by Becca Van
“We have plenty of time,” Maddox said. “A few of the hands are going to help. I’ve got a couple of men riding and fixing fences, and another two are checking all the automatic troughs.”
“Sounds good,” Haden said. “I’ve organized for a load of feed to arrive first thing tomorrow.”
“Sammy, we need to get to your place to pack your things up, baby,” Maddox said.
“You all don’t have to help me. I’m sure you’ve got enough around here to do. If one of you could just drop Lily and me off at the apartment and pick us up later, this afternoon, that should be enough time for me to pack and clean.”
“Not happening, Sammy,” Maddox said emphatically. “We can have you and Lily moved faster if we all help.
“Say good-bye to Bella, Lily. We can come back later and see the horsies. Okay?” Logan asked.
“Okay, Lohan,” Lily said.
“Do you need anything from the house, sweetheart?” Haden asked.
“I need my purse and the apartment keys.”
“We’ll meet you at the truck.” Haden nodded to his brothers before moving aside. Maddox dropped his arm from around Sammy’s waist and then stepped back to give her room. Sammy turned toward him, and when she was beside him, he couldn’t stop himself from lacing his fingers with hers. She peeked up at him from beneath her lashes, blushed, and dropped her gaze again when he winked at her.
When they entered the house, Sammy turned to speak to him, but he couldn’t hold out any longer. He cupped her cheeks between his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. He brushed his lips back and forth over her soft lips, and when they parted on a sigh, he licked into her mouth.
She moaned softly, her small cool hands coming up to grasp his wrists as he curled and twirled his tongue around hers. His body hardened even more when she melted against him. Keeping one hand against her cheek, he caressed his thumb over her soft smooth skin, combed his fingers into her thick blond hair, clutching at the strands as he angled her head.
One of her hands landed on his chest, resting over his pounding heart while the other moved to the back of his neck as she threaded her fingers into his hair.
Haden took the kiss deeper. He ate at her mouth like a starving man, and she responded just as hungrily. He dropped his hand to her shoulder and then smoothed it down her back, urging her closer when his hand was on her lower back. She moved tighter into him, but when she felt his erection, she broke the kiss and stepped away from him.
Haden wanted to pull her back into his embrace, against his body, but she turned and hurried out of the room. He gasped for breath, trying to slow his pounding heart and shallow breathing.
As he waited for her to return with her purse, he hoped that his over eagerness hadn’t just fucked everything up for him and his brothers. The last thing he wanted was Sammy running scared because of the attraction simmering between the four of them.
He and his siblings hadn’t even told her they wanted a relationship with her. If he hadn’t been so worried she’d change her mind about moving in with them, he would have followed her to the bedroom and declared what their intentions were. Nonetheless, he stayed right where he was and tried to get his raging libido back under wraps.
Maddox and Logan would kill him if he’d managed to scare Sammy away.
* * * *
Sammy couldn’t believe she’d let Haden kiss her, or that she’d kissed him back. While she was very aware of the polyandrous relationships in and around Slick Rock, she’d never imagined herself involved in one.
Yes, you have. Stop lying to yourself.
Oh, shut up.
As she hurried toward the bedroom, she tried to ignore the melting heat in her lower abdomen, the moisture leaking onto her folds, and how achy her breasts and nipples were. Trying to ignore her still tingling lips and throbbing clit was another story. She’d been kissed before since she’d been in a relationship with Todd. However, he was the only man she’d kissed and made love with. The way her body was humming after kissing Haden didn’t even compare to her experiences with Todd and sex.
Their lovemaking had been lukewarm. Todd had been a selfish lover, pursuing his own release without bothering with her. That should have been a clue as to the type of man her ex was.
Sammy didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or flattered that such a handsome man was attracted to her. She’d be lying to herself if she denied seeing the heat in the three Keegan brothers’ gazes when directed her way, but she didn’t think it was a good idea to encourage them.
