Logan fished a beer out of a huge tub of ice sitting in the corner of the enormous deck. He tossed one to Connor, who caught it with ease. So much for thinking Connor was drifting off to sleep on this warm Labor Day Monday.
“Should have been a receiver, Con,” Logan said, grinning.
Paige shot her brother an exaggerated scowl. The last thing they needed was to get Connor on the subject of football so she would have to hear about the differences between Australian and American football for the millionth time. Especially today when Connor was outnumbered by former NFL football players.
Quinn came out of the house, her belly leading the way. It was bigger with this pregnancy than the last. One hand held her distended stomach as she tried to carry a huge bowl of macaroni salad with the other.
“You got that?” Paige asked, ready to jump up and help.
Quinn waved a hand at her, indicating for her to stay where she was. She wedged the bowl against the curve of her belly to keep from dropping it.
Paige knew if she did all the big tough football players would cry. Quinn’s mac salad was bangin’.
“I’m fine. You look comfy all sprawled out over your men.”
My men.
Yes, they were.
“And anyway,” she continued, while she waddled over to the large table set up under the shade. “The guys are right behind me, bringing the rest of the food.” She got a dreamy look on her face. “Wait until you taste Eve’s peach cobbler. It’s to die for.”
Ren Landis stepped through the open doorway, carrying a large tray full of food. “Yeah, she’d know. I had to keep smacking her fingers, or there would be none for the rest of us.”
“Ooo. You chased a pregnant woman away from food?” Paige asked him. “And you didn’t get kicked in the nuts?”
Ren laughed. “I saw my life flash before my eyes, but I figured saving the cobbler was worth the sacrifice.” He put the tray down on the table and then relieved Quinn of the revered macaroni salad. Slipping behind Quinn, he wrapped his arms around her extended waist and rubbed her belly.
Quinn smiled and patted his hands.
Paige couldn’t help but notice her brother stiffen and take a step forward.
“You’ve got a death wish,” Ty said to his friend, chuckling, as he turned back to flip the steaks.
Ren gave Logan a wide grin while giving Quinn a big peck on the cheek and then backed away, his hands up in surrender.
“One day I’m just going to kick your ass,” Logan said. Unfortunately, he wasn’t joking.
“You can try,” Ren answered.
The testosterone level on the deck rose a few notches, and Paige wondered if they were going to have to break up an actual fight. Ren always knew how to push Logan’s buttons. And he enjoyed doing it.
But as soon as Cole Dixon came outside carrying Preston, the men dropped their unspoken challenge to focus on the toddler in Cole’s arms. Especially when Cole said, “I think someone took a shit in his diaper.”
“Jeez, Cole, nice mouth around my kid,” Logan said, frowning. “And it’s a pull-up, not a diaper.”
“Don’t you need the practice, Cole?” Quinn called out from a seat in the shade, laughing.
“Ah, nope.”
“Oh yes, he does,” Eve said as she walked up the steps to the deck from the yard. She’d taken a little of what Connor called a walk-about. Her own baby bump was half the size of Quinn’s but still very noticeable. She’d taken a stroll in an attempt to loosen the tight muscles in her back.
“That shit better not be contagious,” Paige muttered. She felt Grae’s body shake before she heard the chuckle. “Not funny, Grae. I’m serious.”
“I would love to see your belly fat with our child.”
Fat. Child.
No.
She shivered at his words, picturing herself carrying his or Connor’s child inside of her. She fought back the unwanted sentiment. “Fuck you.”
“Big ears!” Logan yelled, tilting his head toward Preston.
“That mouth,” Grae admonished, shaking his head.
Paige frowned. She reminded herself that pregnancy looked and probably felt miserable and painful. “We’ll get a dog,” she compromised.
Connor patted her leg as Grae laughed.
Grae almost dumped Paige’s ass onto the deck as he stood. “I’ll change him. I could use the practice,” he said very loudly.
All eyes turned to Paige.
Now, real heat crept up her cheeks. “I am not pregnant. Holy hell.”
Grae laughed as he took Preston out of Cole’s arms and into the house.
“Does he know what he’s doing?” Quinn asked in a loud stage whisper from across the deck.
“How the hell do I know?” Paige answered.
They were all looking at her like she should go in and help him.
Well, she was not going to do it. He volunteered, so tough shit. Literally. “It’s a damn pull-up, not rocket science.”
Logan shook his head and settled next to Quinn, keeping an eye on Ren.
Of course, Ren just ate that up.
Paige wondered when her brother would realize the man wasn’t trying to steal Logan’s wife. Ren had his hands full with Cole and Eve. And soon with their own child.
“When are you due?” Connor asked Quinn.
“Not soon enough,” Quinn said.
“How many kids do you three plan on having?” Eve asked.
“As many as it takes until one comes out chocolate,” Ty said, loading the perfectly grilled steaks on a platter and carrying them over to the table.
