by Becca Van
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“I have to go back home.”
“What for?” Bryden all but shouted.
“I have to get my things.”
“No, you don’t. We’ll get a company in to pack everything for you and ship it to our place.”
“Oh, but I can’t afford…”
“Consider it done, Nyssa.”
Nyssa looked over Codi’s shoulder at Coulter. She hadn’t even heard him enter the room.
“Thank you,” she whispered, tears of emotion in her eyes.
“It’s the least we could do, after what you did to help us.” Coulter looked at Codi. “How long are you going to be?”
“Give us fifteen minutes. Nyssa wants a shower, and then we can go.”
“Okay, we’ll be waiting.”
“You don’t have to…”
“Shh, darlin’. The rest of the team has already said it will be an honor to wait and travel with you.” Bryden smiled.
Tears leaked from Nyssa’s eyes and down her cheeks. She gave a slight sniff. “Thank you,” she said to Coulter. He gave her a smile and nod then left the room.
“Okay, little girl, let’s get you cleaned up so we can blow this Popsicle stand.” Codi carried her toward the bathroom.
“Shit, I don’t have any clothes.”
Linton bent down, picked the plastic bag up off the floor, and handed it to her. “Everything you’ll need is in there.”
“I can’t wait to meet Brooke, Janie, and Alicia. I hope they like me.”
“They’re gonna love you, baby.”
* * * *
It took them eighteen hours of nonstop driving to travel from Creston, Canada, to the Elite Dragons Stud Farm. The men took turns driving. They stopped regularly in deference to Nyssa and her condition, but by the time Bryden turned the truck into the driveway of the farm, Nyssa was clearly exhausted. Everything she’d been through was catching up with her.
What pissed Bryden off the most was that she was still in pain. He and his brothers had had to force her to take Tylenol because she had some strange ideas about taking pain meds after she had been drugged. She was scared that the drugs had affected her liver and didn’t want to add to any problems, just in case.
Codi had collared Wolf to explain to her that there were no lasting effects to whatever she’d been given, but she still stubbornly refused. They’d managed to get her to take the medication a few times, but nowhere near enough. Bryden was at the end of his tether, and so were Codi and Linton. The first thing he was going to do was take her to the infirmary and get Wolf to give her a shot, even if he had to hold her down himself.
Bryden smiled when he saw Brooke, Janie, Alicia, Martha, and May waiting on the verandah along with their boss, Tony Sullivan. He looked over to Nyssa and noticed she seemed a little nervous. He reached for her hand.
“Don’t worry, darlin’. They are gonna love you.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course they will, baby. You are going to fit right in.” Codi gave her a smile and then got out of the truck.
Bryden watched as the women greeted their men. He didn’t feel envy for his teammates now that they had Nyssa. His heart was so full of love for his woman that he wanted to pick her up, carry her over to their house, strip her naked, and show her how much she meant to him. But first there was the matter of her pain management. He got out of the truck and went around to help Nyssa, but Codi had already lifted her down.
Brooke finally finished greeting her husbands and walked toward them.
“Hi, you must be Nyssa. We’ve heard so much about you. I’ll bet you’re tired and hungry.” Brooke hooked arms with Nyssa. “Come on inside and we’ll get some coffee.”
“Are you…Brooke?”
“That would be me.” Brooke gave Nyssa a chagrined smile and then introduced her to the other women before leading her inside.
The women fussed over Nyssa. Bryden hadn’t doubted that she would fit right in, and he’d been right. By the time the vehicles and equipment were put away, the women were all chatting happily and laughing. But although she tried to hide it, he could see fine lines of pain around Nyssa’s mouth. Something had to change and now.
Bryden placed his mug of coffee on the table, walked over to Nyssa, and scooped her up into his arms.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“You are going to the infirmary, little girl, and you are going to let Wolf give you a thorough check over.”
“Bryden, I don’t want…”
“Stop,” Codi commanded, startling Nyssa. She obviously hadn’t realized he and Linton were following.
