Chloe's Double Draw [King's Bluff, Wyoming] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Fiona Archer

  Play it cool, Chloe.

  She smiled. “Hi, guys. Thank you, Noah, and you both look rather dashing yourselves.”

  “Thank you, luv.” Flynn’s gaze centered on her lips before it kicked up to meet her own. The heat in those eyes stole her breath. While Noah was the epitome of command, there was a sense of danger about Flynn that excited her, defying her instinct for self-preservation.

  “A–are we ready to go?” Chloe smiled despite the butterflies dancing in her stomach.

  She stepped out her front door and locked it behind her. Before she made it to the front steps, Flynn had snared her in an embrace. His lips covered hers, gentle at first, then more demanding, as he sucked, teased, and explored, taking this kiss further than any they’d shared so far.

  He slanted his mouth to get a better fit. She whimpered in pleasure and leaned against him. Had she ever been kissed so thoroughly in her life?

  He nipped her lower lip before he raised his head.

  With a slow smile, he stroked a thumb along her cheek, his eyes never leaving hers. “Hello, baby.”

  She had no words.

  Flynn turned her toward Noah, who enfolded her against his chest, his arms secure bands. Captured and protected at the same time.

  Good Lord, these men know how to hold a woman.

  The light from the porch silhouetted his large frame. He lowered his head and branded his mouth across hers, hard and unrelenting.

  Her throaty moan seemed to drive him further. One thrust and his tongue swept her mouth. The pressure of his kiss drove her head back against his arm. She rubbed her hands against his chest, the need to stroke his flesh overpowering. His body heat warmed her fingers through his shirt. In desperation, she pressed her thighs tight together in a pathetic attempt to ease the growing ache in her clit.

  Finally lifting his head, Noah’s ever-watchful gaze skimmed over her. The fire in his eyes promised more than just kissing. He turned to Flynn and nodded before looking back down at her.

  “Now we’re ready to go.”

  Oh boy, she was so in for it tonight.

  * * * *

  Buon Appetito served tasty Italian food in a relaxed yet intimate atmosphere. The strains of Puccini filtered throughout the restaurant from hidden speakers. Soft mood lighting further accented the muted earthy color of the walls. The restaurant seemed designed to put the emphasis on the food and the company at each table.

  Chloe lowered her gaze to the menu in her hands and skimmed the entrée selection, but her thoughts strayed back to the quick drive from her house to the restaurant.

  With Noah driving, Flynn had seized one of her hands in his. The confidence of his masculine grip—firm, not caveman strong—had sent her pulse skipping. Trapped between two sets of wide shoulders, Chloe had held her breath as muscular thighs brushed against hers despite ample room available on the bench seat. Message received loud and clear.

  Game on.

  “Chloe, are you ready to order?” Flynn’s voice cut into her musing.

  She glanced up to see a waiter standing with pen and pad at the ready. How long had she been in her own daydream? She spared the menu another quick glance and ordered.

  Noah collected Chloe’s menu and handed their copies to the waiter as he gave his order.

  Flynn pursed his lips as he read over the menu. “Is your dad in the kitchen tonight, Angelo?”

  The young man flashed a smile. “Of course, he doesn’t trust anyone else to run his kitchen. I take it you’re going to have the lasagna?”

  “Angelo, the sky would fall before Flynn ordered anything other than your dad’s lasagna.” Noah shook his head and faced Chloe. “In all the times we’ve been here, he’s never ordered anything else.”

  Flynn closed his menu and thanked the waiter before settling his gaze on Chloe. The rich smoke gray of his eyes shone with determination. “I’m a man who knows what he wants. When I see it, I don’t settle for anything less.”

  A throb of heat shot straight to her core. She willed herself to take a breath.

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Noah picked up his glass of wine and drank, his eyes never once leaving Chloe. She ground her teeth against the urge to squirm.

  What she needed was a harmless topic of conversation. Fine, but predictable topics wouldn’t divert their attention for long. So what was their passion? The ranch?

  “King’s Haven must keep you guys busy. You train horses, right?”

