by Jane Jamison
Thankful to finally touch one of them, Heather whimpered and clutched his hair with both hands. She’d keep him at her tit for as long as she could.
Garner was long and thick, his cock forcing her vagina to give way again to another assault. He kept his mouth on her nipple, his tongue lashing at her. She was pure sex, her mind giving away to her body’s commands. Again and again, he pounded into her. Placing his fingers against her clit, he ramped up the fire burning inside her.
The climax was on her before she knew it was coming. Crying out, she tightened her grip on his hair and hung on. Roll after roll washed through her as she lost control. Garner’s shout of release rumbled against her skin as he kept his teeth on her nipple. Their bodies shuddered together, the world spinning.
Then Garner was gone, shoved aside by Sterling. She didn’t have time to make it through her climax. Sterling grabbed hold of her arms and shoved them above her head. His gaze, as strange as Brogan’s, bored into her.
“Mine now.”
His blue-veined weapon of sex glistened at the tip. Pushing her knees toward her chest, he pushed his cock against her anus. Her eyes went wide as alarm blasted through her.
“Sterling, I—”
He paused, his gaze searching hers. “Do you trust me?”
She didn’t have to think about her answer. “Yes.”
“Then prove it. Really trust me.” He pressed his cock to her butthole and paused as though waiting for her to tell him to stop.
She did trust him. All of them. Because she did, she remained quiet.
“This won’t hurt much. I promise.” He reached down and rubbed his palm over the tip of his cock. With a wicked smile on his face, he used his pre-cum to spread around her butthole then inside it. Keeping his gaze on hers, he eased his cock inside her ass.
She tensed up at the first sign of pain. Although she’d never been taken that way, she’d always heard that a woman had to be prepared, that it would hurt if lubrication wasn’t used.
“Breathe, Heather. Just keep your eyes on me.”
She did as he told her, trusting him. The pain soon ebbed as he continued to ease his cock inside her. Had he somehow managed to put a spell on her that took away the pain? Had his pre-cum prepared her? She felt alive, as alive as she’d been with Brogan and Garner.
His brothers stood by, watching. Brogan worked his cock, his hand slickened with his discharge.
Sterling pressed his fingers to her clit and his thumb to her pussy, rubbing, rubbing, until she was awash with a renewed need. She moaned, tears welling in her eyes as she watched him take up a steady rhythm. The sensations coming from front and back enveloped her until they were no longer separate but a wanton craving that had to be satisfied again.
And still she kept her gaze locked to his.
Suddenly, the avalanche that had rolled through her before was back, but now it was so much stronger. Her body was being torn apart from the inside, and yet she welcomed the delicious torture.
“Let it go, Heather. Just let it happen.”
She closed her eyes, needing to put every ounce of her being into simply staying on the bed. Her body tensed then shuddered then tensed again. The release came like an elephant charging through the jungle, its blaring horn heralding its arrival. She screamed, vaguely hearing Brogan’s shout that changed into a long, low growl. Her mind spun, her body convulsed, and she’d never been more satisfied.
Her breathing was the first to return to normal. Then came exhaustion.
“Baby?”
She opened her eyes to find them staring down at her.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about talking. Just rest,” urged Garner.
“Yeah. The first time can wear you out,” added Sterling.
Wear her out? The first time? They couldn’t have thought she was a virgin. Maybe he was talking about the anal part.
Brogan cupped her cheek. “We’ll talk about it in the morning.”
“In the morning?” It was so damn hard to think.
“Yeah. About the secret,” added Brogan. “But not right now. It can wait until tomorrow.”
How had they found out? No one in town knew. Not even her good friends.
Please, no. I’m not ready to talk about it.
She tried to focus, tried to force herself to move, but couldn’t. Her body was as tired as her mind, both demanding she not use them. One by one, the men leaned over her and pressed a sweet kiss to her forehead. Satisfied and safe, she closed her eyes and slept.
* * * *
When Heather awoke, she was not alone. She remained still as she lay in between Garner and Sterling. Brogan rested in her big armchair near the window, his mouth open, his head lolling to the side.
The sun peeked through her bedroom blinds. Had she slept all night with them? She vaguely remembered a second lovemaking session, yet that was a little blurry, as though she’d experienced an out-of-body sensation. Yet other parts of the night were as clear as the daylight warming her skin. Another kind of warmth that came from within flowed over her, one she could make even hotter by touching them and bringing them awake. Their snores cocooned her, pleasing in their deep masculine sounds.
But what did it mean? Had they simply finished what they’d started at the Wolf’s Den? Or did they want more? Was it just sex or the beginning of something worthwhile? If so, she had to tell them.
The old fear came rushing back. Everyone she’d ever told had judged her with horrible consequences. Why should these men be any different?
I need time to think.
Thinking while she was with them was impossible.
If she’d been in their home, it might’ve been easier. As it was, she’d have to get out of her own apartment and stay gone until they left. Moving as quietly as she could, she slipped out from between the covers and eased toward the foot of the bed.
