Seth shook his head. Could the man never speak plainly?
“We wanna be able to say we’re married, Regan, all legal-like. It’s to protect you.”
She leaned back in her chair, pensive. “You just got home, Seth. This is the first chance we’ve had to be together, and we can’t because you two decided it would be best? Is this how married life with the two of you will be, with you making all the decisions?”
“No!” Hay said just as Seth said, “Yes.”
He heaved a sigh. “Sweetheart, there are some things men know about and some things women know about. We know that life can be hell for you if the townspeople cause trouble.”
“And they will if an unmarried woman is living with two men.” Hay scowled. “They will cause enough hell even when we’re married.”
“We love you. We need to protect you. It’s our duty.”
“What if I don’t want to be protected?” Regan stood. She released the pins holding her hair. It tumbled down her back in shining strands of auburn delight. Seth longed to wrap his hands in its softness while he kissed her senseless.
Then, heedless of their warning, she unbuttoned her dress, slowly, a temptress, flaunting what she knew he wanted. And he was tempted. After two days dreaming of her caress, he had to hold himself back.
“We should go now, Seth,” Hay muttered, “while we’re still able to move.”
“Who says I can move now?” Seth answered in a low, hoarse voice.
Regan bared a breast, smiling at the men. “It’s raining so hard, we can hardly see the barn. Who’s liable to come by here today?”
“Oh, hell, she’s right,” Hay said, his voice thick with lust. “We might as well make this union a reality. Tomorrow’s soon enough for doing what’s right.”
Seth exhaled the breath he’d held watching Regan undress. “Thank God.”
* * * *
It worked! While Seth finished unbuttoning her dress and Hay knelt to remove her stockings and shoes, Regan smiled to herself over her accomplishment. They would not begin their time together with any of them having ultimate control over the others. She’d seen her mother bend to her father’s will time after time, and knew the same was expected of her when she wed. Perhaps that was one reason why she acquiesced so quickly when Davey proposed buying his cousin’s place and heading thousands of miles away from family and friends.
No. That wasn’t the way things happened at all.
If she was to enter into this lifestyle honestly, to be fair to Seth and Hay, she had to be honest with herself first. Davey had always been more pliable than she. Once he mentioned the land available to them, she made her mind up that they would go, and she persuaded him that he wanted it, too. She half expected him to back out before they left North Carolina, to stay within the shelter and safety of brothers and parents, but that didn’t happen until they left St. Joe, long after they could turn back even if she’d wanted. What she hadn’t expected was that he would turn bitter and angry. In their last few weeks, he’d hardly touched her, barely spoke to her. She half feared he would turn tail and leave her alone on the trail. Which he did anyway, when he died.
Had he ever loved her, even? Would he have asked her to marry him if she hadn’t set her own mind to it?
He’d never loved her as Hay and Seth did, not physically or emotionally. She knew that for a fact. He’d never sent her to unknown vistas when he touched her, never made her crave his caress or want to make his breath her own. That part wasn’t his fault, and she should stop comparing him to Seth and Hay—he’d never been with another woman, just as she’d never been with another man. What did either of them know about pleasing a lover? But with these men, she knew she’d found strength and determination that matched her own. She could depend on them for anything, with anything, including her life. Pride filled her at the thought of being their wife.
From behind her, Seth reached around and cupped her breast as he nibbled her neck. His penis, hard as a rod, probed the cheeks of her rear end. Hay took her other breast into his wet, hot mouth and slid his hand between her legs to the folds of her pussy.
Before she lost all thought, she had to say it. Just as she didn’t want to be controlled, she didn’t want to dominate. “We must be equals. Don’t let me—”
“Have no fear, darlin’,” Seth whispered. “Hay and I don’t do anythin’ we don’t want to. And believe me, we want to do this.”
Chapter Eleven
Seth left her back. Cold air in his absence brought goose bumps out on her shoulders, and she shivered. Hay hummed against her breast, shooting a thrill through her for another reason. His hair sifted through her fingers while his fingers probed and stroked her channel.
