And this time, I left him to wonder for a minute while I joined Sawyer in the kitchen. I could hear Waylon’s gravelly voice muttering to Holden even over the noise of Sawyer throwing a log in the woodstove to keep the kitchen warm.
A minute later, they joined us at the table.
“Looks great,” Sawyer said, smiling as he shook out his napkin.
“You look nice, Am,” Holden said. “And this does look mighty good.”
I smiled, hoping I wouldn’t hurl before I could eat. I had absolutely zero appetite, and I might have dipped into the wine bottle before setting it on the table. Hey, sometimes a girl needs a reward for her hard work in the kitchen.
“So how long are you staying this time?” Holden asked, not looking up from his fajitas.
“Look, I know I should have given you an answer before,” I burst out. “I mean, it wasn’t fair for you to lay out what you wanted, and for me not to give you a definite answer. I wasn’t trying to play games, I swear it. I just didn’t know what I wanted. I know that’s not really a good excuse, but it’s true. I wanted to stay here, of course. How could I not? But I guess I was scared, too. And I wanted to go back to New York. And I miss my friends, and I wanted my mom to be happy with me. Which is silly, since I’m an adult, but I guess I’m not totally an adult, at least not on the inside.”
“It’s okay,” Holden said, patting my shaking hand.
I gripped onto his thick fingers like my life depended on it. “Is it?” I asked. “Because I’m not sure it is. My mom was right. I’m irresponsible, and I need to grow up and stop living in a fantasy world. And see, this is kind of a fantasy world, being here with all of you. Not that I don’t think I deserve you, or that I’m not good enough. But it’s kind of unbelievable that you all want me, and are just okay with me being with all of you. And honestly, that’s a little overwhelming in itself, no matter how much I want it.”
Sawyer sipped his wine, laughter shining in his eyes. “You all done, there, Princess?”
“Not quite,” I said. “Also, I’m not a princess.”
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with that name,” Sawyer said. “But listen, Amber. We told you all along there was no pressure.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said. “But there was. I mean, time was running out, and no offense, Waylon, but you were seriously pressuring me.”
He glowered. “Not to do anything you didn’t want to do.”
“No, but to decide. And you were right to. I was just confused, I guess. And I hope you can forgive me for that. I didn’t want to leave you. I never want to leave you. It wasn’t about that. I…I love all of you. Even you, Waylon, you big half-assed asshole.”
Holden cleared his throat, his fingers lacing with mine. “Me, too.”
I looked at Waylon, but he just shoved a bite into his mouth. Well, it was a start. He was eating my food, and I knew his stubborn ass loved me, even if he’d never say it. That’s why he’d been the one to push for an answer. He wanted to give me his heart, but he didn’t know if he could trust me with it. And that’s why he’d come to the airport—because he’d taken the risk to trust me with it, anyway.
I just didn’t know how much he’d told his brothers. “I’ll take it,” I said lightly. “Besides, when I don’t show up on that flight, I’ll probably be homeless, anyway, so you’re stuck with me. I couldn’t go home now if I tried.”
“You can always come home to us,” Sawyer said, giving me a wink. “We’re happy to have a sexy woman around to make us dinner.”
“Says the man who cooks naked.”
He grinned, removed his cowboy hat, and crushed it down on top of my head. He gave me an approving nod and drew a lock of my hair from under the brim. “I’m going to fuck you in that later, Princess.”
“Can’t wait,” I shot back.
“Eat your dinner,” Waylon growled.
“Yes, big brother,” I said with a sweet smile.
“I’m sure your mother will forgive you,” Holden said quietly.
“Yeah, when you meet my mother, you might be a little less certain.”
“You’re welcome to stay here,” he said. “To live here. We’re not going to send you anywhere that someone might hurt you.”
“She’s not going to hurt me,” I said, laughing. “She’s just not very…you know. Emotionally available.”
“There are plenty of ways to hurt people,” Holden said quietly, his soft brown eyes fixed on mine. “This is your home now, Am. We’ll never hurt you as long as we can help it.”
