Freedom to Surrender [Freedom, Colorado 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Melody Snow Monroe

  Summer leaned forward and shifted her gaze between Nikki, Dani, and Holly. “So how are the new men you hired working out?”

  Nikki glanced at Dani. “They’re good.”

  That didn’t sound all that promising. “Aren’t they reliable?” Ashley asked. Tatum would be more upset if he thought his sister was working with a bunch of slouches.

  Dani smiled. “Actually, they’re almost too good. I’m not sure they think we ladies are all that competent.” She held up a hand. “Christian and Seth totally respect Holly. She’s totally blown them away a few times with her technical skills.”

  A light blush crossed her fair skin. “That’s so not true.”

  Neither she nor Tatum liked to brag.

  “On the other hand, they think Nikki and I take too many chances. It doesn’t seem to matter that Nikki was a cop.”

  “Amen,” Nikki said. “But they’re good, so we’ll keep them.” Then she smiled.

  “How do your customers like the men?”

  Nikki leaned back in her seat. “Most of our jobs come from Sussman’s Detective Services, and he’s given the men high marks.”

  “Awesome.” She leaned back in her seat. “Guess what? Drex, Tatum, and I are going whitewater rafting this weekend.”

  As expected the girls oohed and aahed.

  Holly’s eyes dimmed a bit. “I called Tatum a few times, but he didn’t seem in the mood to talk. Do you know what’s up with him?”

  It wasn’t like she’d be discussing a case, and this was his sister, so she’d tell her. “Yes.” She detailed how Tatum had been asked to supervise the Last Opportunity School for the week and had grown attached to two young boys. “He said the older one, who’s thirteen, reminded him of a kid named Richie.”

  Holly placed a hand on her chest. “I remember Richie. He was such a sad case. His mom would go out of town all the time and leave him with his older sister, but the sixteen-year-old wasn’t equipped to be a parent. While she tried, she often left Richie home alone. That led him to act out at school, which was how Tatum and he became friends.” She shook her head. “There were a few times when Tatum would try to defend Richie and get hit himself.”

  Ashley’s heart cracked. She didn’t want to think of Tatum as ever being that vulnerable. He was so strong now. “I was so lucky to have grown up in house that was safe. While my dad can be challenging, I know both of my parents love me.”

  All of them tossed Holly a sympathetic look. Summer stopped sipping her drink. “Did something bad happen recently? I’m missing something.”

  She told them of the break-in at Emerson’s. “Seems Andy knew they’d be taped. He even looked right at the camera.”

  “He wanted to get caught?” Holly asked.

  “Apparently. Tatum had to stop the father from hitting the kid when he told him about his son being a thief.”

  “I can see why Tatum is depressed,” Nikki said. “I’m so glad Mark now has Zane and Garth to watch over him. They’re good with him.”

  “He is lucky.” Nikki had agreed to be his foster mother, but now that she was marrying Ashley’s two brothers, they’d all be a real family.

  Since she had Holly here, she wanted to learn more about Tatum’s life growing up. “Was your dad ever violent?”

  Holly shook her head. “He wasn’t around enough. Our mom was real good though. She loved us both, but because she had to work two jobs to support us, we were left at the neighbor’s house too often. We usually snuck back to our house because she drank.”

  Her heart splintered. “That’s why Tatum acted out in high school.”

  “He told you about that?”

  “It’s part of who he is. He overcame his problems. Only now, with Andy and Savon, I think the issues have come rushing back.”

  Ashley had finished her drink when her cell dinged. She checked her messages. “Oh, no.”

  “What is it?” Dani asked.

  “Mary Sanchez is asking if I’d bake three apple pies for a party Saturday night.”

  “That’s good, right?”

  “Yes. That’s good, except that I’m exhausted from baking thirteen pies yesterday.” It would keep her busy all night, and perhaps help keep her mind off of Tatum. “It’s giving me the kick in the pants I need to figure out how to have my own gourmet kitchen.”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  She could only hope.

