by Jane Jamison
Three?
The air picked up speed, whipping her gown even harder, pushing against her body as though to force her to move toward them. Either she moved or she’d be blown off the cliff to fall to the jagged rocks and frothy water below.
“It’s okay, Mira. Let us have you. We’ll never do you wrong. I swear it.” Michael stood apart from his brothers. Strangely, he was fully dressed even as his brothers continued to disrobe.
“I don’t know if I can.” She wanted to go to them, ached to go to them, but couldn’t. Something was holding her back, but she didn’t know what that could be. It certainly wasn’t them. They were amazing, virile men who could drive any woman insane with craving.
“You can.” Davis, undressed, his cock pointing straight at her, opened his arms. “All you have to do is say yes. You don’t even have to take the first step. Just say yes.”
The word was on the tip of her tongue, and yet, still she held back. Instead, she put one hand between her legs to cover herself then crossed her arm over her breasts.
“No. Don’t hide yourself. You’re too sexy to ever hide your body.” Henry took a step forward but stopped when Rick grabbed his arm.
Why had Rick stopped him?
Rick turned his brother free then nodded at her. “Say the word and we’re yours.”
Davis nodded, too. “Say yes.”
This time she didn’t hesitate. This time she didn’t give her head time to stop her heart from speaking. “Yes.”
They were next to her in the blink of an eye. At that moment, a wild gust of wind struck her, knocking her backward. She felt herself falling, the air buffeting around her body. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the waves pounding against the rocks. Fear seared through her.
Strong arms grabbed hold of her and lifted her away from the danger below. The fear that had encased her was suddenly gone as she looked into Davis’s eyes.
“You’re safe. You’ll always be safe with us.”
She leaned against his strong chest as he carried her over to a nearby rock away from the cliff’s edge. The rock was wide and flat, large enough for all of them to be on top of it. Davis gently lay her down.
Her gown disappeared in a mist that floated away from her body. The men, their glorious bodies glowing under the moonlight, ascended on top of her, beside her, somehow hovering above her without touching the rock.
“Where’s Michael?” she asked breathlessly.
“He’s not a part of this,” answered Henry.
She didn’t understand, but thoughts of Michael were gone in the next moment as Davis pushed her legs apart and put his tongue to her pussy. She inhaled, but her breath was captured by Rick as he kissed her, sweetly at first, then harder, needier. A hand skimmed underneath her, urging her onto her side as Henry lay beside her. His other hand fondled her breast, teasing her taut nipple.
They stroked her body, finding erotic places she hadn’t known existed. They murmured words of a sexual nature mingled with words of loyalty and never-ending love. They filled her with their promises.
Davis made sweet, torturous love to her clit, his tongue skimming over it then flicking down to drink from her pussy. His thumbs kept her pussy lips parted as he took her clit between his teeth and sucked it into his mouth. She cried out, an orgasm raking through her. Davis moaned his pleasure and drank harder from her burst of wetness.
Henry seemed to melt into Davis as though Davis’s body grew from solid to nothingness. In the next instant, Davis had switched places with Henry. Henry pulled her legs around his, and taking her to her side along with him, he gave Rick access to her round bottom.
As Davis kissed her, letting her taste her own juices, his brothers slid their cocks inside her. She sucked in a hard breath, breaking the kiss long enough to see Henry slowly rocking his hips as he drove his cock into her pussy. She was equally filled from behind with Rick sliding his cock into her dark hole. Davis kissed her again, his tongue lashing around her mouth and picking up those flavors. He tunneled his fingers into her hair, keeping her with him.
The men filled her, yet they filled her with more than their bodies. Their adoration, their need, their love flowed over her with their touches and then eased its way inside her. She was theirs, and they were hers. An orgasm erupted, harder, faster, longer than she would have thought possible, sealing them as one.
Then, suddenly, they were gone.
She sat up, naked, with the wind whipping over her body. A light rain struck her, chilling her.
