Demanding Satisfaction [Bride Train 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Reece Butler

  “Why picnic on the ranch we want, but can’t have?” asked Josh.

  “Um, it’s just that…” Her hands fluttered as she ran out of words.

  Josh’s body suddenly tensed. He shot her a look, almost a glare. She flinched. He immediately smoothed his expression. They rode on for a few minutes. She pressed her fist into her tight stomach.

  “It’s ours, isn’t it?” He gestured with his chin. “This is the Gibson ranch now.”

  “Not yet. But if we want it, it’s ours. I wanted you to see the cabin before I told you,” she replied. It came out in a gush of relief. “In case you hated it.”

  “Aw, Sophie.” He exhaled, then snorted a laugh. “You’ll never cease to surprise me. I’ll be ninety years old and you’ll come up with something and get my rocking chair going.”

  “Ninety?”

  “I’ve spent my life wanting you, but not knowing it. Now that you’re mine, I expect to keep you with me a long, long, time.” He gently nudged her with his elbow. “You hear that, Mrs. Gibson? You’d better hang on until we use up all our love, and that’s going to take a hundred years or more.”

  Love. She smiled to herself and nudged him back. He loved her. So did Max and Sam. And she loved them back just as fiercely. With luck, there’d be another Gibson to love by summer.

  Now that Josh knew where they were going and why, she sat up and looked around. This was where they’d create and raise their children with love. She inhaled the fresh, crisp air as deep as she could.

  “Smoke!”

  Sophie looked in the direction Max pointed. A thin column rose from behind a hill.

  “That’s the woodstove,” called Josh in response.

  Max grimaced. “We’d best turn back. Don’t want to disturb whoever lives there.”

  “We’re expected,” said Josh before she could think of something to say.

  “Why?” asked Sam. He rode close and looked down at her. “Sophie?” She kept her head down. “Max, Josh looks like he’s hiding something. Can we stop and beat it out of him?”

  Max rode in front of the wagon, forcing Josh to stop. He stared at Sophie. She didn’t look up but could feel his glare. Her ears burned.

  “Hot dang!” yelled Sam. “She did it!” He whooped, startling the horses.

  “Did what?” demanded Max.

  “Welcome to the Gibson ranch,” said Josh. “It’s Sophie’s wedding gift to us.” He patted her hand in encouragement. “Max isn’t going to beat you for hiding it from him,” he said. “But I might.”

  “How long have you had it?” asked Max in a dead tone.

  “Nevin asked me just before the ceremony,” she replied. “And I don’t have it yet. But I told him we wanted it.”

  “And you couldn’t tell us before now?”

  “There were other things you were more interested in doing than talking!” She jammed her elbow into Josh’s gut. “To heck with him and his grumps. I want to see my forever home!”

  Josh slapped the reins, forcing Max to move out of the way. Sam looked at her riding in the slow wagon, and then at the smoke.

  “Go ahead,” she called out. Sam whooped again and took off. Max was a moment behind. “Do they ever stop trying to show the other up?”

  “Nope. Did someone know we were coming and start a fire? Mighty neighborly of them.”

  She nodded, tears threatening at the thoughtfulness. They crossed a ridge and clattered down toward the cabin. It was just as she’d imagined, only better. Tucked into a hill, protected from the winter winds, it would be warm and cozy. Just one room, but it was twelve feet by sixteen, a good size. There was even a covered porch, something she’d always wanted. A rocker, padded with a bright quilt, waited for her in the sun. Wind chimes dangled from the corner of the roof, delighting her with their lovely tone.

  “The coffee’s hot and there’s fresh biscuits in the warming oven,” said Max as they approached.

  Josh lifted her down, and, despite her struggles, carried her into the cabin. He set her down in the middle of the room.

  “Oh, it’s lovely,” she whispered.

  Bright blue-and-white checked curtains were drawn to let in light through sparkling windows. She inhaled the scent of cinnamon, apple, and something tangy. She looked to the side. There was a pie safe. She pulled the door open.

