They rode in silence for a long time and finally she couldn’t take it any longer. “Tell me more about this place.”
“Why?” Jace shot back. “You don’t believe what we’ve already told you.”
Darian interrupted and picked up the story where Jace had left off earlier. “Women are scarce here and, as such, are valued. Brothers will compete with one another to see who can win a woman’s hand. Only one brother can marry her, but all share in her bed.”
Sam pulled the mare to a complete halt. “Whoa. What do you mean, compete? And what’s this about being shared between a couple of men?” She didn’t like the sound of this at all. Were they taking her to a cult of some kind?
Jace pulled the stallion around in a tight circle until he was facing her. “The tapestry brought you to us. If you are willing, we will compete sexually for your favor. If you decide to stay you will pick one of us to be your husband, but the other brother will also share in your bed.”
Her imagination exploded with images of the three of them naked in a huge bed. Heat suffused her body and her pussy clenched. Oh God, it was all too easy to imagine Jace on top of her, plunging his cock into her pussy while Darian suckled her breasts. She’d read about ménage à trois scenes in some of the romance books she liked, but never had she really imagined being part of one.
She shook her head and Jace’s scowl deepened.
He spun the horse back around and continued to ride. “We will not force ourselves on you.”
Once again, she felt as though she’d hurt him somehow. But what did he expect her to say? Let’s get it on. She’d just met them. Yes, she was attracted to them, but they were practically strangers.
“It’s only for three days.” Darian’s quiet voice came from her right and she turned to look at him, trying to gauge if he was telling the truth. “The tapestry always returns in three days and it is the woman’s choice. She can stay or go.”
“And women have stayed?” She couldn’t imagine anyone giving up their life to live with a couple of strange men after only three days.
Darian nodded. “Many of them. Most, in fact. In all our history, only a handful of tapestry women have chosen to return home.” The path widened and he rode alongside her now with Jace still in front of them.
Sam was uncomfortably aware of Darian watching her and the desire smoldering in his pale-blue eyes.
“It would not be so bad, Sam.” Darian stroked one rough fingertip over her cheek. “Belonging to us. You would want for nothing, in bed or out.”
Before she could catch his intention, he leaned forward and captured her mouth with his. His tongue traced the seam of her lips before slipping inside. He was seducing her with his words and touch.
Did he have any idea how appealing the idea was to lay all her troubles down and have someone else take care of them and her? To forget about the much-needed bank loan, the money she already owed the bank, the drought and poor crops and the worry of bills and simply allow herself to sink into the sensual spell he was spinning. It had been months since a man had kissed her. The last one had been George “The Snake” Rawlins and she wanted to forget him.
Darian’s lips were warm and tender as he drew back, leaving her slightly bemused and more than a little aroused. “Give yourself some time with us.”
Sam sucked in a deep breath and shook her head. As appealing as it was, she was the kind of woman who stood on her own two feet and dealt with whatever life threw at her. And right now she was trying to save her family farm.
“We are home.” Jace’s voice cut through her thoughts and Sam jerked her head in his direction. Heat crept up her cheeks. She’d kissed his brother even after everything he’d told her about the two brothers competing sexually. What kind of woman did that make her?
A horny one for sure. She fought the urge to squirm in her saddle and did her best to ignore the ache in her breasts and the dampness between her thighs.
She rode up alongside Jace. “Where exactly?”
“Home.” Jace pointed and she realized they’d left the woods behind them and open land lay before them. “Welcome to Hunter Keep.”
Her gaze followed his hand and she gasped. There before her was a small stone castle, like something out of a history book. She blinked, but it didn’t disappear.
The castle rose up out of the base of the mountain that loomed behind it like a hulking protector. Dark-gray stones shone in the afternoon sun. A huge wall ringed the castle. Beyond it were smaller huts with thatched roofs. There were fields in the distance with some sort of crops and several pens with sheep and chickens.
Wherever she was, she sure wasn’t in Texas.
Chapter Four
Jace did his best to hide his disappointment and anger at Sam and his brother. Maybe he was being too hard on her, but he’d hoped in his heart she’d give his world a chance. He wasn’t sure she even believed either him or Darian when they’d explained about the tapestry and Javara.
And who could really blame her? It would seem a lie, nothing more than a story to her. To him, it was all the hope he had of ever having a family with his brother.
At least Darian had managed to kiss Sam. It was more than he’d done. He longed to know her taste, to feel the softness of her lips beneath his. But he’d given his promise he would not force himself on her. She would have to come to him and that was as likely as the sun rising at night and the moon at dawn.
He watched Sam as they rode toward the stables. She hadn’t been lying when she’d said she could ride. She sat on the back of the horse with an ease that told him she’d been doing so for years. And Morning Star eagerly responded to her easy commands. Sam had a light hand on the reins, which came only from years of experience and a confidence in her own skills.
Rex, the stable master, hurried out to greet them. Whatever he’d planned to say died on his lips when he caught sight of Sam. He glanced at the brothers before nodding to her. “Welcome to Hunter Keep.”
