Blinded by Beauty

by Chloe Lang

  Jason came up onstage with Nicole. He gave a more detailed account of the disappearance of Jacob and Josh to those gathered around. Even though Jaris couldn’t see the security detail that the sheriff had put together for Dragon Week, he knew them to be quite capable.

  “Jacob’s dad informed me that they had told him they would return by five,” the sheriff said. “No one had been worried when they didn’t show up, knowing they were determined to find Kaylyn’s missing dogs. But when the horses returned about ten minutes ago without them, that changed the whole equation.”

  “Sheriff, I’m betting this has something to do with Lunceford,” Corey, one of Belle’s husbands and a US marshal, stated flatly.

  Jaris reached into his coat pocket and touched the handle of his pistol. It was still a talisman that made him feel better in this kind of dire situation, with or without his sight.

  “I agree, Marshal,” the sheriff said. “This is likely the move we’ve been expecting. We all want you to keep your wife safe, so you won’t be part of the search party. Since Belle is Kip’s main target, I also want Emmett, Cody, and Bryant to be excluded, too.”

  Jaris was impressed with the sheriff’s tactical talents. Keeping Amber’s three husbands alongside of Belle’s two made a great deal of sense.

  “We’re going to take Belle and Amber back to the ranch after this briefing, Jason,” Shane, Belle’s other husband and brother to Corey, said. He’d served several years in prison undercover for the CIA, keeping tabs on Lunceford. If anyone knew how the bastard operated, it was Shane.

  “I want everyone else to form search parties for our two men.”

  Easton Black, the leader of Shannon’s Elite, the local CIA team, spoke up. “Sheriff, given the seriousness of this situation, I’d like to suggest appointing members of my team as leads so that the search parties will have access to ROCs. You know how spotty cell service can be around here, especially in the mountains.”

  “What’s a ROC?” one of the deputized citizens asked.

  “A declassified communication device used by the Agency. Their technical name is Reconnaissance Oscillating Communication Seven Series, but we call them ROCs.”

  “Great idea, Easton,” the sheriff said. “With their range, all the teams should be in constant communication. I’ll take a team to Nickel Ridge. Dylan will take another group to Turkey’s Pass. Sean and Matt grab a couple of deputies and head down to Narrow Belt. Nicole will be point on this, running the whole operation from my office.”

  “Sheriff, I’m going, too.”

  Jaris immediately recognized Hiro Phong’s voice. Being Jacob’s uncle and Josh’s dad, the man had reason to want to be part of the search party.

  “Of course. You’ll be on Sean and Matt’s team, okay?”

  “Yes.” The tight concern in Hiro’s voice was obvious.

  “Sheriff, please find my nephew and son.” The tone of Melissa, Hiro’s wife, was full of a mother’s worry.

  “We will, Mrs. Phong. I’m sending every man on this one.”

  “Thank you.”

  Every man? That meant there wouldn’t be men to spare to keep watch on Kaylyn’s house. Not good, even with him and Chance acting as her bodyguards.

  The sheriff gave a few more instructions and then ended with “Okay everyone, let’s get going.”

  Jaris pulled Kaylyn in close, feeling her trembles increase. “You okay, baby?”

  “I’m just so worried about Jacob and Josh. I won’t be okay until they are back home safe.”

  “I know.” He kissed her forehead. “We need to get someone to drive us to your house.”

  “Hold on,” Chance said. “I’ve got an idea. Wouldn’t it be better for us to take Kaylyn to the Boys Ranch? Corey and Shane will be there along with the Stone brothers.”

  “Good thinking, buddy.” Jaris continued to be amazed by Chance’s insights. “Let’s go talk to them about it now.”

  * * * *

  “Lights out, fellas.” Holding Annie’s lead, Chance stood next to Kaylyn.

  He could hear all the boys settling down in their sleeping bags in the basement of the Stone’s ranch house. With Lunceford still on the loose, everyone had agreed that moving the boys out of the dorm and into the basement of the big house was the best plan to keep them safe.

  Daniel, one of the older boys, said, “Good night, Miss Kaylyn. Mr. Chance.”