  Noah nodded and rested his arms on the table. “That’s right. We breed and train horses. Not for horseracing. We train them for stock, some for rodeo, that sort of thing. My family has been doing this for generations. Same back in Oz, but our core business back home is the merino sheep station, Willow Creek.”

  “Is that where you grew up, on the family sheep…station? Is that Aussie for ranch?”

  Noah’s smile left deep creases in his cheeks. She longed to trace them with her finger. “Well done. Yes, I grew up on the family sheep station in southeastern New South Wales.” His mouth turned down at the corners. “I wasn’t there much after I turned twelve. Boarding school was my father’s answer to a stubborn little bugger with too much energy. School holidays couldn’t come around quick enough.”

  “I bet you must have had fun when you returned for holidays.”

  “Hell, yes. With 3000 acres to run a horse and plenty of bush to discover, it was paradise. I used to disappear with the station manager’s kid, and we didn’t come home until sundown.”

  “You had no brothers and sisters of your own?” It was dangerous bringing up the subject of family, but curiosity won out over caution.

  “A sister, much younger than me. Abby wasn’t born until I hit boarding school.” He shrugged. “I didn’t see much of her growing up. Then I joined the army. It’s in the last few years that we’ve started to get to know each other.”

  Regret laced Noah’s voice. Chloe stamped down the urge to squeeze his hand. She needed to maintain a safe emotional distance to get through tonight unscathed. “What about you, Flynn?”

  “My family’s from Brisbane, in Queensland, north of New South Wales. You won’t find any wealthy pastoral heritage in my family tree. I’m descended from poor Irish convicts.” Flynn’s voice held a hint of pride. He was boasting of his family’s criminal past?

  Noah laughed at her raised brows. “Luv, you have to understand, convict ancestry is a badge of honor in Australia. The majority of the first settlers were wearing leg irons. We take a certain pleasure in thumbing our noses at authority.”

  “Ah, I see.” She glanced back to Flynn. “Okay, but if that’s the case, how did the two of you both end up in the armed forces? We’re talking about an institution that runs on authority.”

  Flynn leaned back in his chair. “At the time, there wasn’t much else I could do. I’d just finished a long stint in juvie. They ran a program for boys on a cattle station way out in the bush. I was a bright enough kid, but my options were limited. One of the old timers that worked at the station had taken me under his wing, maybe saved me from myself.” The hard edge of his mouth softened, and he huffed out a laugh. Seconds ticked by as he stared at his wine before lifting his gaze back to meet hers. “Anyway, he steered me toward the armed forces. I contacted a careers officer, and before I could back out, my arse was in the army.”

  “You were in juvie? What about your family?” Again, with the questions on a subject best left alone, but he’d hooked her interest and she couldn’t back out now.

  Flynn shrugged. “Dad buggered off for parts unknown after my youngest brother was born. I was about ten. Mum was an alcoholic with four kids. By the time I was fourteen, Child Services swept us up in their benevolent arms and chucked us into foster care. I had an…altercation with my foster parents, and I ended up at the cattle station.”

  “And your brothers? Did they—”

  “They stayed in the system until the next oldest reached eighteen, got a job, an apartment, and between hi
s wage and what I’d saved up, made a home for them.” Flynn cut her off.

  Chloe blinked at the abruptness of his tone. She’d overstepped, albeit without malice. Warmth invaded her cheeks. Fantastic, now her embarrassment was on show. On the other hand, the lighting was low.

  Flynn cursed softly. “Sorry, luv, I didn’t mean to snap. Our time in foster care is a sore subject.”

  Nope, she was a goner.

  She dropped her gaze to her lap and fussed with her napkin. “No problem, Flynn. I should mind my own business.”

  Noah reached under the round table, snared her hand from her lap, and lifted it to rest back on the table near her wineglass. Her gaze flew up to meet his, her mouth open. God, he was bold.

  His face gave nothing away as his fingers stroked the inside of her wrist. “Chloe, we want you to ask questions. Make no mistake, little one, we plan to ask our own.”

  Right, and that’s what had her stomach muscles twisted into a ball of knots.

  “Here you go.” Angelo’s voice intruded. She snatched her hand away from Noah and ignored the twitch of his lips as she fiddled with her cutlery.

