He helped her, his hands clasping her hips, as instinct took over and she began to move on him. She loved the friction of his cock moving in and out of her, loved the way he wore his pleasure, right there on his face for her to see. When he moved her a little differently, so that she was going up and down and back and forth, she gasped and then grinned and then moaned with pleasure as she learned how to rub her clit against his groin.
“Lord, woman.” Jackson’s help became a bit more assertive as he thrust up, syncing his movements to hers. He stretched up and captured one of her nipples between his lips. Using suction and his teeth and tongue, he drove her wild, sending her arousal higher, and higher still.
She’d closed her eyes to better savor the amazing sensations swirling through her, but opened them when a hand began to play with her other breast. She met Craig’s gaze as he laid there, beside his brother, his focus on her. He’s not jealous at all. It astounded her that each of these two men seemed so completely happy to see her in the arms—or on the cock—of the other.
“Come for us, sweetheart. Let us see your ecstasy.”
Everything melted together, the day, the vows, but mostly these men and the way they reacted to her, and lusted for her.
Anna cried out as her climax erupted, wave after heart-pounding wave of satisfaction that swept through her, taking her apart and putting her together again—new, vibrant, and whole.
Chapter 10
Anna couldn’t help the nerves that assailed her. Jackson turned off the car in her parents’ driveway and then turned to her. He squeezed her knee, and then opened his hand to her. She placed hers in his warm, sure grip. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it. That simple, courtly gesture bolstered her.
“I’ll be right there with you, my Bella. Craig will play the role of your official champion, of course, but have doubt that I am your champion, too.”
“It seems so unfair that I have to act as if you’re nothing more to me than my brother-in-law.” She looked to her right and met Craig’s gaze. “I’m not ashamed of claiming you both as husband.”
“You have no idea how much that means to us, sweetheart,” Craig said. “But we all know your mother isn’t happy with you as it is.” He looked over her to his brother.
“Bella, we’re worried that she’s going to try and make trouble for you. Think about it for a moment. She came to the office in response to your having stood up to her. What more could she do, now that you’ve essentially turned away from her completely?”
“I appreciate your concern. But what can she do to me, really? I’m of legal age and I’m a married woman, now. I agree that she won’t be pleased and may even be furious. But the entire reason you married me in the first place was so that she wouldn’t have any authority over me anymore. Right?”
An expression crossed Jackson’s face and then was gone in the next heartbeat, but Anna had understood the emotion. She turned her head to look at Craig. He gave her a smile, but she’d caught his pointed look, aimed at his brother.
Why did my words make them uncomfortable? Anna swallowed back the sudden fear that they were already regretting their impulsive action—stealing her off to Las Vegas and marrying her the way they had. All her insecurities wanted to flood back into her conscious mind. It took every bit of will she possessed to push them away. She focused on Jackson.
“No, she has no authority over you anymore, neither does she have any power—except the power that you give her. Bella, she could hurt your feelings—and that, to us, is unacceptable.”
They both looked so fierce, she didn’t doubt for one moment that every word spoken was the truth—to them. They hadn’t said anything to her about love—and why was she thinking about that now? No, they hadn’t said they loved her but she knew they did care about her. Of course they wouldn’t want her hurt.
And since they did look so serious, she decided to let her fears about their having second thoughts go. She wouldn’t tell them, either, what she really believed. She suspected that they’d only get upset if they knew that she expected nothing else from her mother except to have her feelings hurt.
Why do you think that is, Anna? If they only married you just to do you this great favor of offering you the protection of marital status, why would they care so much about your feelings being hurt?
Anna wasn’t certain whose voice just whispered in her ear, but its presence and the words it uttered confused her. They care about my feelings because they are kind souls. Yes, they both were very kind souls. She’d seen evidence of that as she’d waded through their business files. How many loans had they given to applicants knowing full well they would never make a hefty profit? Craig and Jackson flew in the face of conventional wisdom that proclaimed capitalism to be an egocentric endeavor.
They were kind, generous, and good.
Anna turned her attention to the two men who in such a short time had come to mean so much to her. The sentiment Jackson had so recently expressed waited for a response.
“I appreciate your concerns, truly. Thank you. That you care about me means a great deal to me.”
Craig looked at her a long moment, and she wondered what he was thinking to put that look on his face. Then he blinked, and it was as if he had just shut that emotion behind his smile. He leaned over and kissed her lips, a gentle kind of kiss that spoke of companionship and comfort. “Come, wife. Let’s go and bestow our Christmas wishes, shall we?”
Anna had purchased gifts in the hotel gift shop before they’d left Las Vegas that morning. She’d had them wrapped by the sales clerk, something she usually would never do. That was one of her mother’s tricks. Clara Cooper would call whichever chic store was “in’ that season, ask to have a clerk choose and then wrap a number of selections. No fuss, no muss, and her duty was done.
Anna had always taken great pride in choosing her own gifts—although she always procrastinated until Christmas Eve—and then she would wrap them herself.
Now, as she emerged from the car, she clutched Craig’s hand in her right hand and the handle of her shopping bag in her left with equal fervor.
