by Leah Brooke
His hands actually shook as he lit the lamps in the room, the anticipation making his cock pound furiously.
They wouldn’t take her tonight, but soon she would be in their cabin back home, and he could take his time with her.
He would have to be gentle, but he didn’t have to rush the way he did with the girls in town. He could take her step by erotic step and lead her into the world of the dark pleasures he’d long ago become addicted to.
Careful to keep his distance, he dropped her bundle on the bed and clenched his fists at his sides to keep from reaching for her. “You’ll be safe here.”
Watching him warily, she moved to the window, pushing the curtain aside to look out into the night. “I feel bad for delaying you. You would have travelled at night to go back to the ranch if not for me, wouldn’t you?”
Blade shrugged. “We sometimes spend the night in town, but we’ve travelled at night before, especially this time of year when it’s too hot in the day. We’ll get an early start in the morning, though. We’ll stop at the general store and get some things for you before we go.” He smiled at her look of shock. “It’ll be nice having a few womanly things around the cabin.”
He bit back a groan when she slid the scarf from her shoulders, his cock getting harder each time he caught a tantalizing glimpse of the fullness her ill-fitting dress barely contained.
They’d have to make sure she had dresses that fit her better, or she’d drive the other ranch hands crazy, and his jealousy would create fights between him and the other men. “Including some material for new dresses.”
Sarah bit her lip, making him crazy to taste them again.
He and his brothers had kissed her after the ceremony, but it had only been a taste, a taste of sweetness and innocence that he wanted to drown himself in.
Lifting her gaze to his, Sarah nodded. “You’ll want the gold now, won’t you?”
Blade clenched his jaw. “I don’t want your money. My brothers and I are responsible for providing for you.”
Her eyes went wide. “But—”
“Keep it hidden until you get back to the ranch, and never mention it while you’re here in town.”
“You’ll let me keep it?”
Blade understood the relief in her eyes. It was another measure of security for her to know that she had it and could escape if she felt threatened.
He wanted to give her all the security he could, and knew that this was one thing they could do to begin to earn her trust. “Yes. It’s yours. Keep it tucked away. It makes you feel safer, doesn’t it?”
She nodded again, her eyes brimming with tears. “I can’t believe I’m married. I can’t believe I have a last name now—a real last name. Royal. I’m Mrs. Royal. Sarah Royal.”
Amused, Blade smiled, finding it hard to believe himself. “Yes, you are.” The surge of possessiveness and pride surprised him, filling him with a sense of purpose and satisfaction he hadn’t expected.
He watched her wander the room, noticing that she kept her hands folded in front of her, not reaching out to touch anything. He had a feeling that she’d never been allowed to back home, and was scared of breaking something. “A bath will be brought up for you in a few minutes.” He wondered what she’d look like with her hair clean, and without smudges of dirt on her face. “Can you sew?”
“Yes. Mrs. Andrews taught me. I did all the sewing for the girls. My mother liked the dresses I made for her.”
Blade nodded, mentally listing some of the things he’d need to buy. “Good. We’ll buy some cloth so you can make yourself some dresses. We’ve got to do something about you showing so much. I find I’m a jealous man. ”
Blushing deeper, she looked away, her shyness delighting him. Obviously nervous, she wrung her hands in front of her. “Am I really married to all three of you? The preacher looked real funny when we went there. Almost angry about marrying us.”
Folding his arms over his chest, Blade wanted to dispel her of any doubts about their marriage. “He doesn’t like that marriages like ours are legal in Desire. Under the law in the rest of the country, you’re married to Hawke, but we’re all your husbands. Make no mistake about that.”
His voice had taken on an edge that had Sarah’s eyes going wide again, and taking several steps back, she slid a glance at the door, obviously searching for Hawke.
She seemed to trust Hawke, and Blade promised himself that soon she would trust him, too.
He’d have to work on it, but he knew the results would be worth it.
