Lang, Chloe - Wilde Love [The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 6] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) (7 page)

“He’s on edge. All of your brothers are. There’s someone out there that still wants to harm me. Once Rich wakes up, the sheriff will find out who that person is, but until then, those four are hypervigilant.”

“Yes. That’s all true. But he knew no one else was in here but you and me. Right?”

Her eyes widened. “Yes, but—”

“And I’m sure that one or more of my other brothers are outside the window. True?”

“Dallas is.” She seemed confused by the track he was taking.

He’d never told anyone why he couldn’t be a part of a plural arrangement with his brothers, and he’d never expected to fall for the same woman as them. But he had. He continued, knowing Jessie had a right to know the truth. “Think, pet. Why did he rush in?”

She shrugged.

“The reason is he doesn’t trust me alone with you.”

She frowned. “That’s not true.”

“It is. You know it. Denver is an amazing Dom, but he’s not twenty-four-seven. I am. He can be tender and soft. That’s not in me.”

“But you’ve been—”

“Shh. Let me finish. My brothers and you imagine a future with all of us living in a beautiful house with a white picket fence.”

“It’s the future I pray for.”

“I believe you need the bite of my whip and the strength of my firm hand. My brothers would all say that they would have no problem with my ways, but in time, they would. First, Jackson would step up to urge me to back off. Phoenix would be next. Dallas would follow. And even Master Dom Denver would eventually demand I ease up. I can’t. Softness isn’t in me. Hardness is.”

“That’s not true.” Her eyes were wet again.

As much as Austin hated giving her the ultimatum, he knew he must. She needed him to be strong. “So you see, pet, why you have a choice to make.”
I may have failed to protect you, but by God, I’ll never fail you again.
“You’re like no woman I’ve ever known. You’ve touched me, and I’ve touched you. You can’t deny that. I am the right choice for you. We fit. Jessie, you must choose me.”

Chapter Six

“Listen to me, Austin Wilde.” Jessie felt anger well up from deep inside her. The shock of the past twenty-four hours had stripped her of any restraint.

She left his side and stood in front of him, and still she needed to tilt her head up to gaze into his eyes. The man was a giant. “You say you don’t have any softness, but that isn’t true. I know for a fact it isn’t.”

His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t speak.

She couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions that had cracked her timidity. “I never dreamed that I could fall for five men. It’s absolutely crazy but true. And I won’t say that I wish the things that I love about each of you were inside a single man. That definitely isn’t true.”

“Go on, pet.”

Jessie sensed the edge of anger on his lips, but still she continued. “Merging you five into one man would result in disaster and someone I couldn’t love. I want each of you for different reasons.”

He commanded, “Tell me what they are.”

“The reasons? Sure. Jackson can be so funny and spontaneous, and yet when necessary can be serious and focused. He makes me laugh and helps me to relax. Phoenix is like a brave knight from a fairy tale, even though he wears a cowboy hat. He makes me feel adored and beautiful, like a princess. Dallas is the most open of all you Wilde brothers. He’s charming and so very giving. When he says I’m gorgeous, I know he means it to his very soul. Denver is powerful and protective. I feel so safe and loved with him.”

“And what about me, pet?” he asked in a low tone.

She took a deep breath, and then answered, “You’re possessive and intense. You’re mysterious and often closed off. You’re demanding and impatient.”

“Sounds like you’ve made your choice, Jessie.” He nodded, and she sensed resignation inside him.

“Let me finish, Austin. It’s like you can read my mind and know what I need exactly when I need it. With you, I can honestly relax. I don’t have to put on a performance. I can just be.”

His eyes opened, and he smiled. “And?”

“And I’m completely in love with you.”

Austin left the bed, standing up in front of her. He looked like a mountain, and she felt so tiny next to him. He put one hand behind her head and the other under her chin. Then he leaned down and kissed her. His lips pressed to hers, and his hand moved to stroke the soft spot behind her back, causing her knees to buckle. Without releasing her mouth, Austin secured her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders, and the other at the small of her back. She melted into him, and her entire body became limp.

Time spun slowly as the kiss went on and on.
Please understand and don’t leave your brothers and me, Austin.

When her mouth was released, Austin sat back on the bed. He looked pale. “I guess the drug the little bastard shot me with is still in my system. Either that or your lips are laced.”

Filled with concern, Jessie sat beside him and put her hand on his forehead. His skin felt cool but clammy. “Let me get a nurse.”

He turned to her and grinned. “What shall I call you now? Miss Nightingale? What other tricks do you have up your sleeves, sweetheart? Don’t call the nurse. I’m fine.”

“Will you at least lie down?”

“If it will make you happy, I will”

“Good.” Jessie stood up, walked to the head of the bed, and fluffed his pillow.

Austin swung his muscular legs back on the bed, and stretched out his tall frame on the mattress. “The doc says I will get released later today.”

Jessie was thrilled to hear that, and the nightmare she’d just endured seemed to fade away fast. “That’s great news.”

