“Don’t worry, Sweetie, it will be a few days before we try out your toys. Logan, let’s help her sit up.” Both men reached under the blankets placing their hands on her hips, lifting her up. That’s when she realized that she had been naked under the blanket and that both men were only wearing boxer shorts.
She blushed and she swatted at their hands. “You slept here? Where are my clothes and why do I feel all sticky?” Jasmine asked as her bedroom door opened and the doctor came into the room, followed by her mom and stepfather.
Jasmine squeaked and grabbed the blanket that had slipped down, covering her chest while she glared at the doctor. “You hurt me,” she growled and both Logan and R.D. started to whisper to her, rubbing her arms.
“Shhh, he was only doing what had to be done, Jasmine. We need you strong so we can face this thing head on. No more hiding things, like your pets out there making holes all over my land,” Cole said, giving her that stare which had her squirming under his gaze.
She shrugged. “I found that one as a baby, his mother was dead. I couldn’t leave it alone.” She looked at her mom. “I guess in some way I needed him more than he needed me. I started to feed him and take care of him.”
Cole nodded. “I know you did, that’s why I forbade the men to kill those things, but Princess, there are too many of them and they are destroying my land.” He almost pleaded and she laughed.
“What if I get Norman and you can relocate him and his family away from your ranch?” she stopped and closed her eyes. Her fingers tightened on the blanket that she kept around her.
The roar of anger pounded in her head, the Nightmare Man was awake and furious. Instantly she started to build the wall around herself trying anything to push him back, but then she felt something, or someone move inside her.
Both Logan and R.D. were there, surrounding her with warmth. A the same time, they were following the link back, gathering information until the blood sucker realized what was going on. The connection broke and she sagged with relief as Logan and R.D. gently pulled away from her.
“He’s close and so is her father. Kane Bellow is what he is calling himself, but I believe you know him, Father,” Logan stated, talking her hand into his and kissing it, his gaze holding hers. “He won’t be able to come back through you now.”
“Really? How?” she asked, shocked. For years she had built up the shield in her mind to protect herself.
“Once we entered your mind and he withdrew, we closed the opening, so he couldn’t come back. Our blood now runs through you. I’m sorry we had to allow him to come in this one last time, but we needed to know who we were dealing with and how close they are,” R.D. stated, kissing the top of her head before getting out of the bed and moving towards the bathroom. “His real name is Hisao. At least that’s all I could get.”
“I know who he is and we’ll discuss this later, but for now, young lady, there will be no more secrets. Is that understood?” Cole’s voice dropped, indicating he was furious. “I know you meant well, but you getting hurt also hurts us.”
Katherine moved out of Cole’s arms and came around to the bed where R.D. had just left, sitting down next to her. “I love you, Jasmine, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but you are so naïve and in some ways so innocent. You need to trust Cole’s sons. They’ll take good care of you.” Her mother reached over and took her hand, but Jasmine pulled away from her and tried to get out of the bed on the other side.
“Move out of the way, Logan,” Jasmine said through her clenched teeth, furious at her mother.
“You’re upset. Why?” Logan placed his fingers under her chin and applied pressure until she lifted her head. “Tell me.”
“She’s angry at me, because I spoke the truth,” her mother said, getting off the side of the bed and moving back into Cole’s arms.
“Actually, mother you’re wrong,” Jasmine turned and glared at her mother. “I’ve worked since I was 16, I’ve volunteered at the Rape Crisis Center for the past four years, and I have even dated a few men, and have had sex.” The last words earned growls from Logan and R.D. who came out of the bathroom in jeans only. But Cole’s response was a shocker.
“When? I had you watched the whole time you’ve been here!” Cole growled and she actually laughed.
“Do you really believe I didn’t know this? There are ways to get away from the guards, Cole.” She pulled the sheet loose from the bed and slowly inched her way to the edge of the bed where R.D. met her.
“What are you doing?” he asked kneeling down in front of her. “You need to rest. I have a warm bath running for you and if you want, after your bath, I can carry you downstairs to the den.” he reached up and brushed her hair out of her face.
“Please give us the chance to show you this can work, but I still want to know who these men were.’ R.D growled.
“Why? If what my mother said is true and I’m so damn innocent, why would you want that? You two are alpha men and you need an alpha woman at your side not some sniveling little girl.”
“Listen to the bitch, she’s right!” A woman said from the door, as all heads turned toward the voice.
“That is it!” Her mother shrieked and ran towards the woman trying to attack her, but Cole grabbed Katherine around the waist, swinging her up in his arms.
“Logan, get her out of here now!” Cole shouted and tried to keep her mother contained in his arms.
“Mom, stop,” she sighed. “I really don’t need this right now. Move R.D. I’m going to take my bath.” Jasmine tried to push R.D. out of the way, but he just leaned in and carefully picked her up.
“You are not ready to walk yet,” he turned and glared at the new woman. “That is the last straw. You are our mother, but I will take no more. You can have the house in Florida, but if I ever see you here in Texas again I will personally destroy you. Get her out of here.”
Jasmine didn’t know R.D. well, but when he threatened his mother all gentleness was gone from his voice. She shivered and stared up at him as he carried her into the bathroom.
