by Chloe Lang
“Ahh! Fuuck!”
She could feel his dick pulsing inside her, and she trembled. Her climax continued with hot waves of pleasure.
Slowly, her release settled back, and her breathing eased up. Dallas pulled her up, placing her back to his chest. She turned her face toward him and pressed his lips lightly to hers. “What state, love?”
“Green, Sir. Only green.”
* * * *
Upon entering Norma’s Cafe, Dallas spotted all but one of his brothers in the booth farthest from the glass door. Though customers sat at several tables in the place, his brothers had wisely chosen the most vacant part of the cafe. Only one other table back there had customers, and that was out of earshot.
Dallas beelined it for his brothers.
“Hey, Dallas.” Luke Bronte worked at the front gate at his family’s mine. “How’s it going? Haven’t seen you at the site in a long time.”
“Going great. Denver’s mare delivered a pretty little foal the other night. The vet’s meds worked this time, and she was able to carry her baby full-term.”
“That’s great. You should drop by the mine. The guys love seeing you there. Your dads, too.”
Dallas was the only one of his brothers to never have worked at the mine. “You know me, Luke. I’m happy to let Austin run the mine.”
Luke laughed. “Well, dropping in doesn’t mean you have to apply for a job.”
“That’s true. I’ll try. See you later.”
Dallas’s passion had always been animals, even when he was really young. The dads had relented under pressure of his mom to let him forgo crawling down the mine and keep working on the ranch.
Three of his cousins sat at the counter. Tobias waved at him, while the twins, Dax and Drake, continued eating their breakfast.
Dallas waved back, but didn’t walk over. He needed to talk to his brothers about what he’d shared with Jessie.
When Dallas got to their booth, he slid in next to Denver. Jackson and Denver sat across from each other, drinking coffee. Phoenix sat across from Denver with his morning Dr. Pepper in front of him.
Jackson spoke first. “Where’s Jessie?”
“At The Cactus, lil’ bro. Brought her to town early this morning. She wanted a bath. You know I only have a shower.”
“And you left her alone, knowing someone’s out to get her?” Phoenix snapped.
“She’s fine. Aunt Maude is at the desk and promised to call me if anyone, no matter who it is, came into the hotel. No one should be coming in until later, so I’ve got about ten minutes before I need to be back.”
Denver ate a piece of bacon. “So what’s the emergency you called us about, Dallas?”
“I told Jessie the truth.”
Phoenix slammed the table. “Damn it. I knew you were going to do that.”
“I’m glad he did.” Jackson nodded. “With all the cards on the table, she’s bound to warm up to the idea.”
“There’s more.” Dallas looked at Phoenix. “She was freaked when we left Austin’s tree and realized she wasn’t with you. She screamed her safe word before I could even get her in my house.”
Denver whipped his head around. “Not good, bro.”
“I know.”
“Damn.” Phoenix closed his eyes. “I should’ve known not to push her so hard.”
“It wasn’t you. I was the one doing the pushing. I thought I was a big bad Dom. Turns out I’m a fuckup. It won’t happen again. We even did a little light round at my place, and I kept checking in with her almost minute by minute to make sure I wasn’t pushing too hard.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Denver picked up another piece of bacon from his plate. “You’ve only been at this domination business for a year. I know you’ve got good instincts. I’ve seen you in action at the club.”
“Normally, I do. Yes. But with Jessie, all bets are off. I was able to calm her down after I ’fessed up. Though floored by the idea, she eventually seemed a bit intrigued. I’m telling you, we’ve got to go slow with her or we will lose her.”
“Losing her is not an option,” Jackson growled.
“I agree. She’s the only woman for me.”
Phoenix smiled. “Dallas, you’re lost to her, just like Jackson and me?”
“Yes, I am.”
Denver finished off his last piece of bacon and then asked calmly, “How did she react to the truth about our family?”
“Actually, I didn’t tell her everything. You might even say I misled her.”
