“I’ve never been this turned-on,” I murmur against his shoulder. My lips part to kiss, but my teeth close over his trapezius when he shifts his hips in a half-thrust. The feeling of him inside me is pleasure bordering on pain. Images—sensations, really—flash through my mind from this afternoon. My body has been stretched and pushed to its limit by today’s exertions with these men. It’s not about to stop, either.
I do something I’ve never achieved before in bed. I let go.
Dakota’s arms cage and cradle me. I go limp, relaxing enough to take his cock again and again, only using enough strength to hold myself upright. I cling to him as the storm within me rises, harder and faster with each thrust. He’s my only reality—until Beau’s torso presses against my back. He kisses the nape of my neck. I melt. Dakota puts his arm around my waist and lets me fall back against his friend. Beau toys with my breasts, rolling and pinching my nipples to drive me higher. I gasp and mumble incoherently. “Yes. More. Beau. Dakota, oh...”
Nonsense. It means nothing but encouragement. Beau chuckles. I feel the rumble in his chest. I am so far gone, experiencing all this inside my body in a way I never have before. I was always performing on some level. These two men have pushed me to get out of my head and feel, openly, without shame or fear.
I love them.
I must have said it out loud, because Dakota’s gaze locks on mine. I’m bent at an angle leaning back against Beau’s chest with my thighs straddling Dakota’s legs and his cock pumping inside me.
“You’re mine, Sadie Banes,” he declares, low and fierce. “Say it.”
I try, but he thrusts and a wave of pleasure chokes off my words. I’m two, maybe three pumps away from shattering. My mind is a kaleidoscope of emotions that fractures and changes with each movement.
“Say. It. Sadie. The day you got out of that van I knew you were mine.” He needs to hear it. Again, I attempt to muster my thoughts into a sentence. He thrusts, and I gasp instead of speaking. The orgasm will be fierce. I can already feel it wrenching my leg muscles into tense knots aching for release. It’s creeping through my pelvis, five seconds from kicking me in the spine—a pulse of pleasure that I’ll feel all the way into the base of my skull.
“I’m yours, forever, Dakota,” I manage to gasp before my vision blacks. The last thing I feel before my body is overwhelmed with pleasure is Beau’s fingers circling my clit.
The last thing I hear is him saying, “And you’re mine.”
For a long moment I am lost in the forceful pulsing waves of pure bliss that rock my body. When I come through the other side, my dazed mind struggles to process Beau’s words. “I’m the one who brought her to you.”
I am Beau’s parting gift to his friend, and knowing that makes me feel wanted, needed...and loved.
Dakota strokes my cheek gently with the back of his hand. “For which I will be eternally grateful, my friend.”
Eternal. Forever. I bury my face in his neck and whisper the words I could say a thousand times each day and never grow tired of speaking.
13
Dakota
Sadie loves me.
In the aftermath of the threesome, a sense of peace I’ve never before experienced washes through my body. I am boneless. Slowly I soften until I am forced to extract myself from Sadie’s body. I wince. It is physically painful to be separated from her.
Beau’s voice cuts through the drugged haze of my afterglow. “You two are going to be very happy here.”
He doesn’t sound envious, just resigned. We all know it’s the final night of being together like this. I want to make it as special for him as it has been for me. Knowing that even if there is a third person in the room that Sadie and I are a rock-solid couple makes me generous.
“I need a few minutes to recover,” Sadie says, panting. I really worked her up tonight—with Beau’s help. I’ve never felt a woman come around my dick that hard before. She looks like she’s run a marathon. Her cheeks are flushed, a color that stains her chest all the way down to the tops of her breasts. Beau has to prop her up like a rag doll, which he does with a gentle grin. He’s still ready to go.
To my surprise, Sadie makes a quick recovery. She rolls over and presses him back against the cushions.
