Grumbling under his breath, Holt did as she said. Mrs. Callahan took the clothes with her to the washer. “We’ll start these going then you can take him the water. It’s good to see you after all this time.”
Once the washer was going they went to the kitchen. Nat took the glass and went back down the hall. She knocked on the door.
“If it’s Natalie, come in. All others stay out.”
“You are in a foul mood, Mr. Ramm. Take these pills.”
He threw the pills in his mouth and took a long swallow of water. “Come here.”
“No. You have to rest.”
“I can’t go asleep unless you lay beside me.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“Just take off your shoes. You can keep the rest of your clothes on. I’m too afraid of Mrs. Callahan storming in here to check on me to try anything else. Can you believe she accused me of whining.”
His look of indignation had Nat giggling. “If I do agree to marry you two, I’m getting lessons from her.”
“If you remember, her two big husbands were her backup.”
“Yes, but she handles them well, too. I’ve seen her.”
“You don’t need any help. You’re already the stubbornest woman I know.” He groaned, and Nat got closer. His arm reached out fast, and he pulled her to the bedside.
“Please get in bed with me for a few minutes.”
“Only if you close your eyes and try to sleep.” She sat on the floor and removed her boots. Then she pulled the covers back and cuddled beside his warm body.
He wrapped his strong arms around her. “Hmmm, you smell so good.”
“Sleep,” she whispered. She lay still, listening to the beat of his heart under her ear. His musky scent tickled her nose. She squirmed a little closer and laid one leg over his.
“Be careful,” his deep voice rumbled. “I’m injured, not dead.”
After that she lay still, enjoying his embrace, his heat, and the most incredible feeling of belonging. Gradually his breathing slowed. She peeked at his face. He was fast asleep. Slowly and carefully, she moved away from his body. He threw an arm out, barely missing her, and turned on his side. She waited at the bedside, but he didn’t stir anymore.
Nat picked up her boots and left the room. Gray was waiting in the empty living room.
“They’re all outside around the barbecue. I have to go pack. Castor verified Ubel’s bail had been paid and he’d been released. He’s got an ankle bracelet and is confined to home. I told him about the attack on you. They’re checking his calls to try and see how he connected with this guy.”
“I thought I was going with you.”
“No, I’ve decided to leave you here until we find out more about this guy and if Ubel has hired anyone else.”
“Can I go help you pack?”
“Absolutely. I’ll drop you back here on my way out. You’re not to be alone at any time. Understand?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not foolish.”
He gave her a look.
“Well, only when you and Holt might be in danger.”
“Let’s go. I want to have time to say a decent good-bye, or an indecent one.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gray unlocked the door and let Nat walk by him. Afternoon shadows gave the room an empty, cold appearance. Nat ran her hand across the top of the sofa.
He came behind her and massaged her neck. “You’re all knots. Still worried about Holt?”
She bent her head down, the better for him to reach all of her neck and shoulders. “What happened today is just hitting me. How in a few minutes I might have lost you and Holt.”
“Or we might have lost you,” Gray whispered in her ear. He pulled her back against him. “The man was a good shot. We were all lucky.” He pulled her down beside him on the couch. “My guess is he was supposed to take out Sondra and you, but Sondra was at the barbecue surrounded by Boyd and the sheriff. He must have decided to try you first.” Gray ran his fingers along the side of her face and then across her lips. “That’s my supposition. We’ll know for sure if he lives and talks. What I really want to know is how he knew you both were in Triple Dare.”
“Ubel was Tom’s good friend before all this happened. I still visited my dad during my marriage, and he and Ubel sometimes socialized in the city while I was gone. I’m sure Tom would have told him where my father lived. Maybe Ubel put two and two together and figured I was here so probably Sondra was too.”
“That makes sense.”
Gray stretched out on the couch. Nat lay along the length of him. Both men made her feel safe and loved when they held her this way. Gray turned her slightly under him and kissed her softly. His teeth nibbled at her bottom lip.
Heat flushed through her body. His hard cock pulsed against her lower abdomen.
“Feel how much I want you?” He ran his finger around the outline of her earlobe while his kiss deepened. She wiggled under him farther and wrapped her arms around his neck. She deepened the kiss, her tongue tangling with his.
Raising some, Gray undid the first two buttons of her blouse and kissed the outline of her breasts. Her heart banged against her chest.
“Let go a minute.” Nat stood and flicked the switch to the small lamp at the end of the couch. She stood in the glow from the lightbulb.
Her hands went to her blouse. Very slowly she undid each button and pulled the hem loose from her jeans. She shook the shirt off her shoulders. Her thin white lace bra didn’t hide her nipples. Reaching behind, she undid the clasp, twirled the bra, and threw it at Gray.
Deliberately she stretched. Gray sat on the side of the couch. He stared at her breasts and groaned. “Come here.”
She sashayed to him and straddled his legs. His large hands covered her mounds, sending desire straight to her pussy. Moisture flooded her panties. She ran her fingers through his longish blond hair. His hazel eyes were like dark emeralds glowing with his hunger for her.
