by Paige Warren
“I think you killed me,” Beau said.
She laughed. “You seem pretty alive to me.”
“I’m going to jump in the shower and head out for morning chores. Why don’t you lie here and relax a while longer? I’ll be sure to save you some hot water.”
She walked her fingers up his chest. “You don’t want me to get in with you?”
“I’d love to take you up on that, but if I get another taste of you, I won’t want to leave. Someone has to work today.”
“Cody and Beck aren’t going out with you?”
He shook his head. “We decided it was safer for two people to be with you at all times. You’ll have either Beck or me in bed with you at night and two guards during the day. It’s non-negotiable.”
“Only you and Beck?”
“We didn’t think you’d want Cody to spend the night with you, since you just met and all. But if you want him in here with you, too, all you have to do is say so. We want you to be happy, Elodie, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
“I know I just met Cody, and maybe it makes me the worst sort of woman to want him the way I do, but I feel like I know him.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Elodie. When Beck and I decided to pursue you, we didn’t imagine Cody being part of the deal, but we don’t mind. We had a long talk last night after you fell asleep. Cody already feels something for you. Maybe it’s love at first sight, I don’t know, but we aren’t going to deny him the chance to be with you, if you want him, too.”
Elodie rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re so good to me, Beau. I don’t know how I managed to live without Beck and you. I guess I was just existing before the two of you came along.”
He squeezed her tight. “No more existing. Once we take care of this Casey problem, you’re going to live life to its fullest. That’s an order.”
She giggled. Leaning up on her elbow, she admired his smiling countenance. He really was such a handsome man, her golden god. Well, one of two, now that she had Cody, too.
He brushed a kiss against her lips and rose from the bed. With a wink, he disappeared into the bathroom and a moment later, she heard the shower start. She flopped back on the bed with a sigh and smiled to herself. Life was pretty good, all things considered. Yes, she’d lost her car, her home, and her job. And okay, so she had a troublemaker after her, which she still couldn’t believe. Casey had never been violent before, so why now? Why had he singled her out? He had to know when he shot her that he wouldn’t be able to return to town, unless he thought he wouldn’t be fingered as the culprit.
Whatever his reason, it chilled her to think that someone wanted her dead. She’d never harmed anyone. It didn’t seem fair that her life had to be turned upside down and inside out. On the up side, she did meet three fabulous men.
“You look deep in thought,” a voice said from the doorway. She glanced that way and saw Cody leaning against the doorframe, hands tucked into his pockets, an uncertain look on his face.
“I was just thinking about Casey.”
“That’s the guy who’s after you, right?” Cody asked.
She nodded. “I just don’t understand why. All my life, people in this town have turned their backs on or looked down on me. I’ve never been worth anything to anyone. So why does he want to kill me so bad?”
Cody pushed away from the door and took a hesitant step inside, drawing her attention to his bare feet, to go with that yummy bare chest of his. “Is it okay if I come in?”
“Of course.” She found his hesitancy endearing. All three brothers were as different as night and day. Cody seemed to be uncertain around her, Beck was laid back, and Beau was the master when it came to the bedroom.
He moved across the room with grace she wouldn’t expect from someone his size, then settled on the edge of the bed. He took her hand in his, his thumb stroking her knuckles. She could tell he wanted to say something, but he seemed to be searching for the right words. She didn’t rush him.
“Beck and Beau filled me in on what’s going on, what happened to you, how you lost your home and everything. I hope you don’t mind, but I was curious about you. And when Beau mentioned you were in danger, I wanted to help.”
Elodie was a little embarrassed that he knew of her situation, that she wasn’t able to support herself. For someone who always prided herself on standing on her own two feet, losing her home had been a hard blow. She consoled herself with the knowledge that she’d done everything in her power to survive, but it still smarted.
“I’ve known men like Casey before,” he said. “They aren’t right in the head. He probably thinks if you disappear, or turn up dead, then he’ll be free to return home. He doesn’t realize that the police will hunt him all the more. He isn’t thinking rationally, and that makes him even more dangerous. This isn’t just a vendetta or something. It’s about his survival. I think it’s safe to say, we’ll see him or hear from him again. He isn’t going to stop until someone makes him.”
“That isn’t very comforting,” Elodie said.
“I don’t want to lie to you and sugar coat things. But you have me here, and my brothers, to protect you. We aren’t going to let anything happen to you, Elodie. You’re too precious for us to lose you.”
She tugged him down and kissed him softly. “Thank you.”
His eyes flicked toward the bathroom door. “It sounds like Beau is out of the shower. What do you say I run a bath for you?”
“I was thinking a hot shower was in order. It’s hard to wash my hair in the tub. But I have to wrap my wound in Saran wrap.”
He smiled. “I have a better idea. You soak in the tub and then I’ll help you wash your hair in the kitchen sink. That way we don’t have to wrap you up like a mummy.”
“You would do that for me?”