“No,” she whispered into the cold night air. “Don’t go.”
* * * *
Mira hadn’t spoken to Liz Avery in almost two months. Not because she didn’t still consider Liz a friend. Instead, it was more a matter of Liz staying on the ranch and learning how to pitch in with all the chores, giving her little time for socializing.
Liz met her at the door, carrying two glasses of lemonade. Of course, knowing Liz, the lemonade had a bit of a punch added to it by way of a shot of hard liquor. The women rocked in comfortable silence on the porch swing that had been added only a few weeks earlier. Liz was a good listener and knew when to wait for Mira to talk.
“So I’m thinking about moving on,” started Mira.
The old Liz would’ve reacted quickly. But Liz had changed. Now she was more relaxed, confident, and strong. The change was subtle, but it was there. What had changed her? Finding three men who adored her? Or was it something more?
Liz took her time to respond. “Do you think you’ll find a better job someplace else?”
“Well, that’s a given. I know there are more job opportunities in larger towns and cities.”
“So have you made up your mind?”
Mira took a sip then made a face. “Damn, girl, you put more than the usual amount in here, didn’t you?”
Liz shrugged. “Do you think so? Maybe. After all, I got the impression from your call that this wasn’t just a chitchat. That you had a more serious matter to discuss. Am I right?”
“Yeah.”
Liz shifted to face her. “Did you come here hoping I’d talk you into staying? Or into going?”
Mira shot her a look. “I want you to tell me what you honestly think.”
“Okay. Here goes. You’re right. You’d find a really good paying job in a city like Dallas.”
“I would.” Then why didn’t the idea make her happy? Why wasn’t she already on the road to the city?
“But you’re still here. That must tell you something.” Liz arched an eyebrow. “Or are you not telling me everything?”
“I’m not lusting after Carl any longer, if that’s where you’re taking this.” She still cared about Carl. But she’d come to realize that caring for him didn’t mean that she loved him.
“No. I was actually thinking in terms of someone else. Is that it? Have you met someone else you might want to stay in town for?”
Her first thought went to Michael Fairland. But for a reason she couldn’t figure out, he didn’t seem right for her. Her next thought went to his brothers. But she hadn’t even met them yet, so how could they be holding her back from leaving?
“Did you, Mira?” Liz leaned in closer, eyeing her.
“No. That’s not it, either.”
“Oh.” Liz leaned back, disappointment on her face. “Then I’m not sure what to say.”
Mira laughed. Liz was rarely without “something to say.”
“Okay, fine. Here’s what I really think.”
Mira drew in a breath and got ready for whatever Liz would say. She just hoped she’d like it.
“I think you should stay. Not only because we’re friends, but because the town needs you.”
Mira laughed again, earning a scowl from her friend. “The town needs me? Are you kidding? We’ve had one patient this week, and it wasn’t even human.”
Liz sputtered the sip she’d taken and sat up straight. “What?”
“No. It was a rabbit.”
“Oh.” Liz wiped away
the drink from her chin, then leaned back.
Why had Liz suddenly relaxed? “Michael Fairland brought in a rabbit with a broken leg. And, yes, I fixed it. But that hardly makes me feel needed.”
Liz took another sip. “I understand the job isn’t what you wanted to do, but Lonesome does need you.”
“How?” She gave her friend an expectant look.
“Because the town needs new people and fresh ideas. Lonesome kind of stagnated for a couple of decades, and now it’s starting to grow. As it grows, we’re going to need more medical people. Besides”—Liz bumped her shoulder against Mira’s—“I need you to stick around. I’d miss having you around.”
Mira rolled her eyes but still loved what her friend had said. “Same here.”
“So it’s decided. Give Lonesome a little more time. What can it hurt to stay on a little while longer?” She sat back, looking for all the world like a cat who’d just eaten a plump canary. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet some men and never want to leave.”