I am caught off-guard by my own response. Even after that monster orgasm, I’m rising again. I watch her take him halfway down her throat. The way her green eyes dart back to check with me every few seconds is the hottest thing I have ever seen. I respond accordingly. “Damn.”
Beau’s hand rests lightly on the back of her head. His eyes are half-closed while she works his cock. He’s watching her, too. Sadie loves giving this little performance. She enjoys being watched. But I don’t see her next trick coming until she sits up and says to me, “I’m going to fuck Beau, Dakota. I want you in my ass.”
“As you wish.” I grin. Sadie slowly sinks down over my friend’s cock. I position myself behind her and slip up and down her crack. She is so wet that there’s more than enough lubrication for me to ease past the tight pucker of her anus. The friction is so good that even though I just came, I know it won’t be long before I do so again.
Beau checks in with me visually. I nod. He lets Sadie sink down over his cock. She’s a siren, luring us to our deaths. We are happy to go along.
She undulates. I feel the friction build higher. It’s a delicate balancing act to keep us all together. After a few minutes, I withdraw. This time, the orgasm that pulses through me is intense, but sweeter. It lasts longer, too. I step back to paint her body with stripes of cum. Beau watches worshipfully as she thrusts her breasts forward. My sweet, dirty girl.
Sadie pops off Beau. “Cum on me,” she demands.
Beau obliges. He sits forward and she drops to her knees between his legs to accept the spray of jizz over her face and torso. She giggles as the hot liquid streams over her tits. “Nice.” A drop of liquid lands on her wrist. Sadie’s eyes glint with naughtiness. She licks it away.
“You two might be able to go another round,” Beau says with a sigh, “but I’m old and I have a long drive ahead of me. I’m going to call it a night.”
“We could sleep together,” she offers. “One big cuddle.”
“No. I need real rest.” He kisses her forehead tenderly. Sadie gets up, her naked body covered with the evidence of what we’ve done. What we’ve become. “You and Dakota keep that for yourselves. I know it’s all about the two of you now.” He glances at me. “You take good care of this woman.”
“I will.”
Beau shoots Sadie a searching look. “And you’d better take care of my friend, too. Especially since I won’t be around to protect him.”
“You got it,” she says without hesitation.
Sadie tucks herself under my arm. When Beau has padded off to his private quarters, I bend and lift her into my arms. Sadie yelps, but she nestles happily in my arms.
“Let’s get cleaned up.” She kisses me. I have to cut her off because I can’t kiss and walk, but we start up again in the shower. It’s a long, slow make-out session. We fall asleep with her cuddled against my side. Her wet hair drapes over my arm. In the morning, I awaken her with a kiss like a princess from a fairy tale. We make love, slowly because her body is still recovering from yesterday, and then make our way into the kitchen, where we find a note.
Beau is gone.
Sadie stares at it for a long second. Uneasiness flutters through me.
“We knew he was leaving.” I kiss the top of her head.
“I know. I just hope he doesn’t get sick.” She puts it down and looks at me. “What’s on for today? Trail ride?”
I grin. If Sadie’s up for riding horses, that bodes well for the prospect of more fucking, too. My stomach rumbles, and I make a face. “First, breakfast.”
Beau will be fine. He’ll come back to us in good time. I don’t know why I feel so certain of this, but I do. I am. And before too long, my instinct will be proven right. All I had to do was learn to tru
st it.
14
Beau
Three months later
Gravel crunches under the tires and a plume of dust kicks up behind my truck as it makes the laborious climb up the unpaved road. I hit the brakes and stare.
The Black Diamond Ranch has a new sign. It’s cool, a creative blending of slick design and nods to the rugged landscape.
“How about that,” I mutter. “Wonder how much those lovebirds spent on it.”
It ain’t my business, though. If they want to go bankrupt, that’s up to Dakota and Sadie.
I park in the shade of a fir tree. I can’t tell if it’s the way the sun slants over the front yard or the new placement of my miniature greenhouse, which has been moved away from the main house. I guess Sadie has taken that project over.