  Angelo served their meals.

  Conversation ebbed as they dove into their food. Chloe’s chicken was tender and flaky, the creamy sauce full of mushrooms and bacon. She stabbed a floret of broccoli with her fork, swirling it in the sauce. Now that was what she called a balanced meal.

  Noah sipped his wine. “So you’ve had a couple of months to get used to King’s Bluff. What do you think of our town?”

  “I think you should be proud of what you have here. For a small town, King’s Bluff fights well above its weight for services alone. I was surprised the medical center had an inpatient service. Five beds now, is that right?”

  Flynn nodded. “That was a big win. Sparing families and patients from traveling through snow to get to Buffalo or Sheridan was a no-brainer. They’ll receive faster treatment here all year round. We want to encourage younger people to stay in the town. That means providing some of the services they’re searching for elsewhere.”

  “Jackson Gordon is part of that plan?” Chloe set down her knife and fork. Her stomach was well past full.

  Noah lowered his wineglass and gave a sharp nod. The recessed lighting in the ceiling illuminated the natural blond highlights of his thick waves. Her fingers itched to run through his hair. “Definitely. He’s a well-qualified doctor and a local returning home. He’s no stranger. That makes a difference to some people.”

  His lips pressed into a tight line. Chloe narrowed her gaze and studied this natural alpha. How it must gall him to have his motives questioned by someone like Karl Wagner. Did he feel like an outsider in this town? Ironic when his ancestors were its founders.

  “I’m sure the majority of the town appreciates the improvements you and Flynn have helped get up and running. It sure sounded that way from what Parker said at the diner.”

  “True. Most of the town supports our initiatives. It’s important they’re included in the process. The town belongs to everyone. It’s not our personal playground.” Noah shifted in his seat, his jacket straining against the movement of his shoulders. “Duncan held so much land and owned a few buildings, some that had stood vacant for years. It wasn’t rocket science to work out they could be put to use.”

  Yes, but not everyone would have bothered. They’d have sold out to the highest bidder. One drive past the medical center revealed a modern facility. It must have cost millions. Hadn’t Reagan said Noah had put up most of the funds? Yet tonight, he hadn’t mentioned money, not once.

  “Flynn, what drew you to settle here with Noah? It’s a long way from home.”

  Flynn sent her a lopsided grin. “I’ve been living away from home most of my life. The decision to join Noah here in King’s Bluff seemed a natural move. We’ve been brothers since meeting up during selection testing for the SAS. I’ve flown my other brothers over for a visit. They’re close to Noah, think of him as an older sibling.” He picked up his wine. “You’ve got to understand, Chloe, Noah and I ran on adrenaline for over a decade. Downtime was rare. We thrive under a challenge. The chance to help resurrect King’s Bluff to a sustainable community was a godsend. I could stretch myself and think laterally without risking getting my head blown off. Works for me.”

  “You make a good point.” She laughed as Angelo removed their dishes. They ordered dessert and coffee.

  “So what else goes on at King’s Haven?” As soon as the words were out, she wanted to snatch them back. Talk about a leading question. That wasn’t at all what she meant, but of course they’d think…Was that heat rushing to her face? Again? Terrific, just terrific. Her mortification was now complete. She sucked in a breath and sneaked glances at both men. Noah’s raised brow and Flynn’s smirk said it all. Busted.

  “Whatever do you mean, Chloe?” Noah reached out and trailed a finger over the back of her hand.

  The blunt rub of his finger coupled with the intensity of his gaze detonated a charge of lust deep between her legs. She strove to take in a breath.

  “I meant if you have other businesses at the ranch, like cattle?” She rushed the words out.

  “Bugger, for a minute there I thought our shy little teacher was coming out of her protective shell.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” With her free hand, she ran her fingers over the gold chain circling her throat. Fine, okay, that was a major fib, but she could live with the sin.

  “You mean you haven’t asked Purdy for all the gory details?” Flynn’s smile mocked her as his eyes challenged her to deny it.

  She held his gaze. There was no way she’d give away any ground right now.