“We let you have your way while we were traveling, but it stops right now, Nyssa. You are in pain and you are going to let Wolf help you.”
“You are such a control freak,” Nyssa muttered. Bryden didn’t think he and his brothers were supposed to have heard her, but with their enhanced hearing, they had.
“Yes, I am. Get used to it, baby.”
Nyssa sighed but didn’t put up a fight when Bryden placed her on the bed. Wolf entered the room and began to check her over. He unwrapped the bandages around her wrists to check for any infection, and then he took her temperature, blood pressure, and pulse.
“Where are you hurting the most, sweetheart?”
“Would you believe my ear?”
“Let me take a look.” Wolf peeled the small bandage away from her earlobe and drew in a breath. “No wonder you’re in pain. You’ve got a slight infection in the wound. I think maybe you got it wet when showering. I’m going to give you a local anesthetic, and then I have to remove the stitches and clean it. Then I’ll give you a shot of antibiotics and another one for the pain.”
“It’s not that bad,” Nyssa sighed. “It’s only throbbing a little.”
“Yeah.” Wolf grinned and winked at her. “And that would be why your face is so white you look like you’re about to pass out.”
Nyssa stuck her tongue out at Wolf, which caused them all to laugh.
“Lie on your side, sweetie. That way your head won’t move and I won’t hurt you.”
Wolf cleaned Nyssa’s ear, stitched her up, and gave her two more shots. By the time he was finished, even Bryden was squirming, but she hadn’t made a peep. Thank God for anesthetic.
Nyssa was yawning by the time he’d finished. Codi picked her up and carried her out. She was going to bed to rest, and she would just have to stay put until they thought she was feeling better.
Chapter Fifteen
Nyssa was feeling much better after having a good night’s sleep. She rolled over in bed and bumped into a hard, warm body. Lifting her head, she peered through sleep-bleary eyes.
“Morning, baby,” Codi said, his voice a little rough from sleep. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good. Thank you.” She kissed his lips. “I’m sorry I was so stubborn. If I had told Wolf about my ear and let him check me over, I might have improved sooner.”
“Don’t worry about it, darlin’.” Bryden wrapped an arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck from behind. “We’re just glad you’re recovering.”
“I am. Now I’m going to get a shower and explore. I didn’t get to see much last night.”
“Not so fast, honey.” Linton placed a hand on her hip. Nyssa looked down to the bottom of the bed. Linton was lying crossways at the end and he looked worried. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. Thanks for caring.”
“Oh, we more than care, baby. We love you, but the next time you get stubborn I may just have to put you over my knee.” Codi reached down and lightly tapped her ass. “Come on, I’ll help you clean up.”
“I don’t need help.”
“Yes, you do. You can’t even use your hands, and I have to wrap them up so they don’t get wet. Don’t argue,” Codi said firmly.
He helped her up and into the shower after checking the tempe
rature. As he washed her, his hands caressing all over her body, Nyssa’s breathing began to escalate. She wanted to make love with her men, but Codi had told her last night they wouldn’t until she was fully healed.
She couldn’t hold in a moan when he soaped her breasts and then he flicked his thumbs over her nipples.
“Lean back against the wall and spread your legs, baby.”
Nyssa did as told and then gasped when he cupped her pussy.
“Oh yeah, you’re nice and wet. Don’t move, baby.”
He slid his fingers through her folds and tapped her clit. Nyssa arched her hips, wanting a firmer touch to her sensitive little pearl.
“Stand still,” Codi ordered and then began to move his finger over her nub at a rapid pace. He leaned down and took her mouth, kissing her hungrily.
She sobbed into his mouth when he pushed a finger up inside her cunt and then began to rub her clit with his thumb. With the dual stimulation, it didn’t take her long to reach the precipice. She clutched his shoulders and screamed as climax washed over her. Her body shuddered and shook as her pussy clamped and released around his finger. Codi finally withdrew his hand when the last contraction faded.