“You mean like Michael Fairland?” Or his brothers. Yes. Definitely his brothers.
“Or his brothers. I’ve only met them a couple of times at the saloon, but they seem like good guys. Plus, they’re sexy as all get out.”
“Remember, girl, you already have three hot men. How many more do you want?”
Liz chuckled and waved as one of her men, Mason Hartley, led a horse out of the barn, jumped into the saddle, then waved again as he rode off. “Not me. Three is more than enough.” As soon as she finished waving, she turned back to Mira. “But you could sure use a good man—or men—in your life. Haven’t you played the victim long enough?”
“Holy crap.” Mira gaped at her friend. “Tell me you did not just say that.”
“I did, and I’m sticking to it.” Liz put her hand on Mira’s arm. “But you know I’m only saying so because I like you.”
“And I like you, too. But stop trying to get me hooked up with some man. Or men.” Mira figured stranger things had happened than two women who had once fought over the same man becoming fast friends. “I need more time.”
“That sounds like you’re still pining for Carl.”
“You know I’m not. Even if you weren’t in the picture, I wouldn’t have any more than a friendship with him. That was a ship that didn’t even get out of the dock, much less sail.”
“Then why not give someone else a try?”
“I don’t know. Laziness? Apathy? Plus, there’s that little thing about maybe leaving town. Why get involved if I’m not planning on staying?”
“I get that. Really, I do. But why not see what’s out there before you traipse off to some big city and become one of a million other pretty faces? Give Lonesome a little more time. Who knows what or who you might find?”
She’d had the same thought but wasn’t about to admit it to Liz. Especially not after the sex dream she’d had about the Fairland brothers. But that had only been a dream most likely born out of a lack of male companionship. “I don’t know. I guess—”
“No more guessing about it. Promise me you’ll stick around a little while longer. For my sake, if not your own.”
“Fine. I’ll stay for a little while longer.” Mira smiled and took another sip of her hard lemonade. “But only if you promise to give me the recipe for your lemonade.”
Liz stuck out her hand. “Done deal.”
Mira had given in readily. Perhaps too readily judging from Liz’s smug look. Still, hadn’t she been leaning toward staying from the moment she’d seen the Fairland men?
Chapter Three
Davis leaned back in the saddle and gazed over the Windy Oaks Ranch, his pride and joy. He doubted there was a more beautiful place on earth. As far as he was concerned, he was content to live and die right where he was. He’d even chosen his burial place under an old, bent oak tree down by the brook that ran from one length of the ranch to the other. His brothers would be buried beside him along with their mate.
Their mate.
How long had he been thinking about the woman who would become their shared mate? Throughout the years, her appearance had changed in his imagination. One year, she was a buxomly redhead. The next year, she’d morphed into a trim, athletic blond with short curly hair. Many years had featured a brunette who was a little taller than average height with enough curves to make his mouth water. Her eye color had changed from green to brown to blue and even gray. Yet no matter what fantasy he had about her physical appearance, his lion was more than ready to claim her. His lion wanted, needed a mate and soon. Still, as many times as her appearance had changed, other traits about her had stayed the same. Granted, he knew that what a werelion perceived as the qualities he wanted in a mate might be forgotten once he met her—instinct often taking over—but Davis hoped at least that one imagined quality would remain consistent.
She would be intelligent. She had to be. Otherwise, how would they survive decades together? He had to have a woman who would stimulate his mind, his curiosity, and challenge him mentally. He longed for nights of passionate discussions about every topic under the moon, including politics and religion.
Was he hoping for too much?
Michael had been more than excited to tell them about Mira. He had gotten excited just hearing his brother talk about her. And then when Henry had told them about his talk with Miss Kitty, that Mira was thinking about leaving Lonesome, Davis had wondered if they’d taken things too slowly. They’d heard about the three women the Hartley men had taken onto the ranch, and following the werelion code, they’d backed off, allowing the Hartleys to sort things out first. In the end, the Hartley men had chosen Liz over the other two women.
