by Lexi Blake
A big guy with scars marring his face stood over the booth Vince occupied. He’d been tending bar when Vince had come in. There was a waitress walking around. She seemed like a mouse of a woman, young and pretty, but nothing impressive. She hadn’t studied him the way this big guy did.
“Get you another beer?” the big guy asked.
If Vince had to guess, this guy had experience. There was something about the eyes and the way he held his own. Cop. The big dude had been a cop once. Vince put on his best “man of the people” smile.
“Sure. I’m on vacation after all.” He opened his face, allowing his eyes to go wide. “This is a great little town you have here. I’m staying in Pagosa Springs, but they told me there was some great hiking out this way. And the sand dunes are incredible.”
He’d picked up a bunch of pamphlets touting local attractions at the motel in Creede. He’d learned the lay of the land. Locals, he’d discovered, usually got bored talking to tourists. A couple of minutes of gabbing about how pretty everything was and their eyes glazed over, any suspicion giving way to the need to get on with their lives.
“Yes, they’re beautiful. And there are a lot of romantic places around here. I’m sure your wife probably loves it.”
Yep. He would rather have dealt with the waitress. The big guy was probing. It was time to start lying. “Girlfriend. She was a little tired today. She stayed back in the motel. I had to get out a bit.”
“Long drive from Pagosa. Guess you heard about how good the beer is. I’ll get you another.” The big guy turned, but not before giving him another long look.
Fucker. This was supposed to be a simple job. Now some fucking ex-cop had stared at him long enough that he could probably draw his face from memory. He thought about leaving before the guy could get back, but that would look even more suspicious. He was stuck.
And now the sheriff was here. Awesome. And he wasn’t some round-ass rural jerk who couldn’t get his head out of his anus. He looked lean and sharp. And he was talking to the big guy.
Damn it.
His cell phone vibrated, signaling he’d received a text. Yeah. That was what he needed. This job was rapidly devolving into a clusterfuck that wasn’t worth his money or time.
The target is still moving.
No fuck, the target was still moving.
He was ready to leave. There would be another job. He typed back as he prepared to get the hell out of Bliss. He’d head back to New York where no one bothered to look at the people around them. He could fade into blissful anonymity.
Sending back the down payment. Job not worth it.
The ping back was almost immediate.
500,000 more.
Someone really wanted the target dead. Damn it. He couldn’t turn it down. His fingers hovered over the keys.
Done. Second attempt tomorrow.
He nearly cringed as the big guy walked back with a beer in his hand. He didn’t like to drink on the job, and there was no question that he was on the job. It would be his single biggest payday to date. He couldn’t walk away. He needed a few days to learn the target’s habits. He’d hoped for an easy job, but it was more complicated than he’d imagined. It didn’t help that the target had two people close all the time. He might have to take out all three of them. It would cause more scrutiny than he would like, but he could leave the country for a while.
“Thanks. Everyone’s so friendly around here.”
The big guy smiled, but it was a feral thing, a showing of teeth. “Yeah, we are.” He looked down at the smart phone in Vince’s hands. “Don’t rely on that too much. Cell service here has been spotty for months. You’re lucky you can get a text. It looks important. I’ll let you get back to it.”
He turned and walked away. Vince drank his beer and plotted his next move.
Chapter Eight
Caleb brought the car to a shuddering halt in front of Holly’s small cabin. He wasn’t sure how much she’d paid for the tiny vehicle, but if she’d laid out even a dollar, he was pretty sure she’d spent too much.
He managed to get the car in park. The sun was beginning to go down, and soon the night would be blanketed with stars. The cabins that dotted the valley were lit with warm yellow light, giving each house an inviting glow. He was going to Holly’s cabin. He was about to spend the night in Holly’s cabin, and not on her couch this time.