“You are so fucking sexy. I love watching you come.”
Nyssa glanced down his body at his hard cock. She wanted to wrap her hands around him and bring him to climax, too, but she couldn’t use her hands much yet, and she didn’t want to put too much pressure on the stitches in her wrists. But she still had her mouth. She knelt down quickly and sucked the head of his cock into her mouth.
Codi groaned and threaded his fingers through her hair. “You don’t have to do that, baby.”
She released him with a pop. “I know, but I want to.”
His eyes heated even more, and he gave her a nod. She leaned in, opened her mouth wide, and took as much of him in as she could. Then she hollowed her cheeks and drew back over his length. When she had just the crown of him in her mouth, she swirled her tongue over the head and then laved the underside. Codi growled and then held her head lightly between his hands, being careful not to touch her sore ear.
“Don’t move, baby. Let me do it.”
She gave a slight nod and let him take control. He thrust his hips gently and began to slide his cock in and out of her mouth. Nyssa made sure to use her tongue on him and suctioned as he pulled back. His groans became louder and his hips pumped faster, but he didn’t give her too much and choke her. Codi’s thighs quivered, and as she prepared to swallow his cum, he pulled out with a roar and covered her breasts with his seed.
“Your mouth is fucking heaven, baby.”
“Why did you pull out?”
“I didn’t want you to have to swallow.”
“Okay, thanks, but next time let me have your cum, Codi. I want to taste you all.”
Codi helped her to her feet and rinsed her off. He kissed her hard and deep. “You are an amazing woman. I love you, Nyssa.”
“I love you, too.”
“Come on, let’s go and get breakfast.”
After they were dried and dressed, her men gave her a quick tour of their house and then led her out to the main house.
Nyssa was greeted by everyone as if she was a long-lost family member. Everyone asked after her health, and Martha insisted that she take a seat of honor. Before Nyssa knew it, she was sitting with a mug of coffee at the head of the table.
Alicia sat next to her and put her hand on Nyssa’s arm. “I just wanted to thank you in person.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“You brought my men back safely.” Alicia slid her hand to Nyssa’s and squeezed. “I was afraid they wouldn’t come back in time for the wedding or that one of them wouldn’t come back at all.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Nyssa said.
“Oh yes, you did.” Alicia smiled brightly. “I’m so glad you’re here. The Healys are good men who deserve someone like you.”
Nyssa was speechless. She felt her eyes fill with tears. Though she wanted to tell Alicia again that she hadn’t done anything, she couldn’t manage to find the words. Alicia patted her hand and stood. Before she walked away, she added, “I know Brooke and Janie feel the same way.”
Nyssa looked across the room and found the other two women. Both of them were turned her way, and when they saw her looking at them, they smiled brightly. Their gratitude was written all over their faces. Nyssa was so overwhelmed by their acceptance she began to cry.
Linton pulled her from her chair and into his lap. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“Nothing. I…I just feel as if I belong for the first time,” she sobbed emotively.
“Of course you belong, Nyssa. We love you and won’t stop until our last breaths. Even though you are all different, you and the other women are similar in a lot of ways. You are all selfless and caring. You have a wonderful heart, and that shines through in your actions every day. We are gonna make you so happy, honey.”
“To Nyssa,” Coulter called from across the room, raising his coffee mug. “If it hadn’t been for you, it could have taken us years to crack this black-market organ-smuggling ring. Now that it’s over, we can retire in peace. Right, Tony?”
“Whatever you say, Coulter.”
Everyone rose to their feet and raised their coffee mugs. “To Nyssa.”
Nyssa raised her mug, too, and blushed with happiness. But that was the last time she was allowed to lift a hand for the rest of the day. Those were the orders from Wolf until her stitches were out, and even though she was content to be idle for now, she knew once she was healed she would be finding something to occupy her time. She didn’t care what she did as long as she had something to do.
