Their Border Lands Refuge [Men of the Border Lands 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Marla Monroe

  By the time she had dinner ready, Simon had returned to the house. He quickly washed up then took his place at the table. Skyler did the same. At first they didn’t say anything as they served themselves and started to eat.

  “Does it still look like snow?”

  Simon nodded. “Yeah. It’s getting colder out there, too. I’m going to bring in some firewood and start a fire. We’ll need to keep it going to keep the heat in the house.”

  She would add another blanket to the bed for the night as well. She hadn’t felt too cold the night before, but that could change quickly. It was better to be prepared than have to get up in the cold to get one.

  “How’s he doing?”

  “There isn’t any change. Simon, I’m scared he’s not going to wake up.”

  “He’ll wake up, Skyler. He’s tough.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it.

  She swallowed hard around the knot in her throat, but couldn’t get rid of it. She knew she was on the verge of crying again and hated it. She didn’t like showing so much weakness. When she looked up at Simon, he shook his head and scooted his chair back.

  “Come here, baby.” She crawled into his lap and let him rock her as she wept.

  It hurt so much to think that she might lose Owen. They’d been together for ten years. They knew things about each other that you only learned by living with someone a long time. Would she ever feel the same way about Simon that she felt about Owen? She knew she cared a great deal for him and worried about him, but was that the same as the love she felt for Owen?

  Was it possible to love two men equally or was the love different for each of them? She wished she had someone to talk to about how she felt. Sometimes she missed being near other women. She hadn’t been able to spend much time with them, but just knowing they were there had given her a sense of not being alone. Simon had said there were other families living around them. Maybe she could meet some of the other women later when Owen was better.

  Simon stood up with her still in his arms and carried her to the living room where he deposited her on the couch in front of the empty fireplace. He walked over to the front door and started to open it.

  “What are you doing?” For some reason she was scared he was leaving her.

  “Going to get firewood to start that fire I was talking about earlier.” He gave her a lopsided grin then closed the door behind him.

  She stared absently at the smoke-darkened bricks until Simon returned with several logs. He made two more trips bringing in wood and kindling before he started the fire. She had to admit that it warmed the room up, and the soft scent of smoke was reassuring.

  Once he had the fire going he picked her up and settled her in his lap when he sat down. She snuggled against him, thankful that he was so warm. Snuggling against Owen wasn’t as satisfying as when he was okay. There was a slight coldness to him, and he didn’t wrap his arms around her like Simon was doing. She needed this. She wanted to feel cared for and safe again. Ever since he had gotten hurt, she’d had an empty feeling inside of her. It had grown each hour of the day until she thought she would be consumed by it.

  Now, with Simon holding her, the emptiness was receding. She could go back to him and care for him with hope in her heart once again. Before she’d almost stopped talking to him and touching him. She didn’t need to get in that place again. She needed to be strong for him. He would want her to be strong.

  After what must have been an hour, Simon hugged her tight before placing her on the couch next to him and standing up.

  “You need to go get ready for bed, Skyler. I’ll tend to the kitchen tonight.”

  She yawned and stood up by the couch to stretch. She really needed to check on Owen. It had been several hours since she had last been up there. Instead of heading for the stairs, though, she followed Simon into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

  He patted her hand. “What is it, Sky?”

  “Nothing. I don’t know.” She let go of him and walked over to the window.

  It was too dark outside with the clouds that had drifted in to see anything. When she placed her hand against the glass, a chill flowed through her body. Simon pulled her into his arms. She looked up, and he must have seen something on her face because he growled and lowered his head to kiss her.

  He brushed lightly against her before deepening the kiss. When she opened her mouth to him, he swept in with his tongue and devoured her as if he hadn’t eaten in days. She whimpered when he moved as if to pull away, tangling her hands in his hair. His mouth ate at hers, their tongues sliding against each other and exploring every crevice for some hidden treasure.

  They broke apart with the need to breathe. He didn’t release his hold of her head. Instead, he laid kisses all over her face before picking her up and carrying her to the couch once again. This time he set her down and began removing her clothes. She tried to tackle his at the same time. Finally they managed to get his jeans down and hers off of one leg. Then they were all over each other once again.

  Simon buried his face in the curve of her neck then kissed his way down her chest to her breasts. His tongue circled her nipple before closing around it and drawing on it. His cheeks hollowed with the effort. Then he moved to the other one and treated it to the same attention. It felt so good.

  Then he was moving down her body until his mouth rested just above her mons. Callused fingers separated her pussy lips as he stared down at her. Sky didn’t think she could stand much more teasing. She was burning up with desire. All the worry and fear over Owen not waking up slowly receded to the back of her mind as Simon’s tongue licked her wet slit.

  “Please, Simon.”

  “What, baby? What do you need?”

  “I need you inside of me.”

  He lapped at her pussy, sending shards of heat deep inside of her. She grabbed his head and dug her fingers into his scalp as he teased her clit. He was killing her when all she wanted was for him to pound his cock deep into her cunt.

  “Soon, Skyler. Let me play. I love the smell of your sweet pussy.” He spread her legs farther apart and buried his face there.

