Cassie calmed down at Charlie’s explanation. However, she knew that she could never handle multiple men. One man was trouble enough. She, of all people, should know.
“Well, your husbands are very handsome, and you look very happy,” Jillian said with a smile.
“I am. As hard as having three men is, it is worth it. One of them always makes sure that I have someone to talk to, share with, and help with the kids. And I don’t mind telling you, the lovin’ is really something even after all these years.” Charlie grinned, fanning her face with a towel, and Cassie couldn’t help but grin back. Charlie really did seem happy, and if no one was getting hurt then this ménageamous thing was fine with Cassie. It was difficult to be against love, after all.
“Of course, you’ll find out yourself, Cassie, what loving more than one man is like,” Charlie said with a twinkle in her eye.
“What do you mean? I don’t have one man, let alone two!” Cassie exclaimed.
“Zachary Harper has a younger brother by a year, Chase Harper, and they share. And the way Zach was looking at you, I am guessing that you’ll be meeting him pretty quickly. And Chase is every bit as good looking and hunky as his brother.”
Cassie pressed her hands to her hot cheeks at the thought of Zach Harper and the way he had made her feel just by looking at her.
And oh my god, there are two of them? I’ll never survive it. Nope, I just need to stay away from Zachary and Chase Harper.
Chapter 2
Cassie strolled alongside Jillian toward the town park where the Labor Day picnic was being held. Their condo was just a few blocks away, so they had decided it would be easier to walk. As they entered the park to look for a picnic spot, she could see that the park was already very full. Good thing they had come early. It looked like there were still a few shady spots to be had.
“How about under that tree, Cass?”
Cassie agreed, and they arranged their blanket and chairs to get a good view of the park and the festivities. One of Cassie’s favorite pastimes was “people watching,” and it looked like it would be a good day for that.
Cassie stretched out her legs on the picnic blanket and stared up at the blue Florida sky. Not a cloud in sight, and it was hot, way hot. She could feel her bra and panties starting to cling to her damp skin. Labor Day weekend was supposed to signal the end of summer, but summer in Florida didn’t retreat, gracefully, until October she had been told. The town park was full of people celebrating with softball, Frisbee, and picnic food, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. Cassie wondered if she would ever get used to the Florida weather.
The last few weeks had been busy, and Cassie had barely had time to contemplate her new life. She and Jillian had been quite busy getting their classrooms together, completing the new teacher orientation, and finalizing their curriculum. The first week of school had been exhausting, but Cassie found she enjoyed teaching. Most of her students were middle school age and were starting to be more interested in the opposite sex than in school, but they were surprisingly well behaved. She had a few troublemakers, but with some good advice from the seasoned teachers, she had learned quickly how to handle them. In fact, several of her students had stopped and talked to her as she and Jillian had set up their picnic blanket. She had met so many parents today, she was sure she would never remember them all, but she vowed to try.
Her eyes scanned the large crowd that had gathered in the park. It seemed like everyone must have turned out and was busy celebrating. Each family was to bring a covered dish, and the town provided the hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. Jillian had made her famous pistachio salad, and Cassie had made a batch of blonde brownies. Cassie had found the costs of the picnic were covered by donations from the residents, so she made sure that she and Jillian were generous in that respect. They both wanted their new hometown to know how much they appreciated the warm welcome.
Cassie’s eyes landed on a tall, well-muscled man in uniform headed their way. Light-brown hair with blond streaks and a tanned face made him look a little like a Viking, Cassie mused. That Viking body didn’t hurt either. Just a few weeks in this town and both she and Jillian had noticed that it had more than its share of drool-worthy men.
Maybe gym membership was mandatory for the men in this town, Cassie thought with a giggle.
That would explain the hard bodies she had seen. The man in uniform stopped right in front of them and gave a smile that would send most women swooning. In fact, Cassie could have sworn she heard Jillian’s sharply in-drawn breath.
