by Stella Brie
Without letting me go, he carries us into the bedroom. Dropping me onto the bed, he follows a second later.
Breathing heavily, I shove my hair out of my eyes. “I missed you. I love you, Lev.”
Taking my head in his hands, he stares into me, as if to make sure I’m serious. “I love you, sweetheart. I fucking love you so much.” He pulls me into his arms and holds me, as if he is afraid now that he’s said the words.
ON SUNDAY, I DRIVE out to the ranch in my new SUV. In the end, I decided just to get a newer version of my older one. It starts raining hard on the way, so I’m really glad I decided to go by the dealership this morning and pick it up instead of waiting until tomorrow. The vehicle handles well in the rain and mud.
Pulling up to the house, I see all four men waiting for me. Shaw rushes out in the rain with an umbrella. He quickly helps me from the vehicle and into the house. Standing in the foyer, I rub my wet arms, now chilly because of the air conditioner. A sweater is thrust into my arms. I pull it on quickly and turn to thank whoever gave it to me. Thayer sits in his wheelchair behind me.
“Thank you.” I am at a loss for a second. “Won’t you get cold?”
“Not a chance now.” He smirks as he glides off towards the living room.
A smell of citrus and vanilla clings to the sweater. It smells so good. Thayer smells good.
Smiling, I turn towards the rest of them. They are all silently holding a conversation. I’m guessing it was because of Thayer’s gesture.
“We’re becoming...friends, I guess,” I explain.
My face is anxious as I watch them. The last visit here was so brutal, I want them to know Thayer and I have been working things out.
Lowell steps up and gives me one of his cool, controlled kisses. In return, I glare at him. He knows those kisses drive me crazy and make me want to push his buttons. His smirk tells me he’s looking forward to our next round.
“It’s so good to see you here, my dear. I want you to come spend the night with me next Saturday. OK?” Although his invitation is delivered indifferently, his eyes tells me of his need. His hand hooks my hair around my ears while he waits for an answer.
“Yes, I’ll come stay with you next Saturday.”
“Hey, you bastard. You snuck that in there.” Lev crosses his arms as he glowers at Lowell.
“You just spent the night with her,” Lowell snaps back.
“All right. That’s enough. She’s not a toy,” Shaw says as he waves between the two of them. “Since Lev has to finish cooking supper and Lowell has you next week, I guess that means I get you today.” Sprinting forward, he grabs me up and throws me over his shoulder.
“Hey! Don’t you think you should ask me?” My voice is breathless as I hang upside down. A hard smack hits my ass.
“Nope. Lev and Lowell. We’ll see you later.” He waves at the two of them as he strides towards the east side of the house.
Smacking him on the butt, I demand to be let up. “I can’t breathe. Shaw!”
Stopping, he pulls me off his shoulder and into his arms bridal style. “Is that better?”
“Yes. Where are we going?”
“My room.”
“So you can have your way with me?”
“I have plans for your sweet ass. I’ve been dreaming of it lately. So lush and curvy. Waiting for my hand to make it strawberry red. And my cock to be buried so deep inside of you.” Desire flares strongly in his dark brown eyes.
Swallowing hard, I cup his jaw. “I’m all yours.”
His eyes close briefly at those words. “Angel, you won’t regret it.”
Entering his bedroom, he lets my feet drop beside the bed. Cupping my face in his hands, his lips lock onto mine. His kiss is reminiscent of the day in the barn. It’s as if seeing me back in his house, in his bedroom, is dry kindling feeding his desire. His kiss is demanding and relentless.
Turning my head to catch a breath, I step out of his arms. Pushing him backwards to sit on the bed, I stand in front of him so I can strip down to the see-through bra and thong I put on just for him today.
Groaning, he growls softly, “Angel, you’re so fucking beautiful. And mine. All mine.” His hands reach out to pull me against him, but I step back.
Sliding down one bra strap, then the other, I tease him before slowly releasing the clasp and letting it fall. Cupping my breasts in my hands, I tease my nipples into hard points. Lifting them up towards him, I play with them while he watches.
