by Mari Carr
“Truth is, the people we love have boundless power to inflict pain and devastation on us. Like I’m about to do to every single member of my family. But it wouldn’t hurt so much if it weren’t the most important bonds we threatened.”
“But I don’t want to—”
“Cause them pain?” Vivi sighed and patted Wyatt’s cheek. “What do you think you’re doing now? Afraid someone else will do the job because of what you have together? Would you rather your soul mates stand alone, or with you by their side? Times are changing. Hell, equal marriage laws say the three of you could even give me another wedding to remember. For a bit. Wise up. Quit wasting time. You’ll really regret that one day. Trust me. Every second is precious.”
“Believe me, I know.” A shadow crossed Wyatt’s deep, warm eyes.
“Son, the universe doesn’t always keep the people we love safe. No matter how beautiful a life is, it ends eventually. And yes, those left behind suffer. But they have amazing memories to carry them forward. What will you have if you let go now?”
“I—” He blinked.
“It’s okay, Wy.” Hope snuck around Clayton to include him in her hold. “We’ll look out for each other, through the good and the bad. With three of us, our odds are better, aren’t they?”
“Well, yeah, I guess.”
Clayton trembled beside them. “I love you, Hope Compton. Progress. It’s sinking in through that thick skull of his. I don’t know how, but you and your Vivi are working miracles this week.”
“It’s just the truth. I’m willing to trust you guys with all of me. And I would shelter you in my heart forever in return. Destroy the chance now. Or lose it naturally later. It’s up to you, Wyatt.”
She and Clayton held hands as they separated from their would-be lover.
They didn’t make it more than a few inches away before he growled. “Don’t go!”
“That’s better.” Before any of them could react to Vivi’s bluntness, she leaned on Jake, who escorted her inside. “Get your asses in here. You can make up later. Careful not to slam the door!”
“Yes, ma’am.” If Wyatt’s usually gruff voice seemed raspier, no one called him on it. Especially not when he lunged forward, clasping one of Clayton’s hands and one of Hope’s. He led them inside, refusing to let go even when they stood in the center of a roiling den of Comptons—by blood or by affiliation. As part of the ranch, and through their association with Hope, they’d earned the designation too.
Vicki Compton cracked hundreds of hearts that night, including those belonging to people not in the room to hear her confession firsthand. All of Compton Pass was impacted as the wave of her misfortune spread like a plague from home to home through the town she’d help nurture. But together, the family she’d built and the people she’d touched joined forces to patch the damage. As one, they healed each other. They wove around one another to form a safety net that promised catch whoever stumbled on the long road ahead.
Vivi gave Hope, Wyatt and Clayton a watery smile when she spied their linked hands during her announcement. The three of them didn’t untangle their fingers once during the millions of questions that followed. In fact, they held tight while people in the room cried enough tears to fill Austin and Doug’s dream pool.
And when they said goodbye and left, they went together.
Chapter Eleven
“Why is the turn signal on?” Clayton’s grip on Hope’s fingers grew uncomfortably tight.
“Have you forgotten where Hope lives?” Wyatt didn’t bother to address Clay’s real question. Typical.
Anger simmered beneath her hurt. It must have boiled over Clayton’s. “You moron. Didn’t you learn anything tonight?”
“Other than how crippling it is to lose someone you love?” Wy snarled. “I already had a pretty good grasp of that concept.”
“You know what? Let me out too.” Clay might have flung the door open then tucked and rolled from the slow-moving vehicle if Hope hadn’t maintained their death grip. “I’m done with this crazy ride.”
“Sit your ass down,” Wyatt barked, then kicked up a trail of dust as he angled the truck toward their nearby bunkhouse. “Jesus. Fine. We’ll talk. All three of us. About where we’re going.”
“I’m not fucking around, Wy.” Clayton’s soft utterance would have made that clear in any respect. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep…hoping…without having. I really thought you’d seen the light tonight. That you got it. What Vivi tried to tell you. Son of a bitch. How can you still not understand? If you don’t now, you never will. I’m done. This rodeo is over.”