Suddenly, I had trouble swallowing. “Thanks,” I whispered, reaching for my wine. I took a bitter, stinging gulp and tried not to cough. “You’re very sweet, Holden.”
He squeezed my hand once before withdrawing to start on his own food. Waylon and Sawyer had already dug in, and now that I was pretty sure they weren’t going to tell me I was like Maria, and had betrayed them all worse than Waylon had betrayed me, my stomach seemed to be calming down, too.
I just had one last question. I took a deep breath, gripped my wine glass between both hands, and went for it. “Waylon?”
He looked up, still chewing.
“I forgave you in the truck, but do you forgive me for running away when I was mad?”
He set down his fork and nodded.
I took a breath and a sip of wine to fortify myself, and then I plunged on. “Good. Because I don’t want you thinking that I was going to leave with Charlie like Maria left with Cody. I’ll never run off with another man. Despite what I’m wearing, I’m not your ex. I’m not perfect, Waylon. I fall in cow troughs, and get stuck in hay lofts, and whatever else you can think of. And I have zero experience with men in the bedroom, so I probably won’t blow your mind there, either. When I get mad, I do stupid shit. But one thing I don’t do is cheat.”
A long moment of silence passed, and I guzzled some wine a little too fast, though my stomach was sloshing all over again.
“That’s fair,” Waylon said after a long moment. “I didn’t think that’s what was going on when I saw you with that bastard.”
“Have we cleared the air?” Sawyer asked. “No one’s mad at anyone? Because this storm’s looking like a real bitch, and we might be stuck here together for a while. I’d hate to spend it bickering. I’d much rather be making love than fighting.”
“Here’s to that,” Holden said, raising his glass to me. I clinked my glass against his, feeling a rush of warmth and comfort. Then I touched my glass to Sawyer’s, a thrill going through me and a smile finding my lips when he winked at me. Last, I turned to Waylon, who bumped his glass softly against mine, barely more than a touch, like a promise of what he was holding back.
The tension in the air crackled between us, only to be interrupted by Sawyer’s damn phone ringing. He reached down and silenced it without taking it from his pocket.
“Is that a girl calling you?” I asked, unable to keep a little edge of jealousy from my voice. I didn’t think they’d actually gone through their phones and called all the girls on their “Hit This” list the moment I left the ranch. But it was annoying that girls kept calling, even though I’d been there for almost three months. If they were going to gossip in town that I was hooking up with my stepbrothers, then they ought to know they were no longer available for booty calls.
Sawyer shrugged, suddenly very interested in loading up a tortilla. “I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t take calls during dinner.”
I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, but before I could, my phone rang. Everyone at the table froze.
All eyes on me, I considered leaving my phone in my pocket and shrugging it off like they did, pretending it was no big deal. But chances were, it was my mother calling to see why her little rat Charlie hadn’t dragged me home. Then she was going to disown me. I figured I might as well get it over with. The guys might have been great at avoidance, but it wasn’t my strong point.
I pulled out my phone, only to see an unfamiliar number. I silenced
it an nonchalantly slipped it back in my pocket, just like the guys always did. See how they liked it, wondering who called at all hours of the day. I had a feeling they wouldn’t be too happy about a guy calling me. Maybe they’d realize what it was like if I played the same game.
My game was quickly ruined by Waylon, who apparently did not believe in things like manners and privacy. Or maybe he just hadn’t grown up in a place where everyone minded their own business to the point of ridiculousness.
“Who’s that?” he growled.
I smirked at him. “I don’t answer my phone during dinner.”
“What was the number?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “It wasn’t someone I know.”
Holden frowned, casting a frown in Sawyer’s direction. I followed his gaze just in time to catch Sawyer’s shrug.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Nothing to worry about,” Holden said, patting my hand.
My phone dinged with the voicemail alert. They all stared at me expectantly.
What the hell?
