To the Moon and Back

by Becca Van

  Talia smiled. “The men in this town are all so protective, my fiancés included, and though they can sometimes be a little overbearing, I wouldn’t change them for the world. I feel safe here.”

  “I do, too,” she said and tried to discount the unsettling feeling roiling in her gut. She glanced at her watch, put her cell phone in the pocket of her black pants, and walked toward the shop. It was almost time to unlock the door and get to work. Talia followed her out to start their day.

  * * * *

  “This is the second accident we’ve had to attend today.” Emmet frowned with frustration as he watched the paramedics load an accident victim into the back of the ambulance. If there was any consolation, and he really couldn’t see one since the idiot who’d been speeding lost control of his vehicle, crashed through a fence and slammed into a tree, was that there had been no one else injured in the wreck. The first accident he and his brothers attended had involved a bus and a truck. Thankfully, there had only been minor injuries to the two drivers. The truck driver had been high on drugs and hadn’t seen the give way sign or the bus load of people when he plowed into it. If the bus driver hadn’t taken evasive action things would have been a hell of a lot worse. The truck driver had been knocked out and was currently in the hospital being treated. After the doctor released him, Emmet, Dirk, and Walt would be there to read him his rights and charge him for DUI, reckless driving, and a few other infractions. The bus driver had been lucky enough to only end up with a busted arm as well as a few contusions and cuts.

  He and his brothers had barely had time to scratch themselves let alone worry about Jodi. However, now that everything had been cleared up, statements taken and the injured were receiving medical care, his woman’s gorgeous face flashed in front of his mind. All that was left was for the tow truck driver to finish hooking the wrecked truck up and cart it off.

  He had every intention of heading into town and the shop to make sure Jodi and Talia were safe and sound. While he loved the cheeses and other fresh produce for sale in their store, he wasn’t really a cheese platter man. However, if the two women ever decided to add sandwiches to the menu, he’d probably end up buying his lunch from the shop every time he got a meal break while working.

  His belly was rumbling with hunger, but he pushed his needs aside while silently urging the tow truck driver to hurry up. After about another ten minutes, he waved goodbye to the driver and headed for his patrol car.

  It was nice to be alone for a change even though he got on well with his partner, Giff. Sometimes the other man sent out vibes Emmet hadn’t been able to analyze. Giff transferred to Slick Rock from another part of Colorado, and though the other man seemed to be settling in all right, there was something a little off with him, but Emmet couldn’t seem to put his finger on the pulse and work out what it was. Sometimes he and Giff rode together and other times they worked alone in separate cars. Emmet preferred driving solo, but he didn’t mind working with Giff for the most part.

  His train of thought quickly changed to Jodi as he got into his car, and after checking his mirrors to make sure there was no other vehicles around, he pulled onto the road and followed his brothers as they all drove back to town.

  Half an hour later, he was pulling into a free parking space right next to where Walt had parked his vehicle. Dirk and Walt met him on the sidewalk, and they walked quickly toward the gourmet cheese shop. The scents of cheese, salami, and other specialty meats permeated the air but so did the flow of constant noisy chatter. All the tables were full of customers nibbling on cheeses and cold cuts while sipping on beverages.

  There was also at least ten people lined up near the display case and counter waiting to be served. He gazed at Jodi, and she smiled at him and his brothers when she saw them, but there was no way she was going to have time to stop and chat with them. The slight knot in his gut he hadn’t noticed was there loosened and faded now that he knew she was safe, and though he hated to admit it, she’d been right when she’d told them that she wouldn’t be in danger while in the store. Even though the patrons were a mix of men and women, the guys were locals and knew the rules pertaining the protection of those weaker than they were. For the first time since leaving the house that morning, his worry about her being alone and in danger dissipated.

  When Jodi made eye contact again, he blew her a kiss and pointed at the door to let her know they were heading out again. Walt and Dirk waved and winked at her before they all turned, left the store and walked across the street to the diner to grab something quick to eat.