“Then this one better come out chocolate with dark chocolate chunks, Ty. Because I want my body back,” Quinn told her husband.
“Oh God,” Eve cried, placing a hand on her belly. “Is that what I have to look forward to?” She looked back and forth between Cole and Ren with a panicked expression.
“Baby, we’re both chocolate. One milk, one dark. So, it’s all good,” Ren said, leaning over to rub her stomach.
Paige wanted to point out that Cole wasn’t even dark enough to be considered milk chocolate. Vanilla chocolate, maybe. But now was probably not the time and she was smart enough to keep her mouth shut.
Grae came back out with Preston wearing a fresh pull-up. The mission was a success.
Paige had to admit, seeing Preston’s little toddler hand in Grae’s massive one as the child tottered out onto the deck made her heart melt a little. Grae would make a good father. Strict, but good. She looked over at her husband. Connor would be the good cop to their kids, Grae the bad cop.
Paige shook her head. What was she thinking?
Grrr.
She needed to remember to refill her birth control.
“All right, let’s eat,” Logan called out.
Grae handed Preston over to his father, who settled the little one into a high chair between him and Ty.
Their smooth co-parenting as fathers always amazed Paige. “You know, seeing all these threesomes makes me realize we’re a weird bunch,” Paige said out loud.
“Meh. Maybe we’ll become the new normal,” Eve said, stuffing her face with the scrumptious mac salad.
“This isn’t Utah,” Cole stated, taking a bite into a warm, buttered dinner roll.
Paige giggled. No, it wasn’t. But who cared? Love was love. Right?
With baby Preston at the table, there was ten of them. A crazy extended family of sorts. And soon there would be a dozen.
“I’m glad you guys got over your little rough patch this summer,” Logan said solemnly, looking between Connor, Grae, and his sister.
Paige tensed since she knew Grae hated his personal business being out there.
“Those two weeks were the toughest I’ve dealt with since my heart surgery. That time away really showed me how much I can’t live without either of them.”
His words totally floored her. Who is this man? Paige turned her head to stare at him open mouthed.
“Close your
mouth,” Grae told her softly.
“Same here,” Connor said. “Believe me, the thought that he might not return scared us.”
“Being open and painfully honest is the only way this sh—” Cole came to a screeching halt, staring at Preston. “Stuff works.”
Eve gave him a smile and reached under the table to pat his thigh.
“Are you glad to finally be back in your house, Grae?” Ty asked.
Paige wouldn’t be surprised if Grae jumped out of his chair, ran around the deck like a madman, and screamed, “Yes, yes, yes!” at the top of his lungs.
He would never do that, but still…
“At least, our house has a pool,” Connor said. He was getting used to saying our house instead of Grae’s house. They both were. “You guys have a huge yard, you need a pool.”
Logan gave him a look. “Unless you want to pay for it, swim in your own. Kids are expensive.”
“They sure are. I can’t wait for Preston to be old enough to drive a tractor, we’ll put him to work mowing the sod fields. He needs to earn his keep,” Ty said, smirking.
“You’ve got a few years to go until that, honey,” Quinn interjected around a mouthful of peach cobbler. She was starting with dessert first. Well, nobody had a death wish to tell the pregnant woman otherwise.
“We’ve decided to get him a toy tractor for Christmas,” Logan said.
“And a pair of work gloves,” Ty added, jokingly.
After they had eaten, they spread out around the deck, enjoying the great early September weather. Preston was off taking a nap. The men flanked their women, drinking beer and joking with each other.
Everyone here was truly happy. A feeling of contentment overcame Paige as she sat watching the group.
Ty and Quinn were the best things to ever happen to Logan. Ren and Cole were the best things to ever happen to Eve.
Then as Paige looked over at Grae, she realized he was the best thing to happen to her and her husband. The past couple months since they’ve moved out of their house and into Grae’s had cemented their relationship. They were now living as a unit. Their marriage was no longer the entrée while Grae was the side dish. Everything was equal between the three of them. As it should be.
She’d always been fascinated by her brother’s unconventional relationship, and here she was a few years later, in one of her very own. Damn, she couldn’t be happier. And satisfied. She didn’t fight the grin spreading across her face.
The relationship certainly came with some benefits.
Grae looked at her curiously, then rose out of his chair to slide behind Connor and her. Leaning in close, he whispered to the two of them, “I never told you what my fantasy was.”
“What is it?” Connor asked, reaching back to wrap a hand around the other man’s bald head affectionately.
“To be topped. And I want that person to be you, Connor, and only you.”
Paige’s head spun toward Grae at this revelation. She never thought he would agree to that.
Hot damn.
They might have to make their excuses and leave the barbecue early.
