My Salvation: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance

by Stella Brie

  Unbelievable. I haven’t caught a thing, not one tiny little fish yet. It’s like he’s a fishing ninja.

  Laughing at the look of jealousy on my face, he releases his fish back into the water.

  My stomach growls as I watch him let the fish go. “So, what’s in the picnic basket?”

  “Are you giving up so quickly?”

  “Nope. Just think this date would be better if you would feed me.” Scowling at him, I wade over.

  “Ouch, my Angel is grumpy.” Kissing me on my nose, he reaches for my pole.

  We walk back up to bank, trade our waders for our shoes, and head over to the truck. He hops up into the bed, lays down some cushions and a blanket, and pulls out the picnic basket. Hopping back down, he grips me around the waist and lifts me into the truck. I scramble back towards the cushion and plop down.

  As we’re under the shade of the tree, I take off my hat and smooth a hand over my ponytail. Shaw hands me a glass of ice water. While I drink up, he pulls out several containers and plates. Opening them, I notice we have sandwiches, fruit, cheese, crackers, and some kind of dip. Plus a bottle of wine.

  “Yum! Lev knows how to pack a picnic.”

  “Excuse me?” Glaring at me, he motions to himself. “I’ll have you know I put this together, not Lev.”

  “Oops, sorry.”

  Smiling, I lean over and kiss him softly on the lips. When I lean back, he’s sitting there with his eyes closed and a small smile on his face. A minute later, his eyes open, his brown eyes molten as they run over me.

  “That’s the first kiss you’ve ever given me,” he points out.

  “I’ve given you several kisses.”

  “Not one I didn’t initiate first. It feels damn good.” He pours some wine into a glass and holds it up for me to take before grabbing his own. “Cheers. To our first date, and to new fishing adventures.” Clinking glasses, he takes a drink, then leans over to pop a strawberry into my mouth. “Mmm, I’m starving.”

  Leaning back on the cushions, we eat and laugh and talk for a while. Once the picnic is cleared, Shaw moves the basket and pulls me into his arms.

  Sweeping the hair back from my face, his chocolate brown eyes stare down at me, as if to see into my soul and secrets. Languidly, he lowers his head and captures my lips with his own. Fire instantly erupts between us, but he reins it in, keeping the kiss from raging out of control. Pulling his lips from mine, he suckles on my lower lip before swiping his tongue over it.

  “So, how was your first day of fishing?” he asks huskily. His lips trail down the vee of my T-shirt, while his hand slips up my bare leg to the bottom hem of my shorts.

  “Fishing?” I’m breathless as I try to answer him. My body jerks slightly whenever he touches a sensitive spot. “It’s peaceful out here and soothes my soul. I’m not sure about the fishing. It would be nice if I actually caught a fish instead of just standing there watching while you catch them.” My fingers run through his silky brown hair.

  “It’s your first day. It’ll happen.” His hand skims inside the hem of my shorts, causing me to inhale sharply. He smiles at my reaction to that smallest of touches. “And was the date as bad as you thought it would be?” With his hand caressing my thigh and those soft lips scattering kisses on my cleavage, the teasing is driving me crazy.

  “I’ll tell you when it’s over. So far, it’s been torturous.” Wiggling, I try to move in closer to him, but he holds me in place as he teases me. “Please.”

  Stopping, he gazes up at me before closing the distance between us and aligning his body tightly with mine. Wrapping my arms around him, I settle in close. Like Lev, he’s definitely got some muscle, and he’s tall like Lowell, so overall I’m feeling tiny and protected.

  Shaw moves his hand further into my shorts so he can grip my ass. His fingers spread wide, mapping every inch of that cheek. “I’ve been wanting to get my hands on your ass for months, ever since you first tried on those jodhpurs. Never has a pair of clothing turned me on so badly until you walked out in those tight tan pants and presented me with your ass.” His fingers continue to caress and squeeze before he grips it hard. “I’m only going to say this once. This Is Mine. I claim this beautiful ass. One day I’m going to lick it, bite it, spank it, and hopefully, fuck it. Do you hear me?”

  “So, you’re thinking long-term now, huh?”

  “Yes, damn it. I’m in this for the long haul. Now say it.”

  My breath hitches as I think about all he is claiming. “I’m yours. My ass is yours. To lick, to bite, to spank, and to fuck.”

