His teeth grazed across her jaw and licked the spot where her heart raced. He unfastened the top of her dress and discovered as he’d expected, she wore no bra.
His lips savored one breast and then the other.
She raked her hands through his hair. When he sucked on one peaked nipple, she rose above his pants and unzipped them. Cora pushed his jockey shorts down enough so his cock sprang out. Her finger rubbed across the crown and she licked the drop while she stared at him. The corners of his mouth tipped up and made her heart race.
Garrick reached in his back pocket and handed her a condom. She ripped open the package and rolled it on his cock. Then she raised her body and sank down, taking him deep in her pussy. His face drew tense with emotion and love shone out of his eyes.
“Ride me, baby. I’m all yours.”
His husky voice and sensual words had her moving up and down his silken, hard length. Her pussy walls clenched on and off around his girth.
At one point when they’d almost reached the heights of ecstasy, she slowed and kissed him. Her tongue tangled with his and her fingers ran through his thick, brown hair.
Garrick’s hands tightened around her waist and he held her in place while his dick went in and out fast and hard. A swell of excitement and joy rushed up her spine. Cora threw her head back and yelled out his name as his cock began to vibrate along her pussy walls.
Garrick leaned forward and sucked her nearest nipple making her pussy ripple with delight. Gradually their orgasm ebbed away and left them panting for breath, hearts racing.
She put her forehead against him. “I hope this clears up any doubt about my love for you,” she whispered in his ear.
“No more doubts, and in three weeks we’ll be married.”
They straightened their clothes and Garrick started her car. He drove onto the main road and headed home. “Kohana will think we’re lost,” he said and grinned.
“We were, lost in each other.”
Kohana had made coffee. “Let’s plan this wedding, step by step.” He handed them cups and they all sat down. He didn’t ask where they’d been. He gave Garrick a pat on the back and Cora a hug.
“What’s step one?” he asked.
Chapter Seventeen
They’d each agreed to tell their parents before anyone else, and then they’d visit Nana, Holt’s grandmother. The next morning they called and went to see Cora’s parents.
Her mother opened the door, pulled her in, and looked at her ring finger. She hugged Cora and had tears in her eyes. “At last, you will be married.”
“You know I’m marrying Garrick and Kohana?”
“Yes. Your father and I have discussed it and agreed we will not have to worry with two such strong men caring for you and any grandchildren you may give us.”
She led them into the family room. Cora ran into her father’s arms. He hugged her and ran his hand over her hair like he did when she was small.
“You continue to be different,” he teased her. “One husband is not enough for you.” He glanced at Garrick and Kohana. “Kohana, it has been a long time. Are you certain you are ready for this commitment to my daughter and your friend?”
“Yes, sir.”
Her father nodded his head. “I always liked you, and I like your friend, Garrick. My daughter has chosen well, but so have you two.”
“We are honored to have her for our wife. She will not regret our marriage,” Garrick said.
“Then on the day you marry, I give you and Kohana permission to call her Dyani. It has been reserved for our immediate family, but on that day you will become a part of us.”
“Thank you, sir,” Garrick and Kohana said.
Cora told her mother the date they wanted to be married. “We don’t want a huge ceremony.”
“But there is so much to be done.”
“We will manage, Mama.”
“Ah, you have not called me ‘mama’ in years. If that is what the three of you want we will be ready. I will get my sisters to help me,” her mother said.
“Just remember, not too fancy,” Cora cautioned her mother again. She doubted her mother heard her. She had a dazed, happy look on her face.
“We’d better leave. We have my parents to see yet and we want to visit Holt’s grandmother and talk with her about the second ceremony,” Kohana said.
“What about your parents, Garrick?” Cora’s mother asked.
“I’ve been telling them more and more so the whole idea of a threesome relationship wouldn’t shock them so much. Mom’s come around, but my stepfather is having a hard time with the concept. Still, they said they’d be here for the wedding and my sister and brother are coming with their families.”
“Good. When they see how happy you all are, they’ll become more fully accepting,” Cora’s mom predicted.
They waved and hurried back to the truck. One more stop, and then they’d talk with Nana about the wedding plans. Cora had a lightness in her chest after seeing her parents and knowing they were accepting of her decision. She suspected Kohana’s parents would be thrilled. It meant he’d be staying in Triple Creeks Township and could help his dad on the ranch.
Kohana’s mom wrapped her arms around Cora when she came in the door. “I am so happy. I see in your faces what you have come to tell us.”
Kohana glanced across the room where his dad stood by his lounger. “I’d like to help you with the ranch, Dad. We’re all marrying and the other two have jobs. I want mine to be with you.”
Tears came into his father’s eyes. He opened his arms, and Kohana walked into his embrace. “Welcome home, son. I have dreamed of this day, but feared it might not come.” His dad kissed the side of Kohana’s cheek. “You have made me very happy and as you can see your mother is overjoyed.”
Kohana turned and hugged his mom. “I expected you’d both know why we were coming by after my call. No surprising you,” he teased his mother.
“Oh, yes, we were surprised and overjoyed when I heard through the telephone ladies you’d come home last night.”
