by Chloe Lang
“Potter has at least eight of Jason’s deputies all around him,” she whispered to Jaris and Chance. “Please. I’m safe. I have a show to do.”
“Ms. Anderson, I would like to pay for all your medical bills.”
“I have insurance, Mr. Potter.”
“But I’m the one at fault. You shouldn’t have to pay a dime and neither should your insurance.”
“Listen to him, guys,” Kaylyn whispered. “Even if he’s lying, it’s clear he won’t try anything here. I’m supposed to sing.”
Chance turned around and faced her. “Here’s the deal. Jaris and I will remain beside you onstage with Sugar and Annie through the whole set.”
Jaris nodded. “And once the band is finished, Chance and I will take you home.”
“Okay.”
Chance added, “There will be no meet-and-greet for you to talk to the band’s fans. Understand?”
“Seriously? That’s part of the job.”
“Listen to your men, Kaylyn,” Mitchell said. “Either we do it their way or I pull the plug on tonight’s performance. The guys and I can sign all the autographs. It will be fine.”
“Please, Ms. Anderson,” Potter’s voice sounded desperate. “Let me do this for you.”
Chance took the mike from her. “Mr. Potter, this is not the time or the place to talk about this.”
Jaris leaned into the microphone. “Potter, you’ve said enough. You need to leave. Now.”
The man nodded and left the row of seats. Seeing how strong and commanding Chance and Jaris were being, she knew they could be perfect Doms—for her.
“He left like you asked,” she told them. “Jacob is following him. Trouble averted.”
Chance handed the mike back to her. “What’s it going to be, sweetheart? Are you going to do it our way and do the set and leave, or are we going to take you off this stage right now?”
“We’ll do it your way. I’ll sing. When the show ends, we can go back to my place.”
Mitchell sat back down by his drums.
Patrick cleared his throat. “Please put your hands together and welcome Wolfe Mayhem.”
The crowd roared.
Glad to have Chance and Jaris so close, Kaylyn brought the mike to her mouth and sang the opening number, though her thoughts were on what was going to happen after the show.
Having Chance and Jaris together at her home would give her the opportunity to talk with both of them about how she felt. Was her mother right? Should she be blunt about what she really wanted? Would it change everything?
Chapter Twelve
Though Chance would’ve loved just listening to Kaylyn sing, he knew he must focus all his senses on everything happening around her. Kaylyn’s safety depended on it.
Doing the same thing as he was, Jaris stood on the other side of the stage next to her.
The band transitioned into another upbeat song, making it difficult to hear. But Chance still had his other senses to pull from, and the vibration he felt through his boots told him someone other than a band member was coming up on the stage from behind.
Chance tugged on Annie’s lead, letting her know to be on guard. Her wagging tail indicated she knew the person approaching. Knowing this was a friend and not a foe allowed his shoulders to relax, though he remained on guard.
“It’s me, buddy.”
He instantly recognized Emmett’s voice, even though his words were nearly being drowned out by Wolfe Mayhem’s music.
Almost having to shout to be heard, Chance asked, “Everything okay?”
“So far, but after hearing that creep talk, everyone is on alert. Come over to the side behind the speakers for a moment. I need to talk to you about Kaylyn.”
Taking a few steps to the side with Emmett, he asked, “What about her?”
“I wanted you to know that me and my brothers will help Lyle take care of everything up at the Boys Ranch until Potter is either behind bars or out of town. Don’t worry about a thing. I realize that all your focus is on Kaylyn, exactly where it should be, especially after we all heard Potter’s outburst.”
“Thanks, Emmett. No matter what, I’m going to make sure she’s safe. I have no doubt that Jaris is on the same page as me.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that. Before coming up onstage, I talked to the sheriff. He’s adding two more deputies to the detail keeping an eye on her house.”
