by Chloe Lang
“This is probably about your family’s mine. Austin put you up to this, right?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
She clenched her jaw tight and narrowed her eyes. His met her gaze and never faltered. He didn’t seem to be attempting some silent battle of wills with her. No. Instead, he looked dejected.
“Then tell me why, Dallas. Why me?”
“Because you’re not like anyone I’ve ever known.” He sounded sincere.
“I’ve done it again, only this time is way worse.” She thought about how foolish she’d been with her ex-fiancé Michael. He turned out to be gay. Most every woman would’ve seen that from a mile away. Not her. Her instincts sucked when it came to gay men. Apparently, they also sucked when it came to straight cowboys.
“Love, please. Let me explain.”
“Stop calling me love. All right?”
“Okay.”
“I’m listening, Dallas. Give me your best line of BS.”
“The minute you came to town, we knew.”
“Who knew what?”
“All of us, I guess. Jackson didn’t hesitate. He may be the youngest, but he’s also the smartest. Phoenix was on board right after that. I thought so, but was worried that you wouldn’t understand what we wanted.”
Her head spun. “You’re talking in circles. Tell me the truth.”
“Here it is. Jackson, Phoenix, and I all want a wife.”
“And?”
“Not a wife each, but one wife. One to share.”
She gulped. “What?”
“Haven’t you noticed how things work in Wilde? You’ve been to the Horseshoe Bar and Grill. What have you seen there?”
Jessie recalled her first night in the small town. She’d seen the two cowboys pawing the woman, and no one seemed alarmed or shocked by their behavior save Jessie. Come to think about it, she’d seen more examples in Wilde where two or more men held on to one woman. Being a native New Yorker, she’d barely taken note of it.
“I guess I have seen what you’re talking about.”
“Have you ever heard of plural marriages?”
“I’m from Manhattan. I read.” Honestly, she really didn’t know much about such things, but she continued. “But I thought that was more of a one man several women kind of thing.”
“Not here.” Dallas leaned into the cab.
“So everyone in Wilde is into this?”
“No. There’s several families with one husband and one wife.”
“Why? A religious practice of some sort?”
“No, sweetheart. It’s just been the norm here for generations. Jackson, Phoenix, and I grew up in a home with three dads and one mom. It’s what we know.”
“Oh, my God. Daniel, Craig, and Dillon Wilde are your dads?”
“Yep. Mary is our mom.”
“So, you, Phoenix, and Jackson grew up this way.” Jessie shook her head. Suddenly, it all made sense why the three guys were trying to woo her. They really did want her. Not just for a fling or a short-lived romance, but permanently. The thought flattened her out. “I don’t think I could ever...”
“That’s the reason we didn’t tell you. You’re not from here. You don’t know our ways. We thought if we could get you to fall in love with us, then we would tell you.”
“So you guys lied to me in order to cultivate my feelings for you? Great plan.”
“Can you forgive me?” He looked down. “I pushed too hard. I shouldn’t have. You weren’t ready. I should’ve known better.”
Her heart softened. All that the brothers had done for her had been done in love. How could she stay mad at any of them? She should, but she couldn’t. “I forgive you.”
Still, the idea of marrying one of them, let alone all three, had her head spinning. She had no idea how such a thing would work.
“Thank you, sweetheart. Believe me, everything I’ve done has been to make you fall in love with me.” The truth of his confession could not be denied.
The knowledge that Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas wanted to share a wife—and they’d cast her for the role—tangled up her thoughts in threads of logic and absurdity. She even imagined for an instant how wonderful it would be not to have to choose between them. Would such a thing be plausible for her? Not likely. Besides, how would children fit into such an arrangement? Would each of them expect her to give them a child? Her mind whirled almost painfully.
“Dallas, I don’t—”
“You don’t have to do anything, love. I know I fucked up tonight, but it won’t happen again. I promise. No matter what happens, as long as I’m here, I’ll make sure your feelings and your heart are protected.”