  Emmet just hoped that Jodi and Talia got a reprieve from serving so they could eat some lunch, as well.

  “Can you believe how busy the shop is?” he asked as he took a seat in an empty booth.

  “It’s surprising but fantastic,” Dirk said.

  “Our woman and Talia are smart,” Walt stated. “I’d never have thought of meeting with the local ranches to buy fresh produce to sell. From what I’ve heard, it’s a win for everyone. The supermarket chains don’t pay much and try to undercut their sources whenever they can. I heard Jay Sonny talking to Brent in here not long after Talia and Jodi partnered up. Brent was raving over the great prices Talia and Jodi were offering for their purchases.”

  “Those flyers and the half page ads in the local newspaper helped to spread the word, too,” Emmet said. “Showing the facts of the cost of things and how much a large chain store offers a farmer caused a big stir. I have a feeling the unfair prices the larger supermarkets offer and how much of a profit a rancher makes made all the locals stop and think. I hear the sales of fresh fruit and vegetables at the weekly farmers market tripled after those figures were put into print.”

  “Jodi and Talia may have set out to market their shop and their goods, but they’ve also helped all the other businesses in town. More and more of the residents are buying locally than ever before instead of driving to the next town over and the large supermarket where prices are a bit cheaper. If this keeps up, this town is going to be one of the richest rural towns in the state,” Walt said.

  “Maybe the mayor and city hall will honor them somehow for opening everyone’s eyes to the highway robbery of the chain stores,” Dirk said.

  “Maybe when Jodi is safe, we’ll put a proposal in the suggestion box at City Hall so that Jodi and Talia are congratulated for their savviness,” Emmet said.

  * * * *

  “How much did you say?” Jodi asked incredulously.

  “Two thousand five hundred dollars,” Talia whispered.

  Jodi shook her head. “That can’t be right. Are you sure you didn’t count some of those bills twice?”

  Talia shoved the wads of cash toward Jodi. “You count it.”

  Jodi counted the cash, blinked at Talia with shocked awe, and then recounted the money. She sank back into her seat, smiled, and then started laughing. Talia joined in. She couldn’t believe they’d made so much money in one day. Their first day’s takings had been just over a thousand dollars, and that wasn’t counting the orders they’d had from the pub, motel restaurant, or the diner. If they kept making this much money, they were going to be able to pay off the bank loan quickly. Maybe they’d be able to start up a franchise and help other small towns utilize their local produce, too.

  When they calmed down, Jodi collected the stacks of money, placed it into the bag with all the necessary papers ready for banking the next day, then she rose and placed everything in the safe and locked it.

  Her feet and legs were aching after standing all day, but she was happy and excited. In just over a month she’d gone from nearly destitute to in the black. Talia had saved her in more ways than Jodi could count.

  Her life had changed for the better, and she looked forward to going to work every day rather than dreading it. She had three men whom she loved with her whole heart and a thriving business. The only thing that would make her happier was if Walt, Dirk, and Emmet told her they loved her. If they did, she would tell them she loved them, t
oo.

  She just hoped she got the opportunity to tell her three wonderful, sexy men how much they meant to her soon.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Why don’t you go and have a soak in the bath, baby? We can all see how tired you are,” Walt said.

  “I can help with dinner.”

  “There’s no need, sweetie,” Dirk said. “We’ve got this. I promise we won’t burn everything to a crisp.”

  “Come on, love.” Emmet clasped her hand, helped her off the stool, and led her from the kitchen toward the bedrooms. As soon as he and his brothers had set eyes on her when they’d arrived at the shop to drive home, they’d seen how weary she was. He hated that there was only her and Talia to serve all of their customers, and he wanted to suggest they hire another employee to help them out, but he wasn’t sure if they could afford to pay another person’s wages yet. The store had only been open for about five weeks, and though he knew they had to be making a profit because of all their clientele, he wasn’t sure what their expenditure or overheads were.

