by Leah Brooke
She’d also been unwilling to let Erin know of her insecurities, especially since her sister had been suspicious of Boone and Chase, and convinced that a ménage marriage could never work.
So, she’d kept everything to herself.
The fear of one day losing them hung over her like a dark cloud, and she’d fought it by doing everything in her power to be the perfect wife and mother.
During her pregnancy, there’d been a scare and she thought she might lose the baby, and she’d been very much afraid that losing the baby would mean losing them as well.
As time went by, she’d once again started to feel comfortable in their relationship, but Mona’s words had brought all of the fears she tried to ignore bubbling to the surface.
The realization that she hadn’t gotten over her past hit her hard, and she needed time to come to grips with it while simultaneously fighting to keep her marriage intact.
She was scared to death of losing them—if not to Mona, then to someone who could be the kind of woman they needed.
A woman strong enough to do it all.
When the door to the bathroom opened and Chase appeared, she hurriedly wiped her face with the washcloth, not wanting him to know just how deeply Mona’s visit had shaken her. “Is Theresa still sleeping?”
His smile looked forced, his eyes searching hers. “Yes. I just checked on her. After all these sleepless nights, I think she’ll be sleeping for a while. You need to sleep, too. Want me to wash your back?”
Touched by the concern in his eyes, she forced a smile. “No, thank you. I don’t even want to move enough to sit up.”
With a tender smile, he made his way around the tub located in the middle of the large bathroom and knelt on the floor behind her. “You’re exhausted, baby. Why don’t you stop being so stubborn and let me take care of you for a while?”
A moan escaped at the heavenly feel of his warm, strong hands moving with expert precision over her neck and shoulders. “You and Boone always take care of me. Besides, you’ve got enough on your plate, and I don’t want to be any more of a burden to you than I already am. God, that feels good. How do you always know exactly where it hurts?”
He nuzzled her temple while his hands continued to work their magic on the knots. “Because I know you, Rachel. I know your body as intimately as I know my own.”
Pressing his lips to her neck, he slid his hands from her shoulders to her breasts, gently massaging. “I also know your moods enough to know that there’s more going on here than meets the eye.”
Stiffening, Rachel started to sit up, but Chase’s hands slid to her shoulders, firming as he began to massage again. “I’m just tired.”
No matter how tired she was, her body came alive under his hands, the feel of his large, warm palms moving firmly over her breasts igniting an answering fire in her pussy and clit.
Working the knots in her shoulders with a firm pressure that forced them to loosen, he kept her in place. His voice lowered almost to a whisper, but held an underlying steel as unmistakable as it was alarming. “That’s bullshit. It’s more than that. You don’t think we’re just going to let it go, do you? We’ve been a little too lenient with you—letting you get away with things that we shouldn’t have. It seems you’ve been hiding something—something that we’ve missed, and it pisses me off. If you were secure in what Boone and I feel for you, you wouldn’t be so upset about Mona. We’ve failed you somehow, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let you sweep this under the rug.”
Shocked, Rachel stiffened again, biting back a moan at the slide of his fingers over her nipples. “You and Bone haven’t done anything wrong! It’s me.” Blowing out a breath, she slumped again, her eyes on Boone as he came into the bathroom holding a glass of wine in one hand and the bottle in the other. “I’m being an idiot, but I can’t seem to help it.”
Wrapping his arms around her neck, Chase touched his lips to her ear, sending a thrill of sensation through her that beaded her nipples even tighter. “I don’t like knowing that there’s something between us that neither Boone nor I even recognized.” He cupped her jaw, tilting her head back against his shoulder as Boone moved closer and knelt next to the tub. “Talk to us. Ask us anything.”
His usually playful demeanor was conspicuously absent, and between the anger she heard in his voice, and Boone’s steady stare, she knew that neither one of them would be satisfied until they got some answers.
But first, she had a question of her own.
