by Claire Adele
Too soon the guys began to move and shift her so that they stretched out on either side of her. She moaned, not wanting to so much as move a limb.
“I think she needs more energy,” Ty said.
“Let’s help her sit up so she can finish her ice cream.”
She opened her eyes and looked at Beau as he offered her bowl of melted ice cream to her. “Where did you guys get so much energy? Your stamina is amazing.”
Ty grinned at her. “Must be from working long hours on the ranch.”
Beau nudged her. “Can’t let these cherries go to waste. There’s enough for each of us to enjoy one.” He dipped the spoon in the bowl and scooped up a nice red cherry, which he offered to her. She obediently opened her mouth, and he fed it to her. As she chewed the delicious fruit, he took a cherry for himself and handed the bowl to Ty.
“Yum,” Ty said. “Just the right finish to an incredible evening.”
“I hope you can both spend the night. I’d like for you to stay here with me if you want.”
“Love to, babe,” Beau said.
“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” Ty said.
Beau swept her into his arms. “How ’bout we shower off, babe?”
“Good idea,” she agreed, breathless as she found her balance in his cradling arms.
The shower was big enough for all three of them at one time. They each took a turn under the spray from the showerhead washing each other off in the process. Their talented hands easily aroused her and made her crave more hot sex with them.
“Kiss me, darlin’,” Ty said as he turned her to face him and cradled her shoulders in his arms. He lowered his head and took her mouth in a deep, searing kiss.
It was oh so seductive, and heat streaked to her pussy once more. Beau was behind her, and she felt his hands at her waist. He caressed her hips and curved under and upward over her butt cheeks in a masterful caress. Ty’s warmth surrounded her like sunshine, and he continued to plunder her mouth. She returned his kiss even as she felt Beau circle her hole and smooth his fingers up along her crack and back down to her puckered hole. With one hand on her hip, he stroked her flesh in a small circle. It felt good, and she couldn’t keep from moaning. He didn’t stop but continued to press against the tight flesh and circle.
Ty shifted one arm and lowered his hand to slide between their bellies. He delved his fingers between her folds and found her clit. Pressing gently, he circled her clit, continuing to kiss her, holding her close as Beau caressed her tight ring. Ty never stopped tantalizing her clit, and suddenly prickles overwhelmed her and her muscles clenched as another climax took her, shaking her. She undulated with the contractions as Beau and Ty continued caressing her.
She broke the kiss with Ty as she moaned. Slowly, her body calmed and the convulsions eased. “Oh my. I wasn’t expecting that.”
Ty chuckled and held her shoulders in his big hands.
Beau slipped his arms around her waist. “There’s lots more we can show you. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“I think I will with you guys.” She smiled at both of them.
They rinsed off some more and turned off the water. Grabbing towels, the guys helped to dry her off, stroking her breasts and pussy and other places in the process. She felt light-headed from their ministrations. Beau eased her into her flowered robe. Both guys wrapped towels around their waists and followed her back to her bedroom.
“Will you have enough time to get a good sleep before you have to leave for the ranch?”
“We’re used to grabbing short sleeps,” Beau said. “Don’t worry about us. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“I’ll be at my flower shop,” she said as she snuggled down into the mattress.
Beau looked at Ty, and she knew it was another one of those silent signals.
“I’ll bet Darlene gives you a call to go to lunch with her,” Ty said. “She’s always busy doing something like that, according to Rafe and Lucky. Don’t be surprised if she does.”
“Yeah, you might include that in your schedule,” Beau said. “And tomorrow night we’d like to take you to dinner, if that’s all right with you.”
“I’d love it,” she said, smiling at both of them. She was so sleepy she didn’t think she could stay awake any longer. Her eyelids were drifting down over her eyes.
“Night, babe,” Beau said and kissed the side of her face.
“Night, darlin’,” Ty said and kissed her on the other side.
“Goodnight,” she said. As her eyes closed, she felt their big, warm hands on her.
* * * *
The next morning when Beau and Ty arrived at ranch headquarters, he parked his truck next to Ty’s at the barn and punched in Rafe’s number on his cell.
“Yeah,” Rafe answered.
“You remember the girl, Chloe, that Ty and I were with last night at your place for dinner?”
“Yeah, she seems like a real special young woman,” Rafe said.
“Well, she’s got a problem with that loan shark, Cinco Gonzales. He’s got his goons pestering her about paying her loan on time. I’m a little concerned they’re bothering her too much. I don’t know what his game is, but I don’t trust Cinco.”
“No, he’s not on the up-and-up.”
“Would you put the word out to keep an eye on him and his friends and Chloe? I think she needs our protection.”
“Sure. You got it.”
“Let Darlene know, too, okay? And by the way, does Darlene know that Cinco, and his goons as well, are rogue werewolves?”
“I’ll be sure she does know. She took a liking to Chloe right away. In fact I think she’s going to call her to arrange to have lunch with her soon.”
“That sounds great. See you later,” Beau said.
“Will do,” Rafe said.
Beau ended the call and slipped his cell into the holder on his belt.
“Do you think that’s enough protection for her right now?” Ty asked, looking doubtful.
