Savage Desire [Desire, Oklahoma: The Founding Fathers 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Lana Dare

  Hawke frowned, his heart beating faster with an excitement that was almost unrecognizable. “You mean share her?”

  Blade shrugged, smiling in Sarah’s direction. “It seems to work for the others. I know we’ve never talked about it, but I like the idea of her having protection even if something happens to one of us.”

  Phoenix’s eyes narrowed. “She looks like she’s going to bolt. She probably thinks we’re crazy. We’d better get back to her.”

  Hawke fought a tinge of jealousy at the idea of sharing Sarah with his brothers, but the thought of marrying her thrilled him. Approaching her, he forced a small smile to reassure her. “Sarah, I know this might sound strange to you, but we all want to marry you.”

  Shaking her head, she looked at each of them. “I know you said that the others back at the ranch share wives, but—”

  Phoenix sat next to her on the buckboard. “The owners of the Circle T are both married to the same woman. So are the sheriffs. Eb and Jeremiah, the owners of the ranch, built it and founded the town for that reason. They were both in love with the same woman. Think about how much protection you’ll have with three husbands.”

  Hawke frowned. “I already told her that.”

  Blade touched Phoenix’s shoulder. “Sarah, before you make up your mind, you should know that Hawke, Phoenix, and I are bastards, too. And half-breeds. Our mother was white and our father a full-blooded Lenape Indian. They were never married.”

  Sarah hugged her bundle tighter to her chest, averting her gaze. “I suppose you’d want to exercise your husbandly rights.”

  Hawke shot a warning look at his brothers. “Not until you’re ready. In fact, we’ll take you back to the ranch and you can think about whether or not you want to marry us.”

  Her eyes went wide, so wide that Hawke found himself in danger of losing himself in them. “Where would I stay?”

  “There’s a house that Eb and Jeremiah had built for the brides he advertised for. It’s a place for them to live until they’re claimed by a prospective husband and they accept.” Alarmed at the fear in her eyes, he moved closer. “Is something wrong?”

  Her eyes went impossibly wider, her breath hitching as she jumped from the buckboard. “I’ve never lived by myself before. No. What if Willy—?”

  Hawke moved quickly, stepping in front of her to cut off her escape. Desperate to reassure her, he shook his head. “You don’t have to stay there if it scares you.”

  Phoenix rose. “Where can she stay?”

  “With us.” Crossing his arms over his chest, Blade smiled at her. “But not until you’re our wife. I won’t risk your reputation.”

  Sarah stilled, her eyes going wide again. “My reputation?” She giggled, and then started to laugh in earnest. “I’m the daughter of a whore, Blade.”

  Enraged, Hawke jerked her to his side. “Something that no one else needs to know. And before you say that you’d embarrass or disgrace us—don’t. I won’t have you treated with disrespect. You’re going to have enough to endure being married to us.”

  Phoenix wrapped an arm around Sarah, pulling her against him. “It sounds like we’re a perfect match. So, are you going to marry us? We’d be real good at protecting you, and I promise, every man at the ranch respects women. You’ll be safer there than anywhere else in the world.”

  Sarah’s eyes lit with excitement, her entire body trembling with it. “Are you sure? I mean—we’d really be married? A family?”

  Hawke inclined his head, feeling as if he’d waited his entire life for her. “Yes. We will.” Lifting his gaze to Phoenix, he nodded once. “Phoenix, you don’t have to get married. Blade and I will take care of her. Since it appears we’ll be spending the night in town, I’m sure you’ll want to go to the saloon.”

  Phoenix frowned. “I no longer have any interest in the saloon, or anyone there. I’m marrying her, too. You ready to go get married, Sarah?”

  Sarah took a deep breath and blew it out in a rush. “It seems that I have no other choice.” She looked at Hawke. “I trust you. I feel safe with you.”

  Hawke sucked in a breath, his chest swelling. “Is that a yes?”

  She beamed, her eyes glittering with excitement and making his cock swell. “Yes.”