  As soon they entered the bathroom, he started the water then turned to help her out of her clothes. He loved touching her even if it was just to help her undress. Emmet stripped out of his uniform, swept her up into his arms, and stepped into the spa bath. He sank into her water, sitting in one of the molded seats with Jodi on his lap. She sighed and leaned against him with her eyes closed. After letting her soak for a while in companionable silence, he grabbed the sponge, poured some soap onto it, and washed his woman. When she didn’t move or speak, he thought she’d fallen asleep. Cupping a hand, he rinsed the suds from her body and was just about to put the loofah back on the shelf, but she opened her eyes, stood, turned to face him, then sat back on his thighs astride him. She took the sponge from his hand and after getting more soap, Jodi began to bath him.

  He loved having her hands on him, but it was also a sweet torture. Everywhere she touched she left a path of fire, and his cock twitched to life. Before a minute had passed, he was so hard he was aching. When she swiped the sponge over his abs, then washed his cock and balls, he gritted his teeth. He was so fucking starving for her he wanted to lift her up by her hips and impale her on his aching dick, but she was tired, and he wasn’t sure she had the energy for any loving.

  He quickly changed his mind when she dropped the loofah into the tub, gripped his dick, and pumped him. “Fuck! I love it when you touch me, Jodi.”

  “I like touching you.” She leaned up and kissed him.

  Emmet cupped the back of her neck and head and deepened the kiss. All too soon he was on fire and wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait until he was sinking his aching hard cock into her wet heat, but first he needed to make sure she was ready for him.

  Still kissing her, their tongues dancing and dueling, he caressed up her side with his free hand and cupped a breast. He massaged and kneaded the lush globe then rolled her nipple between his finger and thumb. She squeezed his dick, making him moan, and he broke the kiss to gasp for air.

  He lowered his hand from her head, delved into the water between her thighs, and caressed her pussy. She whimpered when he lightly brushed the tip of his finger over her clit before reaching lower to her entrance. He speared her cunt with a finger, thrusting it in and out then withdrew it. Once more, he fingered her clit, pressing on the sensitive bundle of nerves then rubbing it while licking and sucking on her neck. She tilted her head to the side to give her easier access and started rocking her hips all the while jacking him off. When he felt tingling warmth at the base of his spine, he realized he was getting close to coming, but there was no way he wanted to come all over her hand.

  Gripping her hips and lifting her up higher onto her knees, he brushed her hand from his cock, grasping the base, notching to her entrance, and shoving his hips up toward hers. He growled when she dropped down onto his dick until he was embedded to the hilt.

  He gasped and dug his fingers into her flesh when her pussy rippled and clenched around his dick, trying to get his need back on a tight leash.

  “What are you waiting for, Emmet?”

  “You want me, love?” he asked, hedging and giving himself a little more time to tether his raging libido.

  “I kinda thought that was obvious,” she answered.

  When she started kissing him and lifted up off his cock until the tip was resting inside of her wet cunt, then slammed down hard and fast, he was sure the top of his head was going to blow off. At the very least, his toes curled and the muscles in his legs quivered.

  She did it again and his control broke free.

  * * * *

  Jodi gasped with shock when Emmet pulled his dick free from her body then spun them around. She blinked when she noticed she was on her knees facing away from him. She grasped the rim of the tub and moaned when he smoothed his hands over her shoulders, down her back, and over her ass. When he gripped her butt cheeks and pulled them apart, she whimpered with fiery need and tried to shove back toward him seeking his cock, but he held her still.

  “You are the sexiest fucking woman I’ve ever seen.” Emmet moved closer to her and covered her back with his front, nibbling on her neck and ear. “You have no idea…”

  Her curiosity was piqued at his unfinished statement, but before she could ask him what he’d been going to say, he released one of her cheeks, and she groaned when he rubbed his cock up through her folds. She jerked when the head of his dick stroked over her clit and bit her lip as he caressed back down her drenched folds to her dripping pussy. He held still for a moment or two, and she bit her lip to keep herself from begging him to fill her, but in the next second she cried out with pleasure as he plunged his hard cock into her until she could feel the tip butting up against her cervix.