She froze as Garner mumbled something in his sleep and turned onto his side. Waiting long enough for him to settle, she crawled to the end and climbed off. Letting out a breath, she tiptoed into her walk-in closet and hurriedly dressed.
If they caught her trying to run, what would they do? That was easy enough to know. They’d throw her back into bed. The idea of another lovemaking session caused her body to tingle in all the right places, but she couldn’t let it happen again until she figured out what she would do. Was it time to tell them the truth?
She stopped at the bedroom door and looked back. Her craving to shed her clothes and climb back in between them grew stronger. If she didn’t get out of there now, she’d lose her resolve. Biting her lower lip to keep from moaning, she slipped out of the room.
Chapter Six
“What are you doing here?” Pearl Witten pulled open her front door and stepped back, giving Heather room to come inside the house. Her hand rested protectively over her stomach. “Not that I mind, of course, but it’s a little early.”
Heather hadn’t thought to check the time. If she had, she would’ve stuck to the southern tradition of “nine to nine.” Never stop by or call before nine a.m. or after nine p.m. unless it was an emergency. Yet wasn’t this kind of an emergency?
“I’m sorry. I had to get out of my apartment, and this was the first place I thought to come to.”
“What’s wrong?” Pearl called to Bill, one of the two men she lived with. “Pour Heather a cup of coffee, hon.”
Caffeine was the last thing Heather needed to add to her already jittery nerves. “No thanks.” She gave Bill a smile then whispered to Pearl. “Can we talk?”
“Sure thing. Come on out to the back porch. I need some air and to take a load off my feet.”
Pearl was a pretty thing with golden blonde hair and big brown eyes. She exuded a quiet warmth that had drawn Heather to her. They’d met at the salon and had ended up staying through each other’s appointment then going on to the diner to keep talking over a couple of milkshakes. She led the way through the sliding glass doors. Heather took her hand, helping her ease onto one of t
he lounge chairs.
Heather envied Pearl for a lot of reasons. Pearl had found true and lasting love with not one but two men. She didn’t have to work and, instead, spent her days taking care of her men and their home. Heather’s gaze fell on a pile of yarn lying on a side table. “So the rumors are true? You’re pregnant?”
Pearl smiled and touched her belly again. “I wanted to wait to tell everyone until we were sure the baby was far enough along. Still, I should’ve known the news would make it around town before then.”
Envy hit Heather again. Sure, she was happy for her friend, but when would it be her turn? When would it be her chance to be a mother who would be able to keep her child? The familiar pang of loss came, but she pushed it away. She’d never let Pearl see how sad her pregnancy could make her.
“You barely show.”
Pearl caressed her little pooch of a stomach. “Just wait. Soon enough, someone’s going to have to use a crane to get me out of a chair.”
Normally, Heather would’ve laughed at her friend’s joke, but she was too confused and upset to do so now. Instead, she averted her gaze.
“Hey, something’s really gotten to you. Sit and tell me everything.”
As much as Heather loved Raven, Emeline, and Betsy, it was Pearl she wanted to confide in. She hadn’t told her about her past yet, and it had left her feeling guilty. Now the time had finally come to get it off her chest. She had to tell someone, and she trusted Pearl would keep her secret.
“The Wilson men came to my apartment last night. They brought pizza and beer.” She made it seem as if they’d come as friends to hang out.
Pearl’s lips parted, and she leaned forward. “They did? Was that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I don’t know.” Heather hung her head and clasped her hands.
“Really? I thought after what happened at the Wolf’s Den that you’d welcome them showing up at your door.”
“I did. I do. I think.”
“Wow. You’re really messed up.”
The tears couldn’t be held back any longer. They streamed down her face. “Damn it, Pearl. I can’t stand this. I want them so much.”
“Then go for it. Tell them you want them. Is it the ménage thing? Do you want to have sex with more than one of them? Because if you’re thinking about it, I can highly recommend it. Don’t you like all three of them, or am I missing something?”
Heather wiped away first one tear then another. “I care about them. All of them.” She laughed, but the sound of it was strained. “You know I’ve had a crush on them since the first day I met them.”
“Yeah, and if you’ll remember, I told you right then and there to go after them.”
She narrowed her eyes. Now was not the time for her to say “I told you so.”
“I’m sorry, hon. Really, I’m just trying to understand so I can help. Go on. Tell me what went down last night.”
“We made love.” She frowned. “Or had sex. I’m not sure which it was.”
Pearl grew silent, obviously thinking through her response before she answered. “Which was it for you?”
She hadn’t even admitted it to herself yet. At least not consciously. “I made love to them.”
“Then that’s what it was.”
“But maybe not for them.”
“Did they say anything? You know.” Pearl leaned back and let out a small breath. “Damn, this little pup is making me want to puke.”
“Pup?” Every once in a while Pearl would say or do something strange. Heather had always chalked those times up to Pearl just being Pearl. That and the fact that almost everyone in Fate was a little different.
“Don’t mind me. Go on. What happened after you…made love?”
“We fell asleep.” She smiled, recalling how safe and protected, not to mention sexy, she’d felt in their arms. “But when I woke up, I had to get out of there.”
