by Meghan March
“Only on Sundays. But honestly, it’s what I’m used to.” She gestured to her plain blue dress and white apron. “I didn’t exactly grow up like you.”
Based on Allison’s clothes, Ro had assumed as much.
“Amish?”
“Mennonite. There’s a small community about an hour northeast of here. That’s where I’m from.”
Ro was familiar with it. She’d grown up seeing the horses and buggies driving alongside the cars, tractors, and giant farm implements that hogged the country roads.
“Then how? I mean, you and Jonah?” Ro didn’t want to pry, but she was intensely curious about how a Mennonite woman had ended up with a Marine.
“I married young, and within a year, I was pregnant, and a widow,” Allison said. “It was a farming accident.”
“Oh God,” Ro said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to …”
“It’s okay, Rowan. It led me to Jonah, and for that I can be nothing but thankful. But I don’t want to bore you with my story,” she said, tipping a perfectly measured cup of flour into a huge bowl.
Ro gestured to the sink, which was collecting more dishes as Allison worked. “You see what I’ve got going on. I’d love to hear your story.”
Allison shared about being a young, pregnant widow, and the pressure she’d been under to marry again, even before the baby was born. She’d refused and sworn she’d never marry again for anything but love. Her small and tight-knit community had disapproved and the pressure had mounted until Allison had to choose: the only life she’d ever known or staying true to herself and her convictions. She’d left the Mennonite community and moved into an apartment in the small town located about fifteen miles away from the ranch. She’d gotten a job, seven months pregnant, working as a cashier at the hardware store. Jonah had come in for paint, and according to him, it had been love at first sight. He’d pestered her until she’d agreed to have dinner with him. She’d thought he was insane, wanting to date a woman who was less than two months from giving birth, but he’d persisted and won her heart. He’d held her hand throughout her delivery and fallen in love with Grace the moment she was born.
“He is the only father she’s ever known, and in my opinion, she’s the luckiest little girl in the world,” Allison said, pressing the crusts into pie plates.
“I can’t say I disagree with you. He seems like a great guy,” Ro said, remembering the way Jonah had patiently cut Grace’s pancakes at breakfast, not complaining when the little sticky fingers left syrup all over his shirtsleeve where Grace kept patting his arm.
“It’s funny really,” Allison continued, “Now I’m putting to use all of the same skills that I would have in my old life, but it’s infinitely better, because I have Jonah, Grace, and the rest of our very masculine family.” She smiled. “It is nice to have a woman to talk to finally. The men are like brothers to me, and very sweet, but being the only woman here can be hard sometimes.” She poured homemade blueberry pie filling into the crusts before laying the top crusts over and pinching the edges.
“I can’t even imagine,” Rowan replied. “Although sweet isn’t the word I would have picked to describe the guys I’ve met so far ... More like January through August of the Commando Hotties ‘R’ Us calendar.” Allison laughed.
“How long have you known Graham and Zach?” Ro asked.
“Almost as long as I’ve known Jonah. They didn’t spend as much time here at the beginning. Just on leave, between missions. Jonah was honorably discharged from the service two years before the rest. He’d been thinking of getting out, and meeting me just hurried up that decision.”
“So they’ve all only been here for about two years?”
“Full-time, anyway. They’ve been coming here for much longer, from what I’ve been told. Graham always came home at every opportunity to help his uncle, and the rest of them tagged along. When Graham’s uncle passed and it became his, he was thinking of separating from the service because he didn’t know who he could trust to manage it. It was perfect timing, really, when Jonah decided to get out.” Allison smiled. “That first year was a busy one for us. A new baby and a herd of deer. I thought Jonah might lose his mind. But after that last mission, the rest of the men felt like they had no choice but to take the honorable discharges they were offered. It was probably for the best.” Allison voice trailed off as she turned to put the pies in the big black wood-fired stove.
“What last mission?” Ro asked.
“It’s really not my place to talk about it,” she replied, reaching for a dishtowel to dry to the dishes that Rowan had set in the rack next to the sink.
“Did something go wrong?”