  “I prefer to get the information direct from the source.”

  “Hmm, I’m not sure that’s the whole truth. What do you think, Noah?”

  “I’m bloody sure it’s not the truth, but we’ll let her off for now.” The velvet-coated menace in Noah’s words weren’t lost on her. For now, she was okay. Later would be another story.

  Angelo appeared with the dessert and poured their coffee. Chloe moved her hand away from Noah’s, ignoring the twinge of regret at losing his touch.

  “Sooo, anyway, back to my question about the ranch.”

  “The ranch is contained to the horses,” Flynn answered. “Duncan ran some cattle years ago, but we don’t believe it’s a profitable venture for today’s market, not for the small number of head we’d run. Besides the horses, we’re kept busy working with the town council.”

  Noah fixed her with his gaze. “I think that’s enough questions about us. How about you share some intel?”

  Panic slammed into her like a punch to the guts. “Intel?” she squeaked.

  Flynn jumped on Noah’s cue. “You’ve been asking us questions all night. Now it’s your turn to share. Let’s start with something easy. How about your family?”

  Yeah. Easy.

  “There isn’t much to tell. I don’t remember my dad. He died when I was a baby. Mom remarried a few years later to a man that had a son. She passed away when I was fifteen.” Her words came out in a tumbled rush as she looked everywhere except their faces.

  “That’s hard, losing your mum when you’re so young.” Flynn’s deep voice reached out to her, tugging her toward him like the promise of a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. And hey, he was talking from experience.

  “Yes, it was.” She swallowed past the boulder in her throat.

  “So you stayed with your stepfather? Until college or did you move out before then?” Noah sipped his coffee.

  A defeated sigh sneaked out. If she gave them something, some small shred of information, maybe they’d be satisfied. She focused on the red votive candle sitting in the center of their table.

  “As I said, Mom remarried. Hank Young had a son, Trent. He’s six years older than me. Hank…Hank passed away when I was still a teenager. Trent married a few years ago. I don’t see him that much. We aren’t close.”<
br />
  “A shame you’re not close to your stepbrother. Is he all the family you have?” Flynn held his dessertspoon in his hand, yet to take a taste.

  Her hand scrunched the napkin in her lap. She was sinking under the weight of the men’s scrutiny.

  Licking her lips, she formulated her answer in her head before speaking.

  “Yes he is, but sometimes people just don’t click.” She lifted her napkin and shook out nonexistent crumbs from her lap. It was a paltry attempt at evasion, but her heart was pounding too hard to think up a more sophisticated ruse.

  “Okay, baby, we’ll let it go for now. But don’t think for one minute you’ve gotten away with shutting us out. The more you try to evade us, the more we’ll chase you down.” Flynn’s smoky-eyed stare burned with promise. He dipped a spoon into the tiramisu and popped it into his mouth.

  “Taste good, Flynn?” Noah asked, but kept his gaze locked on Chloe.

  “Rich and creamy, with a hint of a naughty bite.”

  “I love cream.” Noah delved his spoon into his dessert. He lifted a dollop of creamy mascarpone to his lips. His cheeks and jaw moved as he savored the treat. Still, his gaze never left hers.

  Chloe stared, unable to look away. Once more, he loaded up his spoon. This time he raised it to her lips. Without thinking, she opened her mouth and accepted his offering.

  She moaned in delight as the fusion of the creamy ambrosia and the darker bite of strong espresso-soaked biscuit exploded in her mouth. A drop of the mascarpone mixture smudged on her lip. She swiped at it with her tongue. Noah’s vapor-hot stare scorched her skin. His hand gripped his dessertspoon in a white-knuckled grip.

  Witnessing his struggle for control gave her no satisfaction. She was equal in her guilt, if that was the right word. And was it? Jeez, she hadn’t a clue. She wanted these men. Had wanted them from the moment she’d opened her front door.

  Her coffee sat untouched. She lifted the cup and took a gulp. Hot liquid seared the delicate skin inside her mouth. Her eyes watered, tears spilling down her cheeks. She choked down the coffee and reached for her near-empty water glass. Flynn slid his full glass into her hand. She gulped down the water.