Back at the Ranch

by Em Ashcroft

  She wasn’t. She’d have to tell the bank what she’d done, and then they wouldn’t refund her. That was in the warnings, not to tell anyone your number. She’d done both—given him the card and the money—and she’d be held negligent.

  Blade sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes sharpening and the small lines at the side of his mouth deepening. “Don’t you think they chose this venue so Chester could get away more easily? He must have had this planned for a while. Would he do that?”

  Realization swept over her in a great wave. That sounded so like Chester. “Yes, for sure. Chester schemes. He got us into a few society parties we maybe shouldn’t have crashed, but he did it. We met some useful people there. And coming here was his idea. He showed us the brochure and the names of some of the people who have used the ranch for their wedding. We leaped on the idea. Or, rather, Ladonna did, and I agreed after I’d done some research.”

  “We wondered at the time why somebody would bother to come all this way. A lot of our guests who come from outside the state combine the wedding with a vacation, but your people never planned that.”

  “I’d have liked to,” she said wistfully.

  “Well, you can now.” Renaud hugged her to him. “It makes sense. Stay awhile.”

  Rapidly, Thea thought of their schedule. They didn’t have anything immediate. Come to think of it, they didn’t have anything definite on the books, not for another month. She was sorely tempted. “I guess I should be on the scene when they bring Chester back.” She sighed. “What if they never get him back?”

  “If they don’t, we will,” Blade said firmly.

  “Thea, bébé, I already want you more than I’ve ever wanted another woman.” Renaud nuzzled her temple and pressed a gentle kiss to her skin. “Whatever you decide, you haven’t seen the last of me. I’d have come up to New York to visit.”

  “Really?” Lifting her head, she met his lips as he bent to her. Whenever Renaud kissed her, she melted. She was afraid she’d do whatever he wanted if he just carried on kissing her.

  “Yes,” he said, cupping her face as he gazed into his eyes. “I know you don’t want me saying anything yet. But I will, I swear.”

  Her heart missed a beat.

  She’d only known him for a few days. How could she be falling in love with him? But she was. Thinking of going home brought only pain and loss. But she couldn’t stay here. Her home was in New York. But she had to keep reminding herself of that. This place was gorgeous, the countryside beautiful, and people welcomed her so warmly she could kid herself that she belonged here.

  But she didn’t.

  Renaud kissed her lips. Thea responded instantly, opening her mouth, inviting him in. He licked around her lips first, tiny flickering touches, teasing her into pressing forward, then slid his tongue past her lips. Their tongues played, caressing and stroking, each touch pushing her higher. Her pussy dampened, and her nipples tightened into sharp, sensitive points. She’d thought she was too tired, too wiped out to get aroused. She was wrong.

  His care of her, his attention to her, was the biggest turn-on she could ever have imagined. He stroked her, curving his hands around her body, claiming her, exploring her, even the places men usually ignored. The inside of her elbow for fuck’s sake. He even found a sensitive spot there.

  Kissing around her lips and down her neck, Renaud murmured to her, “I think it’s time for bed.”

  “It’s barely six!”

  “Listen to the man.” On her other side, Blade was getting busy. He nibbled the junction between her neck and shoulders, pushing aside the fabric of her dress roughly and feeling for the central zipper.

  She pulled back. “I love this dress,” she said.

  “Then we’d better get you out of it because you won’t be needing it for a while.”

  Standing, he held his hands out to her and, when she turned and took them, pulled her to her feet. He claimed a kiss while Renaud pressed against her back before he lifted the gauzy overdress and found the zipper tab.

  “We’ll be careful, bébé.”

  Her mouth was full of Blade, so she couldn’t talk, but she sent him a laugh. Telepathy was a wonderful thing. You’d better.

  His responding bark of laughter echoed off the tiles at the back of the kitchen units. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I don’t want to fuck you against the kitchen table.”

  Blade lifted his mouth from hers. “Why not? That sounds like a great idea.”

