by Lana Dare
Sarah shrugged and looked down at her stew. “No. Not really, although Mrs. Anderson was kind. Most people don’t want their daughter to talk to the daughter of a whore. Maggie and Savannah were both so nice to me.”
Phoenix had a strong suspicion that few people had been.
Hawke’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
Blade’s eyes narrowed. “If anyone’s not nice to you, I want to know about it.”
Sarah’s eyes went wide. “No. No. Everyone’s been real nice. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
“Anyone who treats women badly deserves all the trouble they get.” Blade shot her a warning look, one that had her eyes going wide again. “If you don’t tell me, and I find out about it, I’ll turn you over my knee and paddle your bottom.” Leaning close, he smiled coldly, but his eyes lit with anticipation. “Your naked bottom. I’ll enjoy it, too.”
Phoenix hid a smile at her look of shock. “Do it. I think our new bride would love something like that.”
Hawke frowned at both of them. “You hit her and you’re going to answer to me. She’s been through enough.”
Blade grinned, his eyes hooded as he turned Sarah’s face to his. “I’m not lookin’ to scare her that way. I have plans for something that I think she’ll like. A little fear will only heighten her excitement. Her punishment won’t hurt as much as the realization that she gets aroused when she’s bare-assed over her husband’s lap.”
Dropping a kiss on her lips, he smiled again. “And she won’t be able to hide it. Her thighs will be soaking wet with her sweet juices, and no matter how hard she fights it, she’ll beg for more.”
Sarah’s face turned bright red, her eyes slightly unfocused—a telling sign that made Phoenix’s cock jump in anticipation. “Never!”
Blade ran a hand over her hair before reaching for his spoon again. “Never is a very long time, honey.”
Fascinated by her response to the erotic threat, and Hawke’s own surprise, Phoenix gestured toward her plate, eager to put his own plans for her in action. “Eat. I want to show you something.”
They all looked up when Maggie stopped beside their table, and he and his brothers started to stand before she waved them back down again.
Patting the back of the baby propped against her shoulder, Maggie Tyler had a confidence that she hadn’t had when she’d come to the ranch almost two years earlier.
Grinning, Phoenix reached out to run a hand over the baby’s soft hair. “He’s getting big. Motherhood suits you.”
“Yes, he is. He’s gonna be as big as his daddies.” Lifting her chin in challenge, she turned to glare at Hawke. “I tried to give Sarah some of the scented soaps, but she wouldn’t take them. Is there something wrong with my soaps?”
The entire chow shack became silent, everyone apparently curious to see how Hawke would handle the boss’s wife.
Hawke sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t take charity.”
Maggie lifted a brow, showing the spunk that drove both Eb and Jeremiah crazy. “What does that have to do with giving soap to Sarah? She worked to help make them, and she’s my friend. Friends do things for each other. Do you have a problem with your wife being my friend?” Her tone told him that he’d better not.
Shaking his head, Hawke sighed. “Of course not.” He slid a look in Blade’s direction. “I’d rather face a gun that an angry woman.”
Looking pleased with herself, Maggie pressed her advantage. “Then why can’t I give her some soap? Why can’t I give her some of the material? She’s giving me some of hers, or is that going to be a problem, too?”
Hawke reached for his cup of coffee, a small smile playing at his lips. “Motherhood has certainly changed you. That, and having your husbands wrapped around your little finger. Fine. She can accept the soaps and some material, but my brothers and I are responsible for our wife’s needs.”
Knowing that if one of the other ranch hands had approached Hawke and spoken to him in such a way, he would have been picking himself up from the floor, Phoenix hid a smile. “Thank you.” He glanced at his smiling wife, willing to do anything to keep that smile on her face. “Sarah told us how kind you and Savannah were to her. We’re grateful for that.”
Maggie grinned. “We like her, and are both grateful for another woman on the place. We women are sorely outnumbered.”
Carrying two trays, Eb approached, smiling indulgently at his wife. “That doesn’t seem to curb your tongue any. I can’t imagine having the ranch overrun with women. We’d spend so much time watching out for all of you that we’d never get any work done.”
