by Reece Butler
“Oh, yes,” murmured Oz. “A woman who knows what she wants.”
Though Gabe was only halfway in, his thickness increased the pressure on Oz’s fingers as they slid in and out. She groaned when he twisted two fingers in her. Or was it three? Though she held her hips still, it felt like Gabe’s cock throbbed in her pussy.
Gabe pulled her forward for a deeper kiss, almost pulling her off him. She took control, plunging her tongue between his lips. He fought back, sliding his own between her top lip and teeth. His hands played with her breasts, kneading and pinching her nipples.
Oz set his palms on her bottom cheeks. He spread them to help ease his cock past her tight ring of muscle.
“Oh, yes,” she moaned.
Oz pushed forward, rested a second, and then again. She relaxed and let him advance with slow, deliberate motions. Every inch filled her more, stretched her more, until his balls touched her pussy.
“Damn, you feel good, woman,” he panted. “Even better than last time.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Good?”
“Mmm, very.”
She sat back on Gabe, taking his cock further into her pussy. Oz pulled out a bit, and then back in again. Gabe’s eyes shot open.
“What the hell?”
“That’s my cock rubbing against yours, with a bit of Sarah between,” rasped Oz, still moving.
Gabe choked out a laugh. “Never thought to feel a man’s cock rubbing against mine. But damn, this feels good. And the way Sarah’s grinning, she thinks so, too.”
Sarah took Gabe deeper as Oz backed away. Gabe panted, his teeth bared in a growl. The whites around his dark eyes shone. The cuts, scratches, and bruises inflicted by Luke made him look like savage.
She leaned forward and rasped her breasts against his chest hair, luxuriating in every part of him. Oz took advantage and plunged deep. Before he could pull back, she sat up. Gabe’s cock stretched her pussy with Oz still half inside her.
They filled her, covered her, touched her everywhere.
Sarah watched Gabe’s wild, loving face as his hands caressed her breasts and his cock filled her pussy. Oz nibbled her neck as his hands splayed over her bottom and hips. He thrust his cock deep inside a place she’d never known could bring such pleasure.
She rocked there, taking charge of her body, and theirs. Tension spiraled from between her thighs where she cradled Gabe’s hips. It flowed through her pussy and bottom to her breasts, her neck, and every other part of her.
She moved, fast and wild, uncaring how or why or with whom. She cried out for more, not knowing how it could get any better. A finger found her clit. It circled, driving her wild. A pinch, and stars exploded.
She bucked, twitching and flailing, screaming her need. Oz roared her name. He thrust her forward and drove his cock deep into her bottom, again and again. She came once more when he exploded. As he eased off, puffing, he pulled her upright. She sat down on Gabe, taking him fully inside as Oz slid out.
Gabe took over her hips from Oz. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, and slammed her down on his cock. She stared at him as she touched herself, one hand pinching her nipple, the other her clit. They were together, body and soul.
The orgasm hit out of nowhere, and she clenched hard. Gabe erupted below her, bellowing as he drove up. Again and again he pumped his release, prolonging her own.
Gabe shuddered and relaxed his grip. She leaned her hands on his chest for balance, gasping to haul much-needed air into her lungs. He gulped air as well, making her ride up and down as his chest expanded.
He reached for her face, cradling it as he pulled her down. He held her above him for a moment. She saw tears in his eyes, and blinked back her own.
“God, Sarah, I love you so much.”
She expected wild, but his kiss was gentle. Loving. He sighed and directed her head to his chest. His heart thudded like a bass drum. He held her tight, arms wrapped around her back. Gentle kisses began at the base of her spine. They moved up her spine, ending with Oz kissing her cheek.
“You make me feel whole,” said Oz quietly.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“The soup should last for another day or so,” said Sarah at breakfast the following morning. Last night had been wonderful, sharing her love with both men at once. But Luke was one third of their partnership. Unless he could accept her ornery, cantankerous, intelligent self, she wasn’t sure she could stay. “I’ll only be gone a few days.”