  “Step back.” When Blade did so, Renaud whisked the overdress off her, pulling it over her head. Then he whistled. “This dress is naughty. When the top part moves, I can see your figure. This thing is skin-tight.”

  “Not quite. But it looks like it is.” The material was thicker than it at first appeared, giving the wearer the option of wearing shape-controllers. Not that she was wearing one today. She’d die of shame if she was.

  The white underdress, for all its charms, was rapidly disposed of, leaving her in plain white bra and panties. The sight didn’t stop Renaud whistling. “Every time I see you like this, I wonder how you managed to keep hidden so long. You must have realized how gorgeous you are.”

  “Never. Nobody admires this shape in New York.” Or she hadn’t met them, anyhow.

  “You are joking. Or deluded.” Renaud took the sting out of his words by shaping her waist with his hands then drawing them up to cup her full breasts. “This kind of shape, as you put it, is never out of fashion. I swear I don’t know whether to spank you for being so blind or to prove to you how irresistible you are.” He loomed over her, making her feel small and fragile. That was a new one for her, and she reveled in it now.

  “Why not both?” Blade’s voice had thickened, coarsened.

  Startled, she stared up at him. His eyes were dark with arousal, his cock tenting the front of his suit pants.

  Abruptly he turned and led the way into the living area. He strode ahead then turned and watched her approach him. He caught her shoulders. “Each time you disparage yourself, I will punish you.”

  “The best way to punish me is not to look at me like that.” Her voice had thickened, too. Nobody had ever suggested such a thing. Her previous boyfriends had tended to be the “fuck ’em and dump ’em” type. Any compliments they paid her had been in passing, and not particularly well thought-out. She’d been told what beautiful green eyes she had before now.

  “I’ll look at you any way I choose. Now get those panties off and come over here.” As he spoke, he stripped off his tie and shirt. She feasted her eyes on his broad chest, his muscles gleaming and golden in the light streaming through the wide windows.

  Without taking his gaze from her, Blade sat on a dark green sofa. “Come here.”

  Pausing only to drop her panties, she stepped forward and stood before him. He patted his knees, but when she went to sit on his lap, he turned her. “The other way.”

  She draped herself over his knees, her ass stuck in the air. Her heart beat so hard it felt like it was trying to burst out of her chest.

  Blade stroked her from her shoulders to her waist and below, following the curve of her backside and blatantly pushing his fingers between her legs into her pussy. “Fuck, you’re soaking wet. Should I punish you for that, too?”

  Without warning, he smacked her, a sharp, fast stroke that stung. She yelped.

  “Maybe you need something to keep your mind off the pain.” Renaud stood before her, already naked, his cock in one hand, pointing it at her face. Signaling her willingness, Thea opened her mouth. When he moved the bare inch that made his cock graze her lips, she sucked it in.

  Another smack landed, and another caress to her pussy. The sting traveled up her body, but compared with the instant caress, the effect of the combined pleasure-pain was astonishing.

  He slid into her, found her sweet spot, and stroked it softly before smacking her again and then returning to her cunt. This time he curled two fingers in and brought his thumb, wet with her juices, to her ass, teasing an
d putting the barest pressure on her hole.

  She sucked greedily on Renaud’s cock. When she glanced up, he was watching her with such concentration he burned her. It only urged her to increase her efforts. She was hungry for cock. When she was done with Renaud’s, she’d want Blade’s.

  Another slap, this time on one buttock, followed by its twin on the other side. Was she imagining things, or were they getting harder?

  “The next time you try to tell us that you’re not beautiful, expect this again. You are gorgeous, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

  “And you’re ours,” Renaud added. “I’d make you repeat that, but you’re busy. I swear, Blade, I’m not letting this woman go.”

  Curling her tongue under the delicious piece of meat in her mouth, Thea tried to get as much crammed in as she could. With her throat extended as it was, she could take more, and when he tried a few shallow jabs, she moaned in delight.