Right now, the stud farm was a hive of activity as they prepared for Alicia’s wedding to Stedman, Ward, and Bronsin, which was to be held today. Her things wouldn’t be arriving until midweek, and because she had no clothes of her own, Brooke and Alicia had gone through their closets and picked out a few outfits for her. She hadn’t even been allowed to put anything away. Instead her men had done it for her, asking her where she wanted everything “put,” as they had said.
* * * *
The hour of Alicia’s wedding approached quickly. The weather was perfect, and all the preparations had gone smoothly. Nyssa closed the front door to the Tiltmans’ house with a smile on her face. She’d just left the bride glowing with love and excitement after Martha and May put the final touches on her hair and borrowed dress where it had needed to be taken in slightly. The older women had taken Nyssa under their wing, and she felt like she’d found two more mothers to love. They would never take the place of her own mom, but each woman already held a special place in her heart. She would have liked to stay and help them, but she needed to go get dressed.
Reaching the Healys’ house, Nyssa went inside and climbed the stairs to the master bedroom.
As she pulled her dress over her head, the bedroom door opened. She turned to face her handsome, sexy men. They looked so good in their tuxes, she wanted to rip them off and demand they make love to her. She wasn’t in pain anymore and needed to feel their hands, mouths, and cocks loving her. She was determined that by the end of the night, she would have her way.
“You look gorgeous, baby.” Codi kissed her shoulder and then moved behind her to zip her up.
“That green matches the color of your beautiful eyes, honey.” Linton came close and kissed her neck.
“You look like a goddess, darlin’.” Bryden placed a sweet, gentle kiss on her lips.
“You all look good enough to eat.” Nyssa blushed when she realized what she had just blurted. Her men all laughed.
“Come on, or we’ll be late.” Codi took her by the elbow and guided her out.
The wedding was perfect. Alicia married her men under an arch covered in climbing roses. The vows they exchanged were so special and loving that all the women cried. When the minister pronounced them men and wife, Alicia’s men each gave her long, passionate kiss
es.
Everyone adjourned to the main house, where they enjoyed the wedding feast. May and Martha had spent many an hour putting together the gourmet, restaurant-class meal. Nyssa couldn’t believe the love and care the two women had poured into feeding them all.
As evening turned to night, someone put on music. Brooke grabbed Nyssa’s hand and pulled her onto the temporary dance floor, where the other women were already dancing. She got in about half a dance with Janie and Brooke before Bryden swept her into his arms. She was handed from his arms to Linton’s to Codi’s for the rest of the night. The sounds of music and laughter rose into the cool evening air.
Nyssa sat down and kicked off her shoes. She hadn’t danced so much, ever. She was pleasantly tired and happier than she’d ever thought she could be.
Codi picked her up and sat down with her across his lap. “Tired, baby?”
“A little, but I’m so happy, Codi.”
“We’re glad you’re happy, honey.” Linton pulled a chair close and picked up her feet. He began to massage one, which pulled a groan from her. Bryden dragged a chair next to Linton, picked up her other foot, and began to massage it, too.
“You are going to spoil me.”
“Nah, you’re too altruistic to let us. Just relax and enjoy, baby.” Codi kissed her temple. “When do you want to get married, Nyssa?”
Nyssa sat up straight, nearly choking on her own saliva. “What?”
Linton and Bryden lowered her feet, and then Codi stood up. When he was sure she was steady, he stepped back.
As if they had choreographed it, they went down on one knee at the same time. Bryden and Linton carefully took her fingers into their hands.
“We want to spend the rest of our lives with you, baby. Will you marry us?” Codi asked.
“Yes,” Nyssa whispered around the lump of emotion in her throat. Then, when she was sure her voice would come out stronger, she said it again. “Yes, I will marry you all.”
She threw herself into her men’s arms, not worried that she would knock them over. A resounding cheer went up, and everyone began to congratulate them. Nyssa clung to her men and smiled with happy tears streaming down her face.