Cody opened his mouth to speak but she beat him to it. “I have something to say to you, Cody, and then I’ll leave if you want me to.”
Cody blinked and closed his mouth in a slight frown, and she pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. The man really didn’t like being interrupted. In the memorable words of her mother, he could just “suck it.” He sat back, giving her the floor.
“I think you were wrong in your decision to break up with me. I don’t believe it’s been for the best. You love me and so do Heath and Spencer. If anyone had told me last month that I’d ever believe a notion like that, I’d have told them they were crazy. But you do. And I do. Love you, that is. All of you.”
She’d risen from the couch and was now pacing back and forth, knowing she was rambling but couldn’t help it.
“I could see your protective instincts kick in when I told you about what Mrs. Dumphrey said to me. I like that you’re protective because it makes me feel safe. But thanks to your protectiveness, for the last few weeks I’ve felt all alone and adrift…and hurt. If we’d had problems of some kind it would’ve been easier to get through the breakup. This…this just feels wrong. I know there are going to be problems with the school. I think it’s inevitable. But my degrees have other uses and…and…Well, you’re crazy if you think I’ll let a collective of old biddies and prudish twats determine whether I get to love who I want to love or not.”
He snorted in amusement at her word choices but this was cathartic and she was going for broke.
She pointed at her chest and said, “That’s up to me, and us. Not them. I love you and if you think I’m giving up that easily then you’ve got another ‘think’ coming, Mister.”
He nodded as he watched her hands flap in the air as she spoke, a slight smile on his lips. Softly, he asked, “Are you done?”
“No! I’m not. I’m only just getting started. This feels good, damn it. Cody, you don’t always have to be the one taking care of everybody. You’re a good leader but you don’t need to carry the world on your shoulders. I knew what was best for me two weeks ago and I still know what’s best for me. You are. And Heath and Spencer are. And being apart from you, and them, hurt me. And I think it hurt you, too. You may think you knew what was best, but you were wrong. If you get all-all-all pigheaded and high-handed like that again, I’m going to call bullshit on you if I think you’re wrong. Sometimes you can be wrong too, you know? You’re only human.”
His left eyebrow arched, drawing her attention to the scar running through it, giving him that hot rakish look that turned her to warm butter every time. His eyelids were at half-mast which made her bite her lip. She always had the feeling he was imagining her naked when he’d looked at her like that. Again, he asked, “Are you done?”
“No, damn it. I want equal say in what happens to us from now on. And no more making decisions that affect the four of us if you haven’t discussed it with the four of us. Okay, now I’m done. You can take me home if you want to.”
She flopped down on the far end of the couch just as lightning cracked nearby followed immediately by thunder, and the lights flickered but came back on after a few seconds. He reached across the distance and took her cold hand in his and rubbed it. “I’m glad you’re not driving in this storm tonight. I worry about you every time I think of you driving that Bug. The roads between here and San Antonio were slick.”
“That’s nice of you but I would be very careful. Spencer told me a little bit about Mrs. Goodman tonight. Did you have a nice visit?”
Cody smiled and chuckled which made her curious. “Yes, we did. I’m in trouble with her though.”
“Oh really? Why?”
“For breaking a certain beauty’s heart with my bullheaded ways. Looks like she shares your opinion that I’m pigheaded and high-handed.”
“How does she know about any of what happened?”
“Because Heath tattled.”
Maizy snorted and inched closer to him as he tugged at her hand. “He did? Well, good for him. Where is he anyway?”
“He’s in the den with Spencer.”
“I heard yelling while I was in the bathroom and then the door slammed.”
Cody grinned. “Oh, that was him yelling at me. Spencer told me it’s not over and then Heath said that they were keeping you, and if I didn’t want to be a part of the relationship that I should fuck off.”
“That’s very nice of them but that’s not what I want. I don’t want to be the cause of a rift between the three of you. You’re brothers. What did Mrs. Goodman say?”
