Lustful Intentions [Climax, Montana 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Reece Butler

  “You know why Mom moved out right after I finished high school and never came back?”

  “I figure the memories were too much. She loved both of our fathers, a lot. Being on the ranch reminded her they were gone, and she’d never have the life they’d planned.”

  “Nope.” Trey slowly shook his head. “At Dad’s funeral she promised me she’d stay until I finished school. She said it stabbed her heart to see you hurting so much. She thinks you blame her for Dad’s death. She couldn’t stand seeing you bitter, despising her.”

  Trey shot forward as Sam jammed on the brakes. He slammed the truck into park and stared at Trey.

  “What the hell?”

  Trey stared back. He raised his eyebrows in silent challenge.

  “That’s bullshit!”

  He waited, for once calm and controlled while Sam flew off the handle. All sorts of expressions flicked over Sam’s face before he settled into his usual frown.

  “Why would Mom think I blamed her for what Dad did?”

  “Dad won his all-state championship buckle for Mom when he was seventeen. He couldn’t afford an engagement ring unless he won the buckle, and he wouldn’t ask her to marry him without one. She said she didn’t care, but it was important to Dad. When their big anniversary came up, Dad said he’d won a buckle for her before, and he was going to do it again. Mom thinks you blame her for not stopping him from competing at his age.”

  “Mom couldn’t have stopped dad from doing anything he set his mind on,” replied Sam. “And he did win before he got thrown off, landed on his neck, and died. Right there.” Sam sighed then scrubbed his face with his hands. “Why didn’t she tell me? I didn’t want her to leave.”

  “When the hell would she tell you?” demanded Trey, suddenly furious. “You wouldn’t look either of us in the face. She had lost a husband for the second time. She had no one to lean on anymore. Ben did what he could, but he lived in Bozeman. Mom couldn’t lean on you because you weren’t there, physically or emotionally. I did what I could, but I was a kid, and hurting just as bad. At least in town she had friends nearby.”

  Sam’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He blew out his breath.

  “At least we went to the grief counselor, the one you refused to go to,” Trey added accusingly.

  “I went. Later.”

  “Once!”

  Sam slumped in the seat. “You think if I told Mom I never blamed her, that she might come home?”

  “She got over that a long time ago.” Trey made a sound of disgust. “She won’t visit because the Rocking E homestead looks like shit. Mom had gardens, she kept cookies in the jar, fresh flowers on the table in the summer, and her feet didn’t stick to the kitchen floor.” His expression matched the sound he’d made. “Mom doesn’t want to come home because it’s not her home anymore, and we haven’t made it ours. Yeah we live there, but our hearts aren’t in it. And it shows.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got all sorts of answers,” said Sam, trying not to sound too much like a pissed-off kid. “What do we do about it?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Of course I’m serious! I want Mom to feel that she’s welcome any time. I miss her,” he added quietly.

  “We have Katie clean the place up, plant flowers, hang curtains, that sort of thing. Replace the crappy appliances and put down a new floor. Then we invite Mom over.”

  “Why should we have to invite her? She’s our mother. It’s her home.”

  “It was her home. The only way she’d come is if…” Trey got an idea. He turned toward Sam, grinning widely. “We’re paying Katie to clean but she insists the haying is her contribution. A great way to thank her would be a party. We haven’t had one on the Rocking E since before Dad died. It would be a good time to do it, with the place clean thanks to Katie.”

  Sam nodded thoughtfully. “We hold a going-away party for Katie right after the haying. Mom couldn’t say no to that. We won’t be able to fix the floor by then, but she won’t care if the place looks homey and is filled with family and friends.” He nodded. “We tell Katie we’re going to have a party. Only we say it’s so Mom can see what the Rocking E looks like all cleaned up. I like that.”

  Trey put his hand on the door handle. “Last one in buys the beer.”

  Chapter 11

  Tom White had pulled a beer for Trey before Sam set his butt on his usual stool. Tom poured him a coffee, knowing he never drank if there was a chance he’d get behind a wheel. Sam had taken keys from a number of his cousins over the years. They were mad at the time, but they got home alive.