  * * * *

  This week, Tatum had handled the two domestic violence calls and the one break-in with little emotion, but he still couldn’t get the image of placing Andy and Savon in juvie out of his mind.

  He’d visited the boys, but when he left, his mood hadn’t elevated.

  “Damn it.” He jumped up from his desk and strode over to Sam Cook’s desk. The man knew everything.

  Tatum would have asked Brady if he’d been here.

  Sam swiveled around in his chair and looked up. “Whatcha need?”

  Poor Sam. He was the go-to guy. “Need the name of a judge.”

  “For?”

  Everyone in the office knew the details of his sad case. “I want to see if the I can get the judge to give me permission to take the boys out on an outing once a week.”

  Sam cocked a brow. “You want to be like a big brother or something?”

  “Yeah.” Once Tatum had told Brady about his past he’d shared it with the rest of the office. Secrets only made things worse.

  Sam twisted back around. “Give me a sec.” His fingers flew. A name and number popped onto his screen. He wrote down the information and handed him the slip of paper. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  * * * *

  After work on Friday, Ashley stopped at the store to buy more pie supplies. As soon as she got home, she went to work. After baking so many on Wednesday, she was able to work more efficiently. One good thing about baking, it gave her time to think. She really wanted to be with her men, but Tatum had to work tonight, and Drex said that if she and he hooked up, it might make Tatum more upset. It was hard to stay away, but she had her pies to bake.

  She sighed. That last taste of Drex and Tatum together had really spoiled her. Her imagination had been going overboard all week, but it would have been unattractive if she acted too anxious and did something dumb like drive over late at night and crawl into bed with them.

  Drex said they’d pick her up at 8:00 a.m. sharp Saturday morning, as the tour began at 1:00 p.m. That would give them time to drive the three hours to the rafting site and grab a bite to eat. He also said he’d reserved a room at a local hotel and prayed Tatum wouldn’t be a downer and say he wanted to get back to Freedom. At the Thursday night happy hour, she’d let it slip to Dani how important this weekend was to Tatum’s health, and her friend promised to speak with Brady about making sure he got the time off. While Brady and his former deputy had figured out how to handle the workload, it appeared to this outsider they could use another deputy so the men didn’t have to work all the time.

  When the doorbell rang, she jumped. Inhaling deeply, she opened the door. Both men stood there. What was amazing was that Tatum was smiling, too.

  “Come in. Let me get my stuff.”

  “Come here, first,” Tatum said. He slipped his hands around his waist. “I want to apologize for being so distant this past week.”

  “No need to apologize. I totally get it. I’d have been completely devastated, too.”

  “Thank you.”

  Drex nudged him. “Tell her so I can get my kiss in.” His excitement infected her.

  “What is it?”

  “I spoke with a judge and he agreed to let me see the boys on Sunday afternoons.”

  She didn’t quite understand. “I thought you were already visiting them on a regular basis.”

  “Yes, but only at the detention center. With the judge’s permission, they’ll be released into my custody. I want to be a big brother to them. Take them riding maybe.” He winked. “And fishing and show them how to shoot a gu
n.”

  She tossed him a frown. “I’m not liking the gun part.”

  “Well maybe not with real bullets. Paintball perhaps.”

  She smiled. The shine in his eyes told her this was what he was meant to be—a big brother. He’d make a great dad, too. “It’s fantastic, but don’t think because you’re now happy that you’re getting out of coming whitewater rafting.”

  “I wouldn’t think of giving up a chance to be with you.”

  The kiss that followed convinced her he was telling the truth. His hands roamed up her back then slid toward her breasts. He was near to touching them when Drex pulled them apart.

  “My turn, but we can’t get started or we’ll never make it to Cañon City.”

  His kiss was equally as sensual and had her pussy dampening. Drex grabbed her ass then leaned back. “I have so many plans for you. I hope you can take a real man in your ass tonight.” Heat flushed her face. She opened her mouth to respond, but he pressed a finger to her lips. “Hold that thought.” His grin came out devilishly handsome. “We need to rock.”

