Acres, Natalie - Sex Club [Cowboy Sex 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (44 page)

“Sweetheart?” Graham asked, draping his arm around her shoulder. “Talk to us.”

How could she explain her emotions? She was distraught, completely heartbroken. She was also enraged, angry because Tristan and Bailey left without saying good-bye and she had no way of knowing when they’d return!

She rocked continually, keeping her eyes closed, her head down. “How could this happen?”

“Babe, what happened?” Elliott asked, swiping her tears away as quickly as they fell.

She shook her head. “No, no, no. I can’t do this. I can’t!”

Graham peeled her fingers away from her phone. “Who was on the phone, honey?”

Elliott stared at her through questioning eyes. “Did someone call you?”

“Message.” The lone word was all she could manage.

 
“Play it,” Elliott ordered.

Searching for the right option, Graham fiddled with her cell. Seconds later, Tristan’s voice filled the room. Ansley tucked her head between her legs and wailed.

When the message ended, Graham squeezed her arm. “You heard him. He’s calling tonight, Ansley. They will come back, and when they do, we’ll be ready to go. We can leave on a moment’s notice.”

Ansley lifted her head. “You’d do that for me?”

“You know we would. We love you,” Graham said. “We make you happy, but they do, too.”

“He’s right, hon,” Elliott added. “We have an incredible group working for us now, several employees to look after the stock and work horses for us whenever we’re away. Hell, we were out of town for nearly a year, and when we returned, we didn’t recognize the place. There were improvements, profits for the calendar year, and more stock than we’ve ever owned. We aren’t needed here anymore, Ansley. We belong with you.”

She peered up from under her arms. “They left without telling me. They could’ve taken time out for a farewell kiss. Don’t ’cha think?”

Elliott snatched the phone away from Graham. Searching through the call log, he said, “Looks like Tristan tried to call thirty-one times.”

“Is he obsessive-compulsive?” Graham asked.

Elliott smiled. “He’s a man in love. That’s for sure.”

“He’s a stupid bastard!” she screamed.

“Ansley!” Elliott yelled.

She ducked her head again. “I’m sorry. Oh God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that. I love him. I swear I do. I love him and Bailey both, just as I love you.”

“I enjoy hearing it,” Elliott said.

“Me, too,” Graham muttered.

“You know how I feel about you,” she grumbled, leaving the bed and pacing.

“Yes,” they chimed together.

“But a man wants to know, hear a few sweet words fall from his woman’s mouth every now and then,” Graham said.

She rubbed her lips together and stared at them from across the room. Massaging the back of her neck, she moaned. “Damn. I’m totally fucked.”

“Well, your timing is a little peculiar,” Graham drawled. “But if that’s what you want.” He fondled his cock. They’d slept naked, and because of her angst, she hadn’t even noticed they were all running around in their birthday suits.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” she said, putting to bed Graham’s explicit notions.

Graham winked. “I thought you might need comforting.”

Ansley resisted a smile. She couldn’t help but think of the differences between men and women. Men believed they could solve a woman’s dilemmas with their penis. Women, when they needed to be consoled, didn’t typically think of sex as a means to an end.

“Tristan and Bailey are the only bartenders we have,” Ansley explained. “Without them, I don’t know if I can open the club tonight.”

“What about your cocktail waitresses? Some of those gals can man the beer barrels effectively,” Elliott suggested.

“Are you kidding me?” Ansley groaned. “They can snap a cap off a bottle, but they can’t mix a drink.”

“What about you?” Graham asked.

“I can bartend, but there’s no way I can handle the crowd by myself. Monday nights are busier than the weekends. It’s Manic Monday, a night for spotlighting exhibitionists.”

“You don’t say,” Graham said, waggling his brows.

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t know. I remember when you fellas had a standing reservation for Monday evenings.”

“True,” Elliott said. “But we never paid any attention to those exhibitionists.”

“No one holds a candle to our woman,” Graham said, winking.

“Right,” she grumbled, realizing Elliott and Graham were trying to take her mind off Tristan and Bailey. For a second, their effort worked.

“We’ll figure something out,” Elliott assured her.

“There isn’t enough time,” she said. “This is horrible. Saturday we closed early. Today, we won’t be able to serve the customers fast enough. I knew I wasn’t cut out to manage this place.”

“Honey, you’ve had a lot going on in your life,” Graham said.

“Really,” Elliott said. “It’s not every day that a woman is threatened and
finds herself tangled up with a couple of guys running from the mob while reconnecting with a couple of hometown boys who missed her like crazy and refuse to let her out of their sights.”

“Do you really feel that way?” she asked.

“Do you need to ask?” Elliott fired right back.

About that time, a heavy knock fell upon the door. “Ansley, I know you’re in there, so this is a warning. You’d better be dressed and ready to leave my room in fifteen minutes. You’ve slept the day away! Are you crazy? The business is going to pot!”

“Kimberly?” she asked, rushing across the room.