He slapped his cowboy hat on his jeans, launching a miniature cloud into the tense atmosphere.
Hope held on despite his shaking palm.
“You good with just me?” Clayton swallowed hard as his gaze melted into hers.
“Hell yes.” She didn’t give a shit about safety laws right then. Hope unbuckled her belt and scrambled into his lap. “I’d be so proud to be with an amazing man like you. Never let his emotional insecurity convince you otherwise.”
The heated crush of his mouth cut her off before she could keep reassuring him of his potent attractiveness, both sensual and spiritual. So instead she showed him how she felt about the prospect of belonging to him. Calling him her mate would be an honor.
They got so carried away, she didn’t realize they’d made it to the guys’ cabin until Wyatt yanked the passenger door open.
“Get your shit if you’re leaving.” Wyatt’s crimson cheeks made it seem as if Clay’s decision eviscerated him. Yet it was hard to believe that from someone willing to live hands off—or heart off—forever.
“Fine.” Clay sighed deeply, setting her aside as he prepared to uproot himself.
“You really mean it.” The bigger man tipped his head like a confused puppy.
“Hell yes.” Clayton winced. “I don’t like it. Actually, I hate it. But I ought to be with someone who can reciprocate. And Hope doesn’t deserve to be abandoned. Not because you’re too fucking scared to man up.”
“So you’re saying I’m going to lose you both anyway? No matter how hard I tried to protect you?” His teeth gritted as he battled a force as strong and unyielding as gravity. No use.
“Pretty much.” Clay nodded as he shoved past Wyatt and began retreating. “And now you won’t even be around to watch my back. But it’s better than lying to myself all the time, making excuses for you and always wondering why I’m not good enough.”
“Hang on, what?” Wyatt turned fierce. Hope adored him even more when he raged against that insanity.
“You heard me.” The other man threw his chin up and might have taken an impulsive swing if Hope hadn’t rushed out of the truck to hug him from behind.
Wy seized the opening.
“Clayton Fisher, I love you. The capital-L kind. Don’t you know that?” Wyatt grabbed Clay’s shoulders and shook a bit. “How could you not?”
“When have you ever told him?” Hope wished she could have spared Clay the pain of his bruised soul.
“I didn’t think the words were necessary.” The dumbass closed his eyes tightly and let his forehead drop against his partner’s. “Okay, shit, that’s not true. The rush I feel every time you say it made it kinda obvious. Scared shitless. I couldn’t.”
“It’s all right. I know it’s not easy for you to express what’s bottled up inside.” Clay hugged his lover loosely around the waist. “You feel so strongly.”
“For you I’d do anything.” Wyatt opened his eyes. “Because I love you. Love. You. Clay. Don’t leave me. I’ve got nothing without you.”
“Ahem.” Hope cleared her throat with abandon. It was either that or bawl. “You have me. Both of you. Whether you want me or not. All of me.”
What finer show of their cores was there then the journey they’d made together these past two weeks? No matter what they let her have of themselves, she was willing to give everything she had to feed the vibrancy developing betwe
en them.
“Not yet. But we will.” Wyatt flashed her a wolfish grin. “Right, Clay?”
“About damn time.” He groaned. “Wait. I have a plan. Been daydreaming about this for a while.”
“I love it when you’re prepared.” A hard slap on Clay’s ass set the other man in motion. “Quickly. Go.”
Wyatt ambled to Hope in the meantime. He gathered her to his heaving chest. “Thank you.”
“For what? I’m pretty sure I’ve been a pain in your ass since you stumbled across me at Two Lefts.” She grimaced against his thick muscles.
“I would have lost him. It was coming. Sooner or later. It took you to open my eyes.” Steamy hints transformed his sexy bass into something irresistible.
“So you care for me because I helped you out with your boyfriend?” She kept her tone level. Thank goodness. Hysterics didn’t suit her. Still she felt like the vintage toy Vivi showed her once. The yoyo had trundled up and down on a frayed string.
Hope didn’t know how many more circuits she had in her before she snapped.
