by Jane Jamison
“Stop horsing around and get the cattle into the pen.” He’d never admit it to his brothers, but Jackson was as nervous as they were about Emma.
Leaving her alone all day to sort out her feelings was harder than he’d have thought possible. He could still remember the red mark on her beautiful face where Brian had slapped her. It had taken every ounce of his willpower to keep from shifting and tearing the man’s throat out.
Then when he’d moved his gaze to her big brown eyes, he’d seen the fire in them when she’d glared at Brian. He wanted to stir up a different kind of fire in her eyes. Yearning surged outward from his abdomen, spinning lust into every part of his body. Repositioning himself in the saddle, he tried to break his thoughts away from her. If he didn’t, everyone would see what he was thinking about.
“That boy hightailed it out of town and didn’t look back. The other pack members we sent to follow him confirmed it. So why did we stay away all day? We should’ve checked on her.” Jayden shifted in his saddle.
Jacob shouted, urging two cows into the pen along with their calves. “I don’t know if I can wait much longer to have her. She’s our mate. Why shouldn’t we just tell her about us and take her? I think after helping her twice now, she’d be more than ready to accept us. It’s obvious that she senses the bond between us.”
Jayden turned his calf loose then whooped and hollered, bringing it into the enclosure and closing the gate. “Yeah, bro. Why waste time? Especially Emma’s time.”
“We can’t rush her. If we do, she’s bound to bolt. She’s different than other women. She’s fragile right now and hurting in more than one way. We need to respect that and give her time and space.”
“She won’t be fragile once we bite her.” Jacob slapped his hat against his jeans, and dirt floated around him.
Jackson dismounted then led his horse into the barn along with his brothers and their mounts. Max, a pack member and friend who had his own ranch but still helped out on the Carr Ranch, took his horse and motioned for his two sons to take Jayden’s and Jacob’s horses. They’d take care of them, brushing them down then feeding them.
The brothers thanked the father and his boys then walked toward their home. Each was dressed as they always were, in jeans, T-shirts, worn boots, and weathered cowboy hats.
“Okay. You make some good points. It’s time to head back to Emma’s.”
Jayden slapped Jacob on the arm. “Hear that, bro? We’re going to get our mate tonight.”
Jackson growled, warning his younger brothers to take it easy. “I didn’t say we’d take her. First, we’re going to make sure she’s okay. Then we’ll give her more time to get to know us. We’ll take her a pan of Milly’s homemade lasagna and some breadsticks.”
“How about some wine, too?”
He nodded at Jayden’s broad smile. “Why not? Lasagna’s never as good without wine.”
* * * *
Emma stared at the computer screen. Once her headache had subsided, she’d promised herself that she’d get at least four thousand words written today, and she was only five hundred words away from her goal. But the last five hundred words wouldn’t come. Instead, her mind kept drifting to the Carr brothers. Each of them had similarities to the other, yet each man was unique. She yearned to know everything about them.
What amazed her most was how drawn she was to them. Almost as though she had no control over her body, she ached to hold them. She longed to have each of them between her legs, stroking her breasts, or licking her flesh. The idea of taking all three brothers into her bed made her pussy clench. If given the chance, would she dare? Yet she knew the answer better than she knew her own name. Hell, yes she’d dare!
Jackson, the oldest and the obvious leader, was more serious than the other two men. Many times she’d found him watching her, studying her as though somehow he knew more about her than she did. He wasn’t somber by any means but seemed to carry responsibility like a well-deserved medal. His body, like his brothers’, was rock solid, with calloused hands that she ached to have slide over her flesh. Skin, tanned from hours in the sun, highlighted his cheekbones as well as accenting the dark hair on his arms and head.
Jayden, the youngest, was at the other end of the spectrum. He didn’t seem to take anything too seriously. Or maybe that was just an illusion with his easy grin telling the world that he loved life and everything around him. He was fun loving, his eyes sparkling like he’d just heard the funniest joke. His long hair, the same length as Jackson’s, was unkempt, giving him a devil-may-care appearance. She would love to rub his head and muss his hair even more.
Then there was the middle child, Jacob. He was the perfect blend of both his brothers. One moment he was contemplative then in the next second, he was laughing. Still, he had a darker side. She’d noticed how he’d had to tamp down his anger when he’d seen Brian, and she had to wonder what kind of damage he could do if he didn’t hold his anger in check. His short hair spiked up on top and his dark eyes often changed to a strange amber color.
She frowned. In fact, all three men had strange eyes. One moment they were a deep brown, and then in the next, amber flakes brightened the dark. She remembered how the amber had increased when they’d glowered at Brian. Jackson’s eyes had glowed when he’d lifted his head and seen her at the front door in Jayden’s arms.
What was with their eyes? Did they wear contacts? Or was it a trick of the light?
“Emma. Hey, Emma, are you decent?”
She spun the office chair toward the front door. She inhaled, her heart skipping a beat. Although she’d hoped they would, she hadn’t counted on them coming back. Still, how many times had she glanced toward the front door? Too many to count.
She hurried to the door and flung it wide. The brothers stood on the front porch, their arms filled with containers. They returned her smile and came in as she stepped aside. “Hi. I’m glad you came back.”
