by Jane Jamison
Josh was thankful when Will started to smile, although he wiped the smile away fast enough. He acted as though nothing touched him emotionally, so doing something like getting the cabin ready for her was like opening up a door to his heart. But Will had to know that if he drew too much attention to it, Josh would shut down and maybe never try it again. He’d thought about it long and hard. The fact that he’d already opened up so much had to mean that Tatum was the right girl for them.
“Did I tell you that she came into the bar the other night?”
That caught Will by surprise. “She did? Why didn’t you mention it before?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because nothing came of it. She ordered a drink, and I wanted the opportunity to get to know her better. But then I got caught up trying to shake this other girl who demanded my attention like she was the only woman in the place. By the time I’d gotten away, Tatum was gone.”
Will nodded, the regret on his face echoing the way Josh felt. “We’ve both been stupid. We should’ve contacted her sooner than this. But that’s all in the past now. Let’s be sure to make the most of our chance tonight. If we don’t, it might be the last time she’ll ever give us the time of day.”
Josh had opened his mouth to respond when the sound of a car coming closer drew their attention back to the window. Excitement like a schoolboy on his first date rushed through him as the car’s engine turned off.
“She’s here.”
Will had cleared his throat to get the words out and Josh understood how he felt. He’d never been nervous around any woman, but Tatum was the exception. She was the right one for them.
Come on, darlin’. Let it be. Let us be.
Chapter Three
Tatum gripped the wheel of her car and studied the cabin. The place looked worse than she remembered. Would the interior be better than the outside? Had anyone used the cabin in recent months? She hadn’t given the condition of the place much thought when the McLean cousins had suggested they meet there. It was out of town and a safe location. That was all that mattered. She would’ve met up with them in a cave if she’d had to.
Light from within brightened the windows that had old and tattered curtains on them. Smoke flowed out of the leaning smokestack that looked like it would fall over at any moment. The roof itself looked as though it could cave in on top of them.
But the fact that Josh and Will were inside made her forget all of that. Tonight was the moment she’d been waiting for, and she wouldn’t let a little thing like how the place looked keep her from grabbing hold of her chance and running with it.
What if they don’t want me? What if, instead of turning them on, they laugh at me instead?
Suddenly, she was back in high school sitting on the bleachers while cute, skinny cheerleaders surrounded the objects of her affection. She gripped the steering wheel even harder and let out a breath. Now that she’d turned off the car, the warmth from the heater was fading quickly.
Damn it, Tatum. This is your chance. You’ve come too far to turn back now.
And yet, as her nerves got the better of her, she wanted nothing more than to back the car up and drive away.
I could tell them that something came up. I could say that I decided I didn’t want to work with them. That I was afraid my father would find out. That I’m a Baldwin and they’re McLeans.
Irritation swept away her nervousness. Damn it, how old am I anyway? Be the woman you know you are.
And yet, she still couldn’t bring herself to open the car door. Damn, damn, damn.
She gasped as Will pulled back the curtain, saw her in her car, and waved. She lifted a shaky hand in return.
He saw me. There’s no turning back now.
Seeing Will gave her the strength she needed. In fact, the zing of lust that hit her calmed her nerves. She wanted to go inside. She wanted them.
Sliding out of the car, Tatum went to the trunk and took out the toy basket, leaving the bag of clothes there. At the last moment, she’d removed a few of the items from the basket that she wasn’t sure how to use. At least she wouldn’t look like a naïve little girl.
Resolve strengthened her legs and she marched to the door like a knight ready to slay a dragon. But the kind of slaying she wanted to do wouldn’t result in anyone dying. Instead, she hoped it would give her a whole new life. Once at the door, she took another steadying breath and lifted her hand to knock.
The door swung open before her hand ever touched it. “Hey, there.”
She plastered on a smile she hoped wasn’t too forced. “Hi, Will.” Her gaze slid past him to Josh.
They’re more handsome than the last time I saw them.