  Blade pushed into her again, how many fingers she didn’t know, but she felt stuffed just from his hand. He pulled his hand free and slid out from under her, holding her steady until she got her hands and knees on the soft rug beneath her. Oh yes, oh please, fuck me now!

  He gave a rough laugh. Gripping her hips, he brought his cock to her and rammed inside.

  Thea screamed. He was splitting her in two, but she didn’t care because waves of instant orgasm swept through her, waves of it reaching her, making her shake. Blade didn’t relent. Not that she wanted him to. He pounded in again while she was still coming and kept thrusting, hard and visceral. Releasing her hip, he shoved his hand between her legs from the front and found her clit, pulling and tugging.

  “Again.” His voice was even rougher than before. “Come more. Fuck, woman, you won’t know your own name by the time we’ve finished with you.”

  Her cry reverberated around Renaud’s cock, the smooth head penetrating to the back of her throat. She swallowed and tried, but she’d never deep-throated before, and Renaud was big. He pulled out, jabbed in again, and she opened her mouth wide.

  Cum jetted out of him. His cock throbbed in time with the spurts, and she swallowed, trying to take all the deliciousness he could give her. It seemed endless, his roar loud in her ears, his cock rigid over her tongue.

  Renaud’s triumphant sound was followed by Blade’s strangled cry as he flooded her pussy with his tribute. Thea throbbed, her cunt clenching tight as she spasmed in helpless orgasm.

  “Fuck, that’s a wonderful sight.” As gently as he’d been fierce before, Renaud withdrew from her mouth and stared at her face, splattered with the cum that had escaped her greedy throat. Cum trickled down her legs, combined with her own juice. Her ass tingled, and her hands hurt from holding herself up. And she’d never felt so thoroughly fucked. She buzzed with sated passion, theirs and hers.

  She could hardly move.

  She didn’t want to move. “Again,” she said. “I want more.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Thea stretched her arms out, but no hot, male body lay waiting for her to awake. She blinked. As usual Renaud hadn’t closed his drapes. She didn’t even know if they actually closed at all. Blinking, she came awake.

  Tuesday. The men hadn’t let her leave the bedroom. They’d spent Monday making love, fucking, and playing. When they wanted to eat, they called down to the restaurant. She could get with this so easily, but she had too much to do. Even though they’d sated themselves, they’d taken such care of her that she was ready for more. And they’d fucked her every which way. How could she still be hungry for more?

  The sheets on either side of her were cold, but it wasn’t late. She was getting used to assessing the time of day by the view from the windows. The cool light of morning was still rising on her left. She could go back to sleep.

  Someone spoke. Blade. The voice was so clear it took her awhile before she realized it was in her head. Her men were in the apartment, but not here. They could return for more.

  We’re no nearer finding the bastard.

  I have my suspicions, Renaud answered. I don’t think he was ever headed for Mexico. That was a red herring. We need to check the airports.

  Fuck, why didn’t we think of that before?

  So Chester could be out of reach, in a tax haven somewhere there was no extradition treaty. In that case, she was ruined, only the house between her and complete poverty.

  But she wasn’t done yet.

  I’ll get right on it, Renaud said. Do we tell our girl?

  No. Renaud sounded determined. We can tell her we got some of the money back.

  A pause before Blade said, Ah! Yes we can. Do you want tea or coffee?

  Tea.

  They must be in separate rooms. That was why they were speaking telepathically. That must be so easy for someone who’d spent their life using it. And yet she could hear them so clearly. They’d spoken to her telepathically when their mouths were full. Of her. She shivered at the memory, and her fingers went to her pussy, but she pulled them away. She didn’t need an orgasm right now. And she didn’t need their charity either. No way would she take that money. Her blissful mood dissipated as anger pulled her upright. How could they even think of doing that?

  I have her bank details, Renaud said. We can refund her. But not the company. He might still have access to that. In fact, Thea should open a new bank account, just to be double sure.

  Yeah. I’ll go wake her soon. Wanna come?

  I will always want to come where Thea is concerned. Sure I do. But we need to get downstairs. Meet and greet, or so Sikander told me. A couple of VIPs are arriving this morning.

