by Reece Butler
“You think Katie wants to submit to Sam and Trey?” asked Simon.
“Yes, though she doesn’t know it yet.” Beth tossed her fan, which disappeared. “You might want to be at the Roadhouse this evening.”
“Why?”
“Remember Marci’s bright green dress?”
He sat up. “The tight one she says she’s too old to wear?”
“Katie’s putting it on as we speak. Lila and Jane are bringing her to karaoke night.”
“Marci said Katie can really sing.”
“She can. I’m sure all the cousins, aunts, and uncles will enjoy it.” Beth reached out and suddenly held a parasol. She rested it on her shoulder and twirled it, simpering. “By the time Sam and Trey arrive Katie will be having a fine time dancing with every hunky cowboy in the room. Say hello to Marci for me.”
“What about—” Beth winked and disappeared. “Damn! I wish she wouldn’t do that!”
Simon found Marci in the kitchen with Lance. She was bent over, taking biscuits from the ancient black stove. He joined his twin in admiring the sight of her bottom, telling himself he didn’t want to distract her in case she startled and burned her fingers.
“Beth just stopped by,” he said when Marci straightened. “She thinks Katie will be good for the Elliott brothers. And she says hello.”
Marci set the pan of biscuits on a cooling rack on the counter. She slowly turned to face Simon.
“Is that all Beth said? Nothing about bringing Katie here?”
“She says Lila and Jane are bringing Katie to the Roadhouse tonight. Katie’s wearing your green dress. Beth said something about all the cousins dancing with her before Sam and Trey show up.”
“I remember that dress,” said Lance. He flicked his eyes over their wife. “I didn’t give you permission to pass it on.”
“Too late,” said Marci, taunting him. “Considering how it must stretch to cover Katie’s chest, I’d say the cousins will enjoy this evening.”
Lance moved closer to Marci. She inhaled a gasp when his hand slid over her flank. He patted her lightly, his intention plain.
“I intend to enjoy this evening as well, Mrs. MacDougal. Put on your new dress. Nothing but boots below your waist.”
Chapter 13
Sam pulled into the yard, strangely disappointed Katie wasn’t on the porch to greet them. He’d had a few fantasies during the silent drive home. His favorite had Katie wearing nothing but black stilettos, a bowtie, and a smile. And she was looking at him, not Trey.
“Let me handle this,” said Trey.
He was out of the truck, heading full speed for the kitchen before Sam killed the engine. They’d been coming home to an empty house for years. How could a woman sharing the ranch for one day change everything? What didn’t change was the work. There was always more than they had time to complete. He heaved himself out of the truck and was halfway to the barn when he heard a roar. Troy stood on the porch in sock feet, rattling a paper over his head.
“She’s gone!”
Sam’s heart fell into his gut. Katie couldn’t be gone! He ran to the porch and snatched the paper out of Trey’s hand.
Gone out. Back before breakfast.
It took a few seconds for the words to sink in. He slumped, his lungs emptying. A moment later fury hit. He grabbed Trey by the front of his shirt and slammed him against the wall. It shook the windows.
“She’s not gone, you idiot! She’s gone out!”
He ducked a punch in return and released Trey, who cleared his throat, adjusting his collar.
“So,” said Trey smugly, “big brother’s more interested in the lady than he pretended.” He tilted his head, hand cupped behind his ear. “Do I hear wedding bells?”
“Shut up and get your boots on. We’ve got chores to do.”
Sam crumpled the paper as he turned away. He tossed it at Trey. The sun burned his eyes as he walked to the barn. He waited until he got into the welcoming dark before brushing at the wetness with his forearm. He exhaled heavily, set both hands on an empty stall and leaned over, dropping his head like an exhausted horse.
He had to get Katie Winterbourne out of his system. She was a danger to his concentration, and more. The scrape of a boot had him straightening. He grabbed a rake, keeping his back to his brother as he worked. Trey’s cheerful whistling had him grinding his teeth.