“She told me that if I didn’t know a good thing when it was staring me in the face that maybe I needed a slap to the back of my head. She wants to meet the woman who could claim all three of her boys,” he added, a wide smile on his lips as he lifted her into his lap.
She let him manhandle her but leaned back and poked him in the chest. “I meant it, Cody. Next time you decide to make decisions that affect me, you need to make sure I’m in agreement before you act. I’m still pretty ticked at you,” she said as she poked him again, fighting to keep a straight face as he pulled her to him.
“I’m sorry, angel. You’re right about everything. The last few weeks have been hell without you.”
“Good. Serves you right, Grumpy Bear.” His dark eyes glittered as he leaned closer and she giggled and poked his chest again. “Oh, am I pushing it now? I’m so scared. Maybe I should rename you Bossy Bear. Or maybe Dom Bear would suit you better? Pushy Bear? Maybe Spankie B—” He cut her off with a hot kiss that curled her toes and ignited her insides. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her against him, sinking his fingers into her curls. He held her still with a soft growl as he deepened the kiss, tugging gently at her lips with his before sliding his tongue against hers, stoking the fires that never seemed to dim for him or the others.
The door opened down the hall and she heard footsteps approaching but Cody didn’t release her until Heath spoke. “Hey, lovebirds. Sorry to interrupt your make out session but if we don’t get Maizy home before they close the bridge she’ll be spending the night here.”
She looked up at Heath and Spencer and chuckled because they both actually seemed hopeful about that.
Cody caressed her back and said, “Well, at least we got a few things worked out.”
“Are we okay? Intact? Whole? Happy?” Heath asked. “Throw me a bone?”
Maizy smiled at his eagerness. “We are a ‘go,’ Heath.”
Cody smiled at his brothers and then turned to her. “I don’t have any illusions about this working out with no trouble but whatever repercussions come our way, we’ll handle together.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The wedding rehearsal Friday night went off without a hitch, or close to it. They’d all just met at O’Reilley’s for the rehearsal dinner afterward. She sighed happily as Spencer lifted her foot into his lap and unbuckled the silver straps on her high-heeled sandals, which she’d worn at his request. He was sitting across the table from her and no one could see what he was doing because of the tablecloth. The only indicator that she was getting the sexy foot massage from heaven was the warm way Spencer stared at her and the blissful sigh she tried to contain. Heath and Cody were working at the Twisted Bull that night.
For Maizy, the last five days had gone by in a heavenly whirlwind. She’d spent most of the evenings with her bears, when they weren’t working. They’d even helped her when she’d had duties to attend to for Lucy’s wedding, like with picking up supplies and running errands with her.
Her neighbor, Mrs. Simms, had rushed over the night of the storm, when she’d gotten home later than usual, to make sure everything was all right. Maizy knew she was a little nosy but believed that was mostly due to loneliness. She’d seemed satisfied when Spencer had explained that they’d had to detour around low water crossings to come back into Divine. Maizy was pleased that her neighbor seemed to have taken a liking to Spencer.
Maizy’s worry over the wrong people findin
g out about her ménage relationship hadn’t decreased. How she approached the issue had, though. She’d made her decision and she was sticking with it. She’d even considered putting out feelers for opportunities in the private sector as an advanced tutor or private teacher. The possibilities weren’t limitless but she believed she could still stay in the field she was called to teach in. Ultimately, her main concern was her students and their parents. She wanted them to remain in the best possible hands and to keep learning and moving forward no matter what happened.
The bears had asked her to stay with them from Friday night through Sunday evening and she’d agreed, so she was looking forward to not having to drive home late at night. None of her neighbors would bat an eye if she was gone for the weekend. Several of them knew she had a family wedding and they’d probably all assume she was staying with her parents or friends to help with wedding prep.
Letting out a soft sigh, she turned her attention to Seth Carter, Lucy’s brother, when he rose from his seat. Seth was a quiet man, not prone to loquaciousness, so she didn’t know him that well yet. His many tattoos intrigued her. She’d often wondered how he’d come to know his wife, Jayne, who seemed so mainstream and reserved—unless she had a few tequila shots in her. Seth raised his glass to toast Lucy, Patrick, and Beck.