“So their grapevine is alive and well,” Kohana said.
“Yes and some of the younger women are involved. It will continue until the telephone men get brave enough to force them to have a private line.”
“My guess is there’s no man alive brave enough,” Kohana said.
“Perhaps not a man, but I heard through the gossip line the telephone company is sending a woman to deal with them,” Mrs. Shanley said.
“Then she’d better be tough and wear armor.” Kohana laughed at the idea.
“That aside, what are the plans for the wedding?” his mom asked.
Cora told her the date. “And we want it quiet, and only the immediate family and close friends involved,” Cora said. “I’m counting on you, Mrs. Shanley, to rein my mother in when she gets carried away.”
“I’ll try, but your momma is a fierce lady. I doubt if she’s made up her mind anyone will change it.”
“I’d appreciate you doing whatever you can to slow her down. I’m going to keep an eye on her, too.”
“We hate to leave, but we have some things to do to start getting ready. I’ll be back for a longer visit later,” Kohana told his parents.
Back in the truck sitting snug between her two men, Cora started giggling. Kohana stared at her and Garrick glanced her way.
“I can’t help it. I’m so happy. If I don’t let it out, I’ll burst.”
Kohana wrinkled his brow. “You’ve been the quiet, calm person in my life. Who are you?” he asked. He looked puzzled, but he had a twinkle in his eyes.
Cora placed her hands, one on each of their thighs. Instantly their muscles tightened under her touch. “I’m the woman marrying you and coming home to you each night.”
Her hand moved further up and she grinned at Garrick and Kohana. “Do you want me to change back into the other woman?” She licked her bottom lip.
“Hell no.” Kohana grabbed her onto his lap and kissed her hard.
“Don’t change a thing.”
“I thought you might feel that way.” She smiled smugly at him.
* * * *
Nana stood at the door waiting for them as they got out of the truck. When Cora got to her, she opened the door and hugged her.
“You return with your two future husbands.” Nana gazed at Garrick and Kohana with a thoughtful expression on her face. “You”—she pointed to Kohana—“were the last to decide. Come in and be seated. I would like to hear what changed your mind.”
Kohana looked uncomfortable, but he told her how before he left Cora’s readily acceptance of him leaving made him concerned she might not want him when he returned. “Then I missed her as soon as they left me that night.
“In Atlanta I agreed to go on one final mission, but my gut kept telling me it was the wrong decision. That I had to choose now whether it was the job or Cora.” Kohana held Cora’s hand. He squeezed it when he finished talking.
“May I hold your hand?” Nana asked him. Kohana put his hand out. She closed her eyes and hummed a tune.
Without opening her eyes she said, “You were at a crossroads. On one I see darkness, and on the other light and life.” Her eyes opened suddenly and she looked at Kohana. “You chose well. You were right to follow your instincts. Had you gone, you would not have returned.”
Silence filled the room as they all stared at Kohana. “My friends, are they dead?”
“Several are badly wounded. They succeeded in their quest, but they paid dearly. You were the one marked for death. There was a man who hated you,” she said and closed her eyes again. “He had hoped to see you. His skin is dark, and he has long, black hair. There is a zig-zag scar on his left cheek, and he has an arm that doesn’t move well.” She opened her eyes. “You knew him?”
“Yes, I am the one who injured him. We’d been looking to capture him for a long time. He got away the time I wounded him. Did they get him?”
“His anger about you not being there clouded his judgment. He was killed in the fierce battle.”
“The world is a safer place without him,” Kohana stated firmly. “I’ll call after we leave and find out how the men are doing.” He glanced at Cora. “Don’t worry, I have no desire to go there, but if Jarvis is one of the injured I’ll try to get him to agree to stay with my parents while he recovers. Mom would love to have someone to take care of again.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. I think she would enjoy it,” Cora said.
“To change the subject I imagine you came to discuss having me do the second ceremony at your wedding.”
Cora told her the date and how they hoped to keep the wedding small. Nana shook her head.
“It will never work. People in town love and appreciate you. They will want to attend. Why not have the ceremonies outdoors? People can bring their own chairs and donate food for the feast. It’ll be a big town party celebrating your happy occasion,” Nana said.
“It’s a great idea,” Garrick said. “We can ask Heather’s aunt if we can rent their gazebo for the ceremonies, and we’ll have just the close friends and family in attendance, but afterward we invite whoever wants to come to join us at the ranch.
“I don’t think Heather, Gavin, or Beck would mind us having the wedding reception outside at the ranch, especially since I’m a part-owner, albeit a small one.”
“Mom and my aunts are already planning on cooking a huge amount of food. Mom might say they won’t go overboard, but they will.
“We’ll tell all the ladies in town if they’d like to cook their favorite recipe and bring it to the reception, we’d appreciate the help. That way they don’t have to be obligated.” Cora grinned. “But if I know our ladies, they’ll want to outdo each other. We’ll have food for an Army.”
“Thanks, Nana, for all you told me and for this wonderful suggestion.” Kohana leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
They all laughed when Nana blushed. “Go on,” she said, pretending not to be flustered. “You have much to do and little time.”
Garrick stopped at the door. “I’d like to thank you, too.”
