Beauty and the Beasts [Bride Train 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (20 page)

She was determined to return Friday to work at the hotel for the busy weekend. After all, Sophie couldn’t manage without her. Before then, she had to survive a week living with three men, one of whom she loathed, and two she knew well. A flash of heat reminded her of just how well. She wanted more of Oz and Gabe, but not Luke. Not until he gave up on his insistence on marriage.

His suave yet arrogant behavior and attitude frustrated her as much as his body, voice, and eyes aroused her. She felt that Luke wanted her because she was damaged. Her wounds were invisible, but not his. Though wounded soldiers abounded, no one would know a man sitting behind a desk had only one leg. But Luke’s face couldn’t be hidden. The bayonet had slashed his face from eyebrow to chin, denting his nose in the process.

Could it be that the only reason Luke wanted her, was that others didn’t? If so, she didn’t want any part of him. She squirmed when she thought of a few parts of him which might be useful. But she had Gabe and Oz for that. The thought made her sit up. Soon she would be seeing them. Tonight she might be sleeping with them. Or even better, staying awake.

“I sure hope Daisy won’t chase Oliver up these trees,” said Sophie.

Sarah turned her thoughts away from temptation as Billy sent the wagon up a track to their right. She could see the roof of a cabin. Tall pine trees rose behind it like sentinels, blocking the harsh north winds.

“Those trees are a lot taller than the one Oliver’s used to climbing, and being rescued from,” she replied. Gabe said he’d climb any tree for her. Oz, being so competitive, would likely jump at the chance as well. Luke, however, said her cat was stupid for not figuring how to climb down. Sarah thought Oliver enjoyed making people rescue him. After all, he was a cat.

The horses strained uphill from the river road for a while before they heard voices. Orders rang out, along with a few curses. One female voice called out instructions.

“Sounds like Jessie’s here,” said Sophie.

They pulled into the Circle C yard. A brown-and-white dog bounded toward them, barking. Its long ears flapped as it ran. A boy about Billy’s age followed, waving and beaming.

“Look, it’s Daisy and Daniel!”

Billy expertly stopped the wagon where Sophie directed, handed the reins to her, and jumped down. He opened his arms. Daisy leaped up, tongue licking and tail wagging. Billy laughed, rubbing her fur and scratching her around the ears. He ran toward his friend and the two, along with the dog, headed back the way they’d come.

“Welcome to the Circle C.”

Sarah looked down. Oz stood beside the wagon with his arms up, waiting for her. His curls glowed in the sun. Beads of perspiration dabbled his forehead. His eyes were more green than blue. Intense green. Beside her, Sophie cleared her throat.

Sarah leaned over and placed her hands on his wide shoulders. He was warm under his shirt, which she noticed wasn’t buttoned. A spark kindled in her lower belly. He placed his hands on her waist, and the spark erupted into a flame. He lifted her off the wagon but didn’t let go of her when her toes touched earth. Instead, he pulled her to him as he brought his head down. She saw his challenge, and heat. She lifted her hands into his soft hair and pulled his head closer. She closed her eyes and parted her lips.

He groaned and brought their bodies together. She opened her lips to him, and he responded. His tongue darted in and arched under her top lip. She shivered, though the fire in her pussy burned hot enough to explode. When he pulled his head back and she gasped for air, his eyes were almost pure green. Their corners crinkled when he smiled. He kissed her nose.

“We’d better move aside so Sophie can get down.”

His voice was almost as rough as Trace’s. She tried to speak, but couldn’t. He just lifted her like a doll and walked to the end of the wagon. He set her down by the wheel. She leaned over and grabbed a couple of spokes to keep her balance.

“Keep that position in mind,” he whispered in her ear. “It looks like a lot of fun.”

Realizing what he meant, to take her from behind outdoors, made her pussy throb and breasts ache. Would she be able to repeat the two nights of bliss Oz and Gabe gave her, even if Luke was around?

“If you two are finished, we need to get dinner set up.”

Sophie’s wry words forced their way through the buzzing in Sarah’s ears. She managed to stand up and turn around. Her friend’s eyes laughed at her.

“I think the rest of the men want something more substantial than a kiss.”

“Rest of the men?”

