by Eileen Green
“I don’t want to waste too much time.” Frank was curt, but Bradley understood.
“Let’s talk when we get back to the room,” Bradley said, wanting to have this discussion out of earshot of Brooke.
Frank nodded. Thrusting his chin out in indication, he asked, “What’s that?”
Letting his eyes drop to the paper he must have absentmindedly placed on the table, he had to wonder himself. He had totally forgotten that the clerk downstairs had given it to him. Brooke could probably make him forget his name at times.
Picking it up and unfolding it, he let his eyes skim the words on the fax. Apparently, his former supervisor hadn’t heard back on the e-mail he had sent several days ago, so he faxed it.
What he saw surprised and infuriated him. He thought he had left his past behind him and now he would have to worry about a lunatic coming after him, putting Brooke and Frank in danger.
“That doesn’t look good. You want to share?” Frank asked as he leaned closer to the side of the bed.
“No. Not here.” Bradley let his eyes slide toward the bathroom. He quickly refolded the paper and shoved it in his back pocket, just in time as the door opened.
A smile spread across his face, forgetting for a moment the danger that could possibly endanger their lives. Brooke emerged wearing a pair of light blue flannel pajamas with festive snowmen on them. Her hair had been removed from the ponytail and brushed, and her face had been cleaned of all makeup. Adorable was the only word that came to his mind.
Opening his arms, he waited for her to walk into them. When she did, he wrapped his arms around her, savoring her warmth and aroma. Minty toothpaste beckoned him as he lowered his head down.
Brooke’s arms circled Bradley’s waist as she offered her mouth to him. Capturing those plump lips, he teased his tongue against them until they blossomed open. Swiping past her teeth, he found her tongue and was surprised when she met him halfway.
Bradley moved one hand up to the back of her head and cradled it to hold her still. Their tongues tangoed together, both dueling for the lead, but he won out. Pulling back on his tongue, Brooke trailed after him. When she entered his mouth, he let her explore.
The roof of his mouth, the insides of his cheeks, and then his teeth were inspected by her tongue. He reveled in the fact that she was bold enough to do that, for many women weren’t.
When he couldn’t take anymore, he opened his mouth farther and pushed back into hers. Taking a few more moments, he danced with her before pulling back. He peppered her lips with his once her mouth closed before he pulled away altogether.
Her eyes were closed above cheeks rosy with color. Her lips shone with saliva. The look of stolen innocence. He liked this look on her.
“You are absolutely beautiful, love,” he grumbled. “I want you to know I could kiss you all night long.” Her eyes opened and searched his, looking for what, he didn’t know. “But you need a good night’s sleep, and so do we.”
Frank pulled back the sheet while Bradley swooped her into his arms. She squealed before pushing against his shoulder. “You shouldn’t be lifting me! You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine, baby, as long as you are around. Now, give Frank a kiss good night, and we’ll leave you to the sandman.” Bradley laid her on the bed and stepped away.
He watched as Brooke shyly offered her lips to his friend, turning her body toward the semi-reclined man. Frank gathered her up in his arms and captured her lips in his, his kiss a bit tenderer than Bradley’s.
Perhaps Frank had more control, or maybe just didn’t want to pressure her too much after his own kiss. Brooke capitulated all the same, matching the energy of the kiss. Moans escaped both of them, and a sigh of disapproval sounded from Brooke when Frank pulled away.
Bradley pulled the covers up over Brooke’s body before he lay on the bed beside her. Brooke snuggled down between the two of them, causing Bradley to want more of the same.
“Go to sleep, Brooke. We’re right here,” Frank crooned. “When you get up in the morning, call us and we’ll take you to breakfast before you go to work.”
“Mmm. I’d like that.” She sounded happy as she closed her eyes.
Watching her face, Bradley saw how the muscles relaxed as sleep quickly overtook her. He knew the cry she had earlier was cathartic, something she needed. He was glad that he and Frank were there for her, and he hoped for a lifetime of nights like this.
* * * *
The peacefulness that settled upon Brooke’s face was comforting to Frank as he watched her fall asleep. He had worried that she would have changed her mind of wanting a relationship with them before they got here. Then when they saw her in the office earlier in the day, she looked stressed even though she was happy to see them.
Her bombshell at dinner was a godsend. Even though she was twenty-two, he thought she had more experience in the sex department, at least she seemed more knowledgeable in past conversations. He had to wonder now where her knowledge came from.
With a glance at Bradley, his thoughts changed. The look on his friend’s face when he looked over the paper just a little bit ago scared Frank. The color had drained from his face, and his hands had shook. It was bad. He couldn’t wait to get to their room to find out what was going on, for whatever it was, he knew it had to do with him and Brooke.
Bradley was retiring early from Interpol, leaving that part of his life behind him. He would begin again, but at what he hadn’t been sure of. Frank was hoping he wouldn’t have to leave the job he loved, but he would if need be. Now, his experience with the FBI might be needed for whatever Bradley was going to be facing.
Right now, Bradley looked calmer as he lay next to Brooke. His hand was holding hers over the bright white sheet, both appendages looking nearly as stark. Both of them needed some sun. Time outdoors was called for.
