Welcome Home, Tessa [Allure, Wyoming] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Madison Maxwell

  “I just stopped by to drop off this prescription for Fred Hampton. I was over at his place. He just got back from the doctor and I told his wife I’d drop it off. She’ll be by to pick it up later.” Henry handed Tessa the paper. “I gotta get going. Good to see you, Mitch, Tessa.”

  “Thanks again, Henry.”

  “Anytime.” Henry smiled at Tessa then left.

  “Mitch, what are you doing here? I just left you.”

  “We still needed to pick up supplies so I had Sam drop me off to check on you and see if you would like to have dinner with me tonight. Just you and me, what do you say?” He gave her the most innocent smile. She felt warm all over knowing that he wanted to make sure she was stable.

  “I’d love to, but I was planning on driving into Casper after work to see my dad since I didn’t go yesterday.”

  “How about I drive you and we have dinner after. I’d like to see your dad.”

  “I’d like that. I get done here at five and was gonna leave right away.”

  “I’ll be here at five. You call one of us if there are any other problems,” Mitch told her before kissing her good-bye in front of everyone.

  She watched Mitch walk away, admiring the way he moved. Damn, but he was fine. He stopped and spoke briefly with Kathy and she watched as the older woman turned pink and laughed. What a flirt.

  Tessa went back behind the counter and thankfully business was steady for the next couple of hours. Before she knew it, it was noon and her stomach was growling, remembering she hadn’t had any breakfast.

  “Kathy, I think I’m gonna order some lunch. Do you want anything?”

  Kathy laughed as the door opened. “I don’t think you need to worry about lunch.”

  Tessa looked up as Rance walked through the door with bags in his hands. “Afternoon, Mizz Kathy. I stopped by Montgomery’s Grill, hope you like beef barley soup and turkey on wheat. I took the liberty of bringing you all lunch.”

  “Why how sweet of you, Rance. That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

  Rance handed her a bag then made his way back to Tessa. “Meet me at the side door” was all he said as he moved in that direction.

  She walked around to the pharmacy door and opened it. Rance placed the bags on the counter before he grabbed her waist, spun her around, closed the door, and held her against it, wrapping her in his arms. “Just let me hold you for a minute, baby girl.” Tessa felt him tremble as he held her. She clung to him, wanting to comfort him as much as he was giving her peace and security. He finally let out the breath he had been holding and kissed her, eagerly taking everything she gave. Heat seared her senses as the kiss consumed her. His lips caressed along her jawline to her neck, then Rance held her to him tight and said, “Mitch filled me in on everything. God, Tessa, I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.”

  “I’m fine, don’t worry. I’m better now that you’re here and I’ll be even better once I eat. I was just getting ready to get some lunch. I didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast and I’m starving. It was so sweet of you to bring me lunch and it smells wonderful. Come on and sit down.”

  Tessa took Rance’s hand and led him to the back area of the pharmacy where there was a table and chairs. She took everything out of the bags, setting a soup and sandwich in front of them both.

  “Thanks for bring me lunch. It’s been so busy I hadn’t been able to grab a snack,” she told him as she took a bite of her sandwich. “Oh this is so good. I love avocado on turkey, how did you know?”

  “I didn’t, just hoped that you would like it. That’s the way I like mine. You should keep a granola bar or some nuts back here to snack on so you don’t get hungry. It’s not good for you to let your blood sugar drop too low.” Tessa smiled, not believing the depth to this man. She really didn’t know him. There was so much to learn about each and every one of them and she looked forward to it.

  They ate as Rance told her about the foals that had been born and that there were still nineteen left to go. She couldn’t believe they had so many horses, but that is what they did for a living. Then he changed the topic. “Mitch said he asked you to come and stay at the ranch with us. Why won’t you, Tess? We can make sure you’re safe.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Rance, I really do, but I have been independent for a long time now and taken care of myself. I’ll be fine. Henry has done odd jobs for my dad at the house and I’ve asked him to change the locks for me and to add a deadbolt. He’s going to install them tomorrow. Besides, you guys have a ranch to run. You don’t need to be running to the hardware store and changing my locks. If I remember right, you’ve got babies to deliver.”

