Lumberjack Weekend [Divine Creek Ranch 21] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Heather Rainier

  She thought she’d hidden her emotions better than that. Still, he deserved honesty. “Yes, it was him. But no, we’re done. We’ve been done for a while now.” I just wouldn’t admit it to myself.

  “Good.”

  “Was I that obvious?”

  “About what?”

  “When those calls and texts would come?” No woman wanted to think she was so transparent.

  Josh shook his head, but it was Lucas who answered her question. “It was obvious, but only in the sense that he seemed to cause you more stress than happiness. We don’t like seeing you hurt.” He looked as though he had plenty more to say on the subject, but he kept it to himself.

  Violet couldn’t speak so she simply nodded, thinking of every time Bodie had contacted her and come to see her, and wondered if he’d ever been in the store when Josh and Lucas had been working. She’d felt more tawdry and a little more used each time, to the point where the physical gratification wasn’t worth the cost to her spirit. The last year and a half had just been a long, drawn-out breakup process.

  Josh murmured, “If he’s out of your life, does that mean you’d consider going out with us now?”

  She kept her eyes on the coffee steaming in her cup. What they offered was a recipe for disaster. She was attracted by the notion, but she’d just promised herself no more ménages. Opting to be cool about it, she shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ve been thinking about getting out more and having some fun…now that I’m over him. Play the field a little.”

  Lucas shook his head and leveled green eyes on her. “We’re not talking about playing around, Violet. We don’t share well with other men.”

  Oh Lord. But I bet you’d share well with each other.

  The horns of a dilemma. That was what people called situations like this. The Abbott brothers were undeniably attractive, but pleasing two men was more than she could handle. Committed ménage relationships required trust, and she’d never forget the betrayal she’d felt when she’d discovered Victor’s true feelings. She couldn’t afford to forget.

  “I’m sorry, Lucas…Josh. I can’t.”

  Josh’s blue-green eyes were laser-focused as he encompassed her fingers in his warm hand. “Was it a man who hurt you? Or men?”

  “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “Why?” Josh asked, his tone riding the fine line between compassionate and highhanded as he held her gaze.

  “It’s painful.”

  The way his eyebrows knit said it all. “I’m sorry they hurt you.”

  She pulled her hand back a little, but he kept it in his gentle grip. “How did you know?” Crap. “You overheard what I said to Jessica and Cassie?”

  Josh gave a slight shrug and looked down at her hand. “I didn’t intend to eavesdrop. They must be dumbasses if they let you go. You know there are a lot of successful ménages in Divine?”

  “Yeah, I guess I’m the odd duck.” Sometimes she felt surrounded by all the committed ménages around town, which served only to highlight her own failure.

  Lucas smiled a little wider. “You know we’re planning on changing your mind, right?”

  That’s what I’m afraid of.

  Josh finally released her hand but left his lying on the table. “So Miss Play-the-field, what are you up to next weekend?”

  That was a good question. “Why? Are you asking me out?” Poke the bear, why don’t you?

  “I’m curious to know if you’re serious about getting out and being a social butterfly or if you’re just attempting to hold us at arm’s length.”

  He licked his lower lip, and she saw the challenge clear in his eyes. Lucas seemed almost apologetic when she looked to him to see if he felt the same.

  “As a matter of fact, I have plans for the whole weekend, at a…retreat in Morehead.” Yeah, that’s what it is.

  Josh lifted an eyebrow, and his half-smile was starting to irritate her a little. “A retreat…in Morehead, huh?”

  “Yes…for…um…business owners.”

  Lucas raised his eyebrows. “You don’t say? We could consider ourselves business owners, even though it’s a family business. Dad might like us to check something like that out.”

  Shit! “Well, um…it’s geared toward retailers like me. You wouldn’t be interested.”

  Josh looked into his mug and smiled. “Sounds focused. Will there be a lot of people? Those things can have a high cost. You’ll want to make sure you get all the one-on-one attention you need.”