As if he knew he was being scrutinized, Bradley looked over at Frank. He gave a short nod before laying a kiss on their woman’s forehead. Rising from the bed, he waited for Frank to follow suit.
Leaning over, Frank kissed Brooke’s cheek, breathing in the scent of the lotion she wore. He looked forward to more nights of holding her while she fell asleep and, one day, not having to leave her bed at all.
Carefully, he rose. Making his way to the door, he and Bradley exited the room and headed for their own room. Once inside, Frank turned on Bradley.
“Hand it over!” he demanded, holding his temper in check.
After exhaling long and deep, Bradley pulled the paper from his pocket and placed it in Frank’s outstretched hand. Unfolding it, Frank read the contents.
“How the hell could she know where you are? You only decided a few days ago!” He hadn’t meant to raise his voice, but once the words had sunk in, he knew they were all in trouble.
Bradley plopped down in the chair he was closest to, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “I have no idea. She didn’t even know my real name.”
Frank sank onto the bed. “Somehow she found out.”
Looking as if he was thinking, Bradley sat back and began to drum his fingers idly on the table. Frank knew enough to leave him alone while he sorted out the details.
The pair hadn’t known each other for years like some of the other ménage pairings that were happening in their growing group. In fact, it had only been about fifteen months since they had met in Denver.
After the operation they had worked together was over, Bradley had stayed in Denver for a few months, tying up loose ends with the mob and who they were dealing with. When Brooke and the kids began to disappear along Hwy. 25 heading north, Bradley was given the task of continuing to work with the FBI. They had to find the victims before they reached Canada.
Since then, the two friends had been courting Brooke from a distance, hoping one day soon to have her between them. When Bradley got assigned to finding the stolen diamonds in Europe, the two had hoped he would be able to get back to the States soon. Little did they know it would be because of an injury.<
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Now, some woman was supposedly coming after Bradley in a place that no one should have been able to locate him in.
There had to be a mole in the office that Bradley worked out of. He had said that his supervisor was the only one who would know where to get a hold of him.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Bradley said, breaking into Frank’s thoughts. “And I agree. She’s beautiful, Frank. She knows how to use her body to get what she wants. She probably seduced some poor sap from the home office and had him get my whereabouts.”
Frank stood and moved over to the window. Looking out at the building across the way, he could see where they could be compromised. Too many windows.
Drawing the curtains closed, he turned to face his friend and soon-to-be partner in a ménage relationship. “Our number one priority is going to be keeping Brooke safe.”
“I agree. I hate that I brought this to her doorstep, especially after what she’s already been through. Perhaps…”
Not allowing the man to finish his thought, Frank spoke adamantly, “Don’t even go there! You’re not leaving!”
Bradley looked appalled at Frank’s accusation. “I wasn’t going to say that.” Then he was perturbed. “I wouldn’t run away from this, Frank! We are both trained for situations like this, and running isn’t an option.”
Chastised, and rightly so, Frank nodded. “I’m sorry, dude. We’ve put in so much time emotionally and mentally, I want to make sure she doesn’t get hurt, and she would be if one of us backed out.”
“I know, man. I was going to suggest we get one of the suites here and move Brooke in with us. We can all share the cost, and we can keep her safe at the same time.”
The suggestion was a good one, but what about during the day while she was at work? How would they keep her safe then?
Chapter Seven
Brooke knew her mouth hung open and her brows were practically embedded in her hairline at Bradley’s request.
In a blue suit and tie, dressed like the agent he was, Bradley stood before her desk, a mischievous smile on his lips. His mustache twitched slightly the longer she stared at him. From nervousness or amusement, she would never know.
He had come in alone, being announced by Raven as a last-minute applicant for the public relations position. It had to be a joke.
“Why would you want to work here?” she finally asked, closing her mouth and drawing her face back to its normal appearance. “I know you want a new job, but…this?”
The smile on his lips widened, and his eyes seemed to twinkle. “It’s the perfect solution, love…um…I mean, Miss Alton.” He cleared his throat quickly and tried to gain some semblance of professionalism. “Sorry about that. No disrespect implied.”
Brooke fought the laughter that was threatening with his fumble. So handsome on a normal basis, he looked like a little kid before a parent waiting for punishment.
He stood tall, his shoulders square with his hands behind his back. Long legs clad in slacks were about shoulder width apart. He seemed tense, but his lips said otherwise. Laughter was being held back, for his eyes held mirth.
Pulling on her own professional virtual hat, Brooke sat up straighter in her office chair and folded her hands together on the desk. She thought about the image of the company, not just here in Kalispell, but worldwide.
Locally, Bradley’s accent wouldn’t be so widely welcomed, but here, they were placating politicians and business owners. Globally, it would work. Even his rich baritone voice in commercials would work.
Last night, he blended in well with the crowd at the Tipsy Tavern. Blue jeans and a dark blue button-up shirt had turned his European spy persona into a near cowboy. All that was missing was a cowboy hat as he had worn snakeskin boots
Today, he was all businesslike, giving her the image of the first time she had seen him at the time of her rescue so many months ago. Both Bradley and Frank had worn suits, causing them to stand out among the others who wore blue jeans and T-shirts.