“Perfect, because this would be an opportune time to break into her home since everyone is in town celebrating Dragon Week.” Chance heard Kaylyn begin singing a ballad about a woman who lost her one chance at love, which reminded him of her admission of her deep feelings for Jaris. This isn’t the time to think about that. Keeping her safe is all that matters now. “Once the band is finished with their set, Jaris and I want to get her back to her house.”
Emmett placed his hand on his shoulder. “I’ll drive the three of you. I’m going to pull my truck up behind the stage so that we can make a fast exit.”
“I appreciate all you’re doing for Kaylyn and for me and Jaris.”
“Buddy, that’s what friends are for.” Emmett exited the stage.
Without hesitation, Chance moved back to the position he’d just left, right next to Kaylyn.
* * * *
“Thanks for the ride, Emmett.” Standing on her sidewalk, Kaylyn got her keys out of her purse.
“You’re very welcome.”
Chance stood to her left with Annie. Jaris had gone with Sugar across the dirt road in front of Mrs. Nevelson’s house. He was talking to Dylan and the other officers who had been patrolling the neighborhood.
“Great show tonight.” Emmett turned to Chance. “You and Jaris take care of her, and call me if you need anything.”
“We have your number. We will call you at the first sign of anything out of the ordinary.”
“Good deal.” Emmett got back into his truck and drove off.
Jaris headed to her house from across the street. “The sheriff has done an incredible job securing the area. We shouldn’t have any issues tonight.”
Finally. Alone with Jaris and Chance.
She placed the key in the deadbolt and unlocked the door. “Have a seat, guys. I could use a glass of wine. Would you two like anything?”
“You’ve been on your injured leg too long,” Jaris said. “You sit and Chance and I can get the drinks and something to eat. I bet you’re hungry?”
“Not really.” Food was the last thing on her mind.
“Sweetheart, you sure? You haven’t eaten all day.” Chance’s tone sent a shiver up and down her spine. Like always, it was filled with a deep, abiding kindness, but there was a hint of sadness she detected that caused her to choke up.
“You and Jaris haven’t eaten either.”
“How about we start with some cheese and crackers? Or would you rather Jaris cook something?”
“Cheese and crackers will be fine. Thank you both.”
They walked into her kitchen and she sat down on her sofa. Her heart was racing. She’d been waiting for what seemed like forever, though it had only been since last night, to tell Jaris how she really felt about him. How do I tell him? How will he react? She’d already experienced Chance’s reaction to her truth. Not good, though she hadn’t given up hope yet.
She brought out her cell and sent a text to her mother. “Getting cold feet, Mom. Alone with them now. What do I do?”
Waiting for her mother’s response, she listened to Jaris and Chance preparing their light meal.
Her cell beeped.
She read her mother’s words and felt better.
“Dreams are never reached unless you do everything you can to reach them, honey. I say, ‘Go for it.’ Love, Mom.”
Bolstered by her mother’s text, she smiled and put her phone back in her purse.
The guys returned with the food and drink.
She took the glass of wine Jaris held out for her.
Chance placed the tray on the coffee table.<
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She scooted to the center of her couch. “Guys, sit down with me.” They squeezed next to her. It felt so good being between them. “I have something I’ve been wanting to say all day.”
Jaris placed his glass on the table and turned to her. “I have something I need to say, too.”
“Please, Jaris. Let me go first.” Even though she was determined to follow through with this, she began to tremble.
He grabbed her hand. “Sure.”
“It’s just that…well, I need to tell you…” She took a deep breath and blurted, “Oh, damn it. I am in love with you, Jaris.”
“Oh my God, Kaylyn. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I’m in love with you, too.”
Happy tears welled up in her eyes. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Feeling him deepen the kiss, tingles spread all over her body.
She tried to kiss the other man of her dreams, but he turned his head away. Her heart seemed to seize in her chest. “Chance, please. You have to understand this doesn’t change how I feel about you. I’ve loved you for years, and that will never change. But my heart is big enough to love Jaris, too.”