After Todd, she hadn’t thought she’d ever want to be in another relationship again, but she was very tempted to break her silent vow, but Lily came first and foremost always. She had no idea how her baby girl would feel about her momma being with three men. It wasn’t now she needed to worry about, but when she grew older. Would her daughter be shocked and revolted that her mom was having sex with three men rather than one?
When she realized what she was thinking, she pushed her introspection aside. Sammy had no need to be thinking such things. For all she knew, the Keegan men were just in lust with her. If that was the case, then she wasn’t about to entangle herself up in an emotional whirlwind with three men where she’d just end up getting hurt. Again.
With a sigh of frustration, she grabbed her purse and headed back down the hall. When she saw Haden waiting for her at the front door, she lowered her gaze, using her long hair to hide her blushing cheeks. She stopped a few feet from him, peering up at him from beneath her eyelashes, and when she saw the grin on his face, she wanted to say something to wipe it off.
Sammy was horrified over that thought because she’d never had nasty tendencies or even thoughts before. Haden and his brothers had her twisted in knots, and she didn’t know which way to turn. She had no idea if Haden had kissed her because he was curious or if he just wanted a taste, or what.
“After you, sweetheart,” he said after he opened the door, sweeping his hand toward the doorway.
Sammy rushed over the threshold, making sure she didn’t brush up against him, and hurried toward the truck where his brothers and her daughter were waiting.
Logan was standing at the open back door, and as soon as she was within reach, he clasped her waist and lifted her onto the seat. She gasped when she saw Lily sitting in a brand-new car seat already strapped in. “Why?” she asked, meeting Maddox’s gaze. Even though he was in the driver’s seat, he was half turned around.
“Because we don’t want anything happening to Lily, or you, if we have a car accident. Not that we’re planning to, but sometimes shi…stuff happens.”
“I can’t afford—”
“Stop, Sammy. This is on us. If we’re going to be driving our girls places, then we’re going to do it safely.”
Sammy didn’t know what to say. Tears of gratitude stung her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. She turned toward Logan when he passed her the seat belt, and she busied herself by clipping it into place. Logan skirted the back of the truck and was just about to reach the back passenger door handle, but Haden beat his brother to it. Only because he’d shoved Logan out of the way to get there first.
She couldn’t help but giggle over their antics even if it was teaching her baby bad manners.
“Lohan, you’re sitting next to me.” Lily clapped her hands excitedly. Logan put his seat belt on before closing the truck door. He surprised the hell out of her when he bent down to kiss Lily on the cheek.
Sammy turned to stare out the window even though she wasn’t seeing anything, sniffing and blinking as she tried to stop the tears of emotions warming her heart from flowing. Logan, Haden, and Maddox were so patient and sweet when it came to dealing with her baby. And they were very aware of curbing their swearing around her daughter, too. She hadn’t even said anything. If they continued, she was going to end up falling in love with the three brothers.
She had a feeling she was well and truly on that headlong path already. She just hoped that the road didn’t lead to a
dead end, because she wasn’t sure she could handle more emotional turmoil.
“Where we going, Mad?” Lily asked.
Sammy wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to her baby’s way of saying and shortening the Keegan men’s names, but she was glad the guys didn’t seem to be bothered by her pronunciation.
“We’re going to your home, sweet pea,” Maddox replied.
Lily’s smile changed to a petulant frown, her lower lip pushed out into an exaggerated pout. “No!” she yelled. “Don’ wanna go home.”
“Lily Ann Reilly,” Sammy said in a stern voice, which had no effect. Once Lily got something in mind, she was stubborn to a fault. She crossed her little arms over her chest and started kicking her legs in protest.
“Lily,” Logan said in a soft deep voice.
Lily sighed with resignation and stopped her imminent temper tantrum.
“We’re not going to be staying at your old home, Lily. We’re going to pack yours and your momma’s things up. You and your mom are going to be living with us at the ranch from now on.”
“Yay,” Lily cheered excitedly. “I can see the horsies all the time.”