  “Funny,” he said with a not-so-funny look on his face. “I might have babies to deliver but you’re a hell of a lot more important to me than any horse. You know any one of us would have taken the time to take care of the locks for you. You need to let us help you, let us take care of you, baby. We could have had it done already. I don’t need someone else taking care of my girl. What about tonight? You can’t stay there by yourself. Just come home with us, please, baby?” he asked as he reached for her hand, threading their fingers together. “You know if you don’t then you’re gonna have three grouchy cowboys on your hands tomorrow cause we sure as shit won’t be getting any sleep if we have to sit in our trucks all night in your driveway.”

  Damn, but it was hard to resist him and that innocent, sweet smile he was trying so hard to give her. He was just too cute. “I’ll think about it. I need to get back to work. Thanks so much for bringing me lunch and Kathy too.”

  Tessa walked with him to the pharmacy door and Rance pulled her into his arms hugging her close. “You smell and feel so good, baby girl. You make me want things that I’ve never wanted before, Tessa, and it scares the hell out of me. God, what you do to me, baby. How about Saturday I take you for that ride on my bike?”

  “I work until noon and then I was going to go into Casper and see my dad.”

  “I wouldn’t mind seeing Grant. Why don’t we plan on leaving around one? That should give you enough time to get ready. We’ll ride the bike into Casper. Weather’s supposed to be nice so it will be the perfect day for a ride. We’ll grab dinner in Casper, maybe catch a movie if you want. What do you say?”

  “You sure make it hard for a girl to say no. Sounds like fun, I’m in. Not so sure about the movie though. I kinda told Ally I’d go to The Spur with her.”

  “We can meet her at The Spur. If you think for one minute you’re going in there without one of us with you, you need to think again, baby girl. We’re not gonna let anything happen to you and when you’re not here we’re not letting you out of our sight.”

  Tess smiled up at him as he slowly lowered his head and took her lips with his. She made him so hard he wanted to lift her against the wall and pound into her until the ache in his balls went away. Never had he felt this way about a woman and it scared the shit out of him. He was so afraid of physically hurting her. He wasn’t a tender lover. He found that out the hard way and he would never make that mistake again. Mitch told him that they each needed to spend time alone with her and even though he was apprehensive, he agreed. Bringing her home and letting her blow him was the first step, lunch being the second, but that was just lunch. He could be alone with her, but he would never be able to take her alone. He couldn’t take that chance. Being with her in the truck was, well, it was fucking amazing, but he couldn’t ever take that chance again. He decided the only reason he kept his control was because he was in shock that she had actually gone down on him, and he was so intent on watching her devour him, giving him pleasure and enjoying it just as much as he was, he hadn’t thought of anything else. It was just too dangerous for them to be more intimate together. He would leave her with his brothers before he would ever chance hurting her. He pulled back from her and watched as she slowly opened her eyes. He kissed the tip of her nose. “You have a nice evening with Mitch, baby, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

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nbsp; Tessa watched him walk out the door just like she had watched Mitch. Damn, those men had the sexiest swagger she had ever seen when they walked. It must be genetic because they each had it and they each held her undivided attention. They all could fill out a pair of jeans like no one else with tight asses and thick thighs. Tessa sighed as she watched Rance jump up into his truck and wink before he closed the door. Kathy looked at her and gave her a sly smile. Tessa wasn’t sure what the older woman was thinking, but she hoped she wouldn’t judge her. Kathy had seen her kiss two of the Collins brothers. Everyone in town was sure to know what was going on by tomorrow, that she was being courted by all three brothers.

  The afternoon seemed to fly by and Tessa found she was busier than she had been the week before. She wondered as she answered questions about everything from cold medicine to athlete’s foot if people weren’t just coming in to check her out and see who had caught the eye of the Collins boys or, she hoped, if they finally realized that she could do the job just like her dad. As Kathy turned the closed sign, she said, “I can’t remember ever being so busy, on a Monday. I think having you here might just be bringing in more business.”