His hand reaches down and unbuttons his jeans. Pulling out his cock, he strokes it while he watches me. “Turn around.” His voice is raspy as he commands me.
I turn very slowly until my back is to him. Hooking my thumbs into my panties, I pull them down, bending over completely to remove them. I pause at the bottom so he can get the full view. He groans and curses.
“Fuck, Angel. Bring that sweet ass over here.”
Facing him, I look down at myself, then him. “Undress first.”
He strips down in three seconds flat.
Laughing hard, I remind him, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m all yours, remember?”
Yanking me between his legs, he licks up the side of my breast and latches onto my nipple. Sucking hard, he waits until my nipples are peaked before biting down. Moaning, I clench my thighs together as I feel the tug below. Switching sides, he does the same to the other one.
While his mouth plays with my breasts, his hands caress my ass. At first he’s light with his touches, barely skimming the surface. Whenever I moan with desire, he massages roughly, as if he can’t contain the need simmering within him.
Pulling his lips from my nipple, his voice is husky as he tells me to get the plug and lube out of the drawer. Walking over, I open the drawer, and my eyes widen with surprise. All kinds of toys are in here, beads and plugs, plus toys for spanking, like the leather flogger. Grabbing the lube and butt plug, I walk back over to him.
“See anything you like in there?”
“I’ve never used most of them. I don’t know their purpose. I like the flogger, though.” His eyes heat up as I admit I want to be flogged.
His head drops down as his lips meet mine. A deep, drugging kiss where he pours gasoline on the fire simmering in me. Gasping, I arch into him. He pulls away.
He guides me over to the side of his legs, then pulls me down across them. My head hanging down the other side, I squirm a bit as I wait for him to spank me. But he doesn’t. Fingers glide silently inside my thighs to my core. Stroking, he spreads my wetness up around my clit a few times. Circling my clit, those clever fingers start playing and stroking it. Biting my lip, I hold in my moans.
I hear a dark chuckle above me before a hand strikes down on my ass. Moaning, I spread my legs further. “That’s it, Angel. I want to hear you. I want to know which touches feel good and which touches drive you fucking crazy. Do you hear me?”
I nod. A hand smacks my ass again. “Yes, I hear you.”
His fingers return to stroking my clit, and I don’t hold back my moans. “More.”
Stopping for a second, I hear him open the bottle of the lube. His hand slips between my legs, spreading liquid all over my back hole. Fingers plunge into my dripping wet pussy, two fingers, stroking me rapidly. Thrusting back, I follow his hand as it leaves.
“Easy, Angel.” His fingers spear me again, but this time his thumb slips into my ass. Now, he’s got fingers in both holes. Clenching my ass, I hear him moan with me. “Let me lube you up so I can put the plug in you.”
I feel liquid drip down onto me. His thumb and fingers pull out and stroke me until I’m coated. I’m so fucking turned on right now. Panting, I raise my ass up in the air for him.
“That’s it, Angel.”
Slowly, he pushes the plug into my ass. I clench down hard at the unfamiliar feeling. A brief second later, he spanks me. Hard.
Inhaling, it takes me a minute to catch up. He establishes a new rhythm. Heat and a sting of pain, followed by desire with a couple
strokes of the plug. Over and over until I am consumed with the need to be fucked hard.
“Shaw, oh, God. Fuck me already. Please.”
“I am, sweetheart. Hold on.” He maneuvers me onto the bed. My knees on the edge, my ass in the air. “Put your head on your hands. Raise your ass a bit more. That’s it.” His hand caresses each cheek. Smack. Caress. Moaning. I feel him remove the plug and position the head of his cock at my back hole. “Now, I want you to bear down when I push forward. Got it?” His voice is tight as he instructs me.
“Yes, fuck, yes. Shaw, please.”
The head of his cock inches forward until the head is all the way in. Fuck. He stretches me wide. I breathe in and out. He fills me up as he slides the rest of his cock into me. Breathing slowly, I absorb the feeling. Smack. My ass tightens when he spanks me, and he groans. Stroking slowly, he alternates between rubbing my ass and spanking it. I’m delirious as I wait for each one. He picks up speed.
