Forrest, Dawn - Sweet Water Wedding: Sharing Shannon (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (37 page)

Rachael laughed. “If I know Josh, nothing short of death or serious injury will put off our wedding or honeymoon.” Then she clearly realized how close it had come to just that scenario and shuddered.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Rachael nabbed three Jelly Babies and placed them in a compromising position, the little orange one nestled between two others.
Oh, har bloody har.

“So come on, O’Reilly, how did it go?”

“Well, apart from the last bit, I had a great time with James and Luke
.
” She felt her face color as her eyes were drawn to the three little Jelly Babies.

“Oh, no, you don’t get off being all shy. You’ve not had to endure the humiliation of being spanked and hog-tied in a barn with the full knowledge of your nearest and dearest.”

“Hog-tied?” Shannon’s voice went up a couple of octaves.

“Ahem. That’s for another time. Now, how did it go? Nonspecific details will suffice.”

Shannon heaved a sigh. “James is a superb lover, like Luke. They say that they both love me and want a serious relationship. That’s the landscape and it looks good. It seemed a bit premature to get into all the details, as it is still very early days. The problem is that the Devil’s in the details.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, just how exactly it’s going to work. I’ll be making myself vulnerable, emotionally, physically, and financially. I can’t just give up my job and home without a real commitment. There’s all the visa stuff to contend with. I’ll have to return to Ireland for a while, and Rachael, I can’t see either of them coping without a woman for too long.”
Doubting Dora strikes again.

“I don’t think they’re the cheating type, Shannon. From what I’ve seen they’re crazy about you. I think you’re more likely to find two big Texans turning up on your doorstep in Ireland and crowding your little cottage if you don’t wrap things up quickly.” Rachael chuckled.

Shannon had to admit that the image of James and Luke in her wee home was amusing, that is until she thought of how her family would react.

“Anyway, we’re still getting to know each other.” She tried to sound cool but really she thought that she knew them enough, enough to want to be with them, enough to want to give it a go, enough that she really did love them both.

“So, have you done it with them both at the same time then? What’s it like?”

“Rachael Harrison! You are a pervert.” She sat back in mock shock, and then smiled wickedly. “I’ll only say this; sort of but not really; so far flipping fantastic; have every intention of finding out soon. Satisfied?”

“Hardly,” Rachael grumbled.

“Oh, that reminds me, where can I get contraceptive pills?”

Shannon knew that her period was due to start on July twenty-eighth and that was the first day she would have to take the pill. It wouldn’t be effective for seven days, which meant that they could have unprotected sex only from August fourth. Unfortunately she was due to leave on August seventh. She decided that if James and Luke turned out to be only a holiday fling then it was not worth messing up her body chemistry for the sake of three days of skin on skin sex... no matter how tempting it was. She’d make the decision about it later, but would get the pills anyway, just in case. She reasoned that it was better to have them and not want them, than want them and not have them.

“You’ll need a prescription from a doctor. There’s a walk-in clinic in town, and it’s open until eight in the evenings on weekdays. That would be the easiest way. What are your plans for tomorrow? Do you need to borrow a car?”

“Well, I was going to chill out here. I think that James and Josh will be busy tomorrow with the Railroad Commission, the River Authority, and the police. Luke will be busy in the day as well. I think he is preparing equipment for the oil clean-up if the River Authority give the go ahead. I’m actually looking forward to some quiet time. Luke mentioned taking me out and a sleepover. Is that all right with you?

“God, Shannon, you make it sound like a pajama party, when really you’ll be getting some double hot sex.” Rachael grinned. “Sure, I’m okay with it.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m not spending enough time with you.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ve spent the last two days with my family. If you’re sure that you’ll be away tonight, then Josh may come over. Otherwise, I’ll go to Sweet Water. It’ll be our last between the sheets liaison before the wedding because I’m making this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday no sex and sleeping with the fiancé days. I’ve a feeling that James may be planning something for Josh on Wednesday. Saturday I’ll be a married woman. Wow, that takes some getting used to.” She giggled. “I’ve booked us into the local spa on Thursday for our six month service.”

At least twice a year they got together for a bit of pampering, usually in the form of a massage or some beauty treatment.

“Is it that long since we last spoiled ourselves?” Shannon couldn’t get over how fast the time had flown.

Rachael nodded.

“Well, I’d love that.”

“Good, and its Josh’s present to our chief bridesmaid so we are getting the works.” Rachael winked. “Maybe it’s also a present for my groom and our best man.”

“I love it even more.” She laughed.

Chapter 21

“You did what?” Luke yelled at the phone.

“I know, I know, believe me, no one can feel worse than I do about it. It was a major translation error and I’m sorry.”

No one? He bet that didn’t include Shannon, however Luke had to admit that James did indeed sound contrite. He conceded that his friend and partner had been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours, and perhaps he shouldn’t give him too much shit this early in the morning.

“Is she ever going to let anyone near her ass again?” Luke sighed.

