by Vivian Arend
Approval, and something else. Something tender and personal.
The climax left his arms shaking, his lungs desperate for air, but inside, there was that warmth and contentment he’d been missing for a hell of a long time. Contentment that drifted from the others as well as Travis ditched the condom then found a spot on the mattress next to Cassidy. Limbs entangled as they continued to stroke each other. Be with each other.
Cassidy let out a long sigh. “Ashley, I’m too well fucked right now to move, but I swear I won’t leave you hanging for long.”
She laughed, the sound breaking across the room carrying brightness and light. “Don’t waste energy on guilt. Watching you guys—jeez, so sexy.”
Travis caught her fingers. “The night isn’t over.”
Ashley leaned up on an elbow. “Damn right, it’s not. I’m so turned on right now, though. I might have to break out a few toys until you two are up to speed again. You don’t mind, do you?”
Travis’s cock leapt at the vision of Ashley fucking herself with a vibrator.
“Dammit, Ash,” Cassidy complained. “I swear I’m getting a hard-on thinking about it.”
“That’s what I like. Men with good recovery time.” She snuck a kiss onto his cheek then escaped Travis’s hands to rise and stand over them, her beautiful eyes taking them in as if they were the feature item at a buffet. She dropped one hand over her chest, one between her legs, a mischievous smile escaping. “No rush. We’re just starting, right?”
It wasn’t only this night they had to look forward to, but a whole lot more. The truth of that rang in Travis’s brain like caroling bells.
This was the beginning.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ashley accepted a spine-melting kiss from Travis, turned and got swept up by Cassidy’s strong arms for a second breath-stealing, body-tingling farewell.
Both the guys wore wide grins as she crawled into her van and rolled down the window to say her final goodbyes.
“Did you charge your cell phone?” Travis asked.
“Done.”
“I filled the van from the jerry can, but you’ll need to stop and fill it up at least once,” Cassidy reminded her.
Ashley fought back the laughter that wanted to come, pushing away her sadness at having to leave them for a couple weeks. “Yes, dear.”
Cassidy made a face, and Travis leaned in the window for one more brush of his lips over hers. “Drive safe, and call when you get home.”
“Go on. I’ll be fine. You two take care of each other, and I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
They were visible in her rear-view mirror for the longest time, two tall, strong figures standing side by side.
She enjoyed the trip back to Rocky Mountain House, the long drive more than enough time to ponder ideas for her projects. She unlocked Travis’s trailer and opened all the windows to let out the musty scent that had built up over their time away.
A quick call connected her with Travis, his deep voice sending a shiver over her. “You made good time.”
Ashley laughed. “Hey, I told you I wasn’t the one who made the trip so long the last time. You were the one constantly stopping for snacks.”
“I’m a growing boy,” Travis teased.
“Greedy thing. Hey, did you call your dad and get his okay for me to use some barn space for my projects?”
“Left a message. I bet he’ll get back to me once he’s out of the fields.”
She eyed her van, itching to get it unpacked and start the next stage. “I’m going down to the wire here, Travis. You think it’s okay to settle in?”
“Of course. Stop by the ranch house if you’re worried, but it’s fine. That old barn below my trailer hasn’t been used for animals in nearly five years.” He lowered his voice a notch, and the sexy turned up to high. “You should have stayed for the last couple weeks, woman. We’re going to miss you.”
“I’m not going to dignify that with a laugh. Yes, you will miss me, but since I’m the one who’s sleeping alone tonight, don’t try to make me feel guilty.”
“Well, true, but we’ll still miss you.”
It was good to hear him joking. “I’m gonna get going, Travis. Give Cassidy a kiss from me, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
The fridge was empty, the cupboards mostly empty as well. She’d have to stock up in the next few days, but for now the can of beans she found was enough to give her energy to slip out to the small barn by the river and get to work.