  His heart felt as if it would burst, the surge of possessiveness almost knocking him off his feet. “Let’s go find the preacher.” Knowing that she would belong to him in just a matter of minutes had him hurrying down the street. “We’ll stop and buy you a ring.”

  Her blush fascinated him. “I don’t need a ring.”

  Hawke’s steps never slowed. “I want you to have one. I don’t want there to be any mistake that you’re already taken.”

  Chapter Four

  Blade’s chest swelled with pride.

  She was his. Theirs. To keep.

  He had a wife to care for—a wife to warm his bed and hold in the night.

  He had a woman in his life now, a woman he could enjoy to the fullest—a woman he could possess in ways he could never possess another woman.

  Still stunned at the sudden turn of events, Blade walked into the hotel room, scanning for danger before opening the door wide and stepping aside to admit his wife.

  His wife.

  Sweet and innocent, but with a curiosity in her eyes that made his cock ache, she smiled shyly at him, her cheeks flushed. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful room.”

  Blade smiled back to put her at ease, anger stirring in his belly that she would be so taken in at such a plain, ordinary room.

  It gave him an insight into her life in Waco, one that made him even more determined to spoil her.

  He wanted to surround her in comfort, and mentally envisioning the cabin they’d just completed, he decided that a few changes would have to be made.

  He and his brothers slept on thin mattresses on the floor, but the thought of a huge bed where he could make love to her in comfort for hours made his cock stir.

  The thought of having her back at the ranch and coming in after a long day to find her waiting for him filled him with a longing and sense of excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  His hands actually shook as he lit the lamps in the room, the anticipation making his cock pound furiously.

  They wouldn’t take her tonight, but soon she would be in their cabin back home, and he could take his time with her.

  He would have to be gentle, but he didn’t have to rush the way he did with the girls in town. He could take her step by erotic step and lead her into the world of the dark pleasures he’d long ago become addicted to.

  Careful to keep his distance, he dropped her bundle on the bed and clenched his fists at his sides to keep from reaching for her. “You’ll be safe here.”

  Watching him warily, she moved to the window, pushing the curtain aside to look out into the night. “I feel bad for delaying you. You would have travelled at night to go back to the ranch if not for me, wouldn’t you?”

  Blade shrugged. “We sometimes spend the night in town, but we’ve travelled at night before, especially this time of year when it’s too hot in the day. We’ll get an early start in the morning, though. We’ll stop at the general store and get some things for you before we go.” He smiled at her look of shock. “It’ll be nice having a few womanly things around the cabin.”

  He bit back a groan when she slid the scarf from her shoulders, his cock getting harder each time he caught a tantalizing glimpse of the fullness her ill-fitting dress barely contained.

  They’d have to make sure she had dresses that fit her better, or she’d drive the other ranch hands crazy, and his jealousy would create fights between him and the other men. “Including some material for new dresses.”

  Sarah bit her lip, making him crazy to taste them again.

  He and his brothers had kissed her after the ceremony, but it had only been a taste, a taste of sweetness and innocence that he wanted to drown himself in.

  Lifting her gaze to his, Sarah nodded. “You’
ll want the gold now, won’t you?”

  Blade clenched his jaw. “I don’t want your money. My brothers and I are responsible for providing for you.”

  Her eyes went wide. “But—”

  “Keep it hidden until you get back to the ranch, and never mention it while you’re here in town.”

  “You’ll let me keep it?”

  Blade understood the relief in her eyes. It was another measure of security for her to know that she had it and could escape if she felt threatened.

  He wanted to give her all the security he could, and knew that this was one thing they could do to begin to earn her trust. “Yes. It’s yours. Keep it tucked away. It makes you feel safer, doesn’t it?”

  She nodded again, her eyes brimming with tears. “I can’t believe I’m married. I can’t believe I have a last name now—a real last name. Royal. I’m Mrs. Royal. Sarah Royal.”

  Amused, Blade smiled, finding it hard to believe himself. “Yes, you are.” The surge of possessiveness and pride surprised him, filling him with a sense of purpose and satisfaction he hadn’t expected.