“Shit, no.” Wy cupped her chin and tipped it up until she couldn’t deny the honest delivery of his apology. “More like Clay and I couldn’t connect until we found you. You’re our bridge. The missing link in our chain. Without you, it never would have held.”
“Oh.” She pressed her hands to the fluttering in her stomach.
“Yeah.” He smiled, an uncommon and beautiful sight, as he descended. For once, the press of his lips came gently. Unhurried. Leisurely and light, as if he’d finally admitted to himself that they had time on their side.
After a minute or ten, his fingers snaked into her hair and tugged her head back, exposing her throat to occasional nips and kisses before he migrated to her mouth once more. This time he led with his tongue, seeking and finding permission to enter—her mouth, her body, her heart.
“Hope,” he rasped against her lips as he stared into her eyes. “I have to have you.”
“Yes, please.” Begging didn’t bother her. If they left her a virgin after tonight, she’d go insane. Everything was flawless. Perfect because they were there with her. Or would be if Clayton ever returned.
Before they got naked right there in the area shared by the rest of the bunkhouses, Clay rushed outside. He hopped the railing on their porch with his arms full and a bundle slung over his shoulder as if it were nothing at all.
“What the hell—?” She giggled at the wild array of colors and items he hauled like a hobo.
“Is that the pool you and Daniel bought the Compass Boys with the curse can money?” Wyatt laughed when he caught sight of the inflatable recreation beneath a stack of blankets. “Isn’t it kinda chilly for swimming? Thought you were saving that for the first hot day.”
“For once, just go with it. Improvise.” Clay shushed his best friend as he deposited his supplies in the bed of the truck. “Shut up and drive. To our spot by the pond.”
“Whatever you say.” Wyatt paused to devour his boyfriend’s scowl, which quickly converted to a grin. Though he’d sounded flippant, Hope knew he was working hard on sharing his feelings and maybe just a bit of control. The naked vulnerability he embraced for the sake of his partners made her fall even more in love with the man.
“Come on.” She tugged at their shirts when they seemed about to say screw it and drop to the dusty ground right there. “I want to see this special hideaway.”
The men broke apart, breathing hard.
“I’d like to get lost there with you both.” Clayton swung her into his arms and dashed for the open door of the truck. They bounced along the dirt trail in relative silence broken only by Clay whispering sweet things to her or Wyatt cursing their journey. His goal lingered somewhat closer than the pond.
When they crawled down the narrow, spidery tire tracks that hinted at a lane, Hope glanced over at Clay. “This is my daddy’s favorite spot on the ranch too. He says it’s his thinking place.”
“Guess we finally know who left the heart carvings in the pine tree.” Wyatt winked at them. “They looked like they’d been there a while.”
“Maybe he doesn’t have as much to worry about these days.” Hope smiled in return.
“What’re the odds he’d show up here tonight?” Clay suddenly seemed nervous, and his face hosted a green cast.
“No way. He’s with my dad and mom. He wouldn’t leave them after Vivi’s news. Not even for a second.” She had no doubt.
“Hope, you realize what we’re doing, right?” Wyatt parked the truck then put his arm around her shoulders against the top of the seat.
“You’d better be getting ready to fuck me.” She loved the instant dilation of his whiskey brown eyes.
“Again with that naughty mouth.” He hugged her to him and whispered in her ear, “We’re going to take you tonight. Make you ours. But it won’t be fucking. It’ll be making love. Fucking comes later. Maybe tomorrow. Once you’re an expert.”
“You tease.” She slapped his thigh, then scrambled out the other side of the vehicle in the space Clayton had abandoned a moment earlier. She rushed to see what he was doing.
Wyatt swung himself into the bed of the pickup to join his best friend. He slapped the insta-burst inflate capsule and monitored the progress of the pool as it puffed up.
“I see you’ve caught on.” Clay grinned at his partner.
“Can you blame me? My brain was fuzzy from making out. I’ve got your drift now, though.” He tossed the massive armful of blankets and even two pillows into the makeshift bed. Overflowing with softness and warmth, it was an inviting bubble away from reality.