“No, I don’t. But I don’t know what else we can do. Law enforcement can’t do anything unless there’s cause. So far, he’s only been harassing her. I know she wants to run her flower shop. The best thing we can do is be watchful at this point and stay with her when we don’t have to be at the ranch on the job.”
“What time do you think she’ll be at her shop?” Ty asked.
“I imagine she gets there early to open up and be ready for business by nine. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. is what it said on the front door.”
“Then we’ll meet her either at her shop or at her home as soon as we can get away,” Ty said. “Call her during the day to keep track of things. I’ve got my cell with me. If we take turns calling when we have time, we can help her if she needs us.”
It sounded to Beau like Ty felt about her the same way Beau did. “We’ll let the guys at the ranch know her situation and ask them to inform us about anything they see that looks suspicious. The sooner we discourage Cinco from harassing her, the better. We can’t let anything happen to her.”
Beau planned to ask her how much the mortgage was for so he could loan her the money to pay off Cinco and get him out of her life. The sooner he talked to her about that, the better. He had plenty of money put away. He had no plans to use it right now, and she needed it worse than he did at this point. He’d ask her tonight about letting him loan her the cash she needed.
He opened the door of his truck and stepped out onto the soft soil near the barn. Hopefully things would go smoothly with the ranch today.
“Later.” Ty stepped into his truck and waved as he headed for his family’s ranch nearby.
* * * *
They arrived at the steak house fairly soon after Beau and Ty met her at her flower shop and followed her home. Her day had been quiet for the most part, although Darlene had stopped by and talked her into going to lunch with her at her favorite place. It had been fun, and she’d enjoyed gabbing with Darlene as they got to know each other a little more. It was clear from what D
arlene had said that she lived the life she’d always wanted.
Beau and Ty escorted Chloe inside the restaurant they’d picked tonight. They were taken to a table that was one of few left. The table could seat six. Beau held a chair for her. She noticed that with Beau on one side of her and Ty on the other, they could all three see most of the room.
Chloe felt comfortable with Beau seated on her right side and Ty on her left. They always gave her a distinct sense of safety from Cinco and his goons’ nasty games.
She looked up from her menu and noticed Lance and Mark had come in. They stood in the entry area waiting to be seated. “There’s Mark and Lance.” They surveyed the crowded room for a table. “We should ask them to join us.”
Beau stood immediately and caught their attention. He motioned for Mark and Lance to join them.
She smiled as the two close friends crossed the room to their table with the same formidable attitude they’d used the first time she’d seen them with Beau and Ty at her flower shop. She figured most people would keep their distance from the serious, confident looks of Lance and Mark.
“Everything all right at the ranch?” Beau asked them as they took seats across the table.
“Yeah,” Lance said. “Everything’s fine. Gates and doors are all closed for the night.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Beau said.
They all studied their menus, and the waiter arrived to take their order.
The guys talked about work at the ranch and the latest town gossip, not that there was much gossip really since the town was small. It sounded as if they knew lots of people in town. Some of their school friends had moved away over the years, looking for work opportunities in the bigger cities, but Beau and Ty and their cousins had stayed to keep their family ranches operating. Both Lance and Mark had local families who had small farms. However, their desire had always been to work on a ranch instead of a farm.
She heard heavy footsteps shuffling closer and closer behind them. Skittish after her dealings with Cinco’s men, she shuddered involuntarily. She saw that Lance and Mark had looked up from their plates, and the look in their eyes was guarded as well as threatening. She turned to see who they watched just as the dreaded form of Cinco stepped into view at the side of their table on Beau’s side.
“Evening, amigos,” Cinco said as he stepped behind Mark and Lance. She decided to keep quiet and let Beau and Ty and their friends take charge of any conversation with Cinco.
Cinco’s goons took positions on either side of him, their backs to the people at the table behind them. They made Chloe feel uncomfortable, and she wished they’d leave fast. She hadn’t noticed they were there when she’d come into the restaurant with Beau and Ty. The place had been too crowded to see everyone who had been seated.
Cinco put his hands on Lance’s and Mark’s shoulders. “How would you like to come to my place for an after-dinner drink? I recently purchased an expensive vintage bottle of wine that you would enjoy, I’m sure.” He glanced first at Mark and then at Lance.
She wanted to shift her position in her chair. He made her feel so uneasy, but she stayed still hoping she wouldn’t attract Cinco’s attention.
Mark and Lance looked at each other. “No thanks,” Lance said.
Mark gave a quick shake of his head.
“Some other time then,” Cinco said and nodded to them. He turned away as he dropped his hands from their shoulders. His men moved out of his way and followed him out the door.
“Good riddance,” Ty said.
“Do you guys have anything to do with Cinco?” Beau asked, his voice doubtful.
“Never,” Lance said.
“Wonder what Cinco’s up to?” Mark looked at Lance with a level expression in his hazel eyes.
Chapter Six
“Doesn’t matter,” Lance said. “We don’t have any reason to share a drink with him, ever.”
The waiter brought them the bill, and Beau paid for their dinners. They all thanked him.
“My pleasure,” Beau said and smiled at them with genuine warmth in his dark eyes.
