Anita's Triple Temptation [Men of Montana 4] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) (13 page)

Now, she laid in her bed which faced the bay window, visualizing the curtains she wanted on them. Outside, past the porch, she had a view of the little snow-capped hill that separated the house from the main barn area of the ranch. Beyond that, the mountain rose majestically toward the sky, covered in snow and pine trees. Spring and summer was going to bring even more beauty to the ranch and mountains though Anita preferred the beauty of the snow and ice. To her, it represented peace and the beginning of renewal. This was the time for her renewal.

After dozing for what seemed like hours, she had woken up to the dinging on her cell phone indicating she had a text message. Thinking it was one of the men, she picked up the piece of technology and pressed a button. When she saw the text message from Scotty, one of Craig’s co-workers, she was intrigued. He wanted to meet with her to discuss something important.

* * * *

James, Kevin, and Dave were standing just inside the horse barn as the three boys were standing in one of the stalls about mid-way down. Running Wolf had informed them that a foal was ready to be born and the boys could watch as long as they were quiet.

No better time to introduce them to ranch life.

“Now,” Dave said, quietly eyeing the boys to make sure they weren’t interrupted, “one of you want to tell me what has had you two antsy since we got here.”

Kevin leaned his hand up against the frame of the doorway, letting his body lean. “When was the last time you saw anything out of place or messy at Anita’s house?”

Confused, Dave gazed at the man as if he had lost his mind. “What? Did you hurt your head when you were moving her stuff?”

A low chuckle came from James at the comment, though he already knew what Kevin was going to say. Kevin swatted his friend’s abs with a back hand. “When we got there yesterday, we looked around to figure out where to start packing. When we got to her room, there were papers scattered all over the place and the drawers to the dresser had been opened and everything was tossed about.”

Dave’s left eyebrow lifted at the curious event. Thinking back to the dozens of times they had gone to visit their woman, there wasn’t a time things were out of place. She was a meticulous housekeeper, which always amazed the men because of the boys and lack of space in the apartment.

“Is it possible that in her rush to get to work that night, she may have left it that way?” Dave asked the question though already knew the answer.

Shaking his head negatively in answer to the question, James spoke up. “The sliding door to the patio was open. Like someone came through it.”

“Or left through it quickly,” Dave said, his gaze sliding over to the stall as the mare grunted upon contraction. Shoving his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, he thought for a moment, before saying, “And we won’t know what is missing without alerting Anita.”

“She’s been through enough already,” James said, running his hand through the shock of red hair on his head. “Perhaps, once she starts going through her paperwork, she’ll find something missing.”

“I just don’t like this,” Kevin practically shouted. Dave and James both let out a “Shush,” as heads popped out from different areas of the barn, including the boys from the stall.

Sheepishly, Kevin dropped his gaze to the floor. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m just concerned.”

“We all are, buddy,” was Dave’s response. He had to wonder if it was Virgil behind the break-in. What was the man’s game that he all of the sudden wanted Anita once the insurance wasn’t going to be paid? Did he have anything to do with the insurance payout denial? Was it possible it was paid but Virgil got the money? Damn, there were too many things going through his mind at the moment and this was supposed to be a joyous day!

Eli rushed up to them at that moment, interrupting Dave’s thoughts. “Come on, guys!” His excitement was evident. “You’re gonna miss it!”

The three year old grabbed James’s and Kevin’s hands and began trying to pull them toward the stall. The two men let him pull them as he practically tried to run back to the excitement he had left. Dave followed thoughtfully behind them.

* * * *

After reading the text from Scotty, Anita rose from the bed and went out onto the porch. Sitting on the steps, she stared out at the mountains and thought of everything that had happened in the past months since Craig’s death.

Never one to be the center of attention, she was the quiet housewife who took care of her family. Then that day in the hospital when Craig died, attention began to be shown to her. Now, Virgil was in the picture along with Scotty wanting to talk to her. If this didn’t stop, she would be her own mountain of attention and she didn’t want that much especially if it was to affect her children.

With time to reflect, Anita had to wonder if she should tell the guys about Scotty. It wasn’t missed on her the animosity the men had for Virgil. She feared if she met with Scotty, the men would think she was instigating something with Cantrell Logging and getting sucked in by Virgil. She would have to tread lightly on this.

Letting her mind wander, she stared into the distance unaware of what she was actually looking at. When Dave’s truck pulled up in front of the steps, she was unaware of their arrival. In the distance, she heard her name being called until it seemed to get closer and closer. Finally, a hand touched her while Dave spoke. “Anita?”

Jumping at the contact, her hand went flying involuntarily, striking Dave on the cheek. Only when he grabbed her by the wrist did she come out of her deep thoughts.

Seeing the boys standing there with shocked expressions on their little faces, the three men were stunned, while a red hand mark appearing on Dave’s face was a saddening moment. Realizing she had hurt one of the people she loved, she bolted off the steps, pushed through the men, and ran.

Anita couldn’t remember the last time she had run but the chill in the air along with the wind in her face was exhilarating though cold. Embarrassment heated her cheeks. She had no idea where she was going, but she had to get away from them. Dave was too dominant a man to take being slapped lightly.
Oh, God, what have I done?

Shouts from behind her from both the men and the boys emanated from behind her, getting closer and closer. Fearing retaliation from Dave was first and foremost in her mind, but all of a sudden a giggle bubbled up from within her catching her off guard.
This was actually fun.
She couldn’t remember when the last time she had actually had fun.

When she reached the small hill, it became more difficult for her to run so she used her hands to help move her along, almost like an animal walking. Reaching the top, she was laughing out loud.