  “Where’s Katie?” asked Tom. “Getting ready for tonight’s karaoke party?”

  “Damn, I forgot all about that!” Troy slapped the polished wood counter. “We’ll have a drink, then go home and tell her she has a date with us tonight!”

  “Katie’s an employee,” replied Sam. “We can’t tell her to go out with us. And anyway, she’s a mite irritable today.”

  “I expect you’re the reason for the irritation?” asked Tom.

  If it had been one of his cousins he might have replied rudely. Because it was Tom White he swallowed his comment.

  “Marci says she’s a good singer,” continued Tom. “She’d like karaoke.”

  “Good to know.” Trey drained his glass of beer and carefully set it on the bar. “Since Katie’s helping at the haying, it would be good for her to meet people tonight.” Trey nudged Sam with an elbow. “And it’ll make the cousins jealous.”

  If they showed up with Katie, especially if she wore something snug, it would drive the cousins nuts. He wouldn’t mind them being jealous of him for a change. Katie had made her choice last night. She wouldn’t be hanging out with anyone but him and Trey.

  “They won’t be jealous if Katie’s dancing with them instead of you,” warned Tom.

  “Katie wouldn’t do that,” said Trey. He paused, eyebrows almost touching. “Would she?”

  “Tell the guys she’s in line to be your wife and they’ll back off,” said Tom.

  “Katie’s nothing like the wife I need,” said Sam.

  “She can cook,” said Tom, “is great with kids, gets along with pretty much anybody—”

  “She’s overeducated, opinionated, and is the size of a teenager,” replied Sam. The statements were true, but she was far more as well. She worked hard, stood up for herself, and could laugh, and that mattered a lot around here. She also made him feel things he didn’t like admitting to.

  “I thought you were looking to get married?” asked Tom.

  “Yeah, but not Katie.” Sam shook his head. “She wouldn’t make a good ranch wife.”

  “Maybe not,” replied Trey slyly. “But I wouldn’t mind something short-term. She’s small, but that’s one hell of a body she’s got. I can’t wait to see her in one of Aunt Marci’s dresses. Katie’s way bigger in the bust department.” Trey swayed on the stool, hand over his heart. “Hoo, boy!”

  Sam shot him a warning look. No one should suspect anything had happened last night. It was private. Especially since Katie was ticked off and giving out vibes that she wasn’t interested in anything more from them. Trey was good with women. He’d find a way to turn her around. He’d better!

  “You do realize it’s rare to find a woman with brains and looks who can cook, take care of kids, and doesn’t object to the idea of sharing two men.” Tom aimed his comments at Sam. “The chance of an available female, especially one like Katie, stopping in Climax is pretty low. It’s almost as if somebody set this up just for you.” His eyes narrowed. “Remember what happened with Lila? Maybe that ancestor of yours decided Katie was right for you.”

  “You think Great-whatever-granny Beth sent Katie to us?” asked Trey eagerly. “’How do you invite a ghost?”

  “She’s buried with the rest of the ancestors. Go talk with her, thank her, and tell her she’s welcome here. I’d prefer if you don’t mention it to my wife. Dorothy’s uneasy with spirits.” Tom frowned, thinking.
“Though maybe Beth could tell Dorothy a few things to ease her mind.”

  Such as?”

  “Whether certain people ended up in hell, if it does exist.” His mouth twisted. “I’ve got a few on my list that I’d be happier knowing were roasting in pain for eternity,” he added softly before turning away.

  Sam had seen and even talked with Beth. It was weird talking to someone when you could see through their body. Sam couldn’t deny things existed that he couldn’t see or touch, but he didn’t have to like it. And he didn’t have to accept that Katie was sent to Climax by someone who’d been dead for sixty-five years. If that was the truth, he wanted to ask Beth why she’d let that SOB attack Katie.

  “Granny Beth wouldn’t have sent someone who wasn’t perfect for us,” said Trey.