  He glided his cock almost all the way out of her pussy then slammed back into her. There was no slow build up, just hard, fast fucking. After only the third stroke of his dick into her, the pressure began to build as her belly melted into a pool of liquid desire. He cupped a breast, strummed his thumb over her nipple, then pinched, tweaked, and rolled the sensitive nub. She had no idea how he did it since he was already moving so quickly, but Emmet increased the pace even more. His lower abs, pubis, and the front of his thighs slapped against her body, and just as she thought she was about to topple over the edge into nirvana, he stilled.

  She was gripping the rim of the tub so tightly her knuckles were white and aching, and though she tried to tell herself to let go, it seemed to be an impossibility. Tears burned her eyes, but she blinked them back and concentrated on the sound of hers and Emmet’s fast choppy breathing. Jodi didn’t even notice she was shaking until she heard Emmet making shushing sounds as he caressed his hands over her body.

  She’d never been so hot and needy in her life. Her heart was so full of emotions, she was struggling to contain them. As Emmet retreated from her pussy once more, she braced herself for his return, but he pulled all the way free of her body, and she whined.

  Jodi had never whined in her life. Though she hated that she’d just done so, she wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed. Her chest and throat were so tight, she was having trouble dragging air into her lungs and couldn’t catch her breath. Emmet pried her fingers from around her lip of that bath, gripped her hips, and lifted and turned her.

  What she saw in his eyes had the threatening tears welling and flowing down her cheeks. A sob burst from her mouth, and though she tried to curb the urge to cry, the dam wouldn’t be held back.

  He embraced her with his arms as he sat with her on his lap and rocked her as she cried. It took her way too long to get herself back under control, but he didn’t seem to mind that she’d just bawled all over him. Emmet caressed a hand over her head and up and down her back. When the tears finally slowed and dried up, he nudged her face upward and smiled softly at her as he gently swiped the moisture from her face.

  “You’re not the only one feeling so much, love,” Emmet said as he cupped her face between his hands. “I love
you so fucking much, Jodi. You’ve changed my life and made me a better person.”

  She shook her head at the last part. She couldn’t make him better than he was, because in her eyes he was already perfect. Licking her lips, gripping his wrists as she stared into his soulful brown eyes, she finally managed to verbally reply. “I love you, too, Emmet.”

  He pressed his forehead to hers, sucked in a deep ragged breath, and whispered, “Thank fuck.” Then he was kissing her.

  This time the need wasn’t as frenetic. Yes, the arousal coursing through her was intense, but her need to show him how much she loved him outweighed her desperation to make love with him.

  She pushed up higher onto her knees as she straddled his thighs and smoothed her hands over every inch of his body she could reach. He returned the favor, and when the fire blazing inside of them both became too hot to handle, he notched the head of his cock to her pussy, and as he shoved his hips up toward hers, she sank down, taking him deeply.

  Even though they’d had a break in the midst of their lovemaking, the intense passion was still there and rapidly grew to an extreme yearning she could no longer deny. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, and he gripped her ass, and they moved together in carnal synchronicity.

  Emmet broke the kiss, scraped his teeth down the side of her neck, and met her gaze. They continued to look deeply into each other’s eyes as they made love. Once more the pressure grew and her muscles began to tauten. Her breathing escalated but so did his. They slid against, over and in each other faster and harder until she was quivering with the need to come.

  He skimmed a hand from her ass, up her side, palmed and kneaded a breast, then squeezed her nipple.

  That was all it took to send her spiraling up toward the stars. “Emmet!” she screamed softly. Her inner muscles clamped and released over and around his cock as he shuttled in and out of her pussy. He thrust harder again and just as she thought the bliss was going to wane, it crested again. She shouted until she went hoarse. Cum gushed from her pussy as her whole body trembled with rapture. He drove into her twice more and roared her name, “Jodi!” Grinding his body into hers as he jerked and shuddered with glory.