“I know, baby. It’s all right now,” he soothed, stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head.
Brooke took deep breaths to steady her nerves while Kent’s gorgeous scent enveloped her. His heat surrounded her as his large body swathed her in safety. She found herself relaxing and melted into his chest. Kent’s body felt softer than Travis’s, and he smelled slightly sweeter. His smooth hand caressed the side of her face before tilting her chin up to him. His lips slowly drifted down to hers, and she lost herself in his loving kiss. It was the first time Kent had been this intimate with her, and she moaned with delight. His kiss wasn’t as forceful as Travis’s—he was a gentle lover, and she marveled at how the guys seemed so different and yet so similar. They were halves of a whole. She imagined herself being loved by both of them; they would give her everything she needed and more.
Kent’s hands ran through her hair and grazed over her body while they kissed. He nipped at her neck, creating goose bumps up and down her spine. She shuddered and he chuckled. She loved that sound, deep and low. Brooke was suddenly aware how damp she’d become. He didn’t notice, just smothered her in soft kisses. She wanted this to go on forever.
Eventually Kent pulled back slowly as someone behind him cleared his throat for the umpteenth time.
“Sorry to interrupt. Travis seems to be having some trouble out there with Buchanan. Do you want me to call the sheriff?”
Kent sighed. “No, I’ll deal with it.” He reluctantly let go of Brooke and gave her a stunning smile. “You OK now, baby?” His face was beautiful, but concerned was etched in his eyes until she smiled up at him.
“I’m fine, thank you,” she whispered.
“I won’t be long. You stay here,” he replied, giving her another dazzling smile before heading out the door.
Brooke hugged herself as she watched him swagger away from her. He was so gorgeous. She felt a little sorry for him. He always seemed to say the wrong thing and make her mad, and yet she was sure she was falling for him every bit as much as she was falling for Travis. Could a ménage with these guys really work? She had never thought seriously about it before, but it would be perfect if it would. They were so wonderful to her. They made her feel loved and safe, something she had never thought she could be. Travis was such fun and Kent was so gentle. She knew she could love them back. She might already be in love with them.
Her stomach lurched and her heart leapt at the thought. She giggled to herself. She felt scared and excited at the same time. Her thoughts drifted to last night at Ty’s. Maybe the guys would take her there. She had always wanted to explore BDSM and knew now that what she had experienced so far was nothing like it. All she had felt until now was pain and fear. She was sure it would be totally different with Kent and Travis. Her mind drifted back to the sight of Travis and Kent in their leathers, and she started getting even wetter.
A loud shout from outside made her jump.
“Don’t you worry about them. Jonah’s gone to help out. Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into.” Hal was beside her in a flash.
“Is everything OK?” She stared at him, wide-eyed. He seemed to be taking all this in his stride.
“Of course. Those guys can look after themselves, don’t you worry about that.” He grinned before taking a sip of his beer.
“But someone could get badly hurt.”
“Na. Buchanan’s been drinking again. He often gets like this.”
Brooke frowned. “But he seemed so…”
“Oh he’s a nice guy, don’t get me wrong. He just can’t hold his drink, that’s all. He often gets like this when he’s had a few. The guys’ll probably hit each other a few times and then put him in cell to sleep it off. He won’t remember any of it in the morning.” Hal grinned.
“Hit each other?”
Brooke rushed over to the door. Travis, Kent, and another man, presumably Jonah, had formed a circle around Rich, who was swaying on his feet. They were a little way off, but she could see that the man she didn’t know had blood dripping from his mouth. Brooke gasped. She couldn’t see the faces of her cowboys as they both had their backs to her. She just prayed that they were OK.
Kent was ordering Rich around. She loved his domineering voice; he really commanded authority. “You either do this the easy way or the hard way, Buchanan, the choice is yours. Either you come with me now and get yourself some rest, or I’ll cuff you and drag you over there. We can leave the cuffs on too, and you know you won’t get comfortable all night that way. Now, what’s it gonna be, ’cause I ain’t got all night?”
