Coral Hearts

by Avery Gale

  “Mom will be the first to tell you she had help redecorating a couple of years ago. But I assure you, everything you see was personally overseen by Mama Morgan. My lovely mother works like a well-oiled machine. I swear she could run the ranch with one hand tied behind her back if she put her mind to it. Take my advice—don’t ever stand between Patsy Morgan and her goal, she’ll steamroll you.” He was pleased to see her smile at his words because her entire face lit up from the inside each time it happened. In Sage’s opinion, Coral didn’t smile nearly enough. But, considering everything he’d learned about her over the past twenty-four hours, he wasn’t surprised. He fully intended to make it a personal mission to make her smile as often as possible—but first he needed to convince her to stay.

  “Your home is amazing. Thank you for the tour. I should probably get my phone back from the sheriff…you know, so I can call for help if I get lost.” Sage got the impression there was a bit of truth in her teasing statement. The damned place might appear vast, but with the number of people continually traipsing through, he was sure she wouldn’t have trouble finding help when she needed it.

  “Pet, I don’t think you’ll be seeing that phone again anytime soon. We’ll get you a new phone soon enough. Until then, I’ll keep you close enough to ensure you don’t go missing.” Sage closed the distance between them without hesitation, and slanted his lips over hers, sealing the gap when she gasped in surprise. The tantalizing taste of her burst through his entire system stealing his control. The kiss he’d intended as a promise of things to come rocketed straight to molten in the time it took his mind to recognize the hint of mint mixed with hefty dose of desire he identified as uniquely Coral. Each time he touched her, she stole another piece of his soul, and Sage was happy to give it up to her. He felt a growl of frustration deep in his chest when her clothing kept his hands from touching bare skin when he cupped the rounded globes of her ass and pulled her closer.

  His phone vibrated in his chest pocket and Coral stepped back so quickly she stumbled. He caught her easily but quirked a brow at her in question. “Sorry, I lose my head when you kiss me. Mercy, I was ready to…ummm, well… Anyway, I forgot weren’t in your suite. Holy crap on a cactus, what if someone had walked in?” Oh my darling sub, you are going to learn there won’t be a room in this house where I won’t fuck you. And you can count on being seen by the other four Doms who live here—I’m going to push you to face the little inner exhibitionist I suspect lurks inside you.

  Sage had shown her most of the house, but had left her to explore the rest on her own while he returned to his office to take a call. She enjoyed the time alone and spent most of her time studying the family pictures lining a wide hallway on the lower level of the house. The pictures told the story of their family and it was fascinating to see how each of the brothers had changed over the years.

  Coral loved the large room Sage had referred to as their bonus room—bonus indeed, she’d seen smaller theatres. He’d told her it was their favorite place to watch movies, but hadn’t been able to figure out where the heck they’d hidden the television. One entire wall of the room was made up of several sets of French doors that opened up to a sheltered patio. Whoever designed the mansion had utilized the area’s uneven terrain beautifully—each of the structure’s three levels had ground level access at some point. Sage had laughed when she’d mentioned it. “That’s a very astute observation, sweetness. My dad insisted on that particular feature—he did raise five boys after all.”

  She must have looked puzzled because he snorted a laugh. “There were plenty of broken bones over the years and he didn’t much like watching us going up and down the open staircase on crutches. Now that I look back on it, I think our emergency room visits were harder on him than they were on mom. Pop is a softie at heart.” Sage’s comments about his dad didn’t surprise her at all.

  Coral had waited on Sage’s father, Dean Morgan, on several occasions in the hardware store. It was easy to see he held his family close to his heart. She’d been able to hear a special tenderness in his voice whenever he spoke of his sons, even if he’d been trying to act stern over something he’d been forced to replace. One day he was picking up a new winch and grinching about how his boys had burned out the old one pulling themselves out of a rain-swollen creek. “Damned cowboys oughta stay on their horses. Hell, a good rope is all you need then. And ropes are a damn sight cheaper than winches.” She evidently hadn’t looked convinced his attitude was sincere, because he’d looked down at her and grinned. “I’m bettin’ you find out all about this one day soon enough. And I’m going to remind you of this conversation, darlin’—don’t think I won’t.”

