Diane [The Town of Pearl 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (13 page)

Mark felt the shock hit his body. That was why she didn’t date. That was why she stopped him from touching her at her place when she first returned from Dallas.

“Oh God,” he whispered, and then ran his hand through his hair. He went from shocked to utterly aroused.

“She is perfect. She’s meant for us.”

“I won’t hurt her, Mark. I want everything with her. I want to make her happy, I want to make her feel beautiful and loved. I won’t let anyone hurt her ever.”

Mark stared at him as an overwhelming sensation filled his gut. She meant more than any case. His brothers did, too.

“I’ll notify the department tomorrow that I’m done helping out. My focus will be on Diane and this relationship.”

“Good. You pick her up at the boutique at six, and Drake and I will set everything up with Sage at the Main Street Inn. We already reserved a corner table in the back.”

“Sounds great. Hey, and thanks for sticking around to talk. I’ll set things right with Drake.”

Lucas pointed at Mark. “You remember that we’re your brothers, and your safety is top priority. We’re both here for you, always. Diane will be, too.”

Diane will be, too. God, I can’t screw this up. She’s everything we’ve ever wanted and more. I have to drop the investigation. Diane and my brothers are more important.

“You’re sure about this, and about New York?” Melissa asked Diane as Diane changed her outfit and freshened up in the bathroom. She was standing behind the partition putting on a new teal-colored dress that Melissa pulled from one of the racks of new designs.

“I already told Monique yes about New York, and Elvira is benefiting from this, too, which means more business for her and us.”

“And what about the Santos men? Are you sure you’re ready for tonight? I mean, this is a big step, too.”

“Melissa, you were the one pushing me to get to know them. Going to Dallas and doing the show definitely changed my attitude and gave me the boost of confidence I needed to face my attraction to them. They in return have made their feelings known.”

Diane stepped from behind the partition and Melissa widened her eyes.

“Holy shit.”

“What? It’s too much? Too low cut? You picked it out. Damn.”

“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant when I said that. Honey, you look outstanding. I don’t think they’ll be able to take their eyes off of you.”

Diane smiled and then looked in the mirror. The dress was from a designer in New York. The plunging neckline draped between her large breasts, but even as she moved around to test whether or not it would show too much, she realized it was just enough. Her breasts were fully covered even when she turned side to side or bent. The gap was definitely lower than anything she ever wore before, but she wanted to look sexy and beautiful for Mark, Lucas, and Drake. The rest of the dress clung to her curves and landed just above her knees. It wasn’t too fancy considering that they were dining at the restaurant bed-and-breakfast and were in the town of Pearl. People dressed up a lot around Pearl for dinner engagements and even special lunch dates.

“You should bring that to New York,” Melissa told her and winked.

“Elvira has already picked out all my outfits for the four days that I’ll be there. God only knows what that woman will have me wear.”

“I’d check before you get on that plane. She may have only packed lingerie.”

Diane’s eyes widened.

“I hope not.”

Melissa chuckled.

“You look amazing. I want you to be sure about tonight. You know, if things get heavy,” Melissa said.

Diane chuckled. “I’ve waited a long time for this night, for these three special men. It feels right, and I care for them already.”

Melissa smiled. “Well, fair warning, when three men tag team you with the kisses, the touching, and the whispered words of desire, all brain function disappears and suddenly nothing else matters.”

Diane smiled. She knew that Melissa loved her men and they loved her. Diane wanted the same thing with Drake, Lucas, and Mark. Tonight was another step toward that commitment.

Paul walked through the front door and whistled. “Holy God, Diane. You look incredible. That color brings out your green eyes.” He kissed her cheek hello and then wrapped his arm around Melissa’s waist as he gave her a kiss.

“Thank you.”

Diane reached for her purse and nibbled her bottom lip.

“Don’t be nervous. Remember to be sexy and calm,” Melissa told Diane.

“Oh, Willie and Hank are outside with Mark and Wyatt. Just making sure he and his brothers take care of you,” Paul said, and Diane widened her eyes.

Melissa chuckled. “Thanks, Paul.”

Paul gave her a wink and a quick kiss. Diane headed toward the door with Paul and Melissa right behind her. The moment she stepped out, she locked gazes with Mark who simply stopped looking at Wyatt, Hank, and Willie. He looked incredibly handsome in his black dress pants, dress shoes, and burgundy dress shirt.

The others turned to see what Mark was looking at and all of them seemed surprised and then smiled. She heard the low whistles and then Melissa telling her men to stop that.

Mark made his way to her, smiled wide, placed his arm around her waist, and pulled her close.

“You’re stunning,” he whispered and kissed her cheek.

“You look very handsome, Mark. I like this color on you.” He smiled and then offered his arm.

“It’s a beautiful night. I thought we would walk through town and meet up with Lucas and Drake so you and I can talk.”

She waved good-bye to everyone and off they went. It wasn’t a long walk through town. Pearl had two and a half blocks of boutiques and specialty stores besides the Main Street Inn and Francine’s.

Mark squeezed her hand. She looked up at him, inhaling the scent of his cologne and wondering how life was changing. Each man was still a mystery, but spending time with them would surely reveal who they really were. The gossip about them lingered in the back of her head. Even now as she walked with Mark, smiling and saying hello to fellow neighbors and friends, she wondered about his life. Being an agent for the government had to be dangerous. What was he working on now? How often would he have to leave for business? She’d miss him. She squeezed his hand.

“Diane, we need to talk.”

