by Marla Monroe
“I’ll let you and Randy hash that out. All we wanted to do was make sure you were safe, Angel. Your safety is very important to us.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly on the lips before she realized what he was doing. The soft brush of his lips across hers seemed almost surreal as he pulled back and strolled toward the door. “I’ll see you later.”
* * * *
Angela had him all tied up in knots. Randy picked up the box of supplies and carried it into the barn. He set it on the floor in the tack room and returned to the truck to get the next box, passing Travis on his way in with another box.
“She’s stubborn and sassy,” he said as they passed.
Travis didn’t comment. Randy didn’t expect him to. His brother knew how he was. He had to talk it out or he’d stay angry. He’d always been that way. Normally he was the quieter of the two unless he got truly angry about something. Then he had to talk it out to calm down. Otherwise it took a long, hard workout to settle him down.
As he carried another box into the barn, he passed the other man again coming out.
“She has no business walking around the ranch especially between the cabin and the house in nothing but sandals or a pair of tennis shoes. It’s just too damn dangerous out here for that.”
Still, Travis just nodded and kept walking. He knew his brother felt the same way he did about her safety. Why couldn’t she accept that they wanted to make sure she was safe? What was so hard about letting them help her some? It wasn’t like she was living off them. The woman worked hard. She took care of the office and she cooked for them most days. That was a lot of work as far as he was concerned.
“Besides, if we’re going to get her on the back of a horse anytime soon, she needs good boots to wear.” Randy was waiting on Travis when he returned from the barn having made the last trip of supplies. “Do you agree with me?”
“Of course I do. I just think you might want to back off a bit from your demanding personality. She’s not used to it and obviously wasn’t raised where women were cherished like we do here in Riverbend.”
Randy grimaced. He hadn’t thought about it like that. All he could think about was how much he wanted to keep her safe and happy. Of course being mad wasn’t being happy, and she was mad at him right then. He sighed and nodded.
“You’re right. I can be a little bossy when I’m worried about something.”
“Brother, that is the understatement of the year,” Travis said with a chuckle. “You are the most controlling person I’ve ever met. Just tone it down some.”
Well, his brother would know. He’d been telling him what to do most of his life. He was just lucky that Travis didn’t take exception to it. His brother had an alpha personality as well, but didn’t seem to mind letting his younger brother do the bossing. Maybe Randy needed to think about that some. Was he being disrespectful of his older brother with how he always took the lead and tried to order the other man around? Why did he feel the need to call all the shots? Why did Travis let him?
He looked over at the other man as he drove the truck back up to the house. He didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable or upset about anything. It was something he needed to think about.
“What do you think about having some friends over next weekend? We’re pretty much out of calving season now. It would be nice to cook out and just hang out with everyone for a while.” Travis opened his door and stepped down from the truck.
Randy climbed down from the cab and walked around to the other side and climbed the steps to the porch behind his brother. Travis walked over and sat in one of the rockers. He sat in one of the others. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Who all do you want to invite?”
Travis stared off in the direction of where Angela’s cabin was nestled among the trees and bushes.
“Jared, Quade, and their wife Lexie, maybe Mac, Mason, and Beth. Who else do we know?” He turned and looked at Randy.
“There’s Brody and Lamar and their new wife, Caitlyn. Her brother and his partner and wife. I think their names are Andy, Brian, and Tish.”
“What?” Travis asked when Randy narrowed his eyes at his brother.
“They are all in ménage relationships. You didn’t list any traditional couples.”
“Well, neither did you. I just think it would be a good idea to introduce Angela to them and get her used to the way things are around here. That’s all.”
Randy cocked his head at his brother. “We agreed to take it slow with her, Travis. She’s not used to our way of life, and she’s also getting over a failed relationship where she was being used. I don’t know if shoving the lifestyle down her throat like this is a good idea just yet.”
“I think she’s stronger than you give her credit for being, little brother. Angela knows what’s going on around Riverbend. She isn’t naive.”
“Still, seeing it around town when she’s there and being bombarded with it from all sides at a cookout might be a little much.” Randy sighed, looking out over the ranch he and Travis had worked so hard on these last few years. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not giving her enough credit. I’ll leave the invitations up to you. You’re better at that stuff than I am.”
“Only because I’ve had plenty of practice while you spend all your time out on the ranch. Don’t worry, little brother. I know all about how you like to hide from people. That’s going to all change when we claim Angela. You know that, don’t you?”
Randy ignored his brother’s smirk. “I don’t hide from anyone. It takes work to keep a ranch going. Someone has to ride the fences and check the herd.”
“Which is why we have ranch hands. You do entirely too much for the number of men we employee. Time to back off some, Randy. We’re going to have a wife to take care of soon. You might as well start releasing the reins some and letting our foreman do more of his job.”
Randy frowned over at his brother before returning his gaze to the corrals where one of the hands was exercising one of the horses. He made a mental note to tell the young man that he needed to watch how close he rode to the fence. Butterscotch was famous for crowding the fence. He could get his foot trapped and get pulled off the horse.
