by Jane Jamison
Mitch knew him well enough to know when to drop a subject. “Sure thing. And if you need me, just holler.”
“Thanks, Mitch. I’ll check in with you later.”
Fuck.
It figures. He finally met a girl he really liked, and she was knee-deep in her brother’s problems.
He could kick them off the ranch and send them and their problems packing. If it was only Jesse, he might do it. Hell, it made sense to do it. But Amy getting caught on the road without anyone to help her wasn’t going to happen. Not if he could help it. No matter what went down, he wouldn’t let her get hurt.
He tossed the phone on top of his bed. Amy wouldn’t pay for her brother’s mistakes. But he didn’t want to fool with Jesse’s problem, either. He had a rodeo coming up next month and working the ranch was a full-time, twenty-four-seven job.
He couldn’t help but let his mind wander. Having Amy lying on his bed would make anything he had to go through worth it. Her thick, soft hair would spread out around her oval face as she stretched her arms out for him. He’d skim a finger along her parted lips and imagine them wrapped around his cock.
But what about the rest? Judging from the way she’d reacted to the spankings, she might be open to more. More as in the massive room at the end of the hall. A box of their favorite sex tools rested on a bench Seth and he had built for their playtime. Other toys were hung from a huge wooden plaque on one of the walls.
They’d furnished and equipped the room with an eye toward the future, while understanding it might be a long time before they’d get to use it. To do so meant having more than a passing fancy and a tumbled one-night stand. They’d played with a few girls, using a few of the tools from the room, but had never taken any women inside the big room. No one but their special woman would ever be invited to join them there.
They needed to trust the woman just as she’d have to trust them. Seth and he wanted to keep that part of their lives quiet. Although he knew some of his friends like Mitch enjoyed tying up something other than calves, he wasn’t sure how the rest of the circuit members would take it.
He wasn’t ashamed of how he liked his sex. But it just wasn’t something a man talked about. Especially if he cared about the woman he was tying up.
Could Amy be the one they’d saved the room for? Could they get closer with her brother’s troubles complicating things? Yet if she hadn’t gotten mixed up in her brother’s problems, he never would’ve met her.
He wanted her to stay. Surprising himself as much as her, he’d said as much and he’d meant it. And Seth wanted her as much as he did. That alone was a major plus.
Just thinking about seeing her bent over the bed, her face and breasts pushed against the bedspread, her ass stuck into the air for him to enjoy, had his cock twitching to life. He’d spank her butt again, turning it a pretty pink color, and maybe adding a short whip for variety. Tying her hands behind her back would excite him. And, if he wasn’t planning on having her suck on his cock, he’d add a ball gag.
The sound of singing tore him away from his fantasy. He listened then smiled. Amy was in the kitchen directly below his bedroom. From the way she was singing, she wasn’t upset about the way he’d left her.
Part of him was happy she wasn’t. And yet, another part would’ve enjoyed seeing the anger flash in her eyes as it had done by the creek. Either way, he couldn’t wait to see her again.
* * * *
Amy heard Jarrod enter the kitchen just as Seth wrapped his arm around her. She pushed back against him, took his arm off her, and tried not to laugh. After Jarrod left her alone by the creek, she should’ve gotten Jesse and taken off. But that would’ve been hurting Jesse more than getting even with Jarrod.
“Hey, bro, Amy told me about you finding Jesse out by the creek. Although from the look on your face, I’m thinking there’s more to the story than she’s telling me. Still, what were you thinking? Leaving her alone with all the trouble her brother’s in? Not cool.”
She let Seth wrap his arm around her again. Maybe the best way to get back at Jarrod was through Seth. Not that she’d want to cause any real trouble, but just enough to make him apologize. Jarrod’s dark expression told her she’d hit the bull’s-eye.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have left her alone.”
Jarrod slid to her other side and hemmed her in between his brother and the kitchen stove. Either way she moved, she was liable to get burned. “Then why did you?”
“I got tired of not getting any answers.”