“Only ’cause you and lover boy here wanna get with my date,” Rich sneered as he slurred his words, and Brooke turned hot with embarrassment.
“She was our girl way before she was your date, and you know it.” Travis’s voice was deep and gruff.
Brooke liked the sound of being “their girl” and felt a warm glow inside to know they already regarded her as such.
“Then you should’ve asked her out.” Rich turned to point at Travis.
“Yes, we should’ve, and we would have too if we hadn’t gone and forgotten it was tonight,” Travis agreed ruefully.
“Don’t sweat it, bro. We had a lot going on,” Kent reassured him.
With one step forward, Kent quickly snapped a pair of handcuffs onto Rich’s wrists.
“Hey!” Rich’s head jerked around to berate Kent, but he didn’t seem worried.
Where did the cuffs come from? Bemused, and seeing that the situation was now safe, Brooke went out the door and started to make her way toward them.
“You got a problem, Buchanan?” Kent was as cool as a cucumber as he yanked at Rich’s arm.
Rich didn’t get the chance to reply as the sheriff’s big black SUV pulled up just then and a guy jumped out.
“Really? Again, Buchanan?” The sheriff shook his head as Kent handed him over.
Rich muttered some profanities as he climbed into the ride seat. It appeared to be a well-rehearsed routine for him.
“Did you get the pictures I sent you?” the sheriff asked Kent as soon as he’d secured their prisoner.
Kent sighed and nodded. “Yeah, we got them. It’s definitely our Brooke. Poor thing. No wonder she’s so scared. That fuckwad dang near killed her!”
The sheriff shook his head. “No one should have to go through that. Chicago police were worried when they couldn’t contact her. They thought he might have already caught up with her.”
“He won’t if we have anything to do with it.” Kent sounded angry as Brooke neared them, trembling.
“Amen to that!” The sheriff turned to go. “Well, I’ll get Buchanan tucked in for the night and call his daddy. See you tomorrow. Good work, Deputy.”
Brooke’s blood ran cold. Deputy! Of all the nerve!
Chapter Ten
As soon as Mason Bains drove off, Kent turned to go back inside. He had been longing to get back to Brooke ever since he’d left her. He was surprised to see her behind him, and his heart fell into his boots when he saw the look of betrayal on her face.
“Brooke.” He didn’t know what else to say.
“Deputy?” She said it all.
Travis had waved to Jonah, who was getting into his car. He looked over at the standoff and sighed. He slowly ventured nearer.
“Can we talk?” Kent’s voice was gentle, his face pensive.
Brooke shook her head sadly. “There’s nothing to say.”
“There’s plenty to say.” Kent’s chin jutted out as determination overtook him.
“There’s nothing to say that will make a difference.” Her voice was quiet. She turned around and went back inside.
Travis walked over to Kent, who stood watching her go. “Is that it?”
Kent looked up at him in despair. “She heard Mason call me deputy.”
“And?”
“You saw her.”
“Yes, I did. I also saw her picture earlier, and I know we can’t just let her go.” Travis
made it all sound so easy, but Kent knew he wasn’t as laid-back about the situation as he was making out. They had both wept in each other’s arms a few hours ago when Mason had sent through the pictures of a girl, beaten half to death, all alone, lying unconscious in a hospital bed. The report stated that she was in a coma; they didn’t know whether she would survive. Her experience had been rather gruesome. The guys had vowed then and there that they would keep her safe.
“You’re right. We can’t let her go.” Kent thought back to just a short while ago when he had held her, kissed her, loved her. He could never let her go again.
“Is there a back exit?” Travis stood next to Kent, watching the door.
“Not without setting off the fire alarm.”
Travis grinned. He could just imagine Brooke’s face if she did that. She would be so pissed! “So, we’re just gonna wait?”
Kent’s eyes narrowed. “Well we ain’t making a scene in there.”
Travis nodded, grinning. “I sure know what kind of scene I’d like to have with her, buddy.” He sighed.