When his mouth covered one nipple, she leaned her head back and gasped as a shot of electricity ran up her spine. She held his head closer as his tongue licked and sucked on the one, and his fingers gently pinched the other nipple.
Her pussy’s inner walls clenched and unclenched, hungry to feel his hot cock deep inside her inner walls. “It makes me crazy when you’re deep inside me,” she said.
Nat pulled away and stood. She yanked Gray off the couch. “We’ll get the rest of these clothes off and continue.” She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Her fingernails trailed along his chest and teased his nipples, and then she undid his jeans, button, and zipper.
Gray pushed her hands aside. He did the same to her jeans and pushed them and her panties down. She sat on the floor and pulled her boots and all off while he did the same. When she stood, she walked back into the light and raised her arms. Her smile beckoned to him.
Gray walked toward her. She playfully moved in another direction. He stalked her around the room. She tried to slip under his arm and get away, but he caught her at the waist.
“My prize,” he said. His cock pointed at her. “He needs your attention.”
“Really?”
Gray held her closer so their bodies were skin to skin.
“Yes, really.” He loosened his grip, and Nat slid down to in front of his large dick. Her hand ran lightly over the hard, pulsing rod. At the tip, a spot of his essence glowed like a pearl drop. She ran her finger across the top of his dick and then sucked his flavor from her fingertip.
Fire flashed in his eyes and the scent of their arousal swirled around them. Gray handed her the condom he’d taken out of his pocket. “Put it on me.”
Nat rolled the condom up his cock and gently put her hand around his balls before sliding up his length. Gray pushed her against the wall and pulled her legs up around his waist. “I’d like to play longer, but I want you too much.” He plunged deep and hard into her pussy.
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him
as he moved in and out, sending desire rushing along every blood vessel in her body. She was hot and hungry, and an ache formed deep in her pussy demanding relief. She met his every stroke as he went deeper inside her.
Suddenly a swell of euphoria and pleasure held her body tight, about to explode. Gray stared into her eyes as he ran his finger across her swollen clit. Pleasure flashed inside like a hot flame searing her and carrying her up and over as Gray yelled out his own satisfaction.
He carried her into his shower and let her feet down. “I hate to end this, but I have to go.”
Nat put her head against his chest. “I know. I’ll miss you.”
Gray kissed her mouth. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me so far.” His teasing smile warmed her heart.
They bathed each other. Gray turned her to face the tile. “Spread your legs and bend slightly.” When she did, she heard him step out of the shower and rip open a package. He came back and stood behind her. Gray pushed his sheathed dick into her wet pussy. He didn’t move for a moment. She clenched her inner walls tight around his cock.
“I should have known we wouldn’t get out of this shower without something happening,” he mumbled as his one hand covered her breast and the other rubbed her clit.
Nat pushed back, taking more of him inside. “Are you complaining?”
“Hell, no.” He started to move slowly then faster. His finger pinched her nipple and pushed against her clit. Her desire rose fast and shattered as he nipped at her shoulder and pushed against her womb. Gray quickly found his release. He held her tight for a moment longer before moving back.
“We’d better shower off quick and get out of here and into our clothes. I have little willpower where you’re concerned.”
Nat gave him a quick kiss and rubbed her breasts against his chest. “Something to remember me by until you return.” She grabbed a towel and got out of his reach.
“As if I can get you out of my mind any time of the day or night.”
She went to her room and put on her usual jeans and shirt but decided to wear her flats instead of her boots. She hadn’t worn the boots in several years until recently. They took some getting used to.
Looking up, she saw Gray leaning against her door frame. His hair looked darker wet. He’d put on a charcoal brown suit. His sexy smile made her heart trip faster.
“You look like one of those models straight out of GQ magazine. You’re always handsome, but in a suit you take a girl’s breath away.”
He sauntered into her room and into her space. He cupped the side of her head and leaned close to her lips. “I’ll remember to wear one once in a while even when we’re living at the ranch.” His lips brushed hers. “I hate to go, but it’s time.”
“I need to check on Holt,” Nat said.
“You might call his Nana. They’re connected in a way that she’ll know something has happened. She’s probably already tried calling his cell phone.” Gray opened his cell and checked the number. He wrote it down for her.
“I’ll call as soon as I see how he’s doing.” The ride to Gray’s parents was much too short.
“I won’t come in. I’m running late. Someone detained me.” He winked at her, waved, then drove off.
Nat slipped into the house. She saw everyone out in the backyard. She’d check on Holt before joining them.
The door was shut. She carefully turned the knob and peeked through the small opening. She didn’t want to wake him.
Holt still lay on his side. He breathed slow and easy. She shut the door and joined the group outside. Sondra hurried to her.
“Has Gray gone to the city?”
“Yes. He’ll call to let us know when or if we need to join him.”
“It was frightening to hear what happened this morning.”
“You were well protected by Boyd and the sheriff,” Nat said.
Sondra blushed. “I was.” She pulled Nat to the side. “Did you know most of the women here have two husbands?”
“Yes, it started back when Triple Dare County was first founded. The people enjoy the lifestyle and have continued it.”
“Boyd introduced me to the sheriff right after I got here. He said they were best friends. Boyd and the sheriff told me they plan to share a wife. I thought they must be kidding. But every time I’m around them they point out other threesomes that have been married a long time.”
