by Leah Brooke
She couldn’t look at their hands without remembering just how good they felt on her body, or look at their lips without thinking about how good they felt on hers.
When Ryder came up behind her, bringing his arms around her as he set coffee and juice in front of her, she automatically leaned back against him, breathing in the clean, fresh scent of him as she pressed against the bulge at her back.
“Hmm, peaches and soft woman. You smell delicious.”
The kiss he placed on the top of her still damp hair did nothing to satisfy her.
“I was thinking the same thing about both of you. Danny used to wear a lot of cologne, so much it nearly gagged me.”
Realizing she’d once again brought up her old boyfriend, she snapped her mouth shut and waited, unable to deny the excitement racing through her at the thought of her erotic punishment. Ignoring the niggling voice inside her that said she’d done it on purpose, she looked from one to the other, lifting her chin belligerently, silently daring them to react.
Dillon clenched his jaw and said nothing, but she caught the look of dark intent in his eyes before he forcefully suppressed it and turned away.
Ryder looked like he was about to pounce, coiled tight, his body tense. With a promise of retribution in his eyes, he sighed and moved stiffly to the coffeepot to refill his cup.
“Finish your breakfast. I’m going to go ahead down to the shop. We’ve got a lot of work to do on your truck today.”
Thinking he’d decided to leave her punishment for Dillon, she watched him go out the door before turning to Dillon. Shifting restlessly under his knowing stare, she lowered her eyes.
“Sorry about that.”
Nodding once, Dillon finished his coffee and set the cup in the sink.
“No problem. Take your time with your breakfast.”
Watching him go out the door, she winced at the loud footsteps as he ran down the stairs, nothing at all like the gracefulness he normally exhibited.
Staring at the back door, she sighed and looked down at her now-cold food.
“What the hell did I do?”
* * * *
She used every opportunity during the day to brush up against them, flirt with them and basically make a nuisance of herself, determined to figure out what the hell had changed. Other than a quick brush of lips on the top of her head, a warm hand running over her back or shoulder, and vague smiles, she got no response at all from either of them.
Wondering if they’d tired of her, she sat in her office, staring out the door to catch a glimpse of them as they worked.
They couldn’t be tired of her. She’d never yet known a man who tired of sex. She’d been very careful not to treat what they had as a relationship, no matter how much they insisted that’s what they wanted.
She didn’t know what game they were playing, but she was determined to find out.
It took her a few minutes of throwing out ideas until one of them struck. A giggle escaped as she reached under her shirt and unhooked her bra, wondering why she’d decided to wear one today and, in a move that seemed to baffle men, worked it out of her sleeve.
They’d put a space heater in her office, which kept it several degrees warmer than the garage, but her nipples beaded anyway when she removed her cardigan. Looking around for an excuse to go out there, she jumped when the phone rang.
Lifting the receiver, she glanced toward the doorway, her breath catching when she saw Ryder leaning over the front of a car. Admiring his tight ass, she put the phone to her ear.
“Tanner and Hayes Garage. Can I help you?”
“Hi, Alison. This is Remington Ross. I don’t know if you remember me. We met in the diner.”
Alison gulped when Ryder straightened and looked her way, her nipples tingling under his blatant stare.
“Yes, Remington. I remember you.” She had a vague memory of being introduced to both him and his equally intimidating brother, but after being spanked and having a butt plug shoved up her ass, she didn’t even remember if they’d spoken to her.
Aware of Ryder’s eavesdropping, she leaned back in her chair and adopted the most seductive tone she could manage.
“What can I do for you?”
After a brief pause, he chuckled.
“Looking to get turned over someone’s knee, are you? Can I talk to Dillon?”
A little taken aback, Alison frowned. “Of course. Hold on just a minute and I’ll get him.”
Glad for the excuse, she went out into the garage, ignoring Ryder’s glare.
Spotting Dillon at the workbench, she approached him, eyeing the various little pieces spread out all over that he appeared to be in the process of cleaning and putting back together.
“Remington is on the phone for you. What’s that?”
“A carburetor. Don’t touch anything, or I’ll tan—” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Don’t touch anything.”
She barely felt the kiss on her forehead before he walked away, disappearing through her office door.
“Where’s your bra?”
Not at all surprised that he’d noticed, Alison turned to Ryder.
“It was starting to dig into me. Look.”
Raising her shirt to her chin, she lifted her breasts to show the faint marks the bra had left under them.
“See?”
Ryder reached for her, the flash of heat in his eyes making her pulse leap. Just as quickly, he dropped his hands, and his expression changed as though a shutter had come down over his features.
“Hmm, I’m going to have to get something for that. Let me call the drugstore and see what they recommend.”
She stared, openmouthed, as he pulled out his cell phone and started dialing.
“Ryder! I don’t need anything for—”
He held up a hand to cut her off and strode toward the bathroom, leaving her feeling like a fool and scrambling to cover herself. Still talking on the phone, he came back with a tube in his hand just as Dillon came back out of the office.