“I shouldn’t say. It’s not something they speak of often.”
“Please, I’d like to know.”
“I don’t know much, honestly. I just know that not all of them made it home, and the mission was under heavy scrutiny by their commanding officer. They all came to live here on the ranch, but about six months later, Nick took his own life.”
A stoneware plate slipped from Ro’s grasp. The sharp thunk it made when it connected with the bottom of the enameled iron sink punctuated Allison’s statement. “I had no idea.”
“There was no reason you would have known,” Allison replied.
“Did you know him?”
“Yes. I knew them all fairly well, except for Tim. He took Jonah’s place on the team during the last years, but from what I gather, he never meshed like the rest. He stayed in while the rest opted for discharge.”
Allison went on to describe the happy-go-lucky Isaac, who’d been killed in action, and his team leader, Nick, who’d committed suicide, presumably out of guilt and regret. Ro asked about the teams, and Allison explained that they’d made up two separate Force Recon teams, but they’d carried out almost all of their missions and training together. Graham led one team, with Beau, Jonah (and later Tim), Jamie, Ty, and Zach. Nick had led the second team of Isaac, Cam, Travis, Alex, and Ryan.
The information was buzzing through Ro’s head. She felt like she’d been given a few pieces to a puzzle she didn’t know she was trying to piece together. At least one thing now made sense: why everyone looked to Graham for orders.
They finished the dishes and chatted until the pies were pulled from the oven. Ro learned more about the ranch than she’d even known to ask. How the electricity was generated by three different means: solar, wind, and micro-hydroelectricity from the creek she’d used in her thwarted escape attempt. The garden wasn’t just a garden; it was an aquaponic garden system that was used to grow not only plants but also supported several types of fish. And it was sustainable year-round thanks to the insulated and heated greenhouse that ran along one of the compound walls. Ro was about to ask more questions when the screen door swung open on soundless hinges, and Zach walked through.
“Hey there, sweetheart. You ‘bout done here? If so, I wondered if you’d like to sit in the clinic for a while?”
“Is she awake?” Ro asked as her heart kicked into a gallop.
“Not yet, but Beau says she should be waking up soon; a few hours at most, he figures. Thought it might help to have a woman there when she comes to.”
Ro looked to Allison. “Did you need more help? I can come back after.”
Allison smiled sweetly. “It’s fine. I’ve appreciated your help and your company. We’ll be along to check in on her later.”
Zach swung Ro up into his arms, dropped a quick kiss onto her head, and headed back out the door.
The early evening had passed quickly, and surprisingly, when the woman woke, it wasn’t Rowan who seemed to give her the most comfort, but Cam. Realizing quickly that she wasn’t needed, Ro had asked to be brought back to the kitchen so she could keep Allison company while she prepped for a second dinner service. Maybe she could even offer to chop something. Or help with whatever menial task Ro could actually complete in a competent fashion.
A crew of the men stomped through the mess hall door as Allison hefted a steami
ng cast iron stockpot of venison stew onto the counter between the kitchen and the dining area. The late supper was to feed those who’d taken on extra watch shifts after the sensors had triggered. From her perch on the stool by the sink, Ro craned her neck to see if Graham or Zach had returned with the group. She spied Jonah, Beau, and another man she hadn’t met. She tried to hide her disappointment behind a sunny smile. She thought at least one of them would be by soon … and give her some sense of whether they’d be collecting on their bargain tonight. The shiver of anticipation coursed through her, dampening her dejection. The tingly feeling in her lady parts wouldn’t be denied. She was actually looking forward to paying her dues, so to speak. But she just wanted to know, dammit. She needed a sign that tonight was the night.
Ro slid off the stool and tested out how it felt to put weight on both of her ankles. The sharp stab of pain had her quickly redistributing her weight onto her good leg.
“Please tell me I didn’t just see that,” Zach drawled. “And here I thought you were an intelligent woman.”
The voice coming from behind her had Ro jerking around instinctively, and she felt the telltale wobble that came right before she lost her balance.