  He watched her wander the room, noticing that she kept her hands folded in front of her, not reaching out to touch anything. He had a feeling that she’d never been allowed to back home, and was scared of breaking something. “A bath will be brought up for you in a few minutes.” He wondered what she’d look like with her hair clean, and without smudges of dirt on her face. “Can you sew?”

  “Yes. Mrs. Andrews taught me. I did all the sewing for the girls. My mother liked the dresses I made for her.”

  Blade nodded, mentally listing some of the things he’d need to buy. “Good. We’ll buy some cloth so you can make yourself some dresses. We’ve got to do something about you showing so much. I find I’m a jealous man. ”

  Blushing deeper, she looked away, her shyness delighting him. Obviously nervous, she wrung her hands in front of her. “Am I really married to all three of you? The preacher looked real funny when we went there. Almost angry about marrying us.”

  Folding his arms over his chest, Blade wanted to dispel her of any doubts about their marriage. “He doesn’t like that marriages like ours are legal in Desire. Under the law in the rest of the country, you’re married to Hawke, but we’re all your husbands. Make no mistake about that.”

  His voice had taken on an edge that had Sarah’s eyes going wide again, and taking several steps back, she slid a glance at the door, obviously searching for Hawke.

  She seemed to trust Hawke, and Blade promised himself that soon she would trust him, too.

  He’d have to work on it, but he knew the results would be worth it.

  Reminding himself that she’d grown up fearing men, he unfolded his arms and smiled, hoping to appear less intimidating. “The preacher’s too afraid of Eb and Jeremiah, though, to do anything to anger them, so he performed the ceremony.”

  If possible, her eyes went even wider. “Hawke told me that they own the ranch. Are they mean?”

  Thinking about the hardships and dangers they’d all faced at the ranch, Blade shrugged. “They can be when necessary.” Holding her gaze, he moved closer, pleased when she didn’t back away. He didn’t want to admit that he was jealous of his brother, but he was, and wanted her to trust him the way she trusted Hawke. “We all can. Sometimes we have to be. Out here, danger can come from anywhere. You should know that as well as anyone.”

  The door opened, admitting Hawke, whose gaze went immediately to Sarah. “Your bath’s here.”

  Blade stepped in front of Sarah as Hawke crossed the room, both of them positioning themselves between Sarah and the two men carrying a heavy tub through the doorway.

  Sarah moved in behind Hawke, who smiled faintly, apparently pleased.

  Once again promising himself that he’d do anything to earn her trust, Blade glanced at his brother to see Hawke’s eyes flash with satisfaction. The unfamiliar show of emotion disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, but it made him feel good to see the change in his older brother.

  Hawke had always been cold, especially since their mother died when they were children. The change in him since going to the train station was nothing short of remarkable.

  Hawke had spoken more to Sarah in the short time they’d known her than he usually spoke in an entire week.

  As they poured buckets of water into the tub, Blade swallowed heavily and willed his cock to behave, trying not to imagine his wife’s naked body sinking into it.

  He glanced at Hawke as the men left. “We’re going to have to buy a tub. Maggie and Savannah begged until they got one.”

  “I don’t need one. I’m sure there’s a creek or stream on the Circle T that I can use.” Sarah’s soft voice held a sense of embarrassment, one that stroked his masculinity and made him want her even more.

  Both he and Hawke turned to face her. Watching her pace again, Blade shrugged. “Both, and a pond, but you certainly can’t take a bath in it.”

  The thought of another man coming across her naked infuriated him. Hiding his anger, he forced a smile. “Especially in the winter. There’s a hot spring as well, but you can only go there with one of us. Didn’t you have a tub in Waco?”

  Eyeing the warm water, Sarah shrugged. “My mother did. She let me use it sometimes, but usually I just washed in the creek.”

  Hawke’s jaw clenched in another rare show of emotion. “You’ll have a tub, so you can have a bath whenever you want one.”

