Beyond Her Wildest Dream

by Becca Van

  Ana climbed up onto the bed, gently shaking Lexis’s shoulder while calling her name. “Lexis, wake up, girlfriend.”

  “Alicia,” Lexis slurred sleepily. “Alicia, I miss you so much.”

  Preston’s heart flipped when Lexis sobbed.

  “Who’s Alicia, Lexis?” Ana asked.

  “Sister. Dead. Everyone’s dead.”

  Preston couldn’t take the pain he heard in her voice or the tears rolling down her face. He hurried around to the other side of the bed, got up onto the mattress, and pulled her into his arms. Ana had her mouth covered with her hand and tears in her eyes, and while he felt bad for the other woman, right now he was more concerned about Lexis. She’d buried her face into his neck and was crying her eyes out. The gut-wrenching, grief-filled sobs tore at his heart.

  “Shh, baby. You’re not alone,” Preston crooned in a soothing voice. “You’ll never be alone again.” While he was aware of Devin entering and guiding Ana from the room, as well as Jonah’s and Adam’s presence, he was too intent on comforting Lexis to acknowledge them. Finally, after what felt like an hour but was probably more like five minutes, her tears slowed and finally stopped.

  “I’m sorry,” she gasped and hiccupped at the same time.

  “You have nothing to apologize for, sweetie,” Adam said as he sat on the end of the bed.

  “We know what it’s like to lose people you love, Lexis.” Jonah caressed a hand over her head. “If you ever want to talk, we’re here to listen.”

  “I miss her so much.”

  “How long has she been gone, baby?” Preston asked as he continued to smooth his hand up and down her arm.

  “Two years and three months.”

  “And your parents?” Jonah asked softly.

  “I never knew my dad. He died just after I was born. My mom died when I was fifteen. Alicia was my sister and my mom, but she’s gone, too. They’re all dead.”

  Preston wished he could take her grief and pain into himself to spare her, but since he couldn’t do that, he vowed to be there for her whenever she needed. What he wanted most was to have Lexis move in with him and his lovers, but it was way too soon to be even thinking such a thing, let alone bring it up. “I’m sorry for your loss, baby.”

  “We’re sorry, too,” Adam said in a hoarse voice.

  Lexis sniffed, wiped a hand over her face and eyes, and rolled onto her back.

  “How’s your head feeling, love?” Jonah asked.

  “It’s still aching, but it’s much better than it was.”

  “You’re due for some more painkillers, sweetie,” Adam said.

  Lexis grimaced and scooted back against the headboard. “Maybe later. What time is it?”

  “Just after nine,” Preston answered.

  “Are you hungry, Lexis?”

  “I could eat.”

  Preston frowned when he heard her belly grumble and rolled to his feet. “You have to be starving, baby. It’s been hours since lunchtime.”

  “Preston’s right, sweetie,” Adam said. “Why don’t you freshen up, and when you come out we’ll have your dinner ready for you.”

  “You don’t need to go to any trouble on my behalf,” Lexis said as she took Preston’s offered hand. He helped her to her feet and steadied her when she swayed. “A sandwich or a piece of toast is more than enough.”

  “We set a plate aside for you earlier,” Jonah said. “It just needs to be heated in the microwave.”

  “Thank you.”

  Jonah and Adam smiled at Lexis then left the room. Preston guided her toward the bathroom. She closed the door, but instead of following his friends to the kitchen, he waited for her in the bedroom. He wanted to be on hand in case she needed him.

  When she came out, she was blushing and tugging at the hem of the shirt she was wearing. “There’s a robe on the back of the bathroom door. Let me get it for you, baby.” Preston stepped into the bathroom, grabbed the robe, and turned back toward Lexis. He moved in behind her, holding it so she could slip her arms into it. Thankfully, it was the short summer robe, and though it was still too big for her, it wasn’t so long that she could end up tripping on it.

  “Thanks.”

  “You don’t need to keep thanking us all the time, baby. We like having you here and taking care of you.” Lexis blushed as she lowered her gaze and did up the belt to the robe. He held his hand out to her. “Ready?”