Her gaze slid from Josh to the champagne bottle and three glasses resting on the small round kitchen table. Something on a serving platter was covered with a large cloth napkin. But it was the candlelight that made her heart do a quick double-step.
She jolted, startled when Will took her hand. “Come on in, Tatum, before you freeze to death.”
She searched his face. Does he know that I don’t have much on underneath this coat? But how could he?
His gaze slid to the basket. “That looks familiar. But then again, all baskets look alike. It’s what’s inside that makes them different.” His charming smile could’ve melted an iceberg.
Didn’t he recognize it? Or was he playing with her? If so, she could play along. “Does it?”
She stepped over the threshold and took another look around. A horrible thought struck her. “Uh-oh. Did I get it wrong? We were going to meet to talk about the sign for my show choir, right? Are you expecting someone else?”
If they say yes, that they have someone else coming, I’ll die.
Josh, his wickedly sexy grin in place, slid to her side and took the basket. She was thankful she’d covered the basket’s contents with a cloth not unlike the one hiding the item on the table. If they really didn’t recognize the basket, then she wasn’t ready to reveal the contents just yet.
“Nope. It’s you we’re expecting. Let me help you with your coat.”
She almost sighed with relief. Instead, she clutched her coat as he took it by the shoulders. “No, no. That’s okay.”
“But it’s nice and warm inside. I wouldn’t want you to get overheated.” Josh’s smile widened as he leaned closer to her. “Or would I?”
Having his mouth so close to her made her tingle. “Uh, no.” Hell, yes. “But I thought Will and I were going to talk about the sign?”
Will pushed Josh aside then held out his hand. “Don’t let Josh rattle you. We can talk about that, but I have to admit that we got you here with another agenda in mind.” He glanced down at the basket. “I promise not to look inside if you’ll let me take that for you.”
She let him, relieved that he wouldn’t look. “You have another agenda?” Was it too much to hope that they wanted to do the same thing she did?
He lifted the basket and studied it. “Hang on. This is our basket. The one that was in the auction, right?”
“Uh, yes.” So he hadn’t recognized it? Damn.
She could tell Josh was trying not to smile. He lost the battle. “I’d heard someone had purchased it after we left. So it was you.” His gaze bored into her, seeking, knowing.
“Yeah. It was me.”
“We didn’t know you were into that kind of thing.”
“I’m not.” She gathered her nerve. “Not yet anyway.”
“Then why’d you buy it, Tatum?”
Yet it was obvious Josh knew why. “It was for a good cause.”
They both could’ve called her on it, but instead, they simply nodded. If they’d pushed her into admitting the real reason, she would’ve blushed like crazy.
The two of them stood together like superpower heroes in a movie. And oh, how she wanted to be the woman they rescued!
Their dark hair made her palms itch to run her fingers through the strands. Shadows from the firelight and candles surrounded them, making them seem even
more mysterious than ever before. Their wide shoulders boasted muscles that weren’t hidden by their shirts, and the faded jeans that were their standard clothing hugged their hips in a way that made her mouth water. Will had on his belt and silver buckle, and the intricate design of a tree sparkled whenever the light hit it. Josh was more laid-back with a long-sleeve cotton shirt that had its first three buttons undone, exposing a small patch of dark chest hair.
If she could’ve drawn her fantasy men, the McLean cousins would’ve made a perfect picture.
“Let’s cut to the chase. We want you, Tatum.” Josh’s blue eyes seem to darken. “We want you bad.”
Will’s blue eyes, so much like Josh’s, centered on her. They held her in a vise from which she’d never break free. Then again, she couldn’t imagine ever wanting to. “I’d hoped to put it to you in a nicer way and lead up to it a bit slower, but what Josh said is true. We do want you.”
Did they mean as a one-night stand? She shoved the idea of a future away. For now, tonight was enough.
