by Delilah Hunt
Owen thumbed her chin. “Pretend we hadn’t touched you, that none of us knew how sweet it feels to be buried deep inside your snug heat? You want to pretend we hadn’t left a part of us inside you? Is that what you meant?”
She jerked her head, unable to say more because of the lump in her throat. There were no words.
“But you can’t, can you, Lexie? You know this is more than sex for us, too, and yeah, I am speaking for my brothers again. I’m going to admit this to you. I’ve wanted women that I’ve seen each of my brothers going out with before, but not like you. I may have thought some of them were attractive, but I knew they were off-limits, and the thought of sharing a woman with either of them never crossed my mind before. If it did, I would have expected a fist in the jaw. None of us ever expected this to happen—falling for the same woman, but it did, and all you need to know is that there are three men who would do anything for you and live to make you happy. This includes spending the rest of their lives all living in one house. You’re a Kincaid, and from now on, we’re going to make sure everyone knows it, starting with you. Are we clear?”
She gulped. “Crystal.”
“Glad we got that over with.” Owen pulled her from the bed. “I suppose you thought only Logan and Connor could do the serious speeches, huh?” They headed into the bathroom.
“You surprised me,” she admitted, watching him turn the knob for the showerhead.
He chuckled. “Good, if I want to compete with my brothers for your attention, I’m going to have to keep you guessing sometimes.”
“There’s no competition. You’re my man. You’ll always have my attention whenever you need it and even if you don’t.”
Owen grinned, his eyes flashing intensely. “I can deal with that.”
Chapter Fourteen
Logan fought to keep from wrapping his hands around the sheriff’s neck. It wasn’t the man’s fault Frank Warren provided bail for his son first thing in the morning.
“What about his friend?”
“He’ll be here for a while. Turns out he’s got a couple warrants on him in Big Horn County.”
“I assume Warren has been relieved of his duties?” Logan asked, feeling Lexie tense beside him.
“Done. Someone is clearing out his office right now.”
Arms folded, Lexie snorted. “Well, it’s about freaking time. I don’t know what you were smoking when you hired that whackjob.”
Harper’s face turned beet-red. “Young lady, he was the finest candidate, and with the trouble you’ve been in yourself, I don’t think that attitude is going to get you any sympathy.”
Logan glared at her out of the corner of his eyes. “There’s no need to get defensive, Ron. You and I know the truth,” Logan stated, knowing the jab would fly over the man’s head. The only thing Harper had been high on was the scent of money. The position of deputy had been bought and paid for by Frank for his only son.
“What about my factory? How much progress are you making with that? Did you even try to pick apart the video surveillance footage?” Logan knew he had to play his part, pretending to believe the sheriff’s blustering and reasons for not finding the culprits
“Indistinguishable, Logan. It was too dark, and the image was too shady to see who started that fire.”
“Of course it was.” Logan hissed. “In fact, maybe there was no fire, maybe I imagined the entire episode and the lives of over a hundred workers weren’t at stake.”
The sheriff held up his hand. “Now, wait a minute. I’m doing my best here to solve this crime, but I can’t go accusing just anyone.”
“Hah,” Lexie cried, bounding out of her chair. “I knew it. You’re afraid of Frank Warren. Isn’t that right? Must be quite a dilemma you have here. Piss off the richest man in Oak Creek or the second richest man. Poor Sheriff Harper.” She sat back down, tsking and shaking her head.
Logan clenched his teeth as Harper’s gaze slid over Lexie. “I see money hasn’t hurt you, Miss Grey. You benefitted from having one of the ‘richest man’ in town bail you out of jail after your little assault on Miss Wright. It can’t be all that bad, can it?”
She spun on him, mouth open ready to ask questions. Narrowing his eyes, Logan issued a silent warning. “We’ll discuss this outside.”
He pushed out of his chair to see the sheriff flipping through a file as if he had actual work to do.