His heart thudded in his chest. He was really going to do this. He was going to make love to Holly with another guy present. How did it work? Did they take turns? They had to take turns. Right? Maybe he should call someone. Wolf was a freak. He would know. The rumor was James Glen liked to share, and he and Wolf had spent the summer playing freaky-deaky games with some of the women in the area. Yes, Wolf could Cyrano de Bergerac him through this.
A soft hand squeezed his arm. “Caleb, it’s all right. You can drop me off. You can even have the car. I’ll get Cam to give me a ride into town tomorrow. I think our schedules coincide this week.”
“No.” He turned to her, panic threatening to overtake him. “Why? Have you changed your mind?”
His dick wouldn’t accept it. Oh, he would force himself to walk away if she didn’t want him, but he was pretty sure his dick would shrivel up and fall off his body. He was so fucking hard.
She smiled slightly. “No, but I was worried you had. You’ve been sitting here for a couple of minutes.”
Crap. Sometimes he lost track of time. His brain flitted about, and he didn’t realize how long he’d been thinking.
A harsh groan came from the backseat. “Please to get out of car. I think my back is seizing. I turn into pretzel.”
Alexei. Alexei was trapped in the backseat of Holly’s rolling hell on wheels. Caleb thought he was uncomfortable in the front. Even with the seat back as far as it would go, his knees were still practically up to his chest. Alexei had to force himself into the back. Holly had tried to convince him to sit in the front, but Alexei had insisted.
Maybe he wasn’t the world’s worst asshole. Alexei had been incredibly courteous to Holly.
Holly was out in a shot, pushing her seat forward. Alexei looked like a hulking beast in her backseat. He took up every square inch of space and then some. Caleb couldn’t help but laugh. He got out of the seat as Alexei was stretching.
“Next time you be one in back.” Alexei’s brows had come together, the first sign of impatience he’d seen in the man. Thank god. He was beginning to think Alexei was perfect. He seemed to always be patient, and he was willing to share his toys. It was intimidating. “I have very rough day. First the examination that we will never speak of again, then humiliating job interview, and then deputy hate me. I am not in mood for more ping-ponging. Are you in or out?”
That was as plain as he could put it. “I’m in. I wasn’t changing my mind. I was wondering how this was going to work.”
“Oh, god,” Holly said, her eyes widening in horror. And her breasts were still hanging out, though now that they were alone, he sort of liked the dress. “Are we back to the negotiation thing? Couldn’t you two jump on me and let it all sort itself out?”
Alexei ignored her, turning his serious eyes on Caleb. “It is simple. We make love to her. We show her how beautiful she is.”
“Yes, what he said.” Holly took her keys and went to open the door. Her heels made a snapping sound against the wooden steps.
Caleb still had some questions. It was better to get them all out of the way. “Look, despite the town I live in, I’ve never had a three-way. I mean, how do the logistics work? Are we going at her at the same time? Do we draw straws to see who goes first?”
Alexei leaned in, his voice going low. “One in pussy and one in ass. I have brought condoms and lube. This is how it works.”
“I’m not stupid, Alexei. I know that’s how it works in the end, but there’s a huge problem with your scenario,” Caleb pointed out. “She hasn’t had sex in…how long has it been since you had sex, babe?”
Even in t
he fading light of the evening, he could see her cheeks flare. She leaned over the railing of her porch, her voice a low hiss. “Like seven years or so. Do you have to yell it? Callie’s cabin is right across the street, and her hearing is excellent.”
“Sorry.” Caleb lowered his voice. “I was trying to point out to Alexei that anal sex is not possible tonight.”
“Oh my god.” Holly opened the door and put a hand to her cheeks before pocketing the key.
“I have had sex with many anuses. I know what I am doing.” Alexei’s face was scrunched up as though he was trying to figure out a problem. “I never had problem before. You lube it up and go. Women enjoy.”