  “Mary’s famous apple berry pies.”

  She rolled her lips over her teeth to stop her chin wobbling. Blinking didn’t help, so she had to wipe away her tears. She sniffled. Someone came up behind her and held out a crisply ironed white handkerchief. Josh elbowed Max out of the way and held out a red-and-white checked bandana. She grabbed it and brought it to her nose. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent.

  “There goes the rest of my plans,” said Max with disgust. “We were going to buy this place and build a cabin for you.” He grunted a laugh at himself.

  “I love you, Sophie,” said Josh. “I wanted to prove it by building you the home of your dreams. But it looks like you had your own dreams.”

  “I didn’t know Trace was holding it for me,” she said. “I did say I liked it, and helped plan the cabin for whoever took it over, but—”

  “Thank you for making our home,” said Sam. “It reminds me of you. Warm, smelling great, and with a big heart.” He strode across the room and flopped on the bed, cutting the tension with his laugh. “At least this bed is big enough for us!” He waggled his eyebrows. “I’m ready to try it out.”

  “I don’t know why I’m surprised,” said Josh to his brothers. “We have a very smart woman here. One who I not only respect, but love.” He kissed her forehead. “You’ve given us more than we could ever expect. I love you, baby.”

  * * * *

  Josh scooped his wife into his arms and sat with her on the bed. She squirmed, waking his cock. This was not the time for him to strip her naked and prove his love, again. Not yet, but soon.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do with the three of you,” she said. “Other than love you, day and night.”

  “Never thought I’d say this,” said Max quietly, “and I may never say it again, but I love you, Sophie.”

  Max sat and patted her bottom. Josh felt her heart speed up. Sophie needed proof of their love, and not in words. He needed it, too.

  “I need to see you,” he said. Her heart beat even faster. A flush ran up her face. His cock stirred, eager for action. “That’s right, Sophie. You know exactly what I mean.” She looked up, and he saw her eagerness. “I want to see your wonderful body.” His hand brushed her breast. A hard nipple pressed into his palm.

  “To touch you,” said Max. His fingers pushed on her dress to separate her cheeks. She inhaled a kiss and squirmed some more.

  “To taste you,” said Sam. He slipped his hand under her dress and up her leg. He did it slowly. Her breath caught. The vein at her neck throbbed, pounding as fast as his heart. “You are soaking wet, sweetie. Do you want us?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said. She met each of their eyes. “In fact, I demand satisfaction.”

  “Demand?” asked Josh quietly.

  “Satisfaction?” asked Sam, far louder.

  Sophie focused on Sam. “Lots and lots of satisfaction.”

  “We can do that,” said Max.

  Sam and Max ripped off their clothes, fighting to see who would be naked first. Josh didn’t mind that they were so eager. He’d had Sophie to himself last night. He wanted her again, of course, but he could be patient. For now. He nuzzled her ear.

  “It’s a man’s job to satisfy his woman,” he said. “Lots and lots of times.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  His fingers danced over her buttons. It wasn’t fast enough. “Someday they’re going to invent something that comes apart a lot faster.” He set her on the bed and pushed her onto her back. She laughed and spread her arms. All three of them went to work, and soon she was gloriously naked.

  He took her left breast. Max snagged the right. Sam
went for the middle, lifting her knees and spreading them. Josh traced the blue lines on her breast with his tongue. He took his time, knowing that eager nipple would be his reward. He noticed Max didn’t wait, but went right to it, so he used his finger and thumb to pinch and take her higher.

  “You are one fine woman, Mrs. Gibson,” said Sam. His face glistened with her fluid from his forehead to his chin.

  “That’s nice,” she said, huffing a little, “get back to work.”

  “You going to be demanding, always wanting your own way?”

  He laughed as she grabbed him by the hair and guided his mouth back to her clit. Josh quickly stripped and went back to work. Her moans increased in volume. Each one cranked him higher.