“Say what you have to and shut up,” he finally said to Trey between clenched teeth.
“Ain’t got nothin’ to say, big brother. Figure you do, though.”
Sam set the rake down before he smashed it against his brother’s smirk.
“I thought she might have hitchhiked somewhere to look for a better paying job,” said Sam.
“Bullshit. You thought Katie left us and you freaked. You don’t want to admit you want her for more than your bed. Or her bed, since she has the California king.”
They stared at each other. He didn’t like Trey’s look of disgust and disappointment. For so many years he’d pushed away memories of when they were kids. Somehow having Katie around had jolted some loose.
Trey had tried so hard to keep up with him. Even when pint-sized, Trey was always getting into things. He was such a fun-loving kid that, unless it was something important safety-wise, their dads would grin and just give him a swat, or a noogie to the head. They’d always had a dog or two around to help them get in trouble.
“When was the last time we had a dog?” he asked.
“Where the hell did that come from?”
“Will you just answer the damn question?”
Trey crossed his arms and leaned back on his heels to lecture.
“Dad and Mom were talking about getting a puppy for Blue Two to start training when Dad was killed. That put the kibosh on it. Blue died after mom moved out. You refused to let me get another. You said a puppy would be dangerous as it would be underfoot."
Trey looked away for a moment, then swung back.
“I hated you for that. There was nothing for me on the ranch except work and your sour face. That’s why I took off so much. I had to be with people who wanted to live. You acted like you already had one foot in the grave.”
Sam grimaced. He couldn’t remember anything for months before his mother moved out. The months after were a blur as well. Having her leave like that, abandoning him as both fathers had done, took a lot to get over. He and his mom had finally come together one night when they got a phone call. Someone had seen Trey’s truck heading out of town just before they heard a crash. Shortly after a fireball had erupted. They’d rushed to the scene, terrified he was dead. Turned out Trey came along right after the crash and got everyone out before the gas tank exploded.
He’d been so messed up he’d had to think his brother was dead before he’d accept his mother’s hugs. They’d hugged a lot that night. And shed a few tears, and hugged again.
“The grief counselor said you decided not to care about anyone or anything but the ranch so you wouldn’t be hurt again.” Trey narrowed his eyes at Sam. “From what just happened, it looks like you care about someone else now.”
Sam was still thinking about that night. How good it felt to hold his mother and brother. He’d carried Katie yesterday, twice. She’d felt even better.
“I care about her,” Sam acknowledged reluctantly. “Damn woman needs a minder to keep her out of trouble.”
“You might be ready for a dog, but not a wife.” Trey’s expression warned Sam he was working up to something. “A dog will adore you no matter how you treat it. It will learn to obey, and won’t talk back.” Trey nodded knowingly. “Yep. You might just have worked your way all the way up to caring for a dog.” He snorted a laugh. “Thing is, Katie’s human, and she’s not going to take your bullshit lying down.” He grinned wickedly, eyes twinkling in the way that had gotten him out of too much trouble over the years. “I bet I can convince her to take my kisses lying down.” He winked, pushing it as usual. “And want my mouth on her other lips. Again.”<
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Yeah, Sam wanted to sink into her heat. But even more he wanted to see her mouth open in a silent scream, her skin flushing as he gave her a third orgasm.
His cock throbbed, demanding action. He gritted his teeth, forcing his libido back by will alone. Where was that place of calm safety where he was in control? A safe, unending, monotonous, gray fog without flashes of red hair, blue-green eyes, or enticing pink flesh? He’d been enveloped in that fog for over a decade, feeling safe because he was in control and nothing affected him.
Then Katie hauled off her jacket at the Roadhouse and blasted his protection away.
His precious control had not stopped his mother’s injury. No matter what he did, he could not protect everyone. Katie’s shot to his nose proved he couldn’t even protect himself all the time.
