Jackson was right, dead right. No matter the problem or situation, the man had been there for him through thick and thin, if not more than Dane. Jackson was there when Bannock received the Dear John letter. Out in that hot, desolate desert, Bannock wasn’t sure he could have coped without him. “Reece Wyatt, something isn’t right about her.”
“I know what you mean. I sensed it, too, when I went into Naughty Sprinkles.” Jackson put his feet on the floor, leaned over Bannock’s desk and rested his arms on it. “It’s like she is hiding something or scared someone will find out something about her. But why does that have you all wound up?”
“Dane. He is determined to have her.”
“So? He’s a man with a dick. Of course he wants to nail her. She is nice looking.”
“That’s not all.”
“Okay.” Jackson gave him a questioning look and motioned for him to continue.
“He wants to put her between us, as in have a ménage relationship.”
“Oh.” Jackson leaned back. “I know me and you share the same thoughts concerning that. What’s the rub, though? If you don’t want to, don’t do it.”
Bannock scrubbed his jaw.
“Oh, I see.” Jackson snickered. “You’re attracted to her. Don’t deny it.”
“What? No.” Bannock got defensive. He wasn’t attracted to her, or was he?
“Yeah, sure.”
“I’m not.” Bannock tossed his pencil to the desk.
Jackson studied him for a moment and started to speak but stopped.
“What? What are you thinking?”
“Nothing, it’s just—”
“What!”
Jackson peered around the office to see if anyone was eavesdropping before speaking. “You’re not, um, like jealous? People have been talking, and some think you and Dane are gay.”
“Oh, fuck this.” Bannock started to stand up.
“Sit down, Bannock.” Jackson pointed to the chair.
“Really? Are you fucking kidding me?” Bannock whispered.
Jackson raised his hands. “Hey, I didn’t say it. I’m just telling you what I’ve heard. So, are you?”
“Hell, no.” Bannock growled.
“I mean, it’s okay if you are.”
“Jackson, you’re an asshole.”
Jackson chuckled. “Don’t kill the messenger.”
“I can’t believe this shit.” Bannock leaned back in his chair. “You know what I’ve been through.”
“Yeah, and Jenny isn’t worth your time or the free rent space you allow her in your head. Now this situation is a little different. You don’t want Reece, not that I believe you, but you don’t want Dane to have her either.”
“I told you there is something suspicious about her. When I picked her up, an escort in a suit delivered her.”
“Is she a felon?”
Bannock shook his head. “I’m not for sure about that. I am damn sure she isn’t the Wyatts’ niece.”
“Oh, come on, Bannock. Of course she’s their niece.”
“No, she isn’t.” Bannock argued.
“Tread carefully, Bannock. You don’t know all the facts.”
“I can’t find anything on her, not even a speeding ticket.”
“I’ll do some checking, too.” Jackson stood up. “In the meantime, chill out.”
“Dane goes to get cupcakes from her, every day.”
Jackson laughed. “He was doing that before she came to the island. What’s new? The guy loves his cupcakes.”
“I need to figure out what Reece is hiding soon. Dane is falling hard for her, fast.”
“So, you’re trying to protect Dane? That’s the story?”
“Go back to work, asshole.” Bannock couldn’t help but smile.
The rest of the day, Bannock simmered over the nagging thoughts that bombarded his thinking. He liked women once upon a time. He could still admire and appreciate their beauty, their soft, smooth skin, and curves. To him they were such mysterious creatures he had fought to understand for the better part of his life. Since his first crush on Suzy Mackinaw in the third grade, he’d been fascinated, and at times infatuated. When Suzy punched him in the nose for trying to kiss her, he has since worked to learn more. In twenty-seven years, the only thing he seemed to learn was not to trust them with his heart.
