They burst into denials and claims of loving me forever, but there was a part of me that accepted the fact that they might choose to leave me at some point. I was prepared for that, I mean I would be. Maybe.
I could see myself settling down with one or two of them, but all four might prove to be too unconventional to last for any length of time. I didn’t know how a quarter of me would be enough for any one of them.
I hoped it would be enough, and I hoped I would be enough, but I was also the eternal realist.
They all played rock, paper, scissors again and this time Clive won the opportunity to drive me back to my apartment and keep me safe while I worked.
“You’re the only one who hasn’t been here,” I said as we walked inside.
“It’s very…nice,” Clive replied with his brow arched.
“I know, I know, it’s empty for a girl,” I laughed. “I always planned on settling in and making it nice, but never seemed to have the time.”
“I think it’s fine,” Clive said and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed me and continued, “somewhere in the back of your head you knew it wasn’t the right spot for you. Somewhere you knew you wanted more.”
“And boy did I get it,” I laughed. “I got way more than I ever knew I wanted.”
“You’re getting what you deserve, Morgan,” he whispered and kissed me again. “You’re getting four devoted men who just want to please you and love you and make your life perfect.”
“I can’t say no to that,” I smiled and turned my face for another kiss.
Clive’s hands drifted down my back and he cupped my ass, pulling me against his hardness. I moaned and melted into his arms a little farther.
And then I remembered why I was there in the first place. I pulled away from Clive, looked up and said, “Damn, I need to finish the article.”
“How about you get a little reward for every few hundred words you write,” he chuckled and kissed me again.
“Okay, how about a kiss for every page I write?” I asked.
“Sounds good to me, now let me order in dinner and I’ll let you work,” he said and kissed me one more time.
I settled in at my desk and brought up my previous work. I edited it and rewrote the spots I knew more about now, and decided to add even more.
Once I hit my limit, I grinned and yelled, “Kiss me!”
Clive laughed and walked over, leaned down and kissed me deeply. As our tongues danced across each other, his hands slipped down the front of my shirt and pinched a nipple, making me gasp and heat up immediately.
I groaned and pushed him away. “Give me a few more pages,” I said.
“Yes, sweetheart,” he replied with his eyes twinkling in good humor.
I got back to the article and my fingers jumped across the keyboard as quickly as I could, trying desperately to keep up with the words flowing from my head.
It made me shiver, to go through the horrible moment of my kidnapping, but it helped that I was writing it from an outsider’s point of view. It made it easier to handle that I was removed somewhat from the words, the action.
I called Clive for another kiss, and he obliged eagerly. He was passing the time watching rodeo on TV, something I’d never done in my life.
It was weird though, the call of the announcer and the crowd cheering beckoned me. I’d never been a fan of rodeo, but finding four cowboys seemed to have changed that.
I took a quick break when our dinner arrived, Clive surprised me by ordering a variety of curry dishes from an Indian restaurant and we watched the rodeo as we ate.
“I guess I get my cowboy and Indian tonight,” I chuckled as I finished up my butter chicken.
Clive rolled his eyes at my bad joke and said, “Put your plate down, that deserves a good spanking.”
“Oh haha,” I said and didn’t obey.
He locked his eyes on mine and took the plate from my hand. He set it down and dragged me onto his lap. “I’m serious,” he growled.
“Oh my,” I exhaled and went limp as he pulled me further, kissed my spicy Indian lips, and then pushed me down, my ass in the air.
I was giggling and he held my squirming body down, slapped my ass three or four times and left me breathless.
In the flash of a moment he had his cock out, my skirt up, and me on his lap facing him. “Oh sweetheart, I can’t wait until you’re done,” he groaned and slid inside of me.
“I don’t mind,” I smiled and cried out as he hit the end of my molten, throbbing heat.
He was fast, thrusting up inside of me and bringing me to orgasm before I knew it. I cried out his name, dug my fingers into his arms and braced myself for his exploding release.
He arched his back and pushed deeper, I felt his cock pulse and twitch and I clenched him as I joined his bliss.
“I love you,” he growled and nipped my neck as we came down off the heights of pleasure.
“I love you too,” I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. “I love you so much.”
He held me for a few more moments, but on the TV the crowd went wild, cheering some bull rider’s performance.
He got a cheeky grin on his face, looked up at me and said, “Hear that, sweetheart? They liked your ride.”
I laughed and threatened to spank him, but begrudgingly went back to work.
It was amazing how being full of love and being desired made time go faster and my fingers fly harder.
I was finished in no time and spent the rest of the night claiming my reward in Clive’s arms, over and over until the sun was coming up and we both needed sleep.
Chapter 45
“I can’t handle one more night in this place,” I complained in the afternoon. The police had brought me in for a few follow up questions but they’d arrested Maynard and his guys earlier that day. I had sent my story in some time during the night and Mr. Monty had blown the story wide open. It had gone international even, with paper and blogs and television networks paying him for access to the goods.