Hours later the echoing grumble from her stomach brought her back to reality. She’d moved everything barnlike aside, storing it in one of the stalls so it wouldn’t be in her way. Then she’d arranged canvas and paint, setting up an entire studio. The spotlights she carried in her van weren’t great for painting by, but perfect for organizing and rough work, and as tired as she was, it had been a successful afternoon. The entire place had been transformed.
She turned off the lights and headed into the trailer, ignoring her stomach temporarily and hitting the shower for a good long soak. The spider webs she’d knocked down made that an easy decision.
She was completely wrapped up in her mental to-do list and hot water when a strange thumping sounded.
A loud shout accompanying the banging pulled her from under the water, heart pounding against her ribs as she stepped out of the shower and twisted the door lock in a panic.
My God, there was someone in the trailer.
“Is anyone here? RCMP. I want to ask a couple questions.” A female voice, loud and clear. “Hello?”
Ashley debated the wisdom of ignoring the summons, but her alternatives were limited. Pretending not to be there might end with the bathroom door broken down.
If it wasn’t really the police, she was in more of a predicament, trapping herself in the bathroom. She turned off the water, hurriedly tugged her dirty clothes back on and shouted through the locked door. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
A pause. “I’ll be outside.”
Ashley waited until she heard the door close, then rushed from the bathroom to peer into the yard. The sight of a RCMP cruiser slowed her panic, but only slightly.
Great. There were police in the yard.
She took a moment to exchange her wet things for dry, wrapping a towel around her head and approaching the front door with trepidation. “Hello?”
Two uniformed RCMP stepped from beside their car, the woman in the front seeming vaguely familiar. “I’m Officer Anna Coleman. I think I figured out the trouble—I tried calling the owner of the trailer, but couldn’t get through. If you’d tell me your name…”
“Ashley Sims. Travis gave me a key, honest.”
Anna waved off her partner. “It’s okay, Nick. She’s good.”
He nodded and headed back to the cruiser.
“Can I ask what just happened?” Ashley fought down a shiver. “Although, first, I assume you’re one of the unending Coleman relatives in the area.”
The dark-haired woman nodded. “Yes, part of the Moonshine clan. It makes running speed traps on a weekend double the fun.”
“I bet.”
Anna looked her over carefully. “We got a call someone saw lights on here and in the barn. I knew Travis wasn’t expected back for a while, and Mike Coleman didn’t know anything. Wanted to make sure it wasn’t vandals or some local youth looking for a place to fool around. Sorry if I scared you.”
“That makes sense, no harm done.” Ashley didn’t get it, though. “Travis said he called his dad to let him know I would be here.”
“Well, the message didn’t get through. When I couldn’t reach Travis, I tried Karen Coleman. She guessed it might be you.”
“Hey, I’m glad you were looking out for Travis. Thank you.” Ashley wiped at a line of water dripping down her neck. “The guys will be here in a couple weeks.”
“We’re already planning a gathering at Traders.” Anna smiled and her face transformed, far less serious, more filled with traditional Coleman misch
ief. “If you don’t mind partying with the local authorities.”
“Not at all. Unless you cheat at cards.”
Anna winked. “You’ll have to wait to find out.”
Unbelievable. Travis got off the phone with Ashley and immediately called home.
His younger brother Jesse answered. “Joe’s Pizza parlour.”
“Give it a rest. It’s Travis, is Dad there?”
“Aren’t you a dick?” Jesse snapped back. “Whatever happened to talking to me? ‘Hi, Jesse, haven’t seen you in months. How are you doing?’ That sort of thing.”
Travis backed down because this time Jesse was right. “I’m sorry. How have things been?”
“Busy. Had the devil of a time getting things done around here all summer with you gone—hope you enjoyed your holiday.”
“It was a good break, but I’m looking forward to being home in a couple weeks.” It wasn’t the time to point out that Travis had been working damn hard himself, and that there had been extra bodies around the ranch to help. “Hey, I don’t mean to rush, but we’ll catch up when I’m back. I wanted to know if Dad got my message. Ashley is back already, and she’s in my trailer, so no one needs to worry about seeing smoke from the fireplace or lights or that kind of thing, okay?”
