The next thing I know, Allison turns on her heel and races back to her house. Jake looks at me as if to tell me I need to go after her, but before I can even move my feet, Dirk comes seeking my help.
“Hey, boss, one of you needs to come real quick.”
I hesitate, bouncing my gaze from Dirk’s worried face to Allison walking away from us.
“I think we’re losing Jezebel. She just went into labor and something’s not right. Jenkins is by her side helping, but it’s more than he can handle. She’s in pain. We need your help.”
I meet Jake’s concerned stare and he gestures with his chin for me to follow our manager. “Are you serious? I hope we don’t lose her.”
“Unfortunately I am. She’s bleeding pretty badly.”
I’ll have to deal with this emergency first and then I’ll have to talk to Allison. She deserves to know what’s going on.
CHAPTER THREE
ALLISON
I slam the door to my house behind me so hard, I’m surprised it’s still standing. I’m furious at myself for not having been more careful. Of course Jake and Hunter would have girlfriends. I mean, who do I think I am? It’s not as if these two sex gods were waiting for me, their perfect partner. I’m just a plaything. A toy. I was too stupid and too cowardly to ask questions. Way to go, Ali.
Now I’m the one who’s hurt and humiliated. If Lindsay talks her way into moving in with Jake, there’s no way I’ll be able to remain here to witness this trainwreck. I won’t be able to bear watching her grope him as indecently as she did in front of Hunter and I. Jake didn’t even try to stop her. God. I shake my head, reliving all the events of the past hour since this woman burst into my life, and I bristle at the realization that her long tanned legs, size-zero figure, Barbie hair and perfect painted face make me feel beyond insecure. Why would Jake want someone like me when he can have someone like her? My sudden pang of envy surprises me, but it only gets stronger when I remember once again Lindsay’s desperate attempts at claiming Jake. Bitch.
After half an hour consumed with resentment towards the intruder in my life, I realize if I don’t speak to someone, I’ll combust. I pull out my phone from my back pocket and dial Gwyn’s number. I pace around my house waiting for her to answer, but after four rings, it goes straight to voicemail. I try again, but when it happens a second time, I throw my phone on the couch, defeated. She must be in a meeting.
I’m sure all this wouldn’t be so hard to digest if I was willing to admit to myself I’ve fallen for Jake. It’s not that Hunter isn’t amazing, it’s just that there’s an undeniable pull towards Jake I’ve never felt with any other man before. Gwyn’s picked up on how much I gush over Jake. I don’t think I was aware of it until she pointed it out. I was baffled. I tried to deny it, but Gwyn knows me well. I was hoping the torrent that builds inside me every time I’m near Jake was just a passing thing, but Lindsay’s arrival is turning my world upside down. I’ve never seen Jake look so polished and so freaking hot. As I walk around my place trying to calm down, I can’t help but flash back to the moment Jake stepped out of his vehicle. I swear the air got sucked right out of my lungs. I mean, he was so dashing in his tailor-made navy-blue suit that made him look even more dangerously handsome than usual. Damn. His crisp white shirt accentuated his tanned skin and when I looked at his laced-up black shoes, I knew they had to be expensive. He was oozing something so powerful, so commanding and so arresting, I licked my lips, he looked that good.
Since I arrived in Colorado, I’ve only seen him in tight-fitting Wrangler jeans, casual chinos, t-shirts, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat… unless of course he was naked. Seeing him today looking so dashing reminded me that before owning this successful ranch, Jake was a Silicon Valley king. What would he want with the likes of me?
When it becomes clear I’ll have to deal with this crisis on my own, I walk to the fridge in search of salvation—alcohol. In a fit of jealous rage at my own delusions, I swing open the kitchen cupboards in search of a wine glass. Thank God Isadora stocked up. I grab a bottle and pull the cork out before pouring a very generous amount in my glass. If I numb my emotions, I can pretend I’m not feeling as crappy as I am right now.