  “Good night, boys.” Kaylyn was excellent with all the orphans, always patient and loving. “Close your eyes and go to sleep.”

  They headed back up the stairs, leaving the door to the basement open.

  “Night, Annie,” one of the little boys shouted.

  Chance grinned, leading Kaylyn to the opposite side of the house to the guest bedroom that Belle and Amber had prepared.

  Kaylyn squeezed his hand. “How long before Jaris’s shift ends?”

  Jaris was pulling guard duty with Shane. Corey had suggested all the men rotate shifts every two hours, walking the perimeter around the property.

  Chance punched the button on his watch.

  The digital voice announced, “The time is 11:40 p.m.”

  “Only twenty minutes, sweetheart.”

  “When does your shift start?” she asked.

  “At 2:00 a.m. with Emmett.”

  “That works out perfectly.”

  Chance realized what she meant by that. She wanted to talk. Maybe that would be a good thing, since she was obviously still shaken about the news of Jacob and Josh’s disappearance.

  Sharing her does have at least one thing that appeals to me.

  Whenever she needed comforting, he would have Jaris to help with that. But there were more things about the Destiny kind of relationship that intrigued him. Making love to her had also been surprisingly enjoyable, though awkward at first. Would it be awkward again? Maybe.

  His mind spun with more pros and cons of it all.

  Now isn’t the time to try to figure out if I can make what she’s asking of Jaris and me work for the long haul. Especially not with Jacob and Josh still missing.

  Shane and Corey both had ROCs, so they were in constant communication with the sheriff and all the search parties. The bad news was there had been no sign of the two men yet.

  “We’re here.” She opened the door and walked into the bedroom.

  He and Annie followed behind.

  Kaylyn started laughing.

  “Down, Annie.” He turned toward Kaylyn. “What’s so funny, sweetheart?”

  “Amber and Belle.” Her sweet giggles filled him with joy. “They are too much.”

  “What did they do?”

  “There are two cots set up for you and Jaris.”

  “Seriously?” Chance chuckled. “I’m surprised. I thought everyone in town knew our business. It is the Destiny way. I guess I was wrong. Amber and Belle aren’t quite sure what our situation is after all.”

  Kaylyn stopped laughing. “And who is sure of our situation? Not me, and definitely not you.”

  Damn it, I sure put my foot in my mouth on that one.

  He heard her sit down on the bed. “Everything is going to hell because of me.”

  “Honey, that’s not true.” He moved onto the bed, putting his arms around her and pulling her in close. “I agreed to try. Remember? We don’t need to dive back into the discussion about you, Jaris, and me right now. You’re exhausted. You just need some sleep. We all do.”

  “Sleep isn’t going to change one damn thing, Chance. And you’re wrong. I am to blame for screwing things up between us and for so much more, too. I’ve made mistakes, over and over, one after another. When will I learn? I should’ve set up my four dogs training in a better place, closer to the ranch house. If I had then Potter wouldn’t have shot me, and Rex, King, Blue, and Rosie would be in their kennels right now.”

  Like him, she was realizing the possibility that their dogs weren’t going to be found.

  She leaned her head into his shoulder. “Lyle told me about Bayles
s kicking his dogs.”

  “Sweetheart, I only held that news from you because I wanted you to stay focused on getting better.”

  “I know. You’re always so protective of me. I love you for it.” She sighed. “Having to deal with Bayless is also my fault. We wouldn’t need the creep’s help if I hadn’t screwed up. Jacob and Josh are missing because they were looking for my dogs.” Her voice and body were shaking, but she continued on. “Worst of all, I’ve screwed up our relationship. How long did you and I suffer in silence about our misunderstanding about the kiss under the mistletoe? Years. What happened when you finally told me how you really felt? I told you that I was in love with Jaris. I fucked up everything. I know you are willing to try…for me. With all my heart I want both you and Jaris. I’m afraid, Chance. But what if you’re right? What if it won’t work out? What if you can’t…can’t…God, I will die if I lose you again.”

  She began sobbing in his arms, leaning her head into his chest.