Sophie held out her arm. Sarah tracked where the finger pointed. Over a dozen grinning men, many without their shirts, stared at her. Big, strong, hungry men. She was too short to see more than the first row, but that was enough.

“Lord, take me now,” she whispered. She dropped her head into her hands.

“Show’s over.” The rasping growl could only belong to Trace. “You see why the lady needs her own place.”

“We’ve got room on the Sweetwater ranch next door, ma’am.” The voice had the slow drawl of the South.

“Sarah stays here.” Gabe interrupted the eager men by walking over. He stopped and gave her the same gentle smile he always used, though now there was heat in it.

Ten minutes later the hungry men dug into full plates. Because Sophie tucked quilts around the covered pot, the stew was still warm. The men didn’t seem to care.

She was on her second round of lemonade, filling their cups, when Gabe took the pitcher from her hands. He replaced it with a plate of food and told her to sit in the shade. The low stool he pointed to was off to one side where she’d be part of things but not surrounded by sweaty men. As she ate, she listened to them talk about gathers, branding, and forming a ranching association. She finished her plate with a sigh of contentment.

Since no one seemed to be paying her much attention, she undid the top few buttons of her blouse. The men had put their shirts back on, but most hadn’t done them up. Oz’s smooth chest and Gabe’s mat of dark hair kept drawing her eyes. She couldn’t wait to lick Oz’s nipples and nibble his belly again, and to run her fingers through the curls covering Gabe from his chest all the way past his belt.

What would it be like to have both men pleasure her at once? Both Oz and Gabe knew their way around a woman’s body. Her hand trembled as she sipped cool lemonade. She shouldn’t think such thoughts when surrounded by big, eager men, even if most of them were married. Sophie said a Bride Train was due midsummer. Would some of them meet the train, hat in hand? She heard talk that other men were on their way to the valley, bringing Walt Chamberlain’s cattle up from Texas. Just what she didn’t need was another set of men wanting a wife!

“I’ll take your plate before Daisy washes it for you,” said a deep voice above her. Luke set her plate on the board table and hunkered down beside her.

“What do you think of the Circle C?”

He was distantly polite, like a polished gentleman in a parlor. She could behave the same way, treating him like a loathsome businessman her uncle had ordered her to entertain.

“This is the first time I’ve been on a ranch, but it looks lovely. You’ve accomplished a lot this morning, if you started with just the front cabin.”

Luke nodded at the others still eating. “We have good men helping.” He turned back, and she thought she saw a hint of devilry before it faded. “Thank you for visiting, Miss Unsworth. It gives us a reason to finally expand our cabin. We’ve been cramped since we moved in.”

“When was that?”

“Four years ago. We added a loft to the cabin, which meant Gabe’s head cleared the ceiling by only a couple of inches. But it gave us a place to sleep and more storage space. After today we’ll feel like we’re living in a palace. May I give you a tour?”

She’d been sitting long enough, so let him help her to her feet.

“You can have the original cabin until we get the rest completed. Once you bolt the door and close the shutters, no one can get in. The stove’s there, so you won’t get cold at night.”

She didn’t like thinking he was so thoughtful, so she found a reason to object. “And in return you expect me to make breakfast?”

“Yep,” interrupted a voice from behind her. “I want sausages, salt pork, onions, eggs, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, toast and jam, coffee—”

Luke glared over his shoulder. “I’m talking with the lady, Oz, so hobble your lip!”

“I’m partial to apple dumplings,” said Gabe quietly, following behind.

“If you don’t mind, I’m showing Sarah the Circle C.” Luke held out his arm as if they were about to enter the opera. He pressed his lips tightly together and glared at his partners as if they were ruffians accosting his lady. If it was anyone else but Oz and Gabe, she might have appreciated the gesture.

“Too late,” said Oz. “Ace sent me over to ask Sarah if she’d visit with Jessie after Sophie heads back to town. Otherwise…” He cleared his throat and made a big production out of trying to look taller, like Ace. “Otherwise the fool woman won’t get the rest she needs to grow our baby,” he said, using a strong English aristocratic accent.

“Miss Unsworth, please hear me out first,” said Luke.

“Oh, oh,” muttered Oz.