Instantly all thoughts halted and a dreadful feeling consumed her. She swallowed hard, waiting on pins and needles for exactly what they needed to talk about.
Oh God, I’ve got it bad, and I haven’t even slept with them yet.

* * * *

Mark was glad that his brothers stuck to the plan of letting him pick up Diane at her boutique. When she walked outside as her brothers-in-law gave him the whole warning talk, he nearly lost his breath. She looked like an angel. The sun cascaded behind her, illuminating her hair that flowed freely around her shoulders the way he liked it. The dress was sexy as damn hell, causing his cock to instantly harden and want to skip dinner and have her instead. But he needed to do this right. He needed to make up for missing today because of his need to hold on to the past and not let go of a profession and team he gave years to.

“I’m sorry I missed lunch today,” he told her, and he saw her expression change from concern to a soft smile.

“Oh, that’s okay. I understand that you were working. Are you involved in a new case?”

He turned away and gripped her hand a little snugger. He sent an e-mail off to his commander informing him that he wanted to drop out of helping with the investigation. His commander needed him a little longer. Mark hadn’t told his brothers yet.

“Oh, I’m sorry, you probably can’t tell me, right?”

“It’s not that. I guess, well, I thought my part was over but it seems I need to stay on a little longer.”

“Will you have to travel away?” she asked.

He pulled her hand up closer to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

“Not if I can help it. My focus is on you now.” She blushed and shyly looked away. The move made his heart soar and his chest tighten. He wanted this. He wanted to feel relaxed and loved, and part of something good and special, not dangerous and corrupt.

He stopped her by the bench a few storefronts away from the bed-and-breakfast.

Placing his hand on her hips, he held her gaze.

“I’m so glad that you got to talk with Lucas and Drake. I’m even happier to be here with you tonight.”

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and held his gaze.

“They told you about today?” she asked and blushed. He smiled and then moved closer as he whispered into her ear.

“They told me everything.” He kissed her ear and then her cheek. “I wish I could have been there to see you let go.”

Her eyes widened right before he kissed her lips. He wanted to kiss her deeper, longer as he explored her body with his hands, but they were in the middle of town and people were all around them. He pulled away and smiled as he took her hand.

“I’ve thought about doing that all day. Let’s go meet up with Lucas and Drake.”

* * * *

The moment Mark entered with Diane, Lucas could see how people looked at her. She was stunning and sexy, a woman of class and style. His chest tightened as he thought about her going to New York and posing in God knows what next week. He didn’t want her to go. He wanted to keep her all to himself and his brothers, but he couldn’t force the issue. This was her decision and Diane believed that doing this would build her self-confidence. She was shy, reserved, and a bit scared. He realized very quickly he wanted to protect her and possess her. They had to give her breathing room.

Both Drake and Lucas stood up and kissed her hello.

“Wow, I love that dress on you,” Drake told her.

“Me, too,” Lucas said as he kissed her hello before she took the seat between him and Mark. Drake sat directly across from her.

“How did you get this table?” Diane asked as she looked around and waved over at Sage and Abigail. Both women were smiling wide.

The place was crowded, which Lucas didn’t like. But at least word would spread that Diane belonged to them now.

“Are you okay?” Diane asked as she covered Lucas’s hand with her own. He stared into her eyes, so green and inviting.

“Fine, why?”

She leaned closer. “You seem angry or maybe uncomfortable.”

“I don’t like crowds,” he told her.

She squeezed his hand and winked. “I’ll protect you,” she teased. He raised one eyebrow up at her and she did the same thing back. He moved his hand over her thigh under the table.

“Be careful, sweetness. Drake got this private corner table for a lot of good reasons.”

She leaned closer. “Like what?” She licked her lower lip. He stared at her mouth wanting nothing more than to taste her.

“Like this,” he said and leaned closer to kiss her fully on the mouth as he pressed his hand between her legs. She moaned into his mouth.

“Uhm, unless you two want to put on a show for the entire restaurant, may I suggest we eat dinner first and then head out of here?” Mark suggested as Lucas released her lips.

“I was just setting Diane straight on something.” He winked and smiled. She lowered her eyes and looked down at her lap. Drake chuckled.

They placed their orders and then Mark looked at Diane as she took a sip of white wine.

“So, what’s this about a trip to New York?”

She sat back, took a deep breath, and released it. Lucas felt his chest tighten again. He didn’t want to think about it. He knew if they made love to her tonight, it was going to be even harder to let her leave them.

* * * *

Diane started to explain about her decision and how she felt about her life up until last weekend. She could sense Lucas and Drake’s upset with her decision. They didn’t want her to go, and Mark, well he seemed as though he wasn’t as effected.

“Well, I’m not crazy about the idea. I don’t want to think about my woman posing in magazines in lingerie and having a bunch of strange men look at you.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. Lucas grunted and Drake made a mumbling sound. She turned to look at them and then back to Mark.

“It’s one catalogue shoot. I need to do this. I’ve been hiding in a bubble for years. I had a bit of a rough childhood. Some things happened that made me feel exposed in a way that I guess scared me. Enough that I closed myself off to emotions and taking a chance at getting close to anyone. Melissa is my sister and I felt like she was all I’d ever need in my life.”

“Why is that? What happened in your life to make you feel so insecure?” Mark asked her.

She told them about her parents dying and living with her aunt.

“She made you work for room and board?” Lucas asked, seeming angry.

“Among other things.” She pulled her hands onto her lap. Mark reached under the table and covered her hands with his own. “Like what?”

She told them about the dancing and the dirty old men.