Rescue Party (2 page)

“Once the water is down, it’ll be the perfect location though. Are you okay, Kacy?” Dean asked.

“Fine. Thanks. Can we pull my car along?” She stood up.

Dean untied the rope and let it go. “Sorry, the sunroof is already ruined. It’ll fill with water in no time.”

She groaned as she watched her car drift in the other direction. “Damn it.”

“Sorry. It’s probably toast. The water will ruin the inside.” Clay shrugged.

“Crap!” She hit the side of the truck. “I thought I was early enough. People need help. Now I’m stranded.”

“You’re not emergency services. Coordinating aid is great, but it’s too soon for that now. Plus, you’re closer than you were before. We’ll be fine.” Dean put an arm around her shoulders. “Is your place on low ground? Did you have any water yet?”

She nodded and mentally let go of the first new car she’d bought in her life. Insurance existed for a reason. Three good-looking white men saved her neck, and she wasn’t exactly being appreciative. “Yes, the driveway was flooded already. It’s still rising. I thought I had enough time. Thanks for the help.”

“All we can do is wait it out. Going to the high school now won’t do any good. No one can get there,” Clay said.

“People will need to evacuate. They’ll need essentials while in a shelter situation.” Her job was more festivals and parades, but she loved this town and the people in it. The town employees had been on the phone all day trying to get a plan together. Donations were organized, and aid was called in. She hated the waiting part.

“That’s for the emergency workers to handle. The governor called up the National Guard so we’ll get support,” Dean replied.

“If they need extra assistance, your truck would be perfect. This thing is a monster.” She looked at Clay and barely recognized the sexy, smug guy from high school. He was serious and hadn’t groped her at all when he’d helped her into the truck. Without his off-putting mannerisms, his slick body and carved abs were hard to ignore.

She wasn’t one the boys chased anyway, unlike her sisters who smiled and flirted so easily with all the high school guys. Kacy had protected her sisters from how men could be sometimes. Her sisters craved the attention while Kacy had seen what putting up with bad men had done to one of her aunts. The aunt never felt she was good enough and clung to whatever man gave her attention. The one man who stuck around for a long time put the aunt down only to leave her for a younger woman. Kacy learned the lesson without having to live it; that settling for the wrong man always ended in heartbreak.

The truck pulled up on an incline, and Kacy held on to Dean and the truck’s side until they finally stopped. Dean was a hunk, and his intense body heat made her relax even in the odd situation. She saw Steve exit the driver’s side as Dean walked her to the end of the truck bed. They were such a cute couple.

After dropping the tailgate, Clay jumped out and helped Kacy down. His touch sparked something in her. She was always attracted to the wrong men, and she always had to ignore it. Three hot men had her attention, but they weren’t interested in anything but helping her. She was safe, and it was thanks to their quick thinking. “Thank you,” she said.

Steve handed her purse to her, and she let the men lead her into their house. Once out of the constant rain, she shivered. They were all drenched, and she got a good look at the hot, hard bodies of the trio. Sliding her hood down, she stared for a bit before she slipped out of the jacket. This would be fantasy material for later, but for now, she needed to remember her manners. “I don’t know how to thank you guys.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’d do it for anyone.” Steve gave her a hug. “That’s the best part of small towns. Hopefully everyone else will be smart enough to stay in.”

She smacked his arm and hugged him tighter. They’d worked together on events at the school and for the football team, especially. The homecoming parade was a big event. Dean devoted time to the animal shelter and came to the schools to teach kids about wildlife and safety. Both were fixtures in the town, and she considered them friends.

They were the sexy men she dreamed of, but they already had each other. Clay was a new addition she didn’t understand. He’d returned to town, and her teenage fantasies revolving around him returned, but why was he here? Friends with Steve and Dean, perhaps. She accepted a towel when Steve offered one and dried her face.

“We need to get out of these wet clothes,” Dean said.

“Sorry, I had a bag, but it was in the trunk.” She looked down at her clinging T-shirt and jeans. Not exactly an attractive outfit.

“You can go naked. We won’t mind.” Clay grinned.

She rolled her eyes. “Still the player, Clay? I’ll suffer and drip dry.”

