Four Sworn

by Delilah Devlin

  She shoved her elbow in his side. “No one found us.”

  “We both smelled like bleach after we spilled the supply shelf.”

  “Good thing we were naked then because our clothes didn’t get ruined.”

  Smiling, Bo rubbed a lazy hand across his belly. “Have to say I was surprised you sought me out tonight.”

  “Just needed a partner to get out on the dance floor.”

  “That’s not what I meant. I’ve hardly seen you around town. Gran said you’ve been job-hunting, interviewing in Austin and Houston. You didn’t tell me. Thought you were avoidin’ me.”

  “I’ve been lookin’ for a job. Not that I have tons of options. Shoulda finished college when I had the chance.”

  “You hated school. Only reason you went to SMU in the first place was to get away from Two Mule. That why you’ve been job-huntin’ so far from home?”

  “Yeah. Thought it was about time to start the rest of my life. I can’t stay here forever.”

  He stayed silent so long, she wondered if he’d fallen asleep. She glanced over at him, only to discover his head was propped on his arm while he studied her face.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” she said, pushing out her bottom lip.

  His eyebrows rose. “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. Like you think I’m a coward.”

  His eyebrows dropped. “I don’t think that at all.”

  Shanna scowled. “I’m not like you. I don’t come from a good family. Everywhere I go in Two Mule, someone whispers behind my back. They all wonder when I’ll prove I’m just like my mom.”

  “Your mom wasn’t a bad person. I liked her.”

  “Men liked her because most of ’em knew her in the biblical sense.”

  “That’s an exaggeration.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “She was a whore, Bo, with a string of sugar daddies.”

  Bo nodded, his expression thoughtful. “She had some issues, but she wasn’t a bad person. And you aren’t her.”

  “People won’t let me be someone other than Camilla Davies’ daughter. And look at me. Look at what I want. What does that say about me?”

  He rolled to his side and settled his head on his hand. “It just means you’re sexually curious. So am I. Does that make me a whore? Bet I’ve had more lovers than you.”

  Shanna met his gaze, hyper-aware of his broad chest and missing his weight pinning her to the truck bed. She wished she could cuddle against him and draw on his inner core of strength. “Why haven’t you settled down? You could find yourself a good woman.”

  His fingertip traced the length of her nose then tapped the end. “Because there’s only one you,” he said, smiling softly.

  She hoped that wasn’t true. She loved him. She knew he cared about her. But he shouldn’t be in love with her.

  She sat up and rubbed her arms. “I’m gettin’ a little cold.”

  “Coward. You brought the subject up.”

  “I’m not afraid of the ‘M’ word. But I’m a realist. I really, really can’t think of having a relationship until I’m far away from here.”

  His large hand cupped her thigh. “So you want me to arrange the ultimate farewell party?”

  She shot him a quick glance, worried about what he thought of her now. “Am I being wicked?”

  “Oh yeah.” He pushed up on his arms, then leaned over and kissed her cheek. “But I like your wicked, dirty little mind.”

  Her lips twitched and stretched into a smile, and she was glad that the darkness hid the heat creeping into her cheeks.

  Bo kissed her then backed away, keeping that talented mouth of his an inch from hers. “I’ll get you what you want, sweetheart. My gift to you. Think of it as a goin’-away present.”

  Chapter Two

  Bo rehearsed the request a dozen times, pacing in front of the Kinzie porch. He’d come early enough to catch them before they headed into town to hit the saloon, getting a rash of shit from his foreman because the old man had guessed his distraction had something to do with a girl.

  Fuck. How did you ask friends to help you blow your girl’s mind without looking like a fool?

  “Do you think he knows we’re out here?” came an overloud whisper.

  Bo turned, shooting a glance over his shoulder. The three Kinzie brothers were lined up on the other side of the rail, eyeing him. Josh grinned. Cade’s expression was wary, his eyes narrowed. And Ezra? Well, Bo never could get a bead on what Ezra thought because the man’s expression never strayed from neutral.

  He chose to address Cade’s wary glance first. “I’m not here to borrow your tractor again.”