His words stunned her. She was captivated by his two younger brothers and was probably falling in love with them, too. Jackson’s demeanor was kind and playful. Phoenix’s was intense and wicked. Dallas’s was very different, yet just as attractive to her. Honest and stable. If he promised to protect her heart, she didn’t doubt that he would follow through. That only added to her desire for him.
“I must be completely crazy to even...” She looked at the giant cowboy, with his sexy, pleading green eyes. Tiny shivers of desire shot through her. “How does something like that kind of relationship work?”
He smiled. “Don’t think about tomorrow, Jessie. You’re strong and smart, sure. But this is a lot to take in. Just concentrate on right now. Let me earn your trust, love.”
Someday she would likely have to walk away from him and his two brothers, no matter what the consequences. “Okay, Dallas. I’m going to focus on the here and now.” She reached across the seat to the driver’s open door where he still stood and offered her hand.
He took her hand and brought it up to his lips. “Thank you, love.”
Chapter Three
Jessie released Dallas’s hand and left the cab of the truck. The full moon lit the landscape, enhancing the surrounding beauty in a soft glow. Dallas came around from the other side of the vehicle. He stepped next within touching distance of her, but didn’t actually touch her.
She couldn’t process the plural marriage bomb he’d dropped at the moment. “Let’s change the subject. Okay?”
“Sure thing.” His smile returned, and the last of her anger evaporated. “We’re good then.”
“We’re good.” Her nerves calmed.
The cowboy sidled up next to her and put his arm around her. It felt really wonderful.
“Is this your house?” She pointed to the rock structure. She knew that when each of the Wilde brothers had turned sixteen they’d received land from their parents to build a house on. At eighteen, they’d been expected to move out of the family home and into their own, kind of a rite of passage in their family.
“I’d love for you to see my house, Jessie.”
The two Wilde brother houses she’d seen so far were amazing. Jackson’s smacked of Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence with its simple lines and warm colors, blending into the scenery that surrounded it. Phoenix’s was stark and ultramodern. It demanded the eye, contrasting completely from the nature around it.
Dallas’s home was just as amazing as the other two, but a completely different design. With its thick rock walls, it looked much older than it could’ve been. A passerby would’ve guessed it to be more than a century at least. Its facade was a testament to Dallas’s youth. The strength and determination he must’ve needed to complete such an undertaking amazed Jessie. This building would last with ease beyond her lifetime and the next generation’s, too.
The surrounding landscape was rough and barely touched. Trees, wildflowers, and patches of grass filled the space around the home. Off in the distance, the mountain peaks poked up into the sky as if an attempt to touch the moon. The air was clean. She looked up into the night’s canopy and spotted the stars that could still be found in the moon’s strongest light. There were tens of thousands of them, twinkling brightly.
Dallas stated softly, “Shall we see what you think of my home compared to Jackso
n’s and Phoenix’s?”
“Competitive?”
He laughed. “Oh, yeah.”
“Then you better show me if I’m to be the judge and jury.”
“I’m sure the court will rule in my favor.”
She studied the exterior. It was impressive. “You should be proud, Dallas. You’re quite the builder.”
“Took me four years to build.”
“Really? I thought you only had two years to build it until you had to move out from your parent’s home?”
“That’s right. I moved out at eighteen, as expected, even though it wasn’t completed. I lived in a tent for almost two years until I finished it. I wanted to build something that would really last. So I settled on stone.”
“Wow.” It looked like a single-story fortress. “I bet it could stand anything Mother Nature might dish out. How thick are the walls?”
“Four feet. I needed the extra time to get just the right boulders.”
“Amazing. You actually lived in a tent.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am. Actually, it wasn’t half bad.”
Walking up to the front of the home, she noted the door’s color was red. Against the gray stone, it looked striking. Dallas opened it for her and motioned her in.