“I’m not making any promises, pet, but I’m willing to meet with my brothers about you.”

Hope jumped for joy inside her. “You mean it?”

“Silly girl, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”

Jessie bent down and kissed him. Then remembering how pale he’d become after their last kiss, she stepped back and gazed down at the eldest Wilde brother. “Thank you, Master.”

“Jessie Greene, you should be an attorney instead of my little brother. Your arguments were so convincing, but remember, sweetheart, I’m not promising anything. I still don’t really believe this will work, but I’m willing to talk.”

That Austin was open enough to at least give the future she dreamed of a chance was enough to make her believe in miracles. And if one miracle was possible, more of them had to be, too. “Thank you.”

“You may not be so thankful for long, pet. First, to the business at hand.” Austin sat up, his demeanor turning strong and hard. He turned to the door. “Denver!”

The door opened, and the next eldest Wilde brother rushed in, scanning the room for intruders. “What?”

“Jessie needs to go now. She’s seen me in this ridiculous state far too long.”

Denver pulled her to his side. “I agree.” He turned and gazed at her, clearly concerned about what had transpired in the room while he was on the other side of the door. “You okay, sweetheart?”

“I really am.”

Austin continued, “This sub is a handful, Denver. Take her to the club, and keep her in my office. Call the cousins, too.”

“Good idea, bro.”

Even on a hospital bed, Austin didn’t seem the slightest indisposed to Jessie. She sensed his strength returning like a growing volcano. “Whoever is still gunning for her won’t suspect us taking her to The Masters’ Chambers since it’s so public. My office is at the end of the hallway with only one way to get to it.”

Denver nodded. “I like this plan.”

“Do I get a say in this?” Jessie asked, though she was actually happy to leave the logistics of her safety to them.

“Not about this, pet. You’re way too reckless, and without us around, would get yourself killed.”

“You can say that again, bro.” Denver nodded. “If somehow the fucker figures out where we’ve taken her, we’ll be more than ready with the best man power Wilde has to offer.”

She loved the two brothers’ take-charge and kick-butt manner. It made her feel like she was secure in an impregnable fortress of manliness.

Austin continued, “And with the help of the cousins and the trusted angels there, we can blast the son of a bitch to kingdom come.”

Jessie couldn’t believe her ears. Austin and Denver were putting together an army of cowboys to protect her. And when all of her five men were in one room, she would make her case to Austin and the others. Whatever boundary she had to push or nerve she had to touch to win the future she desired, that was exactly what she would do.

* * * *

Austin looked from his brothers to Jessie and knew they were all headed for a train wreck of epic proportions. His office nearly vibrated from all the verbal bombs being lobbed by him and Denver, standing like gladiators about to fight to the death. None of his brothers had a complete picture of what she needed. He did. She needed him.

“Austin, what the fuck!” Denver shouted. “We deserve to know why you are dead set against a plural marriage. It’s our way. It’s what we know. For generations, our family has done this and made wonderful lives together. Our childhood was amazing with three dads and one mom. What the hell have we done for you to reject everything we know?”

“You guys grew up with the silver markets going up. The town loves the Wildes when that happens. Me? I remember what can happen when silver is down and the mine has to reduce jobs to the absolute minimum. That sucks for a kid.”

Jackson’s eyebrows shot up. “Does this have anything to do with what happened at the tree with Paul and the others all those years ago?”

“That and so much more you don’t know.”

“Is that the only reason you are rejecting this life, Austin?” Phoenix asked.

“No, but it’s all you need to know now. It’s enough.”

“Bullshit.” Denver pounded his fists on the desk. “This is our future with Jessie we’re talking about. We all deserve to know. She deserves to know.”

“She already does, Denver.” Austin looked at Jessie. She sat on his couch between Jackson and Phoenix. His eyes met hers, and she trembled. He turned back to Denver. “So convince me that she needs you all, too.”

Dallas stopped his incessant pacing. “Isn’t that what we’ve been trying to do for the last forty minutes, Austin?”

“If so, you’re doing a poor job, bro.” Austin walked around his desk and sat in his chair. He knew the act put him, psychologically at least, back in the power seat. “Show me what you give her that I can’t. She’s done a much better job arguing your case than you have. Make me believe that she needs you, too.”

“Now?” Phoenix asked.

Jessie’s skin flushed a bright red, which made Austin’s cock engorge to the max. “Now.”

“There’s still a killer on the loose, bro.” Denver’s tone held an edge but was lower. “Don’t you think this can wait?”

“Sure. But she’s in no danger. Our cousins will be here in an hour. Tank and four other angels are on every entrance. The club is closed. We’re here. I’ve got a gun in my desk, should we need it.”

Phoenix turned to Jessie and cupped her chin gently.

Austin wished he had it in him to treat her that way, too. But he never could.

“Beautiful, what do you think about showing him?” Phoenix asked with not even a hint of demand.