“Humph, I am not a hysterical female.”
A faint twinge of a smile pulled at his lip. “I didn’t think you were.”
She frowned at him and stomped out of the kitchen. “Let’s get on the road. We’re wasting time.” He chuckled, but followed her out to his truck.
“I’m glad I let Flint use my old truck. They say it exploded. There’s only pieces left of it,” Russ said as he started the engine.
Angie grabbed his arm. Her heart ached. “Was he inside the truck when it happened?” she asked in a whisper.
Russ turned his head to gaze at her. She held her breath waiting for his answer.
“No, honey. The nurse said he’d crawled out.”
She expelled her breath and gasped. “Good.” Angie blinked her eyes, hoping Russ didn’t see the tears. She had managed to keep them at arm’s length all weekend and pretend to not be affected by their constant companionship. It had been hard. And now she’d let Russ see some of her true feelings.
“I’ll let you out at the ER and go park the truck,” Russ said. “You can find out if he’s still in the emergency room or whether he’s been taken upstairs to a patient room.”
Angie nodded. She stared at the road wanting to see the hospital come into sight. When it did, she sat back in relief. Russ didn’t comment. He stopped as he said he would, and she jumped out and rushed through the ER doors.
“Do you still have Flint Rikward here?” she asked a nurse behind the desk.
“We sent him to room”—she glanced down at a paper—“345 about ten minutes ago.”
Russ strode through the door, nodded at the nurse, and took Angie’s arm. “I heard the room number.” He punched the elevator button for up. When the door opened, they rushed on and hit the button for the third floor.
“Did she say how he was doing?” Russ asked.
“No. But they sent him to a room. He must not be too badly hurt.”
The elevator doors opened and they quickly saw the numbers and which hall to go down. The door on Room 345 was shut.
Angie opened the door a slit. A nurse had been checking his blood pressure and pulse. She frowned and Angie moved back.
Five minutes or more went by before the nurse came out. “Are you family?” she asked.
“We’re all he’s got here in town. When I know how he is, I’ll call his parents. I’m Russell Elden. I have a ranch out of town.”
An older nurse, with a name tag noting she was the head nurse, saw them and came to their side. “Russ is a native.” She grinned at him. “He and Flint are good friends. You can share information with him.”
The younger nurse nodded. “He’s been checked for internal injuries and they found none. He has a sprained ankle, a cut on his arm that was stitched in ER, and a slight concussion. When he arrived, he was unconscious. He’s awake, but still groggy.”
“May we visit?” Angie asked.
“Yes,” the older nurse answered. “I’d advise sitting quietly. He doesn’t need a lot of talking or questions.”
“Understood.” Russ smiled at the head nurse.
Angie opened the door and tiptoed to the bedside. Flint’s eyes were closed and his face pale. A bandage was wrapped around his upper left arm.
She took his hand in hers and he smiled. “Angie.”
“How did you know without looking?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“I know your touch and you smell like the jasmine my mom grows in her backyard.”
“I think he’s delirious.” Angie glanced at Russ.
“No. The wallop on his head broke his walls down temporarily. He’ll be his taciturn self when he recovers.”
Flint opened his golden-brown eyes. “Hi, buddy. What happened to Dana? Did they rescue her?”
“Sure did, and they killed all but one of the men who kidnapped her.”
A frown crossed Flint’s face. “Don’t tell me they killed Addison.”
“I’m afraid so. You won’t get any information from him. Maybe if the one minion lives you can get your questions answered.”
Flint closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “I have a bit of a headache.”
“I’ll ask the nurse to give you some pain medicine.” Angie walked out of the room and quickly down the hall.
* * * *
Russ pulled a chair to the bedside and sat. “What are we going to do about her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe nothing.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“I can’t see a viable solution, and she hasn’t even let us close.” Flint winced.
“You’re in pain. We’ll talk later.” The door opened and the young nurse entered, followed by Angie.
“We don’t want to give him pain medicine unless absolutely needed. We’re watching him for signs of more serious head trauma,” the nurse said. “If you two leave, he’ll most likely go back to sleep.”
“I agree.” Russ stood. “I’ll call your parents.”
“Thanks, keep Mom calm.” Flint spoke with his eyes closed.
“I’ll try.”
Angie leaned across the bed and kissed his forehead. A smile flickered across Flint’s strong face.
“I’ll sleep well now.”
Russ glanced at Angie several times on the way back to his ranch. When he parked the truck, he turned to her.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m glad this is all over. I need to get back to my real life.” She didn’t look him in the eye.
“What’s your rush?”
“His parents will want to come see him and probably take him home. They’ll stay with you while they’re here.”
“There’s plenty of room for you and them.”
“I know. But it’s simpler if I go. My boss won’t hold my job forever. Will you ask your friends if one of them can fly me to Minneapolis?”
Russ cupped her face in his hand and kissed her sweet mouth. “You’re running away from us.”
“Probably.” She pulled her chin free, jumped out of the truck, and headed straight toward the bedroom she’d been using.
“What about telling Flint you’re going?” Russ called out to her.
Angie stopped and turned. “Let him sleep tonight. Tomorrow you can tell him I appreciate what he did for me, but I had to leave.”