He climbed the few steps up to the front door beside her. “Do you want us to knock, sweetheart?”
Anna hadn’t actually spoken to her mother since the morning she’d stood up for herself. She’d walked out of this door then—and again, a few hours later, suitcase in hand—a daughter of this house. She shook her head. The last time she’d been here, she’d grabbed a few clothes, left a note, and then ridden with her men to the airport on her way to get married.
“No. No, I’ll be damned if I’ll knock on this door.” She dug into her purse and pulled out her keys. Until she heard from her own parents’ lips that she wasn’t welcome there, she’d act as if she was.
Craig took the keys, unlocked the door, and then handed them back. Anna had no idea what sort of reception awaited her inside, but she was done being a ninny about her familial relationships.
Mentally crossing her fingers, she stepped into the house.
“Miss! Oh, we didn’t expect you! Merry Christmas!” Josie was in the hallway, at the closet door. She had her father’s dress coat in her hands.
“Merry Christmas, Josie. Are my parents still at home?”
“Yes, Miss.” Josie cast a glance up the stairs, and then said, “Your mother is getting ready to go to the club, and your father is waiting for her in the parlor.”
And Josie would be on her way to deliver her father’s coat to him, as usual. When her mother made her grand entrance, he would tell her how lovely she looked, relieve her of whatever piece of fur she’d chosen to wear, and help her into it. Then he’d don his own coat, and they’d head straight out.
So many years of patterns, Anna thought. Something in the maid’s expression had her tilting her head to the side. She’d left her note, folded in half, with Josie. She had no doubt whatsoever that Josie had delivered it without reading it herself.
“Did my mother actually read my note?”
“Yes, Miss. I handed it to her myself.” Again, she checked to see that no one else was within hearing distance. “She didn’t seem pleased, and then she tore it up.” She shot curious glances at Craig and Jackson. “She told your father you’d gone to visit a college friend for the holidays.” Clearly, Josie hadn’t read what Anna had written, as the presence of the Jessops seemed to mean nothing to her except to raise her curiosity.
Father’s in for a bit of a surprise, then. “Josie, this is my husband, Craig Jessop, and my brother-in-law, Jackson Jessop.” She smiled up at Craig. “Josie has always been very kind to me.”
Josie’s surprise was apparent in her face. “Congratulations, Miss! And you, too, sir!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Josie.” Craig offered his hand.
“Thank you, sir. Likewise.” She returned his handshake, and Jackson’s as well.
“Josie, would you be kind enough to tell my wife’s mother that we’re here?”
“Yes, sir.” She nodded and then sent a small smile to Anna. She had an ally—but that was something she’d always known.
“Darling, will you lead the way? We’d like to meet your father, now.”
“Of course.” Anna wasn’t surprised that her mother hadn’t believed what she’d written. After all, until that very day, she’d never given the woman a clue that she had an independent thought or a backbone to go with it. Why would Clara have taken her note, or her, seriously?
With her hand still held firmly in Craig’s, Anna led them through the house to the parlor. This room has always been too fussy for me. The expensive furnishings—all antiques, of course—didn’t appear as if they had much sturdiness to them. The fabric on the settee and the chair was too—well, too prissy for Anna’s tastes.
She came to a stop at the open archway of the room. Her father stood, looking out the window at the winter garden. His hands in his pockets, he seemed caught up in his own thoughts.
Anna knew him well enough to know that his mind likely was on business. It was Christmas Day, and since tomorrow was Wednesday, he’d likely be thinking of what work awaited his return.
Her father didn’t usually weather more than a day away from work well, and would likely spend most of this evening in his home office.
“Merry Christmas, Father.”
“Anna!”
Edgar turned at the sound of her voice, a pleased smile on his face—a smile that dimmed somewhat when he saw she was not alone. His gaze zeroed in on her right hand, held tightly in her husband’s.
Craig let go of her hand and she went over and hugged her father.
“Merry Christmas, Anna. I didn’t expect to see you today. Your mother said you went off to visit a college friend for the holidays.” He once more turned his attention to her men.
Anna stepped back, and Craig stepped up beside her. “No, Father. I left a note for Mother telling her exactly where I’d gone, and what I was going to do. Father, this is my husband, Craig Jessop, and his brother, Jackson Jessop.”
“Husband? Jessop? Your...” He snapped his mouth shut, and looked from her to Craig. “You married your boss?” A frown marred his brow, and she knew exactly what he was thinking.
He’s thinking that I fell right in with mother’s machinations.
So, apparently, did Craig. “Sir, I’m honored to meet you, and beyond delighted that Anna accepted my proposal. Circumstances dictated the speed with which we wed.”
“I see.” Those two words sounded as if they were the most threatening words in the world.
“I sincerely doubt it, sir,” Craig replied.
Craig was spared giving an explanation when a strident voice reached them from the corridor. “Anna! What in heaven’s name...” Clara Cooper had begun to speak before she entered the room, but her words trailed off the moment she stepped in, as Anna, Craig, and Jackson turned toward her.
Clara fastened her attention on Craig and Jackson. “You! How dare the two of you come into my home!”
“Clara!” Edgar sounded shocked, and Anna wondered how that could possibly be.