“No, you’ll catch a chill. We’ll find you something. I’ll set you up in the guest room.” Steve guided her to the back bedroom.

She’d peeled off her socks when someone tapped on the door. “Come in,” she said.

“Might not be a great fit but they’re dry.” A shirtless Dean set a pair of boxers, a T-shirt, and a zippered sweatshirt on the guest bed.

Trying not to stare at his muscled shoulders and perfect abs, she couldn’t deny the arousal. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to interrupt your reunion.”

“Are you kidding? Having a woman marooned with us is a dream come true.” He winked at her.

She didn’t quite believe it but ignored him. “What’s with Clay?”

“Back home. Computer guy at the factory. Dream job, right?” Dean smiled.

“Sounds as if it’s a good job. Bad boys are hot but also can be just bad.” She refused to fall for the stereotypes that got women into trouble so often. Just because they turned her on didn’t mean they were good relationship material. She liked small-town life because people were judged by their character, not race or religion. People knew if you were trustworthy or not. Interracial dating in college had been a bigger deal than it ever was in Lucky Springs.

“He’s not so bad anymore. People grow up. He served in the Army Reserve and got a college education. He matured. Don’t sell him short.” Dean nodded. “Get changed and come out to the living room. Steve is making a fire.”

“Fire? It’s humid around here today, and we’re going to add heat? We can just throw the clothes in the dryer.” She shrugged.

“It’s just a small fire in case the power goes out. We don’t want to tax the system. You can hide in here if you prefer.” Dean stepped back into the hall and closed the door.

The room was cozy. The bedding and wall trim was done in burgundy and navy. Manly but styled. Dean had to be a flirt? Now? It hit her differently with Clay around. Steve and Dean were always nice and overly friendly, but two gay men could fawn over women and it meant nothing. Her lust was her problem. Throw Clay in the mix, and it was off balance for her. She shook them off and removed the wet clothing.

Naked, she dried off with the towels and let the air circulate all over her body to cool off her adult thoughts that were still around.

Despite her mother’s pride over Kacy being the smartest and most serious of the sisters, men had always given more attention to the more forward girls. Kacy wanted a man who appreciated more than her body.

Her random thoughts made Kacy pause. Was she avoiding the men or just preparing herself for catching up with Clay? She slid on the dark green boxers and light green T-shirt. Getting her bra to dry out was priority one on the clothes front. She wasn’t big like her middle sister, but she wasn’t tiny like her baby sister either. Men’s T-shirts had no support for cleavage.

Removing the clip and shaking out her long hair, she checked her image in the mirror. Not bad under the circumstances. The high beams under the shirt could be from the cold, not from the arousal surging through her body. Stuck in a house with three hot men. Two of whom she trusted and loved as friends but happened to be in love with each other. Then there was Clay. The bad boy crush she’d refused to admit in high school.

Only her sisters knew she’d lusted after Clay, and they’d agreed he didn’t want a good-girl honors student. White guys were one thing—Kacy didn’t believe in limiting her options—but dating outside of your high school sphere had seemed unimaginable at sixteen.

Not that he wanted to date her or screw her back then. They were the same year, and he’d been in her homeroom every year, every day and looking hot. He had a lot of the girls but never put any time or effort in her direction.

She put the historical nonsense behind her. Teenagers were hormonal and dramatic. She’d thought she’d gotten over high school years ago, but somehow Clay still tapped that need to be desired in her.

With a sigh, she grabbed her wet clothes and headed out. The smell of a real wood fire greeted her. Barefoot and barely dressed, she walked quietly into the main room. Dean and Clay were talking. Then she saw Dean lean over and kiss Clay.

A bolt of desire shot throughout her body and settled into a throbbing between her legs. Clay didn’t resist and was in nothing but a pair of boxers. She watched both men for erections as she padded into the room and hung her bra and panties on rack in front of the roaring fire. Then she added her jeans and shirt. “Don’t mind me.”

“A beautiful woman is nothing to mind. You’re something to admire.” Steve set his clothes on the rack, as well.

“I think your boyfriend is confused.” She pulled an ottoman close to the fire and sat on it.