He was as pleased as punch and the paper was out of trouble for a while longer.
It turned out Maynard had already been under investigation for fraud, human trafficking, extortion and even murder. They wouldn’t need my testimony, the police already had surveillance on the building and had found everything they needed to charge him once they looked it over.
The mayor was involved too, and our newspaper was the one who broke the story and covered everything.
It was awesome, it was exciting and I was right in the middle of it.
And I couldn’t tell a single soul.
“Don’t worry,” Ty said, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. “We’ll be home before you know it.”
As if something in the universe was deciding to torture me even further, my phone buzzed just then so I checked it.
It was a text from my mother.
You still haven’t confirmed on your Dad’s birthday party tonight.
“Oh god,” I groaned. “I totally forgot about my Dad’s birthday.”
“What’s up?” Harley asked.
“I am supposed to go to my parent’s place for my Dad’s birthday dinner. I haven’t been out there for a couple weeks, not since I met you guys,” I said.
“It feels like we’ve known you forever,” Clive said, his lips curving into a smile. “Has it only been that long?”
“It has, but when it’s right, it’s right,” Charlie said. “And why can’t you go? We’ll get the hotel room for another night. We should have checked out by now, so they’re probably charging us for it anyhow. Why don’t we go to the party, get a good night’s rest, pack you up tomorrow morning and head for home? We’ll get there in time for some dirty sex before dinner.”
My ears perked up at the words dirty sex. That was basically what I needed, and I didn’t want to wait that long. I also didn’t want to bring the four of them to meet my parents. I know my dad would be fine with our strange relationship, but my mom would hit the ceiling.
I didn’t know if I could handle her just now, I felt fragile despite making such a big choice to move out to the ranch and start a new chapter in my life. I had a feeling my mom would disapprove of everything, the four men, leaving the city and the paper, and turning my world upside down.
It was weird though, I wasn’t worried about it. Thinking about confronting Mom made my choice even stronger. Knowing I would face her judgment made my choices even more clear.
“Okay, let’s go,” I said. “They’re going to flip, I’ll warn you now. My mom especially, I’ll tell you all about her on the way there.”
I texted her back to let her know I’d be bringing four friends along, and she responded immediately asking me a bunch of questions about who they were and did she know them.
I decided to not reply, this was the kind of thing you needed to talk about in person.
A few hours later we were driving up to my parent’s house and I felt sick to my stomach. The guys were talking back and forth and ribbing each other over things they’d done in the past.
It warmed my heart to know they had such a history together and had been close for years. It seemed like our unconventional love might have a better chance if they were all such good friends already. They’d been living together and sharing their lives for a while now, I was just a welcome addition to the ranch.
“Are you nervous?” Ty asked from behind me and rubbed my shoulders slowly.
“A little,” I said, “but it will be fine.”
Mom was waiting at the door as usual, she was dressed to impress and wearing an apron dusted with flour.
“Morgan dear, how wonderful that you could make it,” she said in her fake voice, the one she reserved for guests. “And who are these big, tall friends of yours?”
I introduced the guys one by one, and mom’s eyes sparkled with heady attraction as she evaluated each one of my cowboys. I felt pride swell up inside my chest, she’d never been that supportive of anybody I’d dated, although she didn’t know I was dating all of them just yet.
“Your brother and his fake model girlfriend are here already,” she whispered to me as we went inside. “I really can’t stand that girl. I wish he’d move on and find somebody else, you know your brother could get anyone he wanted.”
“Maybe he wants her, Mom,” I said. “It’s unfair to dislike her, give her a chance. You can’t help who you fall in love with.”
“There’s my girl,” Dad said and swept out of his office to give me a hug. “I’m so happy you could make it to your old man’s birthday.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I replied, kissed his cheek and handed him his present. It was a card and an expensive bottle of scotch that the guys assured me he would love.
He looked it up and down appraising it, raised his eyebrows and said, “Looks like my girl has good taste in booze. Or should I thank one of you guys?”
The cowboys grinned and denied it, but it was obvious. I was grateful they were here with me, and smiled as they talked distilleries with my Dad.
“Come help me set the table,” Mom said, grabbing my elbow and whisking me into the kitchen, the spot she believed all women belonged.
“Is there anyone else coming?” I asked.
“No, just family,” she said then gave me a sidelong glance, “and your friends of course. Now that was a surprise, you might imagine.”
“I know, but we just happened to be in town and I thought it was time for you to meet them,” I replied.
“What do you mean you happened to be in town?” she asked and basted the roast chicken she’d just pulled out of the oven. “Are you dating one of them?”
“I am,” I replied and sat on a stool at the kitchen island.
“Which one? My god, they’re all so gorgeous, how did you ever decide?”
“I didn’t.”
“What do you mean? So, none of them? That’s too bad, they seem like nice boys.”
“No, I don’t mean that,” I replied, sighing heavily. “I mean all of them.”