  Her jaw dropped as a blistering-hot mental image of him giving her one-on-one attention made her panties even wetter than they already were.

  Lucas nodded. “It’d be a shame if you came away from it unsatisfied.”

  “Um…” Think, dummy! “The host is someone I know personally. I have a lot of trust in him, and I’m sure I’ll learn everything I need to know. I’ll be making a lot of contact—I mean contacts while I’m there.” Holy hell, stop with the double talk before you trip up!

  Josh and Lucas glanced at each other, and then Josh’s gaze returned to her. The concern in his eyes was obvious. “Be careful, baby girl.”

  B–B–baby girl? Her inner devil’s chin hit the floor. Lucas grinned and tipped her jaw closed.

  She shook her head as her cheeks went red hot. “Sorry, I guess I’m more tired than I thought.” Guilt settled uncomfortably in her heart. It wasn’t like her to lie.

  Without further question, Josh left a generous tip on the table, and rose from the booth, his solid six-foot frame looming over her as he held out his hand. Relief filled her now that it seemed the retreat conversation was over.

  She accepted his gentlemanly help but felt a little empty when he released her hand as he turned to go pay the bill.

  Lucas laid his hand on her hip. “I know he’s a little pushy sometimes. Forgive him?”

  She frowned and shook her head. “There’s nothing to forgive. I understand he’s protective. I like both of you, but I’m not ready for anything serious. I fibbed when I said that relationship ended a while back. I only told him today to not call me anymore. It’s been building up to that for a long while. That’s what the phone call was about.”

  Lucas nodded, and kissed her temple. His kiss, and the one he’d given her on the forehead earlier, was as dangerous to her heart as the heated looks Josh kept giving her. Her body clearly knew what it wanted, going by the state of her panties, but she needed to think with her head and not her heart, or other body parts.

  He gathered her long hair into a loose bundle at her back, sending more delicate ripples of pleasure down her spine. “You’re a good person, Violet. A giver. That guy sounds like a taker, and I’m glad you set limits. Don’t worry about us. We’re patient men.”

  Outside the restaurant, she hit the button on her vehicle remote, and Josh opened her door for her, his expression unreadable.

  She didn’t know exactly where she stood with him, and she paused, wondering if she should apologize, thank him, or hug him, the awkwardness increasing by the second. She didn’t want to leave him on that note. “Umm…”

  Josh looked into her eyes, his bedroom gaze sending all the butterflies in her stomach into aerial maneuvers. “What, baby girl?”

  Oh God, he said it again.

  She licked her lips, and her palms began to sweat. “In the spirit of seizing the day…and embracing my newfound freedom…could I kiss you, or um…”

  Josh lifted an eyebrow. “Or what?”

  “You could kiss me?”

  Josh eased his weight from one booted foot to the other as he leaned in toward her, his hand resting on her car door. “If I kissed you, it wouldn’t be casual. Not by a long shot. I’m not playing the field. I already know what I want, but you’re just spreading your wings, wanting to experiment.” His body heat was palpable as he leaned in until his breath teased the hair at her temples. “But yes…I’d love to kiss you, when you’re ready.”

  She stood perfectly still, her eyes wide and her lips parted, as hi
s eyelids lowered and he breathed her in. He nudged her hair aside with his nose and his chin and nuzzled the flesh beneath her ear, sending an explosive heat wave from that sensitive spot through her entire body then ricocheting in her extremities before centering deep in her pelvis, making her throb as though she was ready to come.

  When he pulled back, the hungry look in his eyes was a contrast to the satisfied smile on his lips. Despite the laws of gravity, she somehow remained standing as he moved back and murmured to Lucas that he’d go start the truck. She blinked and then shook her head, trying to clear away the dazed feeling.

  Lucas kissed her knuckles. “Don’t get your feelings hurt. The reason he won’t kiss you isn’t because he doesn’t want to.”

  “I didn’t mean to make him feel rejected.”