“I guess I can see where that would rile you up.” Seth reached around her, took the ladle, and sampled the soup boiling in the big pot on the stove.
“And I didn’t really leave her alone.”
“What?” She turned as best she could to face Jarrod.
“I never really left you alone. I stayed out of sight and followed you home. You were so pissed off while you were storming back to the house that you wouldn’t have noticed an elephant barreling down on you.”
“Like hell you did. I would’ve seen you. Or heard your horse.”
“Like I said, you weren’t paying attention.”
“He’s telling you the truth, darlin’. I know my brother and he wouldn’t risk leaving you unguarded.”
She stepped away to stare at them. Darlin’? Had either one of them called her darlin’ before? That one little word seemed more important than any word she’d ever heard.
How was she supposed to react? “Oh.”
“How about you two agree to let it go?” Seth reached around her and turned off the stove. “The soup smells amazing, but I’m not very hungry.”
His saucy grin took her nerves and set them jumping. How could just being near either one of the Hill brothers turn her body to mush? And when both of them were together, she had no chance of resisting them.
As if she even wanted to.
Seth yanked her against him then reached around to cup her breasts. He nuzzled her neck, brushing her hair aside and planting feather light kisses along her shoulders. Although she was caught between a hot stove and a hotter man, she shivered.
“I think you two got tangled up at the creek. And I’m not talking about arguing. Am I right?”
Jarrod skimmed his fingers over her cheek. “Yeah. You’re right. But it didn’t go as far as I would’ve liked.”
“Damn. I thought we wanted to do this together.”
Together? She’d fantasized about having both of them. Had, in fact, spent a long time the night before pleasuring herself so she could finally fall asleep. Even then, she’d dreamed about them, one on either side of her as they were now. Each of them doing whatever they could to make her body sizzle.
“We do. But you can’t blame me for taking advantage of an opportunity when it came up. You’d have done the same thing.”
“Yeah, I would’ve.”
She squirmed against them, caught in their sexual trap. Jarrod’s rock-hard body pressed against hers as his brother’s did the same from the other side. She’d always felt small around them, but now she felt even smaller. And yet, more confident. As though she could sense them giving her complete control.
Jarrod bent and nibbled on her other shoulder as Seth continued to kiss along her left one. Her nipples grew harder, peaked and ready as Jarrod’s thumbs raked over them. Seth’s hands found her ample bottom and squeezed, then squeezed some more.
Her curves had always been a source of embarrassment. She was bigger and rounder than most girls her age. Had been since high school. Instead of being the waiflike stick with boobs most men seemed to like, her breasts were large and full, her waist soft with extra padding, and her bottom generous enough to give J-Lo a run for her money. She’d never been with a man without feeling self-conscious even though she’d fought hard to feel good about her curves. Until now. The Hill men made her feel like she was perfect. Extra pounds and all.
“How about we take this upstairs?” asked Seth. “To the room at the end of the hall?”
>
“Sounds good to me.” Jarrod gave her one of his small smiles. Small but filled with so much promise. “If you’re good with having the both of us.”
“I am.” She sighed as Jarrod’s hard bulge in his jeans pressed against her crotch at the same time Seth’s eased against the small of her back. “What about Jesse? And dinner?”
“If he’s hungry, he can feed himself.”
Granted, Jesse hadn’t made a good impression so far, but they didn’t need to keep putting him down. “He’s not an idiot. Don’t make him sound like one.”
Seth nibbled at her skin then put his ear close to hers. “Hey, darlin’, you took it all wrong. We know he’s not dumb. How could anyone related to you be anything but smart? And I’ll bet he’s even a good guy. He needs guidance, is all.”
“Exactly.”
“Can we stop talking about Jesse and start talking about going upstairs?” Jarrod’s jaw clenched as he ran his needy gaze all the way down her then traveled it slowly back up.
“I will if you will,” murmured Seth with his mouth against her.
“Hey, sis, what’s cooking?”