  She drew in a deep breath and nodded as she slipped her hand into his.

  Fiery heat raced up his arm and shot down to his groin. His cock twitched and began to fill with blood, but Preston ignored his lust. Lexis’s health and well-being were far more important than his arousal.

  Maybe when she became more comfortable around him and his lovers, got to know them better, they could re-address the sparks zinging between them all.

  He pushed his thoughts aside as he led her toward the kitchen, hoping that she didn’t demand to be taken back to her own place.

  Chapter Six

  Lexis couldn’t believe she’d blurted out stuff about her life as she’d woken up, but she wasn’t used to taking painkillers and she figured that the drugs had helped to lower her inhibitions. However, now that she was calmer, she also felt a little lighter.

  Deep down in her heart, she knew her mom and Alicia wouldn’t want her to grieve them forever or put her life on hold, but being alone and the ache from missing them had almost destroyed her.

  She wandered aimlessly from place to place, working wherever she could with no direction in mind. She’d been so damn lost with no idea what to do and had been determined to keep everyone she met from getting too close.

  The day she’d arrived in Tigard, something about the town had called to her. She’d been here for nearly three months and she was starting to make friends. Ana had been so dogged in her single-mindedness that they were going to be good friends. At first, she’d scoffed because most people eventually picked up on her standoffishness. Nevertheless, Ana hadn’t been deterred. Lexis had been intrigued when Ana told her she was an editor and couldn’t resist asking questions. The other woman had even given her a couple of erotic romances to read. She’d been hooked from the first pages. And now she had three sexy, handsome men concerned over her.

  She hadn’t even realized how much she was missing human companionship, interacting and talking with others until the last month or so.

  For the first time in nearly two and a half years, Lexis wanted more. She wanted to know what it felt like to be loved and to love in return. Preston, Adam, and Jonah had practically handed her that chance on a silver platter.

  All she had to do was be brave enough to reach out and take what they were offering.

  Even though it was tempting, she also needed to be cautious. She had no idea what sort of men they were. For all she knew, they could be dictatorial assholes.

  She shook her head. That wasn’t true. She’d already been the recipient of their caring hearts and protectiveness. Of course, she’d also seen their kinky side, and while that turned her on to no end, she wasn’t about to jump into the creek without a paddle.

  “You okay, baby?” Preston asked, gaining her attention.

  She hadn’t noticed that they’d stopped in the hallway. Lexis had been so lost in her thoughts she’d been oblivious to everything around her. “I’m fine.”

  Her heart flipped when he smiled and winked at her. “Come on. Let’s get you some dinner before it goes cold.”

  Lexis nodded. She was so hungry she felt shaky and ill, but she’d tried to hide how she felt. Nevertheless, she had a feeling Preston, Jonah, and Adam could read her like a book. As they started walking again, she sucked in a deep breath and headed toward the kitchen where she could hear voices.

  Lexis hoped Ana wasn’t too upset with her for holding herself back, but now that some of her story was out there, she couldn’t take it back. Nor did she want to.

  Crying after holding all that grief and emotion in had been therapeutic, and wh
ile she would always mourn her mom and sister, she thought that maybe it was time to start living her life again instead of just existing.

  One step and one day at a time, Lexis. Don’t go rushing in without weighing up the pros and cons. The last thing you need is more emotional pain.

  “Lexis.” Ana smiled. “Come and sit next to me, girlfriend.”

  Lexis couldn’t help but giggle when Ana shoved Devin, trying to push him out of the chair beside her.

  “Now that’s a happy sound I’d like to hear more of.” Jonah grinned.

  Lexis nodded in acknowledgment, her cheeks heating as she blushed. Her giggle had sounded a little rusty, because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed. It had been way too long.

  Preston guided her to the now empty seat beside Ana and saw her seated. Adam rushed over with a plate full of steaming food as well as some silverware. He put the meal down in front of her, brushing his lips over her cheek as he did so.