  She’d almost burst into tears as the older man turned and walked out the door. It was one of those increasingly familiar moments when running again seemed like a huge mistake.

  Coral felt as though her entire life had spiraled down quickly after her parents died. Losing the house had broken her heart, but witnessing a murder had shaken her to the core. The long hours driving across the country allowed her plenty of time to think about what she’d seen, and it left her little doubt she’d never really feel safe again. Coral envied the people who lived in the small Montana mountain town she’d settled into—most of them had known one another their entire lives.

  It wasn’t uncommon for citizens of Pine Creek to mention family associations spanning several generations. Coral wondered what it would be like to grow up with that sort of stability. Her parents hadn’t been stellar citizens, but they’d been all she had. Watching “Pop” as his son’s referred to him, walk out of the store that day had only underscored Coral’s feelings of loneliness. A sense of sadness settled over her at the realization there was little chance she’d be able to stay in Montana long enough for Dean Morgan’s prediction to come true. She must have had a wistful look on her face as Dean walked away, because when she’d looked up, Phoenix Morgan was studying her closely, his deep green eyes filled with compassion.

  “He’s right, you know. Hell, he’s always right, but don’t you dare tell him I said that.” He grinned, and she knew he was trying to lighten her mood. Although she hadn’t learned as much about Phoenix as she had the others, Charlotte had referred to him as “contemplative” and it was easy to see why. While he certainly looked every inch the hard-bodied cowboy rancher, there was a depth in his eyes that spoke of an aura of an old soul.

  “I’m sure he’s a very smart man, but…”

  “You best keep the rest of that to yourself, sweetie. It’ll save you being embarrassed about being wrong someday—of course, I’m cheating myself out of something to tease you about, but this can be your one free pass.”

  “Free pass?”

  “Sure, every family has them. You get one mistake no one gets to hound you about.” She’d laughed at him, and they’d quickly pushed it all aside as he handed over the list of office supplies he’d brought in. Because Pine Creek didn’t have an office supply store, Charlotte kept a small selection of supplies in the far corner of what should probably be called a General Store rather than O’Donnell Hardware. “I know I could order these on-line, but then I wouldn’t ever leave the ranch and my family already accuses me of being a recluse.” She’d been grateful the subject had changed—learning all the small nuances of normal families always seemed to knock the wind out of her for some reason.

  Chapter Seven

  The memory from a few months ago brought Coral’s attention back to the pictures in front of her. Running her fingers along the bottom edge of the wooden frames as she worked her way through the stages of their lives. Coral admired all the different experiences the Morgan’s had provided their brood over the years. It was obvious Dean and Patsy Morgan traveled the world with their five sons as they’d been growing up. There were pictures of the group visiting historically significant locations as well as more typical tourist traps. But what impressed her most were the pictures of them taken in areas of great economic need as well. Wow. It must be
wonderful to have parents willing to teach you about social responsibility rather than ways to steal from others.

  She’d been impressed with the easy smiles on the Morgan’s’ faces as they stood together, whether in posed vacation pictures or candid shots taken of them around the ranch. The pictures captured their lives in poignant detail. Some of the snapshots were funny while others were inspiring, but in her view the best prints were of loving parents looking on as their sons absorbed a new experience. Having been little more than a prop for her mom and dad during their frequent scams, Coral found herself longing for a connection like the one the Morgan family shared.

  Glancing to the side, Coral was startled to see Colt leaning casually against the wall a few feet from her. Stifling her gasp, she’d slapped her hand against her chest, “Holy crap on a cracker. You scared the canaries right out of me.”

  His quick bark of laughter surprised her. “Canaries, huh? Because they sing so easily? Meaning I scared the words from you?” She felt her eyes go wide…people so rarely understood that expression, and she couldn’t help being impressed. “Aha, I see I’ve surprised you. Didn’t think the rodeo boy had any smarts?”