I lift the glass to my lips and tilt my head back, taking one big gulp. Sometimes wine fixes everything, especially when you’re trying to lie to yourself. I grab the bottle ready to pour myself more liquid liberation when there’s a knock at my door. I’m tempted to disregard the intrusion, but Hunter is calling my name so loudly, it’s impossible to ignore him.
“Allison, I know you’re in there. Please open the door. I need to talk to you.”
“Hunter, I’m busy.”
“I have a spare key to your house. Either you open this door or I’ll let myself in. Your choice.”
Great, I have no privacy. I resign myself and set down my wine glass on the table before walking to the door.
When I catch sight of Hunter, I gasp in horror. “You’re bleeding. Are you hurt?” I fix my eyes on his soiled t-shirt.
He looks down before smiling at me. “No. I’m fine. We had a false alarm with one of the cows that was giving birth. When you stormed back to your place, Dirk came to get me to help with Jezebel, but by the time I ran to the barn, nature had taken over and our cow was well on her way to calving with Jenkins by her side. I stuck around to make sure everything was okay, but when a cow calves, there’s blood everywhere.”
“God, you scared me.”
“The minute I knew Jezebel was going to be okay I came running over here. I need to talk to you about Lindsay, but my clothes are too dirty for me to come in. Let’s sit on the porch instead.”
“It’s okay, Hunter. You don’t have to make excuses for Jake. I get it.”
“Jake’s a big boy and he doesn’t need me to air his dirty laundry, but Lindsay is something else and you need to understand that. Hear me out.”
I hesitate, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about the witch of Eastwick who’s turned my world upside down.
“I’m willing to listen.”
For the next twenty minutes Hunter shares the intricate detail of Jake and Lindsay’s former relationship. I listen intently and can’t help but realize that my feelings about her weren’t too far off. It was clear from the first second I laid eyes on her she was impossible to handle.
“I hope things make more sense now and that I’ve shed some light on Lindsay.”
“Where’s Jake now?” I’m grateful Hunter came over to explain things, but I would have preferred it if Jake had done it in person.
“He’s on his way back to Denver with a very pissed-off ex-girlfriend in the passenger seat. He texted me while I was in the barn to let me know he was putting an end to things once and for all by checking Lindsay into a hotel. He’s dropping her off and driving back.”
“Really? He wasn’t going to let her stay the night? She could’ve stayed at Riley’s place.” I’m not entirely unhappy to know Lindsay is gone, but since it’ll be nighttime soon, it might have been easier to keep her here until the morning.
“No. You don’t play Jake. He wanted me to talk to you because he was worried this ordeal might make you think…”
“He was cheating on his girlfriend with me?”
“Exactly.”
“So Jake is really single?”
“He’s as single as I am. We’d never do anything like this. It’s not worth the aggravation. We like our drama-free life. When things don’t work out with someone we’re seeing, we break things off and we move on, but Lindsay… she’s a special case.”
I look at him from the side, still unsure if I’m willing to voice my feelings. “Everything about her made me uncomfortable and groping Jake in front of us was distasteful. She looked so desperate it just turned my stomach and I couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Not to mention she was very rude to me from the minute she first met me.”
“I could tell and that’s why I wanted to talk to you. Now that everything is ou
t in the open, let’s go enjoy the rest of our evening.”
“What did you have in mind?” I say, excited to put this drama behind us.
“Why don’t I go take a shower, change into some clean clothes and let’s go to the cabin? Let’s have a few drinks and we can unwind before dinner. What do you say?”
“Sounds like a really great idea.”
“Give me thirty minutes and I’ll be back for you. I’ll text Jake so he knows where to find us when he gets back.”
* * *
The second Hunter turns on the lights inside the cabin, I realize he’s been planning this moment since before he even came to speak to me to straighten things out. He’s thought of everything—stainless-steel buckets of ice filled with beer and wine bottles sitting near the edge of the pool, a selection of scrumptious-looking appetizers, refreshing ice tea, water with slices of citrus fruits floating on the surface, one of Isadora’s signature loaf cakes and relaxing music. Wow. I turn around to look at him, but he speaks before I do.