“Ladies, I wanted to stop by and introduce myself and welcome you to our town. My name is Ryan Parks. I’m the sheriff in this town.” He knelt down so that his eyes were even with theirs and seemed to wait for a reply.
For once, Jillian wasn’t the first to speak. In fact, she seemed struck dumb, so Cassie quickly tried to smooth over the silence.
“Thank you, Sheriff. Everyone has made us feel real welcome. We already love Plenty.”
“That’s great to hear,” said the sheriff as his eyes strayed to look at Jillian. Cassie noticed her best friend’s face was tinged with a little red, and she didn’t think it was from the heat. “We take great pride in our little town being a safe, friendly place to live. If either of you girls has any trouble, please let me know.”
“Thank you again, Sheriff. This town looks pretty trouble free so far.”
“Well, you girls enjoy the picnic.” And with that, the sheriff took one last look at Jillian and made his way toward the grandstand.
Cassie eyed her best friend speculatively. Jillian seemed to be having trouble catching her breath, and her cheeks were still quite red. Cassie opened her mouth to ask Jillian what was going on and why she didn’t say a word to the sheriff, but Jillian cut her off with a dark look and, “Not a fucking word, Cassie. Not a word.”
* * * *
“C’mon, Jillian! Let’s go get some food. I’m starved!”
“You’re always starved, Cass. I really don’t know where you put it all. But I just put sunscreen on, and I want to get a few rays first. Go ahead, and get food if you want.”
Cassie started to get up from the blanket when she felt a pair of large, warm hands helping her. She looked up slowly into those topaz-blue eyes that had made such an impression the night at the pizza parlor. Up close, he was even taller than he had looked at the restaurant. He was probably a foot taller than she, and his shoulders were so wide, he seemed to block out the rest of the revelry in the park around her.
“Uhhh…thank you,” Cassie managed to stammer.
Mr. Perfect, as she had dubbed him that night at the restaurant, smiled that smile that showed his dimples and warmed his eyes. Man, he was one fine-looking specimen. Her body was reacting to his nearness, and she tried to take a step back, but he just moved closer as he kept hold of her hand. She stared down at it and then at him again, hoping he would get the hint, but he just smiled a little wider and slid his thumb back and forth over her wrist.
Cassie’s heart went into overdrive, and she could feel the blood rising in her cheeks and somewhere a little farther south, too. What was it about this man that sent her libido rocketing? He was tall and gorgeous and smelled a little like spice, citrus, and musky male. She felt her nipples pebble and hoped he didn’t notice her body’s reaction.
“I wanted to introduce myself to our newest town residents. I’m Zachary Harper. My family owns a horse farm outside of town, and we also have a construction business. I hope you’re getting settled in and enjoying your new home.” His hand continued to hold hers as he said it, and even though he said it to both of them, she felt his gaze on her acutely.
Apparently Jillian had recovered from her encounter with the sheriff since she was the first to speak this time.
“Zachary Harper? Wasn’t your name on the letter we got from the town council extolling the virtues of moving to Plenty?”
“Guilty as charged, I’m afraid. Both my brother and I are members of the town cou
ncil…and lifelong residents.” Zach gave Jillian a warm smile but turned back to Cassie as if drawn there.
“Brother? Is he here too?” Jillian gave Cassie a meaningful look that said she remembered the conversation with Charlie that night at the pizza parlor.
“Yes, he wanted to introduce himself, also. Oh, there he is now.” Zachary finally turned away from Cassie, and she couldn’t help following his gaze and almost fainted. He most definitely had a brother and, damn, if he wasn’t as fine and hunky as Charlie had said that night.
Cassie knew her mouth was hanging open a little, but who could blame her? His brother was just as tall, but with slightly lighter brown hair and the most striking, emerald-green eyes she had ever seen. They were fringed with thick, dark lashes that women, including Cassie herself, would kill for. His shoulders were just as broad, and his abs appeared to be just as tight. His face was a little more classically handsome than Zach’s with full, sensual lips and a square jaw. Cassie’s knees had turned to marshmallows just looking at these two men, and if Zach hadn’t still been holding her hand, she probably would have collapsed in a heap of aroused femininity.