  Lexis shivered as heat raced up her spine and other body parts fired to life as her blood sped through her veins. The desire licking at her insides didn’t help the ache in her head, but she pushed the pain to the back of her mind as much as she could. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie. Eat before it gets cold.” Adam walked around to the other side of the table and sat across from her.

  She listened to the chatter as she cut into the chicken breast and lifted the bite to her mouth. Flavor woke her taste buds and she groaned. All conversation stopped, and when she lifted her gaze and noticed everyone watching her, she blushed. After chewing and swallowing, she said, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude, but this is amazing.”

  “Pfft.” Ana waved her hand in front of her face. “You’re not being rude, Lexis.”

  “Ana’s right, love,” Jonah said. “We like that you’re enjoying your food.”

  “I can’t remember the last time I had a home cooked meal.” She ate some more chicken.

  “Why?” Preston frowned.

  “Why what?” she asked.

  “Don’t you know how to cook?” Adam asked.

  “I do.” Lexis squirmed in her seat. She hadn’t meant to say that, and she could see by the frowns on everyone’s faces they weren’t about to drop the subject even if she tried to redirect it, but it was worth a try. “Did you arrest those men who tried to rob the diner?” She met and held Jonah’s gaze. He seemed to be more easy-going than his lovers. At least she hoped he was.

  “Yes,” Preston answered. “We’re going to need your statement, too. If you’re feeling up to it, you can tell us what happened after you’ve finished eating.”

  She scowled at him when he pointed at her food. If she hadn’t been so hungry she would have told him off for being so bossy. Thankfully, Ana filled the tense silence when she started talking about all the new authors she was working for. The other woman’s face seemed to light up from within as she talked about her editing job. When she started talking about some of the BDSM stories she’d read, Lexis listened intently. Then conversation changed again, but she tuned out.

  The more she learned about the dynamics of dominance and submission, the more she wanted to learn. She was hot and horny, but tried to keep her lust from showing. She pushed the rest of the food aside, full quickly after eating only one meal a day, earning a scowl from Preston. Lexis scowled right back.

  Ana giggled, breaking their stare off, and then her new friend and her men got up to leave. Ana hugged her good-bye. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better and didn’t get seriously hurt.”

  “Me too. Thanks.”

  Jonah and Adam walked the quartet out.

  “You need to eat more, Lexis.” Preston crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I can’t eat another bite, Preston. If I did, I’d end up making myself sick.”

  “How the fuck long have you been going without food?”

  “That’s none of your business,” she snapped.

  Preston shoved to his feet and stalked around toward her. Lexis stood, her hands on her hips, ready to do battle. Her heart was pounding, and she started panting. Her breasts swelled and her areolae tightened into little buds as her nipples hardened. Her pussy clenched, sending cream out onto her panties, dampening them, and her clit began to throb as it engorged.

  “Everything you do while you’re in our house is our business, baby.” Preston cupped her face between his hands, staring deeply into her eyes.

  “I don’t think—” Her words were cut off when he swooped down and covered her mouth with his.

  Lexis moaned, melting against him, his lips brushing back and forth over hers. When she sighed, he stroked his tongue into her mouth, caressing along and curling around hers. She gripped his T-shirt in tight fists as he rocked her world.

  The kiss was hot, wet, and passionate. His tongue swirled around and rubbed along hers. He dropped his hands from her face, wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tighter against his muscular, taller body.

  She whimpered when she felt the hard ridge of her erect cock poking into her belly. She gasped air into her lungs when he broke the kiss and groaned when he nipped and licked up and down her neck.

  Lexis didn’t even realize she was rubbing her aching nipples back and forth over his chest until his free hand skimmed lightly over her ass and squeezed one cheek, then the other.

  She was on fire but knew if she didn’t stop soon, things were going to get out of hand. While she was tempted to just go with the flow and see where they ended up, her head was starting to pound too badly. With a regretful sigh, she unfurled her fists, pressed her hands on his chest, and shoved against him.