Yeah, he bet Alexei had done many anuses. Damn, they needed to work on his English phrases. He was sure the hookers Alexei had paid hadn’t had the same problem Holly would have. “You’ve had sex with experienced women. Holly’s not experienced. She hasn’t had regular vaginal sex in years. I doubt she’s been giving dudes across the county some backdoor action. She’s probably a virgin there. That asshole of hers is going to be very tight. So fucking tight. You see the sphincter muscle is…”
Holly stamped her heeled foot on the porch. “Don’t you dare go into an anatomy lesson, Caleb Burke. Get in the house. We are not discussing my anus in my front yard.”
Alexei’s face lit up. “You are in trouble, friend. Take my advice and stop thinking. You are allowing your brain to control this when your heart should be in control.”
His heart? That was a scary prospect. He’d prefer for his cock to be in control. “All right, but we have to get her ready for the whole anal thing. We have to go slow.”
“I will bow to your expertise if you will listen to me about the heart. No more thinking. Just to feel.”
Caleb nodded his head. There was a big part of him that was screaming inside. What the hell was he doing? Did he honestly think for a second that he could fuck her and then go home? Sleeping with Holly would change things.
And what about your life right now do you love?
Not a goddamn thing.
Alexei turned and walked into the cabin, and Caleb followed him. Maybe Holly had the right idea. If this were left up to him, they would all sit down and stare at each other awkwardly until they had sufficiently talked it all out and knew where everyone’s hands were supposed to go.
He thought about Caroline. She’d been a virgin when he’d first slept with her. That was exactly what they had done. They had discussed it, planned for it, set an appointment. It had been scheduled almost right down to how long she should take to have an orgasm.
He could barely remember what she looked like when he was awake. He’d taken her virginity, married her, neglected her, and gotten her killed, and the only time he could recall her face was in his nightmares.
“Don’t.” Holly walked straight up to him. She put her hands on his face, pulling him back in to the real world. “You’re here, so now you’re mine. I won’t take a silly no this time.”
Fuck, he didn’t have to worry about not remembering Holly’s face. He saw it nearly every second of every day. Passion. He felt so much passion for her it scared him. He’d never felt that for Caroline, and it was one more pound of guilt to weigh him down. It was there, but he couldn’t give in to it. He needed Holly more than he needed to give in to his guilt.
He pulled her to him. God, he loved the way she felt. She was soft against him, so fucking feminine that everything male inside him responded. He’d married Caroline because it had been expected of him. She’d had the right breeding, the right social connections, the proper education. She’d fit into his world. But Holly was his world. His whole fucking world.
“I’m crazy about you.” He couldn’t say the “L” word. He might never be able to say the “L” word again. He’d said it before, and it had been utterly meaningless. But she should know he thought about her always.
She smiled, the sight lighting up the room. “I like you, too, Dr. Burke.”
Fuck. She didn’t even know his real name. How long could he hide that from her? Had he been out of society long enough that everyone had forgotten? His family connections were moot. He never intended to walk in that world again.
His cock throbbed in his jeans. She was so soft, so fuckable. He’d never wanted a woman the way he wanted Holly.
“Take your clothes off, dushka. Show him what he’s been wanting to see.” Alexei’s deep voice reminded him that he wasn’t alone.
And that didn’t freak him out the way it should. Knowing Alexei was here, that he would stay beside her all night, gave Caleb a sense of peace. Holly deserved it.
She took a step back, and her hands went to the shoulders of her dress. Her fingers were shaking a little. Her breath came out in a ragged puff.
“You’re beautiful, dushka. So lovely. Let me see all of you. Show me how gorgeous you are. Do you know how long I have waited for this moment?”
“I think that’s why I’m worried. I’m not twenty anymore, Alexei.” She looked vulnerable standing there. Did she think she needed to hide from him?
It was time to shove all his shit down and be what Holly needed. She didn’t need an anxiety-ridden freak. And she didn’t need perfection. He’d been wrong about that. He’d stayed away because he had this vision of the perfect man for Holly. But what if all she needed was honest desire? He had that in spades.