“Thanks. I’ll let you know if I need something else.” Ryder disconnected and went to the sink to wash his hands, looking up at Dillon. “What’s going on?”
Dillon eyed her warily, his gaze lingering on her nipples poking at the front of her turtleneck. “Rem needs some help with one of the tractors. What’s going on out here?”
“Ally has some redness from her bra. I’m gonna put some of this on it.”
“Let me see.” Dillon came forward and lifted her shirt. “Where?”
Shooting a glare at Ryder, Alison focused her flirting on Dillon. Lifting her breasts, she smiled coyly. “There. See?” She arched her back, lifting her breasts in invitation, her nipples tight and needy.
His eyes glittered with amusement as he reached out and ran a finger over the slight redness.
“I see. Ryder, you’d better get that on her. We’ll take her to the lingerie shop and let Erin give her some help picking out some bras that fit her while we head out to the Rosses’. Keep your breasts that way so Ryder can get the cream on real good.”
Ryder’s grin told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her, taking his time with smoothing on the cream on the underside of her breasts and making her nipples bead tight and become achy. Once he finished, he recapped the tube.
“There. All better. I’ll check later to see if you need any more.”
Feeling like an idiot, and furious that her efforts to seduce them had been unsuccessful, Alison lowered her top, mumbling her thanks before turning away and heading back toward her office.
“Son of a bitch. What the hell are they up to?”
Ryder’s deep voice held more than a hint of laughter as he yelled after her.
“Did you say something, darlin’?”
She didn’t even pause. “No.”
They wanted her. Even she could tell that, but for some reason, they’d decided to avoid her in any sexual way.
Well, she’d already decided to find out what it took to please a man. No
w, she had to figure out how to seduce two of them who seemed determined to resist her.
* * * *
“Are you sure this will work?”
Alison eyed the nightgown Erin held out to her dubiously. Instead of the silk and lace creation she’d expected, this pale blue gown screamed demure. Made of the softest cotton, it had thin straps that left her shoulders bare, about a six inch row of tiny pearl buttons at the neckline, and would fall just slightly past her knees.
Tiny white flowers imprinted sporadically all over the material and the pearl buttons were the only embellishments.
She would have called it a comfort gown, one of those nightgowns she slipped on when she didn’t feel well or had had a bad day.
Unable to resist caressing the soft material, Alison shrugged. “I love it, of course. It’s beautiful, but not exactly the seductive gown I was looking for. I want to get their attention.”
Erin’s smile screamed mischief.
“Honey, you already have their attention. If what you told me is true, it sounds like they’re trying to prove something. Believe me, if men in this town avoid sex, there’s a reason.”
Gathering the material against her, Alison eyed the flaming-red number with strategic cutouts hanging on a nearby rack.
“That doesn’t make any sense. Our relationship is just supposed to be sex. I have to leave at the end of the week, and chances are, when I do, I’m going to go to jail.”
Instead of the look of surprise Alison expected, Erin waved her hand, shaking her head. “Men are idiots sometimes. Look, Dillon and Ryder must have told you already that the attorney they hired has enough evidence gathered to prove you’re innocent of any wrongdoing. They have taped witness accounts and surveillance tapes, not to mention the one from the police car. Plus, they have a magnificent witness, who won’t be shaken a bit.”
Alison’s mouth dropped. “You? You’re going to the trial?”
Erin frowned. “Of course. A lot of us will be there. You’re one of us now, and I, for one, sure as hell don’t want to miss the show if that asshole decides to lie on the stand. I’m going to enjoy watching him make an ass of himself.”
Seeing a chair close by, Alison dropped into it, staring up at Erin, completely stunned.
“You’re going to be there?”
“Of course. You’ve turned white. Do you want a glass of water or something?”
“No. I can’t believe it. Are Dillon and Ryder planning to be there?”
“Of course.”
“And the attorney didn’t take this case pro bono?”
Erin grimaced. “Uh-oh. Look, please don’t tell Dillon and Ryder that I told you, but they’re paying the attorney. They were scared to death for you and wanted to make absolutely sure you had everything you needed to win.”
Dropping her head in her hands, Alison groaned. “No. It’s not supposed to be like this. I just came here because it got to be too unbearable to live there with the threats every day. His friends and family kept calling and leaving nasty notes, slashing my tires, knocking down my mailbox, rocks through my window, and telling me that if I testify against Danny, they’d make me pay. I knew I couldn’t live there anymore.”
Erin knelt beside her and slid a hand over her hair.
“That sounds awful. Nobody helped you?”
Lifting her head, Alison took a deep breath.
“They were afraid to. I don’t blame them. His family practically runs the town. He’s related to, or has slept with, most of the town. His family’s been there forever. Hell, he’s even distantly related to the judge. I can only imagine how many people he knows on the jury.”
Patting her hand, Erin stood.
“I’m sure it’ll be taken care of by the attorney. Stop worrying so much. It’s going to be a hell of a show. Now, did you tell me that what’s between you and your men is just sex?”
Blowing her bangs, Alison sat back in the chair.
