Shared by the Mountain Men

by Eddie Cleveland

  I’ve never felt anything like this before. I wail as I realize two things, the first is that I’m having these babies early. The second is that I’m powerless.

  “Ace, get on the radio. We need a chopper out here now! She needs to get to the hospital,” Razor barks his command.

  Ace disappears from my vision and then all I can see is Razor, that is, when I can keep my eyes open for more than one second.

  “Caitlin, babe, can you come into the living room with me?”

  I bite my lip and nod. The gut twisting torture seems to have passed, for now. I take a wobbly step forward and another wave begins to build up.

  “It’s happening again,” I barely whisper the words.

  Trying to speak is a real effort. The acute stabbing sensation in my belly steals my breath from my lungs and leaves me weak. I cling onto Razor and he holds me tight.

  “Breathe through it Caitlin, come on sweetheart,” he coaches me. But it’s no use. I’m a prisoner of the slicing, convulsing agony passing through me.

  Somewhere in the background I can hear Ace trying to call for help. I know this cabin like the back of my hand now. I know that he’s not far from me, but he sounds like he’s underwater a mile away. All I can hear is a shrieking noise that’s overpowering every other sound. It takes me a second to realize that sound is me.

  Razor lifts me from my feet and carries me into the living room. Ace is suddenly by my side again, together they manage to put a blanket on the floor and ease me onto it. Between the two of them, they get my pants peeled off and toss my underwear aside. I’m half naked, lying next to the fire with the two men I love. That’s exactly where I wanted to be and who I intended to be there with, but this is the opposite of my plan.

  “Her contractions are strong, they’re coming fast and furious now. There’s no way the helo will be here in time,” Razor informs Ace. “We’re going to have to deliver these twins.”

  “Shit, really?” Ace answers.

  “No, no, just keep them inside me until they get me to Fairbanks,” I protest. “They’re too early, what if something terrible happens,” I sob. Snot runs down my face and makes it even harder to breathe. “What if… what if they die?” I can barely speak the word. I’m so afraid that even thinking it will make it come true.

  “Don’t talk like that,” Razor hushes me.

  “He’s right. You’re in good hands Caitlin. Razor is a trained SEAL medic, remember? He’s not going to let anything bad happen to you or the babies.”

  “Oh yeah? How many fucking deliveries did you do out in Afghanistan, huh? This isn’t like plugging a bullet hole. This is our kids!” I can feel the panic come back.

  It doesn’t help that I see the guys give each other a silent look. One of those looks they give where they’re talking to each other without moving their lips. I know what that means, they’re just as worried as I am.

  I don’t have time to think about it though because another contraction rolls over me. It’s so intense it almost knocks the air out of my lungs. I can feel Razor’s hand on my mound and it sounds like he’s almost talking in a far off dream when he tells Ace to gather a bunch of stuff. I hear the words, “crowning,” and “push,” but they don’t register. I think I’m going into shock.

  Somehow I get through the pain and my senses return. I can open my eyes again, and through the tears, I see the guys. They look as worried as I feel.

  “Listen,” Razor makes me focus on him, “these babies are coming now. If you try to stop it that could really kill them. Caitlin, believe in me and believe in yourself, okay? Believe that we can do this together.”

  “I know you can do this, babe.” Ace runs his hand over my hair. “You’re the toughest lady I know. You’ve got this,” he reassures me.

  “When the next contraction hits, I want you to take a deep breath, hold it and push as hard as you can. Then let it go. Got it?” Razor directs me.

  I nod.

  Just as another wave of torment hits me. At first I twist up my face and cry, but somehow, I remember what Razor told me to do. Ace slips his hand in mine and I clench down on it with all my might as I hold my breath and push. I feel like I’m being sliced open, but still I push.

  “The head’s out!” Razor yells. “Okay, Caitlin, you’re doing amazing. You’re the strongest person in this room. I’m so proud of you,” he cheers me on. “On the next contraction, you need to do this again. I think if I can get the shoulders out, then the first twin will be out.”