  “Rejected is the last thing he feels. Now, with me, you saying stuff like you want to play the field is like waving a red flag at a bull. Just makes me even more determined.” With those words, he squeezed her to him tightly and planted a kiss square on her lips. Hard, hot, and fast.

  Putting her fingers to her lips, she chuckled. “You’re one of those types who acts first and apologizes later, aren’t you?”

  Lucas grinned and nodded as he licked his lip, looking as if he wanted seconds but was restraining himself. “Between the two of us, you don’t stand a chance.”

  A flicker of sadness tempered her aroused emotions. “I’m sure about what I said, Lucas. No more ménages.”

  Her inner devil snorted in amusement. Oh, yeah? Then why do you feel so guilty about only kissing Lucas, like you’re leaving Josh out?

  “Whatever you say, beautiful.” She climbed into the car, and Lucas shut the door for her. “You okay?”

  Gulping, Violet smiled at him and nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “Sure love those dimples,” he added as he stroked her cheek before standing up. “Drive safe.”

  She backed out of the parking lot and drove down Crockett Street. Her hands were shaking, and her body trembled with unfulfilled tension as if she had been denied an orgasm after a hot and heavy buildup.

  She wanted to bang her head on the steering wheel. Lucas was irresistible, and her reaction to Josh’s little nuzzling told her she’d probably lose her ever-loving mind when he finally kissed her.

  When, not if, her inner devil was eager to point out.

  She could live with the frustration because his intentions were obvious. He was making her wait for it until he was good and ready.

  And didn’t that thought make her inner submissive roll belly up?

  Chapter Three

  In Violet’s mind, a house was a structure with four basic walls to keep the air conditioning in and various angles, windows, and a roof that kept the rain out. Providing comfort and a place to keep your stuff.

  Hazelle House was not a house.

  “It’s a freaking castle!”

  Her next thought was that her car, her luggage, her person, were going to look pathetic next to all the other weekend attendees, who were undoubtedly massively wealthy, powerful, or notorious. She gulped and contemplated waving nonchalantly as she followed the circular driveway right back out of the elaborately landscaped grounds.

  The entrance to Joseph’s estate was tucked back from the state highway leading to Morehead. Because of the extensive driveway and the hilly topography, the structures and grounds weren’t visible from the road. The driveway narrowed down to a single lane, manicured with trees and shrubs so she couldn’t turn around without the risk of running over something.

  Joseph stood out front as though he was expecting her, a hint of a smile on his handsome face. He gestured for her to pull up and stop, greeting her before lifting her luggage from the trunk. “If you’ll give your keys to the valet, he’ll take care of parking for you.”

  As she followed him up the wide flagstone walk to the front steps, she said, “Joseph, you don’t need to carry my suitcase for me.”

  “Nonsense. You’re my guest.” She could hear voices echoing through the expansive halls and worried she was taking him from the larger part of his guests and said as much, to which he replied, “They’re part of an organized group so they have their own people seeing to them. I oversee the venue and provide backup and security for the attendees.”

  “Sounds involved and a little scary. You need security?”

  He nodded as he led her to a grand staircase. “There are multiple play areas open, and it’s up to me, and the people I employ, to see no one gets hurt and everyone is satisfied with their experience.”

  “And it’s okay for me to be here?”

  Joseph guided her to turn right at the top of the stairs. “It’s my home, and you’re my guest. This will be a breeze for me compared to some weekends. There is one thing I want you to remember at all times.”

  “Yes?”

  “While you are here, whether you’re observing, playing, or otherwise interacting with the other attendees, if you have an uncomfortable feeling or an instinct telling you to walk away from a situation or an individual, I want you to trust your inner voice. This is a friendly group, and I doubt you’ll have trouble, but anything that happens must be consensual on all sides. The choices are yours.”