  “Weren’t gettin’ it even if you did. Got it stuck to the axle last time.”

  Josh leaned his butt against the rail. “Only thing ever gets you so worked up is Shanna Davies.”

  Bo snorted and narrowed his eyes. Josh wasn’t a mind reader. He’d been drinking with Bo Saturday night when Shanna had approached him.

  Josh grinned. “Well, that got a reaction. Better come in and get a beer while we get cleaned up.”

  Bo blew out a deep breath, glad for the reprieve, and climbed the porch steps.

  Inside the house, Josh headed down the hall toward the bedrooms, Cade on his heels.

  However, Ezra pulled the tab of the beer he already held and settled onto a settee in the family room, not caring that his clothes were sweat-stained and covered in dust. “So what’s botherin’ you? You finally tell Shanna you’re in love with her?”

  Bo winced. How was it everyone else knew and Shanna still didn’t have a clue? “I uh, have a request. Something Shanna wants.”

  Ezra’s gaze narrowed as he studied his face. “Better blurt it out now before the other two get back.”

  Bo knew he was right. At least Ezra could give him a quick read. If he didn’t think that his brothers would go for it, then he wouldn’t have to take a lifetime of teasing from the other two. “I’d like to give Shanna something special. A Chrissi-at-halftime special.”

  Ezra grew still. “She knows about that?”

  “She does now. Don’t worry. She’s not a gossip.”

  “As I recall, you weren’t all that into sharing. You played lookout while we got busy. You hardly got a kiss in.”

  “This is Shanna we’re talkin’ about. I’d do anything for her. And she has it in her mind that she’d like a ménage.”

  “Sure she can handle it afterwards?”

  Bo knew exactly what he meant. After that football game, Chrissi gave them all the cold shoulder, too embarrassed to meet their gazes.

  “Shanna’s plannin’ to leave town. Been job-huntin’. She doesn’t figure she’ll have to see any of you again.”

  Ezra took a long pull of his beer then relaxed against the back of the sofa. “Does she figure on seein’ you again, Bo?” he asked, his narrow gaze pinning him.

  “She’s leaving me too.”

  Ezra glanced away. “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. She’s never led me on. It’s my own damn fault I didn’t believe her.”

  The pad of bare feet sounded from the hallway. Josh and Cade trailed inside, their glances going to Ezra.

  “He wants us to do Shanna,” Ezra said, his tone dead even.

  “Is that right?” Cade asked, his eyebrows rising.

  “Yeah,” Bo said, his face growing hot. “She wants to experiment. It’s a favorite fantasy kind of thing.”

  “She ask for us?” Josh said, his eyebrows meeting the blond hair falling over his forehead.

  “I made the suggestion,” Bo said, his tone gruff. “If you decide you’re not interested, I trust you won’t say a word to her.”

  “We don’t gossip,” Ezra said. “There’s been enough of that around your girl.”

  Bo nodded his appreciation.

  “Anything we should know about her?” Cade, the middle brother, asked.

  Bo eyed each brother, knowing by their curious expressions that they’d agreed to the re
quest. He let out a deep breath. “She doesn’t like people mentionin’ her mama. And she’s self-conscious about her breasts. They’re small. And I don’t want her hurt or scared. So no rough stuff.”

  The two younger brothers looked to Ezra. Ezra’s narrowed gaze fell on Bo again. “We decide what happens.”

  Bo’s shoulders stiffened. “And if I don’t like it?”

  “We aren’t gonna give a shit about what you want. This’ll be all about her. We swear we won’t do anything to harm or frighten her—too much.”

  Bo nodded again, slowly this time. “I’m curious. You fellas haven’t shared since Chrissi, so why would you be willin’ now?”

  Ezra shrugged, then his face broke into an uncharacteristic smile. “It’s good practice.”

  “For what?”

  “For the day we bring a wife among us.”

  Bo’s cheeks got hotter. He’d always known the brothers were a little crazy, but he hadn’t known the depth of their kink. He couldn’t imagine wanting to share a woman he loved on a permanent basis. If he ever had the privilege of marrying Shanna, she’d have to settle for just one man in her bed.