“I firmly believe that for everyone there is someone. We may have to go to the ends of the earth to find each other but it’s worth the trip. Sometimes love comes to us in nontraditional ways, and, Lucy, I think you’ve found the love you’ve searched so long for, with Patrick and Beck. I’m sure it’ll never be boring for you with Patrick, Beck, and PJ, but when have you ever wanted boring or ordinary? I wish you every happiness, sis.”
Lucy got up and hugged her brother with tears in her eyes as everyone clapped and shared the toast with them.
Later that night, curled up in Spencer’s arms after making love with him, Lucy hoped the same was true for her. Life would never be mundane, not with these three men in her life.
She was still awake when Cody and Heath slipped into the bedroom when they returned home from work. Spencer rolled over and made room for Heath since he still claimed “dibs” on sleeping at her side any night she spent with them, while Cody got into bed on her other side. When they pressed their lips to her throat and stroked her abdomen and her hip, it was only natural to reach for them, seeking their love as well.
The next morning she was out of bed before the men woke up. Cody joined her in the shower and took the bath puff from her as she lathered it and did the job for her while she washed and conditioned her hair. Once she was rinsed free of suds, he pressed her against the cool tile wall. A deep throb bloomed inside her at the way he caged her in with his immense, masculine physique and her pussy welled with hot moisture in response. He kissed her and his raspy voice echoed in the shower as he murmured, “What time do you have to be at Madeleine’s?”
“I’m meeting Lucy, her mom, Jayne, Grace, and my mom at eight o’clock. You and the guys are supposed to meet Rachel at nine, out at the ranch. Thank you again for helping with the last minute setup.”
He pressed kisses against her throat and she could feel the hot ridge of his cock pressing against her. “It’s no problem. I want you, angel.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him lift her as she slid her legs around his waist. “I’m yours, Cody.” He plundered her lips as his cock filled her cunt, stretching her tight and thrusting his hot length until he was deep as he could get. He grasped her ass cheeks and lifted her so she was eye to eye with him and began thrusting with hard strokes. A rumbling sound of masculine appreciation vibrated in his chest as he gazed into her eyes. The vulnerability she saw there made her heart beat faster.
“I’ve got you, baby. Touch yourself. I want you to come with me.”
She buried her face against his neck, moaning as she reached down and stroked the throbbing bundle of nerves until she was on the verge. “Just a little more. I’m so close.”
“Look at me.” When she complied, he whispered, “I love you, angel. I love you so much.”
Each time he said it, she melted because she could feel the truth in his words. Each utterance felt like the first time. She tightened her arm around his neck and ground her pussy against him, crying out as her orgasm coursed through her in billowing hot waves as he also found completion. He stood there holding her, rocking her back and forth, still connected with her for a couple of minutes as they recovered. When it was time, she had to make herself let go of him.
She giggled as he rinsed her again, and then they stepped out and dried off. He left her to get ready for her full morning with a gentle kiss on her lips. She didn’t have much to do, beyond dry her hair, because she was getting it done in a fancy upswept hairstyle chosen by Lucy, and she planned to do her makeup at the spa so it would be fresh for the wedding.
At Madeleine’s, Lucy was trying hard to hide it but Maizy could see she was a nervous wreck. A couple of weeks before, she’d settled on an intricate updo for her hair and one stray comment that morning from her stylist about how beautiful her hair looked flowing down her back in simple waves had her second-guessing her decision.
The stylist sent Grace a pleading look while Lucy flapped her hands and wondered if maybe they should just leave it down.
From the next stylist’s chair, Grace finally cut her off. “Listen to me, Lucy. Everything’s going to be fine. You’re having wedding jitters, that’s all. Think of your dress. If you wear your hair down around your shoulders, like you’re suggesting, then no one will notice the lace, plus your hair will get hung up in all the beadwork.”
“Oh. You’re right. Well, I just want the guys to like it. Beck told me this morning that he loved my hair down, too. I’m overthinking it.”