  Sweat drips down my face and mixes with my tears and snot. I couldn’t care less. It feels like it was only a few seconds ago that I was worried the guys didn’t find me attractive anymore. Now, I’m a hot mess and I couldn’t care less.

  Another contraction. This one is just as painful as the rest, but I get my game face on quicker and push as hard as I can manage. I can feel the baby slide free. Ace moves down from my side and holds it as Razor guides me to keep pushing. I give it everything. All my might, but I’m so tired. So very exhausted.

  “Good,” Razor smiles up at me. “We’ve got a little girl here, Caitlin. She’s doing fine, hear her cry?”

  I nod. I never thought hearing the subdued cries of a newborn could make me so happy.

  “She’s beautiful,” Ace marvels.

  “What did I say? You’ve got this. You’re almost done, okay? One more to go. Give it everything Caitlin,” Razor coaches.

  When the next twisting, hellish pain hits, that’s what I do. I give it my all. I grunt and writhe as I push my hardest. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. All I want to do is get my baby out safe.

  And then, I hear it. I hear both my babies crying. They wail almost as loudly as I do. The three of us crying.

  “It’s a boy,” Ace cries out.

  “Give them to me,” I hold out my arms and sob.

  Razor helps me deliver the afterbirth and Ace gently pulls my top up. Luckily I have no bra on, so the babies are led to my breasts and both latch on. It’s painful as they find their way around my tender nipples, but it’s beautiful.

  Ace slides up to my side and Razor joins me on the other side.

  “You did it,” Ace marvels.

  “You’re amazing,” Razor kisses my forehead.

  “I love you both,” I look up at my men and then down at my newborn babies, “and I love you both, too.”

  For a moment, everything is perfection. The five of us are surrounded by silence and cocooned in love. I feel like no matter what happens in this world, no matter where this windy path of life leads us, we’ll be okay. We’ll be more than okay, as long as we all have each other.

  I hear the distinct whir of the helicopter landing and in a moment, the silence is broken. Chaos breaks back out as the medics lift me onto a stretcher and get my brand new babies and me safely inside. The guys jump in as well and before I know it, we’re taking off in the air.

  Even though I’m still scared about how early the babies are, I feel a calm wash over me. Somehow, I know it’s going to be okay. Somehow we’ll make it through. As long as I have my guys and my babies, I’ll never need anything else.

  *****

  If you’d like to get a glimpse into Razor, Caitlin and Ace’s story four years later, along with another MFM sex scene, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/cbBJkH

  *****

  THE END

  Riding Double

  An MFM Short Story

  Chapter 1

  Glenda.

  I glance in my rearview mirror at a billowing cloud of dust threatening to engulf the back of my car as I drive down the dry, dirty road.

  Glenda fucking Delong.

  This is all her fault.

  I pull my sun visor down and push my oversized sunglasses up my nose, squinting as I focus on keeping on my side of the road. Not that it matters. Not that any of this matters.

  I was supposed to be flying business class to Oahu right now. I let my thoughts travel to an alte
rnate universe where I’m sipping a glass of white wine, enjoying the buzz in my head and the rush of heat flushing over my cheeks as the increase in altitude makes the alcohol hit me quicker than I’m used to. I imagine the handsome stranger I would’ve been seated next to. The one who not so subtly keeps checking me out until he finally asks me why I’m heading to Hawaii. He would be so impressed to hear that I’m going to cover a story at the hottest new resort up on the North Shore. Isn’t that funny? That’s where he’s going too. It’s the grand opening, after all, and he did design the entire building.

  It would’ve been the perfect beginning to my weekend away. Of course, my sexy architect and I would do more than just explore the resort together. He’d make the Brazilian wax I got done worth the pain and money, and he’d suck on each and every one of my perfectly polished toes while I ate fresh pineapple and whipped cream in our luxury suite.

  But no. I blink my eyes hard and the dreamy resort evaporates like a mirage, replaced by the dusty landscape before me. What was supposed to be my story for Unbeaten Path Adventures Magazine was stolen from me by my fellow reporter and company whore Glenda Delong.