“Gone? Where do you think you’re going?”
Luke’s lips were so swollen it was hard to understand his words, but his thunderous expression said everything.
“It’s Friday.” She made her tone bright and brisk. “I work for Sophie from midmorning until after supper on Sunday. Just like last weekend.”
The silence was filled with tension.
“No, not like last weekend.” Oz gave her a speaking glance.
She hadn’t told the others about Sheldrake for this exact reason. They’d want to smother her, to keep her here instead of letting her live her life. She had a right to make choices, whether it was sharing two men, working for Sophie, or anything else.
“You’re right,” she replied. “Last weekend I had a bakery. This time I only have to work at the hotel.”
“We brought you here because someone tried to kidnap you,” said Gabe. He gave her the tender look she was getting too fond of. “You’re still under our protection.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
“You were attacked—”
“When I walked out of the hotel,” she said, interrupting Luke. “I won’t be leaving it this weekend. I’ll stay with Sophie, and work in the kitchen and dining room.”
“Don’t use the downstairs privy,” ordered Oz.
“Excuse me?” She looked from one to the other.
“Amelia was grabbed near the stairs and threatened,” said Luke. “If someone wants to take you…”
“No one’s going to—”
“Sheldrake told Sarah he was going to marry her,” declared Oz.
“What?”
“When?”
Oz leaned forward and raised his eyebrows at her as if he knew she held something back. “Why don’t you tell them all about it?”
She stirred her oatmeal, taking great interest in scooping the bottom of her bowl.
“Joe Sheldrake spoke to me in the street while you two were fighting,” she explained. “He said he’d help me by marrying me, then he’d leave town. Since I would be married, I could keep my bakery when he left.”
“No!” Luke shot to his feet. “He’ll touch you over my dead body!”
“He’d shoot you without a second glance,” said Gabe to Luke. He pointed to the bench. “Sit down so we can work this out.”
“Why would Sheldrake want you, when he can go to the city and have all sorts of women?” asked Oz.
Sarah clenched her hands in her lap. She didn’t want to tell them. But they’d been truthful with her, telling her things that hurt to talk about. She could do no less.
“He, um, said he wanted me last fall in Bannack City, but I was already gone.”
She looked up. Three sets of eyes stared. The heat rising to her face wasn’t from arousal this time. Cold dread settled in her chest. She held herself rigid, waiting.
“He went to that whorehouse while you were there?” Luke’s voice was rough, from more than his bruised lips.
She nodded, hoping that was all he would ask about. When no one spoke, she chanced a glance.
“You didn’t tell me that.” Oz’s blue-green eyes flashed like an angry ocean. “It makes me wonder what else you’re keeping to yourself.”
“Sheldrake works for Mayor Orville Rivers, a man who’s known for shady deals,” said Luke in a cold, steady voice. “He held the cattle Smythe bought from the J Bar C and never paid for. When we went there, we found Grace, the woman with her tongue cut out. She couldn’t tell us who did it. There’s rumors about strange things happenin
g there. Things that no woman or child should know about. The bakery used to be the site of an assay office, where gold was kept. When the assay officer disappeared, so did a lot of gold. After a few weeks rumors started circulating that the man was not living the high life in California as expected, but that his bones were at the bottom of a mine.”
Luke raised his eyebrows at her. “Sheldrake couldn’t do anything while Jennet owned the building. But as your husband, he’d be the new owner of the assay office, and everything in it.”
Oz looked across the table at his partners. “I say Sheldrake has another reason to spend a few days, and nights, in Sarah’s bakery. A reason other than her body.” He flashed her a cold look. “Not that we’d let him touch you. You have anything to add to this, Sarah? I heard you like honesty.”
She’d spent hours enjoying Oz and Gabe’s bodies. She was still wonderfully sore from last night’s explorations. They said they loved her, and she knew they’d protect her with their lives. She owed them the truth. On the practical side, unless she could convince one of them to take her to town, she wasn’t going to get any farther than the yard today. She sat up straight and set her shoulders back. She would tell them this, but nothing about what else happened behind locked doors in Bannack City.
