by The Male Order, Texas Collection ]- A Bride for Two Billionaires (l
“Thank you all so much for dragging me out. I’m really glad I came.”
“I just don’t get it, baby girl,” said Veronica. “You said for yourself Brody and Jay had been nothing but gentlemen to you. Why on earth would you turn that away?”
“Auntie, it’s more complicated than that. Jay and Brody, they’re living every man’s fantasy right now. They have bottomless bank accounts, extraordinary beauty, and the entire female population hunting them down. What men would be willing to give that all up for just one woman?”
“Mine,” replied Aurora.
“And mine,” said Greta.
“And mine!” They all looked over to the beautiful, full-figured woman surrounded by five smiling men at the next table. A dozen or so lavender Stephanie boxes and a half-eaten birthday cake sat in front of her. The men continued to take turns feeding the cake to busty blonde.
Taylor sighed in defeat.
“You’re punishing them for what Dillon did to you,” Veronica pointed out.
“I’m protecting myself, Aunt Veronica.”
“Oh, child, please!” exclaimed Beverley with a roll of her eyes. “What the hell are you protecting yourself from? Carpel tunnel from their unlimited credit cards? Carpet burn on your knees? An achy back after hours in their bed?”
They all laughed, but Taylor saw their points. She was waving the white flag before she even stepped on the battlefield.
“You may want to reconsider a Cuban, so exotic, so forbidden, so rich and sweet.” Jay teasingly waved the eight hundred dollar cigar in front of Brody’s face.
They had stopped by the men’s club for a smoke and drink after their victorious polo match against the Caldwell brothers. Despite the win, the blank, lost look on Brody’s face remained as he stared off into the bar mirror on the back wall. “It’s helped me, and it’ll help you, too.” Jay moved the cigar closer.
Brody snatched the cigar from Jay’s grip, broke it in half, and threw the remains behind the bar. “For the millionth time, you can’t lie to me,” he said softly before finishing his bourbon then motioned the bartender for another.
Jay didn’t know what else to do but turn his barstool back to face the mirrored wall. He sure as hell couldn’t deny it. Over the last couple of days, Jay had forced himself to muster the strength to at least appear unscathed from that afternoon in the diner. He always had a talent for masking his true emotions, but Brody had always been able to see right through it.
They had tried numerous times to reach Taylor, even sending her a half-dozen pairs of Jimmy Choos. Each shoebox also had a sealed, handwritten letter of apology in a different language attached to the outside. They’d figured, what woman—a pageant queen, at that—would be able to resist high-heels and poetry? Apparently, Taylor Ewing. She had kept all the letters, but she sent back the shoeboxes completely unopened. As caring and sweet as she was, she was just as stubborn.
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Brody asked. He turned toward Jay and looked him in the eye. “Say it, Jay. Tell me I’m not the only one.”
Jay finished his whiskey in one swallow then rubbed his hand over his face as he braced himself for confession. “Yeah, buddy. It hurts. I see her face every time I close my eyes.”
Jay allowed his lids to drift shut, and he could see her clear as day. He remembered how she seemed to glow when she talked about her charity work. The passion she had for helping others oozed through her very being. Her brown eyes sparkled, her beautiful smile lit up her face, and how could he ever forget the way her high, round breasts would rise and fall when she bounced excitedly as she talked about the foundation’s future plans.
Jay opened his eyes, but Taylor’s sparkling brown eyes continued to stare back. He quickly realized he was staring at their reflection. Taylor made her way through the club and headed toward them. His heart leaped with hope and joy when she smiled.
She was wearing a strapless floral-print dress and black cowboy boots. The crowd parted as she moved closer to the bar. From all the dropped jaws and silenced conversations, Jay would bet every man in the bar was imagining her in nothing but those boots. The image of Taylor lying beneath him played itself in his mind, her cowboy boots resting on his shoulders as he plunged his cock deep inside her pussy while she moaned around Brody’s cock.