Frowning up at her husband, Maggie sighed. “Is that why you and the others came up with all those rules?”
Eb lifted a brow at her frown, obviously pleased at her look of apprehension. “Absolutely. If anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself, so you’re gonna pay dearly for disobeying us. Come on. You need to eat. You’re grouchy, and if food doesn’t sweeten that mood, I know something that will.”
Sarah watched Maggie and Eb walk away before turning to Hawke. “What did she mean by rules? Is there something that I should know?”
Hawke swallowed his mouthful of stew before answering. “We’ve already talked about some of them. You’re to obey us without question. It could save your life. You don’t know the dangers here the way we do. You’ll do what we tell you to keep you safe. You put yourself in danger or disobey us, and you’ll get a red ass no matter how much you spit and sputter about it. I won’t put up with any nonsense. We’ll give you as much freedom as we can, but you won’t be allowed to do anything that might put you in danger.”
Sarah nodded, her gaze lowering. “I understand.” She slid a glance at Blade. “You just can’t wait to have an excuse to spank me.”
Blade’s brows went up, and he seemed to be clearly enjoying her sass. “I don’t need an excuse. That ass belongs to me and I’ll spank it whenever I want to. It’s up to you whether it’s a spanking designed to give pleasure, or one that’ll make it hard to sit down again.”
He picked up his cup of coffee and settled back, gesturing toward her lunch. “Finish eating and behave yourself. Hayes and Wyatt are making their way over.”
Throughout the rest of the meal, Phoenix entertained himself by watching her, noticing that she scooted closer to Hawke—something that seemed to please Hawke enormously.
The lawmen asked questions, and with Hawke’s urging, got Sarah to tell her story. They listened closely, their expressions hardening when she spoke about Willy.
Sipping his coffee, Wyatt sat forward, his smile tender. “That was a real brave thing you did. I’m just glad Hawke found you.”
Sarah blushed again, looking up at Hawke through her lashes in a way that twisted Phoenix’s gut. “So am I. I just can’t help but think that comin’ here was a mistake. Someone’s gonna get hurt because of me.”
Not trusting the resignation in her voice, Phoenix reached for her hand. “You’re safe here. Let us worry about Willy Krenshaw and his gang.”
Hayes smiled, a tender smile he reserved for the women. “We’ve been bored lately. We need trouble to keep us on our toes. You wouldn’t want us to get lazy, would you?”
* * * *
Standing outside the chow shack several minutes later, Phoenix blinked, his smile falling. “What do you mean, you can’t ride?”
He glanced at his brothers, unsurprised to find both of them watching Sarah.
Blushing adorably, Sarah glanced sideways at Hawke through her lashes before meeting Phoenix’s gaze again. “I’ve never gone anywhere that I haven’t walked. You know I was raised in a saloon. I never needed to ride. I’ve never had the chance to ride. I’ve never gone anywhere.” Shrugging, she took a step back from Phoenix’s restless horse. “To tell you the truth, I’m scared of horses. They’re a lot bigger up close.”
Hawke’s eyes narrowed as took her hand. “I’m a lot bigger than you are, and you aren’t scared of me. Are y
ou?”
Shrugging again, she gave him a small smile, an intimate smile that made Phoenix grit his teeth. “Sometimes.”
Hawke smiled back, a rare, gentle smile that only Sarah seemed able to bring out in him. “We’ll have to see what we can do about that.” Taking her hand, he pressed it lightly against Major’s side, holding it there when Sarah tried to jerk her hand away. “Easy. Trust me. Feel his coat. See how he settled. He likes your touch.” Although his eyes remained indulgent, he released her, but remained protectively close.
Phoenix could have sworn he heard his brother say something under his breath—something that sounded suspiciously like so do I, but he couldn’t be sure.
Taking her hand in his, Blade placed it on his chest, holding it there the way Hawke had held it against Major. “I like your touch, too.” Smiling at her gasp, Blade slid her hand inside his shirt, moving it against his chest. “Very nice. We’ll teach you to ride—horses, and us.”