“I’d do that and a whole lot more. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you were special. I thought my heart was going to pound right out of my chest it was beating so hard. No one’s ever made me feel like that before.”
Elodie wasn’t sure what to say. She wouldn’t call what she felt love at first sight, but she did feel something for him. She wouldn’t have been able to be intimate with him, otherwise. If she’d been the kind of woman to just sleep with anyone, she wouldn’t have been a virgin when Beau bent her over the kitchen table the other day. God, had it really just been the other day? It seemed like a lifetime ago that she’d met the brothers.
Beau stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. The water droplets dripping down his chest made her lick her lips. Beau noticed and shook his head with a smile.
“None of that, sweet thing. I have work to do.” His eyes flashed to Cody then back to her. “If you’re wanting a little playtime, I’m sure little brother here would be happy to oblige.”
“Would you let me make you feel good?” Cody asked her.
She palmed his cheek. “I’d like that. I think it will be good for the two of us to spend some time together. And I don’t just mean in bed.”
“I’ll head down in a minute and tell Beck to give y’all some space for a little while,” Beau said.
Beau strolled out of the room and Cody pushed himself off the bed. He bent down and kissed Elodie before disappearing into the bathroom. When she heard water running, she decided to get up and go join him, knowing it was for her bath. He really was being just the sweetest thing to her. She was intrigued by the youngest brother. Before now, she would have said that she’d never date a younger man, but Cody made her want things she’d never wanted before. If what Beau had said about Cody’s ménage experience was true, he had an adventurous side and she wanted to explore that a bit more. There was so much she wanted to try, but she just didn’t know how to ask for it.
The smell of lilies teased her nose as she stepped into the bathroom, the tile cool against her bare feet. Cody’s ass really did look good in those jeans, especially when he bent over the tub like that. He straightened, lo
oking over his shoulder at her, and gave her one of the sweetest smiles she’d ever seen. A dimple appeared in one cheek and she fought the urge to kiss him there.
“I don’t think it’s too hot,” he said. “You might want to test it before you get in.”
Elodie dipped her fingers into the water. It was hot, but not too. She’d always liked her water hot enough to steam the walls and turn her skin red like a lobster. Rising on tiptoe, she brushed a kiss against his cheek before stepping over the edge of the garden tub. The water lapped over her breasts when she sank down, but stopped well below her wound. Cody shut off the water and hunkered down beside the tub.
“Is there anything else you need? Do you want me to let you soak for a while, or do you want me to stay?”
“A rag would be nice, and I’d like for you to stay.”
He rose and moved across the room to retrieve a rag from under one of the sinks. Cody returned to her side, handed her the rag, and sat on the floor beside the tub, bracing an arm on the edge.
“Beau and Beck told me you ride bulls for a living. Can you really earn a living doing that?” she asked.
He grinned. “Yeah, if you’re good enough.”
“I take it you are, by that cocky attitude.” She laughed.
“I’ve been known to win. I’m going to use most of my nest egg to go in on this place, but I’ll still have plenty left over to help with bills and such until the ranch starts turning a profit.” He shrugged. “My brothers have been supportive of my career decision since I left home at eighteen, it’s the least I can do.”
“So do you really want to ranch or is this just a way to pay them back?”
“I really want to give the ranch a go. I’ve talked to Beck a little about raising some bulls to train for the PBR. Not right now, obviously, but in the future. I’ve learned enough along the way that I think, with the right investments, I could turn the ranch a tidy profit by doing that.”
“What does the ranch do now?”
“Beck buys horses at auction that no one wants, and then he gentles them and trains them to take any rider, even kids. Beau focuses more on the cattle.”
“Are you going to help Beau starting out?”
He nodded. “I’ll keep helping him even after I start my venture. I just won’t have quite as much time. The ranch will be booming in another two or three years. We just need to get it off the ground. The previous owners had let everything go but the house. The barns had to be repainted, fencing had to be replaced, and the pastures were overgrown. The place was a mess, but Beau and Beck got it cleaned up real nice. By hiring on some workers, they were able to put most of it to rights in about a week.”
“I wasn’t sure how long they’d owned the place.”
“About two or three weeks now. Not long. There’s still a lot to do, but it’s coming along nicely.”
“And now that you’re here, it will get done ever faster,” she said with a smile.
“I know enough about cattle, from helping my daddy on the family ranch, that I think I can be useful. I know how to ride, but I’m not real good with horses, not when it comes to training. Beck’s always excelled at that though.”
“So tell me about you, Cody. Other than the PBR, what do you like?”
“You.” He smiled.
She trailed a wet finger down his forearm. “Besides me.”
“I like to read mysteries and suspense-type novels. Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and John Sanford are three of my favorite authors. I also like the team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.”
“Do you read often?”
He shrugged. “It gets lonely on the road. There are only so many buckle bunnies you can drag to bed. I guess I’ve been something of a slut, but I’m changing my ways.”