Sam nodded. “Thank you.” She looked around. “Where’s the phone? I need to call Tim.”
The sound of another man’s name on her lips angered Jace. “Who is this Tim?” He swung down off the back of the new stallion and handed the reins to Rex.
Sam dismounted before either brother could help her. “He’s my father’s best friend and the closest thing I have left to family.”
Jace frowned and wondered what had happened to her family. Once again, he was reminded of just how alone she’d been when they’d found her. “He will worry about you?”
She shrugged. “Both he and his wife Mary will. I’m supposed to go to dinner at their place tonight. If I don’t show, yeah, they’ll be worried.”
There was nothing they could do about that now. When she returned home in three days they would discover Sam was fine. Putting the matter from his mind, he turned to his brother. “Take her to meet Mother.”
“Where are you going?” Darian asked him.
“To work.” Anything to get his mind off Sam’s soft skin, her full lips and distressed blue eyes. He wanted to scoop her into her arms, carry her to his room and spend the next three days with her in his bed. And if he did that, she’d hate him. And, while she might not be planning to stay, he couldn’t bear the idea of her thinking of him with fear and possibly hate in her heart. He’d told her he wouldn’t force himself or his company on her and the only way to keep that promise was for him to stay far away from her.
Otherwise, he might compromise his honor and love her until she screamed his name. He turned his back on all of them and walked away, heading toward the fields.
It was a first for him. Jace had been born responsible. A good thing since his sire and uncles were anything but. It had been Jace and his mother, and later Darian, who’d kept their people fed, sheltered and clothed, who’d kept the storage rooms filled with food and goods for consumption and trade.
But, for the first time in his life, he didn’t care about responsibility or about Hunter Keep. All he care
d about was Sam and the fact she didn’t want him, didn’t want to stay and didn’t even seem willing to give them a chance.
His chest ached and he looked ahead to all the lonely years that loomed ahead. He knew in his heart this was their one and only chance for a bride.
“Where is he going?” Sam felt as though she’d driven him away. She also felt abandoned, which was stupid. He didn’t owe her anything. Nor would she see him again once she was home. Why then did she feel as though something special was slipping through her fingers?
Darian shrugged. “The fields. Come inside. I want you to meet our mother.”
Their mother. They really had been telling the truth about that. Sam pulled her phone out and tried again. It was still dead.
“Sam.” Darian’s voice was soft and gentle. “Whatever that device is, it won’t work here.”
“Right. Because we’re in this other world called Javara.” How long would they keep this up?
He put his arm around her waist and guided her toward the small castle. She glanced over her shoulder, wanting to catch another glimpse of Jace. He seemed so alone. She knew what that felt like. But he wasn’t alone. He was home and had his brother and mother, and a whole lot more people. She couldn’t afford to empathize with him.
She faced forward and squared her shoulders. “Let’s go inside.”
Sam followed Darian up the wide stone stairs to a massive wooden door. This place was truly amazing. He held the door open and she stepped inside, stopping for a moment to allow her vision to adjust from the brightness of outside to the more muted lighting inside. They were in a foyer of sorts with stairs off to her right and left and an open archway before her.
“This way.” Darian pressed his hand against the small of her back and urged her forward. The warmth from his palm sank through her T-shirt, warming her. It was chillier here than it was at home. Just how far had they brought her?
“I really need to use your phone.” If her cell phone wouldn’t work here that had to mean they had a landline she could use.
When Darian said nothing, she glanced back at him. His jaw was tight, a muscle twitching in the side of his face.
“Welcome home.” The deep female voice gave her a start. She’d thought they were alone. A woman rose from a high-backed chair that sat in front of a cold fireplace. She was probably in her early fifties with long white hair that had tinges of blonde in it. Her figure was well rounded and a smile wreathed her face. Her familiar pale-blue eyes told her this woman was related to them. She was wearing a dark-green dress that fell to her ankles.
“Mother.” Darian strode toward the woman and embraced her.
Sam watched them, jealous of their obvious closeness. She was very conscious of her old jeans and scuffed boots. She started to brush them and stopped. Anger flooded through her. Why should she care what she looked like? What they thought of her? She was the one who was kidnapped.
“Excuse me, but I need to use your phone.” She really should tell the woman her sons had kidnapped her. But maybe that wouldn’t surprise her. Maybe they did this all the time.
That thought was depressing.
She felt like banging her head against a wall. Why should she care if they kidnapped women all the time? Because, in spite of it all, she wanted to be special to them, to feel as if it was her they wanted and not just some random woman.
She really needed therapy. She’d obviously been alone for way too long.
Darian released the older woman. “Mother, this is Sam Calloway. Sam, this is my mother Edwina.”
“Samantha,” she corrected as she stepped forward and offered her hand. “But everyone calls me Sam.” The older woman took her proffered hand, but held it rather than shake it. Edwina studied her, taking in Sam’s appearance.
“You’re not from here, are you?” She looked at her son for confirmation.
Darian shook his head. “The tapestry brought her here.”
Sam noted he didn’t tell his mother that the tapestry had brought him and Jace to her ranch first. At least, that was the story they told her. She didn’t know what to believe any longer.