The two men couldn’t have moved away from her any faster if she’d caught on fire. She skimmed her hands over her clothes, thankful they hadn’t undone any buttons or zippers. “Jesse. Um, where have you been?”
Jesse’s sour look jumped from Jarrod, then to her, then over to Seth. “Nowhere. Just hanging. What’s going on?”
As if he couldn’t guess. “Nothing. Just getting dinner ready. Are you hungry?”
“Naw.” He tossed them another suspicious glare and headed out the door leading to the backyard.
As soon as he was gone, Seth grabbed her hand and tugged her along with him toward the stairs. “Good. He’s settled, so let’s get on upstairs.”
“What’s upstairs?” Playing with them couldn’t hurt.
“That, darlin’, is what you’re going to find out.” Seth lifted her off her feet and started carrying her over his shoulder toward the stairs.
“Put me down.” Her head bobbed up and down. His hard shoulder pushed against her stomach, but at least the view was terrific. His rump was round and firm.
He paused and, although she didn’t see it, she sensed something, a look or gesture, pass between the two men.
“We’re taking you to the room at the end of the hallway. Is that good with you, bro?”
“Damn straight it is,” answered Jarrod.
“Not too soon?” asked Seth.
“Way overdue.”
What were they talking about? Yet, as long as Seth didn’t put her down, she didn’t care.
Seth repositioned her on his shoulder. “Darlin’, you’re going to love all the toys.”
“And torture devices. Cowboys get down and dirty the right way.”
She played along, beating against Seth’s back as though it would do any good. Pounding on a rock would’ve been just as effective. “Put me down, you big jerk.” She would’ve sounded more convincing if she hadn’t been giggling.
“We’re finally going to get the truth out of you. One way or another.”
She stopped hitting Seth, alarm wiping her giggles away. Jarrod couldn’t have said much worse. “Put me down. I mean it.”
Seth stopped, obviously waiting for Jarrod to say something, then set her on her feet. “What’s the matter?”
“You’re not going to use sex against me.”
“Against you? Don’t be stupid.” Jarrod tried to take her arm, but she yanked it back.
“He was kidding.” Seth, ever the easygoing one, tried to hug her, but she wasn’t having any of it.
“No he wasn’t.” The tension spiked between Jarrod and her just as it had done by the creek.
“She’s right.”
Seth groaned, running a hand through his hair before glaring at his brother. “Come on, you two. Let it go for the rest of the night.”
“I can’t. If you don’t believe me, then I don’t want to go into that room.”
She wanted nothing more than to have both Jarrod and Seth running their hands and their tongues over every inch of her. But if they did, she’d have to tell them the truth. A truth that could have Jesse and her leaving the ranch.
“Damn it, Amy. Don’t get bullheaded. The story about Jesse hitting on Bandura’s girlfriend doesn’t fly. Just tell us what really happened and get it over with.”
“Take it easy, Jarrod. You’re blowing this sky high. Shut the hell up.”
She and Jarrod locked gazes. He was determined to get the truth out of her and, damn it, she wanted to tell him. They both deserved as much, but would it be safe?
The only safe thing to do was to get out of there.
“Forget this. I’m going to find Jesse.” Once she found him, she’d make him tell the Hill brothers the truth so she wouldn’t have to. After all, it was Jesse’s place to tell them. If he did, she wouldn’t feel like she’d turned against him. Besides, admitting what he’d done would be good for him, the first real step in becoming the man he was meant to be. She whirled around and, barely escaping their attempts to grab hold of her, she dashed down the stairs and out the back door.
Chapter Eight
“Jesse?” Amy scoured the area between the house and the barn. Maybe if she got lucky, she’d find her brother and get him to tell the truth. Then she and the men could pick up where they’d left off.
When he didn’t answer, she started for the barn. Not finding him inside, she took a moment to enjoy the horses and pet their soft muzzles. Living on a ranch would be wonderful. She wouldn’t have to worry about the crime and noisy neighbors. There’d be no more worries about the heat wafting up from the concrete surrounding the apartment building and sifting through the sides of the window that held a sputtering air conditioner unit. And no more having to deal with creeps like Ruben Bandura.