He’d believed an illusion, that his family was safe if he kept his emotions under tight control. By doing that he’d shut down and shoved away the people he loved. He exhaled, absently rubbing the aching left side of his ribs with his knuckles. The sharp pain was caused by caring for a woman he thought had walked out on him. Hell, he knew she was leaving in a few days anyway, so why did it hurt so much?
That was easy to answer. Just knowing she was on the ranch, singing as she worked, made him feel good. He could say he just wanted Katie as a housekeeper and bedmate, but it would be a lie. Trey shifted his feet, drawing Sam’s attention. The smirk was gone.
“Reality hurts like a son of a bitch, don’t it, big brother?”
Sam grunted his agreement.
“So, you want to be a kid and get a puppy? Or are you going to be a man like me and go after our woman?”
“I want Katie.”
“For how long?”
Sam grimaced. “I don’t know. Depends on what she wants.”
“I want her to stick around for a while. A long, long while.”
“Why?”
“As soon as I opened the door I knew something was wrong. The place felt…empty.”
“It’s been empty since Mom left.”
Trey moved his head side to side in thoughtful denial. “This felt different. Wrong.”
“Any ideas where she went?”
“I bet she’s visiting with Lila or Jane. They could be helping her get all spiffed up for tonight.” He scowled. “Damn. I wanted Katie on my arm when we walked in. Get the cousins all jealous when we do some boot scooting.”
Sam wanted to do more than dance with Katie. His eager cock agreed.
“We’d better get cleaned up or we’ll be the last ones there,” said Trey.
“There’s lots of time. Both Lila and Jane have to serve supper before they go out. Katie won’t get there before the singing starts.”
“How do you know that?” demanded Trey. “Katie left our supper on the table, and she has to eat somewhere.”
“On the table?” Sam frowned. “Don’t you mean on the stove?”
“Nope. She left one of those cans of stew you bought, along with the opener. I got the message, loud and clear.”
Sam waited, but Trey didn’t continue. He sighed, taking the bait. “And the message is?”
“Katie’s here to work,” said Trey. “Not to be stepped on.”
“Right now, I don’t much care what Katie does in the kitchen.”
“I do, especially if she does it in nothing but an apron. That kitchen table is a perfect height.” Trey smoothed an imaginary moustache. “I intend to show her my appreciation. All night long.”
Chapter 14
Lila hit a pothole, making Katie’s chest bounce. She looked down. The girls were still contained in Marci’s dress, though barely. She’d never, ever, worn anything so tight, short, or revealing.
“I can’t wear this dress,” she said. “I’m going to fall out!”
“No, you won’t,” said Jane calmly. “That’s an expensive dress with amazing engineering built into the bra. It’s designed to keep men hoping but getting nothing but a tease.”
“It wasn’t engineered for someone my size.”
“All the better.” Jane winked.
Katie changed tactics. “Isn’t it a bit old fashioned?” She knew it was a lame argument but was getting desperate.
“Sexy never goes out of style,” said Lila with total confidence.
Maybe if Katie was over six foot tall in cowboy boots and had lived all her life with a loving family she would have Lila’s confidence. However, she was a short, shy stranger who hadn’t realized what the dress did to her until too late.
“It’s a Marilyn Monroe type of dress,” added Jane. “Vintage.”
“You’re going to have them all drooling,” replied Lila. “No, we are. Look at our cleavage!”
Lila shook her shoulders, making her assets wobble. Jane was also showing a lot of flesh. Both women wore knee-length, feminine dresses. Since they’d all dressed in the same room Katie knew they wore nothing underneath their dresses but a plunging bra, garter belt, stockings, and boots. Lila had tossed off a comment about their men insisting no panties be worn.
Katie wasn’t naked underneath her dress, though it was close. Lila had insisted a panty line would destroy the effect so Katie wore only a thong. Her feet were bare in her three-inch heels. She’d never felt so wicked, or alive.