“Why? After all, it’s your apartment. If you didn’t want them there any longer, why didn’t you tell them to leave? I’m confused.” Pearl tilted her head to the side.
Odd. Now that she’d thought about it, a lot of people in Fate tilted their heads to the side whenever they were confused or had questions. The Wilson men did the same thing.
“I had to get out before they woke up because I didn’t want to talk to them. I needed to think first.”
Pearl shrugged. “Sorry. I’m still not getting it.”
Heather closed her eyes. Although she hadn’t been in Fate long, she’d always known this day would come. Telling Pearl would be easier than telling anyone else, and yet, she prayed her friend wouldn’t think less of her. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay. You know I’ll always have your back. Just tell me.”
Pearl made it sound so easy, but it would be one of the hardest things she’d ever done. “I have a past.”
“We all have pasts.”
“No. I mean I did something when I was younger. Something bad.”
The silence unnerved her enough that she let out a breath of relief when Pearl finally spoke.
“Did you kill someone?”
Startled, she jerked her gaze up to meet Pearl’s. “No. Of course not.”
“Well, even if you had, I would’ve assumed that you’d had a damn good reason. So what did you do that you think is so terrible?”
Heather’s gaze went to her friend’s stomach. “I got pregnant.”
Again came a silence that was hard to handle.
“And?” Pearl’s voice had dropped to a whisper.
“I wasn’t married.”
“Is that all? Dang, girl, haven’t you noticed? Most of the people in this town aren’t married. At least not officially. How could we be? Most of us have more than one partner.”
She’d noticed, all right, but that wasn’t what really mattered. “I know, but I was stupid and got pregnant. The guy took off after promising me we’d get married and have a family.”
“Aw, hon, how old were you?”
“Sixteen. I had Lucas just after I turned seventeen.”
“For shit’s sake, hon, you were only a kid and you made a mistake. Trust me. No one around here is going to think anything less of you.”
After so many years of being berated by her family and, if the truth was told, by herself, she’d longed to hear those words. “Really? Are you sure?”
“This isn’t the fifties. Plus, you’re living in Fate. You wouldn’t believe the kind of stuff that goes on around here. Being a teen mom is nothing.”
“So you don’t think they’d hold it against me?”
“Why would they?”
“Because the guy, the father, was older than me. I should’ve known better. I was raised better. Or, at least, I thought so.”
Pearl’s brown eyes seemed to harden. “Are you telling me I’ve done something wrong? I’m not married, either.”
“No, no. Of course not. Besides, you’re in love with two men who love you back. Your child is going to have a great life. I didn’t mean that at all.”
Her eyes and face softened. “Is this really what you’ve been so worried about? Sure, you need to tell them, but I don’t think they’re going to take it badly. In fact, if they get angry at anyone, it’ll be your family. And the jackass who knocked you up, of course.”
“Some men don’t want a woman with baggage. They worry about whether or not my son might show up on the doorstep one day. No man wants to raise another man’s child.”
“First of all, the baggage thing is pure bullshit. There are men around here who are raising other men’s children. People get divorced even in Fate. Or they lose their mate. Shit happens, and people adjust.”
She’d been so afraid to tell anyone, and yet she’d known Pearl would make her feel better. “But it’s not just that.”
“Then what? Tell me all of it so you can get it off your chest.”
“I gave him up.” Her vision blurred again with fresh tears. “I gave my son away.”
Pearl took Heather’s hands in hers. “I figured as much since you didn’t have a child with you when you came into town. So he’d be around six years old now?”
Six. I wonder if he’s started school yet. Does he have friends? Does he have a dog? Maybe even half-siblings?
There was so much she wanted to know, so many questions left unanswered, putting holes in her heart. “Yes. But I don’t know anything about him. The adoption was closed. I never even got a chance to hold him.”
“Oh shit, hon. I’m so sorry.” Pearl squeezed her hands. “And now you’re afraid the Wilson men will think less of you,”
“Yes. Everyone who’s ever known my secret has. Why should they be different?”
“Well, for one thing, the people you’ve told before had to be assholes. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but someone has done a number on you.”
She sought out the comfort of Pearl’s eyes and saw anger there. “Do you really think so?”
“I sure as hell do. Damn it, hon. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this. People can really be shitheads, especially family. You being young made it easier for them to make you feel like shit. But we’re not those kinds of people, and your men aren’t, either. You need to tell them, Heather, and the sooner you do it, the better.”
She wanted so much to believe Pearl was right, but the demons that had held her down for so long wouldn’t let go.
“If you want, I can be there when you tell them.”
She shook her head, as much as to reject the idea of telling them as to refuse the idea of having Pearl with her when she did. “No. It’s okay. I have to do this on my own.”
And in my own time. But when will that be?
“Until then, if Bill and Liam won’t mind, do you think I could stay here?”
Pearl wasn’t anyone’s fool. “So you’re planning on hiding from them?”
“For a little while. Just a day or two until I can get my head together. If I don’t, they’ll be at my door every day.” Or would they? Had they gotten what they wanted? Yet, she couldn’t believe they’d be so awful.