“I’ll contact you if I get any information.”
“Do that. I expect to be kept up to date with the progress of the assault charge Warren is facing against Alexa.”
As soon as they stepped outside, Logan turned to her. “Why are you upset?” Logan asked calmly. “It can’t possibly be because we didn’t allow you to remain inside that disgusting jail cell.”
“I thought Harper knew what his deputy tried to do and was letting me go to keep quiet. He wouldn’t tell me who paid the bail so I assumed he was lying.” She looked down at her feet and shrugged. “I thought I was supposed to keep my mouth shut.”
His chest hurt to see her look defeated. How hard it must be to keep up that joking facade all the time?
Another moment passed before he answered. “Owen was the one who found out what happened to you. He called us right away, and we took care of it. I only wished we could have gotten you out sooner. Then I wouldn’t have to think about how terrified you must have been with that pervert skulking after you.”
She bit her lips. “He’s going to hate me for this. I just know he’s going to come after me. He’s not going to let it slide, especially now that he’s been fired and I’m pressing charges.”
“We’re not going to let him hurt you. Or anyone else for that matter.”
She gave him a lopsided grin. “This is the part where I’m supposed to say I can handle this on my own and I don’t need your help?”
“Is it? I hope you have more sense than that.”
She laughed. “I do. I’m sure you’ve already noticed I’m not above taking money from any of you.” She touched her chin. “And by the way, I treated myself to an extremely nice lunch on Wednesday. I don’t mind the money and sex, and it seems we can add protection to the list. Aren’t you happy I’m your girl, Logan?” She wrinkled her nose, lips wide, beaming at him.
He couldn’t bring himself to joke, not with that damn bruise on her face reminding him what could have happened. Logan touched his lips to her cheek. “I’ll be happy when I don’t have to worry about you all the time. One of these days you’re going to have to stop getting into these scrapes.”
She rolled her eyes. “Scrapes, Logan? Now I feel like a mangy alley cat.”
“How about an adorable mangy alley cat?”
“I’m still not liking that. Anyway…” She pointed to the black-bluish mark. “I know this isn’t helping my cause.”
She was worried about her looks. It had to explain the garish eye shadow she was wearing. To distract from the rest of her face? It looked a bit ridiculous. However, if it made her feel better, who was he to say anything?
“How about the only kitty in the neighborhood I’d want to bring home?”
She pursed her lips. “Depends. Would you give me a big bowl of cream?”
Logan swallowed. God yes! So much you’ll lap it up and beg for me.
Clearing his throat, Logan took his mind out of the gutter and pretended to think. “On second thought, I don’t think my bratty girlfriend would want to share my attention.” His eyes darkened. “Would she?”
“She wouldn’t,” Lexie said thickly. Her eyes softened to his. “This girlfriend sounds very demanding, doesn’t she?”
“Very. You wouldn’t believe the things she likes to have done to her.”
Her eyes glinted. “It’s that bad with her?”
Logan nodded. “It is. Her habits are the worst. Encouraging grown men to dine together in the mornings. Incessant humming when I demand the silence I’m accustomed to. Forcing herself into my thoughts at all times of the day.”
She whistled low. “Sounds like a real b-i-t-c-h you’ve got on your hands, Kincaid. Should toss her to the curb.”
Logan held back a smile. “I could do that. Problem is, if I don’t have her, who’s going to do all those things I complained about?”
Her dark eyes softened as she took his hand, making their way to the car. Once inside and behind the wheel, Logan checked the time. Almost four. He still had a bunch of figures to sort through. Fall was around the corner, and like every other year, there was never enough time to get things ready for the cattle sale.
He glanced over at her. She didn’t seem to mind working with him. Maybe she’d even be happy to continue working alongside him instead of the clothing store she wasn’t too keen on. If this morning was anything to go by, it might be in both of their best interest to use her as an assistant.