“I didn’t want to say this because I don’t believe it’s true. Joe Sheldrake believes there’s gold in the bakery somewhere.”
Another silence fell, just as cold.
“That’s why he wants you. But why would he think that?” Luke’s voice was calm, but that was the only part of him which was. Oz looked furious, and Gabe seemed to be thinking.
“He said he killed the officer and put the gold there. I don’t think Jennet is involved, or he’d never have sold the building.”
“Whoever marries you will own everything that’s yours, including that building,” said Gabe, directing his words to the table. “As your husband, Sheldrake won’t have to move the gold anywhere, because he can get at it whenever he wants.” He lifted his dark-brown eyes to hers. She saw pain, longing, and sorrow. “He’ll keep you alive just long enough to satisfy his lust, and maybe that of his friends. Then he’ll sell you, if you haven’t already been beaten to death because of your smart mouth.” He put his warm hand on her icy one. One side of his mouth curled up just a bit. “I happen to like your smart mouth.”
“Jennet may have known about the gold, and moved it out over the years,” suggested Luke after a moment. “But if Sheldrake thinks it’s still there, marries Sarah, and then finds out it’s gone, he’ll take out his anger on her. It wouldn’t be the first time he killed his wife from what I’ve heard.”
“That means you’re not going anywhere off the Circle C until Sheldrake’s either dead, or far away,” said Gabe.
“I prefer dead,” said Oz with a snarl. “That way Sarah can have the gold, if it’s there.”
“If I don’t help Sophie, then who will?” She snorted in disgust at the three men opposing her. “I can’t see you three baking four dozen pies, six pots of stew, and hundreds of biscuits, as well as serving and washing up.”
“You do all that?” Luke frowned.
“That’s why Sophie needs my help!”
“What about the new sheriff’s wife?” asked Oz. “I was in town the other day and heard she loves baking. She could maybe help out.”
“Mrs. Barstow has three children by her first husband,” said Gabe. “They’re cramped in that small sheriff’s cabin Frank and Mary Chambers shared. Don’t know how long it’ll take the town council to add on a couple of rooms.”
“They could live in the bakery for a few weeks, especially if she’s working at the hotel next door,” said Sarah. The three men looked at each other, speaking without words.
“Putting Sheriff Barstow and his family right there should put off Sheldrake, without making it seem like it was on purpose.” Gabe nodded. He relaxed on his bench and smiled. “Good idea, Sarah.”
“If there really is hidden gold, that could be why Sheldrake’s been hanging around for the last few years,” said Luke. “When the building was empty, he could sneak in and get what he wanted. Maybe he’ll leave until the bakery’s empty again, solving our problems.”
Gabe slapped Luke on the shoulder. “We can always hope.” Luke grimaced and glared at Gabe, who laughed.
“So, who’s taking me to town this morning?”
The three partners looked at each other. She couldn’t decipher what they silently decided, but Gabe stood.
“I guess you’re riding my lap into town.”
“That’s all she’ll be riding,” ordered Oz. “No stops along the way for a bit of fun.”
Gabe nodded his agreement.
“Will you make sure that Oliver is safe when Daisy returns? I don’t want your dog chasing my cat up these huge trees,” said Sarah. “I’m worried he’ll never get down again.”
“He’ll figure it out before he starves,” said Luke, waving the issue away. “You don’t find many dead cats in trees.”
Sarah stiffened. She turned slowly to Luke. “You don’t have to be mean just because Oliver scratched you once near your—”
“A scratch? That beast dug all twenty claws into my thigh, right beside—”
“Don’t worry,” said Gabe to Sarah. “Oz and I will take care of Oliver.” He shot a scathing look at Luke. “Since Luke hasn’t the guts to climb any higher than the cabin loft.”
“You know why I don’t like heights.” Luke glowered at Gabe.
“Yeah. You jumped, fell, or were pushed about twenty feet into a river,” taunted Gabe. “You scared the hell out of yourself, but you survived.”