“Yes. When I researched this town and learned about the women’s club, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. I could hide, and at the same time learn how to please a man so that the next one wouldn’t have any reason to cheat on me.”
The look of fury on Erin’s face made her feel better.
“Bastard. That doesn’t wash in Desire. It’s a sign of weakness that turns the town against the men, or women for that matter, who do it. I’ve heard of men who have been run out of town because they cheat. No one frequents their businesses, and people shun them on the street. It makes it almost impossible to live here. So, they leave. Dillon and Ryder aren’t like that.”
She frowned thoughtfully. “I can’t think of any man in town that would be like that, except maybe those two Sikes brothers who just moved in across town. They look like trouble to me.”
Shaking her head, she smiled. “They’re not my problem. I’m sure they’ll be dealt with if the need arises. Back to you. So, let me guess. Because you didn’t get the seminar you’d signed up for, Dillon and Ryder offered to help you?”
Alison’s face burned. “Something like that.”
“And you’ve told them it’s just sex?”
“Of course.”
“And what do they say about a future with you?”
“I keep telling them I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Ahhh. Wow, I’m good. Alison, Dillon and Ryder have to be frustrated if you refuse to talk about a future with them. I’ll bet this week’s till that they want to show you that there’s more between you than sex, and that’s why they want to avoid it. They want you to see that. Oh, men always think they’re so clever. Have they been cold to you?”
Alison thought back to all the hugs and light kisses, the arms around her and their solicitousness. “No. They’ve been very…affectionate.”
“See? I’m right. And how do you feel about them?”
Alison popped up from her chair and strode to the counter, dropping the nightgown on it and digging through her purse for her wallet.
“I can’t think about that.”
Moving to stand on the other side of the counter, Erin put her hand over hers, waiting until she looked up.
“You can’t not think about it, can you? Honey, I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to fall for these men. It’s not easy. No one ever promises easy. But, it’s real.”
Tears blurred Alison’s vision.
“It can’t work. It’s not possible.”
“Oh, honey.” Erin handed her a tissue and smiled. “Do you know I came to this town when my sister, Rachel, got pregnant. I thought for sure this town was only about sex and that my little sister would end up getting hurt. Boone and Chase put on a good show, but I knew if I stuck around long enough, they would slip up and Rachel would be hurt. I was all ready to whisk her away from here and start all over again.”
Alison no longer felt so stupid. “You told me that. It’s good to hear that someone else had the same doubts I do.”
Erin laughed. “Sure did. And I waited. And while I was waiting, I fell in love with three men who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Three! Every time I think about it, it scares me to death, but then as soon as I see one of them, I know I could never have made any other decision. Sometimes, I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, and they know it.”
Smiling serenely, she leaned forward. “They also know how much I love them. Dillon and Ryder need to hear that from you. Otherwise, they think they’re spitting in the wind. You tell them how you feel. Tell them how worried you are about the trial. Talk to them. Tell them how much you’re leaning on them to help you get through this. Believe me, there’s nothing the men of Desire love more than knowing they’re taking care of their women. You won’t believe how good it’ll make them feel to know you’re counting on them.”
Taking out her wallet, Alison looked up and smiled.
“It’s been my experience that the opposite is true. You start counting on a man and they run the other way.”
Ringing u
p the sale, Erin grinned.
“You’re absolutely right about that. I always felt the same way. The men who live in Desire, though, are a breed all their own.”
* * * *
Alison used the time walking back to the apartment to think about all that Erin had said. Surprised at the number of people who waved to her, she couldn’t help but wonder how many of them would be coming to the trial on Friday to listen to the gory details of a relationship that had gone bad.
She’d lived in a small town her entire life, a place where everyone knew everyone else’s business, but she’d always known everyone else. To think that strangers would know such intimate things about her and would be witnesses to Danny’s garbage made her decidedly uncomfortable.
She’d just turned the last corner when her cell phone rang. Holding her breath, she looked at the display, frowning at the unfamiliar number, until she saw the name.
With a smile, she answered.
“Hi, Ryder. Did you get the tractor working?”
“Almost. I’m gonna come pick you up and drive you back to the apartment. Are you almost done?”
“I already left. I’m walking back.”
“What? Why are you walking? Didn’t you realize one of us—forget it. Where are you? I’ll come and get you. Damn it, is your hip okay? Does your back hurt? Are you supposed to be walking that far?”
Surprised at his tone, she slowed her steps. “I’m fine, Ryder. I’m supposed to walk, remember? And it’s not that far. Erin offered me a ride, but it’s such a nice day, I wanted to walk back.”
His voice lowered, taking on an intimacy that made her heart race.
“Did you buy some new bras?”
Alison winced. She hadn’t and that’s why she’d gone to the lingerie store in the first place. Caught up in her discussion with Erin, she’d forgotten all about them. Not that she really needed them, but after the excuse she’d used earlier, she hadn’t figured out how to get out of buying new ones.
“Of course.” The lie tasted bitter in her mouth. She had no use for them, but figured this one wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“What color?”
Alison came to a halt, looking down the street toward the garage. “What?”