Reminding himself that she’d grown up fearing men, he unfolded his arms and smiled, hoping to appear less intimidating. “The preacher’s too afraid of Eb and Jeremiah, though, to do anything to anger them, so he performed the ceremony.”
If possible, her eyes went even wider. “Hawke told me that they own the ranch. Are they mean?”
Thinking about the hardships and dangers they’d all faced at the ranch, Blade shrugged. “They can be when necessary.” Holding her gaze, he moved closer, pleased when she didn’t back away. He didn’t want to admit that he was jealous of his brother, but he was, and wanted her to trust him the way she trusted Hawke. “We all can. Sometimes we have to be. Out here, danger can come from anywhere. You should know that as well as anyone.”
The door opened, admitting Hawke, whose gaze went immediately to Sarah. “Your bath’s here.”
Blade stepped in front of Sarah as Hawke crossed the room, both of them positioning themselves between Sarah and the two men carrying a heavy tub through the doorway.
Sarah moved in behind Hawke, who smiled faintly, apparently pleased.
Once again promising himself that he’d do anything to earn her trust, Blade glanced at his brother to see Hawke’s eyes flash with satisfaction. The unfamiliar show of emotion disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, but it made him feel good to see the change in his older brother.
Hawke had always been cold, especially since their mother died when they were children. The change in him since going to the train station was nothing short of remarkable.
Hawke had spoken more to Sarah in the short time they’d known her than he usually spoke in an entire week.
As they poured buckets of water into the tub, Blade swallowed heavily and willed his cock to behave, trying not to imagine his wife’s naked body sinking into it.
He glanced at Hawke as the men left. “We’re going to have to buy a tub. Maggie and Savannah begged until they got one.”
“I don’t need one. I’m sure there’s a creek or stream on the Circle T that I can use.” Sarah’s soft voice held a sense of embarrassment, one that stroked his masculinity and made him want her even more.
Both he and Hawke turned to face her. Watching her pace again, Blade shrugged. “Both, and a pond, but you certainly can’t take a bath in it.”
The thought of another man coming across her naked infuriated him. Hiding his anger, he forced a smile. “Especially in the winter. There’s a hot spring as well, but you can only go there with one of us. Didn’t you have a tub in Waco?”
Eyeing the warm water, Sarah shrugged. “My mother did. She let me use it sometimes, but usually I just washed in the creek.”
Hawke’s jaw clenched in another rare show of emotion. “You’ll have a tub, so you can have a bath whenever you want one.”
Blade looked her over, taking in her matted hair, angry that she smelled of sweat, instead of sweet, like Maggie and Savannah. “Eb and Jeremiah’s wife, Maggie, makes scented soaps that she sells here in town. We’ll get some for you tomorrow.”
Sarah got a panicked looked on her face, shaking her head furiously. “No. Please. Don’t go to any trouble. I swear I’ll smell better after I get clean.”
Blade forced a smile, vowing to do his best to help give her the confidence she needed. “No trouble, and I’m not worrying that you won’t smell better. I just know that the other women like them and thought you might, too. Take your bath.”
Hawke went to the windows, m
aking sure they were locked. “Then get some sleep.”
As Blade turned away, she reached out to touch the sleeve of his buckskin shirt, dropping her hand before she actually touched him. “Where will you be?”
Trying not to think about his wedding night, Blade forced a small smile. “Hawke and I will sleep in the hall. Phoenix is sleeping on the buckboard.”
“But—” Her face turned a fiery red.
Hawke turned, pulling the heavy curtains closed. “We’ve slept in worse. You’re safe, and Phoenix will keep anyone from stealing the supplies.”
She shifted restlessly, lowering her gaze. “You’re my husbands. You have the right to …”
Blade could see she was scared and uncertain. Lifting her chin, he forced her to meet his gaze. “There’s plenty of time for that. I have no intention of making love to a scared woman. Take your bath and get some sleep. We’ll be right outside the door. We sleep light, so don’t worry. Nobody will get past us. Don’t lock the door. If you get scared, just call out. We’ll hear you.”