One of the Hinsons’ dogs comes bounding over. I wave at their stocky son, who’s too busy pushing a wheelbarrow to return the gesture.
“Anybody home?” I call out. Nobody answers.
I lift my duffel bag from the passenger seat of the truck and head up to the cottage. I already know I’m staying here for the next few nights. I’ve only come back to pick up the belongings I left behind. I’m busy stowing my belongings when I hear boots tap on flagstones outside.
“You’re here,” Sadie says. My eyes slowly adjust from the dim interior to the bright sun. It’s the same voice, the same posture, yet something is different about her. My vision sharpens.
“You look good, Ms. Banes.” She’s wearing riding pants, which cling to legs that are more muscular than I recall. A memory of those legs wrapped around my waist flashes over me with scorching heat. My mouth is dry.
“Thanks. So do you. I’d hug you, but...” She trails off with a shrug. “You know. Lockdown is still a thing.”
“Yeah. How are you and Dakota making out? Getting tired of one another’s company yet?”
“Not at all.” She grins. What I thought was dirt turns out to be freckles dotting the bridge of her nose and the tops of her cheeks. Sadie must be spending a lot of time outside. “You look good, too, Beau. How’s your back?”
“All better,” I inform her, twisting to demonstrate. It’s mostly true. I had a long time to focus on rest and recovery while my mother was in the hospital. She’s home now, but her health will never be the same. She needs lifetime care, which is why I won’t be coming back to live at the ranch.
No, I have my own plans.
“Great. Listen, I’m going to put together a picnic dinner for the three of us to share outside. I’d like to hear all about your new venture.”
Last month, I signed a lease on a warehouse and started work to convert it into a nursery. The pandemic cratered the commercial real estate market which presented an opportunity for me to start channeling my own ambition. I grin now, thinking about it. “Yep. I’m going into business for myself. Nursery and garden supply. Reed’s Trees & Gardens.”
Sadie grins. My breath hitches. I always knew she was cute, but now that she’s glowing with health and happiness, she’s nothing less than stunning.
Dakota Wilson, you are one lucky man.
I’m not envious though. I’ve met someone, too. A nurse from the hospital—and I can’t wait to get back to her.
“Wonderful. I’m so excited for you, Beau. We’re starting some new programs of our own. I can’t wait to tell you about them. Why don’t you go ahead and get cleaned up while I help Dakota in the barn.” She gestures behind her.
“Sure thing, Sadie.”
She steps backward, wearing a smile that outshines the sun. “I want to hear all about Jessica, too.”
I huff a laugh. “You got it.” Then, I jerk my head. “Go on. Tell your boyfriend I arrived safely and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
She runs off. By which I mean, she strides away looking as though she owns the place.
It’s bittersweet but still good to be back. This visit marks a break between my old life and the new path I have set out for myself. With my back injury—which despite my claim, will never heal completely—security work was out of the question. I had to find a new way forward. I’ll try my hand at growing plants. I’ve always had a natural talent for making green things grow. I admit I’ve been somewhat humbled by the complexity of starting up a business. There are times when I think my idea of monetizing a hobby to provide income while I care for my mother is never going to work out. I have a new appreciation for Dakota’s courage in trying to make The Black Diamond Ranch a success on his own terms. That takes more than just money. You need a lot of optimism just to survive.
But Dakota welcomes me with a big smile and an open heart. He doesn’t seem to hold any lingering resentment toward me for the way I second-guessed him. His forgiving nature is part of his success, not his Achilles heel. Flexibility is a strength. I understand that better, now.
It doesn’t take me long to load my few possessions into the truck. I need to get back to Mama Reed, but before I begin the long drive back to Georgia, we take one final trail ride. There has been rain recently. Clusters of cacti sporting colorful blossoms dot the landscape. It’s always startling to see the prickly plants produce such bright flowers.
