by Jane Jamison
“Like hell I would,” said Mona. “I can already imagine more than I want to. Let’s get back to the men. What is it about them that’s so compelling?”
Could she tell her sister about the strange sensation, the one that had her pussy humming and her mouth watering? At the time, when she’d been standing outside the market, she’d been too stunned to realize it. After thinking about it, though, she could understand at least part of what had happened. She’d been turned on big time. But turned on by who? The dark-haired man? But the sensation had struck her before seeing him.
“I couldn’t have told you before they came. But then they started talking about how we’re supposed to be together. About how I’m supposed to be their woman and they’re supposed to be my men.”
Mona wanted to shake her head and deny that she understood, but she couldn’t. She understood all too well. “How do you feel when you’re around them?” Would what Pamela tell her be close to how she’d felt in town? How she’d experienced the sensation in a slighter way even before coming to town? That the sensation had grown stronger since they’d arrived in Forever?
Pamela leaned closer then cast her gaze down to study her drink. “Like I said, I couldn’t have explained it before they visited, but now I can because they told me exactly what I was feeling. It’s kind of like an electric current that rushes into your body and takes you over. It’s an overwhelming sensation that compels you to do things you wouldn’t normally do. Things like wanting to have sex with those men right in the middle of town.”
She hugged herself and let out a low sigh. “I’m telling you, Mona. Whenever I’m close to those guys, I feel like I have to have them. Not only in a physical way but in an emotional way. Like they were meant to be with me and I was meant to be with them. Is that freaky or what?”
Mona wanted to tell her that it didn’t seem strange at all. Yet she couldn’t admit it. Not yet. Not when she didn’t really understand the why of it. She was the big sister, the one who was supposed to have the answers.
Still, she couldn’t leave her sister hanging. “Yes, I guess I can understand it. At least a little. You’re attracted to these guys, and you don’t know why. Maybe it’s a simple matter of opposites attracting. Maybe they’re just so different from the kind of guys you normally choose that they intrigue you.”
Pamela shook her head then took a sip. “I don’t think so. This is so much more than just plain old attraction. This is more like a compulsion. It’s like I don’t even have a say in the matter. Like my body has taken over my brain.” She dragged in a long, slow breath. “I know this sounds crazy, but it’s almost like I’m already in love with them.”
“That does sound crazy,” said Mona. Yet still she could understand it. Was, in fact, envious. “You don’t even know these guys.”
“I know. I know.” Pamela laughed and pushed the glass away. “Maybe I shouldn’t drink right now. I’m having a hard enough time keeping my head straight.”
Mona leaned back, thinking about what Pamela had said. Once again, she started to tell her sister that she knew exactly how she felt. Yet how could she when she didn’t know any man in town? How could she be fantasizing about men she hadn’t even met?
“What about you?”
Pamela’s question shot through her, jolting her out of her thoughts. “What about me?”
“So who are you fantasizing about? Who is the object of your daydreams? Who is your hand making love to? Come on. I can’t believe you don’t know something.”
“Oh, for shit’s sake. It’s only a fantasy. Don’t make it bigger than it is.”
“Okay. But when you fantasize, don’t you have to fantasize about someone in particular? Maybe even a couple of someones? You’re not telling me everything,” accused Pamela.
Try three someones.
Pamela was getting a little too close to the truth for Mona’s sake. She stood, needing to get away from her sister, needing to get away from the probing questions that were sure to come. “Unless there’s something more you want to discuss, we need to get busy. I need to go over your schedule with you.”
Pamela laughed then stood, too. “Okay, I get it. You don’t want to talk about your daydreams. Sure, fine. But it’s not fair. It’s okay to talk about my stuff, but yours is off-limits? Again, so not fair.”
“Maybe. For now just let it go, okay?”
“Still, it doesn’t seem fair. I spilled my guts. You should spill yours.”
Mona dumped the rest of her drink down the sink and put the bottle back in the cupboard. “Sorry, but life isn’t fair. So just get over it because it’s not happening, Sis. Come on. Let’s get today’s work on the way.”
* * * *
The last place Mona wanted to be was the Moonstone Bar, but where Pamela wanted to go, she had to go. She’d had her reservations before, but now that she could see Will and Dillon Collinsburg there, she was sure she’d made a mistake by bringing her sister to the bar.
As soon as they had walked inside, Will had scooped up Pamela and pulled her onto the dance floor. For a moment, Mona had stood there, feeling like a wallflower. Then all of a sudden, Dillon had her hand and was pulling her along with him.
“No, no. I really don’t want to dance.” She tried tugging her hand away from him, but he held on too tight.
“Oh, come on, you’ll be fine. Besides, I need someone to dance with me until your sister is free.”
Great. I’m playing second fiddle to my sister yet again.
“Okay. But just one dance. After that I’m going to go get a drink.”
Dillon wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close as the song wound down. “Don’t worry about the drinks. My brother will take care of them as soon as they’ve finished dancing.”
Mona didn’t have much to say. She figured she’d suffer through the dance and be done with it. She smiled wanly, trying to make the best of things.
“So did Pamela tell you?”