After clocking out, Bannock drove around the island before going home. He wasn’t attracted to Reece, no, Jackson was wrong. He also wasn’t gay and the thought that people believed as much pissed him off. In reality, it shouldn’t surprise him. He and Dane were together constantly. Fuck. I take him lunch to The Branding Iron a few times a week. He pounded the steering wheel. No wonder people would think they were gay. Since his breakup, he had a couple of one-night stands, but that was it. There were no dates or dinners with the opposite sex. When the urge to fuck got to be too much to control, Bannock trolled around the resort looking for companionship. No strings sex. Women on vacation looked for it, and for Bannock, it wasn’t hard to coax his way between their legs.
Tomorrow was poker night, a night to hang with friends, girlfriend- and wife-free. He worked to get his frustrations out of his system as he thought about what he had to do to prepare for the game. Poker night was the one event every month he looked forward to. Being with the close group of men brought back the fond memories of the men he served with. During his long stretch in the desert, the camaraderie was what kept him sane. The same emotional force was at work on poker night.
After stopping to pick up the cigars and snacks for tomorrow’s game, he had no other choice but to go home. Since Dane confessed his desire to share Reece, Bannock felt awkward around him. Curiosity about such an event made him feel odd. He had never been a part of a threesome and while it intrigued him, it also reminded him of his parents and the extra work involved in that type of relationship. For those on the outside looking in, one would believe a ménage is not only easy, but hot as hell. The truth of the matter is that type of relationship requires even more hard work than a regular one. Bannock supposed the third wheel scenario often popped up, creating tension at times as well as misunderstandings. He had seen it firsthand growing up, and instead of two people fighting, there were three.
Another thought into the mechanics made Bannock think of seeing another man, his best friend, naked, and that Dane would see him as well. For Bannock, the idea of being involved sexually, seeing, touching, and sharing scared the hell out of him. Maybe it was a man thing and maybe it was a performance thing. Bannock couldn’t decide. All he knew was when it came to a woman, he was quite a selfish person. If he ever found a woman he could love again, he wasn’t so sure he could watch, even his best friend, touch, kiss, or engage sexually with her.
Bannock pulled into the driveway of his small bungalow and cut the engine. He didn’t know whether to own up to his feelings just yet and investigate further or tell Dane to have a happy life with Reece if he could manage to win her affection. But between his feelings and the facts he’d uncovered, he knew he should at least warn Dane. He continued to sit for a moment. Jackson’s words were haunting him, “Tread carefully, Bannock. You don’t know all the facts.”
Chapter 5
“Sweetie, will you chop these tomatoes for the salad?” Liz sat a cutting board and knife down for Lane.
“Sure.” Lane happily began the task. Liz was busy cooking dinner and her husbands were out in the backyard, hard at work on the fountain Liz requested they finish. Lane looked out the window to the small yard that was surrounded by tropical trees. Luther and Jed were arguing about something and pointing at the stones they had just placed.
The pair was comical to watch. When Lane first arrived, she had a hard time understanding why two brothers would want to marry the same woman. After being around Liz, she could see the attraction and guessed in her day, Liz would have been quite a head turner. Even in her sixties, Liz was a vibrant and intelligent woman, wise beyond her years. She was sweet and caring, taking her in an
d up under her wing without reservation. Liz was also quite a fireball, and Lane could see the need for two men where she was concerned.
Lane looked back outside to Luther and Jed. They had found a solution apparently and begun to set stones into place. The men resembled each other a lot, but were built differently. Luther was a little full around the middle where Jed was trim and lean. Beyond their relationship as husbands to one wife, they were brothers that cared for one another. A couple of weeks around them had shown her that in reality, there was nothing wrong with their unique and unconventional marriage.
“What are those two up to out there? I see you smile every once in a while.” Liz asked as she closed the oven door.
“Oh, they’re just fun to watch.” Lane scooped up the tomatoes and dropped them into the bowl of lettuce. “One minute they argue, then the next they’re back to work like it never happened.”
“They are one of a kind, and most definitely, two peas from the same pod.” Liz chuckled.
“What can I do now?” Lane cleaned up her mess, rinsing the cutting board and knife.