Paige was quite sure no one would mind…
* * *
~ THE END~
Also by Jeanne St. James
Made Maleen: An Erotic Twist on a Fairy Tale
* * *
Brothers in Blue Series:
(Can be read as stand-alones)
Brothers in Blue: Max
Brothers in Blue: Marc
Brothers in Blue: Matt
* * *
The Rip Cord Trilogy:
Rip Cord: The Reunion
Rip Cord: The Weekend
Rip Cord: The Ever After
* * *
The Dare Ménage Series:
(Can be read as stand-alones)
Double Dare
Daring Proposal
Dare to Be Three
* * *
You can find information on all of Jeanne’s books here:
http://www.jeannestjames.com/
If you enjoyed this book
Thank you for reading Dare to be Three, the third book in The Dare Ménage Series. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or GoodReads to let other readers know. Reviews are always appreciated and just a few words can help an independent author like me tremendously!
About the Author
JEANNE ST. JAMES is an erotic romance author who loves an Alpha male (or two). She was only thirteen when she started writing since it gave her an escape from teenage angst! Her first paid published piece was an erotic story in Playgirl magazine. Her first erotic romance novel, Banged Up, was published in 2009. She is happily owned by farting French bulldogs. She writes M/F, M/M, and M/M/F ménages.
She has a few new releases coming up in 2017. So keep an eye on her website at www.jeannestjames.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslettersignup
Author Links:
Website: http://www.jeannestjames.com
Blog: http://jeannestjames.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneStJamesAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeannestjames/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneStJames
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jeannestjames
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JeanneStJames
Newsletter: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslettersignup
Review & Book Crew: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JeannesReviewCrew/
For More Information:
@jeannestjames
JeanneStJamesAuthor
www.jeannestjames.com
[email protected]
Continue on to read the first chapter of the novella:
* * *
Made Maleen: An Erotic Twist on a Fairy Tale
By Jeanne St. James
About Made Maleen
When Maleen King’s father catches her naked in the hay loft with her high school sweetheart, he sends the eighteen-year-old away to receive a college education and rise above the humble beginnings of an Idaho dairy farm. Now fourteen years later, Mal comes home to run the farm after the death of her father. The stress of a disastrous marriage and being a NYC stock broker made her long to return to a simple life.
* * *
Braydon Daniels, devastated when Mal’s father sent her thousands of miles away, has thought about her every day since. Now, over a decade later, he finds himself alone, divorced, and beaten down by the trauma of his broken marriage. When Mal comes back to town for her father’s funeral, he realizes the feelings he once had for her are just as strong. There’s one little snag, though. His ex-wife is the woman Mal has hated her whole life. And they have a child together.
* * *
Despite the struggle to recover from their past relationships, the undeniable attraction between them still exists. Can they rekindle the passion they once had?
Made Maleen: Chapter 1
Once Upon a Time… Fourteen Years Earlier
Something poked her ass, and it was not the good sort of poke. Maleen King squirmed in an attempt to find a more comfortable spot in the hay. Hay wasn’t very soft when buck naked. Okay, she wasn’t technically naked. She still wore her sash.
Dairy Maid. Blech.
She was sick of losing to Kaitlyn. For the last three years, the wicked witch of the mid-west had won Dairy Princess. And the bitch never hesitated to throw it in Mal’s face.
Whatever.
No matter what, this maid was getting what she wanted…
The handsome Dairy Prince.
Where the hell was her prince anyway? Late. Like normal.
She blew out a breath and glanced at her cow watch. The one she received as the second runner-up last year to the bovine bitch...err, Dairy Princess.
It’s not like she wanted to wear that stupid tiara anyway.
Nope, it was the principle.
A muffled curse came from down below a
s someone stumbled at the bottom of the ladder.
She smiled. Kaitlin could keep the rhinestone tiara, the real prize belonged to Mal…
Braydon’s head popped up from the hole in the hayloft’s floor, his shaggy hair mussed up. He gave her a pained smile. “I stubbed my fucking toe.”
“Where are your shoes?”
“With the rest of my clothes.”
“You better have your sash on,” she warned him.
He barked out a laugh, his dark brown hair falling across this forehead. As he finished climbing the wooden ladder into the loft, his body slowly revealed itself. Oh, he certainly had his sash on. And nothing else.
Braydon Daniels, no doubt a farm boy through and through, appeared toned, muscular, and tanned from working hard outside throwing hay bales, fixing fences, chasing errant heifers, and whatever else physical work his parents needed.
The Daniels drove their sons hard. Said it gave them good work ethics and morals. Whatever. All she knew it sure gave Bray great muscles and calloused hands.
But rough fingers and palms weren’t going to deter her from getting what she wanted. And apparently, what the Dairy Prince wanted also, by look of his erection standing at attention.
With his hands on his narrow hips, Bray looked down at her, studying every inch he could see. Which was just about everything. Not that he hadn’t seen it all before. In fact, too many times to count. He ended up being her first, and she planned on making him her last. One day she would be Mrs. Braydon Daniels.
Yep. One day soon, if she had anything to say about it.
Dare to be Three (Dare Menage Series Book 3) Page 17