Awakening Veronica (42 page)

“Beautiful,” she whispered, holding tight to his shoulders as Travis braced his hands on either side of them.

He made eye contact with Hank and rolled his eyes and smiled, signifying his great pleasure as he thrust slowly, going deeper until he finally groaned. “You’ve got all of me, Nika. Fuck, this feels so good. It’s not going to take long to come like this. You’re so tight.”

Bracing her elbows at his sides, Veronica rocked between them in an experimental move, resting her hot cheek on his chest. “Feels so good. Ohhh.”

Hank couldn’t resist anymore as her pussy fluttered around him. She was going to come soon, judging from her sounds, and he reached between them, stroking her engorged clit as she increased her rocking, finding her place in their sensual dance.

“It’s
coming
,” she whispered passionately, her movements growing more assured, more forceful as she moved between them, squeezing them and then taking them deep inside her, following an age-old rhythm until she lifted her head panting. “Yes, fuck me! Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop!” she cried. “Yes!”

Her face was beautiful as he watched ecstasy claim her as her cunt clenched all around him, pushing him over the edge. He thrust hard and wild, losing control until a mighty howl escaped his throat and his cum streamed from him in searing jets that were nearly painful they were so intense. He loosened his grip on her hips, afraid he’d left marks.

Travis bowed his head and gripped her shoulders as a low growl burst from his chest. He thrust against her ass, taking gentle care with her until he tipped his head back and cried out. “Yes!” He gave her three more hard strokes before he stilled above her and lowered his torso to her back, out of breath and flushed with pleasure.

They lay there catching their breath, whispering their love to her as the fire flickered and sent a warm, languorous glow that enveloped them. She sighed as they stroked her and whispered love words to her. She turned her head and smiled as she pointed at the Christmas tree. “It’s a tiny bit blurry without my glasses on. It’s beautiful. This…before the fire…with both of you. This is my Heaven on Earth.” Her soft, shaky whisper touched his heart and he saw Travis smile as he lifted up and stroked her back.

“That it is, Nika.”

“That it is, indeed.”

* * * *

Veronica knew the moment of truth had come when Grace gasped and squealed with excitement across the table at the Dancing Pony. Pure deviltry filled her eyes as she slid from her chair and Veronica recognized Tim McGraw’s “Southern Girl.”

She heard both Hank and Travis chuckle from either side of her and she said, “Technically, I can’t dance to this song. I’m not Southern.”

“Good luck with that, Nika,” Hank said. “When she gets that look in her eyes, there’s no telling Grace no.”

Grace rounded the table with a sashay as the guys slid their chairs out of the way. “Nice try, sweetie. You’re southern enough.”

“Yeah, come on,” Charity called as she pointed toward the dance floor and then joined the crowd of girls making their way in that direction. The group was much larger than last time.

Maybe I could just sneak into the middle where I can’t be seen.

She looked from Hank to Travis and saw the hint of encouragement and heat in both of their gazes. They nodded at her and she allowed herself to be pulled into the throng. The beat thumped in the club and with each step she felt it throb in her blood.

I could do this. Hell, I
can
do this!

As Tim McGraw sang, she slipped into the group of girls dancing and mimicked what she saw Grace and Charity doing. At first, she felt a little stiff and awkward. Then her gaze drifted to Dr. Emma Rivers who seemed to be dancing with the sole purpose of inflaming her men, who watched from a short distance away.

She recalled the story Emma had told her when they’d been on their shopping excursion. She’d told Veronica that she’d always felt awkward and geeky until she’d let her hair down with the girls. She’d allowed herself to have a little fun, which had included learning how to dance. She’d even taken striptease classes. If Veronica could relate to anyone, it was Emma.

Casting her gaze around, she found Hank and Travis standing not far from the dance floor, big arms folded over their chests.

What the hell. Here goes nothin’.

She edged closer so they could see her and closed her eyes, listening to the beat of the song. She moved with the rhythm of guitars and drums, smiling as she arched her back and her hips got in on the fun. She pictured the three of them making love in front of the fireplace and imagined the arousing heat flowing through her veins.

Skimming her hands up and down her torso, she teased them with near-misses around her breasts before sliding her hands down to caress her hips. She turned her swaying ass to them as her hands went there and heard Grace giggle over the music and say, “Get it, girl! Hank and Travis look fit to be tied!”

Veronica flicked her hair and turned an enticing look their way and her cheeks grew hot when she saw that they stood only a few feet away. She shimmied as she let her fingertips drift over her cleavage and laughed when she saw the lust glittering in their eyes.

* * * *

Hank stood next to Travis, watching Veronica have fun with her friends, recalling the first time that she’d been invited to a girl’s dance. She’d flat out refused the invitation, even though her eyes had told of how much she wanted to join them, and all his Dom instincts had gone off.

Dancing before him now was a whole different woman. A victorious woman who didn’t let opinion or fear keep her from doing what she wanted. He’d have been okay if she’d refused the invitation. But the Dom in him was pleased as hell that she’d gone for it, and also that she’d looked to him and Travis first. Yes, she was doing this to please them but it was obvious she was enjoying herself as well.

The final chorus of the song faded and her movements slowed as she turned toward them. Grace whispered something to her before leaving the dance floor with Ethan. Hank glanced at Travis, who nodded before backing away to return to their table.

Hank held her gaze as he stalked toward the dance floor to claim her. Territoriality reared its head as he noted several men were gazing at her with interest evident in their eyes. The one brave enough to stand and make his way in her direction happened to look over at him. One look and the guy wisely backed off with raised eyebrows and a nod. Hank had never acted that way about a woman in the Dancing Pony before. She was the first. Her scent filled his head, easing him as he closed his arms around her.

