The Unbreakable Trio (5 page)

Shaking her head in frustration, she threw the book onto the bed, flung the covers off, and grabbed her robe. She needed some fresh air. Wrapping the robe around her body, she made her way out of her room.

The house was dark and silent.

She opened the back door and stood on the porch overlooking the ranch fields. Her knowledge of ranching was minimal. Feeding the workers she was good at. She loved being part of a family that needed her and cared about her.

Growing up with older brothers and sisters might have sounded like a dream. For Claire, being the youngest had been lonely. No one had time to play with her. She wasn’t old enough to fight with the boys or for the girls to do her makeup.

Shane and Liam always had time for her. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh scent of the air. The scent wasn’t tainted or impure. This was perfection, being free to be herself without fear of being gossiped about.

The door opened, and she knew it was Shane. He wouldn’t make his presence known until he needed to. She felt him like she did Liam. Their connection was stronger than she’d ever realized.

Opening her eyes, she gazed up at the stars. Would her future be changing tonight?

Shane stood in the doorway. Claire stood in a robe which seemed to mold to her figure and emphasize her full breasts and hips. The moon did nothing to hide every outline of her body. His mouth watered to get a taste of everything she had to offer.

He stepped forward, and he noticed her tension. Not bothering to back down, Shane moved until he was pressed to her back. His hands went to either side of her on the railing, trapping her in. This had been the first time they’d touched since that night.

“What are you doing outside?” he asked. He’d been in his study reading when he heard the sound of footsteps. The footsteps were too light to be Liam’s.

“Thinking. I couldn’t sleep.”

Since she’d been working at the ranch, she’d spent most of her available time in her room. He hoped she liked it. Both he and Liam had spent ages picking out the colors and the furniture, hoping to make it beautiful for her.

“Well, Liam was asleep, up until his parents called about five minutes ago. I just had to wake him from a deep sleep,” he said.

Claire chuckled. “What could they be wanting at this hour?”

“I’m sure we’ll get the heads-up when he’s done. A grouchy Liam. That sure sounds like fun.”

Liam was on the phone talking with his parents. They wanted him to ask a girl out to the dance on Friday. Shane wanted to go with Claire. What would the town think if both men turned up with Claire?

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing much. Just about my life.”

Shane glanced down at the railing where her hands lay next to his. Her hands were pale against his own tanned hands. He wanted to close the distance and enfold her in his arms. To keep her, hold her tight, and never let go.

“Do you hate working for us?”

“I love working here.”

He smiled.

“What happens when you get women?”

His smile dropped. Before he thought about his actions, he grabbed her waist and spun her around to face him. He was angry with her constantly thinking they were going to leave. As far as he and Liam were concerned, the only woman good enough for them was her.

“What is with you and thinking me and Liam are going to get married? Open your eyes, Claire. We’re not going anywhere, and if we have our way, neither are you,” he said with a growl to his voice.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he didn’t want to hear any of it. He slammed his lips down on hers, and for the first time since she’d been seventeen, Shane came to life.

Her lips melted beneath his own. Hands circled his neck, and he grabbed her tighter. He turned and pressed her against the side of the ranch house. His fingers sank into her hair. Shane didn’t want to let go. She became a drug to his system. The type of drug he didn’t want to stop.

His cock ached. He wanted to push her up against the wall, tear his jeans off, and fuck her hard and fast on the porch.

Moving his hands out of her hair and down to cup her ass, he lifted her and waited as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

His cock pressed against her covered wet pussy. Shane imagined she’d be dripping wet. A woman with so much passion inside her would be.

“Shane,” she moaned in between his fiery kisses. Lust filled his veins.

His entire senses were surrounded by the feel and scent of Claire.

“I want you,” he said. Dropping her down to her feet, Shane stared into her eyes as she loosened her robe with one hand and dropped one side of her robe with the other, exposing one of her tits to his gaze.

She licked her lips, making him groan. He wanted his cock in her mouth. Would she swallow his cum?

He did not look away from her as he pressed a finger to her clit. She hadn’t worn any panties. Unable to stop himself, he looked down at her pussy. A light dusting of hair covered her cunt. Her hair was covered with cream.

“You’re so fucking wet.”

“Please, Shane,” she begged.

He couldn’t stop if he wanted to. Her screams of pleasure would be the only thing to satisfy him now.

Kissing her one last time, Shane bent his head and took a firm nipple inside his mouth at the same time he pressed against her swollen clit.

She buckled, her fingers gripping his hair. His fingers were slippery wet, and he wanted to lick them clean. The pleasure was for her. Not for him. He resisted the temptation and continued to touch her.

“Shane,” she panted.

He wanted her to shatter in his arms, so he could capture every moment of her release to live the experience over and over again.

What are you doing? You’re not giving her a choice. Controlling, manipulating. You make me sick. You’re just like your father.

Words he’d tried to keep buried and overcome plagued him.

Claire was in his arms, but was she there willingly? He’d coerced her into giving him this.

Disgusted with himself, he pulled away. His hands left the heat of her wet cunt. She stood, flushed, with herself exposed to the world. He’d done this.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Without another word, he left.

* * * *

Mortified and hurt, Claire pulled her robe back into place. Was she to be forever cursed to be left to ache?

Shane fired her blood as did Liam, yet when they were working her, they left before she could know the pleasure of her own release. A quick glance back at the stars didn’t help her any.