  Blade looked her over, taking in her matted hair, angry that she smelled of sweat, instead of sweet, like Maggie and Savannah. “Eb and Jeremiah’s wife, Maggie, makes scented soaps that she sells here in town. We’ll get some for you tomorrow.”

  Sarah got a panicked looked on her face, shaking her head furiously. “No. Please. Don’t go to any trouble. I swear I’ll smell better after I get clean.”

  Blade forced a smile, vowing to do his best to help give her the confidence she needed. “No trouble, and I’m not worrying that you won’t smell better. I just know that the other women like them and thought you might, too. Take your bath.”

  Hawke went to the windows, making sure they were locked. “Then get some sleep.”

  As Blade turned away, she reached out to touch the sleeve of his buckskin shirt, dropping her hand before she actually touched him. “Where will you be?”

  Trying not to think about his wedding night, Blade forced a small smile. “Hawke and I will sleep in the hall. Phoenix is sleeping on the buckboard.”

  “But—” Her face turned a fiery red.

  Hawke turned, pulling the heavy curtains closed. “We’ve slept in worse. You’re safe, and Phoenix will keep anyone from stealing the supplies.”

  She shifted restlessly, lowering her gaze. “You’re my husbands. You have the right to …”

  Blade could see she was scared and uncertain. Lifting her chin, he forced her to meet his gaze. “There’s plenty of time for that. I have no intention of making love to a scared woman. Take your bath and get some sleep. We’ll be right outside the door. We sleep light, so don’t worry. Nobody will get past us. Don’t lock the door. If you get scared, just call out. We’ll hear you.”

  After a last long look at his wife, Blade went out to the hall with his brother, trying not to think about her getting undressed and into the tub.

  Naked. Wet. Warm.

  Settling against the wall on one side of the door while Hawke settled against the other, Blade once again willed his cock to behave. “It’s going to be a long night.”

  Hawke nodded once, but didn’t look particularly disturbed. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the wall, a small smile of satisfaction curving his lips. “I have a feeling this will be the first of many.”

  Chapter Five

  Sitting in the seat of the buckboard, Sarah fingered the material on her lap and glanced at Phoenix. “This is really mine?” There were two more bolts of material braced behind her, along with an assortment of thread, needles, lace, and ribbon
s.

  She couldn’t wait to get started on her new dress, but felt odd about accepting gifts from virtual strangers.

  She felt odd accepting anything from anyone.

  She’d never really had anything of her own—nothing that couldn’t be taken away from her without notice—including her home.

  Except the handkerchief wrapped around the coins she’d hidden away.

  She’d tried to use another gold coin from the pouch she’d kept in her bodice, but Hawke had glared at her in a way that had her hurriedly tucking it away again.

  Holding the reins, Phoenix turned to smile at her, a flash of white against his dark skin. “It’s really yours. You’ll need some dresses. The next time we get back to town, we’ll buy you more.” Reaching out to touch her hand, he smiled again. “You sure are pretty.” He slid his hand over her hair, his eyes narrowing. “Your hair’s so light. So soft.”

  Her face burned at the compliment. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. Is it far?”

  Her stomach fluttered with excitement and nerves as they made their way to the ranch that would become her new home. She couldn’t stop looking behind her for any sign of Willy, wondering if she’d ever be able to settle into her new life with the constant threat of being found.

  Hawke and Blade rode their horses on either side of the buckboard, never getting too far away. Neither man had spoken since they left town, but she was aware of their sharp attention, and the stares they gave her every time she looked back.

  Phoenix, on the other hand, seemed to like to talk and had been asking her questions almost the entire time. “Did you tell your mother that you were leaving?”

  She had a feeling that he talked in an effort to make her more comfortable, but the sheer size of him made her nervous.

  He stood about an inch or two shorter than Hawke and Blade, but he had a bigger build, his muscular frame making him as intimidating as his brothers. She couldn’t stop looking at his hands, admiring the effortless way he handled the buckboard, while nervous at the apparent strength in them.