by Avery Gale
They spent the rest of the evening enjoying the company of their friends and Collin was relieved to see Layla relax and enjoy herself. He and his brothers made a conscious effort to ensure that at least one of them was touching her at all times. As Doms, both he and Cash understood the importance of tactile bonding. He smiled to himself, because even though Clay swore he wasn’t a natural Dom, he certainly understood on a subconscious level how important it was that their woman was well grounded in their touch. The way she leaned into their touch and never moved away told Collin that she must have suffered a lot from her years of living alone. She always seemed reluctant to answer questions about her family, but they had found out that even though her family was in Houston, she’d rarely seen them.
He and his brothers had talked extensively about how anxious they were for Layla to meet their mother and fathers. It would be great for her to see how they’d been raised. Being able to see that relationships like what they were seeking with her are not only possible, but that they’d grown up with it would help with the doubts everyone expected her to experience. He was also anxious for her to meet Lainy, the youngest Red Cloud sibling who was planning to move home within the next month. All of her brothers were anxious to get their beautiful sister back under their protective wings.
Ilaina Red Cloud had become extremely successful as a model as she’d finished her college education and gotten her master’s degree in advertising and marketing. She’d never viewed modeling as a career, though. For her it had only been a way to make money for school. He was sure the photographers she’d worked with for the past couple of years were giving her the hard sell to stay, but so far it sounded as if she was holding her own. Lainy had always been particularly close to Cash, and Collin knew his older brother was particularly anxious for their little sister to make her way home. They’d already built her an entire suite of rooms as an addition to their family home. She’d have the equivalent of her own luxurious apartment but she’d still be close enough they could look after her without smothering her…hopefully.
Collin glanced toward the bar and immediately zeroed in on the shaggy-haired man standing at the end casually leaning with his back to the bar, elbows propped up. His pose was one of what could only be called “intentional nonchalance” and there was something familiar about him that Collin couldn’t place. Just as he was trying to puzzle it out he heard Cash’s quiet curse, “Fuck. Noah Drummond.” And just like that, all of Collin’s positive thoughts about how they’d paved the way for Lainy’s smooth return home dissipated into a mist of steam like a drop of water onto a hot skillet—unfortunately it was likely more of a premonition than a poetic observation.
Chapter 6
When Collin leaned toward Cash and asked, “When did he get home? And how long is he going to be here?” Cash had to work hard to not simply growl in response. None of them had ever known exactly what had gone down between their younger sister and the one man who had always seemed to be able to unsettle their normally unflappable sibling. But one thing was for sure, he was the kryptonite she continually tried to avoid.
Noah Drummond was a world-renowned photographer but Cash was sure there was something else going on with him, even though he wasn’t entirely sure how to explain why he felt it. Deciding to set aside his worries about that for now, he refocused his attention on Layla. The last thing he needed was for her to think he was distracted again. And while the situation with Drummond had what his SEAL team referred to as SNAFU (situation normal, all fucked up) written all over it, he would just have to remember to talk to Alex and Zach sometime this next week and find out if they knew exactly what had gone down between Lainy and Drummond several years earlier.
Alex must have followed his line of sight because he spoke quietly, his words directed at Cash and Collin. “He moved back permanently a few weeks ago, I’m surprised he’s flown under your radar this long. He’s already close to finishing his renovations of the old mill south of the tracks. It’s going to be a studio and gallery.” Cash knew his expression must have changed because Alex held up his hand to keep him from speaking. “I know you are worried about Ilaina, but she is a full-grown woman, and she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I also know that Noah has settled down a lot in the past few years as well.” Alex had paused and looked at each of them. “You can’t micromanage everything—take it from the king of micromanagement attempts. I’m not saying you shouldn’t ask questions and stay alert, because God knows Zach and I certainly wish we had done that with Jenna. I just want you to tread carefully because you are now dealing with two adults who have successfully traveled the world, so it’s doubtful either of them will be terribly receptive to you or your brothers’ interference.” Alex gave him a sympathetic look and even though he knew his friend was right, it was still going to be hard for Cash to step completely back.
Cash looked at Layla who was looking at him with worry in her eyes rather than the comfort and desire that had been there just a few moments ago. And when she leaned close and whispered, “Is everything alright? Do you need me to go so you can get back to work?” his decision was easy. He needed to focus on the treasure sitting next to him. She was his future and she deserved his undivided attention. Worrying about Ilaina was for another day.
“No, love. You need to stay right where you are and I need to stop worrying about things that I can’t change.” He brushed his finger over her soft cheek and then cupped the side of her face. Cash wanted to howl when she turned her face into his hand and kissed his palm.
“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I overheard your conversation and I think you’re an amazing man to be so concerned for your sister. I hope she knows how lucky she is to have you.” Layla’s words touched a part of his heart that at times he’d worried was going dormant. The things soldiers see in times of war change them in ways outsiders rarely grasp. But knowing that Layla saw through all the harsh realities of a retired SEAL to the man beneath warmed him as nothing else ever had.
