Love Me Once, Love Me Twice (Montana Cowboys 1)

by Beth Walker

"Oh?"

  "Uh, yeah. And remember how you told me about how you two work a threesome?"

  He replied in a choked, "Yes."

  "Put it this way, I have a really vivid imagination."

  "Aw, fuck."

  "Mmm. Yeah, you could put it like that."

  "Are you sure you don't want me to come over?"

  "I'm sure, but I think the phone sex thing could take care of my problem and maybe yours."

  "What are you wearin'?"

  "Nothing."

  The low growl through the phone made her smile. "You?"

  "Right now? Jeans and boxers, but give me a second." The shuffle, zip, and whoosh of his clothes were loud on her end of the phone. "Okay. Now, nothin'."

  "I need to go into my room. Hang on a sec." She unplugged the bathtub, wrapped the towel around her, and moved toward her room. "Do I need my vibrator?"

  "Depends."

  "On?"

  "Do you think I can make you come with my voice?"

  "I think I'll skip the vibrator and make you work for it, stud."

  "Oh, honey, you asked for it." He cleared his throat, dropping his voice an octave. "Are you stretched out on your bed?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Take your right hand and move it over your right breast."

  A soft moan left her lips when she did as instructed.

  "Roll your nipple between your fingers like I want to do. Can you feel it? Feel my fingers."

  "Yeah," she breathed.

  "Wet your other fingers with your tongue then swirl it around your other nipple. That's my tongue, darlin', swirlin', and lickin' at the pretty little pink nub."

  "God, Cade. You're pretty good at this."

  His chuckle on the phone brought her down a notch.

  "My hand is sliding down your belly to part those full, pink lips."

  Her breath hitched.

  "Swirl your finger around your clit."

  "Mmm," she hummed.

  "Perfect, darlin'."

  "Are you coming along with me, Cade?"

  "Oh, you know it. My cock is so hard, I could pound nails with it right now."

  "Stroke it for me. Feel my warm hand wrapped around you, sliding up and down."

  "Toggle your clit for me, honey." Cream slid between her ass cheeks. "Are you wet, Nat?"

  "Definitely." She captured a little of the silky wetness, using it to lubricate her ministrations on her clit. "It feels like your tongue."

  "My, my. Naughty girl."

  Rasping breaths in the phone matched hers. She knew he bordered right there with her. Her motions quickened. Pressure increased. Her legs tingled with the pressure to come.

  "I'm gonna come, Cade. Come with me."

  "I'm right there, darlin'. Fuck, this is so hot."

  Pleasure rushed up her legs and burst through her pelvis on a flash of need so strong, she cried out and heard his answering moans in her ear. Several moments of rasping breathing told her he needed a minute to return to normal, too.

  "Was it good for you?" she asked with a giggle.

  The warm chuckle told her the whole scenario didn't bother him at all and she needed that—needed to know he was okay with out of the ordinary, because, her life, at the moment, seemed anything but ordinary.

  "So do you want to tell me about your dream?"

  "Not unless you plan on getting me off again over the phone."

  "I don't think so. I'm wiped and I need a shower. It's been quite a while since I've had phone sex."

  "Feeling old, Mr. Weston?" she asked

  "Hell no. You make me feel like I could do anything, darlin', includin' keepin' you well satisfied in the bedroom."

  "I hate to say good-bye," she whispered, feeling the loss of him already.

  "I know, but you should probably get some sleep. I'm sure you need to be at the hospital bright and early in the mornin'. If you aren't, your grandmother will flag down some trucker and hitch a ride home."

  "Yes, she would, but I've got other things on my mind too. My mother will probably be flying in tomorrow."

  "Your mother? Why?"

  "She called earlier and I couldn't help but tell her about Gram. She came all unglued and said she would be on the first plane out of Portland and would be here some time tomorrow."

  "Your grandmother isn't gonna like that at all."

  "You aren't telling me something I don't know, but my mother won't listen to me. I tried to tell her."

  "It'll be okay. The two of them will have to hash it out between them, and I wouldn't bet on your mother winning."

