Training Summer [Passion Peak, Colorado 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Tara Rose

  “No. I think he’ll be charged with trespassing, and whatever else Tommy thinks might stick, and I think Nash will push for that, but he won’t go to jail. And more than likely, nothing will come of it. Nothing.”

  Sam jumped down from Dalton’s lap and meowed at Summer. She picked him up and tickled under his chin the way he liked, but her attention was on Dalton. His voice was flat and he sounded utterly defeated.

  “I think this will blow over, and we will never know the entire truth. I think my mother will go on drooling every time she tries to talk or eats, and she will go on living without any knowledge of who is visiting her, or any ability to tell us who tried to kill her that day.”

  Dalton glanced at Summer. “You once asked me why Bethany left Passion Peak. That’s why. Because she and I both believe that my father went after my mother that day and tried to kill her. And now we will never know the truth.”

  “Dalton, I don't know what to say.”

  “There’s nothing anyone can say, Summer.” Dalton glanced at Wes. “I don’t want to go back to my house. Not ever. I don’t want to be on the estate. I was hoping you’d let me stay here with you and Summer.”

  Wes clapped him on the back. “You don’t even have to ask. Let’s go and get the rest of your stuff right now.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Summer and Wes stayed up half the night talking, but by the time they both fell asleep, fully clothed on Wes’s bed, they were no closer to a solution than they had been hours ago. They’d all grabbed dinner on the run. It had taken a few hours to move all of Dalton’s clothes and few other belongings out of his house. He’d told them he’d deal with the rest of his possessions another time.

  Wes had set him up in one of the guest bedrooms because Dalton had said that he felt like he hadn’t slept for a year. It had broken Summer’s heart to see him so lost and distant, but Wes had told her to just give him time and let him come to terms with this in his own way. To watch Wes so patient and understanding with Dalton had made Summer’s heart overflow with love for both men. If Dalton hadn’t told them all those horrible things earlier in the day, she would have shouted out the words to both men. But it hadn’t been the right time or place, so she held her love for them in her heart a while longer.

  Wes took her to lunch every day that week, and the three ate dinner in his apartment, but Dalton didn’t speak much and he would either sit in front of the TV afterwards, clearly not watching the show, or he would say he had a headache and go to bed. Summer slept with Wes in the same bed, and on Thursday night they made love, but it wasn’t the same without Dalton there. Both agreed that they felt wrong doing so, as though they were carrying on behind his back. They agreed not to have sex again until Dalton was able to come to terms with all this.

  On Friday afternoon Wes took Summer to see Gran after work, and she told Gran everything that had happened with Dalton’s father. Gran said she wasn’t surprised, and also wondered out loud whether Eileen Metcalf would ever be able to tell anyone what had really happened the day she had her accident. When Wes and Summer got back to Pacos Farms, they found two Passion Peak police cruisers in the driveway, and Dalton and Leland standing in front of the main house, shouting at each other, while Tommy and several officers looked on.

  Wes and Summer jumped out of the car and started toward Dalton, but Tommy held them back. “Let them go,” he said. “This has been a long time coming.”

  “What happened?” asked Summer, her heart beating so fast she was afraid she’d pass out. “Why is his father here?” If Leland Metcalf hurt Dalton, Summer would go after him herself.

  “It’s all right,” said Tommy, giving her a stern look. “Dalton called me as soon as his father showed up here. But don’t you worry. We won’t let anything happen to him.”

  Summer’s jaw dropped open at the sight of Dalton, his fists curled at his side and his feet planted in a wide stance. All he needed was a revolver in one hand and a cowboy hat on his head, and he could easily pass for a gunman in an old Western. It was sexy but frightening at the same time, because her heart went out to him. All she wanted to do was go to him, and hold him, and tell him it was going to be all right.

  Instead, she leaned into Wes’s strong arm around her, and listened to Dalton confront his father for probably the first time in his life.

  “You’re a crook. You’ve always been a crook. Mother knew it. That’s why you two were arguing that day. She knew what you were doing with the businesses and she wanted no part of it.”