“I know you said you don’t wish to marry, but I can offer you a home and a name, which every woman wants. In return, you can give me the children I need. The Circle C will be our home, with our children. Oz and Gabe’s, too, of course.”

Nothing showed on his face. No emotion, as if this was a business discussion. Just like her father, uncle, and their associates. They held everything inside so no one could have an advantage over them. When she showed emotion, even as a child, she was chastised for not being ladylike. Back then, what her father and uncle thought was terribly important to her. As a single, adult businesswoman, she no longer cared. But, because they were in public and he was offering her a temporary home, she held her temper. Barely.

“Thank you, Mr. Frost, but I already have a home, a name, and a business of my own. And I don’t need a husband in order to have children.”

“Sarah, you don’t understand. When you have my children we will—”

A shrill whistle cut through the air, interrupting him.

“Git yer arses in gear if ye want some a that beer Baldy sent,” bellowed Gillis MacDougal. “I want to finish and have a nip or two afore I get back to Hope and the wee squalling lads.”

Oz, standing behind Sarah, slid his hand over her back cheeks. When she gasped and turned, he winked, smiling, and sauntered away. Luke, oblivious to Oz’s touch but red faced at the interruption, stomped after him. Gabe sighed deeply and shook his head at Luke. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

“Don’t worry about Luke. He’s behaving like his stiff-necked father right now, but he’ll smarten up one of these days. A hot breakfast would be wonderful, but you’re not here to work hard all day.”

“I’m not?”

He wrapped his arms around her, his back to the group. He shook his head, staring at her lips.

“I’ve got other plans for you. Tonight you’ll sleep in the old cabin, alone, but I’m guarding you tomorrow. And I’m planning to watch you very, very closely.”

He caught her nipples between two knuckles on each hand. She arched her back at the sensation, silently begging for more. He chuckled and released her.

“Keep that thought until tomorrow.”

Sarah winced at the early-morning sun peeking through the cabin window. She had more fun last night than she could remember. Most of the married men returned to their families after a quick beer, but the others stayed to eat. After supper they all gathered in the new section to dance. The Southern men from the Flying X brought a banjo, fiddle, and a set of spoons. Everyone sang and danced to “Buffalo Gals,” “The Blue Tail Fly,” “Ol’ Susannah,” and anything with a good beat. Their boots helped smooth the floor. She could now tell the bachelors apart, as they’d all swung her in their arms more than once.

All but Luke. He’d been polite before the dancing started, but distant. It was the same way her father treated her mother. He showed respect, paid her bills, and even pretended to listen now and then. But he never gave her an ounce of the caring that streamed out of so many of her friends in Tanner’s Ford. She lost sight of him after the third or fourth man twirled her in his arms.

She hauled herself to her feet and quickly dressed. She got the fire going and looked around for what to make for breakfast. Coffee first, of course, especially since the men had been drinking. She saw Luke with Gillis MacDougal at one point last night, passing a bottle of whiskey back and forth

She heard voices outside, but no one came in, so she kept working. She got the coffee ready and put salt pork and beans in the cast-iron fry pan. She made a pot of oatmeal and sliced the last of Arnott’s sausages for biscuits and gravy. She’d just taken the biscuits from the oven when the door opened.

“Sure smells good.”

Gabe ducked his head and turned sideways to come in the room, which immediately seemed to shrink in size. Oz followed and the space became even smaller. She looked, but Luke didn’t appear.

“Luke decided to skip breakfast. He headed out a while ago,” said Gabe.

“A quick dunk of his head in the horse trough was all the breakfast he needed,” said Oz. He rubbed his hands and waggled his eyebrows before turning to the stove, crowded with pots. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you here, angel. Your smiling face first thing in the morning is wonderful, but waking up to biscuits and gravy makes life worthwhile.”

“Are you always so cheerful in the morning?”

“We call it flapping his mouth,” said Gabe. He cuffed Oz, but in a playful way. “What can we do to help?”

As both men were used to cooking, the table was soon filled with everything needed for breakfast. Gabe insisted on seating her, lifting the chair, and her in it. She expected him to kiss her neck, but he didn’t. Oz would have at least tried, but Gabe was still shy.

“Gabe’s staying with you today while I ride,” said Oz. He pouted, and then brightened. “I get tomorrow. If you’re still here, Luke can take the third day.”