“So, you are willing to lease us the land for thirty years?” Sawyer asked, glancing between her and Travis.
“Yes. That’s my proposal.”
“Since we didn’t actually plan to build on the land,” Travis thought out loud, “it’s not a bad idea.”
“Why the lease?” Kaleb asked. “Why not sell it to us?”
“Honestly, if you’re going to make money on this deal, I’d like to make money, too. As you probably know by now, I’m in debt with the land, and if I don’t do something by the end of the week, the land will go into foreclosure, which will ultimately tie it up for who knows how long. That won't benefit either one of us at this point.”
That was an understatement, but something she hoped would persuade Travis to consider her offer. If she didn’t come up with the money by the end of the week, Zoey and her father were going to lose their home. At least this way, she would have the money necessary to get the loan current, and any residual income would ensure they didn’t end up in this predicament in the future.
“I’ll do you one better.” Travis spoke up after a few painfully long minutes.
All three of them turned their attention on the eldest Walker.
“You sell us the land, and I’ll pay off the rest of it, including your father’s house.”
Wow. She hadn’t seen that one coming. It was a good offer, but it didn’t secure her future. She wouldn’t have to worry about losing the house, but she would ultimately be signing away her heritage for money.
“I’ve got a better idea.” This from Kaleb. “Can I have a minute to talk to my brother’s?”
Zoey didn’t know what to make of Kaleb’s request, but she decided to give them a moment to discuss whatever his plan was. “Five minutes. Then I’ll be back, and we need to come to a decision.” She had to remain firm, or these men would walk all over her, she feared.
Zoey walked outside and paced the gravel driveway, kicking rocks with the toes of her boots as she clenched and unclenched her hands. She had to admit, Travis’ offer was more than she expected, and it meant she wouldn’t have to have Kaleb’s financial help as he had offered before. Not wanting to be in debt to any of them, she wondered if maybe this was the way to go.
Except her proposal was a good one. They would lease the land from her, and even Sawyer said it made sense. They weren’t building on the one hundred acres, simply using it as the entrance, which after the lease expired if they decided to do something different, they could. And Zoey wouldn’t be out her land.
Zoey glanced down at her watch and headed back in at the five minute mark. She needed to get this out of the way. There were things she and Kaleb needed to talk about. Since the proposal she intended to offer him was much more lucrative for her, she was anxious to get on with it.
Her heart tipped and rolled at the thought.
Chapter Twenty Two
♂♀
Kaleb smiled. Travis might not have liked the idea at first, but his brother had come around to it in the last couple of minutes. Hearing the screen door shut, Kaleb knew it was time to face the music.
“Did I give you enough time?” Zoey asked, looking directly at him.
He nodded his head and then glanced at Travis.
When Travis smiled, a genuine smile that none of them had seen in quite some time, Kaleb exhaled the breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding.
“Just remember, my last offer is still on the table.” Travis began. “But, I think Kaleb does have a better offer, and after listening, I think it would work for all of us.”
“And that is?” Zoey looked impatient, and Kaleb knew the feeling. He wanted this conversation over with. For the last seven days, he’d contemplated the outcome of this meeting, but more so, he’d contemplated the outcome of the conversation they would have later that night.
“You sell us the land,” Travis stated, holding up his hand to stop Zoey when she looked like she wanted to argue. “You sell the land to Walker, Inc., and in return, we make you a partner.”
“A partner?” Zoey’s eyes widened, and Kaleb bit his lip. He couldn’t tell by her expression whether she knew what they were actually offering her or not.
“Yes. A full partner. Keep in mind, there are seven of us, but that would make you the eighth partner in Walker, Inc.” Travis’ smile disappeared. “Now, don’t go getting ahead of yourself just yet. Being a partner requires a lot more on your part than simply selling us the land. In turn, we’d expect you to invest just as much into this company as we do. The resort won’t run itself, and I have always intended for us to be right there on the front lines.”