  Tatum picked up her suitcase. “This all you have?”

  She walked over to the sofa and grabbed her purse and rain jacket. “And this.” While the air was warm, the water might be cold.

  Drex had driven and she was wonderfully sequestered between them. During the three-hour trip, Tatum took advantage of sitting next to her. She was wearing shorts and water shoes, and he kept running his palms up and down her leg.

  “I can’t touch you enough,” Tatum said. “It’s been so damned long since I’ve had you.”

  “I’m not a plate of food.” He chuckled and ran a hand up to her breast. She finally had to stop him. “Will you behave?” She laughed. “I can almost smell my arousal, and I’m not having sex in a moving vehicle.”

  “I believe it’s against the law, Tatum,” Drex warned lightheartedly.

  “I’ll just flash my badge at the arresting officer.”

  “Let’s do the raft thing first, then we can see what happens.” They might be able to convince her to skip the rafting part, but doing a fun activity together would give them something to look back on, hopefully with fondness.

  By the time they arrived at the river and checked in, they only had to wait a few minutes before they were loaded into the raft. Their guide, a weathered-looking young man by the name of Tony Oswald, instructed them how to sit in the raft and how to paddle.

  “I’ll be guiding us over the rapids. Try to stay in the boat, please.” They all chuckled. “Remember, if you do fall out, don’t panic. Swim toward the shore, keep your legs up so you don’t scrape against rocks, and the boat behind us will come pick you up.”

  That didn’t sound very encouraging, but at least they weren’t the last boat. Their raft held six of them, along with the guide. Beside Drex, Tatum, and herself, a couple with their sixteen-year-old son piled in. They all wore life preservers and helmets, so she figured it would be safe. She liked how the rubber raft was separated into sections, allowing for more cushion when the water jostled them about. They were to paddle on their own side, but in a way, she wished she could just sit and watch because the towering rock formations on either side of the gorge were totally awesome.

  The water at their starting location looked rough but navigable. Farther down were piles of rocks and the rapids appeared quite dangerous. Fortunately, both of her men grinned as they settled in.

  “I’ll sit behind you and grab you if the boat tilts,” Tatum said.

  She looked over her shoulder. “My knight!”

  He pounded his chest as if the knight had suddenly turned into Tarzan.

  Drex took the seat next to her. He’d insisted they sit toward the back as he thought it would be a bit drier and possibly safer.

  “Ready, everyone?” the guide asked.

  Part of her was totally excited for this new adventure, but a bit of her was terrified. With her two men there, she was sure the trip would be wonderful. Six rafts all headed out more or less together. The sound of the water was loud and prevented them from talking without shouting. The first hundred feet were good. Ashley dipped her paddle in the water, though with the speed of the current, she wasn’t sure if her efforts did any good. Less than a minute later, they came to their first rapid. The rubber raft dipped and torqued and she reached out and grabbed Drex’s arm. Somehow he managed to hold onto his paddle while grasping her.

  “You’re good, darlin’.” His smile helped calm her raging pulse.

  The boat rocked and dipped some more, and at one point she’d been positive they were all going over. The guide somehow managed to avoid the rocks and soon they were on smooth water again.

  Tatum leaned forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”

  She nodded, not wanting to take her eyes off the river in front of them. At least when she witnessed the boat in front of them going through the rapids successfully, it made her feel better. They had ten miles of this, and by the time she’d weathered half of the rapids and hadn’t been tossed overboard, she began to enjoy the dips and undulations.

  Perhaps one of the most spectacular parts was when they passed under the Royal Gorge Bridge, which was almost eleven hundred feet tall. The guide told them a few of the names of the rapids, like Sunshine Falls, Sledgehammer, and Boat Eater, but for the most part she was too scared to listen to him.

