“But I haven’t even got in yet.”
“Ah! Do you ever think about anything other than sex?” Just as her kisses deprived him of the ability to think rationally, his sense of humor appeared to do the same to Rachel. “Everything that comes out of your mouth is sick and disgusting. I don’t know how your mother raised you, but I can only imagine the disappointment and shame she’d feel if she heard the way you talk to a lady.”
“Not so much a lady all the time, though.”
She straightened up to all of her five feet six inches with that insult, and Killian knew he’d crossed the line. “Leave. Now.”
“But I don’t want to and Adam is bring—”
“I didn’t ask Adam to bring anything,” Rachel cut him off coldly. “I didn’t invite either of you over—”
“You didn’t really invite us over last night,” Killian pointed out. “But you sure didn’t mind having us.”
“Do I have to get my gun out and shoot you?”
“As long as you don’t shoot anything off you’ll be missing. It wouldn’t be a relationship ender.”
Rachel’s head fell with a groan as she finally begged him. “Why? Why are you doing this to me? One-night stands do not show up the next day to harass you, but yet, here you are.”
That was his cue to bring the hammer down on the little miss. “Well, that might be true, but we’re not having a one-night stand. We’re having a relationship.”
Rachel’s chin snapped up, revealing her shocked gaze peeking out at him from the locks of hair that had fallen in front of her face. He’d caught her off guard, just as he’d anticipated. Now she’d need a moment to recover. Then she’d be in his arms, all smiles again. Perhaps she’ll even show me her gratitude right up against the—
“No.”
“What?” For a moment, he wondered if he’d slipped up and suggested what he’d been thinking about doing. Rachel put the kibosh on that fantasy and all the others he’d been contemplating all day.
“No,” Rachel repeated, “we’re not. We’re not having a relationship, Killian.”
Now it was his turn to respond with shocked confusion. “What?”
“Don’t ‘what’ me,” Rachel snapped. “We both know this is not a relationship. A relationship starts with dating. You know, dinner, flowers, and not breaking into my house and tying me up in my bathtub while you try to drive me insane with sex. That’s how you start a relationship.”
“Well, it is if you want to have a good one.” That unauthorized retort had slipped out. Killian knew, even as he spoke, his flippancy wouldn’t be appreciated. His mind scrambled to connect it to something that wouldn’t get him shot before he could get out the door. “I mean, I thought we had something here. We get along, and the sex is fantastic. What more is there to a relationship?”
It took her a moment to answer. “If I have to explain it to you, Killian, then it just goes to show you’re not ready to have one.”
“Oh, fuck that.” Killian snorted. “That’s stupid female logic so you can cover up the fact that you don’t have an answer.”
“Oh, really? And what does a relationship man do before leaving in the morning? A, he runs out the door like a complete chicken-shit, or B, he takes the time to say good-bye?”
“I didn’t run,” Killian lied without feeling any shame. “And I was thinking of you. Didn’t want to disturb you and all. Figured I’d show a little consideration after all the activity last night.”
“Right.” Rachel rolled her eyes. “Do I have ‘moron’ tattooed on my forehead?”
Killian grinned, kind of thrilled at being called out. “Nope, and I’m not sure I’d want the relationship if you did.”
“You don’t even know what a relationship is.”
“I know what a relationship is.” And if he didn’t, he’d ask his mom before he admitted anything to Rachel. “And I don’t think this has anything to do with me. Why don’t you just admit you’re scared?”
The twisted mysteries of the female mind remained too complex by half for Killian to understand. He certainly couldn’t figure out why she smiled now. He had her in the crosshairs, but she looked pleased to be there.
“Nice try, Killian. The answer is still no.”
This was just why he didn’t want to get involved with the contrary woman. Already, she’d started to be difficult and for no damn good reason, as far as Killian could tell. Stubborn and combative, she wouldn’t go down under a direct attack. So Killian switched gears.
“Okay, then how about a fling?”
“A fling?”