  “She’s got an MBA, for God’s sake,” Sam replied with disgust. “She’d be wasting her education living here. Katie turning up was sheer chance. She told Aunt Marci she’ll stay until after the haying, then go home. She’s got some job lined up already.”

  Sam had way too much to do to think about Katie. Yet not thinking about her was impossible. She messed him up during the day and wrecked his sleep at night. He had to solve the problem. When the haying started he had to be one hundred percent alert and aware, working in the moment to keep everyone safe. He couldn’t do that with a raging hard-on. It would be painful to drive a truck and impossible to ride a horse, which was what he’d be doing sixteen hours a day. Even now, though it made him furious, his cock fought to rise at the thought of curves she’d shown them last night.

  There was only one way to fix the problem and that was to get her out of his system. That required getting her naked when she was well rested so she didn’t pass out again. They’d share some great sex, and he’d be able to concentrate during the haying. Once that was over he’d reconsider the equation.

  “Earth to Sam.”

  Trey’s hand waved in front of Sam's face. He slapped it away.

  “Your concentration’s all shot to hell.” Tom shook his head, frowning. “One of the reasons you were chosen as hay boss is because you can focus. You’d better do something or we’ll put someone else in charge. The MacDougal twins would do a good job.”

  Cold fury blasted away all thoughts of sex. Being chosen was his reward for years of denial, working day and night while Trey played. Hell, while all his cousins played! Any interest in sex flew like snowflakes in a blizzard.

  “I was chosen to do a job,” he said between gritted teeth, “and no pint-sized female is going to stop me!”

  Tom set both hands on the edge of the counter and leaned forward. His jaw was tight, his eyes hard.

  “So, what are you going to do about it?”

  Sam stood and imitated Tom’s posture. He had a good eight inches on the man. As both of them knew Tom could take him nine times out of ten, Sam kept himself in check.

  “I’ll give Katie what she wants,” he said in a near-growl. “What we all want.”

  “And that is?” asked Tom mildly.

  “A practical application of the town name. And just to make it clear, playing is as far as it goes,” warned Sam.

  “If the three of you get along, and she enjoys caring for your ranch, why wouldn’t you think about marriage?” demanded Tom.

  “The woman is argumentative and stubborn, and—”

  “And you aren’t?”

  Trey broke out in a laugh. “He’s got you there, bro. You could out-stubborn a mule any day of the week.”

  “I’m not stubborn, I’m right.” He dug Trey in the ribs with his elbow, cutting off the disgusting noises his brother was making.

  “If you’re smart you’ll choose an intelligent woman with a touch of fire,” said Tom. “Someone who’ll stand up to you and make you think, then sass you and run, knowing she wants to be caught.”

  An image of Katie’s naked ass and flaming hair had him hard again in an instant. He’d had a few ideas as he’d lain awake last night. He’d even bought a package of soft cotton rope just in case, telling himself it was to repair the clothesline. He picked up his coffee to give himself time to get back in control. It had cooled to lukewarm, but he drank it anyway.

  Katie was so small he could pick her up, flip her around, and pretty much do anything he wanted with her. As long as she wanted it as well, of course. He’d woken from a dream just before dawn where he’d stared down into her flashing eyes ready to slide into her. He’d headed for the barn, stopping along the way to dip his head shoulder-deep into the cold water of the horse trough. He’d even considered stripping down and putting the other end in, since that was where the problem was.

  Deep down he wanted her to stay. And that scared the shit out of him. If he cared for her, she’d die, just like both his fathers. Mom’s near-miss had reminded him how much it hurt when you loved someone and they got hurt. It was easier to push Katie away right from the start.

  Dammit, he wanted something easy! Just a week or so of sharing physical fun without no emotional baggage. Katie affected him too much. He did not want his head or heart involved, just his cock. Unfortunately his body was not listening to his instructions.

  “Katie is not the type of woman who has casual affairs with strangers,” said Tom. “She would not let herself be vulnerable unless she felt safe, and cared for.”