“You can have a seat.” Liz took off her oven mitts and sat down next to her at the bar. “Tell me, Reece, how is everything going? I know the last couple of weeks have been a complete change from what you’re accustomed to. With the move, being in a strange place with even stranger people.” She laughed. “I just hope that you’re adjusting well and I want you to know I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Liz. I appreciate all that you have done for me.” Lane smiled. “As far as the time I’ve been here, I think I’m adjusting well.”
“And the nightmares?”
“Ah, well, those are finally down. I’ve only had one this week.”
Liz gave her a hug. “It’s hard to forget I’m sure. Likely, you’ll never forget, but it will get easier as time passes. I promise.”
“It is.” Lane sniffled and wiped a tear. Images of Ingrid made her cry and more than likely, always would.
“I don’t want to make you cry, honey. I just know how difficult the move alone must have been on you. I’m not sure how long you will be here, but I want you to know, forever is okay by me.”
Lane smiled. Liz made her heart feel good and the stress drifted away. “Thank you, Liz. I appreciate that. But—”
“Uh, oh. Did something happen last night when you were at the Kraken’s Cave?”
“Yeah, actually something I wasn’t expecting.” Lane paused, still in shock.
“Was everyone nice to you?” Liz asked, sounding so much like Lane’s mother.
Lane had to giggle. “Yes, everyone was great. I met a lot of very nice women. Trinity keeps me in stitches. Poor Quinn is so big awaiting her due date she can’t be comfortable, but she plays it off well.”
“Who else did you meet?”
“I met Trinity’s friend, Amber. She’s sweet and although I really don’t know her well, I feel like I can relate to her for some reason. She hasn’t been here long and looked as shocked as I must have when she noticed the type of relationships here.”
Liz nodded. “I’m sure it is quite wild to see for a new person on the island. To all of us, we’re normal or at least I think we are.” She grinned and tapped her chin with her finger. “We’re normal, right?”
Lane giggled. “You’re just good people with crazy ideas and one big ass bed.”
“Oh, no. Luther is rubbing off on you. Heaven help us all.”
“Maybe a little.” Lane grinned and sighed.
“So what happened?” Liz leveled her gaze on her with her expression turning serious.
Lane tapped her fingers on the bar. “Trinity recognized me and she said as much.” She looked directly at Liz. “She had seen me modeling in a fashion show a couple of years ago.”
“That girl has one heck of a memory.” Liz shook her head. “Do you think she would tell anyone?”
Lane shook her head. “No, but for me to realize that I’m not as hidden as I’d like to be bothers me. This month my picture will be on the cover of a popular women’s magazine. I tend to stand out. Maybe I should dye my hair.”
Liz gasped. “Don’t you dare!”
“If Trinity recognized me from a fashion show two years ago, people will most definitely recognize me when that magazine hits store shelves.”
“One day at a time, sweetie.” Liz hugged her. “We’re only worried about the wrong people recognizing you.”
Again, Lane thought about LA and all that she had been missing there, but it didn’t hurt as bad anymore. With Liz’s help, Lane had found ways to stay busy and keep her mind off of everything. The island had been a savior for her soul and she couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else while sequestered. By the time the investigation was complete, she knew she may not want to leave. Each day she finds she gets happier for some unknown reason. The happiness is different than how she felt in LA though. Here on the island, she was happy simply because there is no pressure, no stress. She also didn’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations but her own.
Two weeks ago, Lane believed her life and career were over. Now, she almost felt like her life was just beginning. It was odd for her to rationalize, and yes, she missed her family tremendously, but for once in her life, she felt she could breathe, really breathe. The aching in her gut was fading by the day. Each day, she started out with the sun waking her, an open vista of clear blue water greeting her as she stepped out onto the small deck from her room. Like she made herself believe, this was a welcome vacation, and she would continue to treat it as such until news came and rearranged her life again.
“You didn’t have to smash my thumb, Luther.” Jed complained as he stepped in the back sliding door.
