by Marla Monroe
Just thinking about all the food she’d have to put up along with the help of the other women worried him. They needed enough food to last all winter for the three families. Though he’d helped his father and grandfather with the garden back on Earth, he hadn’t helped with putting any of it up. That had been left to his mom and grandma. He could remember long evenings when they’d be stuck in the kitchen canning or freezing until midnight. It had never occurred to him how much work went into putting up a garden, but now he thought about it.
Mason needed to be sure that he and Bryson watched out for Randi so that she didn’t overdo things. It would be easy for her to wear herself down and end up sick. They couldn’t afford to allow that to happen. They were a long way from the only doctors on Alpha.
Hell that means having a baby out here without anyone but us to deliver it. What was I thinking when I thought this would be fun?
Could he and Bryson safely deliver their child if it came down to it? Now he was imagining all sorts of problems. He needed to shut off his brain and get some rest. There was plenty of time to worry about babies and delivering them another day.
At least he tried.
Chapter Three
“Hey, guys. I have posco juice. It’s nice and cold.” Randi carried the tray of three glasses out to where Bryson and Mason were busy working on the tractor.
“Thanks, babe.” Bryson grabbed two glasses, handing one to Mason.
“Is something wrong with the tractor?” she asked.
“No, just tightening some things up. Going over the ground the first time jars everything, so some of the screws are loose.” Mason took a long sip of the fruity drink.
“You’ve broken up a pretty good size garden already today,” she said.
They’d managed to plow a one hundred-by-one hundred yard plot so far. She wasn’t sure how large they planned to make the communal garden yet. Randi knew it had to be large to feed nine people all through the winter.
“Still got a lot more to break up over the next few days. Need to have it broken down as much as possible to make it easier to row up in the next few weeks,” Mason told her.
“I’ve been reading over some of the pages on what plants to plant next to each other and which ones need to be off by themselves. It looks like tomatoes are aggressive here like you said, and so are squash. Do we have potatoes to plant? I really want to grow those. Oh, and crick. We definitely need to grow currick.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of seeds and such to plant everything you want to grow. The only thing we can’t handle this year are stone berries and posco fruit. Those we have to pick wild if we find any close by,” Bryson said.
“Next year we’ll try to rig up something for those. They need a place to climb. Once we plant them, they’ll come back year after year.” Mason handed Randi his empty glass. “Thanks, babe. That hit the spot.”
Randi took Bryson’s glass as well then left them to return to tinkering on the tractor while she returned to the house, closing the gate behind her. Something moved close to the door. She started to scream when it jumped out onto the patio. It was a bunnycat. She laughed. How had it gotten in the backyard with the fence closed? That worried her, but the cuteness of the creature captivated her. She’d heard that they were loyal creatures that were protective. The little furry creature sat up on its hind legs with floppy ears and watched her as she walked toward it.
“What are you doing back here?”
The bunnycat made a ticking noise then walked over toward her with its short, stripped tail high in the air. Randi thought it was the cutest thing she’d ever seen. It walked right up to her then sat down to peer up as if asking her for something.
“What do you want bunnycat?” she asked.
It only stared at her, so Randi continued walking toward the back door. When she opened it, the tiny creature raced inside and parked its furry little butt in the middle of the kitchen floor.
“Oh, no. You can’t stay inside. They guys will have a fit if they see you in here.”
Randi opened the back door and made shooing noises to try to get it to leave. When that didn’t work, she walked around behind it and tried to chase it out. That didn’t work either. The mischievous bunnycat avoided her and raced into the living room instead.
“Fine. I’ll let the guys get rid of you. I don’t think you’ll be able to escape them as easily.”
Randi rinsed out the glasses she’d taken outside then spent the next thirty minutes getting supper ready for when the men came inside for the night. She enjoyed cooking. The last two days had been a pleasant time for her. The men were wonderful to her, including her in their talks and giving her quick little hugs and kissing her on the top of the head. She couldn’t complain about them at all, but sleeping with them had been harder after that first night when she’d fallen asleep almost before her head hit the pillow.
Just when she thought they’d never come inside, the door swung open, startling her so that she nearly dropped the plates as she set the table.
“Woah, are you okay?” Mason asked.
“Yes. I just wasn’t expecting you to burst through the door like that. It’s been so quiet in here that I guess it startled me,” she said.
“Something sure smells good.” Bryson lifted a lid on one of the pots on the stove and inhaled. “Washing up now. I’m starved.”
Randi laughed when both men raced for the stairs. She loved that they enjoyed her cooking. She knew this because they pretty much licked their plates clean each night. She couldn’t wait until they had fresh, garden-grown vegetables to cook.
“What is that?” Mason stood in the doorway staring at something under the table.
Randi frowned then laughed when she saw the bunnycat curled up under the table, seemingly asleep. Now it would finally get put outside.
“It came in when I did this afternoon. I couldn’t catch it to put it outside. One of you should be able to do that now that it's asleep,” she said.
“It’s a bunnycat. Leave it alone,” Bryson said, scooting past Mason. “They’re great to have around the house.”