“Touch yourself, Angel. Now. Play with that clit. Stroke it.” I moan. “That’s it. You’re so fucking beautiful. Your ass wrapped around my cock. Are you close? Tell me, Angel.”
“Fuck, Shaw. So close. Please. Faster. I’m right there.” Almost whining, my body tightens as I stroke my clit in rhythm with him. Heat gathers, blood rushes, my heart pounds. I race towards the edge. Just need one more push. “Spank me. Now.”
His hand smacks down, twice. It was the push I needed. I give a long moan as I come, clenching around his cock. Waves of heat and pleasure roll through me. He jerks twice, and I feel him pulse before warmth releases inside me. He gives a long, low moan. Stroking my ass softly, he stays inside me for a minute while he catches his breath.
“Angel, I’m going to slide out now, OK?”
I merely nod my head. Speaking is too much effort right now.
As he slides out, wet trickles down my leg. I don’t move. A couple seconds later, a warm washcloth takes care of me. Flopping down to my side, I stare up at Shaw. His eyes are almost black with desire, and something else.
“I love you, Angel. Now. Tomorrow. For all time.” He sweeps my hair back so he can see my eyes clearly.
Rising, I pull him towards me. “I love you, Shaw.” Giving him a kiss, I let myself flop back down. “Can we stay here for a while? I’m exhausted.”
Laughing, he slides down onto the bed and pulls me up close to him. “Let’s take a little nap before supper, OK?” Kissing my forehead, he wraps his big body around mine and pulls a blanket over us.
CHAPTER 40
KATE
We all settle into a pattern over the next few weeks. I spend Saturdays and Sundays at the ranch. Shaw and I often go horseback riding or fishing. Lev and I cook together and plan out his new winery. Lowell and I read, play chess, and plot out books. It’s been incredible. Thayer and I have become colleagues and friends, sharing medical journals and watching movies together. Thankfully, I don’t see Collin at all when I look at him anymore. Even though he hasn’t removed the contacts around me yet. We both know his eyes will take some time.
Thayer’s been back at the office now for two months. And in that time, we’ve gotten to know each other’s medical expertise. We often bounce treatment plans off each other, and it’s a relief to have someone of his experience backing me up.
It’s Friday, and we’re walking through a final recap of our patients for the week. “Mr. Carlisle doesn’t have any past history of blood pressure issues, does he?”
Rubbing his chin, Thayer responds. “No, he’s healthy as a damn horse. I don’t know how, because his diet sucks, he rarely exercises, and he drinks like a fish. Why?”
“He asked me for a prescription for Viagra.”
Spitting out his drink, Thayer roars with laughter. “That sly dog. I wonder who he’s dating?”
“I could have sworn he said Paula? Anyway, I’m guessing it’s fine for me to get him a prescription.” I jot down a note to call in his new prescription.
“Paula? Our office manager Paula?” His face is shocked as he questions me.
“No, you think?” Trying to picture those two together, my mouth twists, trying to hold back my laughter.
“She’s the only Paula in town. Unless it’s someone in Helena. Good for her!” Laughing, he takes a drink.
“Well, we want our staff taken care of, don’t we?”
“Our staff?” He lowers the glass.
“Sorry, I meant your staff.” Stunned, I stiffen. I forgot I’m only working here temporarily.
“Hey, it’s okay. I like the sound of ‘our staff.’” He rolls around to my side. Taking my hand in his, he waits until my gaze finds his. “I mean it. It caught me by surprise, but I like the idea of working with you on a permanent basis.”
Biting my lip, I think about those words. Permanent. I haven’t had a permanent situation in a long time. Even though I’d told them all I was staying, I hadn’t thought about what that would mean for me. “Thank you. I like working with you, too.” It was really sweet of Thayer to offer that reassurance. I reach over and give him a peck on the cheek. “I appreciate the sentiment.”
“It’s not a sentiment. I mean it. Just think about it, OK?” His fingers play with my hand. “Can I ask you something?”
“Absolutely.”
“Do you ever see me as a man?”