“She came back to us,” he heard Brody whisper beside him. They both turned in their bar stools and stood to face her. There weren’t many things that made Jay nervous, but right now, his guts felt like they had fallen to his feet. He felt like jumping up, singing, dancing, and pounding every guy in the bar for the way they looked at her. He fought to abstain from doing all four.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” Her smile was warm and sincere, but Jay noticed her bottom lip was slightly trembling. She was nervous, a good sign. She wouldn’t be nervous if she didn’t care, just a little.
“Good afternoon, Taylor. Ravishing as always.” Brody sounded as cool as a cucumber. Just seconds ago, Brody had been slumped over the bar like any other hopeless fool in love. Now he radiated his usual cool confidence. “You got a trim, I see. It’s lovely.”
Taylor looked a little shocked at his observation. “Yes, Aurora thought it would be good for me.” Jay saw no difference¸ but charming the girls was always Brody’s role while Jay’s was always to persuade the girls to, well, do just about whatever he wanted.
“Every man in this bar is practically on their knees in worship, but I have a feeling it has nothing to do with a two-inch trim.” Just as he’d expected, he watched her face turn pink, and she modestly lowered her eyes while her grin spread wider. He’d never guess such a knockout could ever be so humble, but it made his chest tighten in admiration.
“You always insist on making me blush, Jay.” Finally hearing his name escape her pink, full lips caused a rush of blood to fall straight to his cock. And my, how beautiful those lips would look wrapped around his thick length.
“Seeing that Jay is too busy imagining inappropriate images of you in those boots, I’ll be the gentleman and offer you my seat.”
Taylor giggled and briefly dropped her gaze to the growing tent in his khakis as she settled in the stool. “So he is.” She bit her bottom lip when her eyes came up to his mouth. Satisfaction ran through him, and he returned her smile.
“I came to apologize. It was rude of me to walk out on lunch like that. You two gave a great gift, and I showed my appreciation by acting like a jealous, ungrateful brat.” She took both their hands in hers. “I am so sorry. You gave so much, and I just pouted over wanting more.” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “It was selfish, and neither of you deserved that.”
Jay turned to Brody and saw he had the same confused look he must’ve been wearing as well. Her composure and maturity astonished him. Did she just admit to “wanting more”? Where in Heaven had this woman come from? After thirty years of traveling to foreign lands, meeting the most powerful people in the world, and experiencing things most people would only dream of, nothing fascinated him like the woman before him. In contrast to the women of their past, she only got more amazing with each layer they pulled back.
“Do you think you can handle taking a little walk through the woods in those boots,” Brody indicated to the high-heels. If only real cowgirls actually worked in those.
“I think I can handle anything in these boots.”
Every man in the room, as well as a couple of waitresses, turned and watched as Taylor swayed her perfect ass out the door.
Last night with the girls had proved to be epic. Taylor had walked slash stumbled out of the Boom Boom Room at 2:30 a.m., feeling like a new woman. A drunk woman, but a new one, nonetheless.
They had danced for hours and, much to the horror of the other patrons, sang along to Al Green and Tom Petty until their voices went hoarse. It was the best time she’d had in Male Order thus far.
But somewhere between teaching Aurora the latest D-town boogie and getting her ass handed to her by Greta during a game o
f darts, the women shared intimate tales of love and loss.
She’d listened intently as Aurora and Greta told stories and gave advice on being involved in a ménage. Beverley kept her advice general, avoiding the details of her marriage with her late husbands. Taylor got the hint not to push for any.
“When you have two of the most gorgeous, wealthiest men you’ve ever met willing to share your bed, the most important thing to remember is you are your own worst enemy,” Greta had advised. “Trust me, baby girl. With men like ours, you’ll never have to be reminded how lucky you are to have them. They tend to not let you forget. In my case, they remind me about three times a day.
“But what you do need to keep in mind is how lucky they are. Sure, they can spend all day and night telling you how much they love each and every part of your body and soul, which they will, but you have to convince yourself you deserve the best before you believe any man.