“We couldn’t stay away.” Jacob glanced around the living room. “Are you alone?”
“If you’re asking if Brian’s gone, then I think you know the answer to that. After what happened, I doubt he’ll show his face around here again. So, yes, I’m alone.”
“He better not come back if he knows what’s good for him.”
The muscles in Jackson’s jaw jumped, and she wanted nothing more than to reach out and soothe him. “He won’t. I’m sure of it.”
Jayden strode to the kitchen, followed by his brothers. “Great. But let’s forget about him and get on with dinner. I’m starving. We came bearing food.”
He laughed at the cringe she’d meant to hide. “Don’t worry. We didn’t cook it. These are homemade dishes from Milly. She said to tell you to call her if you ever need anything.”
“That’s so nice of her. I’ll have to get into town and thank her.” She stood back, enjoying how the men took care of everything from heating up the lasagna in the microwave to uncorking the wine. Although they fumbled with a few things, she could tell they were doing their best to impress her. Within minutes, they had the kitchen table set along with a romantic candle lit in the middle of the table.
Jayden held out an arm for her. “May I escort you to dinner, my love?”
Jacob rolled his eyes while Jackson shook his head. “Don’t lay it on too thick. We already have a dessert that’s sweet enough to rot teeth.” Jacob sent Jayden a quick grin.
Waiting until she was seated, the brothers took their chairs and started passing around the food and filling everyone’s wineglass. Emma watched in awe as they filled their plates to overflowing. “I guess you guys don’t worry about calories, huh? You probably work them off around the ranch.”
“Calories? What’s that?” Jayden laughed. “We never think about that stuff. That’s for pretty ladies like you to worry about.”
She almost choked on the small bite she’d just taken. “Nope. I used to worry about my weight, but I don’t any longer.” Why should she bother?
“You shouldn’t. Yo
u’ve got a smokin’ body.”
“Thanks.” She’d had a lot of men compliment her before, but coming from Jackson made the comment special. She sensed that he didn’t give them often.
“Tell us more about yourself, Emma.” Jacob offered her another portion of the Italian bread, and she took it. “We know you want to finish a book. How’s that going?”
“Okay.” She shrugged then buttered her bread to keep from looking into his soulful eyes. “Could be better, but at least I don’t have writer’s block.”
“I know you said it’s a romance, but what’s the book about?” Jayden asked, with a mouthful of food.
“It’s a paranormal romance about a werewolf and the woman who falls in love with him.” She glanced at them, then added, “I’m thinking of adding more men to the mix.”
Chapter Six
The men stopped eating and gaped at her.
Emma searched their faces until they started eating again, but she could tell that they avoided looking directly at her. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, no. Nothing wrong.” Jacob poured another glass of wine for everyone. “Do you believe in things like that?”
She laughed. “Things like what? Romance or werewolves?”
Jackson’s intense gaze made it difficult for her to breathe. “Both.”
“Yes. To both.” She couldn’t have explained her answer in a million years. But it was the truth. Yet she had no idea when or how she’d started believing in paranormal beings. Now it was her turn to study her food and avert her eyes from theirs.
An awkward quiet settled over them until Jackson started a different topic. “What else do you like to do?”
Jackson’s tone brought her head up. Had he meant to sound seductive? Or was she reading more into it than he’d meant?
“I like to read, of course. And some day I’d like to plant a garden to grow my own vegetables.” But would that day ever come? She shook off the darkness starting to close in. Instead, she turned the conversation back to them.
“But enough about boring old me. Let’s talk about you guys. I don’t know much about your lives except that you have a ranch and rent out this house. That and you play the role of heroes whenever I have a problem.”
The men glanced at each other but didn’t offer a comment. She chuckled, making a poor attempt to hide the sincerity behind her words. “But what do you want in return for all your good deeds?”
All three men stopped eating to stare at her again. She paused then placed her fork on the plate. “Did I say something wrong again?”
Jackson shoved his chair out and paced around the table to her before she had time to think. He lifted her chin, bringing her gaze to his earnest face. “We want you.”
The air around her thickened with a mix of testosterone and pheromones. All at once, she found it difficult to drag in a big-enough breath. “I–I’m sorry?”
Jayden and Jacob were standing next to her in no time flat. Jackson pulled her to her feet. “We know you’re not well, and we know you don’t have a lot of strength. But until we can fix that, we still want you. Let us take care of you tonight, Emma. Let us show you what we want.”
She couldn’t respond, didn’t know what to say. Instead, she let him take her hand and lead her toward the bedroom. Once there, he turned her to face him, his brothers standing on either side of her.
A tingle of excitement ran down her spine as Jackson touched her cheek then leaned in for a soft kiss. Closing her eyes, she parted her mouth, welcoming a quick flick of his tongue across her lips. Jacob and Jayden slid their hands along her body and pulled the hem of her T-shirt out of her jeans. She opened her eyes as Jackson broke the kiss and helped his brothers tug her shirt off and toss it to the floor.