I sighed and pulled it out, holding it to my ear to listen to the message. I had no idea why the guys were acting so bizarre, but they looked like they were about to jump out of their chairs and tackle me. There was something they weren’t telling me. Had the Grimeses said something, threatened me in some way they hadn’t told me? That was just like them. They’d want to protect me, and they’d think keeping me in the dark would keep me from worrying.
“Who is it?” Holden asked quietly, his fingers tightening around mine.
Shaking my head, I listened to the message again. Then I hung up and set my phone down, smiling around the table at my new family, sitting at the table in my new home.
“We’re getting a renter.”
6
Amber
After dinner, we headed into the living room. The wind howled against the house, rattling the windows. When I looked out, I couldn’t see ten feet from the house. The snow seemed to be falling from every direction, not just from above, and the air itself was white with it.
“Renter won’t be coming out for a few days,” Waylon said. He’d never been keen on the idea, but he’d come around to it. If it meant saving the ranch, he’d do just about anything, even let strangers stay in the cabins his grandfather had built out back. He’d finally let me put an ad online, and someone had answered it already. At the thought that I’d have a part in saving the ranch, the joy of belonging settled into my bones.
“What are we going to do until then?” I asked, giving Sawyer my most flirtatious smile.
“I can think of a few things we can do to stay warm in a blizzard,” he said, answering my smile with his own. “You want to hear them?”
“I don’t want to hear them,” I said. “I want to do them.”
As I took in the longing on each of my stepbrother’s faces—the gentle giant, the stoic cowboy, and the flirt—my clit throbbed and my thighs quivered with anticipation of the night to come. I knew that they’d be there for me the next day. This wasn’t about them sharing me or taking turns. Their eyes said it was all about me. And I was ready to give all of them all of me.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Sawyer asked, tensed to stand.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, standing and heading for the stairs. “I’ve always heard three is the perfect number. Let’s see if they’re right.” As I went, I trailed my fingers up Holden’s arm, across the back of Waylon’s neck, and skimmed along Sawyer’s broad shoulders. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I turned and looked back over my shoulder. All three of them were watching me with naked hunger.
“Playtime’s over, boys,” I said, reaching up to pull out my bun. My blonde hair cascaded over my shoulders and down my back. “Come and get it.”
Sawyer didn’t wait for further invitation. A smile broke across his gorgeous face, and he jumped up and dove for me. With a scream, I raced up the stairs. Sawyer raced after, laughing as we reached the top and he swiped for me. I spun away, laughing and shrieking as I raced for my room. Sawyer caught me at the door, lifted me off my feet, and plowed me onto the bed.
“I came to get it,” he said, and his lips crushed down on mine. His kiss was eager and thorough, leaving nothing unexplored. When at last he pulled away, I saw the other two standing in the doorway.
“Don’t be shy,” I said, beckoning them towards me. “I’ve got room for three.”
But when I looked up a second later and saw Holden undressing, I wasn’t sure. I gasped at the size of him, though I’d felt it before. He was every inch a giant, inside his clothes and out. I reached for him, eager to wrap my hands around his cock and really enjoy that hugeness of his. He stepped closer, and I closed my hand around his hot, hard shaft. He sucked in a breath, but his eyes stayed on mine. Reaching down, he hooked a finger in the edge of my skirt, and slowly drew it up my thighs. When it reached the apex of my thighs, he licked his lips and swallowed hard.
Sawyer had rolled beside me, and now he pulled down the top of my dress, revealing my lacy bra. With a deft pinch, he undid the front clasp and spread it open, staring down at my breasts like he was about to eat the most delicious meal he could imagine. His head dipped, and his cold lips closed around my nipple. He sucked hard, then flicked his tongue against the tip. Heat filled my pussy as my excitement grew. I gasped and arched up, squirming for more.
Waylon strode across the room, but instead of ripping off my clothes and fucking me senseless, he pushed down on my shoulder, pinning me to the bed. His jaw was set, his eyes hard. He nodded to Holden, who pulled away from my greedy grasp and knelt to take my other nipple into his mouth. At the same time, he gently circled a finger on top of my panties, over my swollen clit. I whimpered, trying to raise my hips, but Waylon pushed them down when I tried.