“Why?” she asked softly. “I’ve watched some of those rodeo events on TV. I’ve seen those women you’re talking about, and I can’t even compare to them. Why would you change for me?”
“Maybe I’m changing for me, and you’re my reward.”
Her heart warmed at his words.
“Let’s see. Aside from reading, I like to listen to music. Country, of course. I like the classics, but I think my favorite artist right now is Dierks Bentley. I tried to learn the guitar when I was a teen, but I never could get the hang of it. Probably because I didn’t have enough patience.”
“Is there anything you’ve ever wanted to do besides riding bulls and ranching?”
His cheeks flushed and he dropped his gaze. “Maybe. You’ll think it’s dumb though.”
“No, I won’t,” she encouraged. “Never think something you’re passionate about is dumb. It’s part of who you are.”
“I used to write. My English teacher in high school said I had a lot of potential, but being a writer just didn’t seem like the best path to take. Bull riding wasn’t a sure thing, but I knew my chances were better at that than writing the next best seller. I have a story I’ve worked on here and there since I was seventeen. It’s a murder mystery with the rodeo as a backdrop. Everyone thinks the main character is behind the murders because every town he visits with the rodeo another woman dies, usually a woman he’s been with or has interacted with in some way. But really, it’s his jealous twin.”
“I think that could be a great book! Why didn’t you finish it?” she asked.
“No time, I guess.”
“Cody, it won’t finish itself. If you want to write, you should write. That doesn’t mean you can’t be a rancher, too, it just means you do both. No, you won’t be able to lock yourself away in an office and write all day every day, but I bet your brothers would work out a schedule with you so you could write for an hour or two every day.”
“You really think I should finish it?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I do. I think it’s incredible that you have that kind of imagination and talent. I read all the time, but I’d never be able to write a book.”
“Would you read what I have so far?”
“I’d be honored. I don’t have a computer though, so I can’t read it when I head to bed or anything.”
His brow furrowed. “You should have a computer. Why haven’t Beau and Beck given you one?”
“That’s kind of an expensive present to give someone just because, especially someone you’ve only known for a few days. Besides, they paid my hospital bill. I couldn’t possibly ask them for anything else. I wouldn’t feel right about it.”
“We’ll talk about it some other time then.”
“Have you ever been in love? Was there ever a woman that made you want to give up the freedom of the rodeo and settle down?” she asked.
“Nah. I haven’t had a steady girlfriend since high school. I broke it off with her when I hit the road and I haven’t had anyone serious in my life ever since.”
“That’s kind of sad, Cody. Didn’t you miss having someone to talk to about life, someone to cuddle with when you came through town, or someone who could meet you on the road? I’m sure she would have waited for you.”
“I’ve always been good about being faithful to the woman I’m with, but I honestly don’t know if I could have been in that situation. Not with women stuffing their underwear in my pockets and writing their numbers on my hands at every stop.” He caressed her cheek. “But I’m going to change all of that. I want someone to come home to, someone to cuddle with, a woman I can share my life with.”
“We just met.”
“Sometimes you just know.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. Hadn’t she thought the same thing herself, more than once? What if Cody was on to something? What if she was destined to be with the three brothers? Of course, just because Cody was putting his heart out there didn’t mean the others felt the same way. Beau and Beck had been great, but they’d never hinted that they might be in love with her, might want something permanent. Or had she just missed the signs?
“I’m going to let you close your eyes and relax for a few minutes and I’ll be back. I
just want to check in with my brothers, then I’m yours for however long you want me. Okay?”
Forever. “Okay.”
He brushed a kiss against her forehead, then rose. He paused at the door to look at her once more, gave her a smile, then ducked out, pulling the door closed behind him. Left in silence, Elodie had little to do but think about the men she was falling in love with, and she couldn’t deny that she was. Hell. Falling…more like fallen. It seemed like she’d been waiting her whole life for them. The question was, now that she had them, what was she going to do with them? They were certainly going to keep her busy, and she looked forward to every minute of it, but she needed to find a way to be a productive part of the ranch. She wanted to help, not just be a decoration hanging around the house waiting on someone to want sex.
She’d already started cooking. She’d just have to do more of that, maybe start cleaning a little. It was a given that she still had to take it easy because of her shoulder, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t sort dirty laundry and load the machine, or load the dishwasher. Mopping and sweeping might be a little painful, but she’d manage it if she could. She wanted to show them that she wanted to stay, to be part of their lives.
Chapter Eight
Cody snatched his laptop from his room and headed down to the living room, where he was sure he would find his brothers. Sharing part of himself with Elodie had been harder than he’d thought it would be. He hadn’t even told his brothers about the book he’d been writing, and now he’d shared that with her. It just proved that she was the right woman for him. She made him think of home, and what man didn’t want that? He had no doubt his parents would love her and he couldn’t wait to invite them to the ranch. Explaining to them that all of their sons were in love with the same woman might be a little tricky, but he knew they would accept the situation and welcome Elodie into the family with open arms.