Stopping there, she felt free and childlike as she gazed upon the view. Throwing out her arms to her sides, she began to spin around, the vague memory of playing windmills from her childhood springing to her mind.

Strong hands grabbed her hips, stopping her in mid-spin, a shriek escaping her throat. At first all she saw was a small checked blue-and-white button-up shirt under a denim jacket. Raising her head she gazed up into James’s smiling face. Shrieking again when he picked her up as if she weighed nothing and began to spin around, she cupped her hands on his shoulders to hold on.

Catching glimpses of scenery and the others as she was spun around, she could see no frowning faces, only smiles and laughter. Confusion was her first thought on why she wasn’t in trouble, but then she let that emotion go and began to enjoy herself. Laughter sprang from her diaphragm as James continued to spin.

The flashes of everything going around and around lasted another minute or two before James pulled her closer to him and she swung her legs around his waist. Finally stopping, he sat down hard on the wet snow intermingled with patches of brown grass.

Holding her close to him, she wasn’t expecting his lips to come down upon hers. As they landed on hers, they opened up and James’s tongue swept upon the seam of her lips. Caught up in the moment, she opened up to him, letting him savor the flavor of her mouth as his organ moved wildly within the moist depths. Her tongue began to duel with his, searching for dominance over his but lost when his hand cupped the back of her head and held her still to devour her mouth.

Only when Anita heard the boys’ comments about kissing and cooties did she pull away, but not before sucking on James’s tongue for a moment. Finally pulling away, she gazed into turquoise eyes briefly, seeing the light and love within their depths.

A hand on her shoulder prompted her to look up. Gliding her eyes up past the blue jeans and the silver belt buckle that held two gold ten-dollar pieces, one face up, the other tails, she stood up as the hand was offered to her in assistance. As her eyes moved ever upward, they slid up past his torso to Dave’s chiseled chin. Just above that were his lips that were curled upward, which confused her.

It was a loving smile, not one of cruelty. Appearing slightly to the left of them was the red mark her hand had created.
Had she really hit him that hard?
Lowering her eyes in shame, she tried to avoid looking at him. His hand came up and gripped her under her chin, pulling it upward to gain a look into her face.

“Look at me, little one,” Dave said, his head cocked a bit to the side.

Pulling her shoulders back, she finally felt brave. This afternoon had been an eye opener for Anita. A day to grow up. For a long time, she had felt immature, unsure of herself as a woman. At this moment, she felt as if she was finally a woman with three sexy men surrounding her.

Lifting her eyelids and raising her chin, she looked Dave in his green eyes that seemed darker than usual. What she saw there was pure lust. “Why did you run, Anita?” he asked in a near whisper.

Raising her right hand she caressed it upon the cheek she had injured. “I was afraid you would be upset that I had hurt you,” she whispered back. “I’m sorry.”

Oh, sweetheart, you didn’t hurt me. You surprised me.” He chuckled a moment. “I should have realized you weren’t hearing us calling you. You must have been a million miles away. Are you all right?”

Nodding, she smiled. “Yes, I am fine, thanks to you guys. You have truly shown your love for me and my boys.” Rising onto her toes, she slid her left hand over his bicep, over his shoulder, and around his neck to pull his face down closer to hers. When his face was close, she licked her lips before drawing him further down to cover his.

Tasting his lips with her tongue, she continued to kiss him until he opened for her and let her slide past his lips, teeth, and then across his velvety soft appendage. Dave let her take the lead in the kiss, though she knew this was a moment she wouldn’t get very often.

Letting her tongue move around the cavern that was Dave’s mouth, she slid over his teeth along the roof of his mouth and on the inner part of his cheeks. Bravery struck her as she felt his hands move around her shoulders and draw her in so she was plastered to him. She felt the hardness of his cock along her belly which caused her nipples to pebble against his abs. Oh, how she wished he would take her right here and now, but she had remembered about her kids.

Slowly, she pulled away from his mouth though she was compelled to pepper several small kisses upon his lips. Pulling her head away from his so she could look at him, she licked her lips, tasting his mouth on her tongue and lips still. His half-mast eyes rimmed by the dirty-blond eyelashes were watching her, a smirk on his lips. She could still feel the hardness of his cock on her belly which she could have sworn she felt twitching in anticipation.

“I love you,” he whispered to her as he moved his mouth back toward hers, but instead of stopping there, he moved around to her ear and whispered again. “And, I can’t wait to make love to you.”

Anita felt the breath on her ear as a zing charged through her body. Her nipples hardened even more than they already were while liquid moistened her nether lips. Feeling herself blush she leaned into his chest, giving herself a moment to recuperate her senses.

Dave held her for a few moments longer until they both had regained their composure. Anita knew it was safe when he began to chuckle. Looking up at him, she followed his gaze to where her boys were lying in the snow making snow angels. Laughter bubbled from her, a real honest-to-goodness laugh, something she hadn’t heard herself do for a long time.

Unexpectedly, she felt herself being released from Dave’s arms and falling backward. Arms caught her under her arms and gently laid her down in the snow. Looking up, she found James towering over her while Kevin was off to her left. Dave was where she had left him and the three men were smiling and laughing.

Spreading out her arms, she began to slide them up and down in the snow while her legs spread out and returned together. She repeated the movement about ten times, feeling the snow slowly moving out from under her limbs. Dave stood at her feet with his camera out, snapping pictures of her and the boys making their angels.

It warmed her heart that he was interested in preserving the fun they were having. Kevin and James stood off to her side and helped her up to keep from disrupting the masterpiece she had made. They repeated the action with all three boys and then they all stood back to view the pictures they made in the snow. Kevin rested his chin on the top of Anita’s head as his hands slipped around her waist from behind. She certainly felt cherished.