“Probably. Listen to me. Don’t worry about the guys. The impression you’ll make in that dress is one that will last for their lifetimes.”
Lucy sat back in her chair with a smile and a fierce twinkle gradually came into her eyes. “Damn right I will.” Maizy giggled when Lucy turned her gaze to her stylist and said, “Bring it on, Danielle. And make sure you spray it good afterward.”
During the course of the hairstyling, Maizy discovered that Danielle was the stylist Chaz was dating—or had been up until recently. At one point in that lively conversation, while arranging Maizy’s sparkling hairpins, Danielle giggled and said, “Honey, it’s such a shame when a man peaks at the age of eighteen. After I’d heard that story about the football championships regurgitated for the tenth time, I gave his goofy ass the boot. Life is too short for that bullshit.”
Right then, Danielle earned a client for life as she and Maizy commiserated over the hazards of dating men like Chaz.
Once they were all done with hair and nails, had a light lunch, and then had makeup done, they used Madeleine’s large dressing room to get ready for the wedding. It was warm outside and they didn’t want to change clothes once they got to Grace’s, chancing ruining hair or makeup. Madeleine helped them with buttons, zippers, and last-minute touch-ups and then stood back as they gazed at themselves in the large mirrors. “You’re all perfect, ladies.”
Madeleine was Lucy’s former employer, before she’d become self-employed, and it was obvious that she was close with Lucy as she placed her hands on Lucy’s lace-sheathed upper arms. “You’re stunning, Lucy. I’m glad you invited me to your wedding because I can’t wait to see the looks on your men’s faces.”
Lucy smiled at Madeleine, blinking rapidly as she fought tears, and patted her forearms. “Thanks, boss.”
Madeleine turned to the whole group with shiny eyes and said, “Ladies, I can’t wait to see how the whole assembly reacts to you. It’s nearly one o’clock.”
Grace gasped and said, “We’d better hurry. Don’t want to be late for your wedding.”
Lucy eyed her wedding dress and shoes in the mirror one more time, that same confident smile and fierceness lighting her pale blue eyes from within
. “I think they’ll wait.”
Maizy was a little awed by her about-to-be sister-in-law sometimes. She was tall and usually exuded a confidence that made Maizy think of an Amazon warrior woman. She was exactly what Patrick and PJ needed. And the good Lord knew she was exactly what Beck needed, too.
“I’m ready.”
A few minutes later, they caravanned down the long driveway at the Divine Creek Ranch. Near the house, the grassy area on both sides of the driveway was lined with long rows of vehicles belonging to the guests. A pearly white Escalade was parked nearby, already decorated with streamers and strings of cans, and “Just Married” emblazoned in white shoe polish on the windows.
Jack Warner and Charity Connors came out of the front door to greet them as they exited their vehicles. Maizy and the girls enjoyed their reactions as their jaws dropped and their eyes got big.
“Holy crap, Lucy! I like your style,” Charity said in genuine surprise as she got a good look at Lucy’s wedding dress.
Jack said, “Ladies, you’re real stunners.” He gave Grace a very warm, appreciative look as he slid his hand around her back. She looked up at him and sighed happily as she stroked his cheek.
Like Maizy and Jayne, Grace was clad in an off-the-shoulder summer dress made from gauzy linen and lace in a vivid violet color. Despite their disparate hair colors, eye colors, and complexions, the brilliant shade of blue was perfection on all three of them.
The shirred bodice on the dresses was formfitting and flowed down to a lace-covered gauze skirt that reached just past midthigh. The lace extended beyond the gauze hem another few inches, giving a peek at their legs. They were all wearing matching violet satin platform pumps with chunky four-inch heels.
Jack escorted the ladies in the house as he said, “Patrick and Beck are already at the front with the minister. Just about everyone is situated. Rachel said we can get started when Lucy is ready.”
“Good. How’s Rose Marie doing?” Grace asked as she put up her purse and keys.
Maizy the Bear Charmer [Divine Creek Ranch 16] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 30