Monroe, Melody S. - Lydia's Passion [Pleasure, Montana 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  She got up and found something suitable in her suitcase. Then she did the unexpected. She pulled down her black stretch pants, exposing matching black lace panties. Dear God, give me the strength. Her right hip was red from the dragging, but there wasn’t any blood. He tried to look only at her wound and not let his gaze wander over the rest of her body. He would have succeeded had she not lowered her pants down to her knee. Yes, there were bruises on her legs, but they’d heal. She took her time pressing each dark spot.

  She must have realized she was practically undressing in front of him and turned her back. He kept quiet while she finished her assessment. It was when she bent over to retie her boot that he lost it.

  “I need to check on Ed.”

  He raced out.

  * * * *

  Damn. What was it going to take to get Justin Bradford to react? He’d been tender when he bandaged her, but when she looked at her own wounds, he’d freaked. Yes, she’d stripped on purpose, trying to get a rise out of him, but now she might have blown any chance of getting him into bed. Her actions probably just confirmed what he believed—that she was a loose woman who hadn’t had a relationship that lasted longer than a month. The second part was true, but not the first.

  With the door closed she couldn’t hear the exchange between Justin and Ed. When another voice sounded, she figured Tom had come in. Deciding she’d done enough damage for the night, she crawled into bed. Her body ached, but to her surprise she fell asleep right away. She must have used up all the adrenaline when the two men had barged in.

  Sometime later, a small noise roused her, and she opened her eyes. Tom had turned off the overhead light and was in the bathroom getting ready for bed. First the shower sounded, followed by him brushing his teeth. She sighed at the domestic rush that went through her.

  She thought he cursed. He was probably trying to put on some kind of sleepwear in the small bathroom. Would he wear long pajamas, sleep in boxers, or go au naturel? The moment the door opened, she pretended to be asleep. He’d left the bathroom light on, but the door ajar. She guessed he didn’t want her to trip if she got up in the middle of the night. How nice was that?

  His feet padded over to her, and from his ragged breathing, he was looking straight down at her. Should she suddenly wake, open her arms, and welcome him? Or was he the kind to appreciate the more subtle approach?

  Given his reaction from earlier when he’d walked in on her in her towel, subtle might work better. From the creaking floor, he returned the few feet to his bed. The springs squeaked as he sat.

  He seemed determined to keep his distance. Maybe she should pretend she was cold, or scared, and move over to his bed. Manipulative and tacky, maybe, but what if they caught Snake tomorrow? With the danger past, she’d have to move out, forever regretting that she didn’t take advantage of the close situation while she had it.

  After waiting at least half an hour, she tossed and turned, hoping to draw his attention. He gave no indication he’d heard, and if he did realize she couldn’t sleep, he wasn’t planning on providing any comfort. Well, she’d read enough romance novels to know the heroine always has a bad dream, and the hero rushes into the room to comfort her. Pulling a page from that author, she decided to give it a try.

  “Ooooh, hmmm.” She held her breath.

  “Lydia?”

  Yes! “Huh?”

  “You okay?”

  “I think so, but I’m cold.” That wasn’t a lie. The station was drafty, and the one thin blanket wasn’t enough to keep her toasty.

  A moment later, Tom sat on the edge of the bed. “Come here. I’ll warm you up.”

  Music to my ears. At least he didn’t offer a blanket and walk away, though another comforter would have been welcome. Instead of sitting up, she pulled open her side of the blanket. “It’ll be quicker if you crawl in.”

  She held her breath to see if he’d go along with her plan.

  “Are you sure? I know you’ve been through a lot tonight.”

  He sounded concerned, but his voice seemed tinged with excitement. “Yes.”

  Tom slipped under the covers. Given the small width of the single bed, there was only enough room to face each other. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His warmth spread to her entire body. She snuggled closer, inhaling his sandalwood scent, and immediately felt his hard cock against her leg. Thrilled, she pressed her hips forward, loving how he fit snugly against her pussy, which unfortunately was covered.