  During the calm parts, she immersed herself in the beauty of the landscape. All too soon the half-day tour was over. Vans awaited to take them back where they’d put in.

  On wobbly legs, she climbed out of their raft. Fortunately, Tatum had jumped out ahead of her and helped her to solid ground.

  “So how did you like it?”

  Now that she was on dry land, she was feeling better. “It was an experience I’ll never forget.”

  The guide asked them to divest themselves of their gear. When they were done, Tatum wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’m quite drenched and a bit cold.”

  She doubted that was true. He said that because her lips were probably blue. “What do you suggest?”

  “How about a hot shower, a little extracurricular activity, followed by dinner?”

  She glanced over at Drex, who was grinning. “Works for me,” he said.

  “I’m all in.” And she meant that in every sense of the word.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It didn’t surprise her when Drex pulled up to a Hampton Inn in Cañon City. They’d passed a few other hotels, but this one was by far the nicest. Even though he’d put the heat on in the truck, Ashley was chilled and a little sticky from getting wet.

  Tatum carried her suitcase when they went inside. After Drex checked in, they took the elevator to their room. She couldn’t wait to get undressed and step into the shower. Then she’d get another wonderful treat with her men.

  No sooner had they dumped their gear than Drex held up his hand. “Just stand there.”

  Tatum was already ditching his clothes, and she ran an appreciative gaze up and down his body. “Why?” Not that she minded watching her men get naked, but she wanted to take her clothes off, too.

  “Because as soon as we get naked, Tatum and I want the privilege of stripping you.”

  “You going to wash me, too?” She jutted out her chest and planted a hand on her hip, loving how much Drex always seemed to need the control in the bedroom.

  Drex held her gaze for a few seconds. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  For the next sixty seconds, she got an amazing show. Both men were lean and muscular and oh-so heavenly. They tossed their clothes on the floor and stepped toward her in unison.

  Tatum looked over at Drex. “You bring the ropes, whips, chains, and cuffs?”

  She laughed at how silly they were being.

  Drex moved within inches of her. “You good with being tied up?” He ran a seductive finger across her lips. “I’ll make it worth your while.” From the lust pooling in his eyes, her pussy lit up.

/>   She glanced to the bed. Neither one had a headboard, so she wasn’t sure how they would accomplish restraining her. “I’m game.”

  “Just remember that if you sass us, I’ll have to flog your ass.”

  “Will my pussy drip when you do?”

  “Tatum,” Drex said. “This one is going to take an awful lot of training. I’m not sure I have the patience to keep her.”

  Had his tone not come out light, she might have been worried. Just in case there was a hint of truth in what he said, she placed her hands behind her back and lowered her gaze like her friends had told her they’d been asked to do.

  “Look at that, Drex. Our woman wants to be our little sub.”

  As long as she had equal say in the rest of their lives, she didn’t mind giving up a little control in the bedroom. She’d spent most of her life being bossed around by her brothers and father, and actually thought it took some of the stress out of her life when she didn’t have to make all of the decisions.

  “How about I take the top and you take the bottom?” Drex asked.

  “I’ll get the blindfold,” Tatum said.

  She looked up. “I thought we were showering first.”

  Both of them stopped. “If you’re just cold, we can heat you up.”

  Showering would allow her to run her hands up and down their bodies, but perhaps showering afterward would be just as good. They might allow her to touch them more fully after they’d all made love.

  “I am just cold.”

  Were they aware how much power they were giving her?

  “Let’s help you with your problem.” Drex lifted her long-sleeved shirt over her head, forcing her to unclasp her hands.

  She’d spent some of the pie money on a new bra and undies set and hoped they like her choice of bright yellow. She’d wanted the cheery color for Tatum. Drex’s strong inhale told her the money had been well spent. Yes!

  Tatum moved forward and cupped one breast. “I almost hate to take this off. Is the bottom half as exciting?”

  She’d purchased a thong and hoped they thought so. “You’ll have to see for yourself.”