She thought about Kenneth. He was a disciplinarian and expected things to be done at his command, in perfect condition and most professional. She imagined him asking her to his office, telling her to lock the door, and then ordering her to her knees to suck him down as he sat at his desk and did work.
She shook her head. What in God’s name am I thinking? He would never do that. I would never do that.
She put the conditioner in her hair and as she closed her eyes she remembered some of the fantasies she had about all three men. She actually could see Kenneth pressing her over his desk, lifting her skirt, and fucking her from behind.
Hell, he would spank her just like she imagined Bender and Sam doing.
Jeesh. She fantasized about Bender and his handcuffs. How he would come into her house, frisk her, and then have his wicked way with her. She practically moaned just thinking about him doing that and about his body. Their bodies were perfection. Especially Sam’s who had rips and ridges and was tall and with very little body hair. He had baby soft skin on his cheeks and she loved kissing him, exploring his neck and chest with all those muscles. But she knew he was capable and strong. A man with abilities and talents she knew nothing about and shouldn’t ask either. They might scare her to know he could hurt her twenty different ways as a trained soldier should know.
She remembered how worried Kenneth and Bender were last year when Sam had gone on some mission and something went wrong. He came back but they didn’t know if he was dead or alive, and it weighed a toll on them. She could never handle being a soldier’s wife. It would mean too much worrying. She wouldn’t be able to sleep or eat. She gave those women credit, and she was relieved that Sam no longer did missions but worked at the base a few towns away from here. That thought shocked her, too. Who was she to be grateful for that?
Then she thought about them making love and how perfect it was. They didn’t seem to be affected by her scars. They basically proved to her that they cared so much about her and wanted to make her their woman that nothing else mattered. But were they telling her the truth or just appeasing her fears? How would she know?
She wondered if what Caroline told her was true. If love was more powerful than any fear. That she needed to learn to trust these men and fight for her freedom from the past and the fear that had held her back and kept her living in trepidation.
She wanted to be strong, but then she would think about Blade and Skip, and the slimy smile on Mickie’s face as he watched. Even when he looked at her in Charlesburgh, it was like he had every right to touch her or even have access to her body. It wasn’t right. It made her feel sick, dirty, not human, but more like prey.
The tears filled her eyes and she jumped when she heard the voice.
“Are you okay in here?” Kenneth asked her.
She swallowed hard. Was she okay, or was she starting to get panicked all over again? She turned off the water. “All done,” she said with very little enthusiasm, and when she opened the shower door to grab her towel, Kenneth was there holding one and looking concerned.
“You’re not okay,” he said and opened the towel and she stepped into it. He wrapped her up and held her close as he dried her off.
“What were you thinking about? I hope not second thoughts about us all making love,” he added.
“No, not that. That made me very happy, Kenneth.”
He smiled as he bent slightly to look her in the eyes. “Good, then what’s bothering you?”
“A lot of things? I can’t stop my brain from questioning stuff.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know,” she said, pulling the towel closer and then walking in front of the mirror to grab her brush.
He stood behind her and leaned against the other set of cabinets with his arms crossed and only wearing dress pants.
“Well, I find when things are a bit crazy and I can’t seem to process everything, I talk it out. Tell me what you were thinking and I’ll see if I can help.”
She was silent a moment. “But what if it’s about you and your brothers?”
“That’s an even better way to figure it out because we’re right here and can clear up any misconceptions you might have. Now shoot,” he said in that tone of his that was all boss and a man in charge. When he got in lawyer mode, he was even more dominant.
“Well, what happens now at work?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sleeping with my boss,” she said to him.
He smiled. He looked her over. “I’m thinking that there’ll be perks,” he said and stepped closer, undid her towel, and let it fall.
He ran his hands along her arms and then placed her hands on the counter in front of her. Through the mirror her breasts stood out full and aroused. He then gripped her hips and pulled them back so she was bent over slightly.
