed, but she wasn’t about to be stupid.

  Cody touched her elbow. “Sweetheart—”

  “My name is most definitely not ‘sweetheart,’ and I wish you’d stop calling me that.” Her tone came out harsher than she’d meant it to.

  His eyes saddened. “True. What shall we call you until we know your real name?”

  Why was she being so rude to them? They’d only tried to help her. “I’m sorry, Cody. I’m just so upset about this. It’s horrible not knowing who you are.”

  “It’s okay. I understand.” Apparently, he could be serious when necessary.

  “Do you know your eyes are beautiful?” Emmett asked.

  What did her eyes have to do with anything? “I haven’t seen them, so no. I don’t know. I’ll trust that you’re telling me the truth.”

  “I am.” Emmett smiled. “They look like little pools of whiskey.”

  “Whiskey?” Where was he going with this?

  “Would you mind if we called you ‘Whiskey’?”

  Bryant chuckled. “You’ve got absolutely no finesse when it comes to women, Emmett.”

  “Why do you say that? What’s wrong with whiskey?” Emmett looked crushed.

  “He’s got a point, Bryant,” Cody interjected. “All of us love whiskey. Kind of makes sense.”

  “You guys are too much.” She smiled at the thought of getting named by these three cowboys. Even if it turned out to be only temporary, she might end up with a name that was better suited to a horse than a woman.

  Bryant cupped her chin. “Amber.
That’s the color of your eyes. How would you like to be called ‘Amber’?”

  His eyes were mesmerizing. Cowboy hypnotist? Probably. “I like the name very much.”

  “Who knows?” Cody smiled. “Maybe that is your real name.”

  She laughed. “You’re the worst of the three of you, aren’t you?”

  “Smart and beautiful,” Cody said. “You like cream and sugar with your tea. What else are we going to learn about you, Amber?”

  “Slow down, cowboy,” Emmett said. “She’s a newborn to this world. Let her get her bearings first.”

  Emmett was a smart man.

  “Listen to your brother, Cody,” she said. “I need to crawl before I can walk, okay?”

  Cody twisted his mouth into a false frown and then smiled, warming her heart. “Okay, Amber. Now, about that bath?”

  Bryant hit him on the back. “You’re hopeless.”

  She laughed. “If you three promise to be gentlemen, I wouldn’t mind a bath. I might need help though. I’m still pretty shaky.”

  “We’ll be gentlemen, Amber,” Emmett said and turned to his brothers. “Right?”

  Bryant nodded.

  “Always.” Cody’s eyes betrayed him.

  He was definitely not used to being a gentleman, but she did think he could be trusted, if only for a single bath. She prayed she was right about him and his brothers. So far, they’d given her no reason not to trust them. Besides, what choice did she have at the moment? She had to depend on them for help until she recovered both in body and in mind.

  “After my bath, I might want more of your delicious tea, Cody.” Perhaps the bath and the tea might help her bring back the image of the boy. Surely if she could remember his name, she would be able to remember her own. “Would you mind brewing me more?”

  “For you, Amber, I would travel to China to harvest the best teas in the world if it would evoke a single smile from your gorgeous lips.”

  Emmett snorted. “For the love of God, Cody, grow some balls.”

  “There’s a lady present,” Bryant snapped.

  “Oh, you’re right.” Emmett cleared his throat. “Cody needs to grow a pair then. Better?”

  Bryant shook his head. “Oh for God’s sake.”

  “Emmett, women love poets, but you wouldn’t know that.” Cody turned to her. “Am I right, Amber?”

  Memory or not, she was feeling better. “Depends if the poet is disguised as a cowboy or not.”

  Chapter Three

  Emmett carried Amber in his arms down the hallway to the bathroom. She’d tried to insist on walking herself, but after her fainting episode earlier, there was no way he would let her.

  Bryant and Cody were inside the space, preparing it for her.

  “Thank you for everything.” She peered at him with her sweet eyes.

  “My pleasure, sweetheart. Here we go.”

  He walked into the space that was filled with aromas of long ago. Apparently, his brothers had found some of their mother’s bathing salts and scents. The big claw-foot tub had a little steam wafting up over its edge. The only light came from several candles placed strategically around the room.

  “It’s not too hot, is it?” he asked his brothers.

  “Just moderately warm. Even though she doesn’t have a temperature, best to be safe,” Bryant said.

  “Let me check the water, Amber. Ready to be put down for a second?” She was still a little pale and shaky. Emmett wished again that they’d been able to get her to a doctor.

  Amber sighed. “I’m not an invalid, Emmett. Yes. I can stand on my own two feet.”

  She had spunk with a dose of contrariness. Just the perfect mix in a female he couldn’t get enough of.

  “Sassy lips can get you in trouble if you’re not careful.”

  Her jaw dropped, and Emmett knew he’d pushed too hard and way too soon. A Dom knew when and when not to check limits in a woman, and this was definitely not the time to push. “Amber, keeping you safe is my only goal. When I found you on the road, I wasn’t sure if you were dead or alive. Hell, even if we could get you to the hospital, they would be just as careful. Right?”

  Amber lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry, Emmett. I’m not trying to be difficult. This is all so strange. I’ll be sure to lean on you when you put me down. Will that work for you?”

