Cowboy Rescue [Men for Hire 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (6 page)

“Trust me. As far as you’re concerned, you’re his first and only priority.”

He garnered a slight smile for his efforts, then stood and crowded into the kitchen with them. Brad and Jack were ready for him.

“We settle this the usual way?” Brad put his fist in the palm of his other hand. “Jack and me go first.”

“Right. Loser drops out, then the other two battle it out.” Jack licked his lips.

Mike got the battle going. “Fine with me. You two ready? One, two, three.”

On the count of three, Brad and Jack adopted a choice. Brad chose rock while Jack took the scissors.

“Shit. I’m calling a do-over.”

Mike laughed. “Fuck off, Jack. You’re out. Ready, Brad? One, two, three.”

When Brad came up rock, and he came up as paper, he had to resist the urge to shout his victory. Instead, he called to Maria. “Hey, how about we order a pizza? My treat.”

She twisted toward them, her mouth parted in that way that drove him crazy. “Sure. But I’m buying.”

Brad grumbled, acting like a sore loser. “Sorry. You don’t know what you’re offering. It’ll cost you an arm and a leg to feed us.” He pulled out his phone and was talking to the local pizza delivery store in under a minute.

Mike studied her as she listened to Brad order six large pizzas. Although he could see that she was thrown by the number, she didn’t make a comment.

“See? Brad wasn’t lying. I’m surprised he didn’t order more. We usually eat at least two each, but when we’re working we eat light.”

“Wow. That’s light?”

“Yeah. We can really pack it away.”

Her gaze skimmed down his body. “Where do you put it all?”

He wanted to ask her if she liked what she saw, but held back. “Let’s just say we have fast metabolisms and leave it at that.”

“Are you real cowboys?”

Her question threw him. “If you’re asking if we ride horses and wrangle cattle, then yes, we’re real cowboys.”

“But where? Do you have a ranch?” Her face lit up with expectation.

Brad bumped against him, warning him not to give out too much information. “Yeah, we live on a ranch. The hats and boots aren’t just fashion statements.”

She laughed, and the sound was like the twinkling of wind chimes. “I moved here to meet cowboys.”

“Is that so?” He ignored a pointed look from Brad. “So you like cowboys, huh? Why? Because of our rugged good looks?” He lifted his chin and turned to the side as though posing for a photo.

Her eyes grew darker as she took on a more serious expression. “Among other things.”

Was it his imagination, or had her gaze dropped to his crotch? He lifted an eyebrow in question.

Instead of going on, she cleared her throat and changed the subject. “Maybe I should make some coffee. Or would you guys prefer beer?” She rose and started toward the galley kitchen as they cleared out of the small space, then pivoted to face him. “But I’ve only got one six-pack. Will that be enough?”

Mike had to touch her. It felt like he’d already waited a lifetime to do so. He came beside her and slid his arm around her waist. The heat from her seared into him, and he resisted the urge to tug her closer. “We try not to drink on the job. Coffee and even plain old tap water’s fine. I’ll help you get it ready.”

He had no clue how to make coffee and didn’t like the taste much. But if it got him into the small space of the kitchen with her, then he’d give it a shot. “Besides, once the food’s here, these two will be headed outside to guard the place.”

Her big green eyes lifted to his. “And you’re staying in here with me?”

“That’s the plan.” He didn’t ask her if it was okay or check with his brothers. It was going down that way whether she liked it or not. Whether they liked it or not.

They bumped together several times as he worked his way around the tiny area, opening cabinets to find glasses and mugs. She made a pot of coffee then pulled out a pitcher of ice-cold water to set on the counter. When she turned back around, she came face-to-face with him and, more to his liking, chest-to-chest.

Her breasts pressed against him, and he could feel the tips of her taut nipples through not only her dress but through his shirt, too. Her breath was as sweet as a daisy while her spicy scent that he’d picked up earlier made his head swim with need. The vent above them blew cool air on them, lifting her silky strands away from her shoulders. Taking her by the arms, he leaned forward as he slid his palms along her arms. He paused a moment to heighten the anticipation and whispered, “Relax. You’re safe with me.”

She offered him a tremulous smile then took a big breath that pushed her nipples against him even more. “I know.”

