“W-what?” she whispered, clenching her pussy tight.
“Do you want some more?” It was Dyson this time, in her other ear.
She could feel the nearness and heat of both men as their hot breath brushed gently over her ears and they each slung an arm around her shoulders.
“Um,” she murmured helplessly as they tickled her neck with their tongues, slowly nibbling their way to her throat.
Instinctively, Carla lifted her head, offering them better access to her sensitive skin. Her eyes closed and her breathing became rampant as they continued their exquisite torture. For a moment she was gliding on a warm thermal somewhere way up in the earth’s atmosphere. Somewhere private. Somewhere only they knew.
“Do you want anything else, baby?” Dyson’s murmur permeated the ether and she slowly turned her glazed, confused eyes to him.
“Hmm?” It was all she could manage.
She heard a low chuckle from Matt, and she turned to see him smiling down at her.
“You sure were hungry, weren’t you?” Matt’s soft voice rumbled in her ear, and he cocked that sexy eyebrow at her salaciously.
She felt herself blush and giggled nervously, as she slowly came back to earth in their arms.
She heard them both chuckle, before they all started laughing more loudly, and the boys loosened their grip as the waitress came to clear away their dishes.
“Well, it sure looks like you enjoyed that,” the waitress said, before disappearing with the crockery.
Carla blushed again, having noticed the knowing look on the lady’s face. The boys hooted with laughter.
“I’ll just see to this,” Dyson said, casually standing up and taking the check from the table.
Carla hadn’t seen the waitress put it down and immediately opened her mouth to offer her share. The sudden stern expression on Dyson’s face made her think again and she smiled at him gratefully as she quickly closed her mouth. He seemed satisfied with that, as he left them to go settle up.
“Come on, let’s dance,” Matt said decisively and held a hand out to her. Carla giggled and followed him over to the floor.
Her body was still tingling from the excitement of having the guys kissing and touching her. She felt like she was floating on air right now and didn’t want the feeling to stop. They joined the line for Waltz Across Texas and she felt Matt’s closeness as he gracefully danced next to her. Although the Shearer brothers were large, muscular men, they were very light on their feet and both had a casual elegance which she loved.
Dyson soon joined them, stepping into the line on her other side, and the air felt electric as she danced between them. Every now and then one would brush up against her, or wink or smile seductively and she felt her insides glow. Their scents surrounded her and she felt shrouded in them. Carla pushed away the nagging doubt at the back of her mind—the one that kept telling her not to get attached, that it couldn’t last, that she couldn’t actually have either of them—she didn’t want to think about that right now, she just wanted to live in the moment.
After a couple more line dances the music turned to a waltz and both guys looked at Carla questioningly. Oh dear God—they can’t make me choose! Matt’s chuckle put her out of her misery.
“I’ll fetch some more beers,” he offered, grinning.
Dyson held his arm out to her and she glided into position as Matt left the floor.
“You know, if they play any more of these slow dances we’re gonna have to take turns all night, don’t you, baby?” Dyson murmured into her ear and the heat of his breath made her stomach flip. “Even if we have to wait all night for the numbers to add up.”
She felt an ember from the smoldering fire in her stomach burst into flame at the thought of spending the whole night with these two hunks. It amazed her that they didn’t seem in the least bit jealous of each other as they both lavished their attention on her. She gasped and stared up at him. His deep chuckle resonated through his muscular chest, which was now even closer to her. His presence enveloped her.
Dyson bent his head down and she felt his smooth chin brush across her forehead before he kissed her hair gently. Carla was thankful that she knew the steps so well, as she wasn’t concentrating on the dance at all. All she could think of was the handsome hunk who was holding her tight and gently rubbing his taut, musky-scented body against hers with every movement. She gazed up at him just as the song ended and his emerald eyes danced with delight. He leaned down and took her lips in a sensual kiss which started as tiny nibbles and ended with his tongue invading her hot mouth and exploring every inch of it. Slowly their tongues untangled and Carla became aware of everyone standing around applauding the band. She blushed and stared at the floor, realizing that the other dancers would have seen them kiss.
“Hope you’re thirsty.” Matt smiled as he came up to them carrying three beers.
Carla nodded and Dyson took her hand and led her over to a small table. The beer was ice-cold and she relished its bite as she attempted to cool herself. She sighed as she gazed up at the two handsome guys who were sat either side of her.
“Hope we haven’t tired you out yet, baby?” Dyson leaned toward her and she felt hot all over again. She clutched her cold glass, hoping that it might cool her a little.
“No, I’m fine.” She smiled at him and was rewarded with a gorgeous grin in return.
“Do you ride?”
Matt’s question took her by surprise and she jerked her head around to gawp at him. He chuckled. “I thought we might take some horses and head up into the hills tomorrow if you like? We’re forecast some decent weather and the view up there’s pretty spectacular,” he explained.
Dyson’s warm hand came over her arm. “Say you’ll come, baby. It’ll be fun,” he urged. His bright green eyes flashed with promise and she couldn’t resist that smile.
Chapter Eight
Dyson woke from the best night’s sleep he’d had in a long time. Despite the late hour that they’d finally turned in, he was up early feeling like a million dollars.