“Sweetheart, I want to make you happy, but I don’t know if I can do this.” Chance grabbed her hand. “Kaylyn, I’m sorry, but honestly this is so strange to me.”
Jaris bristled. “What the hell, Chance? This is Destiny. This is how Kaylyn grew up.”
“I love this town and I love her, but I didn’t grow up this way.”
She squeezed Chance’s hand. “But can’t you just try?”
“I’m not sure.”
She’d known him for years. He was decisive about everything. This was so unlike Chance. It was ripping her heart apart. Her mind swirled with a million things to say to try to convince him it would work—for all of them. She was terrified she was going to lose him again, and this time it would be forever. I just can’t let that happen. What can I do?
Needing a moment to collect her thoughts and not wanting to break down in front of them, she stood. “I’ll be back, guys.”
* * * *
Jaris sat in silence, hearing Kaylyn shut the bathroom door. When he heard the water running, he said, “You’re breaking her heart, Chance. You know that, right?”
“How can you accept this? You’re not from here either.”
As much as he hated listening to the pain in Chance’s voice, he now knew what Kaylyn wanted, needed. “Because I love Kaylyn and will do anything for her, that’s how. And I know you do to.”
“I don’t know what to say, Jaris. I do love her. With all my heart but I’m just not wired that way. It felt so weird when you two kissed just now.”
“Of course it’s weird. This is new for both of us.” Jaris needed to turn him around and fast. They were about to lose the woman of both their dreams. “You’re like a brother to me, Chance. I never had any siblings. My dad is gone. You’re the only family I have.”
Chance placed his hand on his shoulder “You’re a brother to me too, Jaris. But is that enough?”
“I believe it can be. Sharing Kaylyn with you would give me the family I don’t have anymore.”
“Sounds so simple, but this kind of thing only works out in movies and books for people like us.” Chance’s tone made it clear he was wrestling with the whole idea and not coming up with any answers. “If I’d been born here, grew up in a family like hers, known this my whole life…it would be so easy. But I’m from a family with one dad and one mom. I have a sister. We’re the typical family that exists everywhere outside of this town.”
“And how was your life before you came to Destiny?”
“Nothing was wrong with my life. My parents are great. I love them both. My sister, Paige and I have always been close.”
“I’m not talking about your family, Chance. I’m talking about you and Kaylyn. It didn’t take me any time to realize that you two belong together. How long did you both keep your feelings buried? I know you came to Destiny to be closer to her, not just to help her train dogs.”
Chance sighed. “For years.
“Wasted years. You taught me how to see again and also that blindness comes in all kinds of shades.” He hoped he was getting through to him. “Remember?”
“Yes. It’s one of the first things I say to my students. So?”
“I’ll never forget your words, Chance. ‘Even the seeing are blind to so much that is right in front of them.’”
“What does that have to do with this?”
“Don’t be blind to how much she loves you. I have no doubt this won’t be easy for either of us at first, but we will figure it out—for her.”
* * * *
Kaylyn turned off the faucet and stepped into the tub. While filling it, she’d heard bits and pieces of Chance and Jaris’s conversation, which was still going on.
God, men can be so hardheaded sometimes.
She’d left them in the living room, needing a moment to clear her head, and nothing cleared her head better than a hot bath.
Submerged in the steamy water, a few tears fell.
But tears never solved anything.
As she quickly washed her body, she decided it was past time for action.
They’d both declared their love for her. It’s their dream, too. They just don’t know it.
She could hear Jaris still working on convincing a stubborn Chance to consider giving the Destiny way of life a try, but even Jaris had expressed that he thought it would be difficult.
Difficult? God, she would never understand how being in love could be so hard. Why did the outside world put such limits on it?
Limits? “No more. I’m getting what I want.”
She stepped out of the tub and reached for a towel, determined to have her dream. Or in her case, dreams. Chance and Jaris were sitting on her sofa in her house at this very moment.