  Renaud sighed. She even heard that so clearly, as if he was standing next to the bed.

  Well, she was awake now. Sweeping back the covers, Thea went into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. She’d miss this. Even though the house she shared with her sister back home was pretty big by New York standards, they didn’t have anything like this huge walk-in unit. She touched the pad, and hot water flowed from the two rain heads above her and the hand-shower beneath. If she wanted, she could have more water spraying her from waist-high showerheads and others lower down, but this morning she just wanted to get clean.

  Blade spoke again. So we’re going to find the bastard and make him pay, one way or another. Fraud like this makes me burn.

  How about when it happens to the woman we’re falling in love with?

  Oh God. Had Renaud really said that? Angry though she was with them for even thinking about paying her the money Chester had stolen with their own money, that statement wiped everything away but blank astonishment. Because it was happening to her, too. She didn’t just love fucking them. She loved being with them, touching them, laughing with them. She just fucking loved them.

  Another pause. I wouldn’t go that far, Blade answered.

  Thea reached for the shampoo. Her mood plummeted. Maybe he needed more time.

  I would. I’ve been deep inside her head as well as her body. I know her as if we’d been together for months, not days. I love her. I want to propose to her.

  Her heart missed a beat.

  Marriage?

  Yes, what else? I know I’ll have to wait. Humans don’t understand how fast shape-shifters can fall for each other. But yes, I want to.

  Blade’s response was a simple, No.

  Not yet.

  Not ever. Anger tinged Blade’s voice, even in her head. You know how I feel about this. I will never marry anyone. I swore that oath to myself ten years ago, and nothing has changed. You ask her if you want to, but leave me out of it.

  Thea switched off the shower and reached for a towel. Silence fell over the house. But not for long.

  As she left the bathroom, steps thumped across the floor below. They must be bringing her breakfast. But no, Blade was going to Renaud. And then she heard shouting. This time she couldn’t tell what they were saying or, rather, yelling.

  The argument didn’t last long. The sound cut off, as if they’d recalled
she was upstairs. But no more telepathy came drifting into her mind. The men weren’t talking.

  Numbly, she reached for a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and some plain underwear. She felt too vulnerable naked.

  By the time Blade came upstairs with a tray of coffee and toast, Thea was dressed and ready. She greeted him with a kiss and laughed when he said he’d wanted to share her shower with her, even though, inside, her heart was breaking.

  After putting down the tray, he drew her into his arms for a long, luscious kiss. “Good morning.”

  She touched his cheek, enjoying the smoothness of freshly shaved skin. That would feel amazing between her thighs. “Good morning to you, too. Do you have to work?”

  “Why?” He frowned.

  Thea forced a light laugh, although laughter wasn’t uppermost in her thoughts. “Because you’re dressed, and you’re wearing suit pants.”

  “So I am. But I won’t be too long. A couple of hours.”

  “No, you need to work. I can’t stop you doing that, and I need to get online. I’ve got weddings to arrange.” Actually, she hadn’t, not for a while, but he didn’t need to know that.

  For a moment she contemplated telling him that she had to go home to carry on her business. But now she knew how he felt about her, he might insist on coming with her.

  “Actually, you might have more than you thought.”

  She jumped in to fill the breach. She couldn’t bear it if he asked her to marry him now. Enclosed in his arms, nestled next to his powerful body, she knew there was nothing she wanted more, but she mustn’t even think that way. What if they could overhear her the same way she’d listened to them? Because they hadn’t meant her to pick up that piece of conversation. “Yes, that’s what I’m concerned about. That I’ve missed a booking. I’ll be fine. You go ahead and do what you need to.”

  “Okay. Do you want me to call up for lunch?”

  “No.” Inspiration struck. “Actually I thought I’d go see Ladonna off at the airport. She might put on a good face, but she’s broken up inside. It’s just like her to put on a front. Me, I’d be a soggy heap on the carpet by now, but she’s always bounced back better than me.”