by Lana Dare
His smile held a new tender possessiveness that tripped her pulse. “You’re my wife. You’re going to spend the rest of your life with Hawke, Blade, and me, and if you’re going to get embarrassed every time we’re intimate, you’re going to spend your entire life blushing.”
Phoenix slid in next to her, pulling her close and pillowing her head on his chest. “You know you’ve gotten to me, don’t you?”
Sarah smiled weakly, turning her face toward the fingers sliding over her cheek. “Does that mean you don’t regret marrying me?”
His lips touched her hair. “Never. You’re in my blood now. I thought you were beautiful from the beginning, but now I understand why Hawke and Blade are so enthralled with you. I didn’t see what they saw, and now I understand why you didn’t feel as close to me as you felt with them.”
“They wanted to marry me. You only married me because they did.”
“That’s not true—not entirely.” His fingers slid through her hair. “You interested me, but I didn’t want to get attached to you. I really didn’t think you’d stay.”
Secretly pleased, she snuggled closer, loving the feel of his warm arms wrapped around her. “You were too busy watching the saloon girls to notice me.”
Fisting a hand in her hair, he rolled her to her back, his eyes hooded. “Are you lookin’ for compliments?” The sparkle of playfulness and affection in his eyes gave her the confidence to lift her face to kiss his chin.
She ran her finger over his bottom lip, thrilled when he kissed it. “Maybe. Maybe I just want to make sure that you’re happy that you married me and that you aren’t going to visit those women when you go back to town.”
She watched his eyes, forcing a smile while holding her breath for his answer.
* * * *
Phoenix stared down at her, wondering what he’d ever done to deserve her. The feel of her soft curves under him had his cock stirring again, but the way she moved and the weakness in her voice told him that she’d had enough loving for now.
He could wait, now that he knew she wanted him, too.
Lying back, he closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. Smiling to himself, he realized that he hadn’t even thought of the saloon since he left town, and even now, his body still trembling from the pleasure he’d found with his wife, he couldn’t recall the faces of the women he’d bedded there.
Sarah’s image was the only one he saw, every feature imprinted in his mind and wiping away the image of every other woman he’d ever known.
“You really like me?”
Phoenix’s eyes snapped open. “Like?” Rising to his elbow, he leaned over her, his chest swelling with pride at the lingering pleasure still clouding her eyes. “I think it’s a little more than like.”
Touching his lips to hers again, he held her tight, surprised at how much pleasure he got just from kissing her. He fisted his hand in her hair to hold her head tilted, and sipped at her lips, quickly becoming addicted to her kisses.
Her shy attempt to kiss him back excited him more than the practiced moves of the whores in town, and gave him a feeling of masculine satisfaction that he’d never expected.
Lifting his head, he stared down at her, smiling at the picture she made with her eyes closed and her head tilted back. “No, sweetheart. I think I more than like you, and it scares the hell out of me.”
Chapter Ten
Leaning against the wooden fence, Blade looked up as he’d been doing every couple of seconds for the last hour, searching the horizon. “It’s gonna be dark soon.”
Hawke lifted his head from the barrel of water he’d dipped his face into to cool off. Throwing his head back, he pushed his long hair out of the way, and glanced in Blade’s direction. “She’s with Phoenix. He’ll watch out for her.”
Shifting restlessly, Blade looked out into the distance again, not believing his brother’s cool nonchalance for an instant. Anyone who knew Hawke well would recognize the look of concern in his eyes. “Don’t give me that. You’re just as worried as I am. He doesn’t feel for her what we do. Everything’s a game to him.”
Hawke shrugged, slipping his shirt on. “He’ll change his tune, or I’ll change it for him. Neither one of you had to marry her.” Turning to Blade, he narrowed his eyes. “What is it that you think you feel for her?”
Amused at his brother’s attitude, Blade turned to face him fully. “You know damned well she’s gotten to me.” His cock stirred with anticipation of the things he planned to do to her. “She’s so damned sweet that I just want to take a bite out of her, and so passionate that I can’t stop thinking about all the things I want to teach her. I never even dreamed we could have anyone like her. Hell, I never thought we’d share a woman. I just knew that I’d regret it if I didn’t make her mine while I had the chance.”