James gave a little snort of disbelief. “Luke, she was darn amazing. I think that she was more worried about me being upset. Can you imagine that after what I did? She was so understanding. We have
got
to keep that woman.”

“I know, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, but she loves her work and independence. We have to let her know that she had a lot of options and choices with us. Money’s not an issue, she doesn’t have to work, but if she wants to work independently for herself she can, or she can work with us at M&R. We want to expand and diversify, and with her skills we can go in a whole new direction. We should plant the idea tonight.”

“We are going to have to take a leaf from Josh’s book and woo her.” James sounded resolute.

“Really? Josh actually wooed Rachael?” Luke couldn’t imagine it.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. He cooked for her.”

“Well we can do that, but I thought tonight we’d take her out and let her see how this whole threesome thing isn’t a big issue here. I’ll rally some support from the Joneses. Susan likes Shannon, so she’ll help us out. We are in for a busy day today, but this may be our last opportunity to put some lovin’ on her before the wedding. Anyway, how are you feeling?”

“Fine, it was just a deep scratch really, looked worse than it was. Don’t you worry; I’ll be able to keep my end up.” They both chuckled. “See ya later, bro.”

Luke set the alarm on his watch for half past five because he knew from experience that he tended to get absorbed in his work. He had called Shannon and made a plan to pick her up at six that evening and bring her over to his house where James would meet them.

He’d thought that he was going to have trouble concentrating and getting work done that day but he was wrong. He was so run off his feet that he didn’t have time to stew in the huge vat of desire that was bubbling away for little Miss O’Reilly. He had received another call later that morning from James telling him to prepare for the oil spill cleanup. His partner was out on site at the polluted stream with some people from the River Authority and the police. Luke had to check the inventory of their equipment and begin detailing the logistics.

The official request for M&R Engineering to submit a tender for the clean-up work came from the River Authority that afternoon with a phone call and a follow up e-mail, so the rest of the day was spent drafting up a contract and pricing the work. Luke knew that there were no other businesses in the area who could do the work and certainly none who could mobilize as quickly. Of course if it had come to it they would have done the work at cost price rather than see it not done at all, but he had a business to run and the River Authority would no doubt be getting their pound of flesh from Crossling. It was tempting to screw that bastard with an extortionate fee but he didn’t want to be a vulture and, ever the businessman, he considered the possibility of future work for the River Authority. He decided to price at the high end of reasonable.

He canceled his watch alarm just before it beeped the five-thirty alert. He hadn’t needed it because, despite the complicated work, Shannon had hovered on the edge of his conscious thoughts all day. He took half an hour to finish up and say goodnight to a few of the guys still in the workshop getting equipment ready for the cleanup. He herded Sara, his secretary, out of the office and told her to go home, then headed on over to Flora’s Place.

The drive helped him to unwind and he began to relax. As he drove up to the cabin he saw Shannon come outside, she must have heard the sound of the engine. She waved and smiled, waiting for him on the veranda. It was all he could do to stop himself from running to her and sweeping her up in his arms. Hell, why not? He didn’t run but he sure didn’t amble either and when he reached her he clasped her small body to his, lifting her off the ground. As he held her he realized that he needed her like a tree needs the sun after a long, cold winter.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said as he nuzzled her neck.

The tension of the day dissipated with her presence. He felt her body relax and she leaned back to regard him.

“You’ve had a difficult day?” she inquired.

“A little, just the sort of day that makes a man appreciate having someone like you to hold at the end of it.”

She beamed at him and leaned in for a gentle kiss. Her lips were soft and luscious.

“You’re a sweet morsel for a hungry man,” he murmured to her mouth.

He gave her a squeeze and buried his face in her hair, inhaling her mouthwatering scent.
Oh, to come home and have this every day would be heaven on earth.
He released her slowly and she slid down his body. There was no way she couldn’t feel his hard, full erection. By now it must be familiar to her.

“Want to take the edge off?” she asked, gently stroking her hand over his groin.

Fuck yes.
“I’d need an angle grinder to take the edge of this need I have for you, Shannon. You could tempt a saint, but we have plans for this evening and James will have my ass if I don’t exercise some control and make us late.” Regret laced his words.

“He’s already had mine,” she muttered as she followed him to his car.

He thought it best not to comment.

* * * *

They pulled up at Luke’s house and the first thing that she noticed was James’s huge SUV was parked off to one side. She couldn’t help scathingly wonder just how few miles to the gallon that thing did. She had to admit though, it was a tough yet luxurious, fun vehicle and yes, it did look ultra cool—a wee bit like its owner. Shannon wondered why James hadn’t come out to greet them.

As if reading her thoughts Luke said, “He’s probably in the shower. He came straight over from visiting the well site and then the doc’s.”

Luke strode around the truck, opened the door and helped her out into his arms.

“Welcome again to my home, sweetheart.” He sounded pleased and even a little self-satisfied that she was there.

They went in but there was no sign of James.