  She laughed and rubbed her nose. "No. I'd bet on my grandmother any day of the week."

  "You're a lot like her, you know."

  "My grandmother?"

  "Yes. You've got her spirit and spunkiness."

  "I appreciate the sentiment."

  "You're welcome. Now, I'm goin' to head to the shower. You get some sleep."

  "Yes, sir."

  "I kind of like it when you talk all submissive."

  "Don't get use to it." The laughter in the phone had her shaking her head. "Good-night, Cade."

  "Night, darlin'."

  * * * *

  The sun rose bright and early the next morning. Blue skies peeked through the thin layer of clouds, and for now, it appeared there wouldn't be any new snow today.

  Natalie got up early, showered, dressed, and grabbed two cups of strong coffee before heading to the hospital to pick up her grandmother. The old Buick sitting in the garage had to be something out of the nineteen-eighties, but she knew her grandmother loved the old car. Thankfully, the town plowed the roads after last night's snow.

  "Good morning, Gram," she said, breezing through the door with a smile on her face.

  "What's so good about it?"

  "I see you're in a wonderful humor this morning," she replied, kissing her grandmother on the cheek. "No handsome male nurse to give you a bath?"

  "Hrmph."

  "You're speechless? That's a first."

  Her grandmother stuck out her tongue and Natalie laughed. "Don't get your panties in a wad, granddaughter. Speechless, I'll never be."

  "I believe you, Gram. So what's the issue already?"

  "Your mother."

  "Oh shit."

  "Yeah, oh shit. She called bright and early to inform me she would be flying in today to take care of me. I don't need her here and I don't want her here."

  "I know, Gram. I'm sorry. I didn't have much choice but to tell her what happened. She called the house last night and wanted to talk to you."

  Her grandmother patted her hand. "No worries, honey, I'll take care of her. I may be old, but I sure in the hell ain't dead yet, and she's not about to take over my life. I know she left you with specific instructions on what to do while here. I don't have any plans to allow anyone to bully me into leaving my home."

  "Mom doesn’t stand a chance, does she?"

  "Hell no. I raised her and I know what to do with her. If she doesn't like it, she can get her ass back on a plane and go right back to Oregon."

  She couldn't help but smile. Her grandmother had more spunk and grit than a lot of people she knew. "Has the doctor been in yet to discharge you?"

  "If he had, do you think I'd still be sitting here in this flimsy thing they call clothing?"

  "No, Grandma, I imagine you wouldn't be. You would already be dressed and sitting downstairs, tapping your foot."

  "You're damned right I would."

  "What did the physical therapist say?"

  "Read it yourself," she replied, waving toward the packet of information on her tray table.

  Natalie picked up the paperwork and scanned it. Three times a week with the in-home physical therapist and exercises to do on her own. The percentage of weakness on her right side didn't seem too bad, but she wasn't a medical professional.

  "Are you prepared to do these exercises everyday like they suggest?"

  "If it means your mother not coming, of course."

  "Yo
u know you can't avoid it. She's coming whether you want her to or not."

  "And we'll go rounds when she gets here. You can count on that, because I don't want her here."

  "Hopefully, she won't stay long."

  "How about if she turns around and goes back on the same damned plane she comes here on?"

  "Somehow, I don't think she will, Gram."

  "What do you think she'll say when she finds out your dating two men? Oh, by the way, how did the date go with Kale last night? Anymore hot sex?"

  "I'm not discussing it with you," she replied, taking the chair across from the bed.

  "Oh, come on, Nat. Let an old lady live vicariously through you."

  "You'll survive, Gram and no, I did not have sex with Kale last night." I'm not about to tell her I had phone sex with Cade.

  "Well, damn it girl! You had the perfect opportunity."

  "Can you imagine what my mother would say finding out I'm dating two men, much less, if I had sex with both of them?"

  "It's none of her business, Natalie. You're a grown woman, and you can make your own decisions on who you want to see and who you want to sleep with."