“I may need you for some special assignments in my office during the day or late at night,” he said, whispering against her shoulder. His scruff on his cheeks tickled her skin.
“Oh really? Like what kind of special assignments?”
He stroked a finger along her ass then to her pussy. “Assignments that will entail a lot of special training for you.”
“Oh,” she moaned. “Training?” she asked.
He thrust his fingers deeper. “Yes, like how to keep very quiet while I fuck this pussy over my desk with your breasts laying on my paperwork, screwing things up. It will cost ya, too.”
“Cost me?” she practically moaned.
Smack.
She gasped.
“A spanking for messing up the paperwork on my desk while I fuck you from behind.”
“Kenneth, that won’t work. People will know what we’re doing in there.”
“They won’t say a word.”
“They’ll look down at me. I’ve had enough of those feelings,” she said.
He squinted his eyes and pulled his fingers from her body. He turned her around and looked down into her eyes.
“Never look down on yourself. You’re gorgeous, sexy, smart, and have a great ass,” he teased then kissed her when she started to smile.
He pulled back, looked at her breasts, and cupped them then ran his thumbs over her nipples. “You hid these well, sweetie. I knew you were built well, but this body is sensational.” He leaned forward and kissed her and then she hugged him tight.
“How about we get something to eat and we talk about our plan of action as your guardians?” She felt a bit upset about that, and it reminded her about the potential danger she was in and now they were in.
“Shelby?” he said, tilting her chin up toward him.
“Do we have to ruin a good time? Can’t we wait to talk about that stuff? I mean, do I need to know your plan of action as my guardians? Can’t I just go on living, focusing on our relationship, and being aware all the time of what’s going on around me? I’ve been doing that for over a year now.”
“You also walked into a public place a few towns over and bumped into danger. Being aware is something you have to constantly do. Not just whenever you feel like it.”
“Okay, boss. I guess I don’t have much of a choice,” she said and then held the towel against her chest as she slowly walked out of the bathroom. She didn’t expect the smack to her ass, or for Bender and Sam to be standing there waiting on her.
Bender pulled her into his arms and ran his hand over her ass and one under her hair to the base of her neck. “Ready to learn about the rules?” he asked, but before she could reply he kissed her, and once he released her and Sam kissed her next, she was putty in their hands and ready to hand over full responsibility of her life to her three lovers. But she also needed to make a plan of her own, just in case things didn’t go as anyone had expected.
Chapter 5
Skip Jordo was hanging out with Eve and Jerry at a bar in Manhattan. They were laughing and having a good time when something caught Skip’s eye. One second glance and he spotted Blade standing at the corner, holding a beer,
and watching him. Skip immediately got the chills. Fucking Mitch had to have called Blade about bumping into Shelby. He swallowed hard and Blade gave him his look, the one that said Get the fuck over here or I might lose my temper.
“Excuse me a minute,” he said to Jerry and Eve. Eve caught Skip’s concerned expression and as Jerry turned to see what was in that direction, he saw Blade. Jerry stopped Skip.
“What the fuck does he want?”
“I don’t know.”
“Skip?” Jerry said to him, holding onto his jacket.
“I don’t know what he wants.”
“You’re lying,” Jerry said to him and Eve held onto Jerry.
“What’s going on? Who is that guy?” she asked, fully concerned and she should be. Blade was evil and cutting ties with him two years ago was the best thing he and Jerry did. Plus, they moved on with Eve and put their fucked-up past behind them.
“He wants something and you know what it is.” Jerry pushed and Skip pulled his arm free.
“It’s Shelby. Mitch bumped into her in South Caroline two weeks ago.”
“What? Is she okay?”
Skip gave him a look as if saying Like you give a shit? You sold her out, too.
He lowered his eyes. “Fuck, he wants her, doesn’t he?”
Skip nodded. “I believe so. Let me see what he’s after.”
Skip walked toward Blade. He met him by the bar in the corner.
“That’s Miss Queens, huh?” he asked, referring to where Eve grew up.