It pleased him to catch her by surprise with his suggestion. He’d outwitted this fox. “Yeah, you know, like stretching a one-night stand into a few-week sexfest? Can we do that?”
“See, I told you, you weren’t a relationship man.”
Killian wouldn’t be sidetracked. “Ah, come on, Rachel. Give me something here.”
She breathed in deeply, studying him in a manner way too serious for contemplating a simple affair. “Fine. A fling, but I expect you to call before coming over and knock before coming in.”
“And I expect you to beg before coming at all.”
Chapter 11
“Anybody home?”
Adam’s holler echoed through the living room before Rachel could give Killian the set-down his chauvinistic attitude deserved. True to form, Killian didn’t give her an extra second to get a word in.
“In the kitchen.”
“Hey, darling.”
Rachel watched Adam saunter into her kitchen much like Killian had—as if he owned it. It spoke to how confident both men were that they could control her. For some strange reason, that both pissed Rachel off and excited her at the same time.
“Everything good?” Adam directed his loaded question at Killian, who had the audacity to smile with all arrogance.
“Just fine. Rachel and I were—”
“Agreeing that Killian is a pompous ass.” Rachel shot a too-sweet grin at Killian.
“Is that so?” Adam smirked, relaxing slightly.
“Oh, you missed it, Adam.” Rachel didn’t intend to let this opportunity pass her by. With his obnoxious mouth, Killian deserved what she intended to give him. “Killian is such a sweetheart underneath all that toughness. He came over here so very worried that his lack of manners and grace this morning might have somehow upset me. Even though I insisted that it hadn’t, he had to apologize.”
“Did he?”
Rachel placed a dramatic hand over her heart. “Then he got down on one knee and begged my forgiveness. You can imagine how shocked and embarrassed I was for him, especially when he went on about what an amazing woman I am and how his life wouldn’t be complete without me in it. Really, I was touched.”
“Oh, you’re going to be touched,” Killian warned as he started forward. “Just wait until I get my hands on you.”
Not about to be pinned in the corner this time, Rachel danced quickly around the island and toward freedom. “It’s just a shame I had to break his poor heart by explaining I didn’t really like him that way.”
“Keep it up, wench, and I’ll be showing you all the ways you like it.” Killian tracked Rachel as she retreated.
She might have run, but she wasn’t intimidated. “I took pity when he groveled and consented to sleep with him for the next few weeks, just until I get bored of him.”
“There ain’t going to be any sleeping, and trust me, you’ll be well entertained.”
They’d circled the counter and Adam once now, but Killian wasn’t giving up his pursuit. Rachel didn’t intend to go down like that. Not now, not until she’d gotten him good and riled. No point in having a dominating man in her bed if he was flaccid.
“I’m just hoping I don’t end up with a stalker once this fling ends.”
“Fling?” Adam repeated, interrupting Rachel and Killian’s dance.
Rachel paused, not wanting to circle around and end up in a trap because Adam appeared to sudde
nly be in the game. Going tense with a scowl, he didn’t look like he’d be on her side. Then again, having both men annoyed could lead to its own kind of fun.
“Yes,” Rachel answered Adam, deciding to pay Killian no attention. Being ignored would keep him simmering and ready for action. Of course, the big oaf could do her the courtesy of catching her now. After all, she’d stopped. “Killian and I have decided to try to have one of those.”
“You have?” Adam lifted a brow in Killian’s direction.
For all the hard work she’d put into rousing him to the hunt, the big jerk didn’t look hungry anymore. Now he appeared concerned, but not with her.
“Yeah.” Killian chin’s lifted, and Rachel could feel him digging in, though she doubt the real argument had anything to do with the fight he had picked. “With you playing the kinky sidekick.”
“Oh, I’m the sidekick?”
“Did I stutter?”
The whole argument backfired on Rachel as the two men squared off, apparently having forgotten about her. She guessed it was the danger of sleeping with two men at once. Still, this would not do.
“I think you should let me decide that. Don’t you?”