  With those words, his tight control vanishes. Reaching up, he captures my lips, delving deep while his hands roam over my body. Wherever he touches, fires spring up and burn. Where Lev’s like the sun, all warmth and laughter, Shaw is an inferno. Soon, my entire body is blazing with need. Gasping, I wrench back my head for some desperately needed air.

  “Are you OK, Angel?”

  Biting my lip, I tell him, “Yes, I want to feel you.”

  Trailing my hands down his shirt, I motion for him to remove it. Sitting up, he strips off his shirt and lays back down. Placing my lips on his neck, I breathe in the spice from his cologne. Something about the smell makes me ravenous. Licking his neck up to his ear, I hear him groan.

  Rolling us over so I’m on top, he places my hands on his chest. Smiling, I softly brush my hands over each muscle from his shoulders down to his abs. Shaw grips my ass and holds me down tight to his cock. Whenever I touch a sensitive spot, he squeezes my cheeks as he thrusts up.

  “This isn’t fair, is it?” Mischievously, I grab the hem of my shirt. Slowly lifting it, I glance down at him. “But it is our first date.” Releasing the hem, I watch as he frowns fiercely before dropping his head back down with a groan. “Just kidding.” I whip off my shirt.

  His hands finally move from my ass to another part of my body. I’m wearing a red, lacy bra, with very little coverage. “Fuck, Angel. You’re so beautiful.”

  Cupping and pushing my breasts together, he leans up and kisses between them. Licking each mound, one hand tweaks my nipple as his other hand reaches around to the clasp in the back. As he falls back down, he pulls off my bra.

  As the air hits my breasts, my first inclination is to cover them. “Hello. We’re outside.”

  He grabs on to my hands and holds them out to the sides. “Nobody’s out here for miles, Angel. I want to burn this memory into my brain so I can pull it up whenever I want.”

  His brown eyes catalog every inch of my breasts. Reaching up, he softly kisses each bullet wound. Pulling me into his arms, he squeezes me tight. A frown sits on his face as he lays back down, fingers now tracing over the wounds.

  My fingers smooth out the frown lines on his face. Waiting until he looks up at me directly, I smile to let him know I’m okay. His muscles relax as his fingers move from the wounds to my breasts, mapping the edges, while his thumbs lightly flick my nipples until they’re stiff peaks.

  Freeing my hands, I use my nails to glide over his nipples. He inhales sharply as I lightly flick them until they are as hard and stiff as mine. “Dirty, Angel.” He laughs, unknowingly shooting an arrow of desire as the sound reverberates inside of me.

  Scooting back a little, I lower my head to lick and suck on his nipples before trailing down to the taut skin right above the waistband of his jeans. Sucking hard, I hear him moan as he almost bucks me off. Switching to the other side, I place my hand on his jeans, right over his cock so as he bucks, he surges right into my hand. Pushing down, I use my hand to grip him until I hear him swear loudly.

  Raising my head, I see his hands coming towards me. Gripping my shoulders, he hauls us both up into a sitting position as he gives me a hard kiss. Using my hair, he pulls me backward until my breasts are offered up to him for his feast. And feast he does. His tongue swipes over every miniscule inch of my breasts. Moaning and whimpering, I blaze as I wait for his lips to sweep over and add to the fire.

  Tugging at his hair
, I wait until he lifts his head before capturing him in a fierce kiss. Tongue sweeping and sucking, I show him how turned on I am by him. Sliding my core over his, I rock back and forth before pushing him back down on the bed of the truck. Placing my hands on his chest, my breasts sway faster as I pick up the pace.

  “Angel, baby, fuck, you look magnificent riding me. Let me help you.”

  Gripping my hips, he takes over. Arching my back, I grind down on top of him, wanting to feel his cock between my legs as he rocks us back and forth, gradually speeding up. The breeze caresses my breasts like the lightest of touches, and I whimper.

  I reach down and unbutton my shorts so I can slip in my hand and reach my clit. Shaw lifts his head to watch. Raising up, I dip my finger into my wetness and glide my finger up to my clit. Stroking it a few times, I moan. I’m close. My body rocks back and forth with Shaw, while my finger strokes faster on my clit. That’s it. That’s the pressure. My finger’s flying as I bring myself to the edge, before I stop and hold it firmly on the tip.