Hawke frowned and glanced into the distance again. “But do you care about her? I don’t want you playing with her and hurting her feelings when she finds out it’s just sex for you.”
Insulted, and more than a little annoyed, he closed his hands into fists. “What the hell makes you think it’s just sex for me?”
Hawke looked pointedly at Blade’s hands, his lips twitching. “You’re starting to love her, too, aren’t you?”
Blade straightened, his pulse leaping when he saw Phoenix coming over the hill. “Yeah, but I’m sure as hell not gonna let her have the upper hand. Look at them together. She’s gonna lead Phoenix around by the nose and you’re not much better.”
“Excuse me?” Hawke’s dark brow went up.
Blade smiled, elated that his older brother had finally found a woman he could care for. “You heard me. I see you with her, and you’ve already fallen hard. You coddle her.”
Turning to watch Phoenix approach, Hawke frowned. “She could use some coddling. I don’t think she’s ever had any tenderness in her life. Why the hell is she lying across Phoenix’s lap that way? I hope he didn’t let her get hurt.”
Blade had already had the same thought and rushed toward his brother’s horse, slowing when he heard her giggle. Pausing as the horse stopped next to him, he reached up for her, struck by the new intimacy between his wife and brother.
Unable to help himself, he gathered her against him and bent his head to touch his lips to her swollen ones. “I missed you. Did you have a nice ride?” Holding her, he took in her flushed cheeks and shy smile before lowering her to her feet.
She glanced at Phoenix before smiling up at him. “Yes, we had a nice ride. It was scary at first, but not so scary on the way home. Phoenix made sure I didn’t have to look at the ground. I smell like horse now, though, and I’d better go get cleaned up.”
Blade couldn’t help but notice that she didn’t walk as gracefully as she had before. Her walk had a stiffness to it and she winced a few times. Realizing what was wrong, he ran a hand down her back in sympathy. “You’re sore, aren’t you, honey? It was a new experience for you.”
Her cheeks turned fiery red and she glanced at Phoenix. “How did you know? Oh, God. I hope you’re not mad. It just sort of happened.” Her words came out in a rush, the panic in her eyes confusing him. Snapping her mouth closed, she looked up at Phoenix, who threw his head back and laughed. “Oh. You’re talking about riding the horse, aren’t you?”
Blade turned to glare at his brother. “Something went on while you were gone, and I want to know what happened. Right now.”
Hawke crossed his arms over his chest and shot a look at Phoenix. “So do I.”
Phoenix kept his voice low, his eyes dancing as he slid from the horse and approached Sarah, completely ignoring his brothers. “Blade was referring to the fact that you were on horseback for the first time, not that I took your ass.”
Intrigued at that piece of information, Blade lifted her chin, his cock thickening as he regarded her features.
She looked so damned innocent, but he’d already seen and felt her passion.
Remembering what Hawke had said to Maggie about h
aving her husbands wrapped firmly around her finger, he blew out a breath, knowing that he’d have to be careful not to let his beautiful wife wrap her around his.
With a hand at her back, he led her to the house they shared with her, his mind spinning with plans for the evening ahead. “After supper, we’ll go to the hot spring near here, and you can soak. Then, when we get home, I’ll rub you down with some liniment.”
Impatient to get her naked and get his hands on her, he spoke sharper than he’d intended. To make up for it, he wrapped an arm around her and smiled.
Her eyes lit up, delighting him. “Really? There’s a hot spring near here? I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never actually seen one.”
His lips twitched. “There really is.”
She bit her swollen lip, and he reacted instinctively, bending to take it with his own, sliding his tongue over her bottom lip in an effort to ease the sting she must have caused.
Lifting his head, he couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t bite your lips. Save them for me to nibble on later.”
Her blush sent a surge of masculine power through him. “Will we be able to get into the spring naked?”