Deciding the conversation might be easier if she had some of the wine, she lifted a hand from under the thick bubbles and accepted the cold glass Boone held out to her. Taking a sip of the refreshing wine to swallow the lump in her throat, she found herself arching as his gaze raked over her breasts. “Where did you go for lunch?”
Sliding a hand under the surface of the water, Boone ran his hand over her belly. “Baby, did you forget about the meeting? Chase and I had lunch with Law, Zach, and their architect. We went to the new steak house in Tulsa because Zach wanted to try the food there.”
Watching her closely, he slid his hand higher to her breasts and down to her abdomen. “The plans for their new house are ready for us to begin construction, but in order for them to build it the way they want it, they also need to buy the adjoining property, and they’re having trouble negotiating with the owner. If she won’t sell, they’re going to have to completely redo their plans.”
Chase sighed. “The Madisons were there for a little while, but left to go help Marissa take care of Sammy. It seems that she’s as tired as you are, and I think they have a thing for her.”
Closing her hands over Chase’s forearms, she slumped against his shoulder and smiled at Boone, shifting restlessly when he didn’t smile back. “I knew as soon as she said to thank you for lunch at the new steak house that she really didn’t eat with you, but a part of me—”
“Is still insecure, and a little frightened?” Boone’s gaze sharpened as his hand continued to slide from her abdomen to just below her neck. “I was pretty sure that you knew how important you are to us and how much we love you.” His hand slid higher, lifting her chin and holding her gaze with his. “We didn’t have lunch with her. We didn’t even see her there, but she may have seen us. I don’t know, and I don’t care. You ready to talk about it?”
Taking another sip of wine, Rachel sighed in pleasure at the feel of their hands moving over her. “I don’t know what to say. It’s going to just sound stupid.”
She took another sip of wine, spreading her thighs as the tingling heat in her slit became stronger.
Boone poured more wine into her glass, the hand moving over her both comforting and arousing and sending her senses reeling. “Just talk and it’ll all come out. If something’s bothering you, it’s not stupid.”
Forcing a smile, she rested her hand on the side of the tub, staring at the glass as she ran a thumb up and down the stem. “I just let her get to me, Boone. I’m tired. It’s nothing that we have to talk about.”
Chase kissed her hair, his thumbs running up and down the back of her neck and loosening the tight knots there. “Talk.”
She took another sip of wine, feeling looser and looser by the minute. “Before, she was just some random woman. Now that I’ve met her, I can’t stop imagining you with her.”
She took another sip. She hadn’t been able to eat anything for lunch after Mona’s visit, and between being tired and having an empty stomach, the wine went to her head with a speed that surprised her.
Boone frowned. “I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry that she came here.” Taking her hand from the rim of the tub, he folded it in his. “But that’s not all of it.” He gave her a small smile of encouragement. “What’s wrong, baby?”
She took another sip and dropped her head back against the rim of the tub, closing her eyes. “I didn’t realize how scared I was of losing you, but I guess it’s inevitable.”
The hands massaging her shoulders stilled. “What the hell are you ta
lking about?”
Grimacing at the anger in Chase’s voice, she took another sip, not bothering to open her eyes. “You and Boone are so fantastic. Sexy. Built. Gentle and tough at the same time. You’re good husbands and fathers. I tried to be everything you deserve, but I fucked it all up, didn’t I?”
The wine made her head swim, and feel so relaxed that she took another sip. “This wine’s putting me to sleep. Are you two listening for Theresa?”
* * * *
Boone shared a look with Chase. “Yes. We’re listening for Theresa. Why do you think you fucked up, baby?” He kept his voice low and conversational, biting back his anger so he didn’t put her on the defensive.
It appeared the wine she’d had so far, combined with the days of little sleep, had loosened her tongue, something he hoped would help him get to the bottom of her insecurities.
“You told me before how she spent money.” Rachel took another sip of wine and then another. Frowning, she opened her eyes, glaring at the empty glass. “I’m still thirsty.” She looked at Chase. “I thought you were going to take a shower. I was hoping to get to see you naked. I hate that she saw you naked.”