“Well, you’re chipper this morning.” Matt looked up at him from the breakfast table as Dyson returned to the house.
“I know. I’ve got all the chores done, too, so we can go as soon as you’re ready,” Dyson announced with a smile.
“Hope you haven’t been overdoing it, bro.” Matt frowned. “You’re supposed to be taking things easy, remember? I thought you were taking a few days off to have some rest—you haven’t stopped this week!”
“I’m fine, don’t you worry about me,” Dyson assured him, stealing a piece of his brother’s toast.
“Yeah, I see that.” Matt groaned as his last slice of breakfast was swiped through the air and into his brother’s mouth.
Dyson chuckled.
“She’s not expecting us for at least another hour yet,” Matt remarked, clearing away his dishes.
“No harm in being a little early. Besides, the sooner we pick her up the longer we’ll have up the mountain.” Dyson had it all worked out.
Matt grinned. “You’ve got a good point there, bro.”
Minutes later they were clambering into the pick-up.
“I’ll drive. You’re still supposed to be resting, remember?” Matt barged behind the wheel.
Dyson shook his head. “Okay, Mom.” He rolled his eyes.
“Just don’t want you wearing yourself out, that’s all,” Matt told him with a snigger. “Besides, you might need to conserve some of that energy of yours for later.”
Dyson laughed. “Hey, we’re taking it slowly, remember?”
“I know.” Matt gunned the engine as he spun out of the yard. “Though I thought I’d need to remind you of that after last night.”
“I didn’t want to say goodnight,” Dyson admitted, remembering that very long, drawn-out scene outside the Melrose Motel.
; “Me neither, bro. But we don’t want a repeat of last time, do we?”
Dyson shook his head. “Mandy wasn’t the one for us. I know that now. It’s a shame, but some things just ain’t meant to be.” He felt a pang in his gut as he remembered their disastrous attempt at wooing one of the local girls.
“She’s a nice enough girl, all the same,” Matt reminded him. “I thought she was more suited to Fielding after they went off together, but that didn’t seem to work out either.”
“I know. Wonder if that’s why he was so hell-bent on muscling in on Carla.” Dyson was thoughtful for a moment, realizing why his brother had been so annoyed at Aiden for asking her out before they got a chance to. Was Aiden trying to get his own back? No, he was a good friend. And their feelings toward Carla were making them paranoid!
“I reckon so.” Matt clearly thought differently. “Although you’d have thought he’d have learned his lesson by now. Any girl interested in us sure won’t want what he’s offering.”
“We don’t know that Carla is interested yet,” Dyson told him a little ruefully. “After all, she doesn’t know what we’re into. She might run a mile.” The thought hurt him bad, but it was as well to face facts.
“She sure seemed interested in us last night, don’t you think?” Matt mused.
“I hope so, bro. We need to take it easy, though. Don’t wanna spook her or anything.”
Matt nodded, pursing his lips as he drove toward the motel.
“We should have got her cell phone number.” Dyson admonished himself as they pulled up in the parking lot. “Think she’ll be up yet?”
Matt checked the clock on the dash. “We’re not that early,” he said thoughtfully. “Still, there’s only one way to find out.”
They climbed out of the truck and went inside.
“Morning, Trevor. We’re looking for Carla. She up yet?” Dyson smiled at the sour-faced proprietor, who seemed irritated to have visitors this early on a Sunday morning.
“Who?”
“Carla Burchfield. She’s staying here, we believe?” Dyson frowned at the confused-looking old guy.
Trevor Melrose shook his head. “Nope.”
Dyson and Matt exchanged a wary look.
“She booked in just a couple of nights ago,” Dyson went on slowly.
Trevor spun the visitor’s book around to face him. “See for yourself, Sheriff. I’ve had no one by that name here. Sure you’ve got the right place?”
Dyson felt a burn in his stomach as he stared at the register. The last entry was not much more than a scribble, and certainly didn’t bear any resemblance to Carla’s name.
“Who’s this?” He pointed to the illegible scrawl.
“Young girl. Been here three nights now. Can’t rightly remember what she said her name was, but it sure wasn’t no Carla Burchfield.” His voice was gruff.
“’Bout mid-twenties, long dark hair. Real pretty?” Matt took a step closer to the desk to study the book. “Looks like something beginning with a ‘P’,” he remarked, pointing at the handwriting.
“Yep that’s it, Paulette something-or-other.” Trevor pounced on Matt. “And I think she did have dark hair now you come to mention it. Had a cap on when she first arrived, but when she came back in she looked totally different—I thought she was someone else at first, to be truthful. I s’pose she’s what you might call pretty. I don’t take much notice of these things, meself.”
“She hasn’t checked out yet,” Dyson noticed, taking another look at the register. “She still here?”
Trevor narrowed his eyes. “She’s staying till the end of the week, maybe longer, she said.” He frowned at them. “She in some kind of trouble, Sheriff?”
The young guys exchanged another look.
“No, not that I know of ” Dyson replied, as eager to allay the old man’s suspicions as much as his own. “I must’ve got her name wrong, that’s all. Do you know where she is now?”