She waved a hand at her husband. “This has nothing to do with you, Edgar. Gentlemen, I made my opinion of you both perfectly clear. You know quite well what I think of the two of you!”
“That will be enough.” Anna’s father used a tone with her mother she’d never heard from him before. “Anna has just introduced this man as her husband.”
Clara glared at Anna. “I ignored the note you left telling me you’d eloped, because I believed that not even you could be foolish enough to run away and get married. Surely you must know he’s only after your trust fund. Look at you! Why else would any man want to marry you?”
It was a question that pierced to the very heart of her insecurities. Usually, she was better prepared when her mother’s missiles were launched, and was able to let the comments slide as if she didn’t know she’d been insulted. Then she could lick her wounds in private. But this time—perhaps because this time Clara insulted her in front of her men—Anna was completely at a loss for words.
“By God, that is enough. You’ll speak to my wife with respect.” Craig turned to her father. “Your wife came to our office on Friday and offered us ten thousand dollars to fire our Anna. I must be frank with you, sir. I was appalled at the things Mrs. Cooper said about her own daughter. Anna is beautiful and brilliantly intelligent. She’s kindhearted, and certainly doesn’t deserve the abuse she’d been treated to all these years.”
Anna knew Craig’s words came from his heart. His anger was so strong she could feel him shaking though a half foot of space separated them.
“I refuse to dignify Mrs. Cooper’s accusations by answering them,” Craig went on, “but I will assure you that I’m well able to provide for your daughter.” He reached into his wallet, and pulled out a business card. He handed it over to her father. “You may have me investigated, if you like.”
Then he turned his attention on Anna. The hardened expression he’d donned for her mother softened. He reached out and gently touched her hand. Such a simple touch, but it conveyed so much tenderness. Especially in the light of her mother’s biting tone, Craig’s kindness and gentle words near moved her to tears. “Is there anything you wanted to gather from your room, sweetheart?”
“There are a couple of things, yes. And I have these gifts to leave as well.” She indicated the bag she carried. Until that moment, she’d forgotten she held them. She supposed she would place them beneath the tree in the entrance hall.
Craig looked toward Jackson. She caught his nod in her peripheral vision. “Jack will give you a hand—and then we need to be on our way. I’m anxious to take you home and introduce you to the rest of your new family.”
Anna looked from her husband to her parents. She’d never before had the option of simply leaving in the midst of one of her mother’s rants.
She felt so grateful to not be alone this time. She knew the smile she directed at Craig was one of her best. “All right, thank you, darling. I won’t be long. I’m looking forward to going home, too.”
Jackson ran his hand down her back as she stopped at the tree. He placed the two gifts she gave him—one for each of her parents—under the tree. The other two—one for Josie and one for their cook, Mrs. Moody, she’d deliver personally.
“Now, Bella, show me to your room.” His whispered words were accompanied by a wink, and Anna giggled.
“I’ll remind you, sir, you’ve put yourself in the role of my brother-in-law.”
Jackson laughed. He held her hand as they ascended the stairs. “Just for here, my Anna. Do you have that lipstick you’re wearing on you?”
“Yes. It’s in my purse.”
“Good. Because I plan on doing my best to kiss it off you behind your closed bedroom door.”
“Just one kiss.” And the promise of that kiss lifted her heart, smoothing over her hurt feelings as nothing else ever had.
“Fair warning. Once we get to Lusty, there w
ill be no doubt in anyone’s mind that you belong to us both.”
“Good. I can hardly wait to get there.” She didn’t know for certain that her reception in Lusty would be all her men seemed to believe it would be. But right then and there she decided to do something she’d only ever done once before, and very recently at that.
Anna decided to step out on faith.
Chapter 11
It didn’t surprise him one bit that Anna would drift off to sleep. They hadn’t allowed her a great deal of that in Las Vegas.
Jackson had suggested he and Anna take the backseat and let him be their chauffeur for the drive to Lusty. Craig had been grateful for the chance to have his wife snuggled in to his side. He’d encouraged her to relax with her head on his shoulder.
He was grateful when she slept. It gave him time to get a handle on the emotions that short visit with his in-laws had stirred in him.
For only the second time in his life, Craig had nearly been overcome with the urge to hit a woman. Both times, the temptation had come out of the mouth of Clara Cooper.
It was incomprehensible to him that any mother would treat her daughter—her only daughter—the way that Clara treated Anna. He’d seen the effect of that woman’s careless words on his wife. She’d been completely speechless, and her cheeks had turned so red, if he didn’t know better he’d say she’d spent long hours in the sun. But he did know better, and it had occurred to him then that he and Jack had underestimated the older woman’s vitriol.
Craig had also come to a conclusion he’d not foreseen. Anna had likely known all along her mother would say something vile when they arrived.
We won’t do that again. Too late he’d realized that he and Jackson, in their zeal to defend their woman and show her mother that she was indeed good and truly married, had instead ended up hurting Anna. This time her mother’s insults had been delivered in front of witnesses—them—increasing their impact on her.
A Very Lusty New Year [The Lusty, Texas Collection] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 10