She knew the drill, like the last time. Shane had started something, and she’d come on too strong. This was another mistake to add to her list when it came to that man. Taking in a deep gulp of air, she walked back to her bedroom.

Tomorrow she’d wake up and pretend it was all a dream like she did the last time. The tears she couldn’t control, nor the ache in her heart. When would a man be willing to be with her completely? And how many more times would Shane leave her to suffer unsatisfied?

The night had no answers. In truth, Claire was afraid to know the truth.

Shane closed his bedroom door and paced. He stopped and stared at his reflection in his mirror, hating himself. Why couldn’t he keep his hands to his fucking self? He wanted to smash the mirror.

His hands should have stayed off her. Never should he touch something so precious. Claire deserved Liam. She hadn’t done anything but be kind to him. She’d kept his secrets and his shame.

For the first time since that night, his mind opened up and replayed the events that had changed their relationship.

His father had come home from the bar, drunk as ever. He’d started on his wife. His fists worked the once-beautiful woman until she crouched in a corner, trying to protect her body from his punches and kicks.

Shane had stood and watched. The day was his birthday. He’d turned eighteen, and the only people who celebrated it with him had been his best friends. Claire and Liam were still seventeen and considered underage, but for a short time, they’d made him forget the shit hole he lived in.

The rage and unfairness swamped him until he marched over and grabbed his dad by the shirt. His dad lashed out and landed one against his cheek. Shane didn’t need any more encouragement. He beat his ass down until he lay on the floor, passed out. His mother got to her feet with a black eye, split lip, and sporting a limp. He hadn’t been able to handle what had happened. For too long he’d hid behind doors and his fear.

Looking at his mother and his unconscious father, he’d had enough. Shane ran out the back door and ignored the shouts of his name.

No way could he stay behind after what he’d done.

He ran and ran, not caring about the cold of the night. Like many times before, he ran until he stood outside Claire’s house.

The windows were all dark. Most of her family were usually in bed, and so far none had checked on her while he’d been there.

Shane walked around the back and began climbing the tree like so many times before. Only this time felt different. Usually, he’d be crying, and sporting more bruises, and knowing he had to go home.

At eighteen, no one was expecting him. He was free to make his own choices.

Her window was closed, and he tapped lightly. No lights came on, but he saw through the window as she rolled over in bed.

He tapped again, and her eyes opened.

Without any hesitation, she got out of bed and opened the window. She wore a small nightshirt and some shorts.

“Shane, are you all right?” she asked and touched his face. He guessed the bruise had started to show where his dad had clocked him.

“It’s been a rough night,” he muttered. Claire hugged him and took his hand to lead him to the bed.

“Sit. I’ll get a towel.” She had a bathroom adjoining her bedroom. Each of the Martin kids had their own room and bathroom.

Her family was wealthy in the small town of Long Mead.

She helped to remove his shirt and then wrapped him in a towel as she started pressing a damp towel to his face. “There’s a lot of blood here, Shane. I think we need to call a doctor.”

“It’s not all my blood.”

Her ministrations had paused as his words sunk in.

“You’re not in trouble. Are you?”

“Shit, Claire. No. I’m not in any kind of trouble.” All the times before she’d never asked questions. He couldn’t believe she’d think so low of him.

“I’m sorry, Shane. You never talk about what happened, and you usually cry or something, and this time’s different. I don’t understand. I just hope you haven’t done anything really stupid.” She pressed the cool towel to his jaw. He winced from the pain.

“No. I’ve haven’t done anything besides stand up for myself.”

“Good,” she said.

The only sounds in the room were their breathing and the movement of the towel.

“I think that’s clean enough.” She left and came back with the spare pillow she kept close by.

From the light shining from the bathroom, he could see the swinging of her full breasts. For months he’d seen his best friend developing in a way he should have been oblivious to. He couldn’t hide the attraction he felt for her. Claire stirred his blood unlike anything else.

He’d jacked off thinking about getting naked with her. They’d been friends since they were five and going to school.

She was the one constant—besides Liam—in his life.

“I hit my dad,” he said. The only person he could talk to was Claire. After all the times she’d let him into her room, she deserved to know. “He’d come home drunk again, but that’s nothing unusual. He spends most of his days in a whisky bottle or two. Like all the other times, he went for Mom. Slapping her and calling her names. I turned eighteen today, and he didn’t even wish me a happy birthday. I spent the day with you and Liam, and it was perfect.” He stopped and glanced away. Shane gazed around her room. On her dresser, stuck to the mirror, were pictures of the trio they’d become. No one else was allowed in their group. Turner, Cook, and Martin.

“She was cowering in the corner, protecting herself from his fists and kicks. I snapped, Claire. Most of the time I go to my room or wait my turn to be his punching bag. Today, I didn’t want to be.”

Claire sat next to him and took his hand as he continued to talk.

“I hit him. I stopped him hitting my mom, and when he turned, he clocked me one, and then I didn’t stop until he was on the floor. Unconscious. I know he was breathing. Instead of staying, I got out of there.” Shane glanced up and was shocked by the tears rolling down her face. “I hit him.”

“Shane, you saved your mom and yourself. Your dad wasn’t good.” She wrapped her arms around him and brought him close.

He gave in and held her close, inhaling her comforting scent and wishing he could stay with her forever. Shane knew he loved her. He had been in love with her since they were kids, and the feelings had developed as they grew up.