Blade laughed at that. “Definitely naked.”
“Will anyone be able to see us?”
Hawke spoke from behind her. “We’ll all go. Wash your hands, but don’t bother changing. We’ll take some fresh clothes so we can all change afterward. Let’s eat. You hardly touched a thing at lunch.”
For Blade, the meal seemed to take forever. He ate hurriedly, anxious to get to the spring with Sarah.
Phoenix watched Sarah through the meal, the smiles he shared with her more intimate than earlier. Glancing at Blade, he chuckled. “What’s your hurry?”
Blade glared back. “Just because you’re satisfied doesn’t mean the rest of us are.”
Hawke looked up from where he, too, watched Sarah. “She’s got to be tired and sore. She needs some rest.”
Sarah blushed again. “Hawke, I’m all right. I am looking forward to the spring, though.”
Blade shot a look at his older brother. “You act like I’m gonna attack her. She’s my wife, too. Remember? Besides, I think I have a little more control than Phoenix.”
Phoenix dropped his spoon and leaned forward, his eyes flashing with anger. “I have plenty of control, and I sure as hell didn’t hurt her.”
Hawke sighed in an uncharacteristic expression of frustration. “If you’re gonna fight, don’t do it around her. I don’t want anyone making her feel like she’s done something wrong.” Turning, he held Sarah’s gaze. “If she does, we’ll all be included in letting her know it.”
They ate in tense silence for several long minutes, the tension broken when Wyatt, Hayes, and Samantha joined them a short time later.
Samantha nudged Phoenix aside to sit across from Sarah, so Wyatt nudged a glowering Phoenix even farther down the wooden bench in order to sit next to his wife. Grinning, Sarah accepted the glass of milk from Wyatt. “I heard you’re going to the hot spring tonight. You’ll love it. It’s so peaceful there.”
Hayes grinned as he lowered himself to the seat on the other side of her. “Not for long.” Wincing when Samantha made a show of kicking him hard under the table, he smiled in apology. “What do you expect? You don’t think everybody know what goes on up there?”
The tension eased when the women started talking about the dresses Sarah would be making, only to increase again when they started talking about going into town together on the next trip.
Blade started to speak, Hawke already shaking his head. “Don’t make plans for going to town yet, Sarah. Not until Willy’s caught.”
Wyatt frowned down at Samantha. “You’re not going either. None of the women is leaving the ranch until this is over.”
Dropping her spoon, Sarah lowered her head, her eyes full of apology when they met Savannah’s. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring trouble here. I’ve made a mess of everything.”
Samantha slapped a hand on the table, much to the amusement of her husbands. “No! You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s that man who’s after you that has a lot to answer for. I just hope I’m there when Wyatt and Hayes give him what he deserves!”
Wyatt blinked, his brows going up while he smiled indulgently at his obviously adored wife. “I didn’t know you were so bloodthirsty, darlin’. I’m going to have to keep a closer eye on you—and no, you will absolutely not get anywhere near this outlaw. Drink your milk. You’re eating for two now, remember?”
Hayes chuckled softly and reached across the table to lift Sarah’s chin. “Don’t feel bad. We’re very much looking forward to meeting Willy.”
Sarah sighed and dropped her head in her hands. “You don’t understand.” Lifting her head again, she looked around the table. “He’s meaner than a snake. He’s tough and he’s got a short temper. He kills just for fun.”
Blade ran a hand over her hair, surprised that she seemed so concerned about them facing someone as ridiculous as Willy Krenshaw. “Do we look like men who can’t take care of themselves to you?”
She shook her head, but still looked apprehensive. “No. I have to say every man I’ve met here appears to be more than capable of taking care of himself.”
Hawke grunted. “Themselves, their women, and the others. Go back to talkin’ about your dresses.”
Once everyone finished eating, Blade didn’t linger over a cup of coffee the way he usually did.
Anxious to spend some time with Sarah, he hustled her out of the chow shack, leaving Hawke and Phoenix to deal with their dishes.