After a last long look at his wife, Blade went out to the hall with his brother, trying not to think about her getting undressed and into the tub.
Naked. Wet. Warm.
Settling against the wall on one side of the door while Hawke settled against the other, Blade once again willed his cock to behave. “It’s going to be a long night.”
Hawke nodded once, but didn’t look particularly disturbed. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the wall, a small smile of satisfaction curving his lips. “I have a feeling this will be the first of many.”
Chapter Five
Sitting in the seat of the buckboard, Sarah fingered the material on her lap and glanced at Phoenix. “This is really mine?” There were two more bolts of material braced behind her, along with an assortment of thread, needles, lace, and ribbons.
She couldn’t wait to get started on her new dress, but felt odd about accepting gifts from virtual strangers.
She felt odd accepting anything from anyone.
She’d never really had anything of her own—nothing that couldn’t be taken away from her without notice—including her home.
Except the handkerchief wrapped around the coins she’d hidden away.
She’d tried to use another gold coin from the pouch she’d kept in her bodice, but Hawke had glared at her in a way that had her hurriedly tucking it away again.
Holding the reins, Phoenix turned to smile at her, a flash of white against his dark skin. “It’s really yours. You’ll need some dresses. The next time we get back to town, we’ll buy you more.” Reaching out to touch her hand, he smiled again. “You sure are pretty.” He slid his hand over her hair, his eyes narrowing. “Your hair’s so light. So soft.”
Her face burned at the compliment. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. Is it far?”
Her stomach fluttered with excitement and nerves as they made their way to the ranch that would become her new home. She couldn’t stop looking behind her for any sign of Willy, wondering if she’d ever be able to settle into her new life with the constant threat of being found.
Hawke and Blade rode their horses on either side of the buckboard, never getting too far away. Neither man had spoken since they left town, but she was aware of their sharp attention, and the stares they gave her every time she looked back.
Phoenix, on the other hand, seemed to like to talk and had been asking her questions almost the entire time. “Did you tell your mother that you were leaving?”
She had a feeling that he talked in an effort to make her more comfortable, but the sheer size of him made her nervous.
He stood about an inch or two shorter than Hawke and Blade, but he had a bigger build, his muscular frame making him as intimidating as his brothers. She couldn’t stop looking at his hands, admiring the effortless way he handled the buckboard, while nervous at the apparent strength in them.
He could hurt her so easily, and he was only one of the men who now had the right to do whatever they wanted to do to her.
Being alone with them had made her realize just how vulnerable she’d be. She hadn’t seen a single person or building since they left Tulsa, the open wilderness filled with dangers she’d never dare face on her own.
Dangers that her husbands seemed to handle with ease, but that she wouldn’t stand a chance of surviving.
She would be helpless here, and would have to count on them for everything—just as she’d always had to count on Rose and her mother. Reminding herself that they couldn’t be worse than Willy, she grimaced at the memory of Willy’s stench and the evil in his eyes.
Phoenix frowned at her, his eyes dark with concern. “Sarah?”
Sitting up abruptly, she looked away, trying to remember what he’d asked her. “No.” Finding her gaze drawn to his hands again, Sarah shook her head. “If I’d told her that I was leaving, she would have told Rose. I’d like to write to her to tell her that I’m safe, but if I tell her where I am, she’ll tell Rose.”
Shifting the reins to one hand, Phoenix reached out the other to cover hers. “And Rose will tell Willy.”
Pulling her shawl more firmly around herself despite the warm, humid morning, Sarah nodded. “Yes. Rose will do whatever pleases him, and won’t stand a chance if he starts hitting her.” She glanced at Hawke and Blade before lifting her gaze to Phoenix’s. “If he finds me, he’s going to cause trouble. A lot of trouble. He’s a dangerous man. I feel so guilty for bringing trouble with me to your ranch. Hawke, Blade, and you are going to be on guard and looking over your shoulders all the time.”