Kent grinned too. “Yeah, I saw her watching that threesome at Ty’s. She’s sure interested.”
Travis chuckled. “There’s a cure for that, you know?”
“Yeah, and I think we might just have the antidote she needs.”
* * *
Brooke stormed back to the table where she had left her purse. She finished the wine left in her glass and then shuddered as she felt a familiar presence behind her, and smelled the distinctive scents of the two men she had just walked away from.
“Brooke, we need to talk.” Kent used the same domineering voice he had used on Rich. Of course he would, he was the deputy, after all!
“Deputy, unless I am under arrest, I wish to leave, alone.” Brooke turned to him, spitting the words out as Kent blocked her path.
She stared defiantly into his gorgeous green eyes that shone down at her.
“Of course you can leave. I’d just like to speak to outside before you go, that’s all.” Kent moved to one side, speaking calmly.
“Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I said I wish to leave alone.” Brooke spoke through gritted teeth.
“And perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I’d like to speak to you outside Miss Anderson.” Kent hissed into her ear. Brooke turned hot with astonishment and anger. She stared at him. He cocked an expectant eyebrow at her and waited. Swallowing hard, Brooke slowly left the bar.
She waited in the deserted parking lot for the guys to follow her. She folded her arms and took deep breaths to steady her nerves.
“Baby, just give me a chance to explain,” Kent pleaded with her, his voice softening.
“Explain what? That you’re the deputy? Why would I care about that?” Brooke jutted out her chin defiantly.
“Because you do care, dammit. It bothers you. I get that. You’re in trouble and you’re worried I’m gonna do something to make it worse.”
“So leave me alone and you can’t make it worse,” Brooke shouted, glad no one was about.
“Why won’t you talk to me? You never tell me anything. I might just be able to help.” Kent’s voice was deep and loud, not quite a shout.
“Like you tell me everything, you mean, deputy?”
“I’m off duty for fuck’s sake! I’ve been off all week. What difference does it make what job I do when I’m not even doing it?” Kent was shouting now and Travis moved closer.
“But you have been doing it!” she screamed at him, clenching her fists with frustration. “You haven’t stopped interrogating me since I met you. You ruined everything with your constant questions. Well I hope you’re happy with your answers now because I’m leaving!” Brooke barged past him angrily, but Travis caught up with her before she got very far.
“Darlin’, I think it’s about time we talked properly. Why don’t you come up to the ranch with us tonight and we can have a civilized discussion about all this, huh?” Travis’s voice was calm and laid-back, but the grip he had on her was anything but.
In her heart she knew he was making sense. She would love to go back to the ranch with them and make everything all right. But it was too late.
“Forget it! You should’ve told me he was the law. You practically lied to me. Just like everything else you said—it was all lies!” She choked the words out as the sobs welled in her throat.
“No, darlin’. No one lied. I didn’t tell you about his job ’cause it didn’t seem important, that’s all.” Travis loosened his grip and went to wrap an arm around her, but she flinched away.
“Don’t you come near me, either of you. You’ve just been stringing me along to try and get information from me. I know you’ve been in touch with the cops in Chicago. That’s how you got my name. And I know you’ve been talking about me behind my back. Well, it’s none of your damn business, you hear? I’m none of your fucking business!”
“Miss Anderson, would you care to tell me why you didn’t turn up in court last week? The police verified that you signed the form confirming you would appear regarding the allegations you made about a Chad West, but then you didn’t show up. They’re concerned something might have happened to you. Did you not think to tell them you’d changed your mind?” Kent’s voice was low and authoritative. He was definitely working now!
Brooke stared at him, aghast. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Tears flooded her eyes and she trembled. She had been about to flounce off back to the hotel, but he had caught her totally off-guard.
“Did you know you were due to appear in court last week?” Kent asked slowly.
“No. I never signed anything. I couldn’t, I wasn’t there.” Her mind raced.
“How long have you been running, darlin’?” Travis’s voice was gentle.
Brooke sniffed and angrily wiped tears from her face. “Not long enough.” She snapped the words out and took a step up the road.