“Tatum, talk to us.” Josh’s thick eyebrows dove toward the center of his nose when she didn’t answer. “Darlin’? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” A huge grin took over her face, but she didn’t care if she looked like a raving idiot. She was too happy not to let it show. What they’d said gave her the encouragement to go ahead with her plan. “In fact, I’m hoping you’ll think that I’m more than okay.”
Unbuttoning her coat, she pulled it apart then slipped it off her shoulders. It fell to the floor to puddle at her feet.
“Holy shit,” whispered Will.
* * * *
Will had thought Tatum was beautiful before, but now, after seeing her body clad in the sexy lingerie, he knew he’d been wrong. She wasn’t merely beautiful, she was a goddess. He didn’t know what to call the tight corset thing she wore, but he loved the way it highlighted her firm breasts. The black material molded to her form, just stopping short of the lacy panties. A pink bow tie dotted the front of the bodice right between her breasts, while another one drew his attention to a spot between her legs. He wanted nothing more than to pull each tie and see what would happen. Black sheer stockings were held up by garters, giving her the look of an old-fashioned saloon girl. The black high heels made her legs long and shapely.
Firelight danced around her body, painting her with light that seemed to know the perfect curves and hills to point out. She was shapely, not a stick figure like so many women were. From her full breasts to the widening of her hips, she was every inch a woman.
And she’s ours.
Or at least he hoped she would be. If not, he doubted he could ever look at another woman and feel anything but sorrow.
He heard Josh moan beside him. He nodded, understanding what his cousin was feeling. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly filled with the need to taste her. “Wow, sugar.”
She bit her lower lip, and that simple gesture drove him insane. “Is that a good wow or a bad wow?”
Josh stepped forward to claim their prize first. “Oh, darlin’, that’s a fantastic wow.”
Josh slid his palm over her shoulder and moved behind her. “Cuz, the view from this side is as good as the front. Damn, Tatum, you’re hotter than the sun.”
Will couldn’t take his eyes off her. He was afraid that if he touched her she might disappear and he’d wake up with his cock in his hand and alone in his room. Josh, however, didn’t have the same problem.
Her eyes grew wide as his cousin pulled her hair off her neck and placed a kiss on her shoulder. Josh’s hands slipped around to cup her breasts as he continued to skim his mouth along her skin. She moaned but didn’t move. Her green eyes locked onto him, but still she remained silent.
Josh found her nipples and began rubbing them through her top. He glanced up at Will and shot him a questioning look. “Are you going to join in, cuz? Or just watch? I’m fine either way.”
“In a sec.”
Josh stopped massaging her breasts and kissing her to watch, too, as Will snatched off the cloth covering the contents of the basket.
Josh gave a chuckle. “Yep, that’s ours all right. I think someone wants to get kinky.”
Will picked up a blue vibrator and pushed the on button. At once, the penis-shaped toy spun into action, whirling around in a circle even as it thrust up and back. He pushed another button and the toy sped up.
“Sugar, I just want to make sure of one thing. You don’t think this thing’s going to be better than us.” Will faced her and held the vibrator out to her. “Do you?”
“I hope the hell not.”
“What else is in there? Did she add anything?” Josh still played with her breasts even as he rested his chin on her shoulder and waited for Will to check the basket again.
“I’m not sure if this was what we put in it or not.” Will picked up a tube of gel. “But this is encouraging.”
“Ooh, dibs, cuz.” Josh shrugged just as she craned her head around to look at him. “What can I say? I likey me some booty.”
“Do you likey you a little flogging action, too?” Will held up a small flogger made into three sections that folded together to fit in the basket.
“Do you like a little pain with your play, darlin’?”
“I–I don’t really know.”
Will caught Josh’s expression and knew they were thinking the same thing. She may act like she was sexually experienced, but they doubted she really was. Although they’d done a little fooling around in the past when they’d met up, those times weren’t anything compared to what they had planned now.