“Did she tell me what?”
Amber flecks sparkled in his eyes. “Did she tell you that she’s meant for us?”
All hell. This is the last thing I want to talk about.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
He shot her a look that told her he knew she was deflecting. “No. More than that. We told her that we’re meant for her. That we share the same feeling, the connection. That we want her to be ours for the rest of her life.”
“Look, I don’t know what you guys talked about, but Pamela is not interested in a lifelong commitment. She has a very full life and a lot of work to do. She doesn’t have time to get serious about anyone.”
“Yeah, I know she’s famous and all, but we don’t give a damn about all that. All we care about is that she’s the woman we’re supposed to have.”
Mona leaned away from him, thinking he was getting a little too close. “You know that sounds a little stalkerish, right?”
His chuckle was deep and low. “Yeah, I guess it kind of does. But let me ease your worries. We want nothing but the best for her. We’re going to make sure she’s happy. In fact, our entire goal in life will be to make her happy.”
His sincerity was touching, but what was she supposed to say? Was he asking her permission? Or daring her to stop them? Maybe Pamela could make them see things clearly tonight. If not, Mona would handle them later.
“So she didn’t tell you about the connection, huh?”
“The connection?” Had Pamela used that word?
“It’s called the connection because it’s the invisible bond that links one person to another person. With us, it’s linking my brother and me to your sister.”
Mona couldn’t help but giggle. “So you have a name for it? How about calling it what it really is? Just plain old having the hots for someone.”
“Because it’s more than that. It’s not a matter of basic attraction. This isn’t about some guys wanting to fuck your sister.” His eyes seemed to brighten with even more flecks of amber. “Excuse
my language.”
What was it about the people in this town? She’d seen the strange amber flecks in other people’s eyes. She’d wondered about it but had decided it wasn’t her business to find out. After all, it wasn’t as though they were planning on staying in Forever.
He seemed to mellow a bit. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get harsh with you. It’s just hard for us. We’ve waited a long time to finally meet her. As soon as we saw her, we knew she was the one.”
“Like love at first sight, huh?”
“From your tone, I guess you don’t believe in that kind of stuff, do you?”
“It doesn’t matter if I do or I don’t. All that matters is that you respect my sister and you don’t push her into doing something she doesn’t really want to do.”
He looked as though she’d slapped him in the face. Horror filled his eyes. “We’d never hurt your sister. Don’t you get it? We’d lay down our lives for her.” Once the horror had left, sadness filled his eyes. “I guess you’ve never felt it. I hope you do one day. It’s the best thing that could ever happen to you. To any of us.”
He’d thrown her. Not only with his words but in the way he looked at her, with pity filling his gaze. “Maybe I have. You don’t know that I haven’t.” She was getting defensive, and that wouldn’t help, but she couldn’t stop herself. “I know what it’s like to see someone and want them.”
He shook his head and turned her loose. “Like I said earlier. It’s more than just wanting someone. It’s more like you’re suddenly joined. Like you become a part of that someone.”
For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. Suddenly she felt alone and empty. Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to feel the so-called connection.
And then, as though fate had actually heard her, she felt it. Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart skipped a beat then raced ahead. Staring at him, she wanted to ask him if he was feeling it. Or was she getting caught up in the moment?
“Anyway, let’s not get too serious. Just make sure you have some fun tonight. How about that?”
She nodded, her mind almost numb as the sensation swept over her. Her gaze scanned the room, searching for something, yet not finding it. Yet the sensation grew stronger.
“Hey, Troy, get over here. I want you to meet someone.”
She turned in the direction Dillon was looking. As soon as she saw him, she knew.
This is one of the men from my fantasies.
Mona wasn’t sure how she knew, but she did. He was definitely one of the men. Something primal, deep inside her, recognized him. And now that realization had struck, she knew he was from her nighttime fantasies, too. From her torrid dreams that had left her waking, sweat soaking her nightshirt and sticking it to her body.
The handsome man strode toward her, his dark eyes flashing exactly as they had done in her fantasy. He was solidly built, taller than six feet, his shoulders wide then tapering down to a narrow waist. He was dressed like almost every other man in the bar with worn jeans, worn boots, and a cotton shirt rolled up to his elbows.
It’s him. The man I saw on the street. How is this happening?
“Troy, this is Pamela Frost’s sister.” Dylan shot her an apologetic look. “Sorry. I forgot your name.”
She could barely speak. “Mona.”
“Right. Mona, this is Troy Wilder.”
Troy studied her hard. His eyes narrowed. His mouth tightened. His whole body tensed. If she hadn’t known better, she might’ve expected him to jump on top of her and take her where she was. And the thing was, she wouldn’t have minded one bit.
Troy stuck out his hand, a hand covered with calluses showing long hours of work. “It’s good to meet you, Mona.”
Dillon’s gaze shot behind her, his eyes widening. “If you two don’t mind, I’m going to grab Pamela away from my brother. Take care of Mona for me, Troy.”
The sensation swept over her, racking her body, making her feel as though she couldn’t stand on her feet a moment longer. She wanted nothing more than to take his hand. Yet, instead of shaking it, she wanted to put it on her breast. Or lower, between her legs.