“It’s an animal. We don’t need one inside the house. It probably carries germs or something.” Mason walked over to the table and bent down.
Bryson shook his head. “They’re very protective and are good hunters. They’ll keep the muskies and dorries away from the house. We don’t want one of those attacking Randi while she’s outside in the garden. Leave it be, Mason.”
Mason reached to grab the creature when it suddenly rolled to one side and raced out of the kitchen back into the living room. He cursed and ran into the other room.
“He won’t catch it. He might as well accept it as part of the family.” Bryson cocked his head. “What about you? Will it bother you to have it around?”
“Not really. They’re cute little creatures. Everyone thinks that they laid low for the first few years we were here to see what kind of creatures we were to it. I guess it decided we weren’t its predators since they’ve started showing up at nearly everyone’s house in the last year,” Randi said.
“So, you’ve got a new guard dog. What are you going to name it?” he asked.
Randi laughed. “Not sure. I need to think about it. Unless Mason manages to catch it and put it out.”
“My money is on the bunnycat. Mason isn’t fast enough.”
“Damn wild animal. It hissed at me.” Mason walked back into the kitchen and sat.
“I thought you were going to put it outside,” Bryson teased.
“Shut the fuck up. It’s wild.” Mason picked up one of the bowls of veggies. “I’ll get it after supper. I need the energy.”
Bryson just nodded and shot a smile toward Randi. She liked them. They were unique and funny but caring, as well. She could have done much worse in pairing up with them. Somehow the two men were perfect. They would butt heads she was sure, but not where it counted. They’d stand together if the need arose.
After supper
, while Randi cleaned up, the two men relaxed in the living room with Mason keeping an eye out for the bunnycat. She rinsed off the dishes, wiped down the stove and counters then turned on the dishwasher before joining them.
To her surprise, the bunnycat was sitting in her favorite seat, the club chair. She liked to sit and read before bed each night. When she approached it, the creature merely scooted over, giving her just enough room to sit if she decided to take a chance with it. She’d also read that they had several rows of razor-sharp teeth.
“Okay, buddy. Don’t jump on me, and I’ll sit next to you,” she said.
“Be careful with that thing, babe. I don’t trust it.” Mason watched her as she slowly sat then picked up her e-reader.
“I think I’m safe. It’s not hissing or baring its teeth at me.” Randi settled in to read.
When the guys decided to call it a night, Randi realized that at some point the bunnycat had climbed over into her lap and curled up to sleep. She reached down and carefully petted the furry thing and was pleased to hear a rumble as she did.
“Sorry, little fella, but I’ve got to get up and go to bed now. You can have the chair all to yourself,” she whispered.
Getting up took some finesse to keep from disturbing or startling the creature. She really didn’t want a claw or tooth somewhere on her body. Once she’d extracted herself, Randi followed the men upstairs and took her turn in the bathroom first. It was turning into a nightly ritual that she always went first and climbed into bed to wait for them to join her. This time Bryson took the bathroom after her, leaving Mason behind to chat while he waited his turn.
“That bunnycat took to you. What are you going to call it?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll come up with something. Do you think Bryson will settle down about it?”
“Yeah. He just likes to fuss about it. He’ll come around.”
Randi smiled. “It’s really cute. Do you think it really will be protective of me? I’d feel better if it would. I know we’ve got fences around the area, but something could still dig under or climb it, right?”
“It’s possible, but not probable. We’ll keep a close watch on the fence lines to be sure there aren’t any breaches.” Mason reached over and ran a finger down her cheek. “Don’t worry, Randi. We’ll do everything possible to keep you safe.”
“I know. I’m just nervous about being all the way out here in the middle of nowhere. I suppose I got too used to being at Space Station One. We rarely if ever saw anything dangerous there.”
“It won’t be long before you’ll be so busy you won’t even think about what’s out here. Once you’re putting up vegetables, you’ll be inside most of the time,” Mason reminded her.
“Hey, bathroom’s all yours, Mason.” Bryson walked out with just a pair of boxers on, still rubbing his hair dry with a towel.
“Hope you left some hot water this time,” Mason fussed.
Bryson snapped the wet towel at the other man. “I don’t take long showers, asshole.”
Randi laughed at their teasing. Yes, she’d ended up with the two best men. At least they were right for her.
“I’m beat,” Bryson said with a wide yawn. “Can’t wait to get into bed.”
“You and Mason worked hard today. The weather felt a bit cooler than it has been. Do you think that last frost is about here?” Randi asked.
“Yeah, either tonight or tomorrow night, I think. Soon we’ll be planting. Still need to row up the ground though.”
“Will you do that tomorrow?”
“Hope so. Have to make one more round of tilling to make sure the ground is as loose as possible then we’ll get it ready for planting.” Bryson climbed into the bed, turning on his side to look up at her. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, why?” she asked.
“We haven’t had much time to spend with you. I don’t want you to think we don’t want to. Work has us scrambling to get everything done in time to start the garden,” he said.
“I understand.” Randi couldn’t understand why he thought she might be unhappy with about how little time they’d had together.