Jillian just smiled and shook her head at Cassie’s dumbfounded expression. Luckily, Jillian always seemed to come to Cassie’s rescue at just the right time, and she wouldn’t let her down this time either.
“Well, I’m Jillian Miller and this is my best friend, Cassie Ames. It’s very nice to meet you.” Jillian extended her hand, and Zach’s brother shook it briefly and then lifted Cassie’s free hand and just seemed to hold it as his brother did.
“My name is Chase Harper. It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”
The men had managed to wedge her between their hard, male bodies, and her libido had woken up and taken notice after months and months of dormancy. Her pussy was creaming at the mere sight and smell of these two men. What would she do if they actually kissed her, for God’s sake? She needed to get some space, and soon.
“Actually, I was just headed to the buffet line to get some food,” Cassie said a little too quickly. She tried to breathe in some fresh air, but the only thing she inhaled was more of their scent, and another gush of moisture made itself known between her legs. Jillian gave her an odd look, but Cassie just tightened her lips and tried to look over the men’s shoulders, but it was mighty hard as they seemed to take up the entire landscape. With her petite height, they blotted out almost her entire view of the park. Their size made her feel very small and feminine.
“Great idea. We would be happy to escort you ladies,” Chase said in that silky voice that Cassie knew probably had girls dropping their panties right and left.
“Yes, we can give you some pointers about the local fare,” Zach said with a smile that showed those gorgeous dimples and took Cassie’s hand and started to lead her toward the food line. Okay, maybe those dimples were what got women wet.
Either way, she didn’t think these guys had too much trouble with the opposite sex. And she had had nothing but trouble with the opposite sex, and she needed to remember that, no matter how wet her panties got. They were temptation personified, but it looked like she was trapped into following temptation all the way to the buffet line.
Cassie sighed and let the two gorgeous men lead her away. Or was it astray?
* * * *
Cassie sat on the picnic blanket between two very handsome and attentive men. They had insisted on escorting her to the buffet line. There they had pointed out all the yummy local foods she should try and the food that she should avoid at all costs—just what were tofu salmon cakes anyway? The three of them had settled back down on the blanket with their overflowing plates. Jillian saw some friends and was now on the other side of the park eating with some of the other teachers from the school, leaving Cassie to entertain Zach and Chase all by herself.
She was a little overwhelmed at the attention from such handsome men, but they seemed very nice and down-to-earth as they chatted. They sat close and seemed to take up all the space around her, and they didn’t mind invading her personal space at all. In fact, every time she scooted back to get a little breather, they would scoot a little closer. Cassie was now at the back edge of the blanket and there was nowhere else to scoot to. Fuck. She had literally backed herself into a corner. All the while, she gave herself a stern talking-to. She didn’t need any man troubles. She had enough going on in her life.
Her body didn’t seem to want to listen to her brain around those two. Her nipples had long since pebbled and were pushing against her bra which was damp from the sweltering heat. Her panties were soaked and uncomfortable, and her lungs filled with their heady, masculine scent. Her pulse pounded as they talked to her in voices that could only be described as low and sexy. With Zach and Chase around, she simply had trouble catching her breath.
“Ready for dessert?” Chase’s smooth voice brought Cassie out of her reverie.
“Yeah, you got to try dessert. Mrs. Carter makes a blackberry cobbler that is practically famous.” Zach grinned.
“I am all for dessert, all the time,” Cassie said with a smile. “I’ll just go get—”
“No, ma’am,” Chase interjected. “I will be most happy to get you a plate of dessert. I’ll get you a little bit of everything and then, when you find your favorite, we can get you a big plate of it.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can get my own food.” Cassie tried to protest but could see the set of their jaws. She wasn’t going to win this one.