“With all this Lindsay drama, it’s late and by the time Jake gets back, dinner will be the last thing on his mind.” Hunter winks.
“The spread is a nice touch, but I’m surprised by the slices of oranges and lemons floating in the water,” I mock. “Where did you learn that? I’d never imagine a guy would pay such attention to details.”
“Isadora,” he says with a boyish grin. “She claims it’s a Southern thing and it makes for a much more refreshing drink. Riley claims every spa in America serves this type of fruity water. Personally, I think it’s a heck of a lot better-tasting than plain water, right?”
“Point well taken.”
“Let me adjust the pool’s temperature and we can climb in.” Before I can answer, Hunter is playing around with the thermostat. I take a few steps towards the bar and lean back, watching him set the perfect mood for our evening. He turns around and stares at me, gesturing up and down my body with his index finger. “What are you still doing fully dressed?”
“Why do I always have to be the first one naked?”
“Because I never get tired of seeing your delicious body and although my best friend isn’t here yet, I’m pretty sure he’d agree,” he says suggestively while striding towards me, cornering me with his large frame against the edge of the stainless-steel bar.
“You’re just saying that so you can have your way with me.”
“Of course I am. What did you expect?” Hunter laughs before speaking again, this time in a much deeper voice. “This eventful evening has interfered with my well-laid-out plans,” he says, sweeping a strand of hair behind my shoulders.
“Did those plans involve your cock and my pussy?” I swear, since I set foot on this ranch I’ve been transformed into a woman I barely recognize. There’s no way I would’ve ever had the guts to ask such a bold question before, but around Hunter and Jake, it’s safe to let go of my inhibitions.
“You read my mind. I intended on being buried inside you by now while Jake watched me fuck you, but I guess I’ll have to get a head start and hopefully he’ll join us well before I come gushing all over your velvety-smooth stomach.” He leans down and drops a soft kiss against my lips while he unties my robe.
Hunter surprised me when he showed up at my place a few minutes ago to take me to the cabin holding a white terrycloth robe. He brought the same one in a larger size for himself and he suggested I slip into mine instead of the casual clothing I was wearing. Secretly, I suspect it’s his way of speeding things up.
“You’re in a rush,” I pretend to protest. “Why have such a delicious assortment of food if it’s just to ignore it?”
“Because I’d rather have you as the appetizer and keep the food for later. Once I’m done with you, I’ll need to refuel,” he says, parting his own robe and revealing a raging erection.
“Hunter, you’re so—”
“Huge?”
“I was going to say big, but sure, let’s go with huge,” I tease.
“Being around you is such a turn-on.”
“What about me? I’m famished. I wouldn’t mind nibbling on a few appetizers.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pump your mouth and you can suck on my dick instead. That’ll be plenty for you to handle.”
“You’re so self-assured.”
“You’re not fooling anyone, Allison. The way you sucked our cocks last night, I know you’re dying to drop to your knees, wrap those lips around my dick and swallow every last drop of me.”
“Damn, you have a dirty mouth, Hunter.”
“You say that as if it were a bad thing. You can’t get enough of the way my raunchy words make your pussy wet. You pray for my lips to suck on your heavy tits. And I know you lose it when my tongue flickers against your hard clit. Admit it, you love everything about this mouth.”
“Crap, am I so transparent?”
“Your desperate moans, your slippery wetness and the frantic quivering of your body when I’m with you betray you.”
“Oh.” I can’t think of anything right now because I’m too focused on enjoying his hands all over my body.
“I knew you’d be open to sharing both of us the second I laid eyes on you. It took my best friend a little bit more convincing.”
“Really?” I push him slightly away from me to meet his gaze. “So you looked at me and thought, ‘Yeah, she’d be willing to take two cocks at the same time?’”