  "I know, but she's so controlling. She loved Steven. She had a huge fit when she found out I broke it off with him. It didn't matter to her I caught him in bed with someone else."

  "And we both know my opinion of him."

  She laughed and shook her head. "Yes, Gram, we do."

  Both eyebrows shot up almost to her hairline. "Your mother expected you to stay with dick-wad even after he screwed another woman in your bed?"

  "Yes. She told me it must have been a mistake and men have those kinds of weaknesses. I needed to forgive him and seek counseling."

  "Counseling, my ass! The man cheated on you. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior in a relationship. Never once did your grandfather ever look at another woman, much less, have sex with someone else in our bed."

  "The relationship you had with grandpa is the kind of loving connection I want with my husband. I'm not going to settle for less. I refuse to be complacent in a marriage."

  "Good for you, honey. The right man is out there for you. He may not be Cade or Kale, but you'll find him, if you don't settle. Never settle for anything except the real thing."

  She captured her bottom lip between her teeth.

  "Spill it, Natalie. You're holding out on me," her grandmother said, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "Don't tell Mom I told you, but my dad cheated."

  "Your dad had an affair with another woman?"

  "Yes. Several years ago, I believe, but she smoothed it over, forgave him and everything."

  "And?"

  "He still cheats on her, but she chooses to ignore it now."

  "Wait until she gets here. I'm going to kick her ass for her!"

  "Well, good morning ladies. How are we this morning?" Doctor Bridges said as he came through the door. "Ready to go home, Mrs. Oliver?"

  "Damn right and it's about time you got your ass off the golf course and got me out of here." Her grandmother flipped the covers off her legs and threw them both over the side of the bed. "Get me my walkin' papers and we'll be on our way."

  "You know it will take a few minutes, Gram, so calm down."

  "She's right, Mrs. Oliver. I've written the orders for your discharge, but it will take a bit for the nurses to get the paperwork ready. Sit back and relax for a bit."

  "They can get up off their lazy butts and get it done. I know they are all sittin' around the nurses' station gossiping about who you are sleeping with this week, Doctor Bridges."

  The man coughed and looked at her, but she only shrugged.

  "I'll…um…see what I can do to hurry them along," he replied, walking backwards toward the door.

  "You do that and I'll get dressed. Get my clothes out of the closet there, Natalie. I want out of this place."

  "I know you do, Gram. Hang on and let me help you."

  "I'm not an invalid."

  "Yes, ma'am, I know."

  She prayed they would hurry with the paperwork. Her grandmother wouldn't be patient long. By the time she dressed and tied her shoes, the nurse came through the door with her discharge papers.

  "You don't need to go through all of it, miss, I know what it says."

  "Mrs. Oliver. I am required by law to go over this paperwork with you and make sure you understand the instructions. I have to sign my name to it saying you understand. Would you like me to put my license on the line?"

  "No. I guess not, but hurry up."

  In no time, they had her bundled up and inside the old Buick.

  "Be careful, Natalie. I don't want you to wreck my car."

  "I will, Gram."

  "Go slower."

  "Grandma, I know how to drive."

  "I realize you do, but this is my car, and no one has driven my car since your grandpa got sick."

  With a shake of her head, they drove out of the parking lot and started down the main street. If she kept the conversation going, maybe her grandmother wouldn't harp on her about her driving. In no time, they were pulling into the driveway at the house.

  "I wonder whose car is sitting on the street. I don't recognize it," her grandmother said as Natalie turned off the ignition.

  "I'm not sure."

  Seconds later, they found out when Natalie's mother came barreling out the drivers' side door, yelling at the top of her lungs. "Natalie Marie! You're supposed to be here taking care of your grandmother, not dating half the eligible bachelors in Red Rock and sleeping with the other half."

  Chapter Nine

  "Oh hell," Natalie groaned. "I thought she wasn't coming until later?"

  "Obviously not," her grandmother replied.

  "Hello to you too, Mother."

  "Don't hello me, young lady. I've got words for you."