  Friday night, Shanna couldn’t get any closer to Bo unless she crawled inside him. She’d climbed into the cab of his pickup and slid all the way over the bench seat, lifted his arm and snuggled against his side. She was hot and cold and scared all at the same time.

  Ever since he’d told her the Kinzies had agreed to share her, she’d second-guessed herself a million times. She’d even called Bo twice to tell him she wanted to cancel, that it was all a joke, but he hadn’t believed her either time. And here she was, pulling in front of the Kinzie ranch house, and her stomach was so taut she thought she might throw up.

  The trip from her place in town to the ranch took only fifteen minutes, but she’d held her breath most of the way and felt winded.

  “It’s gonna be okay,” Bo said, pulling her close and kissing her temple. He raised his arm over her head, put the truck into park and killed the engine. Then he turned back to her, his moss-colored eyes crinkling at the corners with his strained smile. “You don’t like something, all you have to do is say so. If you want to change your mind, just head for the door. I won’t judge you.”

  Shanna gripped one of his hands and squeezed it, glad of the darkening shadows that hopefully hid the blush heating her face. “I can’t believe this is gonna happen, and that you’re okay with it.”

  His eyebrows lifted up and down in a quick, wicked waggle. “Why wouldn’t I be? You want it. I want you happy.”

  “That’s what friends do, huh?” she said, lifting her chin in challenge. “Find a group of men willing to gangbang their girlfriend?”

  His sigh seemed to come all the way from his toes. “It’s not gonna be like that, Shanna. I swear, it’s not gonna feel dirty.”

  “How do you know? Are you a girl?”

  His chin firmed. “You wannna leave? We can head to Shooters. I’m okay with that. We can drink ourselves shitfaced. I’ll see you home and tuck you in safe—and alone.”

  Shanna glanced away, staring blindly at the sprawling white ranch house. “I’ve dreamed about this every night since you said they’d do it, you know. I dream that tomorrow I’m walking through Two Mule, but I’m naked and everyone can see me.”

  His arm snaked around her shoulders and he hugged her close. “On my honor, baby, this is just between us. No gossip. Not a word or a sly look will follow you after this. I know you want this, but I know why you’re scared. That’s one thing you won’t have to worry about.”

  She cocked her head to the side and gave him a slow smile. “Oh yeah? So what will I have to worry about?”

  His smile widened. “Walkin’ bowlegged for a week.”

  Shanna couldn’t help it, she snorted. Laughter spilled out. When they’d both quieted, she lifted her mouth.

  Bo didn’t have to be told what she needed. He gave her a quick chaste kiss. “Come on inside. The guys aren’t gonna jump you. We can talk first.” He reached for his door handle.

  She reached for hers and opened her door. “This is embarrassing. I’m already imaginin’ them all naked. They won’t have a thing to be embarrassed about.”

  “Neither will you.”

  She slammed the door and met him around the front of the truck. “I’m too skinny. I’ve got no ass. And a sixth-grader has bigger boobs than me.”

  “You’re slender. You’ve got the prettiest, softest skin, and your nipples are cherry-colored.” He thumbed one of her little berries through her shirt.

  Her pussy clenched. “Okay, I can do this.”

  Bo encircled her waist with both arms and pulled her into his chest. “Yes you can. I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let anything happen you don’t want.”

  How could she tell him there wasn’t likely to be anything she wouldn’t want? She’d stored up a lifetime of sexual fantasies, never letting them loose because she hadn’t wanted to be seen as anything like her mother. Even with Bo she’d stuck to plain vanilla, shying away from anything too wild.

  She squared her shoulders.

  Bo unwrapped himself from her and held out his hand. She took a deep breath and placed her trust in him. He’d never let her down. Never pushed her. He’d been the best friend a girl could have.

  “It’s gonna be okay.”

  When she stepped onto the porch stairs, the front door opened. Josh, the youngest of the Kinzie brothers strode out and clomped eagerly down the steps. He stood beside Bo and waited, staring her up and down.

  “Be polite, Josh,” Bo said.