“Fuck.” There were rattling noises in the background, and the sound of something falling to the floor. “You should call him.”
“I left a message. I wanted to know if he got it.”
“Leave him a message then.”
Travis was tempted to shake the phone, if that would also shake his brother. “Jesse, are you feeling okay? That’s what I just said!”
Jesse laughed, full-out explosive laughter. “You’re not making any sense, bro. But we’ll talk when you get home.”
Then he hung up. Hung up the damn phone.
This time Travis did stare at the phone in his hand in shock. What the hell?
“You look like you’re ready to kill someone.” Cassidy stood in the doorway, slipping his hat farther back as he frowned. “Troubles?”
“Jesse is an ass.” That was as succinct a comment as Travis could make it at the moment. “That boy gets more confusing to talk to all the time.”
He debated not telling Cassidy what had happened with Ashley, only to save him the worry, but figured that was all kinds of wrong. They ended up calling her again so Cassidy could be reassured she was okay. Travis phoned Mike until he finally got through and got the all clear for Ashley.
The next two weeks were full. With final trail rides and getting the camp taken down, there wasn’t much time to mope about missing the woman, though Travis wanted to head back to Rocky with something close to a physical ache.
Being around Cassidy made it better, though. Their friendship continued to grow, like stepping back a year in time but throwing in sex and the closeness that connection gave them. It wasn’t only the attraction between them, but something more.
Something Travis had craved his entire life without knowing it.
Still, the days dragged. The crew members were given their final cheques, the horses were loaded up to be returned to Whiskey Creek ranch. By the time he and Cassidy closed the last building and locked the gate, Travis was damn near twitching. As uncertain as their next months would be, they wouldn’t know if it would work until they tried.
And tried meant being back in Rocky.
Ashley came running up the hill as they pulled into the yard, one of his old shirts shaking in the wind as she flew into his arms. He swung her in a circle and savoured her kisses.
“Give her up, T. My turn,” Cassidy demanded, and Travis passed her over with a laugh.
Ashley cupped Cassidy’s cheeks as she beamed at him. “There’s plenty of me to go around. You don’t have to fight.”
They pressed close and Travis wondered again at the lack of jealousy striking him. Never had been an issue seeing Ashley live life to the fullest, this time as she slow-kissed Cassidy, wrapped around tight and clinging like a burr.
Travis slipped into the trailer to discover she’d already laid out supper plates, something wonderful scenting the air.
“Hmm, is that stew?” Cassidy asked, stepping in the door with his arm draped over her shoulders.
“One of my few meals. I did warn you I’m not much of a cook, right?”
Cassidy waved a hand. “We’ll take turns cooking. Crock-Pot and freezer meals.”
She nodded. “Hey, T? I didn’t know how you wanted to set us up in here. I don’t have much stuff, so I picked up a dresser at the thrift store the other day. It’s sitting in the living room.”
Travis frowned, trying to figure out her reasoning. “Go on.”
She shrugged. “You two don’t share the covers very well.”
Cassidy laughed. “I share very well, it’s T with the issue.”
“Yeah, well, I figured you two wouldn’t want to share a room all the time, and then when Travis has early chores, he doesn’t have to worry about waking anyone.”
“You’re sleeping in the living room?” Travis shook his head. “Bullshit on that.”
“Hell, no. Just my clothes live there. You get your room, Cassidy gets the second bedroom, and I’ll sleep with whoever is skipping the four a.m. alarm clock.”
Cassidy pointed a finger at her as he winked at Travis. “That is one smart woman.”
He had to agree.
All dinner they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, though there was another itch scratching between his shoulders. Duller than usual, but still there. He got off the phone with his mother and joined Ashley on the couch, pondering if he should say anything yet or not.