Maybe then they should’ve made a move on either Mira or the other woman, Kit Blair. But after discussing the matter, they’d decided they’d hang back awhile longer. After all, what man wanted to be a rebound man? Were the two women truly over the Hartley men? Or would they go running back to them soon enough?
Maybe they should show up at Miss Kitty’s with three large bouquets of flowers and ask Mira out on a date? At least that would be proactive. And if she didn’t turn out to be the right woman for the three of them, then they’d check out Kit. And if she wasn’t the one…
If she wasn’t the one, then what? Would they go back to waiting, or would they go elsewhere to find one woman for the three of them?
He repositioned his cowboy hat, keeping the sun from his eyes. His horse, Rider, blew out a hard breath and shifted back and forth, rocking him. “Easy, boy. I’m just thinking is all.”
Then there were the really hard things to think about. What if one of them wanted one woman and the others wanted other women? It had almost happened with the Hartley men, and he’d heard of the same happening to others. All their lives, he and his brothers had talked about sharing one woman, having one mate to bear their children. What if that wasn’t meant to be?
He let out a low growl. Everyone made the whole finding-your-mate thing sound so easy. Yet from what he’d gone through, he didn’t think it was easy at all. At thirty-five, he was getting restless.
Should they take a woman to share even if one or more of them didn’t fall hopelessly in love with her? Being the romantic one, he hated to contemplate that idea. Not only had he waited for a mate, he’d waited to fall in love, to want a woman more than he could ever imagine was possible.
And then there was Michael. They couldn’t share a woman with him. But at least that was an impossibility they’d accepted long ago.
A car headed down the road running next to the fence line of the pasture. Knowing almost everyone’s truck or car, he studied it, but didn’t recognize it. The red vehicle, one of those compact SUVs, started to slow down. He continued to watch, wondering where the driver was planning on stopping, when smoke billowed out from under the hood.
“Car trouble, Rider.” He leaned over and patted the horse’s neck. “That’s why riding is a hell of a lot better than driving.”
Rider sno
rted his agreement and pawed at the ground. Rider, like all their horses, had been raised by them and, as such, had no fear of their inner beasts. Unless, of course, they shifted. No horse, even one raised by werelions, could control their fear in the face of a large cat.
The car finally pulled off onto the side of the road. A woman emerged from the driver’s side, strode around to the front, then popped the hood.
“Now there’s something interesting, Rider.” Davis gave his horse a barely-there nudge. Rider started forward at a walk, taking its time as it headed toward the woman. “I wonder who she is. Guess we should find out, right?”
Rider bumped his head up and down as though agreeing. The animal picked up speed.
The closer they came to the fence, the car, and the woman, the more Davis had to push his lion back into control. The woman was shapely with a good body, neither too plump nor too thin. Her brunette hair had copper highlights that shone under the sun as it swayed against her shoulders. Her blue T-shirt molded to her firm, high breasts and hugged its way down to her waist. Short jean shorts gave him a great view of her long legs all the way down to her strappy red sandals.
“She’s definitely not from around here,” he whispered to Rider. Not many women in Lonesome would wear sneakers. Instead, they opted for boots or hard-toed shoes that would protect their feet if a horse happened to step on their toes. Besides, he would’ve recognized her a mile away if she was a local.
He managed to get Rider all the way to the fence before she finally noticed him. When she did, she jerked upward from her position of leaning over and looking at the engine and bumped her head.
“Ow! Shit!”
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you that ladies don’t cuss?”
Caramel-colored eyes—a light brown, soft hue he’d never fantasized about but wished he had—met his. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you that a woman can do, act, and speak the same way a man can?”
He almost laughed but managed to hold it back. Somehow, he didn’t think she’d appreciate his sense of humor much. He, however, appreciated her come-back a hell of a lot. “Nope. But I sure as hell can hear her saying exactly that. Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”