“You’re supposed to be the one with the brains in this outfit. Why didn’t you move the damn thing?”
“I would have if I’d have known you wouldn’t wait any longer than a millisecond before you dropped it!”
Blood dripped from Jed’s thumb and Liz got up to inspect the damage. “Come on, let’s rinse it off and see how bad it really is.”
“I’ll tell you how bad it is. I’ll probably need stitches.” Jed followed behind Liz to the sink.
“Next time move the damn thing.” Luther opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. “If you need stitches, you can drive your own dumb ass to the hospital, I ain’t missing the poker game over your thumb.”
“Luther, hush,” Liz barked and pulled a paper towel off the roll and dried Jed’s finger.
“You may need stitches for your ass, Luther, when I’m done sticking my foot up it.” Jed blasted back. “Ouch, woman, that hurts.” He complained and looked at Liz. “Ouch, again. Why are you making it worse by hurting it more?”
Liz snorted. “I’m trying to stop the bleeding, you big baby.”
Jed’s eyes grew wide and he tried to defend his actions. “I’m not a baby. It just hurts really bad.”
“You are a big baby, Jed.” Luther snorted.
“Shut up, Luther.” Jed hissed and looked back at Liz. “Damn, woman.”
Liz released his thumb and peeled back the paper towel. “The cut won’t need stitches, but it looks like you may end up losing the nail sooner or later. Now go take your shower and go have fun at the poker game at Bannock and Dane’s.”
Luther left the kitchen with beer in hand. Jed turned and rummaged through the cabinet for a bottle of aspirin. “The good news is, Luther sucks at poker and I plan on cleaning his clumsy ass out before the night is over.”
“Get em’, honey.” Liz kissed him on the cheek and pushed him out of the kitchen.
Lane laughed and Liz shook her head. “Siblings!”
“Are they staying for dinner?”
“No, Dane puts out a spread of stuff so I won’t feed them here. They look forward to poker night to get their fix of junk food.”
Luther and Jed left after kissing Liz on the cheek. Both were back to their normal, loving selves, free of arguing. Lane watched them leav
e as Liz pulled the Moroccan chicken from the oven. She couldn’t wait to have a girl’s night with just Liz, no introductions to new people, and no bright ideas for potential dates. Lane had already noticed Liz had rented a couple of movies.
The front door closed and Liz smiled. “And they’re gone.”
They sat down and enjoyed a quiet meal with pleasant small talk. Liz told her about growing up on the island and the history. Lane is fascinated with Liz’s life, her story. They weren’t in some metropolis. They were on an island roughly the size of Rhode Island. On the island, businesses flourished and tourism boomed. Liz has made a life there with her husbands, became a successful small business owner and mayor to boot. She epitomized her saying, “Bloom where you are planted.”
As they are discussing the history of the island, a knock at the door interrupted them. “I wonder who is here?” Liz stood up and placed her napkin on the table.
Lane got up and followed her, worry churning in her gut all the way to the front door. She guessed when accustomed to hearing bad news, one expected more to follow. She stood back as Liz opened the front door. Her body shook with nervousness as Liz opened the door, even more so when she saw Dane’s smiling face.
“Good evening, Liz.” Dane greeted her.
Liz opened the door for him to enter and smiled. “Aren’t you supposed to be at a poker game feeding my husbands thousands of calories?”
“Don’t worry, Liz, they are well fed and getting ready to play poker as we speak.” He stepped in and looked toward Lane and winked.
Lane was overcome with intense desire. Dane’s smile lit her up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Even though they talked daily at Naughty Sprinkles, every time she saw him was like the first time. She’d also grown anxious to see him during his lunch hour. Not usually one to be awkward, Lane is always a wound up, clumsy mess around him, this time more so.
“What brings you here then? They are misbehaving aren’t they?”
“Not yet.” Dane grinned and Lane heard that sweet southern accent of his and it made her wet immediately. “Actually, I’m here to see Reece.”
Tattoos and Cupcakes [Sunset Point] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 8