  “You don’t know anything. You were a kid, for God’s sake.”

  “I was seventeen years old. And you left the house shortly after she did. Where did you go? Did you find her? What did you hit her with? What did you try to kill her with?”

  Summer placed a hand over her mouth and started to cry. Wes pulled her closer.

  “You’re out of your fucking mind. You always have been. You and your sister both. Weak and pathetic, both of you. No balls.”

  “Oh right. Because it takes balls to try and kill your wife, doesn’t it? And it takes balls to break into a mine shaft, right?”

  “Those two men are only trying to save their ass. I wasn’t there.”

  “Tommy has your clothes and your boots. The DNA proves it, Father. Did you know you left some behind? Cut yourself on a loose rock or something, did you? You were there. And you tried to kill Mother. If I could prove that I would.”

  “What do you know? You prance around in those damn leather pants like some kind of a motorcycle hoodlum, and have your sick and twisted games inside that club down the street.”

  “My BDSM lifestyle has nothing to do with this, so shut the fuck up about it.”

  Dalton pushed his father in the chest and Summer gasped. She glanced over at Tommy. “Do something.”

  “He’s all right.”

  “It’s okay,” said Wes. “Dalton needs to get this out.”

  “He doesn’t even know we’re here,” she said.

  Wes gave her shoulder another squeeze. “I don’t think he’s focused on anything right now but his father.”

  “Your BDSM lifestyle has ruined you. You own a saloon, for God’s sake. And now you’re with that Andrews girl. The one whose grandmother wasn’t good enough for your own grandfather.”

  Summer closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness swept over her. This was her worst nightmare come true. She opened them when a sickening sound reached her ears. The cops, including Tommy moved a few steps closer to Dalton and Leland. What had happened? She glanced up at Wes.

  “He just punched his father in the jaw.”

  “What?”

  “You shut the fuck up about Summer and her gran,” said Dalton. Summer had never heard such venom in his voice. It was horrible to listen to, but at the same time, her heart soared at his words. He’d meant what he’d said to her. He didn’t care where or who she had come from. It was true. Every word he’d said had been the absolute truth.

  “She’s nothing, Dalton.”

  Dalton swung at his father again but this time Leland ducked out of the way. “She’s everything to me. Everything. And I love her. So you just shut the fuck up right now.”

  Summer stared at him, not wanting to believe the words she’d just heard, but judging by the deafening silence that fell around her, having little choice. All eyes were on her and Wes. Dalton glanced around, blinked a few times, and then finally focused on her and Wes. It was obvious he hadn’t seen them there before.

  “Summer…it’s true. I love you. I should have told you before. Wes, I’m sorry. I should have told you too, man. But now I want everyone to hear it. I want the whole fucking town to hear it. I love you, Summer. I want you with me forever. With both of us, because I know Wes feels the same way.”

  Tears stung her eyes and she placed both hands over her mouth as Dalton strode toward her. Wes gazed down at her with love in his eyes. “He’s right. I love you, too. I’ve loved you for so long. Please say you’ll have me, too. B
oth of us. We want you with us forever, Summer.”

  Dalton was in front of her, and Summer was barely aware that Tommy and the other two cops were cheering and high-fiving each other. Dalton cupped her face and stared down into her eyes. “Wes is right. We want you with us forever. As our lover, our best friend, and our sub. Please say yes. Please say you love us, too.”

  “Oh, Dalton…Wes…of course I do.” Summer could barely speak, but she forced out the words as tears blurred her vision. Could a person be this happy and not die from pure overwhelming joy? “I love you both so much. I’ve wanted to say it but I was afraid. I was afraid you didn’t feel the same way. I was afraid it mattered to you who I was and how I lived. I was afraid of so many things. My answer is ‘yes.’ A thousand times yes. I want to be with you both forever. As your lover and your sub.”

  Dalton picked her up and twirled her around, shouting for joy. Summer was lost in a sea of faces and emotions that blocked out everything but the bliss in her heart. At one point, she knew Dalton had put her down and now Wes had picked her up, but she lost track of which man was where when they started kissing her. And soon, she no longer cared. Her wish on the star had come true, and suddenly every fear and doubt she’d had was gone like the wisp of a half-forgotten dream.

