Salvation [Slick Rock 15] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

  She was the most amazing, loving woman he’d ever met, and he loved her with his whole heart and soul.

  How long they sat there cuddling each other he had no idea, nor did he care, but after a while, Carly released her hold on him and lifted her head from his chest after kissing his skin. The smile she gave him was so full of love his heart skipped a beat.

  “I love you, Ridge.”

  He kissed her forehead and smiled. “I love you, too, darlin’.”

  She sighed with what sounded like resignation before tensing her body to stand. Ridge clasped her waist and helped her up, and he pushed up onto his knees before taking the hand she held out to him. He took her small, delicate hand in his and rose on unsteady legs.

  Carly giggled when he stumbled and he tilted his head as he listened to the light-hearted sound.

  “Did your feet fall asleep?”

  Ridge smiled as he stomped his feet to get the blood flowing back down. When he could walk without falling on his ass or face, he gathered up their clothes and led her to the bathroom. He didn’t even remember when or how he’d kicked his jeans and underwear off, but he didn’t care. Carly was the center of his world, and he was so happy that she loved him and his brothers as much as they loved her.

  While he and his brothers needed to be vigilant to keep Carly safe, Ridge was going to savor, enjoy, every second he spent in her company.

  What he wanted to do was go down on bended knee and pop the question now that he knew she loved him and his brothers, but he needed to discuss things with his siblings before making such a huge step forward. He had no doubt that they would be on board, just as eager as he was to start his life with Carly, but he had a feeling it might be too early to ask such a major question.

  They’d only reconnected with each other recently and though their relationship was moving at a fast pace, he didn’t want to do anything to cause her apprehension and scare her off.

  She was already worried over the murdering fucker that had killed her brother and her brother’s friends. Putting too much on her plate too soon could send her over the edge.

  As much as she’d said she was fine this morning, she’d only had one full night’s sleep since coming to live with them, and she still had dark smudges beneath her eyes. He didn’t like seeing her tired or grieving. It was in his and his brothers’ natures to protect, and protect her they would, even if it was from herself.

  * * * *

  Carly hummed along to the radio as she prepared the two leftover roast beef and potato pies. She’d added onions, garlic, tomato paste, and an egg to combine the mix before adding creamy, mustard mashed potatoes on top of the pies and grated cheese. Since it was a hot day, she’d made up some salads to accompany the meal.

  She thought back over her afternoon with Ridge. After he’d blown her mind by making love to her, they’d showered together and just as they’d finished getting dressed, Wally had knocked on the door and told Ridge that one of the cows had gone into labor.

  He’d given her a kiss goodbye and hurried out to the barn.

  Carly wanted to head out there, too, and watch the wonder of nature at work, but she’d wanted to get dinner ready to pop into the oven before leaving the house.

  She was about to step outside when she remembered that Ridge had told her to stay inside out of sight, but she was sick of being cooped up in the house. However, she wasn’t about to piss the man off again after the last taste of his anger. It wasn’t that she was scared of his ire. She just thought it would be better to give him a heads-up so that she didn’t shock him.

  She understood that Ridge liked to be in control of things and wouldn’t take well to surprises, so she picked up the two-way radio and, after pressing the talk button, called his name.

  “Are you okay, darlin’?” Ridge asked.

  “I’m fine. Uh, I was wondering if I could come down and watch the cow give birth.”

  “Okay. I’ll send Bull to come get you. Don’t leave the house without him. All right?”

  “I won’t.”

  “Thank for calling me instead of just coming out, Carly. That means a lot.”

  “No problem.”

  “Bull will be there in a couple of minutes.”

  “Thanks, Ridge.”

  “See ya soon, darlin’.”

  Carly smiled as she put the radio back on the kitchen windowsill. It had been hard for her to think about someone else instead of just doing what she wanted first, but she was glad she had. Ridge had sounded so happy, and she wanted to keep things that way.

  She wasn’t naïve and knew that she and her guys would argue or butt heads every now and again, but as long as they talked to each other, everything would be fine. She was so used to being independent it was going to take time for her to learn to lean on Ridge, Rocky, and Bull more.

  Nonetheless, she was happy and in love, and right now, nothing was going to pop the bubble of joy in her heart.

  She pushed the frisson of fear that skated up her spine away and hoped that Rocky wouldn’t take too long to come get her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Scott crouched behind a boulder up on the hill as he peered into the high-powered binoculars. He’d been watching the two ranches for days and hadn’t spotted Carly once. He’d done some reconnoitering and learned that the men she’d gone with were retired military just like him, but he didn’t think they’d be too much of a problem since they were so intent on their farm. The two ranches abutting borders to each other were a hive of activity, and at first, he wasn’t sure which ranch she would be on. He’d been lucky enough to spot a blonde-haired woman on one of the ranches and knew that Carly wasn’t where that sexy, little number was. He’d watched the eight men coming and going at the other place and had immediately picked out which ones were the soldiers. Since he’d also been in the military, he could spot a trained soldier from a mile away. His gut was telling him he was watching the right place, but he was frustrated because he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of his woman. Frustration and rage warred inside of him, but after a few minutes of deep breathing, he was able to get control of himself.

