by Maya Banks
Seth nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’m not going to keep Lily as some dirty little secret, and I know my brothers will feel the same. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just have to find something else to do, even if it’s helping the dads out with their guide business.”
“Just do the job, Seth. Really that’s all you can do. And I have every confidence that you’ll win the support of the community in short order. You’ll have a few busybodies who’ll consider it their personal duty to stick their noses where they don’t belong, but fuck ’em. You don’t get to be sheriff here without alienating a few along the way. Nature of the job.”
Seth grinned. “Damn but I’m going to miss you, Lacey.”
Her office door opened and Linda stuck her head in. “Lacey, you’re needed over at old man Witherspoon’s place. Grundy’s dogs got out again and Witherspoon is raising hell and waving his shotgun around.”
Lacey sighed. “I’ll be right there.” She rose and walked around her desk but stopped to hug Seth. “I’m glad you’re coming home. I’ll feel a lot better about leaving if I know the town is in your hands.”
He hugged her back and felt the first tingle of excitement snake up his spine. His town. It had a nice ring to it. He knew everyone here. Had grown up a part of a tight-knit community. The idea that he’d come back home and have not only this job, but Lily… How quickly things changed. He found he didn’t mind one bit.
Chapter Seventeen
Michael pulled into Dillon’s drive and parked beside Seth’s truck. He was running late and it was nearly dark. It figured that on an evening when he was hoping like hell to get out early, he’d been flooded with last-minute “emergencies”.
He mounted the front steps, and not bothering to knock, he pushed open the front door. He was instantly flooded with the smell of good food. Whatever Dillon was cooking, Michael couldn’t wait to eat. His stomach rumbled as he glanced over to see Seth and Lily on the couch.
Seth was reclined on his side and Lily was nestled in his arms, her eyes closed as Seth stroked his hand up and down her hip. Michael didn’t want to wake or disturb her, but he wanted to be the one wrapped up with her.
As if sensing his presence, Lily stirred and opened her eyes. Her bleary gaze settled on him and her eyes widened in pleasure as recognition dawned.
“Michael,” she whispered.
She pushed herself upward and Seth caught her hand to help her. She was off the couch and hurrying for Michael in the next moment. Surprise and pleasure swept over him when she flew into his arms and hugged him fiercely.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said close to his ear. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
He brushed a short curl over her ear and kissed her temple, letting his lips linger there for a long second. It crushed him that she was here and so happy to see him. That she’d waited for him. Had worried he wasn’t coming.
“I wouldn’t miss it or you,” he murmured. “Sorry I’m late.”
“I see the doctor made it,” Dillon drawled from the kitchen door. “Why don’t you let Lily lie back down and you come help me a sec.”
Michael cast a wary glance in Dillon’s direction. When Dillon was in the kitchen, it was his domain. No one entered.
Dillon tossed his head toward the kitchen, and Michael leaned down to kiss Lily again.
“Go get comfortable. I’ll just be a minute.”
She clung to him a moment and returned his kiss before backing toward the couch. Michael stood long enough to see her settle next to Seth before he headed into the kitchen to see what was up with Dillon.
“Damn that smells good, whatever it is,” Michael said.
“Crawfish étouffée courtesy of the Cajun cooking show I watched last week,” Dillon said as he stirred the contents of the skillet. “It’ll be ready just as soon as the rice is done.”
Michael took a seat on one of the barstools and leaned on the granite countertop. He had to hand it to Dillon. It had taken him two years to build the place, but it was exquisitely crafted and looked high end and custom from top to bottom.
“So what’s up? You don’t ever let anyone into your kitchen when you’re cooking.”
Dillon cast a glance toward the doorway and stopped stirring. “You’re friends with Dr. Burton over at the clinic. Think you can pull some strings and get Lily an appointment ASAP?”
Michael frowned. “What’s going on? Is her arm worse? Damn it, I knew no one was taking it seriously enough.”
Dillon held up his hands. “Whoa. Slow down. Nothing’s wrong. She needs birth control.”
Michael’s mouth formed an O.
“She insisted I, or I guess we use condoms. She seemed stressed about the possibility of getting pregnant. I can’t say I blame her. She was worried because she doesn’t have insurance, or money for that matter.”
Michael swore under his breath. Dillon held up a hand again. “I took care of that. Told her we’d damn sure take care of her and we’d make sure she had everything she needs. I don’t want her stressed so I was hoping you could get her into the clinic quickly so we have that out of the way.”
“Yeah, I’ll make a call in the morning. Are you working tonight?”
“I was supposed to be behind the bar, but Callie’s covering and I have Kenneth pulling bouncer duty. I don’t want Callie mixing it up with any more customers. We’re lucky it was just a bunch of stupid college students and she didn’t get hurt.”
“I was hoping Seth could talk to her, but obviously we’ve been focused on Lily.”
“I’m not sure she’d talk to him anyway. She’s been tightlipped ever since she got home. I know she and Seth are tight, but Callie and I are buds and she shuts me down every time I start asking questions.”
“I wish to hell I knew what happened to her.”
“You and me both, bro.”