  Preston immediately loosened his hold on her as he raised his gaze to hers.

  “Just imagine having all three of us kissing, touching, and loving you, baby. It would be so good.” Preston kissed the tip of her nose before releasing her completely.

  Lexis blushed when she noticed that Jonah and Adam were standing in the room watching them with heated gazes. She turned away from them and grabbed her plate and silverware before carrying them into the kitchen.

  “Let me do that, love.” Jonah rushed over to her, took the plate from her, and scraped the remnants of food into the trash, then rinsed everything and put them in the dishwasher.

  “It’s time for another pill, sweetie.” Adam walked to the counter, grabbed the bottle, popped the lid, and shook a tablet into his hand.

  Preston handed her a bottle of water he must have gotten from the fridge while she’d been trying to hide from them all. The problem was she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone, including herself.

  Lexis wanted to be with all three of the men more than she’d ever wanted anything else in her life.

  But she wasn’t ready to take such a huge step.

  * * * *

  Adam was so fucking hard he was leaking pre-cum. Walking in on Lexis and Preston while they’d been kissing had been so hot he’d nearly blown in his pants. He wanted to walk over to her, lift her into his arms, and devour her mouth until she was begging him and his lovers to make love to her, but she was still reticent.

  He understood why she was so hesitant. What they needed to do was sit down and talk to Lexis, to tell her about themselves, and then maybe she would be more open with them.

  “Do you want something to drink, sweetie?” he asked. “Tea, coffee, or some soda?”

  “Tea, please.”

  “How do you have it, love?” Jonah asked as he walked closer to the kitchen counter.

  “Black with a squeeze of lemon if you have it, please.”

  “Why don’t you and Preston go and get comfortable in the living room?” Adam suggested. He held his breath when Lexis glanced warily toward Preston, and exhaled with relief when she nodded.

  When she passed Preston, Lexis made sure she didn’t get too close to him. Adam was hoping by the end of the night that would change. He wanted her to crave contact from him and his lovers, but he was going to have to be
patient.

  With Jonah’s help, they got the hot drinks ready, then carried them into the living room. Lexis was curled up in the corner. Adam placed her mug of tea on the side table next to her then he sat beside her, but he made sure not to crowd her. Preston was in the armchair across from her, and Jonah took the other armchair.

  “I lost my mom when I was a little more than a toddler,” Jonah said. “I don’t know who my father is and I don’t care to. He got my mom pregnant when she was barely out of high school, and he took off when she told him she was expecting. Her parents were strict and elderly. They kicked her out when she came home knocked up and unwed. She did the best she could. She got a bad case of the flu, and because she didn’t have health insurance, she couldn’t afford to go to the doctors. The flu turned into pneumonia, and she died. I was put into foster care, which was no walk in the park, but I survived. As soon as I got my high school diploma, I joined the navy, and then signed up for the SEALs. That’s where I met the loves of my life.”

  Adam wanted to pull Lexis into his arms when he saw the moisture welling in her eyes, but she didn’t let the tears fall. She blinked them away. “I’m glad you met Adam and Preston.”

  “Me too,” Jonah said. “It took me some time to trust them, but once we got to know each other and I realized what such great guys they were, I haven’t regretted opening my heart to them, and neither of them have ever betrayed my trust.”

  “I was lucky enough to have two wonderful, loving parents and brother I was close to growing up.” Adam swallowed around the tight constriction in his throat and cleared it. “I don’t know why I thought they’d all be happy for me finding two men who accepted me as I am and who loved me, warts and all.” He shook his head as sadness filled his heart. He raised his head, locking gazes with Lexis. “I hadn’t told any of my family that I was bisexual even though I’d been in a couple of short-term relationships with women and men. I’d never bought any of the guys I was dating home. Maybe if I had…” Adam scrubbed a hand over his face. “I think they were aware there was something different with me, but they never asked, and since I hadn’t found that special person, or in our case, people, I never mentioned my sexual preferences, because I didn’t think it would matter. I was wrong.