Ashley climbed on him like she was claiming her own personal playground toy. “So, tell us…”
He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. “Family dinner Wednesday night. Coleman gathering at Traders pub on Friday, as usual, but there’s going to be a big turnout.”
“Shit.” Cassidy leaned back in the easy chair across from them, his expression unoptimistic. “The countdown to D-Day begins.”
Travis fought to keep the same sentiment from settling into his gut. “I’d like to take you over to Mom and Dad’s a little early, if you don’t mind. Give them a chance to say hello before the clan descends.”
Ashley and Cassidy exchanged glances, then Ashley laughed. “Look at us. As if we’re headed to the noose or something.”
“Or something,” Cassidy mock-moaned. He turned his frown into a smile instead. “I’m too happy to be here to worry much, so I’ll stop being an ass and hope for the best. Tomorrow I go job hunting. There were a few leads in the paper, but it’s better if I hit the pavement.”
Travis held Ashley close and breathed in her scent, willing her warmth and softness to ease his frustrations, but it was no use. Casual-like, he announced, “I’m going to chop some firewood. Maybe you can come with me, Cass.”
Cassidy’s brows went up. He opened his mouth—probably to protest that the last thing he wanted after a seven-hour drive was to swing an axe. He snapped his lips shut again, pausing for far too long as he figured out what Travis hadn’t said.
Then, damn if he didn’t spill the beans. “Looking for stress relief?”
Travis glared at his friend. “Maybe.”
A solid blow hit his shoulder. Ashley had risen to her knees and socked him.
“Ouch.”
“Bullshit, ouch.” She gave him another one. “Don’t you try to hide that part of yourself from me ever again, Travis Coleman.”
“I didn’t want to upset you,” he protested. “First thing you hear after moving in with me is I’m needy?”
“Get a clue, you’re always needy, one way or another. I’m more upset when you’re an idiot,” she complained. “Besides, you should consider a few other things. I did some reading, and I now have all sorts of ideas to give you stress relief and kinky sex at the same time.”
Travis released the fist he’d trapped to stop her from beating his
shoulder. “Kinky?”
She waggled her brows. “You said you couldn’t imagine me using a crop on you? Fine. Cassidy can do that, and I’ll tease you other ways. Between the two of us, we’ll keep you nice and stress free.”
Good grief. “I’ve created a monster,” he grumbled.
Cassidy dragged him to his feet. “It was mixing in the sex. She doesn’t want to be left out.”
“Damn right,” Ashley muttered. “I’m no fool.”
Travis didn’t know what to expect with either of them anymore, but he knew this. He’d never felt so accepted and cared for in his life. He lifted Ashley’s chin and nodded. “I won’t keep it secret, but you try using feathers or some shit like that on me? I’ll get you back, woman. You won’t even know it’s coming.”
Ashley leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him, her smile dazzling as she eased back and gestured to Cassidy. “Come on, let’s take care of our guy.”
Take care of our guy.
Whatever else was handed their way over the coming weeks, hearing that phrase made all the uncertainty worthwhile.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cassidy stood outside Thompson and Sons garage and eyed the Help Wanted sign. He’d spent the morning wandering through town to find out what was available for work, and this was the one place he figured he could use his skills and be happy.
It wasn’t working the land, but the fall wasn’t a great time to find long-term work, not with winter snows fast approaching. He could help with harvest, he hoped to give the Colemans a hand when he could, but he needed a full-time job to be able to stand on his own feet and contribute to Travis and Ashley.
Once again he was lost in a strange new world. No house of his own, no real job.
Only…
Last night he and Ashley had cared for Travis. The whole dealing with stress relief had moved past the uncomfortable point for him to a stage where having power over Travis was a head rush and physical turn-on. After the sparks and sex and showers were done, they’d all sat by the fire and watched the stars appear one by one. Ashley had played the guitar, but Cassidy had sat with Travis leaning against him, their fingers entwined, holding hands like romantic fools.
