by Chloe Lang
“What else is there to say?” She turned to face him. “You’ve already decided my life and the life of your brothers, Tobias.”
“I can’t change how things go down in this town. I’m telling you, Charly, I would love it if I could.” He put both his hands on her shoulders. “My brothers mean the world to me. But even my parents would never bless such an unconventional union.”
“Ha! That’s where you’re wrong, cowboy. Your parents are on board with this.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Yes. We talked about it at the Horseshoe when you guys were outside. They’re not afraid to break tradition. Too bad their eldest son is.” She jerked free of him and shot straight for the front door of the hotel without looking back. She wanted to be alone in her room. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didn’t turn back to see if he followed. She didn’t want him to see her cry.
* * * *
The man finished off his fifth cup of coffee and lit another fag. He’d been waiting for a certain person to return. She just had moments ago. Sitting in the booth at Norma’s Diner, he watched intently the activity across the street at the Hotel Cactus.
Charlene Wynn had just run into the building, leaving the guy she’d arrived with outside. He knew it had to be one of the Strong brothers, though he wasn’t sure which one.
Not Heath Strong. Bloody hell, he’d almost come face-to-face with Heath at his garage. Luckily, that Strong brother hadn’t seen him hiding in the Rolls. After Heath had left, taking the spark plug had been a piece of cake.
Whichever brother had arrived with Charly now followed her inside. Too bad for the bloke. He should’ve left Charly and headed to his family’s ranch like his other brothers had done. Implicating Heath was working just as the man had hoped it would. The Strong brothers were chasing ghosts.
“More coffee?” the pretty waitress asked.
He looked at her name tag. “No, Mackenzie. I’d like my bill, please.”
She nodded and pulled out her ticket book. She ripped off his and placed it on the table. He didn’t look at it but handed her a ten-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
She smiled broadly. “Thank you, mister.”
There was work to be done—phone lines to be cut, a fire alarm to be disarmed, and exit doors to lock. He looked at his watch. Ten fifteen. By midnight, this creepy little town would be in for the night. Then his handiwork would get them to their feet and in the streets. It was going to be glorious. Once finished, Charlene would no longer be a problem.
Chapter Six
Tobias chased Charly and caught up with her at her hotel room door. “Charly, I’m not leaving you.”
She placed her key in the lock but didn’t turn back around. “P–Please. I–I can’t do this.”
He pulled her in close and turned her to face him. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks were soaked with tears. “Darling, it’s going to be okay.”
Charly placed her tiny fists on his chest. She gazed at him with her eyes wide. “How can it be? You don’t believe in the happily ever after I need. I’m already in too deep, cowboy. I’m in love with you, Nate, and Heath…but I’m also in love with Drake and Dax.”
“And Seth?”
“I’m already falling for him.”
Not surprising. He already knew that Seth had shared her with the twins at least once soon after she’d arrived in Wilde. “Baby, listen to me.”
“I–I can’t. I–I can’t talk about this anymore.” Her words were hitching in her throat, apparently as her emotions were getting the better of her. “Nothing will change. I’ve done this to myself, to you, and to your brothers. I–I am the one at fault. No one else. Please. Just go.”
Seeing Charly so overwrought flattened him. He wanted to tell her that she’d turned him around about breaking with tradition. He’d been shocked to learn his parents were okay with the idea of all the brothers being with her, but that hadn’t been what had made him willing to go for it. The person who had really changed his way of thinking had been Charly herself. When he’d seen her outside the hotel, he’d known she would never be completely content unless she could be with all the men she’d fallen in love with—his brothers and him. Letting go of the town’s unwritten law came easier than he’d ever imagined. He would spend the rest of his life ensuring Charly got everything she wanted. All that mattered to him now was her happiness.
Yes, he wanted to tell her, but he couldn’t. She wasn’t ready to hear him. Besides, there was still one impossible obstacle left that he didn’t believe would ever change in order for Heath’s six-and-one plan to work—Seth would never let go of the past. Five and one would have to suffice.
So instead of using words, he decided to utilize another set of skills to soothe the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He pulled her close and kissed her softly. Her fingers uncurled on his chest. Her eyelids fluttered, and she moaned into his mouth, letting him know he was getting to her just like he wanted. Pleasuring her would be the salve he needed to win her over to him.
“Let’s go inside, love.” He swept her up into his arms and kicked the door wide, carrying her into her room. She leaned her head into his chest.
He could see a future with at least four of his brothers, Charly, and him. It was one that would give him joy beyond measure. She would keep him and his siblings on their toes with that incredible brain of hers. God, she was adorable and so very sexy. Her long dark hair, gorgeous eyes, lush lips, soft skin, and perfect breasts had tempted him from the moment he’d seen her. Now that he knew how passionate she was, there was no holding back his need for her.
He placed her on the bed, sliding in beside her. Again, he kissed her, curling his fingers around the back of her neck and stroking her arm with his other hand. His hunger burned hot inside him, and his cock swelled in his jeans.