Skip took the beer the bartender placed down for him and then he looked at Blade. He couldn’t help but be fearful. The man was a killer, and Skip knew what he and Jerry did to that young girl that night. Blade made it all disappear so he owed him. Still.
“I understand you heard from Mickie,” Blade said to Skip.
“I did.”
“And that you gave him the okay to find Shelby.”
“I just wanted to make sure that she’s safe,” Skip told him.
“And you want to complete our contract that you agreed to and I never got to benefit from.”
“Are you serious, Blade? It’s been two years. She took off and probably has a new life.”
“She’s still mine.” Skip felt sick. He and Jerry had been desperate and willing to offer anything if Mickie and Blade could make their fuckup disappear. They never expected to be asked to offer Shelby, his girlfriend, as part of the payment. He even helped Blade do a few jobs, illegal deliveries of drugs and prostitutes to high-paying men looking for clean women. He knew the locations of a few secret spots for these encounters to take place. He figured he was done.
“It isn’t over, and the contract is still active, unless you’re reneging on it. Then that’s a different story,” he threatened, and Skip felt his entire body react. He looked toward Eve and Jerry. Eve would hate them if she ever found out what he and Jerry did that night. But after watching what Blade started to do to Shelby as Mickie watched, he felt sick and like such a fucking loser to have let that happen. He knew from the streets that Blade was evil. His ability with a knife was expert level and Skip knew he had no chance against him. But he did record information and transactions. He wrote down locations, dates, and times and even had pictures. Enough shit to put both Blade and Mickie behind bars for life. So with that security, he listened to what Blade wanted. If things got screwed up and Blade double crossed him then Blade would be the one going to jail.
“Just tell me what it is you want.”
“Shelby. Completely mine and without you interfering.”
“She’s not mine anymore, and never really was. I treated her like shit.”
“But you asked that Mickie find her and even bring her to you.”
“To make sure that she’s okay.”
Blade chuckled. “To fuck her one more time, and maybe even see if she’ll join you and Jerry in your threesome with Miss Queens.” He squinted his eyes at him. “Things are different now. She’s mine. You understand me?”
“You came here just to tell me that? I don’t think so. What is it you want from me?”
Blade took a slug of beer from his bottle. “What you did the last time but failed at.”
“What?”
“Get her here. You and Jerry still owe me.” He pulled out a piece of paper.
“Bring her to this address, Apartment 305. You remember the location?”
“It’s one of the buildings you use for—”
“For business.”
“I don’t even know where she is.”
“I do. You and Jerry will need to be really careful. She’s got some guys around her all the time. This town she lives in is a little strange. You’d actually like it because men share their women.” He glanced at Eve.
“Get this done within the week and Eve will stay looking pretty.”
He felt sick, and like he lost all his coloring in his face. This was never going to end. He would always owe Blade. There had to be something he could do.
“If you don’t get this done, she’ll end up like the last bitch I had to get rid of for you. Don’t fail me.”
“After this, we’re done. Our debt to you is paid, and that’s it,” Skip stated. Blade held his gaze.
“I’ll decide that.”
Skip walked away and knew that he needed to talk to Jerry and get a plan in motion. They had a lot of shit on Mickie and Blade. A lot of concrete stuff they could use to get them off their backs forever.
“So what did he want?” Jerry asked him.
“We need to make a trip, and then it’s done,” he said to Jerry.
“What trip? Where do you need to go? Who is that guy?” Eve asked. Skip pulled her into his arms and hugged her close.
“Hopefully someone we don’t ever have to see again after this trip.”
Jerry looked at him with a scowl on his face.
Skip nodded his head. “We’ll talk later. I’ve got a plan, and we’ll need to finalize some things before we leave.”
Jerry nodded and then looked over to where Blade had been. Skip did the same but he knew the man was already gone. Shelby didn’t stand a chance, and he, Jerry, and Eve would always have to worry about owing Blade something more. He had to ensure that Eve didn’t wind up like Shelby, too, because of him and Jerry. He was already coming up with some ideas. First he needed to figure out how he would get Shelby out of South Carolina without drawing any attention or notifying any cops.