“Ahem.” Graham cleared his throat.

Elliott made a dash for his jeans. Graham only had a second to drape a shirt in front of his cock.

“Oh come on, guys. You aren’t modest. For God’s sake, we’ve all been skinny-dipping before,” Ansley reminded them, marching to the door. “It wouldn’t be the first time you showed off your naked butts!”

From the other side of the wall, Patience said, “Yes, and I seem to recall being impressed at the time. That said, I’m sure my guys would appreciate it if your men dressed before an uncomfortable greeting.”

“I wanted to parade them around so the two of you would know exactly what you’re missing!” Ansley called out. “Hang on. Give us a second.”

“Get cleaned up and get your ass out here! Most busy bar owners are at work by now,” Patience said.

“I had a rough night!” Ansley screamed through the door.

“We heard,” Kimberly said. “And I just talked to Brock. He mentioned something about being down two bartenders. I guess you’re glad to hear my voice.”

Hurrying to Kimberly’s closet, Ansley located a robe. Seconds later, she slipped into the hallway. Throwing her arms around Patience’s neck, since she was standing the closest, she gave her a tight hug before embracing her sister. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you!”

Kimberly looked at her with concern etched in her brow. “I heard Tristan and Bailey left town. Honey, I’m so sorry.”

Ansley waved her hand, refusing to discuss their departure right then. “It’s not how it looks. They’ll be back soon.” She hoped her words held true.

Patience shot Kimberly a sideways glance. Obviously they believed she was in denial.

“I hope they return before you can miss them,” Kimberly said sweetly.

“Too late,” Ansley said in a broken voice. “I already do.”

“If they aren’t back soon, we’ll have to fill their positions,” Patience said, somewhat cautiously.

Boy, Patience didn’t waste any time. “Don’t place an ad yet. They’ll be back before you can say wild wet willies on a wet waterslide in West Virginia warm weather.”

“Do huh?” Kimberly asked, wrinkling her brow.

Patience rolled her eyes. “I think someone had her brains fucked out for real.”

“No, honey,” Kimberly said. “She lost those a long time ago.”

“Come on,” Ansley said, escorting them inside Kimberly’s room. “You can talk to me while I take a quick bath. I want to hear all about your trip.”

Upon entry, Patience and Kimberly stared at Graham and Elliott as if they’d never seen them before. Kimberly finally smiled. “It’s good to see the two of you. If you ever leave my sister behind again, I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself.”

“Good to see you, too, Kimberly,” Graham said.

“Yeah, Kimberly,” Elliott said, turning toward Patience.

Patience immediately waved her hand in his face. “Don’t bother. I know you’re not happy to see my smiling face.”

Elliott winked. “I forgave you the second I heard your threatening message.”

“What message?” Ansley asked, arching a brow.

Graham laughed. “Your BFF called right after we left last year. Little Miss McKay said if we didn’t come back for you, she’d hunt us down, chop off our sticks, and whittle away the remains.”

“Ouch,” Ansley said, untying the sash around her waist so she could tease her men a little before giving them the boot.

“Careful,” Elliott warned, tracing the contour of her upper breast with a lone finger. “I hear it’s a day for exhibitionism.” He kissed her lips and left the room.

“You showed ’em, sweetheart,” Graham said, glancing at the other two women. “If you two don’t want to watch, I suggest you turn around.” They both faced the wall of mirrors.

“Don’t,” Ansley whispered, realizing Graham either didn’t care or hadn’t bothered to notice how turning around offered little in the way of privacy.

“Close your eyes,” he barked, studying Patience and Kimberly.

Ansley followed his request.

“Not you,” Graham said, bowing his head and nuzzling her breasts. Lapping a hard point, he muttered, “What the heck.” Then he lapped at her nipple, circling the bead with a reverent tongue. “What do you say we leave them here and head up to the loft for a minute?”

She gave Graham a playful push. “I need a rain check.” Brushing his lips with hers, she added, “I love you.”

Before he could return the sentiment, Kimberly and Patience faced them.

“Man, a lot has happened since we’ve been away.”

“You ain’t kiddin’,” Kimberly drawled, batting her eyelashes. “Love?”

Graham winked. “I love you, too, honey.”

Ansley sighed as she watched him exit the suite. As soon as they were alone, Ansley hurried to the bathroom. “Come in here and talk to me. Tell me all about your travels.”

“You’ll hear all about our trip later. You need to hurry,” Patience said, sounding more and more like her father, Joshua, with each passing day. She was a bossy somebody.

Ansley dropped her robe and slid into the tub, turning on the jets. “Come sit with me!”

“Hell no!” Patience retorted. “You’ve been in the gym more than I have in recent weeks. The last thing I want to see is your naked body. I’d hate to strangle my best friend.”

“You can’t hurt her tonight,” Kimberly reminded her, peering around the wall and staring at Ansley. “We’re all needed behind the bar.”