Then Seth was back. He kissed across her shoulder blades and let his left arm slide down her side. The end of his arm skimmed her hip, the roughness making her tremble with emotion. His trust humbled her.
His right hand gripped her butt cheeks and kneaded them. When he spread her cheeks and circled her ass, she gasped in surprise.
“Just relax,” he said in a low voice.
“What are you going to do?”
Hay raised his head. “If you’ll let us, we’ll make you feel wonderful. Do you trust us?”
How could she question them? “But…I want to make you feel just as good.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Seth assured her.
He smoothed her rear end with something cold. She shifted forward an inch in response, straight onto Hay’s fingers. He crooked his middle finger and hit the explosive spot. She came immediately.
Seth probed her entrance. Despite her initial worry, she felt no pain. Whatever he used to coat her allowed his finger easy entrance. Hay stroked her clit, starting waves of aftershocks from deep in her belly.
Something larger nudged her from the back. Hay withdrew his hand and moved forward an inch or two. He lifted her leg to his hip and slipped his cock between her womanly folds and into her passage. At the same time, Seth pressed closer. Hay’s closeness stopped her natural reaction to pull away. Instead, he pushed her back onto Seth.
Seth inched inside. As soon as she followed his direction and relaxed, a feeling of fullness came over her such as she’d never known. Hay gently withdrew and eased in from the front, Seth edged out and pushed further in simultaneously so that each man entered and exited in unison.
“Oh,” she moaned. With one hand she stroked Hay’s shoulder and thrust her breasts against his chest. She let her head fall to Seth’s shoulder. With her other hand, she reached back and around Seth’s neck, tugging him forward to her lips. She traced his lips with her tongue. He sucked it into his mouth and teased it with his own tongue.
As though the men communicated, they drove into her, both to the hilt. Seth released her mouth, arching his back and invading her that much further.
“Yes,” Hay asserted. “Yes.”
Regan thrashed her head left and right on Seth’s shoulder. All thought left her. She roamed her hands over the men mindlessly, a light sheen of sweat making their skin slippery as she explored the stretching and flexing of their muscles.
Hay reached between them and pressed her clit. She shot off with pleasure she’d never known and gave herself over to it with abandon.
Seth and Hay increased their drives. The smell of sex filled her nostrils. She inhaled deeply, taking their essences into her lungs like life breath.
Regan exerted no effort, letting the men support her and set the rhythm. Which worked—she came again, squeezing both Hay’s cock sunk deep in her pussy and Seth’s penis buried in her ass. The men groaned, ecstasy in stereo, setting her off once more. Her body was like a single nerve ending, excited beyond control.
“Now,” Hay muttered with a grunt. He thrust in and froze. His cock pulsed within her. Shock waves rocked her. Seth panted from behind her, continuing to push and pull until Hay exhaled a deep breath and rested his head on her shoulder, breathing heavily. Then Seth groaned and pushed, throbbing
deep inside her as he released his seed. Breathing hard and fast, he also dropped his head to her shoulder, his lighter hair mixing with Hay’s long, dark strands. She stretched her arm up to stroke both heads.
Eventually, Seth stood straight. He kissed her before easing out. Hay kissed her with a sigh and stepped back, releasing her in the process.
“I don’t think I can stand by myself,” she said.
“No need,” he said, sweeping her into his arms. He carried her into the bedroom and set her on the softness of the feather bed. Looking up into the faces of her men, she’d never felt such a sense of well-being. Worry disappeared, and contentment filled her.
“I love you,” she said.
“We love you, too.” Seth smiled. He didn’t cross his arms in the way he had before that hid his stump. He seemed as unself-conscious about it as about his nakedness. Viewed fully, he took her breath away.
“Why don’t you take a nap?” Hay pulled a quilt over her.
“I think I will. I feel deliciously worn out.” And that was the last thing she knew.