He wasn’t sure he could answer around the lump that had formed in his throat so he just pulled her onto his lap and kissed her hoping that he could make her feel how much she’d touched him. Sweeping his tongue over her lips he captured the groan as she leaned closer, pressing her soft curves against his chest. Her nipples quickly peaked to sharp points and he could feel them pressing into his flesh through their clothing. When he finally withdrew his lips from hers he was pleased to see the desire had returned and was now laced with a lust that was unmistakable.
Feeling his hard cock pressed up against her ass was about more than he was going to be able to resist. He glanced at Collin hoping his brother would recognize his need and was pleased when he took one of Layla’s tiny hands in his and pulled her toward him. “Come to me, sweetness, big brother needs to share.” She quickly slid back onto her own chair and leaned in to kiss him. Cash laughed when Collin growled and picked her up and moved her skirt out of the way before he deposited her on his lap. “Oh no, I don’t think so. I want you right here where I can feel that sweet ass pressing against me. I want to feel the heat of your pussy through that thong you’re wearing. And I’ll be able to press my chest against your breasts and feel your nipples peak for me.”
Cash smiled at her shocked expression. “How do you know I’m wearing a thong?”
Collin leaned forward and whispered to her and Cash would have given anything to know what his brother had said that had caused her to gasp and blush so bright she nearly glowed in the dimly lit room. He didn’t have to wait long to figure it out though when she slowly parted her knees. Collin turned her slowly so that her back was to his chest and then used his own knees to push hers even further apart. Cash and Clay shifted in their chairs just enough to block the view of others at neighboring tables, there wasn’t any need to block anyone at their tables because most of the other women were or had been in similar positions during the evening.
* * * *
From the moment she’d walked
in the door, Layla had been completely overwhelmed by the Red Cloud brothers’ attention. It was as if someone had flipped a switch. They’d gone from casual to flaming overnight and she was still a bit confused by the whole thing. But she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth either. Having all their sexy attention focused on her was a gift indeed. She’d watched the interaction of their friends at the tables they’d all commandeered and enjoyed the easy camaraderie that seemed to prevail. Everything had been going fine until Cash had looked up at the bar and begun muttering about the guy standing off by himself. The man didn’t look much older than she was and his blond, golden surfer look was a sharp contrast to the three Red Cloud brothers currently surrounding her. The minute they’d started talking about the man she’d realized Cash’s concerns about the man were related to his younger sister, Lainy.
Each of the men had talked to her about their younger sister, but it had been easy to see that it was Cash who had the strongest relationship with the young woman. After they’d spoken about her, Layla had Googled the young woman and been completely stunned to learn that the model known simply as “Ilaina” was in fact Ilaina Red Cloud. And to know that the woman whose face had been on nearly every magazine cover in the world during the past couple of years was moving to Climax to establish her business. From what Layla had read, the young woman was quickly establishing herself as an advertising and marketing genius. And the fact that she had chosen to do most of her work away from the more traditional centers for those types of business was garnering her even more attention. In one interview she’d spoken bluntly about the politics of large city ad agencies and why she felt she would be able to provide her clients with much more personalized service if she wasn’t hindered by the social obligations that accompanied working for a larger agency.
Layla remembered thinking that every single quote in the interview was a well-choreographed public relations sound bite and she’d been impressed with the way Ilaina had managed the interview and the interviewer. Each time the man had tried to redirect the questions to her modeling career she had skillfully redirected him to her “passion” which was advertising. The only time that Ilaina had seemed to stumble was when she’d been asked why she’d never worked with a photographer named Noah Drummond.
When Cash had called the man at the bar by that name, Layla had begun listening more closely. She’d heard Alex Lamont’s words of caution and was even more curious now. Then it had occurred to her that Cash probably needed to get back to work so he’d have a chance to approach the young man. But, when she’d mentioned leaving so he could get back to work, Cash had seemed to snap out of whatever had derailed his attention. He’d made it clear he didn’t want her to leave with a kiss so smoldering she’d felt the beginning tingles of an orgasm from it alone. Sitting on his lap had been a mixed blessing because even though she enjoyed being that close, feeling his rock-hard length pressing against her pussy had made her want to rub her throbbing clit against the denim-covered cock pulsing against her bottom. She’d gone from wanting to leave so he could get back to work to a bone-deep desire to strip and drop her needy cunt right on top of his cock in a heartbeat.
When Collin had positioned her on his lap after telling her exactly how he planned to run his fingers over the wet lips of her labia and fuck her with his fingers right here at the table she’d felt her face heat and had been worried the blasted thing would actually start to glow it felt so hot. Then he’d pulled her back against his chest and parted her thighs with his own and slid his hands up under her skirt. She noticed the other women at their tables sitting in similar positions during the evening and was just now realizing why they’d suddenly gotten quiet for long minutes. Holy fucking moth balls in Memphis, if he’d just slide those fingers a little further forward… When she tried to shift her hips forward he spoke against her ear, “Hold still, sweetness. This is my show, you’ll get your release, but on my timetable, not yours. Now be a good girl and just lean back and let me play a bit.”