He felt the hand on his arm and then Eve pressed herself against him. “If you guys are in some kind of trouble, I want to help. I’ll do whatever you need. I don’t want to lose you guys,” Eve said to him and he held her tight and Jerry smiled as he caressed her back.
“We’re a team, a family now,” Jerry told her and he ran his hand up and down her back. Eve could never know about their past, but she had done some illegal things, too, that they knew of. Nothing like what they did, but she wasn’t perfect.
“I want to go with you. I can help. Please.”
“No, Eve, I don’t want you involved with this,” Skip said to her.
“I’m already involved. I’ve heard of Blade, that man you were talking to. You owe him something, don’t you?” she asked.
Skip took a deep breath and caressed her hair. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“I can tell it is. Let me help,” Eve said and Jerry shrugged his shoulders.
“We’ll talk about it,” Skip told her and she hugged him tight. As he looked at Jerry, his mind began to come up with a plan to get Shelby out of South Carolina and to the apartment building in SoHo. Maybe she could be a help after all.
* * * *
“So things have been good?” Caroline asked Shelby as they sat in her kitchen having glasses of wine. The guys were on the porch and cooking on the grill.
Shelby played with her wine glass. “Things are good.”
“Just good?” Caroline pushed as she raised one of her eyebrows. Her sister was being shy and she found
it funny as she chuckled. Caroline knew firsthand how different it was to be in a ménage relationship. Hell, to be in a committed and loving relationship where she finally felt at peace. She wanted that for Shelby.
Shelby held her gaze and looked past her to be sure the men couldn’t hear her.
“It’s amazing. Almost perfect, actually.”
Caroline smiled. “I’m so happy for you. I knew that if you let your guard down that you would see that Kenneth, Bender, and Sam really care about you.”
“I know they do. I’m trying to be accepting to this relationship. I know I love them, Caroline, but I still fear something bad is going to happen. It’s like I’m holding back just enough to be mentally prepared for it to fall apart.”
“That’s understandable with everything that happened, and the scars and all, but they’ve more than proven their love for you. It’s hard to not let go when all three men are inside of you, loving you in that way. It’s amazing,” Caroline whispered and felt her cheeks warm. Shelby swallowed hard and held her gaze.
“I haven’t done that yet.”
“What? Why not? It’s been weeks and they’re older, more experienced. Haven’t they wanted to?” Caroline asked.
“They understand my fears, and they told me that when I fully trust them and trust in this relationship and the bond, and when I know I’m ready, then it’s right.”
Caroline felt her eyes fill up with tears. She covered her sister’s hand.
“My God, they love you so much. Can’t you see that?”
Shelby wiped her eye before the tear fell. “I do. I know they do, but when I think of giving all of myself to them and letting them love me together…I imagine that day when C.J. was shot and nearly killed. I remember how upset you were about almost causing him to die. I think what if Blade comes here, and he does something to you, or to Kenneth, Bender, or Sam, then what? I wouldn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t be able to go on living without you guys in my life.”
“Shelby, I won’t lie. You were there with me, talking me through it, too. It was rough, and I put some distance between C.J. and I for a while and even with York and Hunter. They were patient but then C.J. sat me down and told me that I was letting my fears and things I have no control over dictate our future as a ménage couple. He explained that he loved me so much that he would do anything for me. That he or his brothers would die for me, if they had control over if and when the bad things happened. That’s what true love is all about. Sacrificing for one another and loving one another. Not taking life for granted. When the bad times happen and you’re scared, Kenneth, Bender, and Sam will be the first ones you turn to for help. I remember that day he was shot. I won’t ever forget the shock on his face, and the fear he felt as he tried to grab me and pull me away from Cameron. Even though he was shot, he still tried to save me.”
Town of Chance: Fight for Freedom [The Dare Series 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8