  What concerned him was that she hadn’t been off the ranch once, and he wasn’t stupid enough to trespass onto their property and try to snatch her away. He’d seen the guns in the belts around their waists and the rifles in the boots attached to their horses.

  Maybe he could snatch the other woman and demand a swap. He shook his head because that wouldn’t work either, and it would alert the men and the law he’d seen driving around town to his presence.

  Since he’d grown up in a small town, he was aware of how a stranger in the locals’ midst would stick out like a sore thumb. He scratched his chin as he tried to work out a way to lure her from the ranch. It needed to be soon so he could sequester her away in one of the empty cabins he’d found so they could start their life together.

  Carly Gregson was supposed to be his. Rage welled up and left a red haze over his eyes at the thought of those men touching his woman.

  Maybe he should start by taking them out first and then he would be free and clear to live his life in peace with his wife. He shook his head again. There were too many men for him to try and take all of them out.

  Scott was going to have to be patient for a little longer. He would wait and watch, and when the opportunity arose to make his move, he would take it.

  * * * *

  As soon as Bull stepped inside, his gaze zeroed in on Carly. She was smiling and wringing her hands as well as shifting from foot to foot like the excitable kid she used to be. He couldn’t help but return her smile, but when he saw her lick her lips, his mind immediately went to the bedroom.

  “Has the cow given birth yet? We’re not too late, are we?”

  Bull took the last step toward her, wrapped an arm around her waist, bent down and slanted his mouth over hers. She gasped in surprise, but then she opened to him on a moan and kissed him back just as rapaciously as he was kissing her. He groaned when her
soft, little, feminine hands caressed over his shirt-covered chest and knew if he didn’t stop soon, he wouldn’t until he had her underneath him with his cock buried deep into her wet cunt.

  He slowed the kiss and then lifted his mouth from hers, pleased to see that she was just as hungry for him by the passion-hazed glaze over her pretty, hazel eyes, as well as her kiss-swollen lips and the flush to her cheeks.

  “Wow,” she whispered as she patted his chest. “That was some greeting.”

  Bull winked at her as he released her waist, and then he clasped her hand. “Are you ready to head out?”

  “Yes,” she answered enthusiastically. “I’ve been waiting for ten minutes.”

  “Sorry, baby, but I got waylaid when Wally needed me to check on another cow. He thought she might have been in labor, too.”

  “Was she?” Carly asked as Bull led her outside.

  “Not yet, but I reckon by tonight she will be.”

  “How many cows are pregnant?” she asked as they made their way toward the barn.

  “Around thirty by last estimate.”

  “So you’re breeding them for their meat?”

  “Yeah,” Bull replied. “There are so many people in this country the demand for beef is high.”

  Carly nodded. “What about the horses you have?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “How many do you have? Why are you breeding them, and what are you going to do with the foals?”

  “You’re just full of questions today, aren’t you?” Bull chuckled as he guided Carly toward the birthing stall.

  “I’m interested in what you all do.” Carly stopped before they got close to where Ridge, Wally, and the other men were standing around outside the stall. She squeezed his hand to garner his attention, and when she began to speak, he had to bend down to hear her quiet words. “I love you, Bruce. I love all of you. Of course I want to know what’s going on in your lives, what plans you have.”

  Bull’s heart flipped and swelled with joy. He glanced over to the others, glad to see they weren’t paying them any attention, and then tugged on her hand to lead her back outside. The moment they were away from prying eyes, he pressed her up against the barn wall and kissed her voraciously. When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers as he regained his breath, staring deeply into her emotion-filled eyes.

  “I love you, too, baby. You’ve taken an empty space in my heart and filled it. You mean everything to me.”

  Carly gasped and blinked rapidly when moisture filled her eyes. She cupped his cheek, kissed him lightly on the lips, and gave him a tremulous, watery smile. “Same,” she said in a husky voice before turning to look at the barn door. “Can we can go back in now?”

  Bull chuckled again, laced their fingers together, and led her back into the barn.

  “Hi, Carly, nice to meet you.” Wally offered his hand to her.

  Carly shook hands with Wally. “You, too, Wally. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “All good, I hope.” Wally smirked.

  “Oh, definitely.” Carly giggled before moving closer to the stall when the cow mooed in pain. “Oh, the poor thing. Is she all right?”

  Bull wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back against his front. “She’s fine, baby. Everything’s coming along nicely.”

  “How long before she gives birth?”

  “Any minute now, darlin’,” Ridge answered as he moved to her side and held her hand.

  Bull sighed as Carly leaned back against him. She felt so damn good in his arms. He loved her so much he couldn’t wait to make their relationship permanent. He hoped Ridge decided to ask her to marry them soon.

  * * * *

  That fucking slut, Scott raged. How dare she let another man touch and kiss her? She was his, his wife, his woman. He bit his tongue to keep the haze of fury racing through his body from taking over. When he got his hands on her, he was going to make her pay.