Jackson frowned. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
“Didn’t feel right either, lil’ bro. I feel really guilty about it.”
Phoenix asked, “So what did you tell her?”
“That you, Jackson, and I were looking for a wife.”
“That’s true though, bro.” Denver sipped his coffee.
“Yes, but I didn’t say a word about you or that we were trying to get her ready for Austin. She knows nothing about the requirement about inheriting the mine. I also didn’t tell her that we’d learned that her brakes had been cut.”
Samantha walked over with a pot of coffee. “You cowboys need a warm-up?”
“I’m fine, Sam.” Denver covered his cup with his hand.
Jackson shook his head. “Me, too.”
The saucy girl pursed her lips. “What about you, Phoenix? More soda?”
“I’m good.”
She asked, “Dallas, you need a menu?”
“No. I know what I want. I’d like two sausage, egg, and cheese burritos and two OJs to go.”
Samantha put her hand on her hip. “Well, I’m so thrilled to know that.”
“Know what?” Dallas asked.
“The Wilde brothers have finally found their future wife.” The nineteen-year-old smiled broadly. “I’m so happy for you.”
Denver glared at her. “Samantha, don’t bullshit us. What do you know?”
“Mmm. Putting on the Dom here at my mom’s. Boy, I’d love to play sub to you, Denver Wilde.”
Denver’s eyes narrowed. “I. Said. What. Do. You. Know?”
Samantha trembled, and the pot of coffee shook in her hand. “Okay. Okay. Don’t get mad. It’s not what I know—it’s what the whole town knows. You guys having been spending a lot of time with Ms. Greene. Well, all but Austin.”
“Fuck.” Jackson gripped his fork like a weapon.
“I’m sorry, guys.” Samantha shook her head. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I really am happy for you and hope it works out.”
“Seriously?” Phoenix asked. “You expect Jackson and me to believe that?”
Dallas recalled how nervous and uneasy a few years ago his two younger brothers had been around Samantha. Even underage, she’d tried to get them to go to bed with her. It never would’ve happened. His brothers weren’t that stupid. It took Dallas and Denver talking with Norma, her mother, to get Samantha to finally back off.
“I’m not that little girl anymore, Phoenix. Call it a crush. I’m grown up now. I’ve changed. I wish you could see that.”
Norma walked up next to Samantha. “Hey, boys. You’re enjoying your breakfast?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they all answered in unison.
“I’m glad. How’s your mom?”
Denver answered, “She’s great.”
“That’s wonderful. Well, I hope you don’t mind, but I need Samantha to fix the computer. She’s such a wiz at it. We even use it for our phone, now. What’s it called, kiddo?”
“Skype.”
“That’s it. Now, get back there and fix our computer so that the orders don’t back up. I’ll take care of these boys.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Samantha shrugged then headed back to the diner’s kitchen.
When she was out of earshot, Norma leaned down. “Guys, your new girl needs some friends in Wilde. Samantha is a good girl and would be able to help her navigate our crazy town.”
“I guess everyone does know our business.” Jackson shook his head.
“P
retty much. But Ms. Greene needs some friends in Wilde. Everyone isn’t really thrilled for the real reason she’s here in town.”
“Like who?” Dallas asked.
“I don’t know. Almost everyone. Even your brother Austin. If she shuts the mine down nobody gets paid. That doesn’t set well with folks.”
“She’ll do the right thing. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“I know you don’t. Just don’t be quick to push someone away like Samantha who could actually befriend your new woman.”
After Norma left, Dallas said, “We’re fucked. How the hell can we protect Jessie when nearly everyone is gunning for her? Who could’ve been behind cutting her brake lines?”
Jackson answered, “Our eldest brother, for one.”
“So you and Phoenix found something out?” Denver asked.
Jackson nodded.