She was once more headed toward the creek. It figured that Jesse might try and retrieve the joint, especially if he was telling the truth about not having any more drugs. Could Jesse dry the pot out and still smoke it?
She heard him just as she rounded the path leading to the same spot where he’d been caught smoking. He wasn’t even trying to keep his voice low.
“I’m telling you, man, I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere. You’ve got to come and get me.”
He was planning on leaving. But was he going to tell her or take off on his own?
“Naw, man. Bandura doesn’t know where I am and he won’t if you keep your mouth shut. But I’ve got to get out of here.” He paused, listening. “At the end of the week? Are you shitting me? I can’t stay here that long. Plus, I’m not holding. I mean nothing. The shithead farmer dude ruined the only joint I had. Make it tomorrow. Around noon. Got it?”
Shit. Whoever he was talking to knew where they were. Where had he gotten the phone? How’d he know if he could trust this person? She stormed around the corner and found her brother with a phone to his ear.
“There’s this big red barn on one of the fucking dirt roads. Yeah, it’s one of the roads off the main one. No, I don’t know the fucking name of the road. Hell, most of the roads don’t even have a sign. You’ll just have to try all of them.”
He paused, once more listening. “Damn it, man. Come on. I’ll meet you at the barn tomorrow, right?” He paused again. “Fuck. Okay, I can tough it out for a few more days, but you’d better be there. And keep your trap closed. Bandura finds out and I’ll know it was you. You got it?”
“Jesse!” She grabbed the phone away from him, looked at the unfamiliar number, and then ended the call.
“Fuck, Amy, give that back.”
She kept moving, backing up, dodging away to keep it out of his reach. “Are you crazy? You’re not supposed to tell anyone where we are.”
“My boy’s good. He’ll keep his mouth shut. But I’m not sticking around here and playing slave to these fucking cowboys any longer. If you want to stay, then stay, but I’m getting the hell back to Sel
ena.”
“What for? To get killed? Jesse, you’re risking your life. Don’t you get it?”
“I’ll be fine. Trust me, sis. I’ve got a plan. I’ll work it out with Bandura and everything will get back to normal.”
She choked out a laugh. “Normal? When has anything ever been normal with you? And a plan? Are you kidding me? When have any of your plans worked out?” She couldn’t believe he’d told someone where they were. “Damn it. How do you know you can trust this person? Who was it anyway? One of your girlfriends? One of your customers?”
“Give me the fucking phone.” He held out his hand, anger oozing off him.
“Where’d you get the phone anyway? Is this Seth’s or Jarrod’s? Did you steal one of their phones?”
“Fuck you, sis.” He pivoted and stalked back toward the house.
“Jesse, don’t you walk away from me. We have to talk about this.”
He answered by lifting his hand and shooting her a finger. “I’m out of here.”
She stopped, knowing it was useless to chase after him. He’d calm down and then she’d try to talk sense into him. No way would he head out before morning.
“We’ll talk later, okay? In the morning? Jesse? Okay?”
He kept on walking.
She stared at him, still trying to understand why he’d risk calling someone. Although he hadn’t given specific directions to the ranch, he’d told them where the old red barn was. She remembered how they’d seen it as they’d neared the ranch. From the pasture where the barn was, all anyone would have to do was drive down the right dirt road to find Rolling Hills Ranch. Not that Bandura would know he was staying at the ranch. Still, it wouldn’t be difficult for Bandura and his crew to lay low until they spotted him.
“Damn, Jesse, what were you thinking?”
She’d have to get the phone back inside the house. But should she tell Jarrod and Seth about the call? If she did, would they finally reach the limit of their patience and kick Jesse out? Or would they say good riddance and let him meet his friend? Then what? Jesse would have no chance against Bandura’s gang.