  “What? Why on earth would you think such a thing? I just happen to know it’s an odd expression and really I’ve found people rarely understand it. I’m actually quite impressed.” And she was. Her mother had often used the expression, and though Coral tried very hard to break habits she felt linked her to her parents, sometimes things slipped right past all those lovely filters she’d set in place. Damn.

  “No worries, darlin’, but it actually happens a lot—the underestimation of my intelligence, I mean—so I’m probably paranoid. Seems the general public doesn’t hold professional bull riders in much intellectual esteem.”

  Coral had purposely let herself study Colt Morgan for several seconds, she wanted him to know she was considering her words carefully. “I’d guess that’s a mistake on their part. Seems to me you’d have to be pretty smart to survive intact long enough to even make it to the professional level of such a demanding sport. I’ve watched it on television a few times. I’ve always been amazed at the balance and reflexes involved—nothing is ever the same twice and it happens so very quickly. That sort of skill set is only developed after a lot of well-thought out training.” She saw his cheeks flush ever so slightly at the compliment, before she continued, “And I’d be willing to wager painful experience is a good teacher as well.”

  Colt leaned his head back and laughed. “Damn, beautiful and smart. Sage hit the jack pot.” Then it had been her turn to blush. “Don’t be embarrassed and don’t you dare argue with me. I’ll rat you out and get that pretty little behind of yours a swat or two.” His words brought back a flood of deliciously heated memories. Coral’s mind slid right back to the moment Sage’s rock hard body had pressed her much smaller frame to the wall of the master suite’s shower a few hours earlier. Sage hadn’t hurt her, but he’d used enough pressure to ensure she wasn’t going to move without a struggle. Knowing he’d essentially bound her with nothing but his chest pressing against her back and one hand wrapped around her crossed wrists sent a wash of her creamy arousal racing to coat her softening sex. Just like it is now remembering it.

  Coral’s attraction to Sage Morgan had been growing steadily over the past year to the point she’d been worried she wouldn’t be able to contain it much longer. Holy hell, she’d had daydreams about launching herself into his arms as he walked down the hardware store’s back aisles. You’d have looked like a spider monkey trying to get King Kong’s attention. So not cool, Coral Ann.

  Sage’s whispered words floated through her mind as she’d stood in the hall staring blankly at Colt. As he’d pressed against her, Sage’s warm breath had caressed the shell of her ear as the water cascaded down around them. “I’m a Dom, pet.” His pause had been long enough for her to absorb the information, but not long enough for her to respond before he pushed his erection between the apex of her thighs making her gasp in need. She already been slick and ready, and all she wanted was to feel him pushing deep into her sex. But he’d seemed content to continue the conversation—blasted man.

  When Sage had finally continued, it had taken her several seconds to mentally tune back in to what he was saying, because her mind was focused on how delicious it felt to have his hot flesh pressing against the swollen folds of her pussy. “But you already knew that didn’t you?” Huh? Knew that? “There is always a part of one’s soul that knows…a part that recognizes the kindred spirit of another who is like-minded. We’re going to have a long conversation about your interests and experience, but not right now. Right now I’m going to claim what belongs to me. I’m going to fuck you so deep you’ll know I’ve planted a piece of my soul deep inside you.” Now we’re talking.

  When she blinked back to the moment, Coral saw a smile tugging at the corners of Colt’s lips. “Damn, but I’d love to know what just went through your mind, sweetness.” Before she could blunder through a lie, Colt had shaken his head. “Don’t even try to come up with a cover story—it won’t work. But know this, that is a look every Dom recognizes, sweet girl. I was sure my brother had laid his cards on the table pretty quickly. This is something you can count on in this family and in the lifestyle, Coral—we’ll always level with you. Always. You can trust Sage…you can trust all of us. We’ll keep you safe, even if it means keeping you safe from yourself.” Uh oh…that sounds a bit ominous.