  "Butt the hell out, Marie. She's done nothing wrong. The only thing she's done while she's been here is take care of me and have a little fun."

  "A little fun? A lot more fun than she needs to be having. She should be on the phone with Steven, trying to work things out, not dating whoever takes her fancy," Marie said, standing with her hands on her hips and tapping her toe.

  "Steven is an asshole. And we aren't discussing this in the driveway." Her grandmother took her arm and said, "Help me inside, honey."

  "Get her things from the backseat, Mother."

  "Wha—"

  "You heard her, Marie. Get my things from the backseat while she helps me into the house."

  "Well, I never."

  "I imagine that's part of your problem," her grandmother replied and Natalie chuckled softly. "If you had some good sex once in a while, you wouldn't be so uptight."

  The chuckled turned into a full-blown laugh at her mother's expense.

  Once in the house, she helped her grandmother sit on the couch and moved toward the kitchen to make coffee, giving her something to do with her hands, other than strangle her mother, but she could still hear the banter in the other room.

  "You need to mind your own business, Mother."

  "To hell you say. Natalie is having a good time while she's here, and I see not a damned thing wrong with it."

  "She wasn't sent here to have a good time."

  "No, she was sent here to wrap me in a straight-jacket if necessary and cart my ass back to Oregon."

  A minute or two of silence followed her grandmother's words, and Natalie could imagine her mother's mouth opening and closing like a guppy. The whole scenario made her giggle. God, it felt good to laugh. It had been a while since she’d felt like laughing.

  "I'm not going back to Oregon, Marie. I'm completely competent, so trying to say I'm not, won't work. I know every attorney and judge in this town, and there isn't a one who will say I can't take care of myself. You might as well get your ass back on the plane and go back to your low-life of a husband."

  "Low-life? What are you talking about, Mother?"

  "Natalie told me about
Gerald cheating on you. If you are stupid enough to stay with him when he's screwing around with whatever bimbo catches his fancy this week, then you aren't the woman I raised you to be."

  Shit! She wasn't supposed to say anything.

  "You are a beautiful woman, and you shouldn't be treated like you have no brain-cells in your head. You're intelligent, caring, and have a wonderful heart for those less fortunate than you. Quit letting him take advantage of you, Marie. He dragged you away from your family. Had you hold up in the god-forsaken suburb of Portland. Pushed you into living a life you didn't want and forcing your children to live a life away from God's country. This is where you belong, not in Oregon."

  Silence met her ears as she strained to hear anything her mother said to her grandmother's accusations.

  "Mom, I'm sorry. You're right."

  "Halleluiah and praise the Lord."

  Natalie grabbed three cups of coffee, and the cream and sugar. Her eyes welled with her grandmother's speech, and it broke her heart to know her mother suffered for her and Andrea. Never had her mother said a word about being miserable, but since her grandmother pointed out the facts, she could see it plain as the nose on her face.

  "Anyone want coffee?"

  Marie silently wiped her eyes, and nodded while her grandmother took one of the mugs from Natalie's hands.

  The jingle of the telephone on the end table brought her head around to stare at it and wonder who might be calling now.

  "Aren't you going to answer it?" Marie asked as she set her cup down on the coffee table.

  "Uh, yeah." Natalie grabbed the phone and said, "Hello?"

  "Hey, darlin'."

  "Hi, Cade."

  One of her grandmother's perfectly painted on eyebrows shot up in a wide arch and a huge smile spread across her face. "Invite that hunk on over here."

  Natalie shook her head no and narrowed her eyes on her grandmother.

  "I take it your grandmother is home safe and sound."

  "Um…yeah and my mother is here."

  "Oh great. I bet it's a nice family reunion," he replied.

  "Uh, no," she told him into the phone. "Gram, I'm going to take this in the other room."

  "Oh?" her mother asked, her fingernails tapping on the edge of the ceramic mug. "Why not talk in here, Natalie?"

  "I'm not talking to Cade in front of you, Mother. This is a personal call." She spun on her heels and moved toward the kitchen. When she picked up the receiver she said, "You can hang up, Gram."