“A partner.” Zoey whispered this time and Kaleb wanted to reach over and touch her, but he didn’t. “What would I have to do?” She asked, looking only at Travis.
“You’d have to work.” Travis laughed. “But don’t worry; we won’t have you cleaning the rooms, although I think that would be one of your responsibilities. You and V. Managing the housekeeping.”
“Me and V?” Zoey appeared dumbfounded.
“She works for you now, doesn’t she?” Sawyer asked. “It wouldn’t be like you’d have any time to handle your cleaning service if you’re busy trying to co-manage a resort.”
Kaleb watched as realization dawned. Zoey knew what they were offering her and considering they’d never made an offer like this, it was monumental. A partner. A full partner in their family owned business.
“A partner?” Zoey asked again, her eyes lighting up. “You’ll buy the land for the agreed upon price that you made my father originally, which means I can pay off the house.”
“That’s the deal.” Kaleb confirmed, smiling.
“Holy crap!”
Zoey’s excitement caused them all to laugh, but they were still waiting for her final answer.
“Will you take the offer, Zoey?” Kaleb asked her when she flopped down into the chair.
“Yes. Absolutely yes. I’ll take it.”
“Thank God.” Travis replied, pushing to his feet. “I’ll meet with our lawyer as soon as I leave here, and we’ll get the papers drawn up. Tomorrow, before dinner, we’ll meet up to get everything signed. That work for you?”
“Yes.” Zoey said, standing once again and accepting Travis outstretched hand.
Kaleb watched as the two of them shook on it.
A few minutes later, after Sawyer and Travis left, Kaleb found himself leaning casually against the wall, waiting for Zoey to say something. She hadn’t stopped smiling for the last five minutes, and he was beginning to wonder if she ever would.
“You ok?” He finally asked when she stood staring at the front door.
“Huh?” Zoey turned to face him. “Oh, sorry.”
Kaleb had remarkably little warning before Zoey came running at him, launching herself into his arms. He laughed as he pulled her against him, lifting her off of the ground before turning so her back was against the wall.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, he crushed his mouth to hers, seeking the sweet, exotic taste that was all Zoey. Damn. He’d never get enough of her. Kissing her, tasting her, holding her. All of it combined was so much more than he ever thought it would be, and he’d become addicted to the little vixen in recent months.
Hell. He’d been addicted to her for years. But not like this.
“I take it you’re happy?” He asked as he nibbled down her neck, inhaling her scent into his lungs and holding it there so he could savor it. The woman was intoxicating.
“You did this!” She whispered.
“No, baby.” Kaleb smiled as he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “You did this. All you.”
“I still can’t believe it.” Zoey unwrapped her legs from around his waist, and he immediately missed her warmth. “I have to tell V!”
Kaleb watched as she danced around the living room, his eyes roaming her body. Still wearing that tease of a skirt and that wispy little sweater, he wanted nothing more than to strip her naked, save for the boots. F
uck. His dick was harder than granite, and his jeans had just become painfully tight.
“So what are we supposed to do now?” She asked when she stopped moving, still smiling.
“I’m thinking dinner is in order. Either you let me take you out to celebrate, or you let me cook for you. Your choice.”
“You can cook?” Zoey looked quite concerned, and Kaleb laughed.
“You know damn well I can cook.” He told her as he stalked her across the room. “But let’s take this little party back to my place.”
Zoey lunged at him again, crushing her mouth to his for one of those soul stealing kisses before pulling away quickly. “I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”
♂♀♂
Sitting at the small table in Kaleb’s kitchen, Zoey watched as he worked. She’d only been teasing him when she asked if he could cook. Years of knowing the man, she’d been on the receiving end of one of his gourmet meals on more than one occasion and she wasn’t about to pass up another.
“Have you ever cooked naked?” She asked, joking.
“Not when I’m cooking with grease.” He told her, not turning around. “Why?”