Dillon picked up the lid on the rice steamer and then let it fall shut again. He clapped his hands together and then hollered toward the living room, “Soups on!”
“Anyone ever tell you how subtle you are?” Michael asked.
Dillon grinned. “Subtlety is for pussies.”
The brothers looked up when Lily entered the kitchen with Seth right behind her. She offered both Dillon and Michael a tentative smile, and Michael reached his hand out to her.
When she took it, he pulled her onto the barstool next to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. He nuzzled against her temple, inhaling her sweet scent.
“I missed you today,” he whispered.
She turned and gifted him with a broad smile and then leaned her forehead to his. “I missed you too. I met your family. They’re all so great. You’re lucky to have them.”
“They’ll be your family too,” he pointed out.
Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t considered that aspect. There were equal parts fear and longing in her eyes. And then she smiled again. “I guess that makes me lucky too, then.”
“Break it up, you two,” Dillon grumbled as he plunked plates down in front of them. “Time to eat up.”
Seth pulled out the barstool on the other side of Lily and took his seat while Dillon finished fixing the plates. He took a seat on the end next to Seth.
“Dig in, guys. Hope it’s good.”
Lily took a bite and then let out a sound of pleasure. “It’s wonderful, Dillon. I think I could make myself sick on it.”
“It’s damn good,” Seth agreed. “It’s obvious you didn’t inherit Mom’s cooking ability.”
Michael snorted with laughter while Dillon grinned.
“I used to cook,” Lily said in a wistful tone. “I loved it.”
“My kitchen is your kitchen,” Dillon said. “And whatever’s in my pantry is yours anytime you want to fool around in here.”
Seth cleared his throat and everyone looked in his direction. “Speaking of kitchens and places. We need to talk about our arrangements. I spoke to Lacey today. I’ll be taking over her job in a couple of weeks as soon as all the paperwor
k is finalized.”
“Hey, that’s great,” Michael exclaimed.
Lily shot Seth a puzzled look. “You’re not going back to Denver?”
Seth smiled in her direction. “No. I’m taking the sheriff’s position here in Clyde. If we’re going to make this work, I can’t be in Denver. Michael and Dillon are both established here. It only makes sense that I make the move.”
“Which begs the question of where you’re going to stay,” Michael said. “For that matter, where we’re going to stay. Together.”
“Here,” Dillon said.
Lily looked like she had no idea what they were talking about. Michael put his hand over hers and squeezed reassuringly.
“It makes the most sense,” Dillon continued when no one responded. “It’s bigger than your place, Michael, and Seth doesn’t have a place here. There’s room for expansion, and most importantly, it’s private.”
“What about Michael’s house?” Seth asked.
“He could turn it into his practice instead of that tiny-ass office he has in town.”
Dillon’s idea was solid. Michael did need more office space, and Dillon’s place was ideal for the four of them.
“What do you think, Lily?” Seth asked. “Are you up for staying here?”
Michael laced his fingers with hers and glanced over to see so much longing in Lily’s gaze that it hurt him. He lifted her hand and turned it over to press a kiss into her palm.
“Stay with us, Lily. You won’t regret it.”
Lily in turn looked at each of the brothers, warmth shining in her eyes. “Do you really all want…me? Do you really want to do this?”
Both Dillon and Seth nodded.
“Absolutely,” Michael said.
“Okay then,” she said softly. “I’ll stay here with you—all of you.”
Michael hadn’t realized his grip was so tight on her hand until he felt her flinch. He released her immediately and then rubbed his fingers apologetically over hers.
Then he glanced over at his brothers, silently asking for their commitment. There was determination in their faces, and their focus was entirely on Lily. But when they looked up at Michael, he knew they were every bit as committed to making this work as he was.
Chapter Eighteen
Dinner was fun. For Lily it was glimpse into the days ahead, something that filled her with hope and excitement. The brothers joked and ribbed each other mercilessly, but there was also a solid thread of loyalty and love. The same feeling she’d had when she first walked into their parents’ house.
She longed to be a part of that. Something solid. To be a part of a family unit again. To know there were people she could count on.
Dillon refused to allow her to help with the dishes, and instead he corralled Seth into helping with the chore while Michael returned to the living room with her.
As soon as they were away from the kitchen, Michael halted and pulled her into his arms. His lips found hers in a hungry, urgent kiss. Warm and so smooth. He nibbled at her lips and then slid his tongue between them, stroking sensually along her tongue until all she could taste and feel was him.
“It made me crazy today,” he murmured. “Knowing you were with them and I couldn’t be with you. It was the longest damn day of my life.”
“You’re with me now,” she said as she feathered her fingers over his temple and then through his hair. “It’s fascinating. I would have imagined Dillon with his rebel image to have the long hair and you with the staid image of a country vet to have short, very neat hair.” She pulled her fingers to the ends of his hair.
“You don’t like it?” he teased.
“I do. It’s just surprising. Like you, I guess. Seth seems so quiet and focused and then you came along and it was like being hit by a tornado. And then Dillon. I can’t decide, but something tells me that you’re more of a rebel than Dillon is, and that at heart, Dillon is really a homebody.”