  Her two Doms loved her and wanted her with them, and she’d finally had the courage to tell them she loved them, too.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Summer knelt on the main floor at Indulgence, in front of Wes and Dalton. It had been two weeks since the showdown at Pacos Farms between Dalton and his father. Leland had been indicted on so many counts that Tommy had told the three he might not serve jail time, but it would be a while before he crawled out from under the mess.

  Wes had paid the remainder of the lease on Summer’s apartment and she was now completely moved in with him and Dalton at Pacos Farms. Dalton had moved everything out of his house on the Metcalf estate, and had paid for her gran’s care at Shady Pines so far in advance that Summer would never have to worry about it again.

  Her life the past two weeks had been a whirlwind of both men showering her with so much attention, affection, and reassurance that most days she kept having to remind herself they were real. Now, she was at Indulgence, where this had all begun. She glanced quickly around at the crowd surrounding them.

  Felicity was there with Maverick. Next to them stood Carma, flanked by Mateo and Blaine. Angela was with Nash and Ian, and Summer had been thrilled the day before to learn that Angela was pregnant. Tommy was there, as were Van and Rowena. Wes and Dalton had told Summer that they wanted to keep her collaring ceremony intimate, because they knew she wouldn't be comfortable having something so personal with a large crowd of strangers around.

  She kept her gaze on their faces as Wes slipped the silver chain around her neck. The guys had shown her the collar ahead of time, and Summer had cried when she’d seen it. It was delicate, and featured tiny diamonds set among emeralds in a necklace that wasn’t quite as short as a choker, but not longer than one which would lie just above her collarbones. It was perfect, as far as Summer was concerned. She wouldn’t have chosen anything more beautiful for herself.

  Wes and Dalton both stood in front of her, love shining in their eyes. She lived for that look. She lived to see it every day, just as she lived to serve them and to please them both.

  “Summer,” said Dalton, “I want you with me forever, as my friend, my lover, and my sub. I promise to cherish you, protect you, and honor this gift you’ve given me. I love you.”

  Summer took a deep breath. Her entire body quivered with emotion, just as it did every time Dalton’s voice washed over her. She was so in love with both of them, and had even thanked Ian for having Dalton step in for him so many weeks ago.

  “I love you, too, Sir. I accept your collar, and I promise to love you, serve you, obey you, and cherish you every day for the rest of my life.”

  Dalton winked as he stepped aside slightly to allow Wes to stand in front of her. “Summer, I love you. I have always loved you. I want you as my friend, my lover, and my sub. I pledge my protection, my love, and my respect for as long as I live.”

  Wes had always been there for her. She realized that now. For them, it had only been a matter of time. And now, she’d have him by her side for the rest of her life.

  “I love you too, Sir. I accept your collar, and I promise to love you, serve you, obey you, and cherish you every day for the rest of my life.”

  Each man held out a hand, and Summer stood to take them. Everyone cheered and clapped. They were surrounded by their friends, congratulating them and shaking their hands.

  Summer wished Gran could be here, but it was enough that they’d told her together the day before, and she had been genuinely happy, if a bit confused by the arrangement. Summer gazed at her two Doms with love, still hardly daring to believe this was real. The wish on a star had come true, and she was living a real-life fairy tale. She would spend the rest of her life making Wes and Dalton happy and basking in their love as well. Dreams did come true, and Summer now had proof of that.

  THE END

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Tara Rose loves to write about small towns and the quirky people that inhabit them. You’ll find engaging characters, budding romance, intrigue, and plenty of hot steamy ménage sex within the pages of her books. You never really know what goes on behind closed doors, but her books will take you there and leave you panting for more.

  When she isn’t writing, Tara spends time with her husband—her real-life hero. She loves to cook, collect antique pottery, and she will read just about anything. Tara also plays the cello and loves decorating her house for Christmas.

  For all titles by Tara Rose, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/tara-rose

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