“Nah, Clay was a little confused before, but that’s okay. Dean and I like to share the right people.” Steve hugged Clay from behind.

The idea of Clay with other men, and the proof of it before her eyes spun her brain while turning her on even more. Why men together did it for her made no sense, but it was true. “I guess I couldn’t be safer in a convent.”

“You think you’re safe?” Clay chuckled.

“She’s perfectly safe.” Dean shoved Clay back a bit into Steve’s body.

“Yeah, we’re not going to hurt her. But you’re looking at her as much as I am.” Clay stared at her breasts without shame or subtlety.

She folded her arms over her chest. “It appears you like being sandwiched between two hot men. If you’re all gay, why are you looking at me?”

Steve and Dean grinned. Clay slid from between the pair and knelt in front of Kacy. “I’m not gay. I like women every bit as much as men.”

“We all do. Bisexual, not gay.” Dean kissed Steve, crossed the room and flipped on the radio.

“Bisexual?” She nodded and looked Clay in the eye. “At least all those girls didn’t give up their virginity for you to prove a lie. Guess I just wasn’t of interest.” She took the opportunity to poke around a little and see what the real Clay was about.

“That’s not true. Plenty of men were interested in you.” Steve rolled out blankets.

“Yep, but you were a good girl. No point trying to seduce you then.” Clay ran his hands over her feet. “You’re warming up.”

Having him so close, she felt as if she were in the fire. His muscled chest rippled, and she wanted to run her fingers over his body. All of them were bi? They were all looking at her. It was another fantasy of hers since high school days she’d never shared with anyone. One man was enough for most girls, but the idea of more than one wanting her and pleasing her plagued her dreams. She’d written it off as overcompensating for not having men interested in her.

“So you didn’t go after me because I was studious and not a slut?” she asked Clay.

“You didn’t put yourself out there much.” Clay shrugged.

“That’s all history. I’ll make some tea.” Dean turned up the volume on the radio and headed to the kitchen.

She stared at Dean’s ass as he left. Three such hot men alone with her, it was a dream. She wasn’t the type of woman this happened to, and now that it had, she was clueless as to how to take advantage of it…if she even dared to. She wanted it, but most of the time when she got adventurous, she ended up embarrassed. They might be flirting and playing nice to relax her, but that didn’t mean it was real.

“I play it safe. That’s my nature.” She watched the fire for a bit so they wouldn’t think she was leering at them.

“Nothing wrong with safe,” Steve said.

The radio crackled. “Weather update! Lucky Springs is experiencing flash floods. The mayor has asked all residents to stay where they are if safe. If you are on low-lying ground or experiencing flooding, please call 911 or the fire station. Most roads are nearing a foot deep in water and dangerous to drive on. Stay inside and tuned to this station for more updates.”

“That’s that. I’ll make some sandwiches. Clay, be nice to our guest,” Steve said.

“I’m a guest, too,” Clay returned as he felt her feet again. “Warming up nicely.”

Kacy shook her head. “You don’t live here? You seem quite at home.”

“I still have a place at my uncle’s. Some cousins are staying there, too. I don’t move too fast.” Clay slid his hands up her calves.

The hot touch made her gasp, but she pressed her lips together. Once in control again, she smirked at him. “You don’t move fast with men and good girls. Just the wild girls?”

“They don’t mind. You don’t like me?” He massaged his way down her legs and feet until he rubbed her red polished toes.

“I don’t know you as an adult. Wild teenage boys aren’t what I wanted for me or my sisters.” Kacy had a habit of honesty. Why couldn’t she play the flirt and be coy as easily as other women? She just lacked the player gene.

“What do you want now?” He looked her in the eye.

She lifted a shoulder. “Good girls don’t have a lot of options.”

“A beautiful, smart woman has unlimited options. You just have to want it and believe it’ll work.” He leaned in and kissed her lips.

The sizzle in the air caught her in a web of heat. She kissed him and ran her hand over his chest down to his abs. “I’m not sure it’ll work.”

“Me either but those two are good at making things work.” Clay kissed her cheek. “I’ve grown more patient. No rush.”

“That’s progress.” She leaned back and admired his nearly naked body. All three of them bisexual? The possibilities were endless.

Chapter Two