Russ watched her go. This wasn’t the time to try and convince her to stay. But he didn’t think he or Flint would forget her. “Sometime in the future, Angie, we’ll find you and try again.” He whispered the words to himself. Then he went inside to call and see if Gray or Holt might fly her to Minneapolis.
* * * *
Dana woke in her bed in Chayton and Steel’s home. It took her a moment to realize the annoying noise was her cell phone ringing.
The ER doctor had given her a shot for the anxiety attack she had in the emergency room. She’d never had a panic attack before this one. He’d suggested she see a counselor if the attacks continued. Her head was fussy as she answered the phone.
“Hello.” Her voice sounded weak to her.
“Dana, is that you? You don’t sound very good.”
“I’m going to be fine, Angie. I’m so glad this is all over. But the doctor gave me some medicine to relax, and it hasn’t worn off.”
“I’m sure you needed it after your frightening experience. Are you coming back to Atlanta, to your old job?”
“I don’t think so. I’m going to see how it goes for me and Steel and Chayton. Also, I like my job. How about staying here and being my assistant?”
“Small towns aren’t for me. I’ll visit you or you can visit me when you yearn for the city.”
“I’ll miss you. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“No, but I need to get back to my normal life and job and get my head straightened out.”
“Good luck in the future. Hopefully your next doctor won’t have a crazed man stalking her.”
“If he or she does, I’ll run for the hills and stay there. G
otta go. Take care, Dana.”
Dana put her phone on the bedside table and lay against the pillows. A tear trickled down her cheek.
The door opened and Steel came in carrying a tray. He sat it on the end of the bed and took her into his arms. “No crying allowed. It’s over. There’s nothing but good times ahead.”
“Angie’s leaving for Atlanta.” Saying the words made her cry harder.
Steel kissed her forehead, and then gazed at her face. “Do you want to return to Atlanta and take up your old job?” he asked carefully in neutral tones.
She shook her head. “I’m going to stay and see how the job goes and….” What if they didn’t want her to stay with them now that the danger was gone?
“And stay with us?” he asked finishing her sentence.
“Are you sure you want me to?”
“Baby doll, I want it all, marriage, children, a life with you. Chayton feels the same.” He raked her hair off her forehead and looked into her eyes. “You were brave today. We were proud of you.”
“Until I went to pieces in the ER.”
“You waited until it was over and reaction set in. It’s happened to strong men. It didn’t change our minds about how well you handled the situation. I’ve brought you some homemade soup Chayton’s mother cooked and brought over. She heard what happened and wants to meet you. So do my parents.”
“Not just yet,” Dana said.
“No. You need to relax and recover. When you feel like going for a ride, Chayton’s ready to take you.”
Dana leaned forward and kissed him. “You two are pretty wonderful.”
“I’m glad you’re finally noticing.”
She laughed. “I’m beginning to like your cocky confidence. Hand me the tray. I’m starving.”
Chayton knocked on the door. “May I join you two?”
“If you don’t mind watching me eat.” Dana sat up straight with the tray across her lap. She took a big spoonful of the soup. “This is good. I’ll check tomorrow about the purse for your mom. With all the excitement and confusion, I’d forgotten it.”
“Do you feel better?” Chayton asked. He sat on one side of the bed and Steel on the other.
“Much better. I haven’t thanked you all for saving my life, and I need to thank the sheriff and his men. You were all wonderful. How’s the deputy doing? I talked with Angie briefly. She’s leaving, so I’m sure Flint must be recovering.” Dana’s words were rushed.
“Slow down, darlin’. The deputy will be off work for a while, but he’s going to do fine. Flint’s got a concussion and a few other injuries, but nothing he won’t get over. We thought Angie might stay and work with you. Russ and Flint appeared definitely interested in her.”
“She’s not ready to consider a threesome relationship and she thinks back in Atlanta she’ll forget them.”
“What do you think?” Steel asked Dana.
“I’m not sure. She can be a determined lady when she makes up her mind. Also her family is very traditional.
“I expect telling them she’d chosen to marry two men would shock her parents, Dana said. “They might even disown her. Sara, Gavin’s nurse, mentioned her parents hadn’t liked the idea, but they’re coming around.”
“Did you ever call your mother?” Chayton asked.
“No. I kept putting it off.”
Chayton handed her his phone. “When you’re through eating, call her. I’m going out to check on Wind Chaser.”
“Is he okay?”
“Fine, but I’m giving him a few extra rubdowns.”
“Spoiling him?” Dana asked with a grin.
“He did a good job. I think he remembered your smell from the other day. My horse and I are crazy about you.” Chayton waved and left.
Steel watched her eat. “I’m glad you’ve got a good appetite. It may take more time to erase the bad memories. I can arrange for you to see a counselor if you’d like.”
“I want to see if I can do it on my own.”
“There’s no shame in seeing one. If you change your mind and want me to make an appointment, let me know.” Steel took hold of her hand.
His fingers brushed across her knuckles. “Is the job the main reason you’re staying here?”
“No. I have to see how it would work for us. If I left, I’d wonder what I missed.”
