by Erin R Flynn
“And it was, but we’re being honest and this is what’s hardest for me. Last time the guy tried to bind me to him permanently, so all of what I have was his. It’s taking me everything I have to trust you when I do. You need to let me get used to that without pulling anything else.”
“You’re right,” Theo agreed. “We don’t fully get it, but the spirits made it clear we’re the bosses when summoning and during possession. You’re the boss the rest of the time. We’ll tell you if we want to do something like that again.”
“We like you being the boss of us,” I admitted against her lips, knowing Theo felt the same. “What does the boss want?”
“Coffee,” she purred, sliding out from between us, laughing when we both groaned in disappointment. “You knew your punishment was coming, and I will enjoy every second of it.”
I shrugged. “Even if you’re spanking me, I’ve got your attention, so it’s not really a punishment.”
“Shit, that’s hot,” she groaned, my dick twitching at hearing the sound and totally in for whatever she was planning.
I quickly changed the topic before I ended up jumping her. “So, all the food people brought you was in disposable pans. I went through them and put a few in the freezer that can be reheated later, or we were going to drown in casserole.”
“We still have to wash those pans and give them back to the church. They do it all the time,” she told me.
“Got it.” I went over some other basics from the organizing I did that morning, and I noted the way she nodded like it was no big deal, but I could feel her relief at the help. And then the joy as she ate my pancakes with cream cheese syrup.
I didn’t push like I was gloating because I knew she enjoyed them and that was enough for me.
“Way better than the frozen ones,” she praised when she was done, and looking at the plate like she was thinking of licking it clean. “I apologize for even doubting you. These were amazing.”
“Glad you liked them,” I said easily.
“Levi does basics with flair really well,” Theo praised. “He was limited in the Army, but he still was able to add this or that and people adored him for it. Shit, we got these steaks once and they were amazing. He worked miracles with frozen and shipped way too far.”
“There’s a ranch not far from here. I’ll show you their site. I trade them produce for meat now and again, but I just give it to anyone willing to help me out since I have no skills to cook.”
“None?” I teased her, swallowing a gasp when I felt her instant pain.
“No, none, and I don’t want to,” she whispered, guessing what I felt. “My parents weren’t good people and thought having kids meant servants until we could increase my mother’s power. I told you, BDE witches get back what they take and it warps them. They may never have been good people, but it gets worse the more dark power they build and use.”
“Darkness can warp people even if not magical,” I muttered, shivering as I thought of my own family and their crazy.
The doorbell rang, interrupting that fun conversation. I frowned, thinking it sounded different and the gate was supposed to keep anyone out.
Briony didn’t move, picking up her phone instead and tapping it. “Hey, Sam, what’s up?”
“I heard what happened and wanted to see how you were,” a man said from her phone. “You got the gate up fast.”
“Yeah, the mayor showed up and I had everything delivered already so it made sense. I’ll buzz you in.” She tapped her phone a few more times and sighed. “You put up the gate yesterday when he asks, because he will.” She slid off her stool and headed for the door.
“Damn, everything she has is cool,” Theo chuckled as he glanced at her phone, shaking his head before stuffing more pancakes in his mouth.
It was and I was glad she protected herself that way, but I didn’t like that a guy dropped by before eight in the morning. That wasn’t a normal sort of check-in on someone.
“Isn’t your arm supposed to be in a sling?” the man asked as they walked into the kitchen. He was about our age, but well put together with his suit and flashy looks.
Asshole.
“I’m fine, Sam. I was just icing it before a shower. The doc said as I needed it after a few days, and to be careful of what I lift or do for the next month or so. My ankle was just a sprain, so I’m staying off of it too. My ribs are all that hurts.”
A total lie, but she sold it well by giving him something to focus on.
“Your face looks much better than Trey said,” he muttered, reaching to touch her.
“It’s still a bit tender, even with the bruise cream and some foundation,” she assured him as she dodged him. “Sam, this is Levi and Theo, the guys who saved me.”
He turned and saw us then, flinching in shock. “They’re staying with you? Why?”
“Well, they had to give statements and talk with the DA next week along with sticking around for trial so Larson doesn’t get off. I thought it rude to just ask for their help with that and make them stay in a hotel however long it takes. I mean, I know I don’t have a lot of space for people but—”
“Ha, ha, yeah, I got it, Ms. Twelve Bedrooms and a Guesthouse,” he cut in.
“Funny you know that,” I muttered as I refilled Briony’s coffee. “We don’t and we’ve been here a few days.”
He flinched but then gave me a snide look. “I’ve spent time here too. A lot of time.”
Oh, now he was an asshole begging for me to smack him. Got it.
“A lot might be pushing it, Sam,” Briony cut in, clearly getting what was going on from the amusement I felt in the bond. “You’ve never even slept over, so don’t try and make it sound like we’re lovers. We’ve had sex and not for a while.”
“Not for lack of trying,” he grumbled. “You make me chase you all over and I will, but that’s not why I’m here.”
“Maybe you’re just not getting the hint as she doesn’t strike me as the type of woman who plays those sort of games,” Theo said, amusement lacing his tone. He didn’t give him time to respond. “Did you say there were instructions or plans for getting the workshop kit up?”