Could Charly let go of her dream of a life with all six Strongs, settling for five? He prayed she eventually would, but wasn’t sure. She had a mind of her own and a will that was strong. Sure, Charly could be submissive, but she could also be self-determined. To win her forever would take more than his sexual skill, but for now, it was a good first step.
* * * *
Charly’s lips were wonderfully swollen from Tobias’s kisses. She loved his caresses. Her mind was whirling with so many disconcerting thoughts. Thankfully, his touches seemed to be quieting her painful musings.
A little voice told her that to surrender to this cowboy right now was reckless and foolish. Her heart was already ripping apart. Allowing herself one last time with Tobias might create a memory for her, but it would also add to her suffering. She didn’t give a damn. There was no resisting him. Not tonight. Tomorrow, she would call Dr. Thompson and accept that job, letting go of the impossible dream—a life with the six cowboys who had changed everything for her.
She silenced the naysayer inside her, craving the sensations that would carry her away to the dreamy state of forgetfulness she needed, even if the sweet numbness only lasted for a little while. This would be her last night with one of the amazing men she’d fallen for in Wilde. The memory Tobias created for her now would be one she would treasure for years to come.
“The picnic was wonderful, cowboy.”
“The food or the after fun?” he asked wickedly.
“Both.”
“That was only a warm-up compared to what I have in store for you. I want to pleasure you, sweetheart, into oblivion.” He kissed her neck, and an intense ache shook her.
He stood and undressed, allowing her eyes the pleasure of seeing his amazing body. He pulled a condom out of one of his jeans’ pockets.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said in a manly whisper, rolling the rubber down his erect shaft.
The way he talked to her made her want to surrender. He made her feel so feminine and wanted.
Getting back down on the bed, he immediately began massaging her breasts through her shirt, and she trembled. Her nipples began to throb, and s
he licked her lips as need rolled through her body.
Without asking, Tobias began undressing her, starting with her top. After he removed the last of her clothes, she felt the tingles spread over her skin.
He skated his fingers down her curves, making her clit deliciously ache. His mouth came down on her left breast, sucking hard, causing her tips to jut out even more. He pinched her right nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Her heartbeat and breaths were racing. A shiver shot from where his lips pressed on her mounds down to her pussy, which was getting soaked.
She threaded her fingers in his dark locks. “Yes. Please.”
He bathed her breasts with his wet tongue until she was crazy with desire. He guided his hand down her stomach until he found her sex. When his thumb pressed her clit, sensations fired inside her, making her wonderfully dizzy. As Tobias sent one of his fingers into her pussy, she gasped as heat welled up inside her.
He continued sucking on her nipples, moving from one to the other, driving her mad with want. He sent another finger inside her sex, stretching her to the point of a marvelous pain.
She touched his muscular shoulders, as his fingers thrust in and out of her, over and over. Deeper and deeper. A haze took hold of her, silencing all her thoughts. Only her need remained.
“Please, Tobias.” Sparks fired through every part of her body.
“My pleasure, sweetheart,” he growled, rolling on top of her. The head of his cock pressed on her swollen sex.
“Please. Please. Please.” Her pants were coming faster and faster.
He kissed her silent, then began thrusting his dick into her pussy. She closed her eyes. His massiveness filled and stretched her insides until tears were brimming in her eyes.
Then he began his onslaught that sent a deluge of sensations through her body. His cock went deeper into her pussy, hitting her G-spot. Instinctively, her hands shot to the back of his thick neck and her legs wrapped around his muscled waist.
As Tobias continued sending his cock in and out of her sex, he never stopped pressing his lips to hers, and his eyes remained fixed on her. Spasms in her pussy caused her to clench his dick tightly.
His eyelids were heavy with lust, and he sighed into her mouth.
As her orgasm exploded into a million sensations, her body shook wildly. Digging her nails into his shoulders seemed to spur him on more.
Suddenly, his eyes shut tight and he ended their kiss. “Coming…aah!”
She could feel his dick jerk inside her sex. Electricity fired through every inch of her body, and tears fell from her eyes.
They’d made a memory together. She would gladly call it up in the days, months, and years to come. Tobias had made it clear he would never agree to Heath’s plan, and she could never choose one set of brothers over the other. Leaving Wilde and her men behind would be the hardest thing she would ever do, but she could no longer go down this path of ruin. Her heart was already in pieces.
“I think you’re ready to listen to me, honey.” Tobias stroked her hair.
“Okay. Give me your best shot, cowboy.”
“I’ll go along with Heath’s plan, but it will only work up to a point.”
“Why?” Her mind was in free fall.
“Because I see how much you love the twins. It may not be accepted by everyone, but your happiness means everything to me.”
Though she loved hearing those words from him, he hadn’t answered the real question. “That’s great, but I want to know what you mean by his plan will only work up to a point.”
“You already know, honey. Seth. He won’t ever let go of the past.”
“Give me a chance with him,” she pleaded.
Tobias sat up suddenly. “Get up, Charly.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I smell smoke. Lots of smoke.” He pulled on his jeans.
“Oh no.” Charly swung her legs over the edge of the bed and saw gray wisps coming into her room through the top of her door to the hallway.