Upon entering, Jessie loved what she found. Dallas’s home was a sanctuary of comfort and relaxation. In many ways, it reminded her of her father’s estate in Maine where he often spent his summers. The interior of Dallas’s house had a coastal sensibility. That was odd to her, since it was actually in the mountains. The walls were pale blue, and the giant, overstuffed sectional was white. The coffee table was made of bleached wood with a glass top. Around the space were little touches of yellow, green, and red in the lamps, pillows, books, and rugs. Anyone walking into this room would likely feel their shoulders sag and a calming breath slip from their mouth. That was the exact effect she’d felt the instant she’d entered.
Jessie had to admire the Wilde brothers’ mother. Jackson’s and Phoenix’s home had been immaculate. Dallas’s was no different. There wasn’t a single dust bunny in Dallas’s place. But his wasn’t a house that would ever be featured in a magazine. He’d obviously built this place for enjoyment and relaxation, and she instantly felt at home in it.
“Well, what’s your first impression of my handiwork?”
“I love it, Dallas. It’s so comfortable and inviting.”
Dallas smiled broadly. He seemed thrilled at her response. “Let me show you more.”
“I’d like that.” She leaned into his muscled frame, and he kept his arm around her back, guiding her around the place.
The kitchen had dark oak cabinets, black appliances, and granite countertops. There was no dining room or breakfast area. The only eating space was a long countertop with six barstools. She could imagine him hosting his brothers for a big meal. Dallas’s casual disposition probably required guests to participate in the meal prep. Nothing formal here.
“I remodeled the kitchen last year. I know it’s pretty basic. I’m not very good at the decorating. Mom helps me with that.”
“Well, you’re talented, and she’s got a wonderful eye.”
“I think she does, too. Let me show you the guest room.”
Neither Phoenix nor Jackson had guest rooms in their houses, but it made sense to her that Dallas would’ve made such an accommodation in his home. The more she thought about the cowboy, the more she could actually imagine spending more time with him. Much more time.
He took her to the door to the right in the hallway. The bed looked soft and inviting. Nothing in the space was over the top. Still, the handmade quilts, big pillows, rocking chair, and table with a simple reading lamp whispered of peace and quiet. Jessie loved to read, but her job had denied her that pleasure. How wonderful it would be to slip into some comfy clothes, grab a book and a cup of tea, and let the outside world fade away.
“I love this room. It’s my favorite so far.”
“Well, we have two more to go.” He kissed her cheek, and she didn’t object. “Let’s finish this tour.”
The bathroom departed from the rest of the space. It was more shower room than bathroom. Warm-colored stones covered the walls, the floors, and even the ceiling. The choice of metal for fixtures was brushed nickel. Two sinks, also brushed nickel, were set in a large antique buffet at a height that would put her on her tiptoes but was perfect for Dallas’s stature. Two large, framed, rectangle mirrors were hanging on the wall above the sinks.
“I wish I’d put a bath in here, now that I know how much you like to take them.”
“Don’t push it, cowboy.” She grinned. “Still, I wouldn’t mind rinsing off.
“Now to the big finale.”
Gooseflesh popped up on her skin. “Your bedroom?”
“Right. This way.” He led her down the hall to the far door. It was open.
When she spotted his big bed, her knees went weak. Just a quick tour, then I’ll ask him to take me back to my hotel.
“Take a look at these, Jessie.” He pointed to the antique photographs of Wilde, Nevada’s Main Street displayed on the walls. As Jessie studied them, she came to the conclusion that the town didn’t look much different today than in the photos, except instead of trucks filling the streets, back then there were wagons.
Dallas shifted behind her, leaning down and placing his head on her shoulder. Her body temperature rose.
“Sweetheart, I have more old photos that Pappy Jack gave me. I’d love to show them to you someday.”
“I’d like that.” She continued to look at the photos, though she was having trouble focusing on them as she took a whiff of Dallas’s amazing scent.