  Her suffering was killing him.

  I guess now is the time to figure things out. She needs me to.

  He brought his fingers up to her face and felt her tears. Her overwhelming fear and pain sliced into him like a hot knife. Dylan’s earlier words of advice filled his mind.

  “You’re being selfish, Chance. Kaylyn is from Destiny. She’s not the one with the issue. You are. Your ego is getting in the way.”

  Dylan was right. He was being selfish.

  “Kaylyn wants you and she also wants Jaris. That’s what will make her life complete. That’s the kind of family she dreamed of when she was young.”

  The former Navy SEAL had spoken the truth and now he was able to see it.

  Jaris had been right, too. “Blindness comes in all kinds of shades.”

  Kaylyn had been courageous, confessing her love of Jaris.

  What did I do when she opened up her heart? I pushed her away, and I nearly lost her again.

  Suddenly, everything seemed clear to him. Jaris was his brother. Kaylyn was the woman of their dreams. We are a family.

  “Shhh, sweetheart. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Her tears seemed to subside. “You’re really not going anywhere?”

  “No.” He heard the familiar footsteps of Jaris, his best friend, his brother, and the man he would share Kaylyn with for the rest of his life.

  “Down, Sugar.” Jaris’s tone was serious. “What’s going on, Chance? Why has Kaylyn been crying?”

  “Because I’ve been so blind, Jaris. I’ve been a fool. No more. I see clearly now. She’s all I want. Her happiness is what matters to me, and I know she needs us both. Hell, man. I need you. You’re my brother.”

  “And you’re my brother, too.” Jaris stepped forward and placed his hand on his shoulder. “We can do this, buddy. We can make her happy.”

  “Yes we can and will. I’m all in.” He turned to Kaylyn. “Sweetheart, no more hesitation. No more doubts.”

  “You’ve made me so happy.” Kaylyn wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “He’s all in, baby,” Jaris said. “We’re family.”

  “Yes, we are.” Chance touched her cheeks, finding the tears he’d caused. “You are ours, sweetheart. Mine and Jaris’s.”

  “I love you, Chance.”

  “I love you and want to be with you forever.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chance realized his life with Kaylyn and Jaris was just beginning. The future had never looked brighter.

  He leaned forward, pressing his mouth to Kaylyn’s sweet lips. He could feel her surrendering to his kiss. Her breathing softened.

  This was her dream and now it is Jaris’s and mine, too. This is our reality. Our future.

  He released her mouth. “No more doubts, Kaylyn. None. I love you with every fiber of my being. You are my world.”

  “I love you, Chance, with all my heart.” Her words filled him with absolute joy.

  “You’re my world, too, baby.” Jaris stepped forward, sitting on the bed on the other side of her.

  “And you’re mine.”

  Jaris kissed her, and she moaned into him. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Chance is all in, baby. I told you it would work out. We’re a real family now.”

  Her sweet voice was filled with lightness and happiness. “I am yours, and you both are mine.”

  “Jaris is my brother. I respect and love him.” He wanted to make one thing perfectly clear to her. “There’s no other man on this planet I would be willing to share you with but him. Sweetheart, I’m not entirely sure how the day-to-day poly thing works, but I do know that there will be no other men welcome in our family.” Chance addressed Jaris. “You agree with me on that?”

  “Hell yeah, I agree,” Jaris said. “You and no one else, Chance. She belongs to us.”

  Chance touched her cheek, loving the feel of her soft skin. “Kaylyn, do you understand what we’re saying?”

  “I do. You and Jaris only.” Her voice told him that she welcomed their possessiveness. “You two are all I want or will ever want. I love you. I love you so much it overwhelms me.”

  “We’re about to show you what being overwhelmed by us really feels like, baby.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “Aren’t we, Jaris?”

  “Damn right, we are.” Jaris reached into the pocket of his Levi’s. “I’ve got protection. Here’s one for you.”

  Chance reached out and took the foil package.

  “What’s the other little package for, Jaris?” Kaylyn asked sounding extremely excited.