“No time to dress, sweetheart.” In a flash, he wrapped her up in the sheet and lifted her up in his arms.
“I can walk, cowboy. Will you put me down?” Her heart was thudding in her chest like a jackhammer.
“Honey, for now, let me carry you. If I need to put you down, I’ll let you know.” Tobias crouched, keeping her in his arms. He went to the door and touched it with his elbow. “Take a deep breath, Charly, and hold it for me.”
She did, and he opened the door. More smoke rolled into the room, filling the space from the ceiling to about five feet from the floor.
“Fire! If you can hear me, get low and get out!” Tobias kept them below the smoke and walked out of her room.
A man and woman were standing at the end of the hallway. “Come this way! The main stairway is on fire.”
Charly looked that direction and could only see flames. Tobias turned to the couple and carried her to them. The smoke was less there, thankfully, but her throat and eyes were still suffering from the fire.
“Damn, why didn’t the alarm go off?” the man muttered.
“Don’t know.” Tobias’s face darkened. “There’s a staff stairway over here.” He led the four of them to it, keeping Charly in his arms.
They descended the nondescript stairs meant for staff and emergencies, the latter of which definitely fit the bill for what was happening right now. The air was less dense in the stairwell, and they came to the door at the bottom of the flight. Tobias tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Fuck! This shouldn’t ever be locked.” He looked at her. “I’m going to set you down, sweetheart.”
She nodded.
Tobias looked at the man. “Mister, help me push this open.”
“Let’s do it.”
Together they pushed until the veins in their necks were bulging.
“Bill, are we going to die here?” the woman asked in a panicky tone, pointing to the top of the stairs where they’d just come.
The fire had spread fast, and the flames were making their way down the steps—one by one.
“No!” Charly barked. “No one is dying tonight.”
Tobias nodded his approval of her words. “Bill, let’s do the TV move and take a running charge at this door and bust it open.”
“You got it. Lily, settle down. This gal is right. We’re not dying.”
Tobias and Bill charged into the door.
* * * *
Seth Strong knocked on the front door of the sheriff’s home on Windfall Street, just two blocks from the jailhouse. The hour was late, but he didn’t care. He had something to show the man who had accused his no-good brother, Heath, of murder.
Sheriff Davis opened the door and frowned. “What the hell are you knocking on my door at midnight for, son?”
“Actually, it’s five after midnight, Sheriff.”
“Smart-ass. Spill it, Seth.”
He liked the old guy. Always had. But he also liked giving him a hard time. Now wasn’t the time for fun and games. “Heath doesn’t smoke.”
“So?”
“The killer does. I found these cigarette butts close to the murder scene.” He held out one of the clear plastic bags he’d brought with him. “Ted doesn’t smoke and none of my brothers smoke.”
The sheriff took the bag and studied its contents. “Interesting.”
“And take a look at this.” Seth handed him the other plastic bag that had a crushed empty cigarette pack. “Found this on the north side of our ranch.”
“I’ve never heard of John Player cigarettes.”
“Me either. On the way over here, I called my mom. She googled it. Turns out it is a British-made cigarette.”
“Good work, son. I’ll show this to the state boys in the morning. Should be enough to clear your brother. They were dead set on going to the crime scene as soon as possible. When they learned you could only get to it on horseback, they reluctantly agreed to go tomorrow. Well, I guess I mean today.” The sheriff’s eyes went wide. “S
mell that?”
Seth did. Smoke. Something in Wilde was on fire.
* * * *
Tobias’s relief welled up inside him. He and Bill had charged with little hope of success. Miraculously, the lock gave way and the door swung wide. He lifted Charly back up into his arms and carried her to safety across Coyote Street, with the couple following close behind him.
Charly coughed on the thick smoke in the air. Tobias sat her feet down on the ground, and she wrapped the sheet even tighter around her body.
“Stay here,” he told Charly and the other woman. “Bill, follow me.” He ran to the Wilde Firehouse, which luckily was directly behind the hotel.
* * * *
The all-volunteer fire department of Wilde just couldn’t save the hotel. It was obviously a total loss. From across the street in front of the Wilde Silver Mine offices, Charly watched the dying flames consume the last bits of what had been Wilde’s only hotel—the Cactus.
Tobias, wearing the fire gear, came up to her. “Sweetheart, you should go to Norma’s and wait for me.”
She shook her head.
His tone changed from the softer-request timbre to the harsher-demand level that rattled in his chest. “You can’t do anything here, Charly. Go to the diner and wait for me. Now.”
She knew Tobias was only thinking of her best interest, but she couldn’t get her feet moving. The only thing she had left now was the sheet she was wearing from her hotel room. In fact, she didn’t even have that since it wasn’t hers to keep. She’d sold her car to Harry, and everything else she owned had gone up in the blaze.
“She’s trying to deal with this the best she can, bro.” Covered in soot and looking totally exhausted, Drake walked up next to her.
Tobias frowned. “I know what she’s thinking, but she can do that from the safe place behind the glass of Norma’s, away from flying embers.”
“Need a man on this hose over here,” someone yelled near the one and only fire truck.