“Are you okay?” Troy’s voice was as sexy as his body. It was deep, rich, infused with a sexuality few men possessed. It seeped into her, snaking through her, going to every inch of her and making her tingle. Desire, raw and powerful, threatened to overwhelm her.
Was this the connection Dillon had talked about? But that was ridiculous. There was no connection, no invisible line between one person and another. Love at first sight was a beautiful myth, but it was only a myth.
Troy leaned closer, putting his face mere inches from hers. She drew in a breath, taking his scent along with it.
Kiss me, she begged. Had she said that out loud?
“Sugar, are you going to answer me? If you don’t say something soon, I’m going to get worried. And I don’t like being worried.” The corners of his mouth lifted up, amusement lighting his face.
“I’m fine,” she said, barely in a whisper.
When he took her hand and enclosed it with his huge one, she thought she would faint.
“I’m really glad to meet you, Mona. Really. More than you can know.” He cocked his head to the side. “Or maybe that’s wrong. Maybe you do know.”
“I’m here with my sister.” What a stupid thing to say. Dillon had already told him that. Hadn’t he? Suddenly, she couldn’t remember.
“And I’m here with my brother, Barrett, and my cousin, Justin Breckinridge. We’ve been waiting a long time to meet you.”
The sensation grew stronger and stronger, so strong she doubted she could stand the rush of it much longer. If she didn’t do something soon, if he didn’t do something soon, she’d go insane.
“Are you sure you’re all right? Then again, the connection can really knock a person for a loop.”
“The connection?” As if she didn’t know. She’d heard enough about it through Dillon. More, she’d felt it. She was feeling it. And somehow feeling it, she knew all about it. At least enough to know that it was a dangerous thing. Dangerous and wonderful all at the same time.
Troy waved at a couple men standing closer to the bar. One glance and she knew it was the other two men from her fantasy.
Oh my God. Is this really happening? Are they really real? Or am I still in my kitchen drinking way too much tequila?
The men started toward her, one dark, one blond. Both were equally handsome, both equally sexy like Troy, just like the men in her fantasy. Her body heated up even more, and her clit throbbed mercilessly. Either she had to take them right then and there, or she had to get away. “I’m sorry,” she said rather breathlessly. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”
Troy appeared confused, his brows darting between his eyes. “Sure, sugar. But hang on long enough to meet my brother and cousin first.”
She could feel them coming. She could feel them getting closer. She could sense that, at any moment, they would touch her and she’d be lost. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go right now.” Whirling around, she headed toward the back of the bar and the restrooms.
Before she’d made it down the hallway to the ladies’ room, she realized that they were right behind her. The men of her dreams, the men of her fantasies, were following her like predators chasing after their prey. Her heart sped up as her feet increased her pace. But it was a strange feeling. She wanted to get away from them, to run away before she was engulfed by the sensation. And yet, she wanted nothing more than to turn around and open herself to them. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. In any way she could. Slamming her hands against the bathroom door, she burst inside the small restroom.
She had just sucked in a small breath, a reprieve for her heaving chest, when she saw them in the mirror. “You can’t come in here. Men aren’t allowed in here.”
Chapter Seven
This is insane. But it’s a good kind of insane.
Pamela couldn’t help herself. She’d lusted after these men
since the first time she’d seen them. Dillon and Will were so sexy, hotter than any men she’d ever seen, famous or rich. She wanted them, and damn it, she was going to have them.
She pushed Will into the room, ignoring all the people playing pool in the back room of the bar. “Tell them to leave,” she demanded.
Will didn’t take his eyes off her as he shouted, “Get the hell out of here, everyone.”
Dillon was right behind him, shuffling people out the door and into the hallway. He slammed the door shut. “Let’s do this.”
She didn’t care if anyone still remained. If they didn’t leave, then they’d get an eyeful of what was about to happen. “Take your clothes off.”
“Damn. She’s a bossy one, isn’t she?” Yet Will started unbuttoning his shirt as fast as he could. Dillon did the same as she stepped back and watched.
It was good to be in control. Not that she wanted to be in control all the time, but some of the time it was just plain fun to be the one calling the shots. She smiled as the men obeyed her. Boots went flying, shirts were tossed away, belt buckles hit the floor to make a racket. And then came the jeans. She watched, practically drooling as Will and Dillon shoved their jeans to their ankles then kicked them away.
“You guys go commando style, huh? I like it. Don’t ever wear underwear. Ever.”
“Just keep on doing what you’re doing, honey, and we’ll be happy to oblige.” Will thrust out his chin, his eyes brightening with the amber color she’d seen so often in other people’s eyes. “It’s about time we get around to this. I don’t think I could’ve waited much longer.”
Dillon stalked toward her, a predator in the making. “You know what we are, don’t you, darlin’?”
She nodded, yet she had her own questions she needed answered. “Sure I do. You’re the men you are going to make my fantasies come true.” Strangely, she’d never thought of men that way. They’d take care of her, lavish her with gifts, but making her dreams come true was what she and her sister did so well.