  “Shaw!”

  Looking down at him, a light sheen covers his body. His eyes are fierce as they watch me fall apart above him. My body is taut, my breaths hard, and my moans loud as I come. Falling, I lay on top of him as little tremors race over me. He strokes his hands over my bare back until I calm.

  Lifting my head, I blush. Turning our first date into outdoor sex wasn’t exactly in my plans. Cupping my face in his hands, he kisses me over and over. “You’re so beautiful when you come, Angel. Soft and fierce, you give yourself entirely to the moment. Next time, I’m going to be inside you. I want to feel you wrapped tightly around my cock, squeezing every inch of me. And it’s going to be soon. We’ve wasted so much time, I don’t want to waste any more.”

  I give him my answer in a kiss. Moving off him, he groans lightly but helps me find my clothes and get dressed. Slipping on his shirt, he helps me into the passenger seat before going to grab our fishing gear. Once we’re loaded, he gets into the driver’s side and leans over to kiss me.

  “I’ve changed my mind. We can come fishing anytime you want as long as there’s food, especially dessert.” Squeezing my hand, he laughs as he takes us back to the house.

  We meet Lev as he’s leaving. “How was the fishing, sweetheart?”

  “Well, I didn’t catch any fish, but dessert was delicious.” Winking, I throw a grin at them both.

  Lev roars. “I’ll have to tell you all about my first time fishing with Shaw sometime.” Not knowing Shaw has already told this story, I smile. Looking at Shaw, he tells him, “I’ve moved upstairs, and Thayer’s stuff is now in my room. I’m going to his rehab session but wanted to let you know. The doctor called with good news. The swelling has receded, which means Thayer can come home at the end of this week. He’ll need to continue his rehab, but they don’t believe surgery is necessary.”

  Shaw asks him a few more questions, but I’ve tuned them out. Biting my lip, I worry how Thayer’s presence will impact our relationship.

  CHAPTER 30

  KATE

  Anxiety plays with me all week. My gut instinct, razor sharp from the last few years, is pinging loudly. A warning that things are about to change. Since the incident, this has typically meant someone had uncovered my past, which meant I’d have to leave town. This time, I can’t tell exactly, but I don’t like the feeling. I’ve finally found happiness and a possible future here, and it would break me to lose them.

  The guys texted and called me all week, but it’s been the quietest and loneliest week since I started this position. They’ve been busy installing ramps and moving furniture to clear space for Thayer to maneuver around the house in his wheelchair. Sarah had gone to Los Angeles to see her new leading man, and with summer in full swing, patients were few and far between.

  I’d let Brittany go early today so she could run some errands for her wedding. Paula was manning the front desk, while I was back in my office “working.” If you can count doodling and daydreaming working.

  I’m startled when the phone rings. I look down to see who’s calling. Smiling, my voice is husky when I pick up. “Hello, Lowell.”

  Silent for a second, I can feel his focus shift to the phone at my greeting. “Hello, dear. I heard you had a delightful trip to the winery with Lev, and a rousing fishing trip with Shaw.” He pauses for a second. “No, I don’t know any details, but knowing those two, I can guess. And I’m jealous. Which brings me to the reason I’m calling you. The Montana Club is having their salsa night. Would you accompany me?” He pauses. “And I’d love for you to stay here with me tonight. In my bed. You know, the one with the loops?”

  My body clenches as I think about the last time I was in his room, my hands captured by those loops. Clearing my throat, my body shifts in anticipation as I answer excitedly, “I’d love to go dancing and stay with you tonight, Lowell. What time should I be ready?

  “Six o’clock. See you soon, my dear.”

  About an hour later, I close up the practice and head upstairs to get ready. Thankfully, I’d had a full wax earlier in the week and could just grab a quick shower. After carefully applying a dramatic look, I pull my damp hair back into a sleek bun. Padding into the bedroom, I choose the sexy dress I bought specifically for dancing with Lowell. It’s a black, halter neck dress, skimming tight to the body until just past my rear, where it flares into a sheer flirty miniskirt. The back is non-existent. Sitting down, I rub scented lotion on my body and pull on strappy gold sandals to complete the look.