“Fuck, woman.” Zach rushed forward, his hands curling around her waist and hoisting her up before she face-planted on the scarred plank floor.
“I gotcha, babe,” Zach murmured, face buried in Ro’s neck, his arms wrapped tightly around her. “You need to be more careful.”
“You startled me. You move like a goddamn ghost. I didn’t even know you were there.”
“You were trying to walk when you know you shouldn’t be,” he countered.
Ro pulled back to meet his gaze and was surprised by the sly smile creeping across his face.
“Why do I have the feeling that smile means bad things for me,” Ro wondered aloud.
“Because he knows that you just gave us a good excuse to teach you the error of your ways,” Graham’s low, gravelly voice added.
Ro looked up, shocked to see Graham standing just inside the back screen door that Zach must have entered through. She’d been so wrapped up in Zach that she hadn’t even noticed Graham entering. Either that, or he was ninja silent like Zach. Or maybe that was Force Recon silent. Hell. Living with commandos apparently meant you couldn’t get away with anything. Except she wasn’t living with them. No. She was just passing some time before she got on her way. She pushed the thought away as Graham’s words tumbled through her head.
“Wait, what?”
Graham stalked toward her and simply said, “You’ll see. Later.” He jerked his chin at Zach. “Let’s eat. Gonna need the energy tonight.”
Well, that answered her question.
Ro was sure every eye was on the three of them as they made their way across the compound to Graham and Zach’s cabin. Ro remembered the judgmental gazes that had followed her through the hallways of the firm. The difference this time? Ro didn’t care. They could all fuck a duck if they had a problem with it. But still, Ro’s anxiety increased with every step they took toward the cabin. It wasn’t fear of them, she instinctively knew. Some of it was fear of the unknown. Fear that was colored with the hang-ups she’d been carrying for weeks now. But more than that, it was fear that what she was about to do would change the course of her life irrevocably. Fear that once she’d taken this step, she couldn’t take it back. That she wouldn’t want to take it back. That she’d want to grab it with both hands and let the easy camaraderie and promise of pleasure pull her from her path. But she wouldn’t. She couldn’t. This was a fling. Nothing more. Nothing less. And she was going to start enjoying it. Right. Now.
As Graham carried her up the porch steps, Ro snuggled into the crook of his neck and nipped at his jaw. He slowed before gripping her tighter and shouldering open the door, striding straight to the bedroom. She flicked out her tongue to lick the spot she’d bitten.
Graham tossed her in the middle of the king size bed.
“Hey!” Laughing, Ro flung both arms out to steady herself. “Precious cargo here, boys.”
Graham reached down to light the oil lamp and pulled his pistol from its holster on his belt and set it on the nightstand, within easy reach of the bed.
“And don’t we know it.” Graham looked at her, his chocolate brown eyes blazing.
Zach dropped to his knees on the opposite side of the bed, his playful expression turning uncharacteristically serious for a moment.
“Babe, you sure you’re ready for this? Because we’re not going to push you if you’re not.”
Ro responded by sitting up, leaning over, and grabbing a handful of Zach’s t-shirt, dragging him closer.
Feeling bold, she said, “I want this. I might be the rookie here, but I want this. Now. With both of you.”
Ro saw the flare of lust in Zach’s amber gaze at her gutsy declaration. It mirrored the need that she’d seen in Graham’s. Zach climbed onto the bed and pushed her back before leaning over her. He braced his arms on either side of Ro’s head, caging her upper body beneath him.
“Thank God for whatever we did to deserve you,” he breathed, sealing his lips over hers and taking possession of her mouth. Ro moaned at the heat, and his tongue slid inside and tangled with hers.
So caught up in Zach’s kiss, she didn’t realize Graham had liberated her from her sweatpants until she felt him kissing his way up the inside of her leg. Ro broke the kiss and watched as Graham worked his way up to her inner thigh. He paused.
“I told myself we’d take this slow, but I’ve got to get my mouth on you. Can’t wait.”
Zach pulled back. “Spread your legs, baby. Show Graham that pretty pussy. Show him how much you want him to taste you.”