Her first thought was how handsome they both looked, but when they pressed in on both sides of her, she became scared. They overwhelmed her, especially after being kidnapped. There wasn’t pressure, but they had deemed themselves her protectors and support. When the enormity of the situation finally overtook her emotions, she was held within two sets of strong arms. Being cocooned by them and the kind words they spoke, they had made her feel cherished after the ordeal that could have turned out much worse.
They were there for her during her few days of recovery before she went back home to Atlanta, filling her mind with a romantic future. After she was embedded back in her own world, she couldn’t forget the two men who had stolen her heart.
Now, she was thrilled they were here, but she had to wonder how all this was going to work out. Frank was waiting to see if he was going to have a job here in Kalispell, and Bradley was standing before her asking for a job since he had given up on his.
It was endearing that he trusted her enough to want to work for her, but she still wasn’t sure. The Rainier woman who was in the day before was highly qualified, but could she turn down Bradley?
A nerve along his jaw began to tick as he watched her. Brooke was still trying to keep from laughing at his fumble with her name, but she found she couldn’t resist him. At least for a trial period.
“How about I give you a month to prove yourself, Mr. Smith?” she suggested. Then added, going along with the game. “Although, I’m not quite sure if Smith is your real name. You’ll have to be on your toes, for I don’t impress easily.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you! I’ll prove that I can be the best PR person you’ve ever had!” His enthusiasm was just as comical as his nervousness had been just a few minutes before.
His body image never shifted. Brooke thought it was going to take a lot of relaxation and downtime to train his body not to be in agent mode. But his face was relaxed and happy.
Both of her men had great poker faces, which was probably a necessity in their line of business, and she had to hope they could both learn to relax and enjoy life.
Bradley rushed around to her side of the desk, swung her chair until she was facing him, and swept her up into his arms. It all happened so fast that Brooke was flabbergasted as he held her, dropping small kisses in her hair.
Savoring the moment, Brooke slid her arms under Bradley’s coat to circle his waist while she breathed in the aroma that was uniquely him. Crisp clean aftershave and soap tickled her nose as her head was pressed against his chest.
She preferred his casual wear as the starchiness of his shirt was stiff against her skin, the material of his suit scratchy. The only thing that wasn’t abrasive to her was his red silk tie. Moving her head slightly, she laid her cheek against slick coolness.
Time passed, but she was enjoying her time in his arms. This was an unprofessional performance, but she didn’t care. After her breakdown last night, she found she liked to be held by her men.
Only when a knock at the door sounded did she pull herself away from him, a smile on her lips. Bradley straightened out his clothing although none of it looked out of sorts while Brooke ran a hand through her hair.
When she was satisfied that she looked like she hadn’t been in the arms of one of the men she was coming to love, she called out, “Come in!”
Raven’s dark head popped around the edge of the door. “Sorry to disturb you, Brooke, but the applicant from yesterday is on the phone asking if you had made a decision yet.”
Guilt swept over Brooke. Ms. Rainier had been the most qualified of the applicants, but she saw something in Bradley. Not because he was her boyfriend, but because of his ambition and his eagerness. Also, there was something about Ms. Rainier she didn’t trust.
Wait! Boyfriend?
Glancing up at the man standing next to her, she knew he was her boyfriend, as was Frank. A smile spread on his lips as he watched her looking at him.
Brooke tried hard not to blush as she turned back toward Rav
en. “Let her know I’ll be right with her, please.”
“Certainly. She’ll be on line two.” Raven ducked out, closing the door behind her.
Bradley cleared his throat, drawing Brooke’s attention back to him. There was confusion written on his face. “Is it for the same position?” he asked quietly.
Brooke’s thoughts were racing as she tried to figure out what she was going to say to the woman. She felt like a cad, but this was business.
Nodding at Bradley’s question, she sat back down. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone and hit the blinking button. “Hello, Ms. Rainier.”
As the woman pleasantly asked, “How are you?” Brooke watched Bradley sit in one of the chairs set before her desk. He had unbuttoned his coat and was loosening the knot on his tie.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Deft fingers were undoing the top couple of buttons on his shirt, distracting Brooke a bit. Focus, woman! “I have decided to go in a different direction with my PR. I’m sorry, but I just hired someone for the position.”
Brooke was certain she heard a strangled screech on the other end of the phone, but overlooked it. She knew some people put a lot of stock in the job they wanted, and they got upset when they didn’t get it. Gigi Rainier was a beautiful smart woman, and Brooke was certain she would find the position that was just right for her.
“Thank you, Ms. Alton. I wish you luck,” Ms. Rainier said with such sugary sweetness that Brooke actually felt sticky.
The phone disconnected before Brooke could wish her the same, announcing the woman’s discontent.
Some people were so nice when they wanted something, but when they didn’t get it, their true natures reared their ugly heads. In business, Brooke had seen it a lot, but she hoped she wouldn’t give her employees that fuel for the fire. She really did hope Ms. Rainier did well in her search for a position.
“I take it she wasn’t happy,” Bradley said, drawing Brooke’s attention back to him.