“This isn’t half bad,” she’d said. “Paper pushing and pretending to be a math whiz with this decked out calculator.” She smiled at him then. “Plus, I get to see how far you can draw your eyebrows together every time your brain is firing off. It’s kinda sexy, Kincaid.” Minutes later she was under the desk, teasing his cock with her warm tongue. With the floor scattered with documents, Logan stroked her head and felt the semen roll up his shaft into her awaiting mouth. She’d tucked his penis into his pants, going back to her work on the opposite side of the room, chattering and humming as if nothing illicit had occurred so early in the workday. Outside his window, Logan had glimpsed Owen and Connor riding over the valley, clueless to their activity.
“You’re fantasizing about spreadsheets again, aren’t you?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“What?”
“You’re in a hurry to get back to your office. Don’t deny it. As soon as we get home you’re going to hand me over to Owen and Connor until it’s time for ‘see how fast we can get Lexie to strip butt naked for us.’”
He had been working into the nights. Surely it wasn’t as bad as she made it out to be. It’s Saturday, Logan, and you’re clueless as a doorknob. Jesus, he had been planning to return to work. Brows furrowed, Logan wondered if they minded the hours he spent away. Did Connor and Owen wish to spend more time with him, too? He assumed they never cared, maybe even took comfort in his absence. Demanding older brother.
“You spent this morning with me in the office. Wouldn’t you rather spend the rest of the day with my brothers?
Honest question.
“Yes and no. I’m with you right now, that has to say something. I’m in the mood for some Logan and me time. Plus, Owen and I stayed up late last night learning way too much about each other.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. What did his brothers know about her that he didn’t? He had to show her that he could be laid-back like them. Logan grimaced. What the hell was he thinking? She was going to see right through him and regret her request to hang out with him.
Here goes nothing.
At the next signal, Logan made a U-turn, and then a few miles down the road veered off into a crowded parking lot.
“Are you serious?”
“It’s the county fair, isn’t it? Don’t you like that stuff? Walking around talking, eating sugary treats.”
“Yes…but. This place must be the equivalent to the seedy pits of hell for you.” She stared at him in fascination and wonderment. “You’d torture yourself for me?”
“God almighty. If anyone’s being tortured, it’s you.” He rubbed a hand over his brows. Might as well warn her. “Look, honey. I’m not like my brothers. I can’t tell jokes, funny or perversion-wise, like Owen, and I envy Connor for his take it or leave it stance. I’m just me, Logan, workaholic who’s terrified his girlfriend is going to place his brothers above him and throw rocks at him for not showing her a good time at a crummy county fair.”
“I don’t need another Owen or Connor. I need you as you are—calling me Alexa in that rich, sexy voice, making my insides turn to jelly in a way that no one else can…” She wet her lips. “Well, with just one word I mean. No need to lie. Please don’t go changing on me, Logan.”
“I don’t think I could in any case.” Although I would have tried if you wanted me to.
The fair was exactly as he’d imagined from the sight of the rickety Ferris wheel that looked as if it should have been retired half a century ago. Logan wondered when the news reports would start coming about hundreds injured from the death trap.
Logan watched her from the corner of his eyes. Dear God, she was staring at the ride as if she intended to go on it. “No way, no how.”
“Scared of heights?”
Logan snorted. “Hardly. I’m thinking with something called common sense.”
She gazed at him quizzically and had the audacity to grin. “Ten bucks you’ve never been on one.”
Heat rose up his neck. “You’re not catching me on that thing and that’s final.” Was he that transparent?
“All right then, but you owe me ten dollars when we get home.” She started toward the damn Ferris wheel.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, following beside her when he should be snatching her in the opposite direction. “Are you deaf? I just told you this thing is—”
“Relax, Logan, you can mourn me in the morning. In the eulogy you can mention that I spent my final days in the company of the three hottest men in Wyoming doing sexual acts I never imagined my body capable of, oh, and that I spent the rest of time wishing a certain former deputy and his father would be eaten by a rabid pack of coyotes.”