“Sit back, and let us spoil you a little.” Zach leaned forward and tucked a flyaway hair behind her ear. His breath was warm on her cheek. His fingers lingered for longer than they needed and slid slowly down her cheek, her throat, shoulder, arm, and then finally her hand where he laced his fingers through hers. His hand felt big and warm and—safe. Yes, safe. Cassie hadn’t felt safe, really safe, in a very long time. It seemed the last eighteen months had been filled with nothing but obsession and evil. She couldn’t help but be a little relieved that she could still recognize goodness and safety when she saw it. And these men were good, she knew that. She could tell that they would take good care of her. They just needed to understand that they didn’t have to. She could take care of herself. She always had before.
“Okay, but nothing with nuts. I’m allergic to nuts, and I love chocolate.”
“Yes, ma’am. No nuts and plenty of chocolate. Be right back. While I’m gone, Zach, ask Cassie about Friday night.”
Cassie turned to Zach. “What about Friday night?”
Zach smiled warmly at Cassie. Her heart skipped a few beats. “We want to take you to the drive-in on Friday night. It’s a lot of fun. Our parents used to take us there when we were kids. We would wear our pajamas and fall asleep in the back seat with a pile of pillows and blankets. Friday is a double creature feature. Please say you’ll come.”
“Creature feature?” Cassie couldn’t help but laugh. These men were surprising.
“Yep, the owner of the drive-in loves horror movies. New ones, old ones, good ones, bad ones. He doesn’t care, he just likes them. And, well, Chase and I like horror movies, too. Besides, there is nothing like a scary movie to get a pretty girl to cuddle up close.” Zach gave her that grin that showed off his dimples. There really ought to be a law against a man looking that good.
“Well, you have discovered my shameful secret. I love horror movies, too. And this girl won’t be cowering at buckets of blood, no, sir. I say bring it on.”
“Then bring it on we shall.”
Chase plopped down next to them with a plate overflowing with sweets. “Is she coming Friday night?”
“It turns out she is hiding a bloodlust. She’s coming all right and says she’s not going to be cowering next to us. Nope, she doesn’t get scared.”
Chase gave a hearty laugh, and his eyes twinkled. “We’ll see about that. Some of those movies can be pretty scary, you know.”
“Nothing scares me,” Cassie said before biting into a slice of chocolate
cake. She closed her eyes in ecstasy. Hell yeah, chocolate, baby.
“Looks like we found another of your weaknesses,” Zach said with a grin as he watched her wolf down the plate of sweets.
“Yes, I really love chocolate…and well, sweets in general. I’m lucky to have a fast metabolism. But I try to stay in shape, too. I like to run, mainly.”
“Chase runs, too. I prefer biking myself.” Zach stretched his muscled legs out on the blanket, and Cassie couldn’t help but notice how great they looked. They were firm and tan.
“I like to bike, too, but there weren’t many places to bike safely in Chicago. Maybe I’ll have to get a new bike since there are so many great places to go around here.”
Cassie started to relax as she chatted with the men about her life in Chicago and how much she liked Plenty. They were very easy to talk to and seemed interested in just about everything she had to say. They made it hard to resist them when they behaved that way. Of the two of them, Cassie noticed that Chase did most of the talking. He was funny, and he liked to tease quite a bit. He had an easygoing air about him that was nice to be around after all the drama in her life. She could imagine talking to him for hours. He never seemed to run out of conversation.
Zach, on the other hand, was much quieter. He rarely broke into the conversation unless he really had something to say. He paid attention to what she was saying with an intensity she had never experienced before. While Chase radiated playfulness and charm, Zach radiated authority and power. Chase would probably charm the panties off women, and Zach would simply hold out his hand and calmly ask for them. She was sure women rarely refused either of them.
Valentine, Laura - Plenty to Come [Plenty, FL] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 2