“Well, how do I stack up to Jackson and Phoenix?”
She gulped. “What do you mean?”
“My house, love. Better? Worse? Tie?”
“It’s incredible. I love it. You can’t compare them. They are all so different. Just like you and your brothers are to each other.”
He turned her around to face him. She looked up at his green eyes. “You knock me out, Jessie.”
Dallas bent down and covered her mouth with his sexy male lips. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck. This wasn’t like at the tree where he’d kissed her like a conquering invader, giving no mercy. No, this kiss was filled with hot passion and longing. It felt to her like an urgent question that hoped to incite the right reply. He’d promised to protect her heart, and that had meant the world to her.
When his tongue shot into her mouth, dancing with her own, she answered silently with maybe and melted into him. Her toes curled as the kiss continued while he hoisted her up into his arms.
As Dallas threw her on the bed, she squealed. The next moment he was on top of her, covering her with his massive body. She could feel his cock growing in his jeans. He sucked on her neck, and the past and future faded out of her mind. All that was left was the here and now, and her sexy cowboy Dallas.
* * * *
Dallas wasn’t ready to roll off of Jessie, enjoying the feel of her body under his. He devoured her silky neck, and his dick pulsed almost painfully behind his Levi’s button-fly. “God, woman. You make me feel like I’m going insane.” Insane enough to go against my brothers and tell you the truth about our plan for you.
The more time he spent with Jessie, the more he couldn’t live without her. He’d fucked up majorly with her, whisking her away from Phoenix without her knowledge. He wouldn’t fuck up again. She was far too precious to him for that.
Actually, he’d told her a partial truth about him, Phoenix, and Jackson wanting to share a wife. He’d held back the rest of the facts about the intention to win her for him and all his brothers, including Denver and Austin. Though he felt guilty, he was pretty sure if he’d told her the whole story she would’ve shut down completely.
Dallas decided to put those thoughts aside and take his own advice he’d given to Jessie. Focus on the now. Worked for him.
He gazed do
wn at her, and her face flushed. “You’re so beautiful, love.”
“I like hearing you say that, Dallas.”
“Good, because I plan on saying it a lot.” He unbuttoned her top, revealing her lacy bra. She had the most incredible full breasts he’d ever seen. He loved every curve and every inch of her body. Plus, her dedication and sincerity amazed him. She was the woman of his dreams, and he silently vowed to do whatever it took to win her heart.
Crazy hunger clawed at his insides. Her blinking eyes told him that her own desires were growing. He gently kneaded her breasts through the fabric of the bra. She bit her lip and blinked.
“I’ve got to taste every part of you, love.” He rolled to the side of her. “I need you out of those clothes. Okay?”
“Yes,” she answered meekly.
“Lean up, sweetheart.”
She did, and he removed her shirt and bra. He swept his tongue over her nipples, and she gave him an inviting moan that went straight to his balls.
Next, he took off her shoes, followed by her jeans and panties. He looked down at the naked goddess with soft, pale skin stretched out in his bed for him to worship.
“Not fair, Dallas.”
“What’s not fair?”
“You’re still wearing clothing while I’m totally exposed.”
“That’s my naughty girl getting into the spirit of things.” He left the bed and shucked his clothes. “Better?”
She licked her lips. “Uh-huh.”
He got back on top of her, guiding her head back to the pillow. His core’s heat shot up as he enjoyed her body under his. They were face-to-face. With their height difference, the hard ridge of his cock pressed against her thighs. He could feel her sweet cream soaking his stomach. He pressed her mouth with his. She tasted marvelous. To him, nothing could be better than kissing the woman he loved. Jessie’s little moans pulled at his possessiveness. She was his. By God, he would prove that to her.
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “But what if all this is for naught? What if I can’t follow through for you, Jackson, and Phoenix? Am I making a mistake? You say you’ll protect my heart, but who will protect yours, Dallas?”