He placed her on the bathroom counter, and stared at her. “I know that scared you and I’m sorry you had to witness that, but there are things you don’t know yet. If she was anyone else, she would be dead now, but because she’s our mother, she lives.” R.D. smiled at Jasmine.
“I have a son out there somewhere. I know he’s alive because I’d know if he was dead in here.” He placed his hand over her heart. “I was stupid one night and got someone pregnant. I raised my son myself, but unfortunately I trusted my mother with my son and now he’s gone. I will never trust her again, but if there are any hints to her betraying you, I will kill her personally and never look back.” R.D. told her, showing her a little bit of himself.
She stared up into his dark eyes seeing just a small trace of hurt in them. “I’m so sorry, but can’t you see this isn’t going to work.” Jasmine took his hand and squeezed it. “You two would be too worried about me. Don’t you think you have enough to worry about?”
R.D. stood between her legs, placing a hand on each cheek and he staring into her face. “No. You are our mate; it’s more than a human marriage, Jasmine. I want and need to take care of you, but it’s more than that,” he sighed and placed his forehead on hers.
“We knew you were here for the last year. Both Logan and I saw you one night. Dad was having a cook out, all the hands were there, as well as half of our pack. We arrived late and you were swimming in the pool. I have to tell you, it took everything in me not to approach you then, but Logan and I wanted to speak with your mom before we did so. That’s when we found out dad hadn’t changed your mother. They both wanted us to wait until they could explain everything to you.”
She tensed up. “Again they believed I couldn’t handle it. I’m tired of this crap.” Jasmine pushed his hands away. “I meant what I said in there. I’m not the wilting flower your father and my mother think I am. Did you know I have my own business? Right now I have over $50,000 in
savings and double that in my checking. I’m not stupid and I’m far from naïve like everyone thinks. How do you think I’ve kept this thing out of my head?” She shook her head and pointed to the water, which was getting a little high.
“Just go, R.D. Let me take my bath. I’m done trying to explain everything.” She went to hop down, but he stopped her, holding onto her hips.
“Jasmine, there is no way you could stand right now, the trauma to your body was massive. You are still changing inside. We’re not letting you go. Both Logan and I will listen, all three of us need to get to know each other, but we were made for each other. Now stay put.” He tweaked her nose before turning to the tub.
“If I agree to get to know you two, will you promise me something?” she asked as he turned the water off and started to strip out of his clothes. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking a bath. Someone needs to help you wash your hair and clean your skin, while being careful of your injuries.” He turned his head to the side as he slid down his boxers. “Plus, I have a feeling I’m going to insist on giving you baths from now on.”
She sucked in her breath seeing the shift of his eyes, to a dark almost black color. The heat coming off of him and the way his cock was straight as a pole had her moaning. Even if she was considering the idea of getting to know him, Jasmine was no saint.
“Um, maybe it would be best if I just take a bath?” she stuttered as he kicked off his jeans and faced her.
“Nope, I’m afraid you will have to share your tub with us,” Logan announced, coming into the bathroom and stripping without a second thought. “Easy now, Princess, you are in no condition for what you are thinking,” Logan teased and Jasmine swore her face was burning.
“Come, time to get you in the tub. The warm water will help ease some of the ache,” R.D. said as he pried the sheet from her body. “There is no need to hide yourself. We have seen you before.”
“That is not something you should be reminding me of,” she squealed as he gently picked her up and climbed into her large tub with her in his arms. She held her breath, afraid he’d fall, but he didn’t as he squatted, still holding onto her.
She shook her head at how strong R.D was, knowing he could snap her like a twig if he wanted.
“Never, we would die before hurting you,” Logan stated, getting into the tub and sitting across from them.
She ignored his comment and allowed the warm water to work its magic. “Why didn’t I ever see you two around here? If you’ve taken over from your father, shouldn’t you be here at the ranch?” she asked, opening her eyes and watching as Logan moved, gathering the soap and sponge.
“This isn’t the main ranch, Princess. The main house is about a half hour away. Father moved from it over 30 years ago, before he met your mother. That is where we live, and soon you will too.” Logan reached under the water and lifted one of her legs up and proceeded to wash her leg.
“I can’t believe I’m allowing you to do this. I mean, I’ve been to nude beaches and all, but this is way different, more personal.” She frowned, hearing both of them snarl.
“When were you at a nude beach and how come we never heard of it?” R.D. asked behind her as he lifted one of her arms and started to wash it with another sponge.
She shook her head and laughed. “Um, hello. We really just met a few days ago.” She turned her head to the side and stared up at R.D. “Why would you know what I’ve done and who I’ve been with?” Jasmine frowned. “Is there some kind of report on me?”
R.D. shrugged. “Of course our father would keep track of you, he raised you like a daughter, but from what he shared with us, your mates and his sons, he didn’t mention any boyfriends and nude beaches.”
“Jeez,” Jasmine shook her head. “I’m not stupid R.D. It didn’t take long to figure out who was watching me and following me. There are sometimes when it’s best for parents not to know what you’re doing. I sure am not going to discuss my sex life with your father or my mother for that matter. That’s just…yuck.”
