by Jane Jamison
“I know we don’t know each other well, but I do know what we have between us is real. And I know you can feel it, too. There’s a connection, a bond that can’t be broken. No matter how long it takes, no matter what we have to do, my brothers and I want you, and we’re going to have you.”
She could almost hear the whether you like it or not after his words. She did get angry then. Hadn’t he meant what he’d said earlier about her deciding how long they’d be together? Why were men always trying to control her? “I really hope you’re not trying to tell me how to feel or think. Because if you do, you’re going to ruin a really nice day and I don’t want that to happen. For Jazz’s sake.”
He let go of her, a stunned expression clouding his face. “I’m not trying to do anything except tell you how I, how we, feel. We’d never force you or try to tell you what to do. Maybe I’m saying it all wrong, but I only hope you realize how special we can be together.”
She studied him, searching for any signs that he was playing her. And yet, she knew deep inside her that he wasn’t. After her experience with C.J. and his father, she’d learned to recognize a deceitful man when she met one, and Beckett Malone didn’t fit the type.
“Answer me truthfully, Stormy. Do you want me?”
Her mouth dried up even as she tried to deny it, tried to buy time to understand what was happening. But she could do neither. “Yes. I do.” She cleared her throat and gave him more of her truth. “I want all of you.”
“Then can Jazz stay with a friend tonight?” He held up his hands, his usual joking demeanor returning. “And believe me. I haven’t set anything up like we did the last time. We’ve learned our lesson but good.”
The anger she’d had because of the setup started to come back, but she’d already forgiven them. Why get angry again? Especially since Beckett was asking her up front?
“I believe you. And I’ll see what I can do about Jazz.”
“Mom, watch!”
She turned her attention to see Jazz pulling on the reins to get her horse to back up. Waving, she did the same with her horse then tugged on the left rein to get him to turn around in a circle. Her horse turned, but halfway through the circle, she pulled back on the reins to stop him. Her attention jerked to the road running parallel to the land.
Her breath caught in her throat.
No. It can’t be.
Chapter Six
Stormy stared at the black car with the tinted windows. She’d seen very few vehicles like it outside New York City, but whenever she did, it was always bad news.
“Are you all right?”
She found Beckett staring at her. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine. I think.”
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She would’ve liked to have seen a ghost instead. She squinted, knowing it was useless to try and see through the tinted windows but still having to try. “More like a devil.”
He followed the direction she was looking. “Do you know who that is?”
“I can’t be certain, but I have a gut feeling that I do.”
“Do you want to tell me?”
Did she? But why make it his problem? Still, if he wanted to get to know her, he’d run into the problem soon enough.
“I think it’s Jazz’s father.”
His horse pranced as though picking up on his rider’s surprise. Beckett clucked to the animal and she could sense the sudden tension in his body. “Do you mean C.J. Chandler?”
“The one and only.”
“Did you know he was coming?”
Her emotions were all over the place. Anger mixing with fear. Irritation mixing with confusion. “That’s not his style. I think he likes to throw me for a loop, so he shows up unannounced and unwelcomed.”
Rent pulled his horse alongside theirs. “Hey, you two. Jazz is one hell of a rider. Once she gets more saddle time, she’s going to make a great horsewoman.”
They didn’t respond and he caught on fast. “What’s the problem?”
Beckett thrust his chin out at the car that was still parked by the side of the road. “C.J. Chandler.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“That’s who Stormy thinks it is.”
Rent’s tone was low and held an edge to it. “Did you know he was in town?”
“No.”
“What’s he want?”
“She doesn’t know.”
“Then why don’t we go and find out?”
Rent’s suggestion woke her out of her trance. “No! Don’t go near him. Not with Jazz around.”
“You can’t just ignore him and hope he goes away.”
She turned to Beckett and urged him to catch the plea in her tone. “Please. Not now. Not here. I’ll take care of him.”
“If he hurts you…”
She shook her head. “C.J. doesn’t get physical. He hurts people in ways that are much worse.”
A shaky smile was all she could manage. “Don’t worry. He shows up out of the blue every so often to play daddy and showers her with presents to try and buy her love. Then he disappears again for a long time. I should’ve realized that it was about time for him to pop up again.”
“How’d he know you were here at Half Moon Ranch?”
How had he known? But then again, C.J.’s, or rather his family’s money made almost anything possible. “He has his ways.”
They sat on their mounts and regarded the car in silence. Slowly, it drove down the road. She kept it in sight until it finally rounded a corner.
“What’s everyone looking at?”
Ty and Jazz cantered up. Although Ty caught onto the tension wafting off them, Jazz was too elated about riding to notice. Stormy treasured the wide grin on her daughter’s face. She’d seen that kind of joy too seldom for a girl her age.
“This is so awesome. Mom, do you know what my horse’s name is?”
She put on an expression as though she were trying to remember even though Jazz had mentioned it several times today. “Hmm, let me see. I forget. Are you sure you told me?”
“Funny, Mom. Her name is Polly. Isn’t that cute?”
“It sure is. And you’re a terrific rider. It’s like you’ve ridden horses from the day you were born.”