He put his hands on her shoulders and let his fingertips play under the edges of her dress, skimming softly along her skin. Her scent filled him. He wanted to inhale her. He pushed the dress off her shoulders, her bra straps coming into view. They were thick and wide.
“Sorry,” she said, her face flushing. “It’s not exactly sexy. It’s what I wear to work. I don’t have a lot of lingerie.”
“Stop.” Alexei came to her side. His face was set in harsh lines. “No more apologies. Be still and let Caleb undress you.”
“Hush, Holly.” He pulled at the strap, pushing at the dress along the way. He exposed her shoulders. Her skin was silky smooth under his fingertips. “Look at that.”
He let his fingers trace the line of her throat and the graceful curve of her shoulders.
“She is beautiful.” Alexei took a place at Holly’s back. He took her hair in his hands and brought it up before bringing his head down to kiss the nape of her neck. He ran his face along the back of her shoulders. Holly’s eyes closed, and she leaned back.
She didn’t look like a woman who was worried about her bra anymore.
Her arms relaxed, and the dress slid down. Alexei’s hands disappeared, going behind her back. Her bra loosened, and Caleb pulled it off. Her breasts bounced free.
Fuck. He hadn’t thought it possible to get harder. She was sexier than he’d dreamed. Her breasts were round and real. They were porcelain, tipped with good-size pink-and-brown nipples. Her skin was so pale, with a sweet dusting of freckles here and there. He stared at her for a moment. He could see the faint lines of veins and blood vessels, each one tracing a path to her heart. He touched a very faint blue line that ran under the skin close to her nipple. Anastomotic veins. They fed the nipple and ran into the veins under the superficial fascia of the breast. He knew every function of the breast, could recall every piece of anatomy he’d learned—but he wouldn’t be able to put into words why he was so fascinated with this breast. Caleb reached out and took one in hand. He chuckled with satisfaction as the nipple puckered, begging for him to play with it.
Alexei growled from behind Holly, his head peeking over her shoulder. His eyes were on her breasts. “Pluck at the nipples.”
Alexei was going to be bossy. He could deal with that. Alexei was the reason he was here in the first place. And, damn, but he wanted to play with those nipples.
He let his thumb flick across one and then the other. Holly shivered at his touch, her eyes coming open. Her gaze met his, the desire in the green orbs almost overwhelming. Her breasts swelled in his hands, and he couldn’t wait to taste her. He fell to his knee
s, and her breasts were exactly where he needed them to be. He nuzzled her, letting his nose find the valley between her breasts, burying his face until he came into contact with her sternum. He breathed her in.
Her dress had caught around her hips, leaving the curve of her belly on full display. He kissed his way down to her navel, his hands worshipping every curve. He could smell her arousal, knew she was getting soft and wet, but he wanted to wait. He wanted to lavish her with all the affection she’d missed.
He licked his way back from her navel up to one plump breast. Alexei’s hands came around and cupped her breasts, holding them up. It put them in the perfect position. Caleb leaned forward and pulled the nipple in his mouth. He sucked on her breasts, licking and biting gently before tonguing them. He switched back and forth, withholding nothing. Alexei’s hands held her in place, giving him the opportunity to explore.
He cupped her ass, his fingers sinking into soft flesh and giving her a squeeze. Her ass was round and heart shaped. He stared at it as often as he could. He dreamed of spreading her gorgeous ass and fucking her asshole. He wanted every part of her. He wanted to sink his dick into her every hole. The soft wet heat of her mouth. The tight hole of her ass. The perfection of her pussy. He would leave no part of her untouched.
“Oh, Caleb. That feels so good.” Holly was getting restless under his hands. Her skin was heating, flushing with arousal. Blood would be rushing to her vagina, making it plump and soft as it prepared to receive a cock.
His dick twitched at the thought. He knew all the functions of the various systems, knew why his balls were tight against his body, why his cockhead was most likely weeping. But it was different, so different than the other sexual experiences he’d had. He wanted to taste her. To really taste her. He wanted the juice of her arousal to coat his tongue.