Chapter Four
R.D. took a calming breath and continued to clean their woman. It was obvious his father and Katherine didn’t know half about what their daughter had been doing. “So tell us about the nude beaches?” he asked, trying not to growl.
She sighed. “You’re really not going to stop until I tell you, are you?” Jasmine asked and he shook his head.
“We want to know all about you, Jasmine. You’re part of us now. We’re connected for life even if we haven’t performed the mating ritual yet, you carry our blood inside of you.”
Her body stiffened for a few minutes. “That is not a good topic right now. Fine, I’ll tell you, but only once.” She glanced back with her big brown eyes. “It’s all in the past and it will be kept there, understood?” Jasmine glanced at him, then at Logan.
Oh, their mate had Alpha in her that was for sure. She wasn’t as helpless as her mother described last week. “Fine, but that goes both ways, Princess.” He tugged on her hair. “You can’t get all jealous on us if we introduce you to our pack members.”
“Whatever. The first nude beach was my trip to France after graduating high school. Two of my best friends, Alex and Mary and I flew to Paris where, of course, we ditched the guards. Booked our stay at Cap d’Agde’s Naturist Quarter. My God, that place was beautiful while we were there. We would have stayed longer, but your father’s guards were getting close so we only got three days there, than we flew to Spain. Did you know they have some of the best beaches and my God, the men were well…?” She squirmed and her face turned pink. “Let’s just say if I had been a virgin, I sure would have lost it there.”
“What?” he and his brother said at the same time.
“Hey, don’t get all uppity with me.” She stiffened in his arms and tried to stand up, but he held onto her.
“I’m sorry Jasmine, but the thought of you with any other man; well it does not sit well with us. So you had a hot summer fling?” he snarled the last part, but encouraged her to go on.
“Yes, it lasted a little longer until your father and my mother showed up out of the blue and ruined our trip.” She shook her head.
“I’ve never seen Cole so angry as that afternoon they found us at our hotel swimming pool. We were lying in the sun just soaking up the rays, when he appeared. If looks could have killed, well, half of the staff and men around the pool would have been dead.”
Jasmine slowly smiled and he knew he wasn’t going to like hearing her next confession.
“I’m so glad I listened to my gut and told Cesar we were having a girl’s day. Your father didn’t find out about him, thank God. Anyway, the three of us went back two years later. Mom knew we were going overseas and I think she had an idea we were going back, but said nothing. However, your father was another story. Did you know he fired the guards watching us that year and hired new ones?” she glanced back at him and he grinned.
“I would have done the same. So I take it you lost the next set of guards?” he asked dreading the response.
“Nope,” she grinned peeking at him, than glancing at Logan who hadn’t said a word. “Boyfriend number one was one of my guards. We had the best time in Spain and France. Mary is still seeing Jasper.” She frowned and looked at him. “Is he a shifter too?”
“Jasper Long?” Logan growled and she glared at him.
“Don’t you even say a word to that man. He has been a godsend for Mary. He saved her life last year when some crazy nut was stalking her. I mean it, Logan, leave those two alone. Promise me.” she kept her gaze on Logan.
“I promise not to cause trouble for your friend, but Jasmine these men were there to protect you, not fuck you,” Logan snarled. “They should be accountable for their actions.”
She squirmed in his arms until he released her. He watched her scoot closer to Logan and poke his chest. “Listen here, bud. We were protected at all times, so what if we had fun too. Leave them alone.”
Logan grab
bed onto her hand and kissed every finger, his eyes almost glowing. “As I said, I will leave your friend alone, but the other will account for what they did. Now, who were you with?”
“Ha, you think I’ll tell you now? Don’t think so.” She tried to yank her hand away from Logan, but he held on smiling.
“Oh, you’ll tell us, Princess,” R.D. purred running his hands up her back and around to the front so he could cup her breasts in his hands. “But if it helps, we promise not to hurt the man, right Logan.” His gaze met his brothers.
“I don’t like it, but fine, we won’t hurt him. However, I will have serious issues with him doing any other guarding.” Logan stated, twining his fingers with hers.
For what seemed like an eternity both of them waited to see what she would do. Sure they could go into her mind and find out who it was, but if they were going to build some trust they needed her to open up to them.
“Don’t break my trust on this,” Jasmine relaxed against his chest. “They didn’t make the first moves. Matter of fact they wouldn’t step foot on the nude beaches this time. We just started talking, Mary, Alex, Jasper, Daman, and Granger.” She smiled, proud of herself.
“Who were you with, Jasmine?” Logan growled and she laughed.
“I can’t believe you are this jealous when it happened over four years ago. Fine, I was dating Daman, if you must know. He is happy now with his mate, as you guys call it, so just drop it,” Jasmine glanced at him and he nodded, then turned to Logan.
“Fine, but we will still have a talk about duty. Now, who’s the other dirt bag?” Logan grumbled and he smiled.
Where R.D. kept his thoughts to himself, Logan was very vocal.
Jasmine shook her head. “Nope, you have to tell me something about yourself now, before I go on.” She glanced back at him. “Like is the mother of your son still around here?”
Her Stepbrothers' Demands Page 3