Sadie’s like them, I muse to myself as I watch her sway easily in Cookie’s saddle. I hope she blooms here for a long, long time. I hope they both do. But my place is elsewhere—and so, I must go home.
Epilogue: Sadie
One year later...
“It was my idea that saved the ranch, you know.”
I am complaining. Dakota won’t let me ride anymore, not since the welcome news that I’m expecting our first child. Instead, I have been relegated to tending Beau’s abandoned garden. This is mostly my own fault—I wanted organic vegetables for my pregnancy. Unfortunately, morning sickness makes even the most lovingly grown vegetable intolerable.
Maybe you can feed growing fetuses just by touching vegetables. I hope so, because I sure can’t keep them down. All I want to eat is popcorn and lemon sorbet, which, no, aren’t healthy for the baby or for me. I hope this passes soon or it’ll be an only child.
“True. But ideas don’t require riding.” Dakota kisses me. “Don’t worry. As soon as you’re healed, we’ll get you back on Cookie.”
The gentle mare has become my favorite mount, although sometimes I share her with unsure, wary riders. The thought of not riding for the next seven months is a blow. One I will manage, but it’s a disappointment nonetheless.
One worth enduring, though. My reservations about motherhood have abated now that I feel confident of being able to provide for a child. I’ll never do to him or her what my mother did to me. Even if I were to go down that road, the Wilsons wouldn’t let one of their own get lost in the foster care system.
“When is the next wedding party?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“Friday afternoon. We have eight people coming—the groom, his mother, his best friend, plus the bride and her parents, her sister, and sister’s husband. They’re using the chapel and the cottage, so we need to make sure those are tip-top.”
This was my contribution to The Black Diamond’s survival. One day, I wandered into the unused miniature chapel by mistake. I stood there, awed by the light streaming in through the stained-glass windows, and called to Dakota, “What’s this place?”
“The chapel?” he asked, then lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “It came with the house. It’s pretty, but small. I was thinking I’d turn it into an office at some point.”
I shook my head. “I have a better idea. We’re going to host weddings.”
As the pandemic ground on for months, many people were forced to cancel wedding plans. The Black Diamond Ranch’s natural beauty, with mountains in the background and colorful scenery, made the perfect setting to tie the knot. We provide small, socially distant gatherings for people who live within the state. We partner with officiants of different faith traditions who lead the ceremonies virtually. The Hinsons’ son set up a web service with a priv
ate video link so that anyone can watch.
We devised a plan and did a few advertisements. The offer was so popular that the system crashed. Black Diamond Weddings were booked for months to come, and the revenue was more than enough to let Dakota focus on his passion projects.
We’ve had all kinds of people celebrate their unions since the pandemic shut down most such celebrations. It’s been a beacon of hope during a prolonged period of mass deaths, widespread unemployment and broken dreams. It can’t be the big wedding of people’s dreams, but as long as they can keep the party to fifteen or fewer people, we have been able to help brides and grooms celebrate without waiting a year for their special day.
But with the newly available vaccines, this should be one of the last small wedding parties.
Last week, everyone at the ranch got their shots. Very soon, we’ll be able to expand operations to our hearts’ content.
I pass the watering can over a raised bed of lettuce before saying, “We should revisit building a new structure.”
“Money,” Dakota shrugs. He doesn’t mind spending it, but the wedding business is my work. The hospitality aspect was always his secondary concern, and he’s happy to let me run most of it while he runs the youth-oriented riding camps. He’s more invested in those, both literally and emotionally.
We’ll work it out. We always do.
“Have you heard from Beau?” I ask casually.
“He says he’ll come.” Dakota moves to me. He takes the watering can and sets it down. His arms fold around me, protective. “But we’re not sharing anymore.”
“I know.” That wild night was everything I needed, but I am not eager to repeat the performance. I’m in a different headspace now. I know I am loved. My place is here, and it always will be.
Confined with the CEO and the Bodyguard Page 8