“You don’t like the idea of two husbands?” Nat asked.
Sondra looked bewildered. “I’m not sure. The idea is rather fascinating, but still it seems wrong or wicked.”
“It’s just a different lifestyle and not for everyone. The cardinal rule from the very start has been the woman had to agree. The men want their wife to be happy. If anything they dote on them more than a husband in a regular union.”
“Are you going to have two husbands?”
Nat thought about Gray and Holt. She could never choose between them, and no matter what she said her heart was already involved.
“I think I am.”
The sheriff’s helicopter flew low over the trees and landed farther down the hill from the house. Sondra’s eyes brightened. Nat was pretty sure Sondra’s heart was hooked, but deciding to take the step to marry two men obviously worried her.
Sheriff Kel Reardon climbed the hill and walked across the yard to Sondra and Nat. He put his arm around Sondra.
“Hi, darlin’.” Sondra blushed and put distance between them. The sheriff grinned then looked at Nat. “Our prisoner came through surgery. A detective arrived named Anderson. He said he knew you.”
“In a way.”
“He plans to stay and question the guy as soon as he wakes.” Kel glanced down at the woman by his side. “I missed you. Let’s go eat some barbecue.” Sondra nodded agreeing and waved good-bye as Kel guided her toward the others standing around the grill.
Nat took her phone out of her pocket and moved farther from the crowd. She punched in Holt’s grandmother’s number.
“Hello,” a soft-spoken woman answered.
“I’m sorry I don’t know your name. Holt and Gray call you Nana.”
“Is Holt all right? I’ve been trying his phone. He’s hurt, isn’t he?”
“Yes, but he’s going to be fine.”
“Tell me what happened. I felt a pain in my head earlier.”
Nat told her about the gunfight with the mysterious assassin. “Holt saved my life, and Gray saved his.”
“You’re the one they want to marry.” It wasn’t a question.
“I am. My name is Natalie Newlyn.”
“Are you going to marry them?”
“I think so.”
“You’re hesitant. I feel darkness and pain. You’ve had a difficult time. You’re afraid to trust them, but especially my Holt.”
“Holt said you had special gifts. What you said about me is correct.”
“Hmmm, I’m going to fly to Triple Dare. I’ll get the first flight. I want to see my boy and meet you.”
“We were planning on visiting you after I get cleared of the murder charges.”
“Murder charges? How interesting. No, I will come to him. I’ll call you as soon as I have made my reservation.” She hung up before Nat could reply.
“Is something wrong?” Gray’s mother asked. She’d walked across the yard to join her.
“Nana is coming. Gray’s on his way to the city, and Holt is still sleeping. I’m not sure.”
“Nana. How delightful. She’s a wonderful woman. I’ll fix one of my girls’ rooms for her. When will she arrive?”
“She said she’d call back.”
“Then she will. Come eat.”
“I want to check on Holt one more time, and then I will.”
“Hurry. The food’s hot now.”
Nat walked into the room this time and stood by the bed. Holt had rolled on his back. In sleep his face relaxed, making him look ten years younger. Her hand itched to touch his face and his thick brown hair. But he needed the rest.
She slipped back out of the room and went out the sliding glass doors. Her father handed her a full plate.
“Eat. You’re getting skinny.” He grinned at her and didn’t walk off until she’d taken the first bite.
Her phone rang just as she sat down. “Hello.”
“This is Nana. Please don’t hesitate to call me that. I’m arriving at eleven. Can one of Gray’s fathers pick me up at the airport?”
“Mr. Callahan.” Both Chuck and Art, his cousin, looked up. “Nana needs a ride from the airport.”
Chuck Callahan took the phone from her. “Hi, Nana. We might rescue you from the airport, but only if you promise to fix your special soup while you’re here.” He laughed at something she said. “You bet. We’re looking forward to your visit. Stay as long as you want. We have a special occasion coming next week. Yes. Tell you all about it when you get here. I’ll tell her. Bye.”
He snapped Nat’s phone shut and handed it to her. “Nana said she’s hoping you’ll be around tonight when she arrives. Maybe you’d like to join Art and me when we go to meet her.”
“I’d love to.” She realized how hungry she was as she looked at her plate filled with barbecue meat, beans, corn on the cob, and salad.
“Dig into that,” Chuck Callahan said as he walked away.
She’d just started to eat when Boyd came to sit beside her. “You’re deserting Sondra?”
“Kel’s talked her into taking a ride in the helo. She’s never been in one. How are you doing?”
“Better since it looks like I’ll get my charges dropped. But I won’t completely relax until it’s actually done.”
“Mom called before we left the house. She’s heading this way tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“She said she’s worried about you. I suggested since Holt and his Nana will be staying here, she could use the cabin. What do you think?”
“This place is getting crowded all of a sudden.”
Boyd grinned. “And Mom will stir more drama than a hornet’s nest. I’m staying out of the line of fire. I’ll watch the fireworks from the sidelines. Especially when you tell her you’re marrying two men.”
“I haven’t accepted their proposal.”
Possessive Protectors [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 12