“I guess we’ll have to find out.” Will blew out a breath, trying to maintain his composure, but it was harder with every glance her way. “I’m thinking it’s the same way for these, right? Have you ever been cuffed?”
She blushed when he held the fur-lined handcuffs in the air. The color added another touch to her already overwhelming allure.
“I thought you two were into toys.” She straightened up, closing her eyes again for a brief moment, before looking straight at Will. “But to tell the truth, I don’t have much—okay, not any experience. Other than watching.”
“Watching is always good,” added Will.
Josh slid a spaghetti strap down her arm. “Trust me. We’re way better than toys, but that doesn’t mean we won’t enjoy using them. And don’t worry about not having any experience. I’ll admit that we’re no pros.” His grin grew. “Still, we like to try new things. Are you okay playing along? If not, just say so.”
“I will.” A gleam that Will hadn’t seen before lit up her eyes. “Of course, we’ll never know how good you are until you prove it.”
“Looks like we have a dare, cuz.” Josh slid the other strap of her top down her arm.
“Well, we’ve never run from a challenge before and we’re not going to start now.” Will started unbuttoning his shirt. “Especially not from a Baldwin.”
The glare from Josh was nothing compared to the flash of self-inflicted recrimination Will felt lash through him. Why the hell had he brought her family into it?
“I don’t think we should talk about our families. At least not right now.” She dropped her gaze to the floor then up again, but the playful glint she’d had in her eyes a moment ago was gone.
“Damn straight. Forget he ever mentioned it.” Josh stepped away from her and toward Will, shooting him another glower.
Tatum stood where she was then glanced around the tiny one-room shack. “There’s no bed.” Her gaze drifted to Will’s waist as he undid his favorite silver buckle then opened the flaps of his jeans.
“We can do without it.” Josh had already thrown his shirt to the floor and was pulling off his boots.
Will toed off his boots and kicked them to the side as Josh had done. Then, while keeping his gaze on her face, he unzipped his jeans and let them fall to his ankles. He’d never worried about what a woman would think about his body, but suddenly he was anxious to see Tatum’s
reaction. The fact that she licked her lips reassured him. He was very glad he’d dressed in his usual commando style.
Her mouth parted as her gaze fixed on his already erect cock. “Oh, my.”
Josh, as usual, wasn’t about to be outdone. He shucked his jeans then fisted his hands on his hips. “Don’t be too disappointed, darlin’. What my cousin lacks, I more than make up for.”
Her laugh was melodious, a sound he could wake up to every day of his life. He hoped that it meant she wasn’t taking Josh’s boast seriously. “Ego, thy name is Josh.”
If the lust clouding her eyes was any indication, she didn’t find either one of them lacking. She was as turned on as he was.
As though their nudity had unlocked any shyness remaining in her, she ran a hand over her breasts, over the top of them, stopping to tease her nipples as Josh had done. Then, with a flick of her tongue over her top lip, she let her fingers travel downward, over the tight corset to the lacy panties.
Will waited, his breath hitched in his throat as she paused with her fingertips just barely under the material. He could sense Josh stiffen and knew his cousin was silently begging her to keep going.
“Go on, sugar.” Will wet his lips and concentrated on her hand as though he could will her to move it.
She finally did, but so slowly he thought his cock would burst just watching her. He glanced up at her face and saw the pleasure tempting them gave her. Her nipples were hardened, and he drew in a long, slow breath, sure that he could pick up the smell of her arousal.
Her hand slipped under the panties and her fingers found her slit. She moved her hand, up and down, and she cupped one breast. Her moan was filled with need.
“Holy hell, darlin’.” Josh came to her side. He touched her shoulder then glided his fingers down to fondle her breast. “That’s it. Keep working it. I can smell your sex.”
Will couldn’t stand it a moment longer. He came to her other side and brushed her hand away from her breast. She bit her lower lip again and he had no choice but to lean over and bite it, too. “Rub it, baby. Pleasure yourself. Josh and I will love watching you. For now.”