Heat blazed in his eyes as he unbuttoned the top of her jeans and pulled the flaps wide to unzip the zipper. She held her breath, suddenly shy about her body. But she needn’t have worried. Jackson’s hot gaze grew even hotter as his brothers pulled her jeans down her legs and helped her kick them aside.
“You’re amazing.” Jayden knelt beside her and slid his palms along her legs as he kissed a path between them.
Jacob copied him, reaching the waist of her lace bikini panties first. She reached out and tunneled her fingers through his hair. At the same time, Jayden and Jacob slid her panties down her legs, and she stepped out of them.
Had her wish come true? Was this really happening? Her body tingled in anticipation.
Jackson’s attention never left her face. He took the straps of her bra and pushed them off her shoulders. The thin red material fell to her elbows, exposing the swell of her breasts. One of the brothers unhooked her bra, and she let it drop to the floor.
“Holy shit.” Jayden’s awed tone left a trail of warm breath along her leg.
“You can say that again, little brother.” Jacob stood beside her, his focus centered on her bare mons.
At last Jackson reached out and cupped her breasts. Keeping his gaze on hers, he slid his hands underneath her arms and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the bed. Laying her on her back, he stepped away.
The brothers drank her in, scanning every inch of her. Yet instead of embarrassment or shyness, she felt empowered. She held them captive as surely as if she’d bound their hands and feet.
“We need to be careful with her. Remember your strength.”
Careful? She wasn’t sure what Jackson meant, but it didn’t matter as long as they came to her. Why were they waiting?
She moaned, frustration mixing with need. She had to do something to get them to touch her. Sliding her hand along the soft mound of her stomach and over her abdomen, she slid her finger between her folds. She spread her legs and rubbed her sensitive clit. Her pussy was already wet with the juices they’d stirred within her, and she massaged the aching nub. The men watched, transfixed, their eyes changing to the mysterious amber color.
She’d remember to ask them about their eyes, but not now. Now was not the time for questions. Instead, she pleasured herself and moved her gaze over them in a silent plea for them to undress.
Jackson pulled his T-shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor. His brothers did the same and kicked off their boots. She increased the speed of her hand, running her gaze over their hard, marble-like chests. She cupped her breast and rubbed her thumb over her taut nipple. A soft sprinkling of hair covered their chests, and she couldn’t wait to run her hands over their six-pack abs.
“Jeans.”
With that one word, the men worked their jeans off, exposing their already-growing cocks. All three of them moved toward her, but Jackson shoved the other two back. He crawled onto the bed and lay down between her legs. Taking a moment to watch her stroke herself, he then pressed his tongue against her finger. She jerked but kept massaging her clit. She closed her eyes and cried out as her pussy creamed.
Groaning, he pushed her hand away and dove in. He licked her clit, moving his tongue around and over her throbbing nub. A growl tickled her skin, and she added her own sound as he added two fingers to her pussy. He finger-fucked her, sliding his fingers in and out, faster and faster. Just as he had her on the edge of a climax, he pulled his fingers out.
Jacob got on the bed beside her. “Relax, Emma. You don’t need to do anything but lie there and enjoy. Now get onto your side.”
She did as he asked then gasped as he bent to run his tongue along her ass and into the puckered flesh. Squirming, she mewled with delight as Jacob slid a finger into her tight hole then added two more. Jackson renewed his attack with his tongue as Jacob pumped his fingers into her ring of muscles.
Jayden joined them on her other side and cupped her breasts. Placing his dick close to her face, he urged her to take his cock into her mouth. She blew out a breath, making him twitch, then wrapped her hand around his cock as she pulled him inside.
Jayden tasted musky and masculine with an added extra something she couldn’t define. He smelled sw
eaty, but it was an aroma that was all wild man.
Her pulse pounded in her ears, and her breath quickened. Every inch of her was alive, overflowing with her need for the men. Until today, she hadn’t known how much she’d dreamed of men like them or how much she’d wanted more than one man in her life.
Jacob stretched his body next to her and nibbled on the back of her neck. His cock pushed at the crease of her buttocks, and she moaned and wiggled her butt, hoping he’d take the hint. He did, wetting her first with his fingers. He eased into her, giving her body time to adjust, then pushed harder. She cried out in painful pleasure.
Blackness started to overtake her as her body tensed for release. She clutched her hand over Jayden’s hand on her breast and sucked his cock harder, taking longer strokes to drag him in and out. Her body shook as the orgasm raked through her.
Jackson wiped his mouth then positioned his cock at her pussy. Lifting her leg to place hers over his, he thrust inside her. His huge cock stretched her pussy, making her tight walls give way.
Jayden pulled his cock out then bent forward to push his tongue into her mouth, his tongue playing tag with hers. She wrapped her hand around his cock and took all the taste she could from his kiss. He clutched her hair, giving him better access to her mouth.
Jacob and Jackson matched rhythms as they pounded into her. She whimpered with each of their thrusts, feeling as though their cocks were meeting in the middle of her.
Jayden nibbled on her bottom lip then broke the kiss. He fondled her breast, toying with her nipple as she took hold of his cock again. Slowly, teasing him, she drew his cock back into her mouth then released him with a satisfied sigh before taking him again.