“Yeah, they’re on my desk in my office,” she answered.
“Why are you going to look at them?” Sam asked.
Theo smirked at him over his mug. “We put up the new gate for her. We helped get some trees down for her yesterday and yeah, we can get the shop up. The Army teaches useful skills like that.”
“We’re really good with our hands,” I added, twirling the spatula in my hand. “And other things she likes.”
“Those pancakes were really delicious,” she agreed, looking seconds from laughing as we practically marked her as our territory.
“Good. I’ll talk with that ranch and see if we can’t get some nice meat to put in you. Thick cuts to make you moan.”
“What the—” Sam snapped, but she cut him off.
“Thanks for driving out to check on me, Sam, but you don’t want to be late to get to the office,” she said before gesturing to her pajamas. “And I’ve gotta get started on my day. The sooner my shop gets back up, the sooner I can jump on all of the work I need to.”
I moved around the island to toss something in the garbage by her and then moved my hand on her hip, kissing her hair as I stared Sam down. “Anything we can do to help, we will. It’s the least we can do for the way you spoil us.”
Sam narrowed his eyes at me. “By getting to stay here?”
“That too,” I chuckled.
“I feed them also,” she cut in, trying to make it sound like that was the answer. The look in Sam’s eyes said he doubted that, and I made sure my gaze said the same as my hand massaged her hip. She elbowed me. “Okay, kids, let’s all behave and get back to being adults.”
“Whatever you say, Briony, you’re the boss of us,” Theo said, kissing her cheek as he walked by, moving next to Sam. “I’ll walk you out since Briony should stay off her ankle.”
�
��I’m glad you’re okay,” Sam said to her gently after he seemed to recover. “I’m sorry I didn’t get over here sooner.”
She waved him off. “Dottie and everyone came and mothered me. I’m fine. Really. Larson’s in jail and the sheriff is all over the mayor bugging me.”
He didn’t seem to know what to say to get a chance to stay, so he accepted defeat graciously and let Theo walk him out. The second they were out of earshot, I made my move, my lips latching onto her ear as my hands moved over her body.
“Did he do to you what we do?”
“No,” she gasped, arching into my hand. “No, not even. He’s a boy who wants a sugar momma and the score of landing a rich girl. I was lonely last winter and the drive to Salt Lake was too risky. It was just sex.”
“And we’re not?” I demanded, shoving my hand into the front of her bottoms. I groaned when I found her wet and ready, plunging two fingers into her pussy. “Did he get you this wet? Did he make you scream like we do? Was he as good to you as we are?”
“Stop pushing,” she hissed as she moved her hips. “A bit of jealousy is hot, but stop pushing me when I barely know you.”
“Fine, but I’m eating your pussy until you scream my name.” I smiled when she moaned in response, stripping her naked and lifting her onto the counter since she didn’t object.
Theo came back after Sam was gone and the gate closed back up, and took a few turns with her as well.
“You are not as inexperienced as you make yourselves sound to be when that fucking good at oral,” she panted when we were done.
“We are, but we can feel through the bond what you like,” I confessed. “It makes it way more fun and helps like training wheels. Plus, you really, really taste good.”
“We’re not kidding,” Theo defended when she snorted. “I don’t get it either, but you really do taste good.”
“Weirdos,” she chuckled. “For the record, part of your punishment is I’m not returning the favor.”
I shrugged. “We didn’t do it because we wanted to get some back. We did it because we could and you’re ours, not his.” I didn’t give her a chance to respond, sauntering over to the sink and turning on the water to do the dishes.
I heard her grumbling under her breath and figured it was something unflattering.
I finished cleaning the kitchen up while she went to change, meeting her and Theo at the garage several minutes later. She didn’t seem to mind we were coming with; more just curious why we were.
Well, we were curious as to what we’d done too. I mean, saying the magic exploded last night would make anyone curious. We climbed onto the ATV, and as she drove by the site the shop would go, my mouth dropped open at how big the new trees were… And the ones behind them looked taller too.
Was I just remembering it all wrong?
She stopped the nursery and headed inside, sighing as she looked over everything. “I was afraid of this.”
“What?” I asked, following her gaze. “Holy mother fucker of not baby trees anymore!”
“Yeah, seriously, just, wow,” Theo added. “Those are some really big saplings. Crap, your guy is totally going to notice this, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, as he has eyes,” she drawled. She walked out, waiting for us before closing it back out. She let out a slow breath after climbing on the ATV. “I’m thankful, Gaia. I’m thankful for your bounty. Overwhelmed, but grateful.”
“What do we do?” I asked after we hopped on and she drove off.
“I’ve donated saplings before to a few nonprofits that help regrow areas devastated by wildfires. I’ll call and see if they can take them, but that means getting a truck and driver out here—oh and new, smaller saplings in before Gary comes out on Sunday.”
“We can do it,” I assured her. “We know how to drive the forklift you have. We’ll get it done.”
“Thanks.” She parked at the greenhouse, and it was more of the same. Everything was overflowing and overgrown and just extra.