Shock holds me still as I think about the question before answering honestly. “I think I’ve sort of ignored that part of you.” Easing back to look at him closely, I look at him objectively. “You’re an incredibly handsome man. Smart, funny, sexy. But I’ve blocked it out.”
“Sexy? You think I’m sexy? How could you block out all this sexiness? Damn, I’ve totally lost my touch!” His wide grin tells me he’s not offended by my comments. “I’m hurt. I think you’re incredibly sexy, too. Smart, partially funny, caring, generous, compassionate, sexy. Did I say sexy twice?”
Blushing, I smack him with my hand. “Stop.”
“Would you kiss me?” His voice is husky as he asks.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea, Thayer.” I search his face to see if he’s serious. “Besides, you’re being greedy. I just gave you a kiss.”
“That light brush against my cheek? That was a kiss? I don’t think my brothers have been kissing you properly if you think that was a kiss. I mean a deep, passionate, fuck me kiss. One that steals your breath and heart at the same time. That’s the kind of kiss I want from you.”
Inhaling sharply, I stand and pull my hand from his. Ignoring the tingle, I reach out and squeeze his shoulder before walking out. I can’t answer him right now. How did I miss the signs that he wanted something more?
CHAPTER 41
THAYER
Entering the living room, I head straight towards the bar cart in the corner and pour myself a bourbon. Going to the windows, I drink and stare at nothing.
She doesn’t even see me as a man. I would say that brought to my knees, but you know. My fist pounds on the chair. Fuck this stupid piece of metal. Fuck me. Watching her be in love with my brothers and seeing her respond to them, it is fucking torture. It took time for me to see past my fears, but lately all I see is her. And she doesn’t see me...at all.
I’m staring down into my glass when I sense someone in the room. Looking up, my eyes meet Shaw’s. It would be him. Quiet fucking bastard. Toasting him with my glass, I turn back to staring outside.
“What’s wrong?”
“I asked Kate to kiss me.” I grimace. “She was shocked. Hadn’t even thought of me in that way, or so she says. A colleague and a friend.” Giving a harsh laugh, I take another drink.
“What the fuck?” His voice is hard as he questions my sanity.
“Nothing happened. Although not for lack of want on my part.” I take a sip of the bourbon and feel its burn. “How the hell am I going to get her to see me as a man? I’m half a man right now. This fucking wheelchair. I’m not the man I used to be, and I don’t know how to be the man I am right now.” My voice dr
ops as I confess my fears. What the hell am I even thinking? What do I have to offer her?
“OK, let’s slow down for a second. Why do you want Kate to kiss you? I thought you were fine with just being her friend. What changed?”
“She’s incredible. I watch her when she’s here with you, Lev and Lowell. Being around her all the time, I can’t help noticing all these little things about her. The movies she likes, her favorite foods, the smell of her hair, the frown she gets when she’s thinking about a patient, her excitement over horseback riding...I could go on and on. Is this what you see?” Need pounds in me. Need for her attention. Her love.
Growling, Shaw rubs his face with his hands. “You never do things the easy way, do you? You’re falling for her, and she isn’t even aware of you. I guess we did a great job in getting her to see you as a doctor and a friend. Seeing you as a man, though? I think you are going to have to handle this one on your own. But if she shows any inclination to be with you, then you must sit down and talk to us about it. Full transparency. She’s ours. She can also be yours, if SHE wants it. Until then, you need to tread lightly.”
“I don’t know how to get her to see me as a man. If I wasn’t in this fucking wheelchair, I’d wine and dine her. But I’m not the old me. I’m...whatever the fuck this is. And with her past, why would she want a man in a wheelchair again? I’m so fucking delusional.” My hands grip the glass, tempted to throw it against the wall.
Shaw reaches out and takes the glass from me. “You still underestimate her. Don’t. If you want her to see you as a man, act like one. A wheelchair isn’t going to make a damn bit of difference.” With a hard stare, he sets the glass on the table and walks out of the room.
Could he be right? Should I just ask her on a date? I asked her for a kiss, and she said no. I don’t want to fuck this up. She’s too important.