  “I want to care for her,” said Trey. “It’s Sam who’s holding back.”

  “’Katie is a good woman. You’ve got a dozen or more cousins who’ll take one look at her and want what you’re ready to throw away.”

  “They’d better damn well keep their hands off her!”

  Tom gave him a look of contempt. “She’s your employee, Sam. That’s all. If you want more you have to take the whole package.”

  “Yeah, a compact package,” said Trey. He shut his mouth at Tom’s glare.

  “If you want her body,” continued Tom, “you’d better accept her mind, her heart, and her spirit as well. You’ll have to offer the same in return. That might be too great a risk for you.” He waited for Sam’s grumbles to slow. “If the three of you want to scratch an itch, then do it. But be upfront about it, and make sure it’s what the lady wants before you touch that rodeo buckle.”

  “I’ve got lots of itches to scratch,” said Trey to Tom. He stood and put on his hat. “I like Katie as a person. I want her as a friend, and a lover. And maybe more’.” He adjusted his hat’s angle just so with his first two fingers and thumb. “And I have no trouble telling her so. That gives me the right to show the lady a good time at the karaoke tonight, and anything else she’d like to try.’” He walked out, whistling.

  “He’s right,” said Tom into the sudden quiet. “If you want Katie to do more than cook and clean you have to treat her right. And you’d better do it damn fast. If the head below your belt is in charge rather than the one above your collar, you’ll be taking orders from Ross and Brody MacDougal next week instead of giving them.”

  Sam grabbed his hat and walked away, careful not to stomp like a child. He gritted his teeth so hard they ached. He yanked the door open, stepped into the sun, and stopped. He took his time adjusting his hat as an excuse not to move.

  He wanted simple fun but there was nothing simple about Katie. How close to the line could he walk without going over? He eyed the angle of the sun. Getting late. The left side of his chest ached. He rubbed it idly with his knuckles. He checked both ways and stepped onto the boardwalk. His boot heels clunked as he strode confidently toward his truck. The confidence was a lie. He knew it, and so did Tom and Uncle Lance. The others, including his mother and Trey, believed that what he showed the world was his reality.

  Sam drove to his mother’s in a silent truck. What would he do if Katie saw through him? No, the question should be, what would he do if she didn’t? Did she care enough to look at him rather than through him?

  “You fucked up big time, bro.”

  Sam’s head whipped around. He quickly looked back at the road. �
��What the hell is that all about?”

  “Don’t do that shit with me.” Trey slumped back in the seat, tilting his hat over his eyes. He clasped his hands over his stomach and sighed. “You’re just as screwed up as me, but in a different way. The thing is, I’m honest about it. Katie’s pissed off about something, and I think it’s you.”

  “That situation’s going to change when we get home,” vowed Sam.

  “It damn well better, or I’ll be sharing Katie’s bed while you’re sitting in the horse trough every night cooling your cock.”

  Chapter 12

  Katie gritted her teeth as she scrubbed the door of the last bottom cupboard. A few minutes and she’d be able to start another book. She’d placed them on the kitchen counter beside her, face up. Each time she got up to change the dirty water she took a good look at the covers as inspiration.

  Sam and Trey’s chests were better looking than the cover models. Unfortunately, she’d seen nothing more than their chests. Her eyes had been closed the whole time Trey had done marvelous things for her last night. She’d never have believed an orgasm could feel like that! She was used to her fingers setting off those tiny little ten-cent squibs and had hoped for a twenty-five cent-er. Instead, Trey gave her a Fourth of July explosion. Unfortunately, he’d then dumped her!

  Part of her fury was embarrassment she hadn’t reciprocated. She would have when she woke up if they’d stayed with her. But no, Trey had serviced her, then someone had put her in bed. They’d left her there and walked away. It made her feel like her orgasm was just another ranch chore. She was sure Trey had enjoyed it but maybe Sam had put his foot down. If they’d stayed in bed with her she might have messed up Sam’s all-important schedule.

  The ding! of the cattle grid bell had her grimacing.