“Yo, Mike, huddle up.”

Damn you, Brad.
“In a sec.”

“You’d better go.” Her words may have told him to leave, but her body was telling him to stay.

“Yeah. Duty calls.” His gaze slid to her luscious lips. “But I won’t go far.”

Pushing himself away from her was harder than hell. He strode out of the kitchen and toward Brad and Jack waiting by the front door. Brad shot him a glare before getting down to business.

“Jack’s taking a position on top of the roof with a night scope so he can keep an eye out. I’ll hang out across the street in the detached garage of that yellow house. Keep your phones at your side and”—he arched an eyebrow, aiming his intention directly at Mike—“your wits about you. Remember, we’re on duty.”

Mike couldn’t resist needling him a little. “Sure, sure.” He winked. “I’m all about work. Oh, and watch out for the old lady across the street. She wields a mean bat.”

“Just make sure you stick to business.”

Brad bodychecked him when he tried to move back toward Maria, but he wasn’t having any of it. If his pushy brother wouldn’t let him near her, he’d get her to come to him.

“Maria, could you bring me a glass of water?” He plopped into the chair and grinned at his brother.

“Sure.” She came, not only with the glass of water for him, but with two thermoses held snugly against her body. After handing him the water, she gave one thermos to Brad then the other to Jack. “I thought maybe you two might want some coffee while you’re outside. You can always come back in for refills.”

They thanked her just as the doorbell rang. Setting the thermoses on the coffee table, Brad and Jack moved to the door. Mike took Maria’s arm and pulled her toward what he assumed was the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

Again, the heat from her hit him. Too bad he had to turn her loose and push her behind him, putting his body between her and whatever danger might be at the door. He sucked in a breath when she slipped her hands up his back and pressed her form against his.

Don’t read anything more into it than is necessary. She’s using you as a shield.

Yet he still couldn’t help but wonder if she wanted him for more than that.

The pizza delivery boy looked startled when the two huge men opened the door. “Uh, that’ll be eighty-five fifty, please.” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “We, uh, gave you a discount on account of the big order.”

He craned his neck, trying to see past Brad and Jack. “Um, is Miss Franklin here?”

Maria peeked out from behind Mike and waved. “Hi, Jimmy. I’m here. These are my, uh, cousins stopping in to visit for a couple of days.”

Jimmy looked relieved, and it didn’t take a genius to see that he had a crush on Maria. But then, what young man wouldn’t?

Brad pulled out a wad of money then peeled off a hundred-dollar bill and handed it to the teen. “Thanks. We love discounts. Keep the change.”

“Thank you, sir.” He shoved the bill into his pocket, gave Mike and Maria a quick glance, then spun around and bounded down the stairs.

“Feeling generous, bro?” Mike stepped away from Maria, who hurried to the kitchen and started putting plates on the counter.

Brad shrugged. “Yeah. Why not?”

Jack set the pizza boxes down and flipped the lid to the first one open. “I guess we’re eating like civilized folks tonight.”

“Because you’re using plates?” Maria placed a pile of napkins on the counter.

“Uh, yeah. We usually just grab a box and dig in.”

Mike fought to keep from chuckling. He’d told her that they had voracious appetites. But seeing them chow down would really let it sink in.

“How about we do this? You two need to get into place.” He shoved a box of pizza against Jack’s chest and placed a thermos on top. Jack balanced it as Mike did the same to Brad. “So you should get moving.”

He gave them a shove toward the door and motioned with his head for Maria to open it. She caught on to what he wanted, and swung it wide.

“Hey, hold up.”

“Heck, no, bro.” He urged an irritated Brad and perplexed Jack out the door. “Like you said, we’re on duty. Get cracking, men.”

“Mike, don’t even think—”

But he didn’t care what Brad had to say. He wasn’t the boss of their group, and, even if he was, Mike wasn’t about to stop. He’d had enough of trying to hold back. If he didn’t have Maria, he’d bust a gut.

Slamming the door in their faces, he shoved the dead bolt and chain lock into place then grabbed Maria by the neck and pulled her to him. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait any longer.”

* * * *

Maria should’ve pushed him away. He was a stranger in her home and forcing himself on her.

Nix that. He’s not forcing himself on me. Not when I’m clinging to him like I am.