Phoenix raised a brow. “The way you are now?” Patting her hand over the silver ring she’d been turning on her finger, he smiled. “Don’t worry. My brothers and I have been looking over our shoulders our entire lives. We’re used to it. We watch over ourselves, each other, and the women.”
“If he hurts any of you or anyone else at the ranch, I’m never going to forgive myself.” Shifting restlessly, she shivered despite the heat, so nervous that she trembled. “Do you think the other women will like me?”
Phoenix shrugged. “I don’t see why not. We all try to get along at the ranch. We all depend on each other, so fightin’ amongst ourselves makes life dangerous for all of us.”
Not quite believing him, Sarah gripped the bolt of material tighter, her hands chilled now that he’d removed his. “What are they gonna think about me when they know I brought trouble to the ranch?”
Phoenix grinned. “You think you’re the only one who ever brought trouble to the ranch?” Looking forward again, he shrugged. “You’re our responsibility now. Just do what we tell you to do and everything’ll be fine.”
Shifting restlessly, and aware that Blade and Hawke listened to every word, Sarah glanced behind her again. “I guess when you went to town, you didn’t plan on comin’ home with a bride.”
With a hand at her back, he urged her to look forward again. “No. We didn’t, but life tends to make decisions for us that we hadn’t expected.” He turned to her again. “You should know that better than anybody. Don’t worry. Willy’s not going to get the drop on us. I have good hearing, but my brothers are nothing short of amazing. No one could ever sneak up on either one of them.”
Grinning, he nudged her. “Not even me.”
Blade chuckled, shaking his head and sharing a smile with Sarah. “But, that doesn’t keep him from trying.”
Her face burned at the intimacy in his smile, and she felt herself relaxing at the tenderness in his eyes. She pulled the bolt of material closer, marveling at its softness. “It’s real comforting to have a man’s protection. I didn’t think any man would ever marry me.”
Her face burned hotter at the admission, but she’d brought her problems to them and they’d been so generous, that she felt she owed them honesty.
Phoenix’s features hardened. “We didn’t really expect any woman to marry us, either, so I guess we’re all in the same position.”
&nb
sp; “Why wouldn’t you think a woman would marry you?” She lowered her gaze again, her face burning as she twisted the ring around her finger again, the weight of it filling her with a sense of warmth. “You’re all so handsome. You’re kind, and you’re strong. Most men aren’t kind, and their strength just makes them mean.” A chill went through her at the memory of what Willy wanted to do to her. “It’s hard to be so defenseless.”
Phoenix gave her another reassuring smile. “You’re not defenseless anymore. Hell, you even took Hawke on.”
Fascinated by the blue highlights in his shorter ink-black hair, she studied his features. “Why do you wear clothes like other men, but both Hawke and Blade wear buckskins?” She glanced at Hawke, who rode on her side of the buckboard, her fingers itching to sink into his thick, almost waist-length hair that gleamed in the early morning sun.
Phoenix sighed, glancing at Hawke, bending his head to whisper in her ear. “They don’t want anyone thinking they’re pretending they’re white. Hawke’s got a chip on his shoulder about it.”
Hawke turned his head, glaring at his brother before turning away again.
Surprised, she glanced at Blade. “With the sound of the buckboard, I’m surprised that he heard you.”
Phoenix’s lips twitched. “No much gets past either one of them, but Hawke sees and hears things that no one else does.” Turning his attention back to the horses, he gave her a warning look. “Don’t try to hide anything from him. It just makes him mad.”
Sarah gasped at the sight of riders approaching, crying out Hawke’s name as she turned to him. “Someone’s coming! Oh, God! Are you gonna shoot them?”
Phoenix stilled, slowing slightly as he looked down at her hand gripping his arm. “Take it easy, honey. That’s just Hart and Gideon Sanderson. They work at the ranch. No cause to shoot anybody.”
Yanking her hand back, she pulled the material and her shawl closer, her heart pounding nearly out of her chest. “Oh.”