“Women nowadays are so used to being independent our first reaction to a man taking care of us, of cherishing us, is either guilt or defiance,” Greta had said. “Being the controlling bitch I am, you can imagine it took a lot of adjusting on my part. My independence was a big part of who I was. I think back on my life as a young woman, before the devoted men or the paid bills, and I am so proud of just how much I survived, how far I’ve come. And that’s when I realized, you know what? If anyone in that damn household deserved to be pampered and worshiped, it was me. You’ve paid your dues, Taylor. Now it’s time to reward yourself.”
She’d never thought she would ever receive such support for such a bizarre arrangement.
We both know they’ll only leave you. Taylor quickly attempted to distract herself from the pessimistic little devil resting on her shoulder.
“Those things look like a pair of stilts.” Jay looked concerned, eyeing her Jessica Simpson cowboy boots.
“I’m a Dallas girl. These are practically house shoes compared to what I’m used to.”
She followed them down an intricately paved path that wound through the town woods. She realized it was the first time she’d seen Jay and Brody looking less than immaculate. Their clothes and hair had always been in perfect place. But seeing their hair ruffled, their polo uniforms wrinkled and thoroughly worn in, the enticing scent of male and fresh-cut grass softly radiating from their bodies, she ached to feel herself trapped between them more than ever before.
Taylor’s panties grew damp as she inhaled their addicting scent. She’d likely drive herself insane with need if she didn’t try to distract her moist pussy.
“Is it true you developed the idea for the Velvet Rope when you started losing track of all the women you were seeing?”
“Well,” started Jay, catching up to her side, “not exactly. We decided in economics class when we were sixteen that we would create an empire that would earn us our own names. Together.”
Taylor noticed Jay’s failed attempt to discreetly rake her body with his eyes as he said the last word. He seemed to suddenly be too deep in thought to realize how obvious he was being. Taylor pretended not to notice, and she continued to follow Brody’s lead. Jay stayed by her side, occasionally offering a hand when she had to step over a large log or rock.
This must be the chivalry thing I’ve heard about once or twice. In her experiences, it was rare to meet a courteous young man who made it a habit to open a lady’s car door or allow a woman to enter a room before them or even give their date the chance to order first at a restaurant, for Christ’s sake.
Brody slightly turned his face over his shoulder as he hiked down the path. “Whether we were dominating on the field or in the boardroom, Jay and I have always been a natural team.”
Brody still remembered the day they met. They were five years old and were on the same peewee football team. They’d quickly learned to play off each other’s strengths to win the game.
Even then, Jay was fearless and committed. He taught Brody to use his passion for the sport to surrender his fear of failure. The Bartlett name was no doubt a blessing, but it also had him craving his own identity and successes.
“And I was a pretty serious kid at times, but Brody would make it his personal mission to get me to crack a grin. There’s always been something about him that encouraged me to just live in the moment. He reminds me that in order to live life to the fullest, you must be present, here in the moment, taking each step of the day as though you’re savoring the best flavor you’ve ever tasted.”
Although Taylor tried to keep her eyes on the ground, making sure to not trip in her tall boots, she could feel Jay staring at her as he spoke. When she turned to meet his eyes, he quickly looked away. There seemed to be something weighing heavy on Jay’s mind, and Taylor couldn’t help but feel he was keeping her at an emotional distance. Yeah, dumbass, he’s a yummy billionaire at thirty who could bed any starlet in Hollywood. Why in hell would you expect something different?
As they walked, Taylor noticed a heavy floral scent growing stronger with each step she took. “What is that heavenly smell? I just want to wrap myself in it.” Closing her eyes, she lifted her chin and inhaled the aroma.
“Magnolia trees.” Brody turned to her to give her a full smile as he walked backwards for a few feet, then he turned back around and jogged deeper into the grove.
Suddenly, millions of magnolia blossoms scattered throughout the tree branches came into view. Taylor let out a soft gasp. My heavens, bless my sight. She couldn’t dream of anything more magnificent.