“Um, you got a plan for this?” Theo worried.
“Yeah, I have a witch friend, Sia, who lives in Nebraska and makes all kinds of products. She grows what she needs too, but if I’ve got extras I send it to her and she gives me awesome stuff back.”
“Plus, I can make a ton of everything nummy with all of this,” I promised her, excited for all the veggies and produce.
She nodded and pulled out her phone, sighing again, and she tapped it a few times before putting it to her ear. “Hey, John, I was wondering if you wanted any jobs? I’ve got a ton of saplings I’m sending to California and a trip to Sia with fresh that should go first actually.”
“I’m finishing a drive right now, and I’m not scheduled again until after the new year,” he answered. “I got you covered, Briony. The Mrs. was yelling at me for being lazy over the holidays, but now she’ll think I was smart since I was open for you.”
She chuckled, shaking his head. “Uh-huh, just let me know the story and I’ll stick to it. If you really want, I can do two trailers to California. I have some help here and we realized some of the extra saplings I had on the other side of the farm completely shot up and I’m not ready for them.”
“That and you’re a good gal who’s always helping everyone,” he chuckled. “I’ll take it. You pay better and never bitch at me.”
“No, I’m not your wife,” she teased, pulling the phone away from her ear when he busted out laughing.
The man was loud, but in a good way. I had no problem hearing him while standing next to her though, which I found amusing.
“Any chance your son can bring out the fridge truck and trailers so I can get them loaded and out of the way? I sort of made a mess for Gary while distracted.”
“Yeah, he’s still early shift for his local route. I’ll give him a call.”
“You’re my hero, John.”
“Oh, now that I’m telling the Mrs. so she’s nice to me.”
She snorted. “Oh great, because the new rumor is I’m the sheriff’s mistress, so what’s another married man?”
He laughed so hard, she had to pull the phone away again. He said about the same that she had, that the man would never stray from his wife, so that was a total joke. They hung up and she looked relieved to at least have a plan.
“Which of you wants to get laid?” she asked as she glanced at us.
Our hands went up instantly, amusing the crap out of her. I wasn’t sure what she had planned, but I was in. I was completely in and not above begging for it.
7
Briony
Getting the new shop up was a huge help in getting my life back on track. Theo and Levi were major assets and not just as familiars.
Oh no, those men knew how to work. When the full moon offering had blown up the farm, they were all over helping. We got the shop up first, as we needed the light for that, and then they switched to the greenhouse to learn everything they could to help.
And it was really nice to have the help, if I was honest. Not just to make the job easier, but they were… Nice. They were nice guys who didn’t seem to have an end game, or did stuff for what they got in return.
Even those who helped at the greenhouse got what they picked, but they just wanted to help. Sure they ate the food and had a place to stay, but they seemed happier to have a purpose than anything.
I got the feeling it was the first time they’d had one they could get behind or liked. They grew up training to be hunters and that transferred to their time in the military, but if they hadn’t wanted to be hunters, it made sense that they were lost.
After the first week, we fell into a nice routine and I was a woman who liked her routines and consistency. I really did.
The second week was even better, because they knew what to do and just did it. Levi made the kitchen his, and something was always cooking or baking and I felt completely spoiled. He made a huge Thanksgiving feast like I’d never seen outside of the movies.
I swallowed down my need to lecture th
at it was a bullshit holiday and instead, we should be begging forgiveness from the Native Americans our people slaughtered, and just enjoyed it. Mostly because they seemed thrilled to have something nice and normal, something none of us had had before.
On top of all of that, they were by far the best familiars I’d ever contracted. I couldn’t get over how fast they adjusted to it and seemed to enjoy it, and not just for the sex. The power meant safety and security, and that was what they wanted, not for greed or to make more money.
Sure, I used it to help rebuild what I’d lost, but I didn’t sell totems for the money; it was my calling, as I had the magic for it.
“If you can show me how to give her a squirting orgasm and you add another totem, I’ll spank her every morning for the next week and remind her of what you did to her tonight,” Theo negotiated with the spirit we were summoning, shocking the crap out of me.
“You have to really do that if you promise,” I reminded him when I snapped out of my surprise.
He gave me a look like that wasn’t going to be a problem.
Brat.
“I will bring four fractured spirits I know to her after I recharge if you give her those orgasms I taught you how to do as well.”
Theo hesitated, not knowing the difference. I nodded it was a much better deal, but he didn’t answer right away.
“Depends on how you do it. If the combo could hurt her or be too much without you healing her after, I’m only giving her twenty smacks.”
“Over your lap while she’s naked and we have a deal.”
We agreed and I put the spirit in him. Moments later, I was naked and bent over the padded sawhorse, getting flogged. Kinky fucking spirits.
Then again, if I was stuck in that limbo they were, I’d go for whatever got me the deepest feelings to hold onto so I didn’t become a fractured spirit as well.
“Oh, your boy very much enjoys this,” the spirit in Theo told me. “Shit, he’s fucking hard as steel dying to fuck your red ass. I’m not done with her. Fuck her when I am.”