He blinked in astonishment and then laughed. “Don’t ever tell Dillon that. He’ll take it personally that you find me more exciting and dangerous than him.”
“Well, I didn’t say that.”
“But you’re thinking it,” Michael said with a grin. “That’s good enough for me.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Don’t call me things I can’t spell.”
She laughed and leaned further into him. They were still standing in the middle of the living room, but they could be anywhere and it would be magic.
That was the word—the feeling—in a nutshell. It was magic. A miracle that she didn’t deserve but was so grateful and gobsmacked over.
Three men who seemed too good to be true. Three loyal, strong, devastating men. And they all wanted her. They wanted to make a life with her.
“I’d pay a lot to know what you’re thinking right now.”
She realized she was smiling—no, beaming—from ear to ear. “I was thinking about you. And Dillon and Seth. I’m still just processing it all. It seems too good to be true.”
“Believe it,” he said just before capturing her mouth again.
Oh, but she ached. Her breasts tightened against his chest and her nipples formed hard, tingling points that begged for his touch—his mouth. Her body was awash with heat. Her skin was flushed and desire pooled low in her belly, simmering to a slow boil.
She swayed in his arms. Her knees buckled and he caught her waist, hauling her firmly against him. It seemed she’d spent the entire day in a state of heightened awareness. She wanted to make love with these men, but she was at a loss as to how.
She twined her arms around his neck and slid her mouth down his jaw line to his neck where she nuzzled and licked at the area over his pulse.
He groaned and went tense against her, his arms like iron bands around her body. His erection bulged against her belly, and she rubbed enticingly, causing sweet friction between them.
She felt alive. Electric. Coming to life after a long period of dormancy. Forgotten was the past. Sorrow. Regret. Here, with these three men, she’d found herself again.
She turned when she heard a sound and saw Dillon and Seth standing in the doorway to the living room. Their eyes glittered, and Seth’s mouth was drawn into a tight line. She could feel their need across the room. It mirrored her own.
She glanced back at Michael and knew what she needed to do.
It wasn’t as if she had experience with this kind of thing. Honestly, the idea terrified her. What if they were appalled by what she wanted? She’d never been in such a precarious position. She felt like she was sticking one foot over a drop-off and praying for all she was worth that she found purchase.
Slowly, she backed away from Michael and her hands fluttered nervously to the hem of her shirt. Before she lost all her nerve, she raised the material over her head and dropped it to the floor.
It seemed important to her that this first time—especially the first time—they made love for it not to be a choice between one brother and the other. Now, she was glad she and Dillon hadn’t given in to the overwhelming heat and desire between them earlier in the day.
She wanted to give herself to all of them on equal footing. She wanted to show them she accepted and wanted the three of them and not one more than the other.
When her hands dropped to the waistband of her pants, she felt the sudden inhalations around her. The brothers glanced between each other, seemingly as hesitant and unsure as she was herself.
She eased her clothing from her body in slow, unrushed movements until finally she stood naked and painfully vulnerable in the middle of the room.
Three sets of eyes burned into her flesh. She could feel the tension, hovering heavy in the air. An electric current buzzed in her ears, warmed her body to the point of discomfort
Lust. Desire. Need.
They were tangible in the close confines of the room. Heavy and almost suffocating.
She sucked in air through her nose and then wrapped her arms protectively around herself
as she waited for their response. She had no idea what to do next.
Seth was the first to move. He strode across the room and wrapped his arms around her as if to shield her from the world.
“You don’t have to do this, honey,” he said softly. “You have nothing to prove to us.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. It’s what I want. Together. The first time. It seems important that we do this together, don’t you think?”
Seth turned to his brothers as if gauging their reaction. Dillon’s gaze was ablaze with lust and desire. Michael looked a little less certain, but there was no denying the clear curiosity—and excitement—in his eyes.
Seth turned back to her and ran his hands up her hips and then underneath her breasts to cup the small mounds in his palms. His thumbs stroked over her nipples until she was twitchy with intense arousal.
“What I think is that we want you any way we can have you, and that if this is what you want, then we want it too,” he said, his voice full of sensual growly vibrations.
“I don’t know how,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to do.”
Seth’s heart softened as he gazed down at the beautiful, brave woman standing in front of him. She’d risked a lot by taking the initiative. She wanted to show the three of them that she accepted them. Equally. And to her credit, it would have eaten at him if Michael or Dillon had made love to her first, just because he would have imagined them having a bond that somehow excluded him.
This way…it might not be the most conventional, and he damn sure didn’t have any experience with multiple partners, but it was a forced reality of their new circumstances.
There were plenty of nights he remembered his parents sharing the same bed, and he damn sure didn’t believe they were all just snuggling.
He just hoped like hell he didn’t have performance anxiety issues now of all times.
Wanting to allay her insecurities, he bent and swept her into his arms. Then he turned to Dillon. “She’d be a hell of a lot more comfortable on a bed.”
Dillon bolted into action and started down the hall to his master suite. Michael followed behind Seth as he carried Lily into the bedroom. In the center was a mahogany four-poster king-sized bed. Seth gently set her down and positioned her so that she was in the center, but he pulled her until her legs hung over the edge.