He led her to their house, his cock throbbing with a need he knew would have to go unsatisfied for now. “Come on. Let’s get your nightgown and a blanket to cover you with that you can wear on the ride him, but you won’t need either one tonight. You’re sleeping with me.”
Biting back a groan at the thought of spending the entire night with his beautiful, naked wife next to him and unable to do a thing to get some relief, he pushed the door of the small cabin open and ushered her inside. “Let’s get your things together.”
Gathering her things, he rolled them into the blanket and hurried her back outside. “Hurry. I’m sticky and sweaty and want to get cleaned up.” Already aroused, he groaned as he thought of the hours of torture ahead of him.
Pausing in the doorway, he wrapped his free arm around her and yanked her close. “Even though I can’t take you tonight, I want to see and hold you naked against me.”
Her sharp intake of breath sent a surge of heat to his cock, testing his control. “Blade, I want that, too.”
Seeing the honesty and need in her eyes, Blade nodded, running his thumb over her bottom lip. “Good.” Turning her, they went back outside, only to find his brothers already on their horses and waiting.
Hawke moved closer and reached for Sarah. “Give her to me.”
Blade smiled and handled up her nightgown, bundled in a blanket. “Not a chance. Here. You take this.”
Hawke frowned, snatching the blanket from Blade’s hand and tucking it into his saddlebag. “She rides with me on the way back.”
Blade mounted his horse and reached down for her, settling her in front of him. Noticing her wince, he paused, frowning down at her. “Your thighs hurt, Sarah?”
He didn’t give her time to answer, turning her in his arms and adjusting her across his lap. Leaning her back against his left arm, he used the right to push her skirt high.
Hawke moved in on his right, positioning the lantern he held over her legs to see them better in the waning light. “Looks like she’s chafed some.”
Phoenix rode up on his left, running a hand over Sarah’s hair. “Yes, she is. That’s why I rode back with her across my lap.” Bending to touch his lips to her hair, Phoenix grinned and reached out to cup her breast. “One of the reasons.”
Frowning, Hawke slid a gentle hand over her thighs. “I’ll have to measure her for some buckskin leggings. They’ll protect her skin b
etter.”
Sarah smiled, moving sensuously on his lap, her low moan like a stroke to his cock. “Are you going to dress me like an Indian?”
Hawke stilled, his eyes narrowing. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“Hmm.” Holding onto Blade, she smiled when Hawke caught her foot and spread her legs wider. “Not at all. Then everyone will know I’m your woman.”
Hawke smiled at that, his hard features softening as he ran a hand down her leg. “They’ll know that anyway. Come on. Let’s get going. The warm water will ease a lot of that soreness and make you feel better.”
Blade held her securely as they started toward the spring, loving the feel of his woman in his arms.
With her head against his chest and her small hand flattened against him, she pulled at every protective instinct inside him, making him feel even more possessive. He’d never felt so much a man.
So needed.
Wiggling on his lap, she sat straighter and smiled at Hawke. “Can you teach me how to make clothes like yours? I can make some for myself and some more for you.”
Knowing how much that would mean to his brother, Blade ran a hand down her back in gratitude.
Hawke glanced at her and shrugged. “Of course. I’ll work with you. I need to make another pair of fur-lined moccasins for winter. You need some, too.”
“I can’t believe you sew them yourself.”
Blade chuckled softly and shared a look with Hawke, who blew out the lantern. “Hawke and I can both make buckskins. Moccasins. Sew a cut, whatever.”
He smiled again at her shiver. “Do you think cuts sew themselves?”
“I don’t want to think about it. Do you really think you could teach me how to make moccasins for myself?”
Blade kissed her hair. “Sure. We’ve got enough hides stored to make quite a few things.”
“It’s so dark. I can’t see a thing.”
Phoenix chuckled. “Just listen, honey. Listen to the sounds around you. Don’t worry. We know this land like the backs of our hands and there’s enough moonlight to light our way. We’re almost there. Listen. You can hear the water.”