Edwina paled and her grip on Sam’s hand tightened. “Oh, my dear, I’m so thrilled you’re here. Welcome to Javara.”
While the woman really did appear to be happy, Sam had had enough. “Look, I really don’t know what kind of con you and your sons are running.” She slowly disengaged her hand and took a step back from mother and son. “But enough is enough. I need to get home.”
Edwina glanced at her son for an explanation. Darian shrugged. “She doesn’t believe what we told her.”
The older woman waved her toward a second chair before the empty hearth. “Sit, Samantha, please. I’ll answer any questions you have.”
“I don’t want any questions answered. I just want to go home.” Sam was suddenly tired. Tired of the lies and tired of the pressures of her life. She didn’t need this whole kidnapping thing on top of everything else.
Sadness suffused Edwina’s face. “And you shall go home, if that is still your wish in three days when the tapestry reappears.”
“More like two and a half now.” Darian didn’t sound the least bit pleased.
“So, your sticking to the whole three-day thing, are you?” Sam went to the chair, sank down onto it and closed her eyes. God, she was so tired.
Large hands enfolded hers. She opened her eyes to find Darian kneeling at her feet, concerned etched on his handsome face. Behind him, his mother stood, one hand on his shoulder. She looked worried as well. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.
“I think Samantha could use a rest and some food.” Edwina gave her son’s shoulder a squeeze and released it. “Take her upstairs and I’ll have a tray sent up.” The older woman gave Sam a forced smile. “Please remember, if you have any questions at all, I’m here.”
“Thank you.” Sam didn’t quite know what else to say. She should be railing at her kidnappers, demanding to be set free. Instead, she felt as though she should be on her best behavior, as though she were a guest in their home.
Darian held out his hand. “Come.”
Sam rose without taking his hand. She was already getting in way too deep with the Hunter family.
Darian didn’t know whether to curse or fall into the depths of despair. It was obvious Sam still didn’t believe she was in another world. She believed they’d brought her somewhere else in her world.
How could she deny the magic of the tapestry?
Neither of them spoke as he guided her up the winding stone staircase. He thought about taking her to the guest room, but detoured instead, taking her to his room. He ushered her inside and closed the door behind him.
Sam’s eyes widened as she took in the space, and he tried to see it through her eyes. The hearth was cold, but there was wood and kindling waiting to be lit. Two large wood chairs with embroidered cushions sat before it with a small table in between. A fur rug lay in front of the chairs. There were two windows, both tall and thin, allowing in light. Two big storage chests sat along one wall and another at the foot of the bed. He noted it was his bed she was staring at. He wasn’t a small man so his bed had been crafted with his size in mind. A carved head and footboard kept it from being too plain.
Some clothing was hung from pegs on the wall by the bed and several swords and daggers were mounted above the hearth. Darian noted someone had brought up his baggage from his trip. His sword and his satchel of clothing sat on the trunk at the base of the bed.
Sam looked at him and swallowed hard. “This is your room, isn’t it?”
He nodded and slowly walked to her. “You will be safe here.”
Her gaze went to the bundle at the end of the bed. “You own a sword?”
He inclined his head. “Our world is different from yours, Sam. We protect ourselves with our swords. I’m also a fair archer and am skilled with a knife.” He wanted her to understand he could and would protect her.
Darian went to the trunk
and picked up his sword. He drew the four-foot blade from its scabbard and brandished it in front of him. Sam made a squeaking sound and took a step back. He ignored the fear in her eyes and did something he hadn’t planned on doing, something he knew he shouldn’t do without discussing it with Jace.
The pledge was one every young man learned from his father from the time he was old enough to understand he might never have the opportunity to use it. It was a sacred oath, the foundation of their very civilization. Darian took a deep breath and repeated the words that he prayed would change his life forever, would make her understand his depth of commitment to her.
He went down on one knee before her and held his sword in his two hands, offering both it and himself to Sam.
“You are the heart that beats in this chest and in this home and if you would take me for husband I will give you my love, loyalty and devotion for as long as I live. With me, you gain the love, loyalty and devotion of my brother as well, who will be lover to you, and would also be your husband should I die before you. In return, I ask for your love, loyalty and devotion and any children that the gods see fit to gift us with.”
Sam felt lightheaded. This couldn’t be happening. Darian couldn’t be proposing marriage to her. He’d only known her a few hours. This was insane. “Why?” The word came out of her as a croak, but it was the best she could do. Her throat was dry, her knees weak. “I won’t give you my land.” That was the only reason she could think of for this elaborate ruse.
Darian raised his head. “I want nothing from you but your love, Sam, and I’m willing to wait for that to grow.”
“You don’t even know me,” she countered, trying to ignore the rapid beat of her heart. No man had ever proposed to her before. His words struck a chord in her heart, especially when he spoke of children. But she wasn’t sure about the whole “having his brother as her lover as well” deal. Although, there was no denying she was as attracted to Jace as she was Darian. And what kind of a woman did that make her?
Strands of Love Page 4