  My knuckles bleach out as I grip the steering wheel of my little Chevy Aveo tight and clamp down my jaw. “Bitch.” I seethe through my gritted teeth. “I hope she gets crabs.”

  The sun is setting, slowly slinking down my windshield as I navigate my way to my replacement story. I’m practically blind as I drive to the Starlight Acres Ranch, where my relaxing, sexy weekend at a diamond rated resort has been transformed into some kind of hard labor vacay where I’m supposed to go on a private cattle run with the owners.

  Yee-fucking-haw.

  You know, the worst part is I thought Glenda and I were friends. I mean, not like we’d ever be bridesmaids at each other’s weddings, but definitely work friends. I was the one who told her that if she wore dresses and flirted with Mr. Wilcox a bit she would get assigned better destinations to cover for the magazine. Of course, when I confided that, I didn’t think she’d stab me in the back and get our assignments switched at the last second.

  Then again, it probably didn’t help that at our last company cocktail hour I skipped on the tacos so I could look my best in my new Victoria’s Secret bikini on the white sand beach of Hawaii, but I may have doubled down on the margaritas. Bad idea.

  So I was telling my boss, Byron Wilcox, that he looked like a human bowling pin. My cheeks flush as I remember how much I giggled at the comparison, rubbing my hand over his bald head and tapping my fingers against his bloated belly. Not professional. Not even close.

  But neither is sleeping with the boss to get a better story, which is what Glenda did. If Byron is a human bowling pin, then she bowled a strike. She swooped in and soothed his ego, telling him she liked distinguished, older men. The last I saw of them, they were hunched over their drinks, flirting like a couple of teenagers while I had to leave my car behind and get an Uber home. The next thing I knew, I’d been reassigned to this crappy story and my exotic, luxury vacation…I mean my story, was stolen.

  I squint under my sun visor, trying to blink away the glaring sun, and focus on the sign on the side of the road. Starlight Acres Ranch. I’m here. I pull off the main road and travel the twisty trail up to the glorified farm I’ll be doing my story on. At least I’m not driving directly into the sun anymore. I can actually see the ranch sprawling out in front of me as I make my way past the fields of fenced in cattle and the separate area with horses grazing on grass.

  The tension I’ve been carrying with me this entire way slides from my shoulders as I take a deep breath of the sweet backcountry air. It’s not half bad here, really. I mean, it’s no North Shore Hawaiian resort, but it kind of reminds me of the simple family visits we used to take to my grandparents’ farm when I was a child. I used to love running around in the wheat fields, disappearing among the tall grasses as my brother and I played hide and seek. It was a less complicated time, one I barely have glimpses of in my mind. That was when I was little and hadn’t yet traded my bare feet for gladiator sandals or long, lazy drinks from the hose for Venti lattes.

  Not that I’m giving up my lattes anytime soon. I chuckle at the thought and lift my almost empty salted caramel latte to my lips and suck back the last salty sweet drops. Just as I lick the last drops from my lips, a man on the back of a horse catches my eye. Mostly because he’s galloping up right beside my little car, towering over me like some kind of bronzed statue. I slam on my brakes and my jaw drops open as I stare at him. The horse itself is impressive and huge, but the guy on its back looks like a giant from where I’m sitting. His broad shoulders narrow down into the tight V of his waist and I can see his cut muscles as he reins in his horse, popping in his arms.

  Damn.

  I put my car in park and compose myself as I unclick my seatbelt and self-consciously wipe my fingers over the corners of my mouth to make sure I don’t have latte on my face. I step out of my Aveo and stand tall, doing my best to let all my yoga training lengthen my body and make me appear willowy as I push my breasts out shamelessly. They say you only have one chance to make a first impression and I want to make the best one I can on him. My voice is caught in my throat as I look up the shiny black stallion at the real stallion on the back. His dark hair peeks out from under his large cowboy hat. His startling blue eyes meet mine and I breathe in sharply as my nipples pebble beneath my shirt.