Trevor glanced up at the clock. “Probably over at the café across the street. I notice she usually takes breakfast in there.”
Dyson felt his heart hammer painfully against his ribs as they thanked him and hurried over the road.
“Don’t go jumping to conclusions, bro,” he warned Matt just before they went into the café. “Play it cool, okay? There’s probably some very simple explanation for all this.”
“Yeah, right.” Matt’s mumble only echoed his own feelings, though he couldn’t admit it, even to himself.
He opened the door and was relieved to see Carla chatting merrily to the waitress as she tucked into a large breakfast. She looked absolutely beautiful and he felt his heart melt just looking at her. If the poor girl was in some kind of trouble he was going to have to tread carefully. He knew that a gung-ho approach would not only upset her, it would also ruin any chances they might have with her. And there was no way he could risk that. The place was almost empty, with just a couple of other customers sat over by the window.
“Good morning.” The waitress welcomed them with a huge smile, and Carla turned around to see who she was talking to.
“Morning, ladies.” Dyson tried to sound as casual as he could, aware of the horrified expression on Carla’s face.
“Can I get you something?” the waitress went on.
“Just a couple of coffees please.” Dyson was aware of Carla’s eyes boring into him as he spoke but he didn’t look at her.
“Coming right up. Sit anywhere you like, gentlemen. We’re not exactly short on space.” The waitress beamed at them.
“Right here’ll do just fine, thank you, ma’am,” Matt replied, sliding into the booth next to Carla.
The woman looked surprised but said nothing as she went to fetch their drinks.
“Mornin’, baby.” Dyson sat opposite them, placing his hat on the seat next to him.
Carla flushed, looking a little wary. “Hi. You’re early.”
“That’s all right, you finish your breakfast. We can use some coffee anyway,” Matt replied, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.
She seemed to have lost her appetite already. “I’m done.” She placed her cutlery down and took a large gulp of her coffee.
“Thank you.” Dyson smiled as the waitress put their drinks in front of them.
“H-how did you find me?” Carla frowned as she looked from one brother to the other.
“The old guy in the motel said you’d be here,” Matt told her casually.
Dyson watched the color drain from her face as she stared at them. He watched her glance nervously over at the waitress, who had gone to clear the table by the window as the couple was now leaving.
“I see,” she whispered.
Her big brown eyes were obviously pleading with him not to make a scene, but she needn’t have worried. Dyson had no intention of calling her out just yet.
“Look, I had a great time last night,” she said quietly as she folded her napkin, placing it over her plate.
“Well now, that’s good.” Matt smacked his lips as he drank his coffee. “’Cos we did, too, didn’t we, bro?”
Dyson nodded. “Sure did,” he concurred. “In fact, I didn’t want it to end, I enjoyed it so much.” He took a large gulp of his drink, eager not to ruin the joy of the previous evening. After all, they didn’t know for sure that they had anything to worry about yet. She was clearly looking for a way to cancel their date today, however, but there was no way they were going to let her.
“Looks like a lovely day,” Matt went on, brightly. “And those horses sure could do with a good trek.”
“You finished?” Dyson eyed her half-full plate a little uncertainly. Her whole demeanor had changed since they’d joined her, and the thought saddened him.
She nodded. “Yup.”
“Let’s hit the road then.” Matt swigged down the last of his coffee as
they all got up and he threw some notes on the table.
“Put it away,” Matt growled at Carla as she took out her wallet. She frowned but did as he said, throwing him a grateful—but weak—smile.
“See ya later,” the waitress called over to them as they made their way toward the door.
Carla waved to her as they left.
“Got everything you need?” Dyson checked before they climbed into the truck.
Carla nodded, though she seemed a little unsure.
He offered her his hand as she climbed up the step into the cab, just as Matt helped her in from the other side, having got behind the wheel already.
Dyson looked over at her as Matt drove them back toward the farm. She looked a little uneasy, much different from the last time they’d been together. She chewed her inner cheek as her eyes flitted from him to his brother. He knew she must be wondering how much they had found out about her this morning, but he wasn’t ready to show his hand just yet. He would rather she volunteered the information—assuming there was anything to tell.
“So, Carla, did you grow up on a ranch or a farm over in Wyoming?” he tried to sound casual but noticed her whole body bristle sharply. “Only, I was just interested in how you came to learn to ride, that’s all.”
She seemed content with his hasty explanation, and she actually managed a smile.
“Yeah, my grandparents had a ranch, I learned there,” she told them. “We used to go up there every summer.”
“Sounds like you enjoyed it there?” Matt chirped.
“I loved it,” she said, beaming over at him.
“So you’re more at home out here in the countryside?” Dyson inquired.
“Yeah. I much prefer it.”
She seemed much more relaxed as they kept the conversation light on their way back. By the time they arrived at the farm Dyson was beginning to think they might have overreacted after all, and was pleased they hadn’t ruined the day by asking her about the false name—after all, it was just possible there had been a genuine mistake.
“I’ll just grab us a picnic,” he offered as they climbed down from the truck. “Why don’t you go with Matt and get the horses ready?”
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