All she got for her indignation was a dirty look from Killian, who actually appeared insulted by her interruption. Rachel matched his glower with her own. His lips thinned, and her eyes narrowed before Adam finally called an end to their staring contest.
“Why don’t we argue over that later? Time for food.”
It was time for sex, but Rachel figured saying it would only make them more determined to make her wait. They were Cattlemen after all, and what did that stand for if not contrary? It also stood for stupid because if Adam thought she was cooking whatever he’d picked up at the grocery store, then he could take that conquering grin and shove it right up his—
“I brought sandwiches.”
“Sandwiches?” Rachel double-checked the name on the bag just to make sure Killian hadn’t driven her completely insane in the last ten minutes. “The grocery store? You bought these there? Why didn’t you just buy meat, cheese, and bread?”
Pulling two more hoagies from the bag, Adam looked at her as if she were the weird one. “Why go through the effort of making it when they already have?”
“Because the lettuce is brown.”
“Oh.” Adam frowned. “Then I guess you won’t want the salad I bought.”
“A salad?”
“He isn’t any good at this, is he?” Killian, of all people, had the audacity to throw that stone at Adam. Never one to lack for confidence, the big deputy braced his arms on the island, resting his hands on either side of Rachel to cage her in with his heat and hardness. “I tell you what, darlin’. Why don’t you go put on something pretty, and I’ll take you out to a nice dinner.”
“Nice?” She could only imagine what he defined that word as. “What are you thinking? Burger King?”
“No.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “I was thinking the Bread Box, or does that not pass muster?”
“That’s a bunt,” she said, because he knew damn well she ate there almost every day. Lately, so did he. The thought slipped right out into words before Rachel could realize she’d said them. Now both men stared at her like she’d lost her head. Killian even shifted to the right, releasing her, so he could give her a “you’re a crazy woman” look. Rachel was quickly becoming familiar with that expression.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Rachel slid away from Killian and his question as she offered both men a smile. “I’ll go get dressed.”
Not trusting either man, Rachel locked her bedroom door and the one leading to the bathroom. This time dressing took longer as she actually considered what to wear. She wanted to look sexy. After all, a fling with the two hottest cops in town required a girl step up her game a little.
A fling. She really had lost her mind. Strangely, insanity felt kind of good, sort of like a sugar high. Rachel certainly could have giggled and danced about with all the sparkly energy filling her. Silly little girls didn’t have flings with hard, tough men. Neither did boring homebodies, but that wouldn’t stop her.
It did keep her realistic. Whatever had driven Killian and Adam back to her house tonight, it wasn’t love. It could be blinding lust, but she kind of doubted it. More than likely, they saw her as a challenge, something new to play with and conquer. Killian’s offer of a relationship and talk of her being “his woman” would dry up after a few weeks. A few weeks, try a few days. These are Cattlemen.
If it only turned out to be a few days, then she would squeeze every bit of fun and excitement out of them. It all started with picking the perfect dress to reel both men into her bed before the night was over.
The perfect dress for a fling…And she still wasn’t wearing a bra.
* * * *
Adam glared at the sandwich in his hand, still not understanding Rachel’s objection. “I like these sandwiches.”
“You’re a putz. You know that, man?”
Glaring in the face of Killian’s smirk, Adam bristled at being the butt of the joke. “You like these sandwiches.”
“And I like to pee in the shower, but I’m not going to do it with Rachel standing in front of me.” Killian shook his head as he lifted up the plastic box containing a salad, a little pack of croutons, dressing, and even a fork. “I mean seriously, a salad?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Instead of bringing home a bachelor’s dinner of pizza, he’d gone the thoughtful, healthy route and bought a damn salad. Besides, a little brown lettuce never hurt anybody. “The lettuce isn’t that brown, and women love salads.”
“Maybe.” Killian flipped the carton back into the bag. “But when you buy one for a woman, that’s like saying she’s fat.”