  “Can’t help it,” Josh said, eager as a puppy dog. “I’ve wanted to see you naked forever, Shanna Davies.”

  His lazy smile was infectious. Shanna couldn’t help chuckling even while her cheeks burned. She let Josh take her hand and pull her up the steps.

  Bo snorted behind her, but that only made her smile widen. He hadn’t liked how easily she’d accepted Josh’s hand, not after the fuss she’d made.

  Inside the house, she glanced around, curious about the brothers’ home. She’d never been to the Kinzie ranch before, would have loved seeing the corrals and horses during daylight, but the interior of the old house was pretty impressive too. Yellow stone and natural wood on the outside, inside the walls were a mixture of stone and plaster. Stone stretched along the far wall with a bump out for the huge fireplace. A cast-iron chandelier, shaped like interlocking longhorn cow horns, was suspended from a high ceiling. The floor was a warm yellow oak. The furnishings large and leather—masculine browns and golds.

  “Everyone’s out back,” Josh said.

  Everyone. She hoped to God he meant just his two brothers.

  They walked through the living room to the French doors on the opposite side. The flagstone patio that surrounded a pool was enclosed by a tall wall and lit by tiki torches. Boulders at one end of the pool formed a natural waterfall.

  “It’s beautiful,” Shanna said, stepping farther onto the patio.

  Cade rose from a lounger beside the pool. Dressed in jeans, a tight tee and boots, his dark hair was slicked back, and he smelled of soap, like he’d just come from the shower. “Nice to see you, Shanna.”

  The deep rumble of his voice skittered along her nerve endings, causing her to shiver. She was doing this, really doing it.

  His gaze didn’t sweep her body like Josh’s had in blatant sexual interest. However, the way he looked at her face, especially at her mouth, said sex was uppermost on his mind, too. And since both brothers had proclaimed their interest with a steady gaze, she eyed Josh and Cade, standing side by side, comparing the depth of the muscle that corded their arms and legs, the width of their shoulders. The youngest Kinzie, Josh, was tall and lean like Bo; his shaggy blond hair touched the tops of his shoulders. His face was beautiful, his chin manly, but the dimple in the center softened his look. Blue eyes twinkled but he held still beneath her perusal.

  Something about Cade’s expression s
ettled her nerves. Made her feel safe. His energy wasn’t as apparent as Josh’s. His body was tight, his expression a little wary. His gaze was steady as she raked him with a quick glance, all she dared, because the silence was stretching uncomfortably among them. Still, he was the same height as Josh, a tad broader in the chest. His face wasn’t pretty like Josh’s, being more rugged and masculine, but he still had the power to leave her breathless.

  Cade reached for her hand and pulled her deeper onto the patio, toward the pool where a figure swam laps from one end to the other, his long sleek body gliding beneath the surface and completely nude.

  Her mouth dried as Ezra Kinzie reached the end of the pool at her feet and hauled himself out of the water.

  She stepped back, her heart racing, and tried valiantly not to drop her gaze, but his cock was thick and wakening, demanding attention. He was large. Everything about him was bear-like and oversized—feet, hands, cock. Lord, her jaw sagged as the manliest part of him seemed to grow harder, bigger still, beneath her fascinated stare.

  Ezra slid a finger beneath her chin and raised her face. “You’re overdressed.”

  A groan leaked out, and Shanna covered her face with her hands. “What was I thinking?”

  Ezra chuckled “Come have a seat. We’ll talk.”

  “I can’t. You’re naked and I’m already drooling.”

  “Not a bad place to start,” he murmured.

  She peeked between her fingers and slowly dropped her hands.

  Ezra raised a thickly muscled arm and combed back his wet, dark brown hair. Water ran in rivulets over his broad, tanned chest. He reached out sideways. “Need a pillow.”

  One was placed in his hand, and he held it for her.

  Shanna read the challenge in his eyes. He thought she’d bolt. That she didn’t have the guts.

  She might be nervous, but she was more aroused, more curious—about what this would be like, what he’d taste like, how the other men would react once she knelt and took Ezra in her mouth.