  “You feel good.” She hoped her comment wasn’t too forward.

  He didn’t say anything. Instead, he rubbed her back as if he wanted to prove his only goal was to keep her warm. Like him, she traced a pattern across his chest. He might be dressed in a flannel shirt, but his muscles rippled every time he moved his arms.

  When she lifted her head, his lips were only inches from her mouth. Dare she? Rather than go for the lips, she found his slightly whiskered neck and lightly kissed his throat.

  “Lydia.”

  She couldn’t tell if his comment was a warning or one that was filled with lust. She stopped her lip assault and lowered her hand to his hard stomach, waiting to see what he’d do. She expected him to stop her, but he didn’t. She opened her mouth, needing to get a taste of him. He obliged. She pulled him closer and moaned, and their tongues engaged in an intimate dance. She’d found heaven at last.

  * * * *

  Don’t do this. Tom’s mind warred with his body. Lydia was sweet and so delicious, but she’d nearly been taken captive a few hours before. He should stop, but when her breasts rubbed against his chest and his cock nestled between her legs, he wanted her too bad to slow down. He loved the feel of her supple body against his, and the taste of her mint toothpaste mixed with a hint of coffee. Gently rolling her on top of him to get more access, he dragged his hands over her shoulders and down to her hips, all the while exploring her mouth with abandon. Their tongues darted around each other, and he loved the thrusts and parries.

  Working his way back higher, his hand got tangled in her curls. He wove his fingers through her hair and took the time to savor the silkiness. He swore his cock had never been harder.

  She might be wearing pajamas, but if he slipped his hand between their two bodies, he bet he’d be able to stimulate that wonderful pussy with his fingers, and then slide his cock into her heavenly channel. Only he didn’t want to take advantage of her in her weakened emotional state.

  He inhaled, memorizing her peach scent. Not too strong, but it hinted at the delicate woman she’d become. Her lips claimed his again. From the force, she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  It was when her hand edged between them and she grabbed his cock that he must have groaned.

  She let go. “Did I hurt you?” she asked in the sweetest voice.

  “No.” Far from it.

  He was a little surprised she’d asked. Maybe she wasn’t as experienced as the townspeople had led him to believe. Wanting to be gentle, he stroked her back. Her moans and long sighs encouraged him to explore her further. He didn’t remember making his way down her back to her beautifully shaped ass, but when he wrapped his hands around her rear, his cock threatened to explode. What he wouldn’t like to do with her puckered hole. He closed his eyes and imagined urging his cock into her rear and being squeezed by that tight ring. She would spread her legs wide and urge him to fuck her harder.

  His cock heated thinking about the exquisite lovemaking they could have. He bet the limber woman could twist into any shape, fucking him in unimaginable positions. Dear God, what he would give to spank her round ass before strapping her to the bed and fucking her.

  Her kisses increased in pressure, bringing him back to the present. When she slipped her hand inside his pants and clasped his bare cock, reason intruded.

  He sucked in a breath at the intense blast of testosterone jamming through his veins, and he grabbed her wrist. “Ah, Lydia, we can’t.”

  “Why?” She nuzzled his neck, acting as
if he hadn’t thwarted her in any way.

  “It’s not right.”

  She removed her hand, only to lift his shirt and thread a hand over his abs and up across his pecs. Tingles followed her trail of delicate fingers.

  “I want to touch you.” Her words came out on a breath.

  He pulled away. “Lydia, you might still be in shock. You need to step back and regroup. I don’t want this to be about you thanking me.”

  “I do want to thank you, but this isn’t about that. I’ve wanted you for a long time.”

  She had? Yes, she’d flirted every time he came into the bar and grill, but she never indicated she wanted him more than any other man. He was finished with one-night stands. He was ready to settle down, but he had no idea if she held the same idea.