  “Howdy.” He tips the brim of his hat with a smirk and I think I might melt into a puddle. “You must be the reporter.” His ice-blue eyes travel over me, licking every inch of me so thoroughly my breath hitches in my throat and I have to slide my hand over my hip just to reassure myself that I am, in fact, still wearing clothes. Because with the way he’s assessing me, I feel completely naked.

  “Uh, hi.” I swallow hard. “Yes, I’m Lacy.” I boldly step forward and raise my hand out for a handshake.

  “Chase.” His voice is velvety soft as he leans down and lifts my hand gently. For a second I think he’s going to kiss the back of it, but he gives it a gentle squeeze and lets it go. “We’ve got a busy weekend planned for you.” He still hasn’t looked away from me and I’m hypnotized by his gaze, which is impossible to break free from.

  “We?” The word slips from my tongue somehow.

  “That’s right.”

  I turn toward the new voice as another man on a horse flanks me on the other side. “I’m Levi, his business partner.” He nods over to Chase. “We were wondering when you’d show up. I made you a nice meal and tomorrow we’re heading out on a cattle run. So we should probably get this party started.” He smiles at me and two dimples appear in a flash in his caramel cheeks as he lifts his hat, revealing a shaggy head full of blond hair that he pushes back before placing his ten-gallon hat back on his head.

  Double damn.

  I get to spend the weekend alone with these two gorgeous cowboys? For only a second I let myself imagine them chasing me down with a lasso and tying me up. I don’t mean to bite my lip, or for the flush of heat to travel over my cheeks, but it happens. This weekend just got a whole lot more interesting.

  Eat your heart out, Glenda.

  Chapter 2

  “How about you give the lady—I’m sorry, I didn’t hear your name.” Levi swings his leg over his chestnut brown horse and lands steadily on both feet next to me.

  For a second, I don’t remember a name to give him. I’m breathing harder than I should be and letting my eyes travel over his strong, lean body.

  “It’s, uh.” I search my brain for a name I’ve had for twenty-nine years now, but I come up blank.

  “This is Lacy.” Chase hops off his stallion, keeping it under control with the reins.

  I smile up at him, thankful that he stepped in for me and flattered that he remembered my name better than I did.

  “That’s right.” I run my hands over my long hair, twisting it up and letting it fall back down over my shoulder. “I’m Lacy,” I parrot Chase’s words
. “I think I’m a little tired from the drive, so a nice, home-cooked meal and an early night sound really good right now.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Levi touches the brim of his hat and a trillion butterfly wings tickle my insides.

  Normally I’d hate to be called “ma’am.” It seems like a nice way of saying “old lady.” But the way it rolls off Levi’s tongue almost makes me giggle like a little school girl. My imagination runs wild as I picture other times he could call me ma’am, like with my arms and legs tied together and him fucking me feverishly from behind. “Oh, ma’am, your pussy is so tight you’re gonna make me cum before I have a chance to fuck that sweet little ass of yours.”

  I blink.

  Hard.

  I push away the dirty thoughts that are making me slick with desire. Focus, Lacy. You’d think you’ve never seen hot guys before! I have, obviously. However, there’s something different about these two. Chase and Levi aren’t like the shirtless guys I’ve seen running down city blocks with their Fitbits clinging to their wrists and their iPhones attached to their arms. These guys are rugged and their bodies are hard, not from lifting at the gym. I scan the visible, bulky ridges of Chase’s muscles threatening to burst from his tight plaid shirt and then peer over at Levi’s tight swimmer body and smile. These two are chiseled from manual labor on the farm and it just makes them so much sexier. Either of them could easily toss me over their shoulders and take me any way they wanted, and there’s something about this ranch, something about being removed from the city like this that makes that possibility so exciting.

  “How about you give Lacy here a tour of the place while I get cleaned up for dinner?” Levi nods at his business partner.

  “Sure thing,” he answers. “Do you have any bags I can bring inside for you, ma’am?”