Honestly, they’d all be busy, and they did talk at the table during meals and afterward when they sat in the living room. Granted, she read a lot while they talked, but it was a comfortable time for her. It made her feel more like they were a family than just three people living in the same space.
“You know Mason and I like you, right? We’re happy that you’re with us.” Bryson looked up at her before squeezing her hand in his.
“I like you both, as well. You’ve been great. We’re just so busy that it seems like we haven’t spent much time together, but actually, we have. I love sitting in the living room at night listening to you guys talk while I read. I’m fine with everything. I think I got the best two men of all.”
Bryson grinned then reached up and kissed her. Just a brief press of his lips to hers, but Randi felt it all the way to her dampening pussy. How could a simple kiss do that to her?
Before she could say anything, Mason walked out of the bathroom wearing briefs and a grin. She wondered what he was smiling about but quickly put that out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about what he might have been doing while in the shower. She knew how men were. If they weren’t getting sex on a regular basis, they tended to take care of things themselves. That made her feel a bit guilty, but she refused to let it bother her much. Intimacy took time and trust.
“Still awake?” Mason climbed into bed on the other side of her.
“I’m not as sleepy as I was earlier. I guess reading made me feel like I could fall asleep in a snap. Not so much now.”
“How about a nice orgasm to relax you?” Mason asked.
Randi’s eyes shot up. “What?”
“Let me take care of you so you can sleep. I’m not talking about full-on sex, just some oral fun to take the edge off.”
Bryson chuckled. “He’s direct.”
“No sense beating around the bush. We’re adults. There’s no need to pussyfoot around,” Mason said.
“Y—you don’t have to do that. I mean, I’m okay.” Randi was sure her face was fire-engine red from the way heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks.
“I know, but I want to. Let us make you feel good, babe.” Mason scooted down the bed, dragging the covers with him.
Randi made a halfhearted attempt at pulling the covers back over her, but evidently Bryson agreed with Mason’s decision because he pulled them from her hands. In less than a second, she was lying on the bed without covers, with both men staring at her, lust obvious on their faces. The fact that she could elicit that response made her feel more like a desirable woman.
“Let’s lose the clothes, babe. There’s no need for us to sleep like that anymore. We’ll still take it slow, but I’m dying to taste you,” Mason said.
Bryson tugged her T-shirt over her head while Mason pulled on her boy shorts until she was naked on the bed, feeling a little nervous. Well, a lot nervous, actually.
“Damn, you look good,” Bryson said.
“Good enough to devour. I’m going to enjoy making you come, babe.” Mason slipped between her legs, spreading them around his shoulders. “Relax and feel, Randi. We’re going to take good care of you.”
I can’t believe this is happening. They act like they can’t wait to touch me. I’ve never thought of myself as sexy before, but they sure make me feel that way.
Randi moaned at the feel of Mason’s breath on her pussy. He blew then inhaled deeply of her scent. She’d never had a man do that before. He acted as if he could barely wait to get his mouth on her there.
Before she could say anything, Bryson sucked hard on one of her nipples. She’d been so intent on what Mason was doing that she’d forgotten all about Bryson. Well, he had her attention now. He played with her other breast with his fingers, pulling and twisting the nipple as he sucked and nipped at the other one with his mouth. Randi ran her hand up his shoulder
then to his head where she threaded her fingers in his hair and pulled on it slightly to let him know she liked what he was doing.
Mason licked up her slit in a quick movement that caught her off guard. She bucked beneath him only to have him wrap one arm across her belly to keep her still while he licked and sucked on her pulsing pussy. He used one finger to enter her, pumping it in and out in a slow, torturing rhythm as he ran the tip of his tongue around her clit.
“Oh, God! You’re killing me. Bryson, Mason. I’m so close.”
It had been a long time since she’d last come. While she’d lived in the little apartments at Space Station One, she’d masturbated fairly often, but since they’d been at the new space station, she hadn’t been able to take matters into her own hands with the men around. This was heaven to her.
“Easy, Randi. Try to relax and let us take care of you,” Bryson said.
“She tastes like honey laced with peppermint, man. You have to get a taste.” Mason grabbed the hand Randi didn’t have tangled in Bryson’s hair and pulled it down to her pussy. While his finger pumped in and out of her tight cunt, he dragged her finger through her juices that had gathered near her clit then carried it up to Bryson’s mouth.
“Mmmm. You’re right. Perfect,” Bryson said. He sucked on her finger for a few more seconds before returning to her breasts.
He switched breasts to lick and suck on the other nipple while tugging on the one he’d already had in his mouth. Randi wasn’t sure where she was any longer. They had her so turned on she felt almost outside her body with two sets of hands and mouths touching and playing with her.
“Oh, God, please. I need to come.”
“Just a little bit longer, babe. I’m loving this too much to stop now. You’re so fucking hot and wet. I love it that you were already wet for us when I got my mouth on you. It’s sexy as hell.” Mason nipped along her inner thigh before returning to her clit to tease it with the tip of his tongue.