  “It’s lubricant, baby. I’d like to send my cock into your pretty ass. Would that be okay with you?”

  “I’ve never had anal sex before,” she confessed in a low tone. “But I would like to try. In fact, I’m tingling all over just thinking about it.”

  Chance pressed his mouth to her lush lips, going deeper than before, becoming more intense. He moved his tongue past her lips, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling her melt into him, he relished the taste of her surrender.

  “Shouldn’t we get undressed, guys?”

  “Is our girl in a hurry?” Jaris laughed. “Give me those lips.”

  As he and Kaylyn kissed, Chance ran his hands over her arms, loving the feel of her soft, silky skin. Her little passion trembles drove him wild.

  After Jaris ended his kiss with Kaylyn, Chance took his place, devouring her mouth once again. His balls became so heavy and his cock grew. “I can’t get enough of your delicious lips, sweetheart.”

  He pulled her blouse over her head and tossed it to the floor. Together, he and Jaris removed her bra.

  “I want to enjoy your gorgeous breasts, baby.” He reached out and touched her full mounds. Kaylyn moaned as he lightly pinched her nipples.

  “Chance, may I look at your chest? And yours, too, Jaris?”

  Without a word, he ripped off his shirt. He grabbed her wrists and brought her delicate hands to his chest. He released her, allowing her to move her fingers over his torso freely.

  “God, you are so incredibly beautiful, Chance.”

  He grinned. “I’ve never been called ‘beautiful’ before, sweetheart.”

  “Get used to it because you are, and I plan on reminding you of it for the rest of my life.” She removed one of her hands, and he realized she was touching Jaris with it. “And you are beautiful, too, Jaris. Both of you have the bodies of Greek gods. I’ve never seen such perfect muscles on any man before.”

  Chance loved hearing her breathless words. She circled his nipple with her fingertip. He bent down and circled one of her nipples with his tongue.

  “Feels good.” She clawed at his chest.

  When he tightened his teeth around her taut, little berry, he heard Jaris kissing her on the neck. There was something so natural about sharing her with him, something so right. He could tell that Kaylyn’s desires were multiplying fast, thanks to his and Jaris’s joint touches and kisses. He an
d Jaris were in complete sync with how and when to touch her, caress her, kiss her.

  “Let’s place her down between us, Chance.”

  “Good idea.” He helped her to the center of the bed.

  “I want to get her out of the rest of her clothes so I can enjoy that little bottom,” Jaris said in a tone full of desire.

  “And I want to get a good look at her sweet pussy.”

  Kaylyn giggled, obviously enjoying the wicked talk. “And to make it fair, you two need to strip out of your jeans.”

  “You’ve got a deal, sweetheart.” He and Jaris removed their Levi’s, and then pulled off her jeans.

  In a flash, he and Jaris joined her on the bed, placing her between them.

  “Face Chance, baby. I’m serious about wanting to enjoy your ass.”

  “Keep talking to me like that, Sir, and you’ll get whatever you want.”

  Chance chuckled. “I think our girl likes to please.”

  “And she also likes a firm hand.”

  He heard Jaris slap her ass, and the moan that followed told him that they were both right. As soon as possible, Jaris and I need to go in for Dom training. He knew she would love it when they did.

  * * * *

  Kaylyn’s ass stung deliciously from Jaris’s slap. Her body burned from head to toe with want.

  She gazed at Chance. Though he could not see, his eyes were a beautiful chocolate brown, and his lashes were the longest she’d ever seen on a man.

  While kissing her on the back of the neck, Jaris caressed her bottom, spreading her cheeks.

  Chance moved his hand down to her pussy. “She’s soaked for us, Jaris.”

  His fingers threaded through her swollen folds, increasing the pressure inside her.

  “I can tell. Her scent is driving me crazy.”

  Kaylyn trembled with delight, hearing their inner beasts come out in both of them.

  “Got to have a taste.” Chance shifted down the bed until his mouth was less than an inch from her pussy.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, wrapping her leg around his back. She held on, trying to steady herself but never quite succeeding. She was slipping fast into a swirl of desire from their intimate touches.