“We did.” Phoenix shook his head. “When Selby left for lunch, I took a look at Austin’s calendar. He’s met with our local bank president, Malcolm Winters, several times in the past week.”
“Strange, but it could be mine business.”
Phoenix shook his head. “You think our parents would ever go to Malcolm for even one penny? You know the dads don’t trust him.”
“No, I guess not.”
“When I asked Malcolm to tell me about what Austin and he were meeting about, he got really cagey.” Jackson’s frustration over what he’d learned showed on his face. “Told me to ask Austin about it.”
“Fuck.” Denver closed his eyes.
“What did you find out about Jessie’s car?”
“Nothing. But someone sent this confidential Wilde Mine memo to my PO box.” Denver pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. Unfolding it, he passed it to Dallas.
Dallas couldn’t believe his eyes. The memo was signed by Austin instructing the supervisors to fudge the numbers they reported. Dallas wasn’t familiar with any items mentioned, but it was clear that his eldest brother wanted to limit purchasing new safety equipment in the mine to below required standards to save money.
He passed it to Phoenix. Phoenix read it then handed it over to Jackson.
When Jackson finished reading it, Denver took it back.
They all sat there for a few minutes, trying to process what they’d learned.
Denver spoke up. “This doesn’t mean Austin’s gunning for Jessie. It only means he’s trying to impress the dads. They’ve left him in charge of the mine for the past several months. This isn’t the first time. I think it’s their way of trying to keep him in the fold. We all know he plans on leaving someday.”
“I promise you one thing, Denver.” Jackson spoke through gritted teeth. “If Austin does turn out to be the one who is responsible for Jessie’s brakes being cut, he’s going to learn that his little brother has a whole bunch of hell to deliver to him.”
Dallas added, “And I’ll be right beside you, lil’ bro.”
Phoenix nodded. “Me, too.”
“Let’s not jump the gun here. We need more facts.” Denver’s quiet logic had always impressed Dallas. Normally, Denver could calm any of his brothers down whenever one or more of them flew off the handle. Not this time. Not with Jessie in danger.
Dallas tasted the rage on his lips. “Then let’s get the facts. I say we confront our brother.”
“Won’t work, bro. You know him.” Denver’s tone was so even. “Let me keep working on trying to find out who could’ve cut her brakes. Phoenix, you get closer to Selby.”
“I can do that.”
“Great, I think Selby is sweet on you. Shouldn’t be too hard. Find out what you can about Austin.”
“I’m on it.”
Denver continued, “Jackson, you work the Malcolm angle. You’re a lawyer. Scare the hell out of the prick.”
“Gladly. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll pound his head into the ground until he talks.”
“That’s my lil’ bro.” Denver laughed. “Dallas, you’re still up to bat to make sure Jessie stays safe.”
“Happy to do it.” He vowed that not a hair on her head would be harmed.
“Guys, don’t you think it would be best to not share more with Jessie until we know who’s behind this?”
Phoenix and Jackson nodded.
Until Dallas and his brothers knew who wanted Jessie out of the picture, he would keep the full truth from Jessie, even though he hated it.
* * * *
Dallas walked through the door of the Hotel Cactus and entered its lobby.
Aunt Maude looked up and put down the phone’s receiver she was holding. “I was just about to call you.” She shook her head as if she’d just seen the Devil himself.
“What’s wrong?”
Just then, Jessie rushed down the stairs. Her makeup had run down her face. She must’ve been crying.
The moment their eyes locked, she yelled, “You! Liar!”
“That’s what’s wrong, nephew. Someone called her and told her about your family. The whole thing.”
“Who the hell would do that?”
“Don’t know. She just rang me from her room and asked me if it was true. I had to tell her. She deserved to know.”
Fuck!
“You’re an asshole, Dallas. All you Wilde brothers are assholes. Were all of you in on this? Even Austin?”
“No. He didn’t know.”
His aunt shook her head. “Let me give you two some space.”