“I was just wondering. That would be a sight to see.” She loved seeing him naked. All of that glorious toned skin and rippling muscle. Her mouth watered at the thought, wanting to run her tongue over his entire body, exploring every delicious inch.
“I was thinking it might be more thrilling to see you naked while I cook.” This time he did turn around, and the way his eyes smoldered made her skin tingle.
“Get naked for me, Zoey.” Kaleb said more firmly, and she realized he was serious. “It’s only fair,” he continued, “I did the dishes naked at your house.”
True. Him and Gage both. That night was burned into her memory.
Apparently he was a little impatient because when she didn’t move to do as he told her, he approached. After taking her hand, he pulled her up from the chair and proceeded to remove her clothes, one piece at a time while he made no attempt to pretend he wasn’t ogling her with his eyes.
“There.” He whispered a few minutes later when she stood before him perfectly nude except for her boots. “That’s what I’ve wanted to see all afternoon.”
Turning back to the stove like it was nothing for him to have a naked woman in his kitchen, Kaleb proceeded to finish cooking. At first it was thrilling to see the subtle glances he stole of her as she sat at the table, but when they were actually eating, she had an overwhelming desire to cover herself.
“Nope.” Kaleb said, focusing on his food, but looking up at her when she attempted to cover her naked breasts. “Naked is naked, and I want to see every luscious inch of you.”
He was killing her. Modesty had never been her thing, but then again, she didn’t make a point of being naked in front of anyone. It was enough for Kaleb to see her when they were going at it, but this was too casual. Her face flamed with the embarrassment she’d been battling with.
Finally pushing her plate away, she realized she was definitely finished with dinner and anxious for him to get naked with her.
“I would ask you to do the dishes naked, but I think I’d rather see you busy doing something else.”
Her breath hitched in her chest at the statement, and she suddenly worried what he was referring to. When he stood from his chair, taking both of their plates over to the sink before returning, Zoey kept her eyes glued to him.
Then he took the chair he vacated moments before and pulled it closer to her.
“Turn your chair this way.” He said as he stood before her.
Not knowing what it was he was after, Zoey did what he asked, hoping like hell he was going to touch her soon. Before she exploded.
“Now put your foot on this chair.”
Wait, what?
Holy crap. If she put her foot in the chair, it would expose her completely. More so than she already was, if that was even possible. Unable to move, Zoey didn’t put her foot in the chair until Kaleb assisted, lifting her foot and spreading her legs wide.
“Damn that’s pretty.”
Her entire body flushed at his statement.
“Now, I want to see you touch yourself.”
“Oh, my God!Kaleb!” She couldn’t believe what he was asking her to do, and she wasn’t sure she could do it even if she wanted to.
“What, baby?” He asked, kneeling down between her spread legs.
When he used one finger to slide through her sensitive folds, Zoey gasped.
“You’re wet.”
Well, yes. What did he expect?
“So fucking wet.” His voice was deeper, huskier, and Zoey knew he was just as affected as she was. “Now touch yourself. Show me how you pleasure yourself because I know you do.”
Well, yes. She did. But that was between her and her vibrator, thank you very much.
When Kaleb took her hand, placing her fingers against her clit, Zoey’s eyes crossed. Was she actually going to do this?
“That’s it, baby. Play with your clit. Tease your sweet pussy while I watch.”
Kaleb stood and moved back to the sink, quickly rinsing the dishes as he turned his attention back on her frequently. Her hand had a mind of its own, circling lightly over her clit, making her wetter than she had been and eager for Kaleb to join her. When a moan escaped, it surprised her more so than it did him, and she closed her eyes briefly.
That’s when the door opened, and she damn near died of embarrassment.
“Holy fucking shit.” Gage growled. “That’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Isn’t it?” Kaleb asked as if this was a casual conversation between two friends. “I love to watch her touch herself.”