  She grabbed the edges of the cushion on the couch and tried to hold on as he teased her pussy into a frenzy. When he dipped a finger into her cunt and fucked her with it, all she could think was that it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. Even when he added a second finger, it still wasn’t what she needed. A soft whimper escaped her lips before she could stop it. Simon looked up, his face wet with her juices.

  “Poor baby. You need my cock in your juicy cunt, don’t you?”

  “Please, Simon. I’m going to go crazy like this.”

  I’ll take care of you, baby. I’ll always take care of you.”

  He sat up and pulled her legs over his shoulders before lining his dick up with her dripping slit. Plunging forward, he sank his cock deep inside of her cunt. The quick motion moved her further up the couch. He growled and pulled her back toward him. His face held a hint of desperation as he buried his dick deep inside of her again and again. He stroked over her sensitive sweet spot with almost every thrust.

  Sky arched her back as his dick took her closer and closer to her climax. He pounded into her over and over, growling occasionally and sending her arousal through the roof. This was pure fucking, and she needed it desperately. Perhaps they both needed it. Right now, she didn’t care about what it meant, only that it took away some of the sadness and worry that threatened to consume her.

  “Fuck! I’m so close. Come for me, baby.” Simon reached between them and rubbed his thumb over her clit before pinching it and sending her flying.

  “Yes!” she screamed as the orgasm roared over her, hot and hard.

  She felt him stiffen against her then roar out his release, filling her cunt with his cum before collapsing over her. She fought to catch her breath as Simon rested his forehead against hers. Then as if realizing he had her almost folded double, he cursed and backed away from her. She immediately
felt the loss of his weight and heat. For a few moments in time she had felt safe and relaxed. With his retreat, the world came crashing back with the knowledge that Owen lay upstairs hanging between life and death. She quickly redressed and without looking at Simon, hurried upstairs to check on him.

  Chapter Seven

  Simon watched Sky hurry up the stairs away from him. It stung that she felt guilty being with him while Owen lay in bed unconscious. He knew that was what she was feeling. He’d seen it in her eyes when she’d looked at him before racing away. They’d used each other for sex and nothing more. It didn’t sit well with him.

  Before Owen had gotten hurt they had been forging a relationship. Now he worried that it was irrevocably damaged beyond repair. He should have comforted her instead of fucking her. She needed reassurance that everything would be okay, and he’d ruined it. Disgusted with himself, Simon walked back to the kitchen and dragged on his coat before walking out the door. He knew better than to wonder around at night without a gun, but he needed some fresh air.

  He leaned against the porch post and stared out into the inky darkness. He needed to be in bed. Mornings came early for him these days with Owen sick, but he couldn’t settle yet. Guilt at how he’d taken Skyler ate at him. She deserved to be treated like a lady and the precious gift that she was. Instead he’d fucked her without even pulling all their clothes off of her. It didn’t sit well with him.

  He didn’t know how long he stood out there thinking about everything and nothing, but a sound behind him alerted him that he was no longer alone.

  “You should be in bed, Sky. You need your rest.”

  “No more than you do. You’re having to do the work of two men.”

  “I’m used to it. Was doing it long before you and Owen moved in.”

  “I don’t know how you managed it all on your own for so long.”

  “You do what you have to do to survive. You know that.” He ran a hand over his face before finally turning toward her.

  He could barely make out her features in the darkness. She had pulled on a coat before she’d walked outside to join him. Red-rimmed eyes searched his. What did she hope to see in his?

  “Come to bed, Simon. It’s cold out here and you have to be up early in the morning.”

  “I’m sorry, Skyler.”

  “About what?”

  “You don’t deserve to be treated like I did earlier.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. We both needed it. We didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry I ran off. I was a little overwhelmed. I felt guilty for enjoying myself with Owen like he is.”

  “You have nothing to feel guilty about, baby.” Simon reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand.

  It pleased him when she rubbed her face against him. Maybe he hadn’t screwed up too badly. He took a step toward her and she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He settled his around her shoulders and pulled her against him. Her hair tickled his nose. The scent of something citrusy filled his senses. She always smelled so fucking good to him, even when she was sweaty from working in the garden or canning their food.

  He tightened his grip on her then sighed and pulled back. She looked up into his eyes with a question in hers. Without saying anything, he gently turned her around and urged her toward the door. It was too fucking cold outside for her. She would catch pneumonia if she wasn’t careful.

  He locked the door behind them and followed her into the den. When she would have gone on upstairs, he stopped her with a hand at her elbow and pulled her over toward the dying fire.

  “Let’s warm up before we go to bed.” He grabbed a log and dropped it on the fire, sending sparks flying up the chimney.

  She watched him as he fiddled with it before setting the screen back in place. When he opened his arms, she eased into them and stood with her face pressed against his chest as he rocked them back and forth in front of the now-revived flames.

  Having her there in his arms felt so good. He envied Owen in that she loved the other man, but she didn’t hate him for it. Perhaps one day she would grow to love him as well. It hadn’t taken him any time to fall for her. He could admit that to himself now. He loved her with a passion that almost frightened him. She completed him. Something about her sweet smiles and heady, independent streak spoke to him.