Chase frowned. “I took one before I went for dinner. You can see me naked all you want later, and you’re the only woman who’s going to see me naked from now on.”
Boone grabbed the bottle again. “Here, baby. A little more.” Knowing that she would sleep well, he poured her another half-glass. He didn’t want her to get drunk, but he was anxious to hear the rest. Setting the bottle aside, he leisurely picked up the loofah she used and squirted some of her bodywash onto it, his cock stirring at the raspberry scent that he now associated with her. He began washing her with slow, leisurely strokes designed to keep her calm and relaxed.
The wine and hot bath seemed to be doing a good job, making her looser and more relaxed than he’d expected. “Baby, did you eat anything today?”
Frowning, she took another sip of wine. “No. Reese nagged me, but I was sick to my stomach after Mona came in. She had on those fancy clothes and looked at the merchandise as if it was junk! Bitch.”
Boone’s hand slid lower, his fingertips slowly caressing her mound. “Chase and I tried to ignore the fact that she was a snob about things, and yes, she spent a lot of money. What’s that got to do with us, baby? Neither Chase nor I give a damn how much you spend.”
Moaning when his fingers teased her folds, she didn’t object when he took the glass from her hand, which allowed her to hold onto the side of the tub. “I was always so afraid that you would compare me to her. That’s why I was so adamant about keeping the business. I want to support myself. I don’t ever want you to think that I married you for your money. You’re rich, you know?”
Boone blinked, lifting his gaze to Chase’s. Stunned by the revelation, he bit back his anger and continued to caress her, loving the feel of her soft skin and the way her eyes went slightly unfocused as her arousal built. “Yes, baby. I know. But, we didn’t think for one minute that you married us for the money.”
Giggling, she looked up at Chase over her shoulder. “I didn’t think I was ever going to get you to notice me.”
Chase smiled, sliding his hands from her shoulders to run the loofah lightly over her nipples. “Oh, we noticed you. You know that we were just afraid of getting close to another woman again. Mona really did a number on us.”
“I know.” Her eyes closed as she lifted up to him, trembling when Boone slid a finger between her folds. “That’s why I didn’t want to marry you when I found out I was pregnant. Well, I did want to marry you, but I knew how much you wanted a baby, especially after she had an abortion, and I didn’t want you to marry me just because of Theresa. Oh, God, that feels good. I wanted you to love me for me.”
Boone pressed a finger into her pussy, smiling when she bent her knees and spread them. “We did. We do.”
Lifting her arms to circle Chase’s neck, she moaned again, her tightly beaded nipples surrounded by scented bubbles making his mouth water. “And I wanted to be a good mom.”
Chase shared a look with Boone and focused his attention on her nipples, the light friction of the loofah on them making her shudder and cry out. “You are. You’re a wonderful—”
“And I wanted to prove it to you.” Her eyes flew open again, her gaze meeting Boone’s. “I wanted to be the best mom so you’d know that you made the right decision in marrying me. Sometimes, when I was really tired, I wanted to ask you to watch her so I could take a nap, but then I was afraid that you’d think I was a terrible mom, and you’d think I was like her.”
Shocked that she could ever think she was anything like Mona, Boone slid his finger free, straightening enough to bend over her. “Baby, we could never think—”
Rachel smiled tremulously. “I know that. Deep inside, I know that. Still, I feel guilty when I can’t do what I need to do. I feel like I’m dumping stuff on you after you’ve been working all day. You need to come home to relax.”
Her voice lowered, tears welling up in her eyes. “My dad always did.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Boone pulled her against him, meeting his brother’s look of shock. “But, baby, we’re Theresa’s fathers. We’d love to take care of her. Sometimes, we feel that you don’t trust us enough to take care of her the way you do.”
“But that’s not true!” Struggling to sit up straight, she pushed at his chest to look at his face. “Sometimes, I think you can do it better than I can. It scares me.”