  Scott moved to his tent and the bottle of whiskey. He tore the cap off and drank a third of the bottle down in one go. Alcohol had become his friend after getting hurt overseas. It was the only way he could keep the constant pain at bay and get through each day. It also helped him sleep at night. The horror of fighting a war had left more than physical marks on his body. Seeing all the members of his platoon killed had been too much for any man to endure.

  He took another slug of whisky and sighed as the burn warmed his insides and the anger began to dissipate. Soon, he would make his move and get his wife back.

  Very, very soon.

  * * * *

  Carly hadn’t been able to take her eyes off of the cow as she’d given birth. The wonders of nature were so beautiful. When that calf had been born, and after his mom had cleaned him up, he’d immediately started feeding. After that, it hadn’t taken long before it was stumbling and falling as it tried to stand. The little thing was so cute with his big, brown eyes and long, gangly legs, but he was also persistent and hadn’t given up. He’d managed to stand and even walk a few steps.

  “You ready to head back to the house, sweetheart?” Rocky squeezed her hand.

  She turned to look up at Rocky with surprise. She’d been so intent on watching the calf she hadn’t even noticed him come into the barn, let alone hold her hand. “What time is it?”

  “Almost six.”

  “Oh, I had no idea it was so late. I wanted to have dinner ready by six.”

  Rocky smiled and winked at her as they walked out of the barn toward the house.

  “You were having such a good time I didn’t want to disturb you.”

  Carly smiled sheepishly at Rocky and washed her hands at the sink before putting the pies she’d made earlier in to heat and brown. Rocky had headed to the bathroom to wash up.

  She had everything on the table ready to go when Ridge and Bull entered the house with three other men and a woman behind them.

  “Carly.” Ridge held his hand out to her, and she immediately went over to him. “Darlin’, this is Hank, Barry, and David Heritage and their wife, Catalina.”

  “Hi, Carly,” Catalina greeted.

  “Hi,” Carly greeted everyone. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” Carly tried to think of what else she could cook to make the meal stretch. She’d seen a couple of frozen beef and onion pies in the freezer and knew that there was more than enough salad to go around. If she added some garlic bread, there was no way anyone would leave the house hungry. Plus, she’d made four apple pies the other day and frozen them.

  “Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?” Cat asked. “I can smell something cooking already.”

  Carly nodded. “It’s just shepherd’s pies, and I’ll get some beef pies out now.”

  “Do you need some help?” Cat asked.

  “Yes, thanks. You can cut up some bread sticks while I make the garlic butter.”

  Carly and Cat worked together as the men sat around the table drinking beer. After Rocky came back from showering, he added more place settings on the table. When she heard the danger Cat and the other women in town had been in, she didn’t feel so guilty for bringing trouble with her and hoped that Scott Gold would soon be locked behind bars. She was horrified on Cat’s behalf that the woman’s uncle had killed her parents and tried to kill her as well, all because of greed. At least she didn’t have a family member trying to take her out.

  Carly had an affinity with Cat since they were both still grieving for their losses, and she knew that they would become great friends.

  “Have the sheriffs been able to find the asshole obsessed with you?” Cat asked as she and Carly sat on the sofa, sipping glasses of wine. They’d already eaten, and now she and Cat were relaxing over a glass of wine in the living room. The men were still talking in the kitchen, and Carly was glad they weren’t hearing their conversation. Every time Scott Gold was mentioned their demeanors turned angry. Carly knew they weren’t angry with her but on her behalf at the danger she could be in.

  “N
o. They think he’s living off the grid.”

  Cat frowned. “That sucks. It will be almost impossible to find him if he’s done that, because of his military training.”

  “Yeah.” Carly sighed tiredly, leaning her head back against the sofa.

  “Try not to worry too much.” Cat patted Carly’s knee. “The men in this town are fierce and will protect you.”

  “I know.” Carly gulped the last of her wine and silently prayed that none of her men would get hurt if Scott Gold ever found out where she was. A knot of anxiety lodged in her chest, and the hair on the back of her nape stood on end. Sometimes it was really hard to go on as if life was normal when there was a target on her back, but she intended to spend as much time as she could living with, and loving, her men, because she had no idea what was around the corner.

  Cat and the Heritage men left, and Carly headed to the bathroom to take a shower. She was standing under the stream of warm water, enjoying the heat, when she felt a cool breeze. She opened her eyes to find Bull completely naked as he stepped in with her. He immediately pulled her up against his naked body and hugged her tight.

  “You and Cat seemed to get on well.”

  Carly nodded and smiled up into Bull’s blue eyes. “She’s nice, and so are her men.”

  Bull nodded. “It was nice of them to stop in and welcome you to town, and I know they appreciate your awesome cooking.”

  Carly nodded again and then gasped when she felt Bull’s hard cock brush against her belly. Her body immediately responded, her pussy moistening, her clit throbbing, and her nipples hardening as they began to ache.

  Bull nudged her chin up, and when she met his hungry gaze, her heart pounded against her ribs. He, Ridge, and Rocky were so sexy and handsome. Just looking at them had her body reacting with need.

  “I need you, baby.” Bull whispered against her lips.

  “I need you, too.” Carly opened her mouth when his tongue licked along the seam of her lips and moaned when he pushed inside. She reached up and clung to his shoulders as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him back.