  He closed his eyes as he held her and prayed that Owen would wake up soon. He hated seeing her hurting and sad. He knew that if Owen died, a piece of her would go with him and he would mourn that loss as surely as he mourned his friend’s passing.

  With one last squeeze, he released her and turned her toward the stairs. They needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow was another long day, and if the clouds that hid the moon and stars were what he thought they were, there might be snow on the ground in the morning. That would complicate his day to no end.

  He watched Skyler remove her clothes and jump into bed, sliding quickly beneath the covers.

  “Hurry, Simon. It’s cold in here.” She scooted up against Owen.

  He quickly removed his clothes, then doused the light and slipped between the covers to cuddle against her. She hummed her appreciation and wiggled against him. His cock nestled between her buttocks, already aroused and hard. It would be hell to fall asleep like this, but he was right where he wanted to be.

  * * * *

  Skyler climbed the stairs the next morning after having cleaned up the breakfast dishes and seeing Simon out to work. She wanted to check on Owen. She was so worried. He’d been asleep for too long now. Losing him was killing her a little bit each time she looked at him. She loved him with all her heart. Simon had come to mean a lot to her and maybe she was even a little bit in love with him, but she needed Owen, too. He was her rock.

  She wet a cloth and returned to the bed to bathe his face and neck. She kept hoping he would respond to the simple care she gave him. She was careful around the wound that was slowly healing. Still, when he moaned it scared her to death. It was the first sound he’d made since the accident.

  “Owen! Can you hear me? Oh, God, Owen. Wake up for me.” She felt tears streaming down her face as she cupped his face in her hands.

  His eyelids fluttered, but he didn’t open them. She couldn’t believe that he was finally responding. She quickly lowered the sheets some and bathed his chest and arms. He didn’t respond this time.

  After covering him back up, she put away the cloth and sat by the bed again. She pulled his hand from beneath the covers and held it in both of hers, squeezing it occasionally as she talked to him.

  “Owen, baby. I love you. Please open your eyes. I miss you so much.”

  Nothing.

  She laid her head on the bed beside him and closed her eyes. She needed to see about lunch soon. It needed to be something warm for Simon since it had snowed the night before. There were a couple of inches on the ground that he had to deal with. She would fix some soup to go along with the sandwiches he normally ate at lunch.

  She stood up and started to pull her hand away from Owen’s when it suddenly closed over hers in a light grip. She jumped.

  “Owen?”

  His eyes fluttered again. Then he opened and closed his mouth a few times as if trying to talk. She leaned forward and heard him whisper something that she couldn’t make out.

  “It’s okay. You’re going to be fine. I’m here with you.”

  He slowly relaxed all over again, releasing her hand. She watched for the rise and fall of his chest to reassure her that he was still alive. Finding him still breathing, she closed her eyes in relief and tucked his hand back under the covers before hurrying back downstairs to start the soup. She would check on him again once she had it going.

  After putting the soup together on the stove, Skyler quickly cleaned up her mess and hurried back upstairs to check on Owen. He didn’t appear to have moved since she’d left him there nearly an hour before. Once again she sat by the bed and held his hand. She talked to him about what was going on how Simon was tending to
everything while he was sick.

  “It snowed last night. Not a lot, but a good two inches. I can’t imagine what Simon is going to do when it gets deeper. He’s really going to need your help when that happens, Owen.” She paused and sighed. “I hope you can hear me. I miss you so much.”

  The hand in hers jumped then closed into a loose fist before relaxing once again. Tears pricked at her eyes as she hugged his now-lax hand against her breasts. He was in there and slowly waking up. Everything would eventually be okay. She just knew it.

  The slamming of a door downstairs had her jerking in the chair. She could feel her heart thumping painfully in her chest before the deep voice of Simon called up the stairs.

  “Sky. You up there?”

  “Coming!” She kissed Owen’s cheek and after replacing his hand beneath the covers, hurried toward the stairs.

  Simon was already halfway up when she reached them. He looked haggard and a bit worried until he saw her. Then his eyes brightened.

  “There you are. How is Owen doing?”

  “He’s waking up, Simon!” She clasped his hands in hers as he reached the landing.

  “How can you tell?”

  “He’s squeezed my hand a couple of times when I’ve been talking to him and his eyes have fluttered.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. “That’s great news, baby.”

  They walked back into the bedroom together. Simon bent over the bed as she pulled Owen’s hand back out. She looked up at the other man and smiled.

  “Owen, you need to wake your lazy ass up now. I’m tired of doing all the work around here. Besides, Skyler is worried about you. She’s not sleeping well.”

  “Look, Simon. See? He’s squeezing my hand.”

  She watched Simon’s face as he looked at where Owen was indeed squeezing her hand in a light grip. Then he released it and made a soft moaning sound. She held his hand to her breast as she watched his face. His eyes fluttered open for a few seconds before closing again. They waited for several long seconds, but he didn’t do anything else.