Brody reached up, plucked a large white bloom, and then handed it to her, allowing his fingers to slowly brush against the back of her hand. His soft touch and his sexy smirk caused her insides to flood with belligerent butterflies, making Taylor shudder in excitement. His amber brown eyes bore into hers, and a knot of emotion clogged Taylor’s windpipe.
Brody visibly swallowed then breathed. “My, my, Miss Ewing. Your lips are just about the prettiest things I’ve ever seen, like a plump, cherry-colored heart.” Taylor smiled and looked down at her feet as felt the blush return to her cheeks.
She looked up to thank him, but then she saw a glimpse of something tantalizingly colorful through the trees. She took a few steps, trying to peer through the forest of trunks to get a better look. Frustrated, she brushed past Brody then took off in the best run she could manage in her boots. .
She burst through the grove of trees to discover a huge, calm lake with a pier extending far out from the grass, seducing its onlooker with an open invitation to the delicious water. The body of water was surrounded with neon green and dark green, sprinkled with pinks and purples, yellows and blues, the foliage serving as a magical picture frame to the lake’s magnificently raw beauty. There was even a rope swing hanging from one of the tree branches hovering over the lake. Downtown Dallas couldn’t hold a candle to its organic glow.
She felt the men come to a sudden halt beside her.
“Oh, wow,” she said under her breath. Then something completely unexpected and completely out of character happened to Taylor. A rush of giddiness suddenly swept through her as she stared out into the scene.
When her father was alive, they would wake up at four o’clock in the morning every Sunday to go fishing after their country breakfast, followed by a shotgun lesson in an isolated field. It was their very own quality time, just the two of them, no nagging Mama, no ESPN, and no backbreaking job to steal her daddy away.
Then, images of the life she’d lived for the past twelve years began to flash through her mind. Lying out at the W hotel pool, going on exotic vacations only to be isolated in a fancy resort with other Americans. Hell, the only outdoor activity her pageant Dallas clique would agree to was tennis. But, at the country club, of course. Oh, and it had to be the indoor court on hot days so their makeup wouldn’t melt off. Since her father’s death, she had yet to enjoy the pure, candid, untainted beauty of nature, and she felt overwhelmingly devastated at the thought.
Then Brody’s husky voice echoed in her mind.
In order to live life to the fullest, you must be present, here in the moment. His words were like a new pair of glasses. Taylor realized that, despite her efforts to shield her heart since her daddy’s death, she wasn’t any happier today than she was then. Her system of prioritizing awards, trophies, and the wellbeing of others over her own emotional health definitely didn’t feel like it was very healthy.
But Brody gave her the answer to her problems with that one line. Instead of thinking about home, her mother’s approval, Amber’s exhausting drama, her reputation, or contemplating the risk of loving someone, she would surrender herself to the now. Whatever the outcome would be with Jay and Brody, whatever their intentions may be, Taylor decided she would give herself permission to enjoy right here, right now.
She couldn’t help but laugh aloud, causing confused looks on the men that stood beside her. She didn’t even announce what she was laughing at, but they smiled in response anyway.
Taylor then quickly reached down and removed her new boots then she placed Brody’s velvety magnolia safely inside one. Taking one more good look at the exquisite image before her, then at those standing beside her, she lifted her dress over her head, tossed it aside, and ran toward the lake.
“Let’s jump in!” As Taylor made her way down the pier, she occasionally looked over her right shoulder to show them her giggling face as ran to the water wearing only her matching white lace thong and strapless bra.
“Fuck,” whispered Brody, his blood immediately flowing to his dick as he took in the image of Taylor’s tan, flawless little bubble butt bouncing in bright white lace as she ran to the water. He never saw an ass as perfectly plumped, yet toned, as Taylor’s. “I have died and gone to fucking Heaven. Well,” Brody paused as he turned to Jay, “hopefully, we will be fucking Heaven soon.”
Jay started to laugh and shake his head, but Brody was off, running to the water instead of waiting for a response. Brody continued to watch as Taylor briefly paused at the edge to take a final look back then glided through the air in a graceful dive.