“I love having Riley and Travis walk into walls when they see me dressed like this,” said Jane with satisfaction. “Once I got over morning sickness my breasts really expanded. Having been forced to diet most of my life, I’m enjoying my new shape.” She smirked. “And so are my husbands.”
“Good thing none of our men saw us before we ducked out,” said Lila. “They’ll each think we’re eating at the others’ place,” she explained to Katie. “We rarely go out for supper.”
“I’m looking forward to tonight, though we’ll pay for it later,” said Jane. She looked more eager than worried.
“I won’t mind being punished for this,” said Lila. “Jet and Houston will be so horny they won’t last long. They’ll remind me why I’m allowing them to marry me.”
Katie had squirmed whenever she read one of those punishment scenes in Marci’s books. The squirming had led to damp panties. Her thong wasn’t doing anything to protect her. Instead, the fabric rubbing on her clit made her even more horny.
“I can’t wait!” said Lila, turning to her with a wide grin. “It’s been a while since Jet got out the cuffs and floggers.” She winked. “I hope to be kept up late tonight.”
“What about your horse ride tomorrow? Won’t you be too sore?”
“I can ride another day. We haven’t had a good play session in a while. Though he may insist I ride anyway, as part of my punishment.” Her eyes gleamed.
Katie pressed her thighs together, hoping it would be dark enough that any damp spots on the back of her dress wouldn’t show.
“Most of the cousins should be there,” said Lila.
“You’ll have to dance with every one of them,” said Jane. “It will give you a good feel for them, so to speak.” She winked. “If none of them excite you the way Sam and Trey do, you’ll know you’re on the right track.”
“It’s going to be fun watching Sam deal with it.” Lila flashed her a look. “I should mention that my cousins have this territory thing going. You’re living at the Rocking E which would normally make you off limits. Since you’re arriving with us, that changes everything. Unless you make it clear you’re only interested in the Elliotts, the others will assume you’re free for the taking.”
“Taking?” She choked on the word.
“Available,” clarified Jane.
“I’m available, all right,” said Katie, grumbling. “Sam insulted me. Badly.”
“What did he do?” asked Jane
She didn’t know them well enough to explain about her fury at them leaving her bed. That wasn’t the only thing Sam had done, though.
“Nothing’s been painted or replaced for years so I made a few suggestions. Sam snarled at me and stomped off.�
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“Sam Elliott, snarling?” Lila gaped at Katie. “That’s great!”
“Great?”
“There’s a reason Sam’s called the Iceman,” said Lila. “He never shows anything but a poker face, unless he’s frowning. Getting mad at you means he cares about you.”
“I do not need another insufferable, arrogant man in my life.”
“Another?” asked Jane.
“Cousins and uncles.”
“Ah, that’s okay then.” Lila turned to Jane. “Any of this sound familiar?”
“Katie won’t believe you any more than I did,” answered Jane.
“What’s that all about?” demanded Katie, looking from one to another.
“You make Sam feel, and that scares the crap out of him,” said Lila. “Don’t tell Jet or Houston I said the word crap.” She suddenly grinned. “They’re not here, so crap, shit, and dammit!” She slapped the steering wheel. “Dang, that felt good.” She turned to Katie, her grin fading. “Jet was a foster kid. He was sworn at so often he doesn’t want to hear me doing it. I respect his reasoning, but it’s hard to change old habits.”
“You mean like Sam’s habit of being overly cautious and grouchy?” asked Katie.
“I think it has to do with a man’s home being his castle,” said Jane.
“You mean that Sam took my suggestions as an attack on his castle, and defended himself by blowing up at me?”
“I think you’ve got something there,” said Lila thoughtfully. “He gave up on everything but the ranch when Uncle Ron died in that rodeo. He hasn’t stopped pushing himself since. Trey went the other way, though he’s settled down a lot. I heard he’s decided to find a wife no matter what Sam thinks.”