Gage and Kaleb didn’t make a move to come closer; instead, they leaned against the kitchen cabinets, their gazes locked between her legs where she continued to tease her clit. She couldn’t believe she was doing this, but the hunger she saw in their eyes spurred her on. And quite frankly, it felt good.
“Can I play with her?” Gage asked Kaleb as if Zoey didn’t have a say in the matter. That turned her on too.
Wow, she had officially turned into a wanton hussy, controlled by her inner slut.
Zoey choked on a laugh. Inner slut. The idea amused her, considering, until Kaleb and the little rendezvous’ with Gage, Zoey had been with two men in her life. And the kinkiest thing she had ever done had been oral sex. Now look at her. She was touching herself in front of two men, both of whom she’d been with at the same time. It was a side of herself that she hadn’t known existed, a side she was quickly realizing was a dominant part of her personality.
Kaleb moved closer at the same time Gage did, but neither of them touched her like she hoped.
“I want to watch you fuck yourself, Zoey. Slide your finger inside your pussy.” Gage encouraged her, his deep voice seducing her. She locked her eyes on his as he watched how she played with herself, slowly pushing one finger into her pussy, then two.
Her orgasm was lingering, but she was unable to push herself over the edge. She needed more than her own hands, but she knew if she asked they would deny her. This was her payback for tying them up in her kitchen - that was clear.
When Kaleb took off his shirt, Zoey let her gaze linger on his impressive body, wishing he’d do more than stand there. At least now she had an incentive because looking at him was enough to have her flicking her clit more firmly.
Then when he removed the rest of his clothing, Zoey did come, her finger furiously rubbing her clit as she moaned out her pleasure, unable to take her eyes off of Kaleb as he began stroking his cock.
“Damn that was hot.” Gage said as he too began quickly disrobing, tossing his clothes about the kitchen.
Kaleb easily lifted her when she wouldn’t have been able to stand on her own and carried her into the living room. Sitting her on the couch, he stood before her, as naked as she was, and still gripping his iron hard erection.
When Gage appeared beside hi
m, Zoey looked at them both, doing a mental comparison of their differences. Kaleb, with his dark hair and stormy eyes was a woman’s darkest fantasy come to life and Gage, well, the man was a masterpiece. Not quite as tall as Kaleb, Gage was probably right at six feet, but it wasn’t his height that captured women’s attention. It was his body. He was long and lean, yet thick and bulky through his chest and shoulders. She would’ve never thought that a long haul truck driver had enough time to work out the way he apparently did.
Mouthwateringly yummy, that’s what they were. And as it turned out, Zoey was eager to explore.
As far as threesomes went, until that very first time with Kaleb and Gage, Zoey didn’t have any personal experience, but she certainly had read books and even heard some firsthand accounts from a few people she knew. Like the Walker twins. Braydon and Brendon were notorious for their ménages, and they were proud to boot. And if she actually thought about it, it very well could’ve been the twins that had gotten her intrigued about the prospect of having two men solely focused on her with some of their more graphic tales.
Not that she had ever expected to find herself in this situation. But her fantasies had been vivid; her mind had undoubtedly conjured up images of Kaleb and another man, and yes, Gage had been in them a time or two. So yes, her mind was dirty and her thoughts bordered on carnal. But hell, she was a healthy twenty nine year old woman and if she wanted to explore her sexuality, then that was her prerogative, right?
Right.
And over the course of the last couple of months, she’d more than explored, coming to find out she wasn’t the plain vanilla type. Nor was she what Jason obviously described her as. But with him, it hadn’t been like this. She didn’t burn from the inside out like she did with Kaleb.
And she was quite certain she wouldn’t have been nearly as comfortable doing this if it weren’t for Gage. He was a friend, and she trusted him implicitly. Since she didn’t have the same feelings for him that she did Kaleb, she understood the complexity of the situation. He was there for the pleasure. And they all knew it.
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