“Oh haha,” Mom replied sarcastically. “Seriously, Morgan, your father is starting to convince me that you might be into girls.”
“No Mom,” I said with conviction, steeling myself against her anger when she figured it out. “I’m in a relationship with all four of them.”
She stopped carving the chicken, held up the knife and stared at me, blinking slowly. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“I mean I love them and they love me. I’m going to move out to Huntington and live on their ranch,” I replied carefully.
“This is ridiculous,” Mom spat, “don’t treat me like a fool. There’s no way somebody like you could attract even one of them. Now you’re trying to tell me you’ve managed to snare four men who look like that?”
“I did,” I replied, “they fell in love with me and have convinced me to move in with them.”
“Really, Morgan, you’re being an idiot. Obviously they’re just playing with you,” Mom said, her face starting to grow dark with anger. “You’re not the kind of girl who will keep them happy for long. Don’t throw your life away over a fling.”
“It’s not a fling, we’re in love and we’re going to be together forever,” I said, trying my best to keep my voice calm. I stood up and held my hands in fists at my sides.
Mom stared at me angrily and pursed her lips. I could sense a storm brewing inside of her, she took a deep breath and in an icy cold voice she said, “Get out. I won’t have any daughter of mine acting like a whore in my house.”
“And there it is, Mom’s usual unconditional love and support,” I snapped and stomped out of the kitchen.
I found the four guys at the dining table chatting with my dad, brother and Stephanie, his girlfriend.
“Come on, we’re leaving,” I said and crossed my arms in front of me. “And by the way you guys, I’m banging all four of these hot men and we’re in love. I’m moving to their ranch, if you’re not going to call me a whore then stay in touch. If you are, then you can piss off along with Mom.”
I glared at my dad, daring him to say something. Charlie jumped up and put his arm around my shoulder, the other three followed quickly.
As we were leaving the house I heard my Dad call out, “I like them, Morgan. I’ll keep in touch, I love you!”
“Me too,” my brother added.
“Lucky bitch,” Stephanie giggled and we shut the door behind us.
I stormed down the front steps to the truck and vowed I’d never talk to Mom again.
I had my life, I had my guys, and I had everything I needed to be happy. I wasn’t going to beg for her love, I didn’t deserve that kind of treatment.
Now that I knew how good it felt to be loved completely and truly, I didn’t want to settle for anything less.
Chapter 46
By the time we got back to the hotel my phone was blowing up with texts from mom. She was swinging from rage towards me and the guys all the way to begging me to come back and talk about it.
She’d been like this for years, though: sweet to your face, mean behind your back, and every variation in between.
I was sick of it, I’d been suffering her judgement and conditional love for as long as I could remember and now that I knew what true love was, I wouldn’t settle for less.
We got into our room earlier than we’d planned and I flopped down onto the bed, letting out a huge sigh.
“You’ll be okay,” Charlie said and I smiled wanly at him.
“I know it will be okay,” I said, “it’s a little weird for me to stand up to her. That’s all.”
“You did great,” Ty said, “I heard a little from the kitchen and you spoke very well.”
“Thanks,” I replied and sighed, feeling slightly better. “I’ve lived with her being like this for so long, I never thought I’d have the courage to stand up to her. It feels weird.”
“You’ve got us,” Harley said and rubbed my shoulder. “You�
�ve gone through so much these past few days, why don’t we get you out to the ranch and let you clear your head?”
“I think that’s the best idea yet,” I replied. “I think I need a little while to figure out what I’m doing with my life.”
“I know what I want to do right now,” Clive said and sat down next to me. He brushed my hair off my shoulder and bent to kiss my neck. I shivered his touch, but also trembled with anticipation. These guys always knew exactly what I needed, and right then I needed them.
They responded to my need and I was soon surrounded by them, their hands and mouths erasing the stress and tension from earlier…and the past couple days yet again.
I was learning quickly that they were my new normal, they were the ones who made me feel safe and loved and being without them wasn’t something I could face any longer.
Life was better when I wasn’t alone, and being with Charlie, Clive, Ty and Harley ramped it up to better than good, it became amazing.
I fell asleep in the arms of a couple men I loved, and knew it was just the beginning of something wonderful.
“Holy cow, Morgan, how did you manage to pack all this stuff into that tiny apartment and still manage to make it look like you had nothing?” Harley jokingly grumbled as we loaded all my things into a trailer from the ranch. I’d been living there for two months and we’d all realized at around the same time that I was never moving back to the city.
I’d given my notice and said goodbye to all my coworkers at the paper and brought my strong men around to move the heavy stuff.
And they were right, there was a lot of it. I would be moving into the main ranch house, though, so I had more than enough room for my things.
“I know, I guess I’m a bit of a hoarder, but I like everything to be neat. I’ll need a lot of storage, so you guys had better clear your junk out.” I grinned.
“There’s more than enough for you in the main house, darlin’,” Charlie said, giving me that sexy crooked smile that I loved so much.
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