Feeling his fingers over the top her lacy thong had been enough to make her completely soak the lace with her cream, but when he pulled the lace aside and they were skin to skin, she barely contained her moan. Watching as Cash and Clay shifted to block the view of her spread legs from the tables surrounding theirs she realized just how incredible it could be having the three of them working together for her pleasure. She was starting to lose herself in the sensations when Collin asked, “Would you like to come, sweetheart?”
All she could do was pant out a quick, “Yes…please.”
“Because you have been such a good girl and you asked so sweetly, I’m going to give you exactly what your body yearns for.” When someone at the next table shouted a greeting to a friend walking by she was brought back to the reality of where they were and she started to struggle to sit up. Knowing she must look wanton she was suddenly self-conscious. “Stop. You are beautiful and you are doing exactly what pleases me. Look at Katarina—look carefully, sweetness. See how she is sitting? Where do you suppose Zach’s cock is at this very moment? I can tell you, it’s buried deep in his wife’s sheath. She doesn’t care who sees because her entire focus is on pleasing him.”
Layla knew she’d let out a small gasp, partly because she could clearly see that he was right, but also because watching the two lovers fuck right in front of their friends was about the hottest thing she’d ever seen. She hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud until he’d responded, “Yes, it is hot to watch, but while everyone at our table knows what they are doing, she’s being protected from the view of outsiders by Alex and Colt. You’ll soon learn that the Doms at The Club work together to ensure their women’s safety and pleasure. And even though Colt isn’t touching Kat directly, he’s contributing to her pleasure just the same.”
Layla felt herself begin to relax back against his chest once again. Now his words were even more intimate feeling because they were spoken against the sensitive spot just behind her ear. “See how she trusts her Doms? She knows without looking that they are protecting her even while they provide for her pleasure. See how the muscles in her arm are flexing in a rhythmic pattern? Those flexes are in time with her pussy’s contractions, she is milking Zach’s cock with a strength you can be sure is going to bring them both to a breath-stealing release. Watch and you’ll see the depth of their love for each other and their commitment to one another’s pleasure wash over their faces.”
Just as his words moved through her mind, Layla saw Kat’s head fall back against Zach’s shoulder and Alex leaned over and sealed his mouth over hers in what looked like a kiss but Layla knew was to capture Kat’s cries of release. Zach’s body went perfectly still and then his forearm tightened under Kat’s breasts and Layla was sure he’d found his own release buried in his wife’s softness. It was one of the most erotic things she’d ever witnessed, and for just a moment she was jealous of the love she saw shining in the eyes of all three of the Lamonts.
Layla lost herself in the feeling of Collin’s touch and when he began circling her aching clit she wanted to cry out with her need. “Relax for me, sweetheart. Let me take you there. Trust me to give you what your sweet body craves. Don’t come yet, hold it off for me. It’ll be sweeter, I promise you.”
She thought he’d lost his mind, how was she supposed to delay what felt like a wave of desire so deep it was threatening to pull her out to sea. She could only nod her head, because it was taking every bit of her concentration just to keep from crying out. When he pushed two fingers in deep she was grateful Clay had leaned over and taken her lips in a heated kiss because she’d lost the battle she’d been waging to keep quiet. He pumped his fingers in and out of her soaking heat and she hoped others at the table weren’t able to hear the sound of him fucking her with his fingers and just as she was starting to worry, Collin pinched her clit and whispered, “Come for me, sweetheart. Come all over my fingers, lose yourself in your pleasure. Clay will catch your cries and lock them in his heart.”
“Hang on, baby, we’re going to get you out of here before we all do something in front of half the town that will have all Mom’s Ladies Aid pals calling her first thing tomorrow morning. And while our mama is mighty open-minded, as you’d expect someone with three husbands would be, she wouldn’t be happy if we stripped you and took our pleasure for everyone to see.” He held her while Cash and Collin said their goodbyes and gave some of the staff last-minute instructions. She could feel Clay’s cock pressing against her lower back and just then did she realize that she’d been given two mind-blowing orgasms, but she hadn’t given them any way to take their own release.
Cash moved in front of her and lifted her chin with his fingers so that he was looking directly in her eyes. “Love, where are your keys? We’ll have one of the guys bring your car over after they close up here.” When she started to argue, he simply shook his head and continued, “You are in no condition to drive, love, and besides we want to have your softness pressed against us as we make our way home. Now, are your keys in your purse, beautiful?” She nodded and handed him her small bag. He opened the bag and smiled at her with a grin that made her instantly remember the last thing she’d added to her purse before walking out the door. “Nice to know we were all on the same page, love,” was all he said before removing her keys and then handing the small bag back to her.