  “I think my cock’s harder than it was on our wedding night,” he said. “What do you think, baby?” He rose to his knees to show her. She latched on to him with her hand and tugged. “Hey, who’s in charge here?” he demanded, though he couldn’t help a smile.

  “Me,” she said.

  He watched as his brothers gave Sophie her first orgasm in their new home, then found their release as well. She lay back, flushed pink from her pussy to her hairline. Though his cock could almost pound nails, he leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “Josh?” A hand reached out blindly. It found his cock. “You didn’t come.”

  “Don’t need to, baby,” he replied. “You’re happy, and that’s all that matters.” He pointed to the tub in the corner. Max staggered over to it.

  “Half-full of warm water,” said Max. He checked the stove. “Reservoir’s full. Sam, get your sorry ass over here and help fill Sophie’s bath.”

  “Bath?” Sophie struggled to sit up. “There’s a tub?”

  Josh helped her up. “A darn big one,” he said. “Didn’t you know?”

  She shook her head. He helped her to stand as her legs were unsteady. Her plump bottom cheeks begged for his hand. Instead he knelt and gave them slow kisses. One on each lower cheek, one on each breast, one on her belly. He stood and gazed down at her. She smiled, a bit uncertain. He blinked his eyes. Twice. Then again.

  “You are so damn beautiful,” he said.

  She smiled at first, but then her chin started trembling. Her lower lip wobbled. He pulled her against him. Sam and Max must have been watching, but Josh heard the steady stream of pouring water. They were taking care of their woman in another way. Hugs and sex were great. Wonderful. But he was learning there was so much more to showing love.

  * * * *

  Sophie sprawled in the large tub. She’d only seen a couple this big, which meant either Beth or Amelia had given up their comfort for her. Sam washed her feet, massaging her toes and arches while he was at it. Max stood behind her and carefully, slowly, washed her breasts. For the second time. Or was it the third? She looked up at him and received a wink.

  Josh had finally listened to her and put on a shirt to fry bacon. Of course, he’d spattered certain tender parts before he’d listened. The bacon smelled wonderful. She hadn’t eaten much at breakfast due to nervousness. Her stomach complained, grumbling loudly. Josh must have heard, as he looked over and winked.

  She had everything she’d never known was possible, and more. Wonderful friends, both male and female. A home of her own to share with three not-quite-perfect men.

  She’d always wanted a pet, but none were allowed in hotels. Ranger’s cat, Dusty, had recently had a litter of black and white kittens. She could handle a couple of those, for daily company when her men were working. Puppies had better wait until spring when she could leave the door open for them.

  She had hope for the future. A future filled with love and laughter, pain and sorrow. But always, hope.

  All through the valley, life was changing. Every ranch was now filled with happy families. They weren’t happy all the time, of course. But they were working together and looking toward the future. In five years or so there would be enough children for Florence to open the school she’d always wanted. All looked forward to bright futures.

  One day their great-great-grandchildren would ride these lands. And she would have helped to create that future. Josh wandered over, shoved Max out of the way, and took her face in his hands. His smile took her breath away. The kiss that followed made her eager for more.

  “Every time I helped a bride prepare to be married, I wished I could find the same happiness.” She sniffed as her eyes began watering. “And then you came to town, and…”

  Strong, loving men surrounded her. They whispered of their love and of her strength and her courage. She even heard the words ornery and contrary, but said with a smile. She choked out a laugh through the tears that threatened to fall.

  “I love you so much,” she said. Her stomach grumbled even louder this time.

  “But not so much that you’ll take more kisses instead of dinner, I suppose?”

  Sophie looked at the bacon and inhaled the wonderful aroma. Then she looked at Max, and Sam, and Josh. Food, or loving?

  She smiled and opened her arms.

  THE END

  WWW.REECEBUTLER.NET

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Tanner’s Ford continues to grow in the years following the Bride Trains. There are good times and bad, but the hardy folk refuse to give up. In the 1970s the ranchers give up a strip of land above the river valley to allow a highway connecting cities to the east and west.