Steel got up and walked to the door. He smiled at her. “You aren’t going to regret your decision.”
“Come back here.” Dana put the tray aside.
“You haven’t finished eating.”
“I’m hungrier for you.”
“You’ve been through a lot. We can wait.”
She rose on her knees and put her arms up. Steel moved down toward her. Dana hugged his neck and whispered, “Give me pleasant memories to replace the bad ones.”
Steel straightened and threw off his clothes. “You don’t have to ask me twice.” He sheathed his cock and joined her in the bed.
“Who put the nightgown on me?” Dana asked.
“Chayton’s mom did when she came by with the soup. You were out of it and never woke.”
“I’m not surprised. I’ve always been sensitive to most medicines.”
He pulled the edge of her gown up and over her head. “She left your pretty lace panties on you.” He ran his finger under the waistband, pulled it down, and kissed her belly.
A warm glow flowed from her core outward. His five o’clock shadow scraped along her skin as he pressed forward to her mound. There were no shadows to dull her feelings. Her body vibrated with a renewal of joy in her life.
Steel had removed her panties and lay between her legs. He separated her labia, licked her clit and her lower lips to her pussy opening. Moisture flooded her pink folds.
“You taste scrumptious, and I love the musky scent of your arousal.” He reached for her breasts and rolled her taut nipples between his fingers while he rubbed his tongue across her clit.
Dana touched his shiny, brown hair. He gazed at her and then he raised himself upward and rolled so she was on top of him. Everything had taken on a clearer brightness, and her feelings for him had intensified.
He placed her legs on either side of his hips. Then he clasped her breasts in his warm hands. His tongue sucked on her nipple, and a pulsating euphoria centered in her middle. Steel kissed her neck, her shoulders, and all over her breasts. Then he raised her hips and positioned his cock at the entrance to her pussy.
Dana slid onto his hard cock. She slowly took him inside her wet, hungry pussy. Steel’s cobalt-blue eyes watched their bodies join. His hands held her hips snug.
Her pussy clenched him tightly and pulsed against his large dick. For several seconds neither moved. His compelling magnetism held her spellbound. Dana began massaging his cock with her up-and-down action. Each downward movement loosened any restraints she’d had in the past.
He rubbed her nipples, and then he pinched them. A frenzy of good old lust quickened her motions. His lips curved seductively and her heart fluttered in her throat. Steel took her by surprise when he rolled her back under him and thrust deep and hard. Her hips rose to greet his every plunge. Her body heat blazed, and she wanted to get closer and closer to him.
A wave of pleasure swept across her, sending an electrifying jolt up her spine. Her hips moved faster and faster until she screamed with the almost painful, intense orgasm.
Steel held her hips firmly as his cock pulsated against her pussy walls. Her pussy drained him completely. He rolled to the side, bringing her with him.
Their skin glistened with perspiration, and their hearts pounded against each other’s chest. When their breath slowed, Steel looked in her eyes. “I love you whether you’re ready to hear the words or not.”
Chapter Thirteen
“I haven’t told my mom and dad about any of this, my running away or about you and Chayton. They must be getting worried. Chayton warned me they’d be upset that I hadn’t told them the truth. The vacation I said I was taking was for on
e week.” She lay cuddled against Steel’s side.
He tilted her head and kissed her mouth. “Then I suggest you shower, dress, and make a call.” Dana climbed over his body to get off the bed. “Don’t tempt me darlin’,” he teased.
She hurriedly got out of his reach and closed the bathroom door behind her. Her brain raced searching for the words to tell her parents all that happened the last few weeks. I’d better wait before telling them I’m falling in love with two men.
She showered and dressed quickly. When she came out of the bedroom, Steel was gone. Dana got her cell out of her purse and headed to the family room. Someone had lit a small fire and opened the curtains. A million stars shone brightly across the dark sky. She pulled a chair near the windows and punched in her parent’s phone number.
“Hello, Dana,” her mom said. “I saw the call was from you. How was your vacation?”
“I have a confession to make. I told a little lie. I didn’t go on vacation, instead I went into hiding.”
There was silence on the line and then her mother said, “Jeff, you’d better pick up the other phone.”
Her father did and asked, “What’s up?”
“Now tell us why you lied about vacation and why you had to hide,” her mother said.
Dana gave an abbreviated version of how Addison stalked her, and the police didn’t believe her so she took a job in South Dakota.
“But they got the men today, and I’m safe. I didn’t want you all worrying about me.”
“That’s our job,” her mother said with emphasis.
“How do you know you’re safe?” her dad asked. “If this guy has as many connections as you say, he may get out of jail.”
“He’s dead, Dad.”
“Oh, my goodness. I have to sit down,” her mother said in a shaky voice.
“How did he get shot?”
“Dad, he kidnapped me.” She’d left that out, hoping they wouldn’t have to know just yet. “Two of the men who rescued me shot him and the man holding a gun to my head. Both men died.”
“Oh, my goodness,” her mother repeated. “What if they’d killed you, and we hadn’t even known you were in danger? I’m so upset with you for not calling your dad and me sooner.”
Captivating Cowboys [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 11