  As Colt stepped in the back door he’d seen Sage heading into his office, a frown creasing his brow. His older brother look annoyed, something Colt hadn’t expected. As the eldest of the Morgan brothers, Sage had always taken the responsibility of that position far too seriously even as a child. But now? Hell, it wasn’t as if the rest of them hadn’t grown into competent adults fully capable of taking some of the enormous burden from his shoulders. Okay, maybe Kip hadn’t fully morphed into the man they all knew he would be, but Sage wasn’t doing a thing to help the kid along either. Treating him like a college frat-rat instead of a partner in the business wasn’t going to help Kim mature—and the kid had enormous potential as a ranch manager.

  Colt knew Sage had been pussy footing around Coral Williams for months. Why he’d been so reluctant to make a direct move mystified everyone, because it was totally out of character for the man who’d grabbed the reins of a fifty thousand acre ranch without blinking. The same man who oversaw several small mines, as well as their family’s varied other business interests without breaking a sweat, wasn’t hesitant. So his stand-down approach had baffled those who knew him best. Hell, the eldest among them had reached Master status as a trained sexual Dominant before he’d been old enough to drink legally at the fucking clubs the two of them had frequented. But a tiny newcomer working at the local hardware store had launched the confident, professional Sage they’d all come to know right out the window. In his place? A growling bear emerged. Hell, even their mama had been threatening mutiny.

  The first week after their parents returned before Thanksgiving to spend the holiday season in Montana, Colt had seen his mother stomping down the sidewalk downtown. Patsy Morgan stomping mad was never a good sign, so Colt had quickly pulled over to find out who he was going to need to forewarn.

  “What’s up, mama? You don’t look any too happy. Who do I need to bust-up so I get to see your sweet smile again?” Colt asked when he finally caught up with her. He’d fallen into step beside her and grinned at her slower-than-normal pace. He’d fought to hold back his grin because no doubt it had been her fashionable spike-heeled boots that had slowed her pace.

  “Colt Morgan don’t you patronize me. If I tell you who put this frown on my face you’ll warn them I’m coming—I know about the network, don’t you think I don’t.” Holy shit! Who the hell told her about that? Their dad had implemented “the mama network” years ago—most likely it had been a way to keep his wife from dwindling down the number of their offspring. If one of the brothers knew their dad
or a sibling was facing a tongue lashing or worse from “the force” as their dad often referred to his wife—then that “man” was obligated to warn the target. “Your daddy isn’t as sneaky as he thinks he is. How you all thought you were keeping it under your hats was almost comical, but it didn’t serve my purpose to bust you out on it. But that brother of yours—his hide is mine, and I’m not gonna do a thing to help you warn him.”

  “Well, mama that would be tough since I don’t know which one of them has offended you.”

  Colt had been sure his words were well chosen, but she turned on him anyway. “Boy, oh boy, you really do think I’m a dim-wit don’t you, Colt Morgan?”

  “Um…no ma’am.” Fuck, this is going downhill fast. Wonder which one of those damned brothers of mine has jumped into it feet first this time?

  “Impossible. The whole lot of you are purely impossible. I swear I’m getting a plane ticket and flying back south. You all can eat bologna sandwiches on Thanksgiving for all I care.”

  “Damn, mama. That’s just plain old mean-spirited. You know you’re the best cook this side of the Rockies, we’re all looking forward to Thanksgiving.” Okay, that was really pushing it. Patsy was a decent enough cook, but she’d also incinerated her share of beef over the years too. His dad had always laughed, and said there were plenty more steaks in the freezer. They’d sure eaten dinner late on many occasions because their mother had gotten distracted while grilling.

  But today there didn’t seem to be any way to distract her and she hadn’t taken the bait. “Lame, Colt. Very, very lame.” He’d followed her into the diner, and then watched as she’d zeroed in on Sage. Colt hadn’t seen that one coming and had almost turned around to leave his grumpy brother to his fate—as it turned out, Colt had been happy he’d decided to stick around. It was fun seeing his brother sweat bullets after dealing with his cranky-ass nonsense for months.