  The highway bypasses Tanner’s Ford and a new, larger town of Climax is created. But the proud descendents of the original settlers refuse to let their town, and way of life, die. They continue to look out for each other and their community.

  The practice of sharing a wife also continues, especially with the descendents of the original nine ranching families, though it’s usually two men sharing one woman.

  The next novel, set in the late 1980s, features a set of sisters who meet up with pairs of MacDougal and Frost men.

  A new, contemporary series set in Climax, Montana follows, one hundred and fifty years after the original gold strike. Ranchers in the Tanner’s Ford Valley keep to the old ways, but times are changing. The town of Climax is threatened as the population fades.

  Something has to be done to encourage new blood without changing the best parts of living in a small town.

  The fictional town of Tanner’s Ford is located in a valley running from northwest downhill to southeast, with the town to the east. The town is based in southwest Montana, around the Big Hole Valley.

  Tanner’s Ford Valley, north of the river, west to east:

  The Bitterroot Ranch (using the RB brand) is run by Ranger Elliott, his twin Ben, and younger brother, Patrick. Florence is Ben’s wife (A Convenient Husband, Bride Train #4).

  The Rocking E is one of the two original ranches, established in the late 1840s. Trace Elliott married Beth, and shares the ranch with his younger twin brothers, Simon and Jack (Barefoot Bride for Three, Bride Train #1).

  The Circle C ranch is owned by a trio of battered veterans, Luke Frost, Gabe Downey, and Oscar (Oz) Cutler. Luke marries Sarah in Beauty and the Beasts, Bride Train #6.

  The last ranch on the north with the Flying X brand, known as the Sweetwater Ranch, is owned by Southern cousins Cole Taylor, Byron Ashcroft, and Marshall Stevens. Casey Wright, a Southern mountain gal, joins them in Southern Seduction, Bride Train #8.

  South of the river, west to east:

  The MD Connected was the second original ranch, also established in the late 1840s. Gillis MacDougal is the ramrod and shares the ranch with his two half brothers, Ross and Nevin. Amelia marries Ross in A Contract Bride’s Triple Surprise, Bride Train #2.

  Kenrick (Ace) Langford, Charles (Sin) Statham, and Henry Bennett are English aristocrats who won the Double D ranch from fellow Englishman Frederick Smythe in a card game. Jessie Elliott marries Ace in Compromised Cowgirl, Bride Train #3.

  Cousins Jed Adams, Riley Jansen, and Clint Fortune own the J Bar C (J–C). Jed marries Victoria twice in 1 Bed, 2 W
eddings, 3 Husbands, Bride Train #5.

  Brothers Zach and Roy McInnes, along with cousin Rusty, receive Walt Chamberlain’s Running W ranch in The Badger City Gang, Bride Train #7, when they marry Kate Mason, Walt’s natural daughter.

  To the east of town is a ranch once owned by the town’s disgraced mayor. In Demanding Satisfaction, Bride Train #9, Sophie McLeod has her eye on the property but needs a trio of ranchers to help her create her dream. Pinkerton agents Max, Sam, and Josh Gibson are looking forward to the day they can hand in their badges and find a home, but have a few crooks to catch first.

  Maps of the town of Tanner’s Ford, and of the valley ranches, can be viewed at www.ReeceButler.net. Photos of the land, cabins, and other research material provided by the author, can also be found at www.facebook.com/Reece.Butler.568 on my Facebook page.

  I love hearing from fans, and I do listen to suggestions and ideas for future Climax, Montana novels.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Reece Butler didn’t realize she was a born storyteller until halfway through writing the Bride Train series. Now that she’s discovered a passion for writing erotic cowboy romances, she hasn’t looked back.

  As a storyteller Reece takes in everything she’s experienced or read about and stores it in her brain to feed her imagination. It then flows out in the words and actions of her characters.

  Continually learning more about the craft of writing romance, as well as a healthy dose of research and time to think, leads to the creation of characters that come alive for her.

  She hopes they come alive for you as well.

  For all titles by Reece Butler, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/reece-butler

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com