While Hope peeked over the edge of the truck, standing on her tiptoes, she watched Clayton set the mason jars he’d packed up for Vivi, planning to replace them in the storage shed during his next shift, around the perimeter of their space. Finally, Wyatt withdrew some mosquito netting from the chest built into the rear of the truck cab. He draped it from a branch above his head so it cascaded in a lovely fall on either side of the nest they’d made for her and themselves.
It was the most romantic thing she’d ever seen.
“It’s not very fancy—” Clayton chewed the inside of his cheek as he glanced over at her.
“It’s perfect. Help me up.” Raising her arms, she waited for each of her guys to take hold of one and lift her into the alternate universe they’d created. Diffuse light, the canopy of freshly budding leaves overhead and the peaceful song of young frogs lulled her instantly.
Tears stung her eyes. These stemmed from elation rather than the profound sense of loss that had assaulted her only an hour ago. How quickly things could change. Or maybe both extremes always co-existed in life and she had to focus on the positive to make it through. She could do that.
“Guys, I have to say something to you.” She swallowed hard, praying she didn’t ruin everything, but they had to know now. They were the right ones. She knew. Had known, just like Vivi promised. Crazy or not, here went nothing…
“Hmm?” Wyatt leaned in, kissing the tip of her nose.
“I love you.” She actually heard the rush of Wyatt’s breath as it burst from his lungs.
He dropped to his knees at her feet as if someone had slashed his Achilles tendons. Clayton braced the more muscular man, looking like he could use someone to lean on himself, before he spoke.
“Thank God. Okay, I admit it. I might have lied the other day. You know about the little-l thing. I graduated to the capital-L kind of love almost instantly. The night you and I sat on the couch, when Wy was so sick, I couldn’t believe you distracted me. Or the way you took care of me. Made me feel like things would be okay.” Clay took her hand. “I knew right then I loved you and would forever. It sounds dumb, but I was sure.”
He clutched his chest as if tying himself together.
“You never have to keep things from me.” She stood on her tiptoes to skim a kiss over his lips. “It’s painful for you to hide the way you feel. You’re not Wyatt. Do what
’s best for you. And he’ll do the same. I can handle both, you know?”
“Thank God,” Wyatt muttered again.
Then the time for confessions had passed. He wrapped a thick arm around the back of her knees and tugged, dropping her into his waiting arms. Without a shriek, she tumbled into them, trusting him to catch her. Behind them, Clayton had already kicked off his boots, unbuckled his belt and quickly shucked his jeans. From the corner of her eye she watched him strip his shirt over his head then free his full erection from the confines of his boxer briefs.
“Damn,” she hissed when the sight of his glorious figure did funny things to the dampening flesh between her legs. She couldn’t wait to touch him, taste him.
“No kidding.” Wyatt held her out to his very naked partner.
When Clay accepted her, rocking her against his bare chest, Wyatt followed suit. Or unsuit. She swore she heard seams rip as he divested himself of his clean yet well-used garments in a hurry.
He lowered himself into the squishy paradise they’d constructed for her, making them laugh when he wobbled and cursed. Though the bottom of the pool was thinner than the sides, the advanced polymer they used in them these days still had plenty of squish to cushion them. As soon as he’d settled, Clay transferred her to Wy’s grasp once more before joining them in the impromptu bed.
Hope snuggled between the plush covers. Spring night air made her grateful for the toasty shelter and the heat radiating from the two robust men flanking her. A shiver that had nothing to do with the temperature ran along her spine when Wyatt attacked the button of her jeans while Clay inched the hem of her blouse up her abdomen.
“You’re so damn pretty.” Clayton worshiped her belly, then the bottom swells of her breasts. “Beautiful too. But, even better, pretty.”
He traced the floral print of her cotton bra. Simple pleasures had always been her favorite. She had a feeling she was about to add a new one, right at the top of the list.
Silky hair fanned between her fingers. When had she tangled her hand in his wild locks? The other searched for Wyatt. When she found him, it was there. Like a heat-seeking missile, she curled her hand around his fierce erection.