  Or was he just making a lame excuse as a way to get out of screwing things up with her? Crap.

  “Look, I’m the lawman here. I could never live with myself if I took advantage of you.”

  * * * *

  Lydia stopped moving. “I’m not vulnerable or emotionally unstable.” Oh, why did she bother? He didn’t want her, plain and simple.

  She rolled to the side and shifted her weight away from him.

  “Please, Lydia.”

  Please, Lydia. He might as well have pushed her away. It wouldn’t be the first time a man had rejected her. She faced the wall completely, not wanting him to touch her face or feel the tears streaming down her cheek.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sure you are.”

  He rolled out of bed. His heat left her cold, but she’d be damned if she asked him to heat her up again. A moment later, another blanket floated down on her. She sniffled. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Now go to sleep.”

  Easy for him to say. She buried her face in the pillow, but she refused to feel sorry for herself. He had been attracted to her. Of that, she was sure. So what had happened? Did he realize they might have sex the moment she touched his cock?

  Whatever. As she let her mind wander, a new plan formed, one she hoped would get her what she wanted.

  Chapter Five

  “You want to what?” Justin stopped filing his papers and finally looked at her.

  No calls had come in the last hour, so she figured today was as good a day as any to learn how to shoot. She wasn’t going to get any satisfaction from these two in the bedroom.

  “My mom gave me her twenty-two, but I’m not sure I could hit someone even if he were five feet in front of me. Given what’s happened in the last few days, I thought maybe you could teach me, if that’s okay.”

  Tom came through the front door, bringing with him fresh air and a cup of coffee that made her yearn for caffeine. The sun had finally come out, and the day promised to be clear and calm.

  He moved beside her. “Hey. How are you doing? I just stopped next door.” He waved his Mountain View cup. “Luke told me they’re making you take a few days off. That’s smart.”

  He ran his gaze over her, probably wanting to know if she was hurt by his rejection last night. The answer was yes, but she wouldn’t let on. “To answer your first question, I’m just fine. As to the second, I really needed the money, but Luke insisted. He thought anyone could come in and harm me. Sometimes he and his brother are in the back or out purchasing stuff. If they’re gone, I’m vulnerable, and the other server I work with weighs less than I do.” She shrugged. “I guess I see his point.”

  “Your boss is being cautious.” When he placed his palm on the small of her back, her breath caught in her throat. He smelled like pine, until the coffee filled her nostrils.

  He handed her the drink. “I figured you could use some good stuff. Some bosses are too cheap to buy the real deal.”

  Justin pretended to look offended. “Write a letter to the mayor. She holds our purse strings.” He held up a finger. “Lydia wants to learn how to shoot.”

  Tom arched a brow. “Shoot what?”

  While she loved the banter between them, she had a mission today. “You saw the twenty-two my mom gave me. To answer your question, I don’t have a particular target in mind, but there might be more men who want something I’m not willing to give. It’s time I start protecting myself.”

  She swore Tom flinched for a second. He probably thought he could protect her better than her sorry weapon.

  “That little thing? If you really want something that will stop a man, may I suggest something with a little more bite, like a thirty-eight?”

  She smiled. “I can’t afford to get a new couch or replace my TV, let alone buy a gun.” She’d researched weapons when she’d arrived in Pleasure.

  “Then we’ll have to be extra diligent in protecting you.”

  “Speaking of needing protection, any news on Snake’s whereabouts?”

  “Not yet, but not only have your two bosses promised to keep an eye out, but Evan Thomas and Sparks Langston have agreed to check the empty cabins as they do their ranger duties.”

  Justin walked over to the gun cabinet and unlocked it. He extracted a thirty-eight. The gun looked huge compared to her little twenty-two. “While I can’t lend this to you, I see no reason why we can’t have target practice with it.”

  “Is that legal?”

  “It’s the same as if you went to a target range and used one of their guns. We’ll be by your side the whole time.”

  She liked that.