* * * *
When the powerful horse shifted beside her, Sarah jolted and cried out, reaching for Hawke. “I’d never be able to control him, or you, enough to ride either one of you.”
Throwing his head back, Blade laughed, yanking her back against him. His eyes glittered with pride and affection as he pulled her close. “That wasn’t a request, wife.” Blade softened his tone, bending to touch his lips to hers. “You’ll learn to ride because it could mean the difference between life and death. Hawke and I already have a horse picked out for you.”
“You’ll learn how to control him.” Blade touched his lips to her ear, smiling when she shivered. “But, in bed, I’m going to be the one controlling you.”
Sucking in a breath, Sarah slid a glance toward Hawke, who simply stared at her with unreadable hooded eyes. Looking back at Blade, she crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin—a defiant gesture that solidified Phoenix’s plans for her. “Are you trying to scare me?”
Out of sight of any onlookers, Blade slid his hand over her breast. “No. Not this time.” Running a hand over her back, he nuzzled her neck again. “I just want to make sure you’re thinking about me today. There’ll be times when I make you nervous, but it’ll only intensify the pleasure.”
Hawke slid a hand down her hair. “We’ve got to get back to work. Behave yourself.”
Phoenix closed in behind her, bending to touch his lips to her shoulder, slightly disgruntled that she didn’t look at him the way she looked at his brothers. “Come on, Sarah. I want to show you something.”
And give you pleasure in a way that you’ll never forget.
* * * *
“It sure is a long way down.” Sarah swallowed heavily and leaned back against Phoenix, grateful for his support. “Are you sure I won’t fall?” Gripping his arm, she tried to stare straight ahead, but her gaze kept going to the ground below.
Tightening the arm beneath her breasts, he bent to nuzzle her neck, his warm lips sending a delicious thrill through her. “I won’t let you fall, Sarah. Damn it, can’t you trust me just a little?”
Struck by his tone, Sarah stiffened. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little scared. It’s a lot different than being on the buckboard.”
Phoenix sighed, running his hand over her arm. “I’m sorry for losing my temper, honey. It just makes me mad that you don’t trust me to take care of you. For the first time in my life, I have someone to take care of. It means a lot to me, Sarah.”
“I’m sorry.” Turning her head, she rubbed it against his chest, loving the way his arms felt around her.
Despite his brief show of anger, he held her the way he would hold something precious. Keeping his arm wrapped around her, he slowed his horse to a walk, his arms tightening as he nuzzled her neck. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I keep forgetting how much your life’s changed over the last few days. Ours, too.” Loosening his hold, he rubbed her stomach. “I’m a little impatient. I have a beautiful wife and I seem to be having a little trouble getting close to her.”
Sarah looked up at him over her shoulder, her heart pounding furiously at his nearness. “Do you want to be close to me?”
He wore his hat low on his forehead, shading his eyes from the hot afternoon sun, which gave him a rakish look that made her heart beat faster.
He met her frown with one of his own. “Of course. You’re my wife, just as much as you’re Hawke’s and Blade’s wife.”
Turning to face forward again, Sarah nodded, her heart sinking. “So the reason you want to be close to me is because you’re competing with Hawke and Blade. You want me to feel the same way about you.”
Phoenix fisted a hand in her hair and turned her back to face him, his eyes narrowed to slits as they raked over her features. “Yes, damn it! Something wrong with that?”
Sarah sighed. “Phoenix, I don’t know what you want me to do. Hawke and Blade are serious about being married, but I think you’re playing some kind of game. It’s not a competition. I want you to want me because you want me. Not because you feel it’s expected of you.”
Phoenix’s eyes went wide. “I’m playing a game? Hawke is one of the coldest men I’ve ever known, and you fall into his arms as if you’ve known him all your life! And I don’t want you because I think it’s expected. I want you because I want you, damn it!”
He crushed her mouth with his, his arms tightening around her. Sweeping her mouth with his devious tongue, Phoenix turned her on his lap, and with a groan, cupped her breast.