* * * *
“Hay,” Seth said as they pulled on their clothes, “we have a problem.”
“If you mean the size of the bed, I know. While you were gone I designed one for the three of us. I think if we can get into town for some lumber tomorrow we can have it done before Saturday.”
Seth glanced out the window at the rain that continued falling in torrents. “Right now I need that hot water on the stove for a bath, and then some sleep.”
“Why don’t you lie down with Regan?”
Seth sighed. “If I do, I’ll just want her again, and after what we just did, I imagine she’d like a little rest from peckers.” He picked up the jar of special lubricant and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “So much for waitin’ for the weddin’ night.”
“From the whorehouse, I presume?”
Seth smiled. “I figured they’d know what was best for the woman’s comfort. I bought a real nightie off one of the girls, too.” Noticing Hay’s scowl, he added, “She hadn’t worn it, you son of a bitch. I’m not that stupid.”
Hay waved his hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, I know. It just bothers me that our Regan will wear something from a whorehouse.”
“Regan won’t know unless one of us tells her.” He regarded Hay with eyebrows raised. “It’s real pretty.”
“I’m glad you thought to buy her a gift. That’s more than I’ve done.”
“A bed designed by the great Haywood Lawrence will be enough. Does she know what your family did before the war?”
“No.”
“Just having the name ‘Haywood’ on her bed will impress her.” He frowned. “Do you think we did this too soon?” Seth asked. He’d wanted to hold off having more sex until the marriage was legal and ease her into the idea of having two men fucking her at once. But when she teased them by undressing right there at their dining table, a fire filled him he couldn’t resist.
“She came at least three times, Seth. To me, that means she enjoyed herself.” The men grinned at each other.
“Still,” Seth said, “Saturday can’t come soon enough.”
Chapter Twelve
Dressed in his best clothes and nervous as though he were the groom, Hay stood beside Seth, playing his role as best man. For the past four days he’d worried about his reaction to this moment. Would he be jealous? Sick to his stomach? Nervous or afraid of the reality to which he’d agreed? Now that the moment had arrived, relief surged through him. And impatience to be inside Regan again. No surprise there.
The day was hot for so early in the year, but he resisted the urge to swipe his brow. The porch, where they gathered to join Seth and Regan in holy matrimony, was festooned with wildflowers and greenery. The delicious aroma of roasting beef, which Regan had put in the Dutch oven that morning, floated through the open doorway.
The preacher had appeared on their doorstep as promised, just before eleven that morning. Regan fed them a very quick breakfast of bread smeared with butter and then, in her only sign of nervousness, rushed them out before he had been able to introduce himself.
The man had thought to bring a woman with him to serve as the second witness. One of the flock to whom he ministered at the bawdy house, no doubt. However, she was pretty and clean and rather sweet and innocent looking, something that appealed to a good many men. Hay wondered how long she’d been a working girl or whether the preacher’s bringing her showed a long-term interest. Regan had shown no qualms, greeting both preacher and whore with equal graciousness. Did she guess that her maid of honor was really no maid?
Now Regan, in a simple but beautiful light-green gown, and Seth, in a jacket Hay had seen him wear only once before, on Christmas, stood side by side at the crux of the ceremony. Seth spoke his vows solemnly, repeating the minister’s words.
Hay shifted his gaze to Regan, breath held. Despite her adamant insistence that she wanted this marriage to the two of them, she could still back out.
“Repeat after me. I, Regan Stone, promise to love, honor, and obey my husband, Seth Pratt…”
“I, Regan Stone, promise to love, honor, and obey my husbands…”
What? Hay brought himself up short, turning an astonished gaze to the lovely woman who appeared calm as a summer day. Had she just said husbands? Seth stared also. Her lips curved up, as though knowing she had flummoxed all the men present.
The preacher looked at Seth, then at Regan, and then shrugged. “…as long as we both shall live.”
“…as long as we shall live.”