“Just lay back and enjoy it,” he said, his voice rough with desire. He stood over me, watching his brothers touch me, suck me, caress me. But he didn’t touch me, didn’t let me touch him. Or them.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I squirmed under his hands. “Please,” I whispered, begging him with my eyes. “Fuck me.”
“Just wait,” he said, hooking his finger into my panties and pulling them aside.
“I can’t wait,” I moaned.
Holden’s long, thick finger slid along my slippery crease, flicking back and forth across my clit. I cried out, writhing against Waylon’s grip. He drew my knees apart, his breath coming faster as Holden’s finger circled my clit, then opened my folds. Sawyer sucked at my nipple, palming my breast with one hand. As he plucked at my nipple, rolling it between his thumb and finger, my clit throbbed.
Waylon spread my knees open further, and Holden slipped in front of him, kneeling on the floor between my legs. I could feel his breath across my damp thighs, and shivers ran through me as I waited for his tongue. Waylon watched over his brother’s shoulder as Holden’s thick finger circled my opening. My eyes locked on Waylon’s molten gaze as Holden spread my pussy open with two fingers and thrust his middle finger into me.
I cried out, arching up as Sawyer’s hand left my breast and slid down my belly. Waylon nodded, his eyes riveted on my pussy as I took in Holden’s long finger again and again. Sawyer slid his hand under Holden’s, working my clit until I thought I’d explode. Just when I couldn’t take it another second, he matched Holden’s hand with his own, forcing both their fingers deep inside me. I instantly came, waves of pleasure washing over me as my walls pulsed around their fingers.
When at last the throbbing subsided, Holden withdrew and lay down beside me. Waylon slid between my thighs. He lifted my legs, placing my feet on his shoulders. This was it. I was going to get it at last. Slipping his fingers into the waistband of my panties, he slowly drew them down my thighs, dropping them over his shoulder when he finished. He stepped forward, spreading my lips and slicking his fingers against my wetness.
“More,” I whispered, helpless to stop myself.
/> “Be patient,” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “We’re just getting started with you, Princess.” He popped his finger into his mouth, tasting me, then slid it out and smiled.
To my frustration, instead of filling my need with his huge cock, he stepped aside and Sawyer took his place. “You ready for more?” he asked, dropping to his knees.
“Oh, god, yes,” I gasped, though I wasn’t sure I could endure more teasing. I needed a cock inside me, and I needed it now. But when his mouth began to tease me open again, I knew I could. I reached for Holden, and he let me grasp his cock again, stroking my hand up and down as my own pleasure increased.
Sawyer drew in a long breath, savoring the smell of me, and exhaled a moan of pleasure. The vibration traveled through my entire body, buzzing across my skin. As his tongue slid into my wetness, I cried out again, begging for him inside me, tightening my thighs around his head.
Waylon drew my thighs apart again, watching his brother eat me out as I lay there immobilized by the waves of ecstasy washing over me. When I was near my bliss, he pinched my nipple, and my clit throbbed so hard Sawyer’s tongue slipped off it. Recovering, Sawyer closed his lips around my clit and gently stroked it with the underside of his tongue. Waylon squeezed his fingers tighter on my nipple until I yelped in pain, and an orgasm exploded through my body. I cried out again, gripping the sheets as Sawyer pressed the wide, flat part of his tongue against my throbbing clit.
I fell into a state of limp exhaustion on the bed, sweating and shaking from the power of it. But before I could get too relaxed, Sawyer moved to stand beside the bed, and Waylon stepped between my thighs again. “Open wide, Princess.”
“I’ve already had two orgasms,” I begged. “I can’t take another one. I’ll pass out.”
“You can take it,” Waylon assured me, his strong hands gripping my ankles as he raised them to his shoulders again. “But take off your dress first. I want to see every inch of you while I fuck you.”
Wreck Me, Cowboys: A Reverse Harem Forbidden Romance (Coyote Ranch Book 4) Page 3