  As I enter the living room, Lowell knocks on the door. Opening it, I smile as I skim my eyes down his long, lean body. Mmm...he looks smart and sexy tonight. No blazer. Just a black button down and black pants. Looking back up to his face, I notice he’s slightly pale, with dark circles shadowing his face.

  His eyes brighten as he takes in my little black dress. “Hmmm. You look sexy. Are you ready?” The question seems to be asking for more than one answer.

  Picking up my overnight bag, I hand it to him. “I’m ready.” Grabbing my purse and locking the door, I follow him out to his SUV.

  When we walk into the Montana Club twenty minutes later, I see a few familiar faces from our last visit, including my favorite person, Vivienne. She frowns as we enter before turning back to her companion. Sliding my eyes to Lowell, I see him dismiss her before reaching over to grasp my hand. Squeezing it, he places it in the crook of his arm and leads me to our table.

  After ordering a light meal, I sit back and take a sip of my wine. “Lowell, darling, are you sure you want to salsa tonight? You look exhausted. We can have dinner and go to your house and just relax this evening?”

  Encircling my wrist with his fingers, he turns my hand over and brings it to his mouth. Placing a kiss in the center of my palm, he responds quietly, “It’s been a busy week preparing the house for Thayer and finishing the first draft of my book. Tonight is my reward for the hard work. Salsa and you in that dress. Us in my bed.” His green eyes smolder as his mind feeds his imagination and desire.

  I breathe deeply in and out as I try to ease the ache from his words. The man was definitely born to be a writer.

  “So, tell me about your latest book.”

  He smirks as he takes in the rise and fall of my chest, and the change in subject. “It’s a new series I’m working on, where the main character is a woman spy, but her allegiance is unknown.”

  He tells me the premise for the first book while we eat. Once dinner is cleared, they start the “lesson” portion of the night for those individuals who don’t know how to salsa.

  “I’d like to join the lesson, if you don’t mind. It’s been a while since I danced the salsa.” Remembering how our last lesson went, I’m looking forward to teasing Lowell. Or is it challenging him?

  Stepping on to the dance floor, the instructor begins with the basic front to back eight count. As I step, I exaggerate the swivel of my hips. Lowell’s eyes are drawn down just in time to see my skirt flare scandalously high
to the tops of my thighs, letting him get a brief glimpse of my scarlet thong.

  His eyes darken, and he smiles dangerously. “Are you ready for tonight’s lesson?”

  “I’m all yours.” My intent and submission are inherent in the small statement.

  On our first date, Lowell’s personality seemed to reflect the tenets of the tango. A perfect mirror. Precise and controlled. Pleasure where he placed or denied it. I wouldn’t have thought the salsa would fit his personality at all. The moves are too fluid and relaxed, based on the feeling generated by the dance. A strong outward display of emotions is something Lowell usually avoids. But the confident look in his eyes suggests I’m in for a surprise tonight.

  We dance the basic steps for the first few minutes. Forward, back, side to side. Hips swiveling in tune with each other. The lesson portion ends, and as the dancing begins, he flings me out to the side. Swirling, I come back, and he bends me over his arm, bringing our hips close, rolling with me from the side, back to the front. My lower body is pressed entirely against his as I swing around, feeling the force of his desire. The fluidity and power in this first move assures me his command of the dance, and me, is absolute.

  Throwing back my head, I laugh with sheer excitement before whipping up and catching one of his hands. Twirling, I step to his side and swivel before twirling back towards him to catch the other hand he is holding out. The fast pace of the music drums a sensual beat into my blood, every step designed to entice and capture Lowell. My hips roll as I move into his body, the motion a mimic of what’s coming later.

  Unexpectedly, the raw passion and emotion he’s displaying are breathtaking. They pour out in a blur, resulting in moves designed to inspire lust and need. Tonight, he’s someone else, someone with the blood born to move like this, his body alive with need instead of just demanding mine.

  We shift and move rapidly. Owning the dance, the floor, and each other. Our hands flying as fast as our feet, our bodies curve towards each other and flow back out. As the music nears the end, we slow, coming in tight together, every line of our bodies flush, as if we’re one body stepping forward and back instead of two. The music gets softer and softer until it ends. We stop. Still in each other’s arms, we stare at each other as we catch our breath. The sound of clapping intrudes and pops our bubble.