“You can, but only if Maddox, Haden, or I are with you. Horses are big and get scared easily. If they get scared, they could hurt you. Promise me that you’ll never visit the horses or the cows by yourself,” Logan demanded.
“I pwomise, Lohan.”
“You’re a good girl, munchkin. I’m proud of you.”
Lily smiled and then turned to Sammy. There was hero worship in her eyes, and once more she hoped that she wasn’t getting her and Lily into an impending hurtful situation.
She’d never forgive herself if her daughter got her heart broken.
* * * *
Maddox could tell by the shit-eating grin and the excited aura coming from Haden that something must have happened between him and Sammy while they’d been in the house. He wanted to pump his brother for information, but he didn’t want Lily hearing, and he didn’t want to embarrass their woman.
Other than trying to deal with Lily’s stubborn outburst, Sammy had spent the entire ride back to her apartment looking out the passenger-side window. Every now and then, he heard her sigh and wondered what she was thinking about.
If he had to hazard a guess, she was thinking about whatever she and Haden had gotten up to. Maddox just hoped that his youngest brother hadn’t scared her off. Sammy had Lily unbuckled and in her arms before Logan could help. When she slid out of the truck without waiting for help, Maddox had had enough.
He waited quietly while she rummaged around in her purse with one hand, while holding Lily on her hip with her other arm around her daughter. Without saying a word, he plucked Lily out of Sammy’s hold and handed her to Haden. Haden hugged the little girl to his chest, smiling down at her when Lily started playing with the hair on Haden’s face.
“That tickles,” Lily said, her shoulders up around her ears as she giggled. Haden laughed as he lowered his head, rubbing his soft whiskers against Lily’s cheek.
Sammy unlocked and opened the door, stepping aside to allow them to follow her into the room.
Maddox waited until his brothers walked by, grasped her hand in his, and led her down the very short hall toward the bedroom. As soon as he stepped inside the room, he closed the door behind him, leaning back against the door with his arms over his chest.
“What’s wrong?” Sammy frowned.
“You’re what’s wrong, baby.” He straightened, uncrossed his arms, and stalked toward her. Sammy backed up each time he took a step forward.
“What—”
He didn’t give her a chance to finish. “Why didn’t you let Logan get Lily out of the seat? Why didn’t you let Haden help you out of the truck? Instead of waiting, you lifted Lily into your arms and slid down to the ground. What if you’d stumbled? You and your baby could have ended up getting hurt.”
Sammy gnawed on her lip. “I’m just used to doing everything by myself. I didn’t even think about it.”
He cupped her face between her hands, rested his forehead against hers, and sighed. He raised his head and stared into her eyes again. “I know it’s going to take time for us to earn your trust, baby, but you don’t have to do everything by yourself any more. You have three strong men to help you. Let us lift Lily in and out of the truck and car seat. Let us carry her for you.”
Sammy shook her head with a perplexed expression on her face. Maddox knew it was time to tell her what he and his brothers wanted with her. He had no idea if Haden had told Sammy that they wanted to have a relationship with her, but knowing his younger brother, he wouldn’t have thought that far ahead. In fact, his brother probably hadn’t thought beyond his hard dick.
“Why would—”
Maddox slanted his mouth over hers, sliding his tongue along and twirling it around her tongue.
Heat pooled low in his belly, and his half-hard cock engorged until it was so stiff, he was sure the skin was going to split. He devoured her mouth, exploring every nook and cranny, savoring her feminine flavor on his tongue.
When he wrapped an arm around her waist, brought her up against his body, and then palmed her ass, Sammy whimpered. But she didn’t pull away. Instead, she shuffled closer until they were pressed so tightly together, he was sure he wouldn’t be able to get anything between them. He canted his pelvis forward, delighting in her groan when his hard cock pushed against her stomach. Though he knew he was moving too fast, he couldn’t seem to help himself. He grasped one of her sexy butt cheeks, kneading the flesh and muscle until she moaned.