“Please, Maude. Stay. Everyone else in Wilde seems to know what’s going on in my bed.”
“No, hon. Not everybody. If you need me, I’ll be in the back.” Maude walked through the door behind the hotel’s reception desk.
Jessie glared at him. “Go figure. The brother I’ve not slept with nor have any intention of ever sleeping with is the only honest one of the bunch.”
“He called you?”
“No. I don’t know who the man was that called me. Doesn’t matter. Austin has made it really clear how he feels about me. I’m a professional nuisance to him. That’s all. At least he’s been honest.”
“Please, you don’t understand.”
“I understand plenty. I might’ve been duped into trusting you, and when you did finally throw me over to Denver, I might’ve fallen for it. If three, why not four. But Austin is a man I would never go for. Ever.”
“You don’t know that, love.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“All right. Whatever you say. Let’s go to your room and talk about it.”
“Alaska. That mean anything to you, cowboy? Let me say it again in case you didn’t hear. Alaska.”
He hated that she was using her safe word against him like a weapon. “It doesn’t quite work that way, Jessie.”
“It does now. You didn’t protect my heart, cowboy. You broke it.”
Knowing his deception had crushed her flat felt like being thrown down an elevator shaft. She just had to give him a chance to fix everything. “Jessie, there’s more to this than you know.”
“I know plenty. Besides, you’re good at holding important facts back from me. How can I ever trust you not to do it again? Right. I can’t.”
“What can I do?”
“You’ve done enough. I’m in town for at least another two weeks. I’d appreciate it if you left me the hell alone. Tell your other brothers in on this deception to do the same.” She turned and headed up the stairs, not looking back.
His half truths and omissions had pushed the woman of his dreams out of his reach.
Fuck!
Chapter Five
Jessie looked at her cell. No calls. She’d left several messages for Michael, but he hadn’t called back. She needed someone to talk to, and he was the only one she could trust. It had been twelve hours since she’d left her room and told Dallas to shove off. A few hours later, the three liars had shown up at her door and pounded like maniacs. She’d called the front desk and talked to Maude. Jessie heard her in the hallway, telling them to get lost or
she would call the sheriff. Their aunt then told them something about screwing up their chance. Then nothing. Not a knock or phone call.
Sure, it made sense that they hadn’t told her immediately about their family’s odd arrangement and that they were interested in making her the shared bride. But when exactly were they going to drop the bomb? And what about Austin? There was no way she could go there. Not with him.
She needed a distraction to take her mind off of her aching heart. After reading fifty e-mails from DC, she shut her laptop. She thought about going to the Horseshoe, but that would only remind her of her first night with the Wilde brothers. She didn’t have an appetite, so Norma’s was out. What about the local casino? That might do the trick. She dressed and headed down the stairs. A few hands of blackjack and some free drinks would suit her just fine.
When she got to the lobby, her heart sunk.
Damn it.
Dallas stood by the front desk like some kind of sentry. “Jessie, talk to me.”
“I’ve already said what I wanted to say.” She headed for the door, glaring at him to dare try to stop her.
“Where are you going?” He stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
“None of your business, cowboy. Get out of my way, please.”
Disappointment filled his eyes. “There’s something you need to know.”
“Really? More lies.”
“No.” His stare was intense and repentant. “I’m done lying to you.”
She believed him, but it wasn’t enough to soften her heart. “Good for you, but it’s too late.” Even with the dose of anger that pulsed hot inside Jessie, she couldn’t believe her time with the brothers was over. But it had to be. She couldn’t give them any more chances even as much as she really wanted to.
“I deserve that.”
“That and more.”
“I agree. Anyway, you remember the day your brakes went out on Suicide Hill?”
“Of course.”
“Someone cut your brake lines. It wasn’t an accident.”
Her jaw dropped. “How do you know that?”
“We took your rental to a mechanic. It was obvious.”
Her heart raced and fear revved up her pulse. “Who would want to do that?”