Ty darted his gaze around checking each of them but didn’t ask what had happened. She was thankful he was so perceptive. Even with the specter of the black car giving her chills, her daughter’s exuberance was irresistible.
“Mr. Rent, do you think I could ride Polly another time?”
“Jazz, don’t. It’s rude to ask.”
But Rent’s chuckle put her at ease. “Don’t worry. She’s not being rude. And, listen, I know it’s a sign of respect and all, which I appreciate, but please call me Rent. Mr. Rent makes me feel like an old man. As far as the riding goes, any girl that takes to riding like you have deserves to ride whenever she wants. In fact, as far as we’re concerned, you can consider Polly your horse. We’ll take care of her, feed her, and do all that other stuff while you enjoy her.”
Stormy jumped in before her joyous girl could get any more excited. “No, no. That’s too much. You can’t give her a horse.”
“Mom!”
Thankfully, Rent picked up on her unspoken message that he’d gone too far. “Sorry. Your mom’s right. I should’ve asked first. But that doesn’t mean you can’t come over and ride anytime you want.”
Jazz’s stricken expression left. “Really? Like on my own?”
But Ty squashed that dream fast enough. “Not alone. At least not for a while. There’s a wild dog pack running around. They’ve even gone after another rider that was on her own and broken into a barn and killed a horse. Our neighbor spotted the pack a couple of nights ago roaming near our land. So until that problem’s taken care of, you’ll need at least one of us with you when you ride. And only during the daytime. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“I guess no one cares what dear old mom thinks.” She had them going for a minute before she relent
ed. “Are you kidding me? Do you think I’d take away riding horses after watching you today?”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“No problem. I know how much you love horses.”
“Oh, and Mom? I invited the guys over for dinner. Maybe we can have pizza?” Jazz cooed to Polly to settle her down, although the horse was standing still.
Jazz must’ve taken a liking to the men. That was easy enough to understand. They treated her like an adult and had horses to ride. What more could a fourteen-year-old girl want?
“You don’t have to, Stormy.” Then Ty added, “But we’d sure like to. We’ll even bring the pizza.”
“Please, Mom. They can come over before I go over to Julie’s house. Oh, I forgot. Julie called and asked me earlier, and I said yes.”
“Jazz!”
“I know I should’ve asked, but I knew you’d say yes. And you will, right? You’re saying yes to both pizza and my staying at Julie’s tonight? Her dad and her are picking me up around eight.”
It’d been a long time since Jazz had asked her to do anything on her own instead of simply telling her. She was grateful that her daughter was showing more consideration. “Okay. Sure. But we’d better be getting back.”
The men and Jazz protested at the same time, and all she could do was laugh. They were like three big kids around her daughter. “Fine. Another thirty minutes and then we really will have to get going.”
As she usually did, Jazz started to complain and tried to push more out of her mother. But Ty jumped in to block her attempts. “Come on, girl. I’ll race you to the other side of the pasture.”
Jazz pulled on the reins and heeled her horse into a gallop as she shouted over her shoulder, “Bet I beat you!”
Ty kicked his horse into a quick start and was right behind Jazz. She could tell that he was pulling back on the reins a little, keeping his horse from running past Polly. Jazz would win, thanks to his efforts.
“Should we show up around seven?”
She gazed into Beckett’s blue eyes and then into Rent’s. Did they really want her? For more than one or two nights? She was tempting fate getting with them again. If they played her and dumped her after having sex, then the entire town would know it soon enough. And maybe even Jazz. But for the first time since her daughter was born, she wanted to take a risk. Maybe, just maybe, this time she’d get lucky.
* * * *
Jazz wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, eliciting a groan from her mother and a chuckle from Beckett. Stormy tossed him a pointed look, warning him not to encourage her.
But before she could say anything, Jazz was up and moving toward the front door. “Julie’s here.”
Stormy didn’t make it to the door before Jazz had scooped up her overnight bag and was halfway down the steps. She watched her dash to the pickup and hop into the passenger side next to Julie. Julie’s dad waved at her then put the truck into gear and drove off.
“She doesn’t waste any time, does she?”
The men had started clearing away the plates. “Not my kid. I think I should’ve named her Speedy. Hey, don’t bother with that. I’ll get it later. Besides, you brought the pizza.”
“No you won’t.” Ty handed a couple of plates to Rent while Beckett wrapped the remaining slices of pizza in foil then stuck them in the refrigerator. They acted as though they were right at home in her house. The idea wasn’t a bad one, either.
“I won’t?”
They wiped their hands on a kitchen towel they passed around then tossed it on the counter and strode toward her.
Three hotter-than-believable men want me. Right now.
They surrounded her, and, for a moment, she could understand how defenseless prey felt when wolves circled it. The thought was ridiculous, of course. They wouldn’t eat her. At least not that way.
Oh, my God.
“Come.” Rent took her hand and tugged her toward the hallway leading to the bedroom.
Again, her mind shouted for her to stop, that going to bed with three men she didn’t know well was a stupid idea, but her mind was outnumbered by her heart and her soul. The fantasy she’d had so many times was coming to life. Hadn’t she been hoping it would since earlier in the day when they’d gone riding?