All too soon, Sammy was drawing away from him. He panted for air, trying to slow his rapid heart rate and his shallow breathing. He was pleased to see that Sammy was in the same predicament. When she crossed her arms over her chest, he glanced down and then swallowed back the groan building in his throat when he saw her hard little nipples poking against her light sweater.
“What?” She placed one hand against her chest, between her lush breasts, and the fingers of her other hand rested on her lips. Dropping her arms back down to her side and sucking in another breath, she asked, “What the hell was that?”
“If you don’t know, then your ex was an idiot.”
Sammy stamped her foot, crossed her arms, and scowled up at him. “This is no time for jokes, Maddox. What the hell are you and your brothers playing at?”
“We aren’t playing,” he answered.
“What?”
“I said we aren’t playing, baby.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “My brothers and I are all very attracted to you. Sammy, we want to have a relationship with you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re gorgeous, loving, and kind. We’ve been waiting for years for that one special woman to come along and complete us, baby. You’re that woman, Sammy.”
She shook her head. “But what if I’m not? What if this”—she pointed to him and then to herself—“doesn’t work out? Where will that leave Lily and I? If we move into your home and you all realize I’m not who you think I am, I’ll be homeless.” She turned away from him, walked toward the window, and stared out. “I can’t do this, Maddox. Lily and I aren’t moving in with you.”
“The fuck you aren’t.” He grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I can honestly say that I’ve never felt the way I do about you for another woman, Sammy. Please, give me, us, a chance. You’re looking at this all wrong, baby. What if it does work out? Are you willing to throw this chance, me and my brothers away without even trying?”
“I have Lily to think about,” she said. “I’m not going to jump into bed with you, Logan, and Haden unless I’m sure.”
“And we don’t expect you to, baby,” Maddox said and knew he’d surprised her by agreeing with her. “We’ll give you all the time you need to decide what you want, but I’m not letting you renege on the decision to move in with us. I’d be worried about yo
u all the time and never get any work done. I can tell by your loose clothes that you’ve lost weight because you’ve been skipping meals. If you live with us, there’ll be plenty of food for Lily and you.”
Relief surged through him when Sammy nodded.
Now that she knew what he and his brothers wanted with her, he hoped that she’d be more in tune with the sparks flying between them and her.
Maddox wanted everything with her. He wanted to get married, have kids, the whole nine yards, and he wasn’t giving up until he had what he wanted. Sammy in his life and bed for the rest of his life.
Chapter Six
Logan was glad that Sammy and Lily had had a roof over their heads, even if Sammy had been struggling to pay the bills. What he wasn’t happy about was how little Sammy had. The crib, which had been set up in the one-bedroom apartment along the wall next to the second-hand single bed that Sammy obviously slept in, was solid and had been painted, but he’d found a couple of splinters while pulling the cot down. From the look of the bed Sammy had chosen as her own, it should have been used as firewood. There were a few flecks of sawdust around the timber feet, which was a sure indication of borers. He wanted to leave it where it was, but he also didn’t want to hurt Sammy’s feelings.
When everything was loaded up and tied down in the bed of the truck, he glanced at his watch. It had taken him and his brothers an hour to pack up all Sammy’s and Lily’s things. Sammy had told them the sagging, lumpy sofa came with the apartment, which was a good thing since it was a mustard-yellow eyesore. Sammy had done her best to cover the terrible color with cushions and throw rugs.
As soon as they got back to the ranch and had everything unloaded, he was going to head into town to the Mom’s and Bub’s shop that had been opened a few years back. Lily needed a new crib if she still slept in one, and if she didn’t, she could sleep in the single bed he was going to purchase, as well.
He’d stood outside in the hallway, listening in when Maddox had laid their cards on the table. He’d been scared shitless when Sammy had said that she and Lily weren’t going to come and live at the ranch. He’d been about to enter the room to try to talk some sense into her, his hand had already been on the doorknob, but Maddox had stepped up to the plate. Thankfully, Sammy had seen reason and opted to move in with them. He didn’t care that her decision was purely based on her daughter’s welfare. All he cared about was that she and Lily were going to be living in their home.