  Again, his cock and balls applauded her submissive nature that was showing itself so deliciously with every tremble, every word, every sigh. “That will please me very much.”

  He lowered her to the floor, and she did as promised, leaning into him. He bent down and sent his hand into the water. It was just the right temperature.

  “Nice job, guys,” he said.

  Cody snorted. “Glad it meets with your approval. Now, let’s hear how the only one that matters feels about the bath. Amber, what do you think?”

  Keeping one arm around her breasts, Amber placed the hand of the other arm in the water next to Emmett’s hand. How he wanted to interlock his fingers with hers, but of course he didn’t. Removing his hand from the bath, he watched as her slender fingers disturbed the water and imagined what it would feel like to have her clawing his back with them.

  Amber turned and gave his brother a little smile. “It’s perfect, Cody. Thank you. You guys are so sweet to do this for me. A stranger. I’m so grateful.”

  Emmett wanted to press his lips to hers, to taste her mouth, to send his tongue into her. But he didn’t. His cock hated him for it, but it was the right thing to do. Amber might be attached. She might even be married. The boy she mentioned remembering might be her son from some lucky man.

  The possessive streak that had grown inside him since finding her was now a lumbering, angry giant. He couldn’t imagine ever allowing any man, husband or not, to touch her. But that wasn’t sane or even part of his makeup. He and his brothers had found a home, a way of being, a lifestyle that made sense of the world, at Phase Four, Destiny’s local BDSM club. If another had a claim on Amber, he must honor it even if it meant his whole being would be ripped into shreds. It was the right thing to do. But if she was free, she wouldn’t be for long. He’d see to that. Until they knew, there would be no touches, no kisses, and definitely no fucking.

  “Your clothes will have to go, Amber.”

  Her cheeks turned red, and she blinked several times.

  He wasn’t taking any chances. “I’ll stay with you to make sure you don’t fall.”

  Amber’s face flushed. “I’m good enough to get in the tub myself, Emmett.”

  “Even a little dizzy is too much. I’m staying. I won’t look at your body while you undress. Just your eyes.” He wanted her to trust him. Despite his cock’s sudden throbbing, he was a man of his word. “Once in the tub, I will turn around to give you some privacy, but I will remain in the room. Until we’re certain your condition is stable, that’s how things will have to be.”

  “That’s not much privacy, cowboy, if you ask me,” she said meekly.

  God, he could listen to her sweet voice day in and day out and never tire of it. “You’re safe with me. Understand?”

  Her stare tangled with his, causing more heat to move down into his jeans.

  “I believe you,” Amber whispered.

  “We don’t want you to sue us if you trip and bust your head, sweetheart,” Cody joked.

  She smirked. “Fine.”

  * * * *

  Amber knew she wouldn’t get anywhere arguing to be left alone.

  Emmett was staying. Emmett, her savior. Emmett, the cowboy. Emmett, the stranger.

  Was she being silly about being so modest? He could’ve stripped her of her clothes while she’d been out but hadn’t. She couldn’t know for sure, but he seemed a perfect gentleman.

  She turned to Bryant and Cody. “What about you two?”

  “Until you’re safe and sound in the bath, I’m staying,” Cody informed her.

  “Same here, Amber. But once you’re in, we’ll leave.” Bryant seemed as if he could
read her mind.

  Amber seemed to accept her fate. “Will you guys close your eyes while Emmett helps me in? I know it sounds silly, but would you, please?”

  “Of course.” Bryant’s eyes shut.

  Cody stood there, apparently struggling with her request. Then he did close his eyes.

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “Are we supposed to keep them closed until you’re in the water?” Cody asked.

  “That would be nice.”

  Cody shrugged. She wouldn’t be surprised if he opened his eyelids ever so slightly to take a peek. Bryant’s were shut tight. They might look the same but they most certainly were different in other ways.

  She looked into Emmett’s mesmerizing orbs. “I’m ready.”

  He nodded. “Clothes off, Amber.”

  She obeyed, removing her shirt first, then slipping out of her slacks. She tossed them to the floor. Emmett’s eyes never left hers, thankfully. He was a man who kept his word, but she suspected there was something quite dangerous he could release should he choose.

  “The rest,” he said firmly. “And inspect your body for any other injuries. I don’t expect any, but I want you to look closely just in case.”

  Why did it seem so natural, so right to do as he asked? She wasn’t sure but it most certainly did. Her fingers trembled as she unfastened her bra. She glanced down at her body as he’d ordered. Not a scratch. Raising her eyes back to his, she was relieved to see his hadn’t moved south, not even a fraction of an inch. Still, she knew he could see peripherally some of her body. She hesitated for a moment before slipping off her panties. A massive quiver rolled through her.

  “Ready for your bath?” he asked tenderly.

  She nodded, shivering from head to toe.

  He lifted her into his arms and stepped up to the beautiful antique bath. His rough fingers on her naked skin were an incredible assault on her senses, even more than the inviting water. Tears brimmed her eyes at the tenderness of these rugged cowboys. They were treating her like a princess, even though none of them—and that included Amber—knew who she was.

  Her bottom was the first to experience the warmth of the bath. The temperature was perfect—not too hot or too cold. It backed down her shivers. Emmett lowered her fully into the luscious liquid. The water felt amazing on her skin, but her trembles, though muted, continued.