  She paused as he showed her into a sumptuous guest chamber decorated in shades of burgundy. A marble fireplace graced one end of the room and she could just imagine the luxurious ambience when it was lit. In confusion, she turned to him. “Joseph, why are you doing this for me? A weekend like this must bear an enormous cost, and this room…you should have a paying guest in here. I appreciate it, but I don’t get it.”

  He deposited her suitcase on the wooden stand by the bed as if it were Louis Vuitton instead of a Target clearance item and turned to her. Ushering her over to the wing chair positioned at an angle to the fireplace, he took the seat across from her.

  “The last year hasn’t been easy for you, but you didn’t let it stop you from bringing happiness to others. I’ve watched you put aside your own cares to smile for others and make them feel special, both in your store as well as socially. Your spirit intrigues me. You know already I’m not referring to an attraction between us, and I don’t want you to worry about that.”

  When they’d spoken to each other at the Dancing Pony, there had been a connection, but it hadn’t been a physical one, although he’d managed to get her to open up to him where many men she knew much better had failed.

  “And what you lack in monetary bargaining power, you make up for in pure, honest curiosity and enthusiasm. I think you deserve this time of escape. The fantasy-oriented theme this weekend brought you to mind, and I thought you might enjoy exploring some of your desires in a safe, anonymous environment.”

  “Speaking of which,” she said as she went to her suitcase and removed the thin sheaf of signed papers from the front pocket and held it out to him. “The paperwork and waivers you required. I’ve read everything and signed where needed.”

  “Thank you. There is no pressure on you for this weekend at all. I’ll watch over you, but I won’t be hovering. You may wander in the public areas at will. The private fantasy areas will be clearly marked and will be invitation only. You may dress as you see fit tonight. I’ve taken the liberty of selecting your costume for the feast tomorrow night. The theme is The Hunter and the Hunted.”

  She huffed a breath. “And I can just imagine which one I am in that scenario.”

  Joseph grinned at her gasp. “Everyone will be in costume. You can wear the costume I picked…or go nude.”

  “Nude? Joseph!”

  “Oh, yes. Nude. I’m sure you would cause quite the sensation if you did.”

  The memory of Victor’s unkind words about her dimples and cellulite echoed in her mind. “I wonder if you have any idea how scary that prospect is.”

  “I do understand what a hurdle it is. I’m sure there will be other guests here dealing with the same fears. You’re lovely. That’s not a platitude.”

  Her lips
flapped for a second as what he said registered. “I thought I might…wander around and experience the weekend. And…and you could hover a little if you wanted to. I’m not actually going to act out any fantasies.” Such a cop-out.

  Joseph’s eyes twinkled, and he half-smiled and nodded. “As I said earlier, the choices will all be yours.”

  “You’re being awfully generous.”

  Joseph leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “I think this weekend was meant to be, and you will find what you’ve been seeking.”

  I don’t even know what I want. “I wish I could feel so certain.”

  Joseph squeezed her hand. “Keep searching for your true objective, and you’ll find it, Violet.”

  He excused himself so she could relax and prepare for the evening, although she wasn’t sure how to prepare, other than to unpack her small suitcase, take a quick shower, and dress for the evening meal. She wondered who his other guests were but figured it was none of her business. He knew lots of people.

  The mansion was quiet, almost too quiet, as she pondered his encouragement, recalling listening to that radio talk show all those many months ago.

  Now that Bodie was no longer a part of her life, she could finally move forward.

  What was her true objective? Her true north?

  * * * *

  “Wonder where she is,” Lucas said, fidgeting in the drawing room as the group began assembling for the evening meal.

  Josh smiled, imagining the scene upstairs. Joseph had already told them she was there, and he could picture Violet trying to decide what to wear, worrying about what surprises the weekend would bring, and contemplating hiding in her room for the whole weekend. Watching her struggle between her adventurous side and caution brought out the protector in him.

  He licked his lips, thinking about what they had planned for her and grateful to Joseph for entrusting her to them and making suggestions. He was also appreciative for Joseph’s protectiveness of Violet.