She dropped the towel to the floor, leaving her bathrobe on the hook. “Get ready, guys. Kaylyn is in the house.” She turned the knob and smiled. “She knows what she wants and is willing to do what she has to do to get it.”
Without hesitation, she walked into the hall to the men who had stolen her heart.
Chapter Thirteen
Chance heard Kaylyn walking out of the bathroom back to the living room, where he and Jaris still remained.
While she had been bathing, the discussion with Jaris had gone in circles. Yes, he wanted Kaylyn. So did Jaris. She wanted both of them. Jaris was willing to try, but he still wasn’t sure. Over and over he and Jaris had talked through it, from every conceivable direction, but coming to no real resolution. He’d been honest with Jaris, voicing just a few of the difficulties sharing Kaylyn would have. Jaris had countered all his arguments with all the reasons why such a relationship might work.
Might? That was what held Chance up and clearly was also in the back of Jaris’s mind, even if he didn’t say so. If it didn’t work, then what? Disaster, that was what.
Kaylyn’s footsteps came to a stop on the other side of her coffee table, opposite him and Jaris. “I’ve been listening to all your discussion, and since it’s about me, I think it’s my turn to put my two cents’ worth in.”
“Sweetheart, you know I love you but—”
“Chance, I’m tired of buts.”
“Kaylyn, don’t be angry with him. It’s a lot for all of us to digest.” Jaris was obviously struggling with the idea of sharing her as much as he was. “We just need to talk this out.”
“No. It’s time for you both to listen to me.”
Chance was familiar with her putting her foot down. “Okay, sweetheart. You have the floor.”
“I think we’ve established that we all love each other. You both are like brothers. I heard a lot of what ifs. There are no guarantees to any relationship, but when there is love, you definitely have a head start on it lasting forever. Look at all the wonderful examples we have on how to make it work. My parents. The O’Learys. And so many more. Observing them, I’ve learned one of the main
things people need to make a family last is to talk to one another. Just like we’re doing now. Because there will be trials. That’s life. But if you have love, communication, and commitment, you can work out anything. I know this isn’t the life that either of you ever imagined. But it’s the life I always dreamed of. It can work. We can make it work. I love you both. And I want you both, too. And I believe you both want me.”
“Yes. I want you,” Jaris said.
Her words shook Chance to his core. “Baby, of course I want you.”
He heard her step around the coffee table, and sit down between them on the sofa. Her freshly cleaned skin’s aroma filled his nostrils.
She grabbed his hand and Jaris’s hand. “I’m right here, ready to be yours.”
She brought his hand up to her naked breast, which ignited his hunger for her. He could tell that Jaris was massaging her other breast.
“No clothes? You don’t play fair, do you, baby?” Jaris’s voice rumbled at a deep, hungry tone.
“She never has,” Chance answered for her, moving his fingers lightly over her soft flesh. His unrestrained lust was pushing him forward, despite his reservations. He had to have her. Now.
“And neither do you play fair, Mr. Reynolds. As long as I get what I want, I’ll let you win.” She was making it clear what she wanted.
He leaned over and kissed her, tracing her lips with his tongue. “I really want to try, sweetheart.”
She brought her delicate fingers up to his face. “That’s all I’m asking, Chance. For you to try. I know this will work. For you. For Jaris. For me. For all of us.” She pressed her lips back to his again.
When she turned and kissed Jaris, he still felt strange and awkward, but somehow now it was lesser than before. Maybe this really can work. Maybe she’s right.
Wanting to give her what she desired, Chance shoved down his hesitation, running his hand up and down her arm. He could hear Jaris and Kaylyn’s kiss deepen. Oh my God, can I really do this? Yes, I can.
He took a deep breath and moved his lips over her breast, suckling on her sweet nipple. The kissing sounds ended, and Jaris shifted down. Suddenly, he felt Jaris’s head bump hard into his head. The loud thud reverberated throughout the room.