“Brooke, baby, we only want to help you,” Kent told her.
She swung back around to face him. Her face was scorching-hot with anger and tears. She took a deep breath, determined to get her words out without crying again. “You can’t help me, Kent. I went to the police. They said they would keep me safe. They lied. He caught up with me. They couldn’t catch him and neither can you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re all just a bunch of liars, so I’m better off on my own. I don’t need to listen to any more of your damn bullshit. I’ve heard enough. I’m leaving town first thing in the morning, so you won’t have to waste any more time thinking up what shit you can feed me next. Now leave me alone!” She stormed up the road, letting the tears flood her face. All she wanted to do was lie down and cry.
* * *
It was dark and the street was deserted. Travis watched her go. Even though she didn’t want their help, he was darned if he wasn’t going to make sure she got back to the hotel safely. He and Kent followed her from a safe distance and didn’t speak until they saw her enter the front door of the Montgomery.
“We’ve lost her, bro.” Kent had tears in his eyes as they turned back to fetch the pickup.
Travis said nothing. His mind was in a whirl.
“I blew it, didn’t I?” Kent said as he stared out the window of the truck.
“No. She just doesn’t trust the law, that’s all. You’re the deputy around here. She would have found out soon enough.” Travis sighed and took a hand off the wheel to run through his hair. He remembered the feel of Brooke stroking his hair earlier, and his gut wrenched.
“I held her tonight. I held her and I kissed her and I touched her and…I loved her, dammit. I love her, Travis.” Kent stared at his lover as the realization evidently hit him.
Travis put his hand on Kent’s. “I know, buddy. I love her too. We’ve just got to figure out a way of convincing her that.” He smiled as Kent lifted his hand and kissed the back of it.
The rest of their journey was spent deep in thought. They arrived at the ranch and headed straight for the bedroom.<
br />
Travis was the first to undress and head to the en suite to brush his teeth. “We need to be at the hotel early, before she gets chance to leave,” he announced as he went back through to the bedroom. His mouth turned up into a wicked grin at the sight of Kent, naked, staring out the window. The moonlight cast a soft glow over his ripped body, accentuating his muscular frame. Kent turned around slowly to face him, as Travis handed him his toothbrush, fully loaded with paste.
Travis cleared his throat and continued with his plan. “We’ll block off her exit with the pickup and refuse to move it until she changes her mind.”
Kent burst out laughing and went to rinse his mouth. “She’ll kill us, bro, you know that, don’t you?” he called from the en-suite.
“What a way to go!” Travis sniggered as he climbed into bed.
Kent grinned as he climbed in next to him. “Well now, seeing as we both might be six feet under tomorrow, I think we’d best make the most of the time we have left, don’t you?”
Travis chortled as he took his lover in his arms. “I like the way you think, buddy.”
* * *
Brooke was grateful that no one was about when she let herself into the Montgomery Hotel and crept upstairs. She couldn’t face anyone right now. Tears blurred her vision, and her legs felt like lead. She locked herself in her bedroom before throwing herself onto the bed. She lay there, sobbing into her pillow.
Everything was wrong. Her whole life was shit. She was still on the run after nearly six months and couldn’t see a way of stopping. If Chad ever caught up with her, she knew he would kill her.
If only her parents hadn’t died. If only she had some family she could turn to. But she didn’t. She was alone. No matter how much she longed to have someone to lean on, she knew it wasn’t going to happen.
As she drifted into an exhausted sleep, her mind meandered to thoughts of the two guys who had held her earlier that evening. Could a ménage work? She knew they were both dominant and would want to look after her. Both guys had an air of authority about them and a presence that made her feel safe and cared for. Would they both want her at the same time? Would she really be able to lie in the arms of them both together? She thought of Kent’s wonderful, soft body and how lovely it would be to snuggle up to him in bed. With his deep voice, he would tell her what he wanted her to do. Strip for me, play with yourself, kiss me.
Ménage on Moone Mountain Page 10