The beginning chords of Little Big Town’s “Sober” began to play and she bit her lip as she glanced at the couples who were moving on the dance floor.

“Um—”

“No overthinking, Nika. Follow my lead and you’ll see how easy it is. Forget what you were taught. You’re with me now.”

She glanced around her one last time, as though making sure there was no one near that she could bump into, and then looked up at him with warm brown eyes.

“What’d Grace tell you?” he asked, distracting her as he took charge and moved her slowly in the two-step dance steps. She already knew how to do it. She just had to learn to do it in reverse.

Her blush deepened and she stumbled, bumping his boot with hers, and then giggled. “She told me to seize the day.”

Hank snorted. “Should’ve known. You’re doing great. Now we’re going to turn. Follow my lead.”

He maneuvered her through a full turn and chuckled when she squealed in delight as she accomplished the turn without a hitch. Lifting misty eyes to him, she said, “I love you.”

Smiling, he kissed her and slid his hand down her lower back, pulling her a little closer. Doing so meant her abdomen was pressed against his erection, making concentration difficult, but he didn’t mind. “I love you, too, Nika.”

After the song was done, he kissed her and then escorted her back to the table where Travis stood waiting for his chance.

“Ready to dance with me?” he asked as she went into his arms.

“You’re both brave souls tonight, aren’t you?” she asked as “Compass” by Lady Antebellum started to play. “This is kind of fast for a beginner, isn’t it?”

Travis winked at Hank and then gave her a grin. “You’re with me, Nika. Before long you’ll wear us out, wanting to dance all the time.”

Hank watched them with pleasure as she spread her wings with Travis and let him guide her in the dance. At first, Travis maneuvered her at a slower pace, giving her time to gain confidence. When he changed to a faster pace, her eyes sparkled and the flush return to her cheeks.

He counted himself fortunate that he and Travis had been the ones she’d trusted in her journey. As Doms. As lovers. As encouragers, and soon, as her husbands.

* * * *

Lucy Owen and Maizy Welsh winked at Veronica across the empty space Violet had set up for Veronica in the center of Violet’s Emporium. Hank and Travis were picking her up for supper at O’Reilley’s any minute. They were celebrating Travis’s news that he’d been asked to become the facility director and ranch activity coordinator for the Hill Country Boy’s Ranch, which would break ground in the spring.

A reader, Jerry Batson’s wife, was talking to her about how much she liked Veronica’s books. She cast a glance around the room and gestured to Veronica to lean close and said, “My husband got curious one night because I was giggling while I was reading
Bound at the Bonfire
and asked me to share…
so I did
.” Veronica giggled as Mrs. Batson blushed and added, “Let’s just say he’s a fan, too, and he says I can read your books all I want. He even told the kids to stop giving me a hard time about reading them.” Her eyes grew a little teary and she added in a whisper, “Thank you for what you do.”

Veronica patted her hand as Mrs. Batson blinked and sniffled for a few seconds. They chatted a while longer and posed for a picture before she departed to pay for her books and converse with Violet.

The book signing had been a hit. Violet had set it for a Saturday in the middle of December and advertised in all the surrounding communities. The store had been busy the entire time.

As was her custom, Veronica had taken her time, talking with each person who waited, taking pictures until she saw stars, and signing books and other items until the last customer waiting in line had been greeted.

Grace and Grandma Kate had come for moral support, too, but they’d left early because Grace hadn’t been feeling well.

Violet turned the “Closed” sign on the door, locked it, and declared the book signing extravaganza a success. As she removed the extra copies of books from the table, she said, “I wasn’t there, since I was getting ready for the Wassail Fest, but I have to know. Whatever became of that Lester woman? Did those bikers catch up to her?”

Lucy gathered the other promo goods from the table and stacked them while Maizy folded the festive tablecloth that had been decorating the table. Lucy said, “The last we saw of her, she was on the back of Stubby Joe’s Harley, headed out of town on Main Street, with Black Mike and Big Dick cruising alongside them with big ol’ smiles on their faces. I wish I’d had my camera handy because that would’ve been one for the front page of the Divine Courier. That was two weeks ago and we haven’t seen hide nor hair of her since.”

Violet giggled, “So that shrew wound up riding off into the sunset with her own ménage à quatre. I wonder if those three men know what they have on their hands. Did she look happy at least?”

Maizy raised her hands and shook her head. “She had a helmet on so it was hard to say.”

“I guess she left her cats with her mom,” Maizy added with a snicker. “Speaking of pussy, I can’t believe one of them called her Pussy Girl. Tabitha Lester—Pussy Girl. It simply doesn’t compute.”

Maizy and Veronica laughed along with Violet and Lucy said, “Just goes to show you there’s someone for everyone. Maybe Val will keep up with them and let us know if it works out. I’m hoping it’s in another town, though. I can’t see myself doing a girls’ dance at the Dancing Pony with Tabitha Lester in our midst.”

Maizy shook her head. “Some things are sacred, darn it.”

Chapter Twenty

On Christmas Eve, Veronica stood nervously between Hank and Travis, watching through a window as headlights came up the driveway of the Divine Creek Ranch. Some of the occupants of those vehicles were people she wasn’t sure she wanted to see. Others, like Cord, Jackson, and their new wife Ari, she couldn’t wait to see again.

All of her friends had wanted to be there for their binding ceremony, and when her family was added in the mix, there simply hadn’t been enough space at Hank’s home, so Grace had kindly opened her house to them.

They were leaving in the morning for a weeklong honeymoon deep in the Texas Hill Country, staying in the luxurious vacation cabin of a friend of Hank’s. Tonight would be spent in the arms of her men in their own bed, a new, supersized custom creation built by wood craftsmen Hank had introduced her to, Wes and Evan Garner.