Ro bucked her hips at Zach’s words and then complied, sliding her legs apart. Zach hitched one of her knees up, spreading her wide to Graham’s gaze.
“More,” Graham said. “I want you to spread yourself open for me. I want you to slide those fingers down, and I want to watch you fuck yourself. Then, I want you to suck every bit of cream off your fingers so that when Zach takes your mouth, he’ll be tasting exactly what I’m tasting.”
Ro gulped. And then did as she was told, sliding the fingers of one hand down to spread herself so that she had no secrets from either man. Her other hand joined it, tentatively stroking and bumping her clit. Ro bucked her hips.
A sharp slap landed on her inner thigh.
Ro jerked, meeting Graham’s dark gaze.
“I said fuck yourself, not play with your clit.”
Ro’s mouth formed an O as she slid her fingers lower, dipping into her sheath. She couldn’t stop the moan that escaped as she plunged them in and out, assuaging the aching emptiness. Certain that she was about to come, Ro closed her eyes and lifted her hips. But before she could get there, her hand was pulled away.
“You don’t listen very well, sweetheart.”
Zach’s mouth closed over her dripping fingers. He groaned. “Goddamn, you taste good. Sweet and spicy. If I hadn’t called dibs on fucking your mouth, I’d have you riding my face.”
Ro started to respond with some unintelligible mumble, but Graham’s tongue found her center. Her head fell back, and she moaned.
“Damn, baby. So pretty. So soft. So fucking wet.”
Zach shifted closer and kissed her. Graham spread her labia apart and teased her clit with his tongue. It was too much. She was going to …
Squeezing her eyes shut, she buried a hand in the dark silk of Graham’s hair, unsubtly urging him to let her come.
“Not yet, baby.” Graham nipped at her clit with his teeth then backed off.
Teetering on the edge of orgasm, Ro broke away from Zach’s kiss. “Don’t stop ...”
Pushing himself up on his elbows, Graham crawled his way up her body. He leaned down and took her lips. Ro could taste herself on his tongue. Her own flavor stronger on his lips than Zach’s.
“You need to be naked for us if you want to come.”
> Graham propped himself on his elbow next to her as Zach tugged her t-shirt over her head. Graham caught her breasts in his callused palms and tugged at her nipples, hardening them instantly and unleashing another sweet rush of pleasure through her.
Graham reached down to nip at one engorged tip.
“Please …” Ro couldn’t stop the plea. Letting her nipple slip through his teeth, Graham backed away, and Zach took his place, pinching her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers.
Frustrated that they’d brought her to the edge without letting her go over, Ro was reduced to begging, “Please ... I need to come.”
“Patience, baby. You’re not in charge here.”
When Ro started to protest, Zach’s wide hands grasped her hips and flipped her onto her stomach. He maneuvered her easily, positioning her lengthwise across the bed.
Looking up dazedly, she saw Zach unfasten his belt and zipper and shuck off his cargo pants. The rustle of clothes registered behind her, and she knew that Graham was stripping as well. Zach didn’t waste time. He had his black boxer briefs shoved down and his erection gripped in his palm. It reared up, almost touching his navel. He gave it a few rough pulls, and Ro watched the clear bead of pre-cum drip over the head. Zach stepped closer, and his erection bobbed in front of her mouth. She couldn’t stop herself from licking her lips. He groaned.
“Gotta have that mouth.” He braced himself with a knee on the bed, and Ro pushed herself up to her knees. “Open for me, baby.”
Ro obeyed, and he painted her bottom lip with the moisture dripping from the tip. Her tongue reached out to taste. Salt and musk.
His balls tightened, bunching up to the base.
“Jesus, baby.”
Zach swept Ro’s dark hair back so he could watch her tongue the head of his cock.
“I’ve been picturing what your sweet lips would look like wrapped around my dick since that first night you showed up. I’ve jacked off with that picture in my head. Let me see it, baby. Suck my cock like a good girl.” His words cut off when she took him deep—like she was trying to swallow him whole—stealing his breath.