Every nerve on her skin was alive and waiting for them to touch her. Every sense she had took them in, needing to enjoy every smell, every move, every word they said. If she wanted nothing else in the world, she wanted this.
Rent brought her into the bedroom then stood in front of her. “Strip.”
She blinked, thrown by his abrupt command. But it thrilled her, too. Keeping her eyes on the three men who stood around her, she unbuttoned her jeans then pulled the flaps apart. They stayed quiet, their eyes telling her how much they wanted her.
She was ready to reveal the sexy new thong she’d bought. Gone were the puritanical white panties she’d worn when she’d had Rent and Ty. Having sex with them had broken the shell that had cocooned her sexuality. She was ready to feel like more than a mother. She was ready to feel like a woman again.
She heard Beckett swallow hard as she shimmied her jeans over her hips and the curve of her butt. He reached out and, playing, she slapped his hand. “Not yet.”
“Looks like someone’s out to have it her way.”
She hadn’t thought of it, but now she realized she wanted it both ways. “I’ll be in control for a little while. But then I want you to take over.”
Rent’s eyes filled with the amazing amber bits. “If we do, then there’s no turning back. We’ll do to you, with you, anything we want.”
His words made her forget to ask him about his eye color. She trembled. “Anything?”
“Anything that doesn’t hurt you,” added Beckett. “You know we’d never hurt you.”
She nodded then pushed her jeans to the floor. Barefoot as she always was while in the house, she stepped out of them. Beckett’s low whistle made her preen with pride.
“Keep going.”
“I’ll go at my own pace.” She’d done more than thong shopping, online and was glad she’d had everything shipped overnight. But had she gone too far? “Ty, reach into the nightstand drawer.”
He did so without taking his eyes away from her until he touched what lay inside. “Now this is what I call fun.” He held up the handcuffs lined in black fur, a small whip with a red feather on the other end, and a couple of tubes of gel.
“Look again.”
He did and brought out a small, round bottle. “What’s this?”
“Open it and see.” She smiled then tugged off her shirt and flung it to the floor. The black lacy bra exposed most of her breasts. She had to slap Beckett’s hand away again.
“Damn, woman, you are driving me crazy.”
“Good. I mean to.”
Ty handed the cuffs and whip to Rent and the tubes to Beckett. He opened the round container then picked up the small pink feather duster inside. Pink powder floated in the air. “What’s this for?”
“Put some on my arm.”
He patted the duster against her skin.
“Now smell it.”
He reached over and took a whiff. “Smells pretty. Like a piece of candy.” He slid his tongue along her arm. “And it tastes like sugar.”
“I want you to put that powder all over my body.”
“Then lick it off?”
She gave Beckett a seductive smile. “Then lick it off. Consider me your dessert. Go on. Do it.”
Ty circled the duster in the powder then patted it over her arms then her chest. He dipped it in the powder again and spread more of it down the swell of her breasts and over her stomach, almost to her mons.
“Let me.”
Beckett tossed the tubes onto the bed then took his turn using the duster. He spread it over her back and her ass and even pushed it in the crack between her butt cheeks.
Rent took her arm and started kissing his way from her wrist to her shoulder. Ty helped himself to her stomach, twirl
ing his tongue into her belly button. She giggled, but her giggle died as Beckett dropped to his knees and tugged her thong down her legs. He pressed his face against her butt and slid his tongue into her crack. She gasped and started to remove her bra, but Rent beat her to it.
She stood, feet apart now, as they skimmed their tongues over her body. Closing her eyes, she grabbed hold of Rent’s shoulders to keep herself steady as Beckett and Rent delved their tongues into her crevices. Ty fondled her breasts, licking the sweet substance away.
She giggled. “I guess this was money well spent.”
Ty nipped at her nipple. “You can say that again. Next time, buy the gallon size. You’re going to need it.”
Rent pushed her folds apart and found her clit. She cried out as he sucked on it then nibbled on it and repeated his moves again. She dug her fingers into his skin and opened her eyes to see his dark-blond head between her legs.
She watched as they added more powder to her body then took turns licking it away. Ty was right. She’d need to buy more.
But a girl could suffice on licks for only so long. “Get undressed. I want to see your cocks.”
They hurried to give her what she wanted. Together, they threw their belts and buckles to the floor then tugged off their shirts. She let out a small mewling sound as she took in their ripped abdomens and strong chests. They were strong men with powerful bodies that could make any woman weep for joy.
“Now your jeans.”
Pulling off their boots took a while, but it gave her a chance to watch their chest and arm muscles flex with their efforts. Once the boots and socks were gone, they undid their jeans. She giggled, thinking that they reminded her of a synchronized swim team with each person moving in unison with the other members.
“Shit. Do we look funny?”
She bit her lip to stop her giggles. “Not in the least. Keep going.”
Ty held up his hand. “Let’s do this right, guys. Turn around.”
“Huh?” Yet when they did and dropped their jeans, she understood why he’d wanted to do that. Three delectable bottoms greeted her, and she reached out to touch Rent’s.