  “I’ll get some bullets, and we’ll be all set.”

  Ed banged on his bars. “What about me?”

  Justin moved closer. “What about you? You wanted a lawyer. Connie’s here to let him in when and if he comes. We’ll be back later.”

  She got both men? How cool. “Let me get my jacket.”

  As a special treat, she even got to ride shotgun in the police cruiser. “So where are we going?”

  Justin looked both ways before pulling out of his parking space. “I was thinking my place. I don’t have many neighbors, and I often put cans on the back fence and shoot. It’s perfect.”

  A house. A bed. Hmm.

  Get your mind off sex.

  A half hour later, they pulled into Justin’s drive. He cut the engine. This wasn’t what she’d envisioned his home to look like. It was a log cabin home that had an inviting porch, and she bet had a good two thousand square feet inside. Where had he earned enough money for that? Pleasure’s police budget wouldn’t include a salary big enough for him to afford this kind of house. Maybe he came from family money.

  After checking the surrounding area, she could see why he was reluctant to have her stay here. He might have claimed he had neighbors, but their houses must all be white and covered in snow because she saw no one.

  Justin led them out back.

  Though the temperature was probably in the low thirties, the sun and lack of wind made the day beautiful. She stood there for a moment to admire the mountains. “The view is breathtaking.”

  Justin smiled and she nearly swooned. Maybe he’d been a cover model in his former life. Who knew he’d even been a ski patrol guy? Perhaps he’d done some photo shoots in his spare time, which might explain the nice home.

  He belonged to Pleasure now, but if he had been a model, the women of the world would no longer get to drool over his picture every day.

  “That’s why I bought this place. It’s quiet and isolated.”

  As he’d claimed, there was a pile of shot-up cans at the base of the fence quite a distance away. He stomped over to the fence, picked up the cans, and sat them on the post before returning.

  She nodded to the gun he held out for her. “Does it have bullets in it yet?”

  Both men laughed. “I can see there’s a lot we need to teach our woman.”

  Our woman? Yes! She could think of a lot of things she’d like to learn from them, but it involved a different kind of weapon.

  “So teach.” She grinned.

  Justin stepped behind her and wrapped his arms along hers. “This here is a thirty-eight Sm
ith & Wesson Special. Handle her with love. She’s powerful.” She nodded. That much she knew. “First you have to cock it like this.”

  He slid his thumb over the hammer and dragged it back nice and slow, almost like he wanted her to run her hand down his length.

  Stop it. Her pussy throbbed thinking about having sex with these men.

  She swore she heard a hint of a chuckle from Tom. Was the man a mind reader, now? Justin seemed to be working hard to put every double entendre into his conversation. If they hadn’t been dressed in a ton of layers, she would have pressed her butt back to see if he had another kind of loaded weapon between his legs.

  “Now what?”

  With his hands guiding hers, he lifted her arms. She was doing okay until he leaned in close, cheek to cheek. Her rapid breath showed clearly in the crisp air like puffs of clouds. Certain he could tell how his presence excited her, she shifted her weight forward to prevent more contact. After all, she truly wanted to learn how to handle a weapon. Or two.

  “Look down the sight. When the target is lined up, pull the trigger like this.”

  He squeezed her finger back and the gun exploded. Sure, she’d shot a gun many years ago, but she’d forgotten how loud it could be. The recoil jerked her hands upward, but Justin’s steady pressure prevented her arms from flailing.

  “Wow.”

  He laughed, and a new goal formed in her mind. Do whatever it took to hear that sound as many times a day as possible.

  “You missed,” he said with too much joy in his tone.

  She dropped open her mouth. “You mean you missed.” She twisted in his arms to see his feigned reaction. They came almost lip to lip, and her heart skipped a beat.

  His gaze dropped, and he stepped back. “Why don’t you try it yourself?”

  “Well, that’s no fun.”

  That got another chuckle out of him. Never did she think target practice could be so stimulating.