  “I’m sure having Tessa here is bringing in business, especially since I overheard a conversation at the feed store today that Grant Walker’s drop-dead-sexy daughter is back in town and is taking on three brothers.”

  Tessa walked to Mitch and he pulled her into his warm, welcoming embrace and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, baby, if this situation is causing you embarrassment, but I promise it will be old news soon. People just like to stick their nose in everyone’s business, but in the long run it will be worth it.”

  She hugged Mitch, not caring at that moment what anyone thought. This was where she belonged, in their arms. She felt safe and like she was finally home, and she seemed to realize that the more time she spent with them. She liked being the total and complete focus of someone, to know that she was special and that she mattered. “I don’t care what anyone says or thinks. I only care about what you think, and Rance and Sam of course.” She then reached up and softly kissed Mitch.

  Kathy grabbed her purse and coat. “Well, kids, I’m out of here, need to stop at the store before I get home and start dinner. Don’t you worry about anything, sweetie, you just be happy. You’ve got good men to look out for you, let them.” Kathy left, leaving them alone.

  “Now, how about a proper hello, darlin’?” Mitch had her wrapped in his arms, his mouth covering hers before she could even answer. His kiss weakened her knees, melting her to him, and his tongue invaded her mouth, stroking hers and sucking it into his mouth. God, the man could kiss. She couldn’t get close enough to him. Her nipples were hard as she rubbed them against his chest to try and lessen the ache and she wanted nothing more than his touch. She was out of breath by the time he pulled back from her. “Damn, darlin’, you make me crazy. I want you so damn bad, Tessa, my dick could hammer nails right now. Come on, we better get going before I forget why I’m trying to be a gentleman and take things slow.”

  “Why are you being a gentleman and taking things slow?” She had to ask him, knowing that these three men were extremely sexual.

  “Because, darlin’, you are worth the wait. You are more precious to me than anything. I want what is happening between us to last.”

  Mitch wrapped Tessa’s hand in his after she set the alarm and locked the door. As he walked her to his truck and opened the door to help her in, he noticed all the attention they seemed to be getting. All eyes were on them. Mitch chuckled and Tessa asked what was so funny. “Nothing, darlin’, just thinking about how pissed every cowboy from miles around is gonna be once they realize you’re off the market. And from the looks of people watching us right now, I’d say they should all know before nightfall.”

  “Am I off the market, Mitch?”

  “You damn well better believe it, darlin’.”

  “Good, that means y’all are off the market, too.”

  “And you damn well better believe that, too, baby.”

  “That’s good, because unlike you and your brothers, I don’t like to share and I won’t.”

  Tessa smiled as he closed her door to walk around and get in. She immediately scooted to the middle of the seat and put her seat belt on. Mitch smiled when he noticed Tessa had moved to the middle. “Is this OK?” she asked.

  “Darlin’, the closer you are to me the better.” His kiss was sweet and tender and when he pulled back to put the truck in gear she put her head on his shoulder. As they pulled out of town heading toward Casper, she couldn’t help but smile and think about how much her life kept changing from day to day and what he had said to her earlier. She was precious to him and she was worth it. Now she just had to convince herself of that, but in the meantime she would just enjoy the feel of his hand as it caressed her thigh.

  Tessa was excited to see her dad and to be able to see his improvements with her own eyes. They pulled up and parked near the building her mom was staying at. Tessa’s mom was just getting ready to walk inside when she stopped and watched as Mitch lifted Tessa out of the truck and gave her a quick kiss. Tessa was so focused on Mitch that she didn’t see her mom had been watching until they rounded the front of the truck.

  “Hey, Mom,” Tessa said as she walked over to her and gave her a hug.

  “Hi, Diane, how you doing this evening?” Mitch asked her and gave her a hug. Tessa didn’t realize that Mitch was on a first name basis with his mom.

  “I’m doing just fine. Surprised to see you, Mitch, especially with Tessa.”