His kiss didn’t have the smooth silkiness of Blade’s, or the tenderness of Hawke’s.
Phoenix’s kiss was all hunger.
Drowning in sensation, Sarah clung to him, alarmed at the swift surge of desire. Dizzy from his kiss, she leaned into him, pressing her other breast against his chest.
He seemed to know the exact moment when she needed more, pushing the sides of her shirt aside and slipping his hand inside to close his fingers on her nipple. Swallowing her cries, he nipped at her lips before taking her mouth again.
Flames of need licked at her, so hot that she writhed against him.
Her pussy clenched incessantly in demand, his attention to her nipple sending sharp tugs of pleasure to her clit.
Lifting his head, he stared down at her, his breathing ragged. “Christ, I want you.” Pushing her shirt aside further, he shifted his gaze to her breast, running his finger lightly back and forth over her nipple. “I swear, I could eat you alive. You think I don’t want you? We’ll just see about that.”
Stopping at an outcropping of rock, he leaned her back over his arm and covered her breast completely with his hot, callused hand. “I know I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any other woman.”
Straightening her on the saddle again, he dismounted and reached up, wrapping his hands around her waist. “We’re about a mile west from the ranch and our cabin.”
He lifted her from the horse, his strength once again astounding her. “We’ve set up a few places like this in case one of us gets caught in a storm or is hurt. It’ll provide protection from the weather, and give you a place to hide if you need it. Everyone on the ranch knows about these places, and they’re the first places we’ll look if you’re missing. Right now, though, you and I are going to create a storm of our own.”
“How many of them are there?”
Phoenix shrugged. “Probably about two dozen, but most of them are farther away. It’s a big ranch.” Stopping, he turned her in his arms, sliding a hand down to her bottom. “One by one, we’ll explore them all."
Sarah looked around, struck by the wide open space. “I’m sure there are all kinds of wild animals and snakes.” Shivering in revulsion, she held the ends of her shirt closed as they approached what looked like a small cave.
“And there are some unfriendly Indians—not to mention men like Willy.”
Frowning, she looked up at him. “Are they unfriendly with you, too?”
His eyes narrowed. “Why? Because I’m half-Indian? We don’t all get along, you know, and
Hawke, Blade, and I have never been part of a tribe. Come on. Let’s get inside.”
Worried that she’d insulted him, she tugged on his sleeve. “Phoenix, I’m sorry. I don’t understand why you’re angry. Don’t you like being an Indian?”
He paused, his eyes going wide as he turned to her. “I’m not just an Indian. I’m a half-breed. Most people don’t accept Indians or half-breeds. Neither the whites nor the Indians accept us.”
“You seem to be accepted here and in Tulsa. Besides, being half white and half Indian isn’t as bad as being raised in a whorehouse.”
His lips thinned, his eyes shooting sparks. “Damn it, Sarah—”
Shaking her head, she stepped closer. “Look, I answered your questions because I thought you were interested in my life. Why do you get insulted whenever I ask you one?” To her horror, she started to cry. “You say you want to be closer to me, and then try to put distance between us.” Turning away, she lifted her hands to cover her face, scrubbing away tears. “What am I doing here? I’m ruining everything. I don’t know how to live on a ranch. I have three husbands and I don’t even know how to be a wife to one. I don’t know how to have friends. I don’t want to insult them when they offer me something, but I don’t want Hawke to get mad when I accept something. I lean on Hawke because makes me feel safe, but you get mad at that.”
Phoenix caught her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “Oh, honey. You’ve been through so much. Your entire world has changed, hasn’t it?”
The panic in his voice had her turning in his arms, only to be caught up against him.
Running his hand down her back, he cupped the back of her head and pressed it against his chest. “To make matters worse, you’re scared that Willy’s going to find you. Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. Put it down to wanting you so much that I can’t even think.”
Straightening, he urged her head back to smile down at her. “I’m acting like a horse with a burr under its saddle. Poor thing. Please stop crying. I can’t take it.”