Chase rubbed her back, bending to kiss her shoulder. “Honey, you’re her mother. No one can take care of her better than you can. You’re a great mother.”
To Boone’s alarm, Rachel began sobbing.
Holding onto him, she pressed her face against his shoulder. “But I’m so tired. We haven’t made love in days, and I know how much you like sex. It’s only a matter of time before you find someone else to give you everything you need.”
Her voice broke several times, and he had to listen closely so he didn’t miss anything.
Gripping the material of his T-shirt, she sniffed and slumped as if crying had taken the last of her energy. “I knew it was only a matter of time before it all caved in and I couldn’t do it anymore. I knew it was only a matter of time before I couldn’t be enough anymore. We haven’t had sex in days, Theresa’s sound asleep, and all I want to do is take a nap.”
Rachel yawned and leaned back, the sadness and defeat in her eyes ripping his heart out. “I wanted to be a superwoman.” Dropping her head back, she closed her eyes again, her words slurring. “Superwoman. That’s me. Christ, I’m so tired that I can’t even have sex with my husbands. I can’t watch my own daughter. I guess I’m not a superwoman at all, am I?”
Stunned, saddened, furious, Boone wrapped his arms around her and kissed her damp forehead. “You are to us. You’re everything we ever wanted in a woman—and more. I’m sorry that we made you feel you had to do everything. You don’t, you know. We can fix this. Now that we have everything out in the open, we’ll fix it.”
A shudder went through her, breaking his heart. “I love you. Both of you. So much. Don’t want to lose you.”
Chase grabbed a towel and nudged Boone aside to lift her from the tub. “That’s something that’ll never happen. You’ll never lose us.”
He wrapped the towel around her, and together, they dried her and tucked her into bed. “You’re stuck with us for life, baby. You’re the perfect wife, the perfect mother, and the perfect lover.”
Boone smoothed her hair back from her face, kissing her eyelids, which had already closed. “I love you more than my own life.”
Chase smiled and tucked the blanket around her shoulders before draping the damp towel over his arm. “Looks like the wine, warm bath, and sleepless nights finally caught up to her.”
Staring down at her, Boone nodded. “It also looks like there have to be some changes made around here. Rachel’s worn herself out by trying to do everything on her own.
She’s going to have to learn to accept help from us.”
Chase nodded. “I agree, but it’s not going to be as easy as it sounds.”
“Nothing worthwhile ever is.” Still frustrated, Boone sighed and turned to leave the room to check on their daughter. “I can’t believe she thinks she’s not enough for us. It pisses me off that Mona showed up and upset her, but if she didn’t—how long would it have been before we knew the truth?”
Chase scraped a hand over his face and headed back toward the bathroom. “Scary. I’m just glad we found out. Makes me wonder what else she’s hiding. Did you catch that reference to her dad?”
Shaken more than he wanted to admit, Boone paused at the bedroom doorway and turned. “Yeah. Her mom tried to do everything, too, and their dad still left them. I don’t like that she’s so insecure about how much we love her.” Blowing out a breath, he turned to look back at her, barely able to see her under the covers. “At least we know the problem. Now, we just have to fix it.”
Chase raised a brow. “Any suggestions? I think if she gets some time to relax, she’ll be better able to handle things.”
“I agree.” Grinning in anticipation, Boone glanced at his wife again. “It’s not going to be easy to get her to agree.”
Chuckling, Chase shook his head. “Yeah, but it’s going to be a lot of fun making her slow down. We can threaten to tie her to the bed if she gives us a hard time.”
Boone nodded and left the room, his mind spinning. He couldn’t believe that his wife would think for one minute that he’d find pleasure in another woman’s arms.
Once his wife rested, he would take great delight in showing her—once and for all—that she was the only woman for him.
Chapter Five
Rachel came awake with a start, her heart pounding furiously. Sitting up, she blinked several times, confused to find the room completely dark.
Theresa!
After untangling her legs from the covers, she leapt from the bed with a curse, trying to remember how the hell she’d gotten there.