“If Cora won’t be offended by her men kissing me, go ahead.” Cora grinned and nodded at Garrick.
He hugged Nana gently and kissed her cheek. Then he whispered in her ear. “I think you told Cora how to handle Kohana and it worked, I won’t ever tell.”
Nana patted his cheek and whispered back with a smile, “If you do I’ll put a black spell on you.” Her eyes were lit with humor.
Garrick laughed. “You scare me, Nana.”
“Good,” she said and waved good-bye to them.
“What were you two whispering about?” Cora asked when they were in the truck headed toward home.
Garrick put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “It’s our secret. I like letting Kohana drive, I get to hug you,” he said, changing the subject.
* * * *
Their wedding day was bright and sunny, a light wind fluttered through the leaves and flowers on the decorated gazebo. Cora looked outside as her mother adjusted the back of her veil. She saw their guests arriving.
“I’m glad I chose a gown with a high neckline and long sleeves,” Cora said. “It’ll be cool with the north wind blowing.”
“It’s a lovely dress,” her mother said. “I especially like the lace trim on the sleeves, neckline, and the back of the dress where it gathers.” Her mother stood back. “You look beautiful. I’m so happy. I had feared this day would never come.”
Cora smiled. “I wasn’t so sure myself.”
“Your father and I like both Garrick and Kohana. They will be good husbands for you.”
“Yes, I’m sure they will.”
Cora paced the bedroom where she’d gotten dressed. She wasn’t as nervous as she was excited to start the day and to go to North Georgia to Kohana’s cabin.
They had a flight out with Holt at one to Minneapolis and a two o’clock, nonstop flight to Atlanta. There they’d rent a car and drive to the cabin.
“Are you all staying in Atlanta for the night?” her mother asked.
“No, we discussed it, but we decided to drive on to the cabin. It’ll be late, but then we can settle in for the week.”
“From Kohana’s descriptions, the cabin sounds lovely. And having the wedding early was a good idea since the morning is clear and sunny. You’ll be able to enjoy your reception and make your flights.”
“It is an unusual reception,” Cora said. “It’s more like a town celebration. Everyone really got into the idea. We’ll have a huge amount of food.”
“We can all take leftovers home,” her mom added.
The door opened and Heather’s Aunt Bella peeked in. “We’re ready for the bride. Chad is at the piano. You look absolutely beautiful, Cora.”
Cora took a deep breath. “Thanks. I’m ready.”
She walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. His hand covered hers securely and warm like it had all her life.
Garrick waited at the end of the aisle for her. He’d dressed in a dark blue suit and Kohana was in a gray suit.
He and Kohana had decided Garrick would be the one for the official wedding and Kohana would be joined with them during Nana’s ceremony. Cora was glad she hadn’t had to make the decision. Both men were smiling at her, and her heart swelled with joy.
When the Magistrate asked who gave the bride away, her father said, “Her mother and I do.” He looked at Garrick and Kohana. “And I expect she’ll be taken care of as well as we have done all our lives.”
Both men nodded and said, “Yes, sir.”
Cora bit her lip to keep from grinning. She hugged her father and kissed his cheek before he went back to sit with her mom.
The official ceremony didn’t take long. Garrick slid on the wedding band. They’d had it engraved with their three names on the inside to match the three diamonds on top.
Nana came up right afterward to do her ritual service. Because of their time restraints Nana had
agreed to immediately follow the Magistrate.
She raised her hands in the air and began her haunting rite with the flute playing softly in the background. Cora stood between Garrick and Kohana.
Nana invoked the spirits of the wind, the stars, the sun, and the moon and all the goodness of the universe to bless their union. Her words, many said in her Native American language, created a beautiful melody. When she had finished the ceremony, Cora felt totally bound to both of them. The civil service had been for society and the law. This ceremony had joined their hearts and spirits.
Cora looked at the small gold ring with bright-blue topaz stones that Kohana had placed on her right hand. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “They remind me of your eyes.”
After the ceremonies the guests got up to congratulate them. Soon they were all in cars or trucks headed to the ranch for the party. Crowds of people had already arrived and long tables were filled with food of all kinds.
The three of them thanked their guests, cut the wedding cake, and opened as many presents as possible before they had to leave.
Kohana stood first to talk to the crowd surrounding them. “We can never thank you enough for all these lovely gifts and especially for your presence here to celebrate this wonderful day with us. I have lived among you for many years, and even when I was away I didn’t forget the good people of this town.”
Their guests clapped and cheered when he finished and then Garrick took his place. “I’m new to this area, but it has quickly become my home. I’m so happy my family was able to come for the services and meet so many of you. You are special, and I thank you for accepting me into your circle.”
Another round of cheering and clapping went on when he sat down. Then Cora stood and the audience went quiet.
“You have been here for me all my life. You have laughed with me, comforted me when I was sad, and encouraged me to become the woman I am. My parents have always been there for me, and you have backed them up. I celebrate how lucky I am to have had this town, you wonderful people all my life.” She blew kisses at the crowd and it was evident many of the women were sniffing. “Thank you, everyone.”
Bold Bodyguards [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 15