“Don’t joke with me about dying. I’m not even halfway recovered from what happened to you last night.”
They reached the ticket booth. She dug her fingers into the pocket of her jeans, pulling out a wad of cash, bills falling to the ground.
“What is this?” Logan hissed, watching her pick the money from the ground.
She got up, shrugged, and moved forward in the line. “Owen showed me where you guys keep spare cash. I took some, and then Connor came and insisted I take as much as needed, so I did. You don’t have to worry. I still have the card you gave me to use. I haven’t lost it.”
Logan released a loud breath. “Honey, it’s not safe to walk around with that much money. On Monday we’ll add your name to our personal bank account.”
“Does that mean you think I’ll survive the ride?”
Baffled, Logan watched her push a few dollars to the vendor. He was going to have to do it. What other choice did he have?
“One ticket,” she said, turning to await his answer.
Fuck me. “Make that two.”
Her eyes widened and her jaws slackened. “But…”
“Pay the man.”
She plucked out some more money, quickly handing it over. “Why’d you change your mind?”
Logan swallowed. “Because I told you I’d protect you and that includes outdated carnie Ferris wheels, too.”
Chapter Fifteen
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Lexie asked, hiding back a grin.
Logan sighed, hands tightening on the steering wheel. “We were stuck in the air for an hour. I’m not sure what your idea—” He stopped midsentence, and Lexie waited for him to reiterate his I-told-you-so. A slow smile swept across his hard features, making him appear softer, the type of person anyone would want to approach. “It was fun. We did have an amazing view over the prairie, didn’t we?”
“We did. And don’t forget, you got to watch me lick the ice cream cone afterward.” She lifted her eyebrows. “That was fun, too…”
Logan coughed. When he spoke, his voice went throaty. “Are you looking forward to spending the night with me?”
Yes, a hundred times over.
“I am. You excited about sleeping with me?”
He gave her one of those penetrating stares that sent her toes curling. “I’ve been waiting for this since I realized the reason why I was no longer went by the Wyoming Cattle Association after you stopped working there.”
“I thought you were obsessed with knowing everything that was going on in the industry. But I assumed that’s what kept you Kincaids above the rest of ranchers around here.”
“That’s just hard work and luck. I went there the day after you left and felt like kicking myself for not talking to you before.”
What was wrong with these men and their fear of talking to her? “It’s a small town, Logan. You guys knew about me. Single black girl who lives alone near the abandoned mill. Father occasionally passes through town to indulge in a few drinks and gamble away her belongings.” Lexie lifted her hand. “Not really seeing the attraction here Logan, much less for me to hit the jackpot three times. I’d love to know what it is about me that had you boys on fire.”
Logan looked over at her and chuckled. “It’s everything about you. Do you remember what you said to me when I stopped at the front desk that day?”
She gulped. How could she forget? It was a wonder she hadn’t been fired on her first day of temping. “I told you, you were more handsome up close than I thought, but there’s no way you could be as rich as everyone thinks.” Lexie coughed before adding, “That, ah, wasn’t one of my brightest moments.”
“No, it wasn’t. You could have said anything to me, and I would have eaten it up. I was intrigued. I wanted to hear what else that tiny little female with the lovely dark skin had to say.
“I also asked you how you got anything done on your ranch if you kept coming by so often,” she whispered.
“I did get behind on my work. Seeing you was more important to me. It still is, always should be.” He reached over, twining his fingers to hers. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, Logan. No damage done. I’m sorry for adding my mess with Sam Warren into your problems. Kind of dumb, though, that he and his father might get away with arson.”
“They won’t. Unfortunately, the sheriff is right. I don’t think we’ll be able to get them based on that video alone. We have another one being analyzed independently, and we’re hoping that should be enough to nail them both. From the looks of it, the third person is currently sitting in the county jail.”