“It is not!” It better not be, or he was in deep trouble. That didn’t seem fair to Adam. It wasn’t like Rachel came with a manual. He certainly didn’t have any experience to help guide him. Trying should count for something, but Adam didn’t think that argument would win him Rachel’s heart.
“Yeah, it kind of is.” Killian laughed, making it unclear whether he was messing with Adam or really trying to help. “There you were, worrying all about how I was going to muck up this relationship and look at you now. Needing pointers.”
Adam came down on the side of Killian being a jerk. “I don’t need any pointers from you, and I didn’t hear anything about a relationship.”
“Fling.” Killian shrugged. “Whatever. Same thing.”
“No,” Adam corrected, feeling superior. “A relationship is about love and commitment. A fling is trying to see how much sex you can cram into it before it ends.”
“And that’s in the dictionary?”
“Look it up.”
“Don’t have to. Don’t care.” Killian never did. He’d been barely above a D student, and that had been with cheating.
“I assume your definition of a fling means we get to indulge in all those perversions you were warning me off of earlier.” Adam could very clearly see how Killian had manipulated this to get his way. “After all, no need to keep the whips in the closet if we’re not having a relationship.”
“Hey,” Killian broke into a big grin as he nodded, “I hadn’t actually thought about that, but yeah. This is turning out to be a pretty good night.”
Adam didn’t think so. He’d trusted Killian, and the bastard had betrayed him. “You promised me a relationship.”
“Fine then,” Killian snapped. “We keep the sex vanilla and continue on with our relationship plan. Doesn’t matter what she calls it, soon enough Rachel will need us in her life.”
Adam studied Killian’s glower, not sure if his friend had sabotage on his mind. “I don’t know why I’m listening to you. It’s not like you know anything about being boyfriend material.”
Killian snorted at that. “Whatever the definition of a relationship man is, I know I’m more of one than you. Look at the sandwiches, my friend.”
It would snow in the middle of the summer in lower Alabama before Adam would admit that Killian might be right. Not that Adam knew any decent women well enough to ask them for help with wooing Rachel. There was always Killian’s mom. She knew about these kinds of things.
“We’ll see about that.”
“Bold words, my friend. Tell me, when was your last date?”
Killian knew damn good and well that Adam had never actually gone on a traditional date. He met women at bars, at parties, at the club. If they went anywhere, it was to bed. No real stops in between, and Killian couldn’t claim to be any different. “When was yours?”
“Mary Katherine Ogel.” Killian sighed with a smile. “God, what a name.”
“That was over ten years ago, Killian.” Adam snorted. He remembered Mary Katherine. How could he not? “Besides, what we did with her wasn’t dating.”
“Well, it didn’t end with it,” Killian conceded. “But it started with my mom setting me up on a blind date.”
Back then, Killian used to go at it alone. They’d been sixteen when Mary Katherine had put all of that to a stop. Even if Adam hadn’t run half as wild as he did, his mother’s reputation in town ensured that no “respectable” family would let their daughters near him. For some, like Mary Katherine, that had just made Adam all the more appealing.
With a preacher for a daddy and a kindergarten teacher for a mother, Mary Katherine was a step above respectable and several steps up the paragon of virtue ladder. Perhaps that’s what made her rebel so hard. Whatever it was, that girl had learned some moves from two of the Davis brothers that still had Adam thanking them to this day.
“What has the two of you smiling?”
Adam blinked, taking in the fact that perhaps a whole minute had passed since Killian had spoken. He didn’t know what his partner had been thinking, but Adam knew his thoughts would get him into trouble. Planning something smooth and witty to say, he turned and forgot to breathe as he spied Rachel in her little sundress.
His eyes locked on her lush-looking cleavage, and his cock instantly swelled. Now there was a feast he definitely hungered for. Adam almost groaned as the idea turned into a fantasy. One where he pressed those generous tits together and pumped himself right through her softness to feed those full lips all the meat she could take.
Penn, Jenny - Rachel's Seduction [Cattleman's Club] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13