“Pretty much,” he mocks. He leans down and claims my lips, silencing me and preventing me from making any further smart remarks. He slides his hands down my back until he reaches the roundness of my ass and he squeezes me closer to his erection.
“Argh.”
I’m so aroused by the idea of being with both men again that my clit throbs uncontrollably, already seeking salvation. I slide my hand behind his back and I hold him tighter, grinding myself against him. Shit.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Jake?” The second the question leaves my lips I regret it.
“Ah, Jake,” he says, kissing my chin and pushing my robe off my shoulder before cupping my breast. “You like him, don’t you?”
“I… I like both of you,” I hiss, closing my eyes with excitement when he pinches both nipples.
“You know what I’m talking about,” he says, lowering his head to take my right boob into his mouth. “I’ve noticed the way you look at him.”
“What are you talking about, Hunter?”
“You don’t look at me in the same way.”
“You’re being silly,” I respond, trying to reroute this conversation.
I like both men and not only because they worship my body and make me come to the point where I can barely remember my name. I genuinely like being around them, but there’s something about Jake. I’m shocked and somewhat embarrassed Hunter would pick up on that. I guess I’ve never been very good at hiding my true feelings. “I look at both of you as if you’re sex gods.” I attempt to make up for my faux pas. I know I’m skirting the issue, but I can’t allow Hunter to know how I really feel about Jake or I’ll threaten what we share.
“So you like when we’re both fucking you, or would you—”
“I sure as hell hope she likes it because tonight, we’re both claiming her at the same time. I have no intention of sitting back and watching you fuck her pussy.”
When did he get in? I didn’t even hear him open the door.
Jake’s entrance prevents Hunter from finishing his sentence and buys me the time I need to get out of this uncomfortable conversation. Jake’s also clad in the same kind of white robe that’s wrapped around me and when I look down, I can see the outline of his hungry erection.
“You’re back.” The words escape my mouth in a whisper.
“Of course, baby girl. You didn’t think I was going to let him have you all to himself tonight?” he says, pointing his chin at Hunter.
“Damn, and here I thought it was my lucky night alone with Allison.”
“Sorry to burst your bubbl
e, buddy.”
“That must be the fastest time on record. Did you fly to Denver to drop Lindsay off? Because there’s no way you could have had time to drive there and back.”
I was just thinking the same thing. Suddenly I’m aware I’m half naked and I pull up the robe to cover my exposed breasts.
Jake answers Hunter’s question, but his eyes are glued on me as he watches my every move with a sly smile. “Ten minutes down the road she threw another hissy fit. I put my foot on the brake so hard she nearly flew out the window. We had another fight and at that point, I had had enough. The idea of staying stuck in my SUV with her for another forty-five minutes nearly gave me an ulcer.”
“Did she end up walking all the way to Denver carrying her five pieces of luggage on her back?” Hunter pulls away from me, chuckling.
“That would have been quite the scene, but nothing that dramatic. I called a limo to come pick her up. I waited and made sure she got in the car before driving back to the ranch. I even gave the chauffeur a hundred dollars so she wouldn’t have anything to complain about. She’s out of my life for good and there’s no more room for her to think we’re still together when we’re not.”
“Good. No more drama.”
“I should thank her, though.”
“For what? Being annoying?” Hunter looks horrified, but I’m too mesmerized by how handsome Jake looks to do anything more than stare in his electric-blue eyes.
“Lindsay’s brash nature was a blessing tonight.”
“Okay, you’ve lost me.”
This story with Jake’s ex-girlfriend is so layered, it’s not my place to share my opinion, so I just listen as the two men debate.
“The long drive to and from Denver would have prevented me from being here to enjoy the blonde you were about to ravish.” His comment takes me by surprise and I bring both hands to my mouth to hide my smile. His eyes are still on me when he speaks again. “Hunter explained everything?”
It takes me a few seconds to find my composure. “Yes, he did.”
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