She slid her hands under his arms and flattened her palms against his back. After hiding behind him in the hallway, she’d ached to touch his massive, granite-hard back again. Even under his denim shirt, she’d felt muscle after muscle primed and ready for sexual action. Now his mouth was rough and hungry as he pulled on her lower lip, nibbling then turning it loose to thrust his tongue inside.

She moaned, wanting him to know she needed him as much as he needed her. He answered by pushing her back against the wall.

His hands were everywhere now, roaming up and down her body as though he couldn’t get enough of just one part of her. At last, he cupped her breast and slid his hands under her dress. As he took his mouth from hers to trail along her shoulder, she laid back her head, closed her eyes, and let the sensations of his touch, his smell, his everything take her.

He was unlike any man she’d ever known. So masculine, so big, so…primal. He was her fantasy come to life, boots, buckle, and all. She told herself that’s why she’d given in to him so fast. But the why of it didn’t matter. She had to have him.

Just like I’ll have his brothers.

She opened her eyes, wide, as she realized the truth of her words. She’d have Mike first because he was the one who’d made the first overture to her, but she wanted Brad and Jack, too. Separately and together, she’d have them.

Her favorite fantasy, the one where she had three cowboys at the same time would come true. And, once the ordeal with the man stalking her was over, she’d take them into a field and fuck their boots off.

But fantasies were only daydreams and having more than a single man had never been her way. She could count on one hand the number of men she’d dated. And even less, those who had taken her to bed. But an inner awareness that she’d never experienced had awakened the moment she’d seen them, and she’d just known. She had to have them.

Mike moved his hand over her thigh and onto her butt. He squeezed it even as he squeezed her breast.

“I’m going to fuck you.”

She couldn’t speak, could only nod.

He made a sound, a noise somewhere between a groan and a growl, then took hold of her panties and tore them away. She gasped and dug her fingernails into his back. It had to have hurt, but he didn’t seem to notice.

He pulled back and found her gaze. Giving her ass another squeeze, he lifted her leg and shoved the top of his thigh against her crotch.

“You’re wet. So wet I can feel you through my jeans.”

She concentrated on breathing. Words weren’t necessary. What would she say, anyway? Take me? He already knew she wanted him.

Grabbing her collar, he ripped the dress away from her, exposing her plain, white bra.

She gasped again, but once more, she didn’t try to stop him.

“I’ll buy you a new one.”

“A new dress? Or panties?” She shook her head and tried to kiss him, but he leaned away from her.

“A new everything.” Her bra was gone in the next instant.

He groaned as he brought his mouth to her nipple and fondled the other one. His bites sent splinters of pain into her breasts to morph into spears of desire racing outward. She reached up and took hold of his wavy dark hair and held on. She was a passenger of his lust, and all she could do was hope he never stopped.

Lifting her off her feet, he wrapped her legs around him and hurried to undo his first his buckle, then his jeans. He shoved them to the floor, then pushed his cock against her mons.

He was huge, and she wanted to see the cock that was about to give her so much pleasure, but their bodies were pressed together so that she felt every muscle against her skin.

Clutching her hair on either side of her head, he gave her an intense look then, with only that look as a warning, he shoved his cock inside her weeping pussy. She inhaled, held her breath, and closed her eyes as he took her nipple between his teeth again.

Her head banged against the wall as he slammed into her, his pounding coming in short, hard blasts. His muscles flexed under her fingers as she moved her hands under his shirt and to his back again. She cried out, uncaring if his brothers were still on the other side of the door.

His cock stretched her vaginal walls, the friction spreading heat that was soon quenched with her juices. She whimpered and clung to him as he continued to ram his cock deeper and deeper into her pussy. It was as if her pussy had no end yet he was determined to find it.

She tightened her legs around him, holding to him even tighter, then did the same with her pussy walls. His hand found her throbbing clit and, in an instant, took her lust to an even greater height.

Growling, he grabbed her around the waist and let his growl flow into her mouth as he kissed her. Suddenly, they were moving as he carried her to the kitchen counter. She barely noticed when he shoved a box of pizza to the floor. The coolness of the tile underneath her buttocks sent a chill into her that was squashed with the heat coming off his body.