“Are you paying any attention to me at all, Randy?” Travis asked, cutting into his thoughts.
“Of course I am.” He knew it came out a little harsher than he’d intended, but Travis was used to his gruff disposition. Still…
“I’m leaving the food aspect of this to you and Angela. You two can decide what to cook and work together on putting it together. I’ll take care of the guest list and making sure they all get invited.”
“Sounds like you’re getting the easy part of this to me.” Randy smiled at his brother.
“You bet, little brother. All I have to do is make some phone calls. Too bad you’re not so good with making nice with people. If you were, you could have been the one chatting up our friends.”
“Yeah, but I get the best part of it anyway. I get to spend time with Angela and you don’t.” Randy couldn’t believe that he had the childish urge to stick his tongue out at his brother.
He couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across his face at the thought. Being able to tease with Travis felt good. It dawned on him that they hadn’t really just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company in a long time—too long.
“You just had to bring that up, didn’t you?” Travis asked.
“Well you’re the one who decided to take the easy way out. I deserve some form of compensation for having to deal with the food.”
“Yeah, right. Tell me you’re not going to pawn it all off on Angela to handle and all you do is carry the bags and fire up the grill.”
“She likes to cook. I’m not going to get in her way with something she enjoys. I’ll handle the grilling and she can do whatever she wants with the rest.”
Randy grinned at how hard Travis had to work to keep a straight face. The scowl he wa
s mangling looked more like he smelled something nasty and was trying to hide it. The look was not becoming on his big brother.
“Just remember that she’s mad at you right now about those boots. You’d do well to be nice to her when you ask her to help you with the cookout.” With that Travis stood up and stretched. “I’m going to go fix something for us to eat. You be thinking about how you’re going to grovel and beg for her to help you.”
“Yeah, fuck you, too, brother.” Randy grimaced.
He hadn’t thought about having to ask her for her help. Travis was right. She wasn’t going to be too accommodating considering how mad she was right then. Maybe she would have had time to cool off if he waited to ask her Sunday night or Monday morning. He pondered the problem while he waited for Travis to yell that dinner was ready.
If he waited until Monday, something could come up on Monday to keep him busy all day so that he wouldn’t be able to talk to her until that night. He didn’t think he wanted to wait that long. They would need to decide on what food to cook and then make out a grocery list and go to town to fill it. No. It would be much better to get it over with on Sunday. He’d go over and talk to her Sunday afternoon.
With that decision out of the way, he let his mind wander while he waited for dinner. As much as he liked Angela and was probably even a little in love with her, Randy wasn’t sure she would accept both him and his brother as her men. Not everyone was cut out for the ménage lifestyle. Getting hurt again wasn’t something he wanted to repeat. Maybe this cookout would be a good way to determine how open Angela would be to that type of arrangement.
He couldn’t stop the thought of her between him and Travis from torturing him as he sat there in the dwindling evening light. She would feel good there where they could both touch her and kiss her. The feel of her ass nudged against his cock had him reaching to adjust his suddenly tight jeans. What he wouldn’t give for five minutes of just holding her in his arms, kissing her sweet lips. The way her breasts jutted out when she was angry made him groan. He wanted to taste those ripe berries that were sure to grace such magnificent breasts.
He would mold and squeeze the delightfully full globes as he licked and teased the taut nipple before drawing it into his mouth and sucking on it with everything he had. He could just imagine her sweet cries as she drew nearer to her orgasm. His brother would be giving her other breast the same attention. He could almost feel her soft skin beneath his hand, taste how sweet her plump nipple would be.
“Randy! Dinner is ready.”
Travis’s voice jerked him out of his head. He had his hand at his crotch, rubbing his stiff dick through his jeans with the heel of his hand. He figured he should feel guilty fantasizing about Angela and messing with himself, but he didn’t. She was one of the sexiest women he’d ever seen. Soon they would have the real thing in their arms and hopefully in their bed.
Chapter Nine
Angela pushed her hair from her eyes as she bent over the little oven and pulled out the chicken pot pie she’d made. Weekends were the only time she actually cooked in the little cabin. As small as the kitchen was, it still worked fine for her. She placed the casserole dish on the top of the stove and closed the oven door. She had made enough that she could take it to work with her and they could have the leftovers for lunch the next day providing the guys didn’t eat it all at dinner that night.
Placing the hand mitts back on the counter, she opened the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of tea and reached for a glass. A knock on the door startled her. She quickly set the pitcher and glass on the counter and walked across the room to open the door. Randy stood outside with a smile on his face.
“Hey. Is something wrong?” she asked.
He frowned. “No, why would you think something’s wrong?”
“I guess the fact that Travis isn’t with you makes me thing something is wrong.”
“Um, can I come in?”
“Oh, sorry. Sure. Come on in. Would you like some tea? I was just about to pour myself a glass.” Angela stepped back to let the big man past.