They left the building together. Lance and Mark headed toward Lance’s truck on the opposite side of the parking area from Beau’s pickup.
“See you in the morning,” Ty said as they waved good-evening to the two of them.
Ty and Beau escorted Chloe to Beau’s vehicle, and he opened the door for her and Ty. As she glanced at Ty while she moved to slip onto the side front seat, she noticed Cinco and his guys had joined Mark and Lance. That can’t be good. She stopped and waited beside Ty.
“What’s Cinco up to now?” She motioned toward Mark and Lance.
Beau stopped on the other side of his truck and turned to look at the same time Ty turned around to see what was happening.
Cinco put his hand on Mark’s shoulder again and ran his hand down Mark’s arm slowly in a gesture of familiarity. Chloe cringed inside.
Lance pushed Cinco’s hand off Mark with lightning speed before Mark could react.
“You think they need help?” she asked Beau and Ty.
Cinco backed away from Mark and Lance and turned toward her and her guys.
As they waited to see what he did before getting into the truck, Cinco joined them.
“Hey, my friends, come on over to my place for a party. I know you’ll have a good time and enjoy the entertainment tonight, from what I’ve seen.”
His words chilled Chloe. She turned away. Had he been watching her with Beau and Ty through her poorly curtained windows at night? The thought made her feel a little sick. She’d done things with Beau and Ty that she’d never done before. Things that her parents probably wouldn’t approve of, either.
“No thanks,” Ty said.
“Don’t think so, Cinco,” Beau said.
Ty cupped her elbow and helped her into Beau’s truck. She scooted to the middle, and Ty stepped in and sat beside her as Beau slid into his seat and switched on the ignition. He put the truck in reverse and started backing it out of the parking spot before Cinco moved away.
She saw that Cinco walked toward his goons who joined him. Mark and Lance drove out of their parking space as well.
“Do you think, from what Cinco said, that he and his men have been around my house at night? Could they have been looking in the windows?” When she was young, she’d opened her curtains one night to look at the moon and had been startled and frightened by a strange man who’d stood outside her window and had stared at her.
Beau and Ty each put a reassuring hand on her knees.
“We’ll check around outside before it gets dark,” Beau said.
* * * *
When they arrived at Chloe’s home, she invited Beau and Ty in.
Beau and Ty explained they wanted to make a quick check of the entire house inside and make sure everything was as it should be before they went outside to search for footprints. It didn’t take them long. None of them noticed anything out of place or missing.
“Stay here, babe, while we check outside,” Beau said as they headed for the front door.
“It won’t take us long,” Ty said. “We’re both good at recognizing tracks. If they’re there, we’ll find ’em.”
They headed out the door, and Ty closed it behind him.
“If Chloe will agree to us staying here with her long term when we’re not working, I definitely want to be here,” Ty said. “Nothing can happen to her while we’re with her. I’m crazy about her. I’ve never met anyone before who makes me feel the way she does. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about her.”
“I’m with you on all counts,” Beau said. “I’m worried I haven’t been as careful of her safety or as protective as I need to be for her. I know better. I’m responsible for what happens to her because I couldn’t stay away from her. Even though she draws me like she’s my soul mate, I have more experience with this town and the people than she does. I need to remember that and quit thinking only of taking her to bed. Her well-being comes fi
rst.”
Ty knew that Beau, as the oldest of the Wolford siblings, had always felt a strong responsibility for everyone in his family, including his cousins. But he didn’t have to consider himself the only one who could look out for Chloe.
“You’re not alone in this, Beau. I’m just as concerned with Chloe’s safety and well-being as you are. I want to stay with Chloe as long as she’ll have me. I felt more than a physical connection with her when we had intercourse. She felt to me like she was the one I was meant to spend my life with. I’ll protect her from any danger, forever. Since you and I both feel this way, nothing will keep us from protecting her.” He’d fight anyone who threatened her. Nothing could keep him from keeping her safe, at any cost.
They walked around the yard next to the house. Tracks of various shoe sizes surrounded the house. Someone had been there. “I’d like to strangle whoever made those tracks,” Ty said.
Beau knelt down to check one set of tracks under her bedroom window. “Don’t tell Chloe, it would only upset her more, but it looks like someone stood here looking in her bedroom window for a while. They left deep depressions.”
Ty leaned down to check it out. “Shit. You’re right. And it looks like more than one pair of shoes made those tracks.”
“Hell,” Beau said softly. “She shouldn’t know about this.”
“I agree,” Ty said. “We’ll have to tell her we found some tracks, though. They’re easy enough for her to see if she checks. We’d better help her put up good window coverings.”
Beau nodded. “We can help her with that cost.”
“We might as well head inside and tell her.”
* * * *
Chloe paced the length of the living room back and forth, waiting for Beau and Ty to come back inside. What was taking so long? They must have found tracks made by someone.
Frustration filled her. She felt inadequate to handle the problem of Cinco on her own. He frightened her. But she must handle this problem and the loan if she planned to be independent. Here, she’d been so determined to live on her own and be successful without anyone’s help. Now she found she needed Beau’s and Ty’s help to overcome the problem of Cinco and his goons.