“Twenty feet? It was more like a hundred!”
“Come on, you were what, four feet tall back then? Cut the nightmare back to size, my friend, and put it behind you.”
“And just how do I do that? Just snap my fingers and it’s gone?”
Gabe pointed his finger in a circle around the room. “Everyone here had something bad happen to them, and got over it. Thanks to Sarah, I managed to sleep in the same bed as Oz for a whole night without killing him for accidentally touching me. We don’t know all that happened after the man who promised to love and honor Sarah sold her for enough gold for a ten-day drunk. Yet she’s eager to share pleasure with those who care for her.”
She ducked her head in shame at keeping the truth from them about what did, and didn’t, happen in Bannack City.
“And then there’s Luke Frost.” Gabe smirked at his longtime friend. “He says the most important thing in his life is making sure his name won’t die out. He wants to marry Sarah, and have children by her. But to do that he has to prove that his love for this wonderful woman is greater than his fear. And he doesn’t have the guts to do it.”
Gabe towered over the rest of them. He seemed to have found an inner strength or knowledge that made him stand straighter.
“What’s really most important to you, Luke? Your past, or the chance of a future?”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Joe Sheldrake squinted at the early-evening sun. He stepped off the boardwalk and stumbled when his bad leg gave out. He barely managed to catch himself before falling on his face. He whipped his head around but no one had seen. He curled the fingers of his left hand tight. He could no longer curl his right.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, he crossed the street to Baldy’s Saloon, counting the steps to a new bottle of whiskey. Nothing else would ease the pounding in his head and ache in his leg and hand. The headache would fade with whiskey, but nothing would fix the rest. If he ever saw the goddamn bastards who jumped him, he’d put them in Boot Hill so fast they wouldn’t have time to scream!
Eight of them, just because he punched a shave-tail punk for smiling at a whore without gold to back it up. It was his job to keep things hopping at the Silver Dollar Saloon, so he’d tossed the kid. Why have him take up a chair when a man with money could sit there? How the hell could he know the kid’s pa
owned half the railroads west of the Missouri? He had half a mind to take some dynamite to a few of those railroad bridges, just to show him!
Something gave way under his foot, something slippery. He lifted it and swore. His boot was covered in cow shit to the ankle. He stomped to get most of it off, then kept on going. There was already blood, shit, spit, and everything else on the floor at Baldy’s. His boot would dry by the time he next shucked them. He grinned to himself. Might even be worth it to stomp into Emslow’s boardinghouse with it fresh, just to get her riled. The damn woman woke him with the sun, thumping on the walls with her broom and slamming stove lids. Since he had to get up for a piss, he reminded her that Rivers owned her, and her business. If she didn’t toe the line, he’d haul her to camp for a visit. She’d hauled ass, saying how sorry she was as she backed out of the room.
Damn, he wished he could see his ma act that way in front of him, all scared and eager to please. Twelve years of beatings with her damn broom was enough before he lit out. No woman would ever think she was better’n him again. He kept them in line with his fists.
Emslow was way too old and ugly for the boss, but if she acted up he’d give her to his men for a few nights. That’d smarten her up. The boys were stuck so far from town they’d screw anything they could catch. As long as she lived and had no bruises to show above her dress when she was brought back to town, they could do whatever they wanted to the old bat.
His lips curled back in his version of a smile. With her so scared, she wouldn’t dare say a thing if he brought a whore or two back to his bed. It was Friday, and Baldy said he’d have some fresh ones in. His cock struggled to rise. Damn, he needed a drink!
He shoved between the hip-shot horses tied to the hitching post outside Baldy’s and stormed in. He turned right, toward the bar, and took three steps. There on the bar was a bottle and two full shot glasses. He grabbed them, two-fisting, and threw them down, right then left. Fire trailed behind the rotgut as it hit his stomach. He shuddered, shook it off, and looked up. Instead of Baldy, an old coot with long white hair and beard stood behind the bar.