“No thanks, but you go ahead. I can smell whatever you cooked for dinner from here. Smells real good.” Randy walked with her over to the little bar.
“I just took it out of the oven. It’s got to sit and cool off before we eat.” She poured the tea then returned it to the fridge.
Angela wondered why Randy was there without Travis. As angry as she had been about the boots the day before, she didn’t feel that way anymore. All it had taken was to step outside that morning to carry the trash to the big can they kept secured from animals and finding a snake along the way for her to be thankful she was wearing her new boots. She had all but stepped on the damn thing before she heard the rattles.
They sat there in silence for a few long seconds before Randy finally cleared his throat and spoke up. Angela held her breath, wondering why Travis hadn’t come, leaving Randy to tell her something important. Were they going to fire her?
“Travis and I are planning to have some friends over next weekend, and we were hoping you’d help with setting up the food.”
Angela let out her breath in a soft whoosh. Why was Randy asking her something so simple without Travis? Surely he wasn’t angry with her over the boots. If anyone was going to still be angry, she would have thought it would be Randy.
Relaxing, she smiled. “Sure. I’d love to help you. What did you have in mind? I can cook most anything. How many will there be besides you guys?”
“I’m going to cook hamburgers on the grill, so nothing fancy. There will be about twelve other people besides the three of us.”
Angela frowned. The three of them? What did he mean by that? Were they going to have a girlfriend with them? She decided to let it go. It wasn’t any business of hers. The fact that she’d allowed herself to become so attached to them, letting her hormones come out and play, didn’t mean that she meant anything to them. She was only their office manager and evidently, their cook. Besides, it was a way for her to pay them back for the boots without starting another argument.
“Okay. So we need to make out a grocery list. Hold on and let me get some paper. I’ll be right back.” She hurried into her bedroom and searched for her tablet that she often made notes on. When she returned, Randy was still sitting at the little island.
“Usually you get about two nice-size patties out of a pound of hamburger meat. So that means we’ll need between ten and twelve pounds of meat to make sure all of the men get two burgers.”
She and Randy made out the list, deciding on potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw. By the time they got through, she was sure the chicken pot pie would be cool enough to eat.
“Are you sure you don’t want some dinner? It’s chicken pot pie. I was expecting both you and Travis for dinner tonight.” Inwardly she cringed at how that sounded.
It was almost a reprimand that they weren’t eating with her. She’d allowed herself to count on their visits and meals together. She would have to stop allowing her rampant hormones to rule her head before she got herself into trouble.
“I’ll pass as good as it smells. Travis was cooking our dinner tonight. If I don’t do it justice, he might refuse to cook anymore, and then I’d starve.”
“I hardly think you would starve, Randy. Surely you can open a can of soup and warm it up,” she teased.
“A can of soup wouldn’t touch my hunger. I’m more of a meat-and-potatoes man. Soup would just whet my appetite.” He grinned at her. “I better be going.”
As if he realized that she didn’t understand why they were suddenly eating at home instead of with her, he turned back around and looked down at her with a sincere expression.
“We figured we’d been intruding on your alone time too much lately and wanted to give you some space. Otherwise we’d be scarfing up that chicken pot pie tonight, Angela. I don’t want you to think we were tired of your cooking or your company or anything.” He smiled and winked.
Angela couldn’t help
but smile back as she walked him to the door. “Here’s your list. Let me know if there’s anything else you need for me to take care of.”
“I will. I figure we can go pick up the groceries on Friday afternoon if that’s okay with you.”
“Oh. Sure, I’ll be happy to go along with you.”
“Of course you’re going with me. I’d never know how to pick out the right food, especially if it involves picking out anything fresh. I’m terrible at that part of shopping. I can throw some TV dinners in the cart as easily as anyone, but I never learned the fine art of squeezing something without squishing it all over me.”
Angela couldn’t help but chuckle over the thought of Randy with the remains of an orange or a cantaloupe all over him.
“Somehow I picture you as the kid who shakes all the bags and boxes under the Christmas tree. Am I right?” she asked.
He laughed. “You’ve found me out. I’m a closet package shaker all right. So is Travis though.”
They had reached the door across the room and Randy rested his hand on the doorknob. Instead of immediately opening the door, he turned back to her, searching her face as if he was looking for something. She felt as if he was staring into her soul when he looked into her eyes. Before she knew what he was going to do, Randy bent over her and wrapped one hand around the back of her neck before covering her lips with his.
She gasped, and he took that opportunity to slip inside her mouth with his tongue, stroking her from the inside out. He licked along the roof of her mouth then pulled back to leave soft kisses all along her cheek and jaw before returning to her lips. The pressure of his lips against hers had her heart skipping even as the depth of his kiss left her pussy clenching and wet with her juices.
When he slowly pulled back, Angela was sure she looked as shocked as she felt. He smiled a slow smile that always turned her heart inside out. It transposed his entire face into something that was beyond handsome. She swallowed and started to speak, though what she was planning on saying she didn’t have a clue, but Randy stopped her with a finger to her lips.