Heaving a heavy sigh, the minister looked at Regan. “Are you sure about this, ma’am?”
“Very sure.”
He shrugged. “Well, who am I to question what God has brought together? Just don’t let any man tear you asunder. I now pronounce you men and wife.”
Would he forever be amazed by her? He thought so. He’d never met a woman more full of spirit or adventure. Unlike Seth, he hadn’t met her husband. But he was certain the man found no angels in heaven that matched the one he’d left behind on Earth. He thanked God that he had accompanied Seth up to the Stone farm weeks ago instead of parting ways where the trail led west toward Portland.
Come to think of it, he owed the Almighty a word of thanks for placing him serendipitously in that Abilene bar where he met Seth all those years ago. His life had been fuller ever since then.
“You wanna kiss the bride or spend the rest of the day dreamin’?” asked Seth.
Brought back to the moment, Hay chuckled. “You have to ask?” He took Regan in his arms. “Congratulations, Mrs. Pratt.” His lips touched hers, and time stood still. It had been only days since they shared the stunning threesome, but it felt like years.
The sweetness of her kiss took away his breath. He hugged her, avoiding making a scene by crushing her to him as he wanted. “Are you happy?”
“Very,” she whispered. “Are you, Hay?”
Was he? He had the woman he loved in his life, though she wasn’t his alone. He spent his days alongside his best friend, though the potential for trouble loomed large with their strange marital situation. Would he give up either? He knew he couldn’t. “I’m very happy.” Her smile warmed his heart.
He turned to shake hands with Seth.
“Looks like we got us an amazin’ woman,” Seth said.
“We’re damn lucky,” Hay replied, glancing over his shoulder at Regan. She was hugging the woman who served as witness. Then, with a wide smile, she ran to them and wrapped her arms around their waists.
Seth laughed out loud, a sound Hay still wasn’t used to hearing. “Darlin’, you are truly a miracle.”
“I’m so happy,” she said. “Come on, everyone, let’s enjoy our wedding dinner. Seth, Hay, will you move the table out here? It will be far more pleasant than inside. Amy, you and Mark will stay, won’t you?”
“Oh.” The girl looked at the preacher, whose name only Regan had bothered to discover.
&n
bsp; “If you are sure you don’t mind,” he said, “we would be honored.”
“Wonderful,” Regan said. “Amy, would you like to help me?”
The girl’s cheeks tinged pink. “I’d love to.” With a quick smile to the preacher, she hurried after Regan. Seth and Hay followed to bring out the table and chairs. While Amy set the table with Regan’s fine china, he, Seth, and the preacher strolled out into the yard.
“I’m Haywood Lawrence.” He held out his hand to the preacher and they shook.
“The second groom,” Mark said. “I’m Mark Graham. You gentleman have a lovely wife. I’m very grateful for her kindness to Amy.”
“She’s a wonderful woman. We’re mighty lucky,” Seth said.
Mark turned pensive, staring past the barn. “I suppose you’re about ready to plant.”
“Fixin’ to start on the morrow, in fact.” Seth crossed his arms, fixing his gaze on the newcomer. Hay sensed his tension, though he had no idea what brought it on.
“Do you know about farming?” he asked.
The preacher nodded. “Grew up on a farm in Illinois. Thought going to seminary would keep me from the grueling hours. When I lost my church I about lost my faith.”
“Never know where life will take you. We’re both aware of that, sure enough,” Seth admitted.
“When you found me, Mr. Pratt, I had just discovered everything I ever wanted.” He turned to face them. “Only I didn’t know what to do about it. Then God sent me you.”
Inspiration struck Hay. “You and Amy…?”
“Yes, Mr. Lawrence. We fell in love, but she, well, she wasn’t free to leave her employment.”
“Yet she came with you today.”
Mark Graham smiled. “With the partial payment Mr. Pratt gave me to come here, I bought the rest of her contract. We were married yesterday afternoon.”
Regan [The Sisters O'Ryan 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 11