  “What’s so surprising about that, Mom?”

  “Well, dear, Mitch is just…We will talk about this later.”

  “No, Mom, we’ll talk about this now. Mitch is just what, a nice guy, gorgeous, too good for me?”

  “That’s not what I was going to say, Tessa Rose. Don’t put words in my mouth.”

  “Then what were you gonna say, Mom?”

  “I think we should talk about this later.”

  “No, I really want to know what your opinion is on this, because I’m dating Mitch, so you may as well say what you need to say now.”

  “You can’t be serious, Tessa. Since when are you dating Mitch?”

  Mitch spoke up. “Actually, Diane, we’ve just started seeing each other in the last couple of days, but Tessa’s right, we are most definitely dating.” Mitch smiled as he put his arm around Tessa.

  “Now what is it you need to say to me, Mom? And you may as well say it in front of Mitch because I will tell him anyhow.”

  “Fine, Tessa, if that’s the way you want it. Mitch is too much man for you. You’re going to end up getting hurt. There is no way this will last. I’ve seen the type of women Mitch has dated, and even though you’ve come back home looking better, you’re not tall and model perfect.”

  Mitch cut her off. “You’re right and wrong, Diane. Tessa isn’t tall, but she is perfect, perfect in every way and perfect for me. I’ve waited a long time to find someone as special as Tessa and if I have my way, I won’t be letting her go.”

  “That’s what you say now, but, Mitch, I also know about you and your brothers. We have talked very frankly about that. Does Tessa know or have you all changed your way of thinking?”

  “Mom, if you mean that Mitch, Rance, and Sam want a wife to share then yes, I know. That’s why I’m dating all of them.”

  “Tessa, you’re not woman enough to handle Mitch. How in heaven’s name do you think you can handle all three of them? They are the most sought-out bachelors in town. I’m sorry, Tessa, but you may as well stop this right now.”

  “I think I’ve heard enough. Diane, Tessa is an incredible woman and we feel honored that she is giving us a chance to be with her and get to know her. I’m sorry and I don’t mean any disrespect, but you obviously don’t know your daughter and how absolutely incredible she is. She’s smart, focused, caring, loving, and has the biggest, kindest heart. She’s patient and doesn’t put up with
any of our crap. We found out today just how stubborn she can be. I feel blessed to have her back home and that she has chosen me and my brothers to spend time with.” Then he turned to Tess. “Come on, darlin’, let’s go see your dad.” They walked away without saying anything else to Diane. Tessa couldn’t believe he had stood up for her and to her mom of all people. She fell in love with him a little bit more every minute she spent with him. It had only been a couple days and she really was falling in love with him. That thought scared her and made her tingly all at the same time.

  As they entered Grant’s room, Tessa was so happy to see him sitting in a chair she couldn’t hold back her excitement. “Hi, Dad, you look good,” she said as she went and hugged him.

  “Hey, babe, I didn’t expect to see you today, but I sure am glad you’re here honey. Who is that with you?” Mitch stepped around Tessa and offered his hand to Grant.

  “Hey, Grant, I thought I would drive your daughter in, plus I wanted to come by and see how you were doing or if you needed anything.”

  “That was mighty nice of you to drive her, Mitch, I appreciate it. What a nice surprise this is to have you both here. Pull up a chair and tell me, Tessa, how are things at the store?”

  As Tessa filled her dad in on everything that was happening at work, Mitch stood back and watched this marvel of a woman. Even after the hurtful words from her mom, she didn’t let it affect her visit with her dad. She didn’t mention any of the conversation to him at all. She told him stories, made him laugh, and held his hand the entire time. He could see how close they were, and that they needed each other’s strength.

  “Babe, would you mind getting me some fresh ice water in the pitcher on the table over there?”

  “No problem, Daddy, I’ll be right back.”

  As soon as Tessa left, Grant turned his attention to Mitch, “So, tell me, young man, what are your intentions with my daughter?”

  Mitch smiled. “Is it that obvious, or did Brad mention it to you?”