Bad Bride Good Cowboys (12 page)

Standard. Her brother really had failed her.

She heard the phone ringing. She didn’t care; she wanted her men and buried her head deeper into the pillow. This is all she ever wanted. Where she wanted to be—in their bed and arms—no choices—she could have them both. They weren’t next to her now, but soon they would be.

Her lashes became heavy and she knew sleep again was imminent.  The ringing stopped and she pulled the heavy duvet on Mickey and Brady’s bed up and over her ear. Once she let the past go and relaxed, she would be okay.

A weight settled on the bed next to her, but didn’t wrap her in safe loving arms. “Baby doll,” Mickey’s voice called.

“I love you,” she whispered and wondered if she had ever told him before.

“God, doll I know, and I love you too. But you need to wake up.”

Her eyes opened and she looked at one of the men who held her heart so completely. “Come to bed with me,” she whispered.

“I can’t.” Ever so gently, he stroked her hair from her face. “There’s a problem.”

She blinked and took in his dark gaze, filled with so much sorrow. Panic filled her heart and she startled. “Brady?”

As she came to an upright position, Mickey grasped her shoulders gently. “Shh, relax.” His tone soothed her unsettled nerves. “He’s fine.”

Gradually, her heart started to beat normally.

“It’s not Brady.”

She studied the cowboy’s handsome face. “What?” Dread consumed her entire body.

Mickey blinked and pulled her against his well-muscled chest. “It’s your mom. She’s in the hospital.”

Felicia digested the words. She was still reeling from the argument with Paul earlier and still madder than hell. Her mother would never want her with Mickey and Brady and would continue to force Paul down her throat. What kind of mother cared more about prestige than her daughter’s wellbeing and happiness? However, despite her anger and animosity and the fallout of what was to come, the woman remained her mom. Her chest constricted and it became difficult to breathe. “What happened?”

Mickey’s strong hand caressed her hair while his other arm held her close to his body. “She was rushed to emergency with chest pains.”

Nodding, she pulled back and met his dark gaze. “I should go see her.” Part of her really didn’t want to, the other part was worried. She may not
like
the woman who gave birth to her and lived vicariously through Felicia, but down deep, she did love her mother.

“They’re running tests and taking precautions.” He brushed a long strand of hair from her cheek. “Brady and I will take you.”

Her lungs took in a bit of air. “I’d like that.”

Brady walked in the room with a cup of coffee and passed her the mug. “I figured you would want this.” He offered her a week smile.

“Thank you.” She took the mug and despite the exhaustion from worrying the last few nights, her mind started to defog. A horrible thought crossed her mind. “Did she have a heart attack because of me?”

Her men exchanged a concerned look then both turned to her. “I don’t think so.” Mickey’s attempt to comfort her fell short since doubt filled his tone.

“We don’t know what all Paul said.” She sipped the coffee and for the second time that day dread filled her soul.

“I’m sure once your mom is feeling better, we’ll explain to her that Paul is wrong for you and you’ve always belonged with us.”

“Even if we were too blind to see it,” Brady added.

She drank another mouthful of coffee and a bit of relief eased her distressed state. Both men carried sincere conviction when they spoke. “I’m glad you cowboys got a clue.” She inhaled a full a breath and slowly exhaled. “Who called and let you know about mom?”

Mickey winced. “Oddly enough, Dr. Reynolds.”

“I don’t remember him. Any relation to the guy you put in the hospital back in the day.”

“Funny you should ask.” Brady captured her fingers in his hand. “Actually, doll, it’s one and the same. Things have changed and we occasionally go drinking with him. He was young and stupid at the time” The grin he cast warmed her heart and she couldn’t help but smile. “Found out years later, he was pretty upset when you dumped him.”

Men!

“Well, isn’t this going to be an interesting night?” She sipped again from the mug, not knowing what waited at the hospital. She had a sinking feeling, though, that this might be one of the worst of her life.

Felicia had remained quiet for most of the ride into town. When they arrived at the hospital, the men had already asked the questions and found where they were keeping her mother. Even now, as she stood in the elevator going to the fourth floor, the weight on her chest increased.

A strong hand curled around hers and lightly squeezed. She glanced at Mickey and he offered her a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be fine.”

She wanted to believe him but wasn’t sure what to think. “I hope so.”

“Know so.” Mickey lifted his arm and placed a kiss on her fingers. The elevator stopped and he released her hand. “Come on, let’s find Dr. Reynolds.”

The doors opened and she stepped into the hallway. A hand settled at her lower back. “You have such a bad attitude,” Brady whispered with a hit of amusement.

She turned and offered him a weak grin. “But you love it.”

His blue gaze caressed her face. “I do.”

“Mickey, Brady, thanks for coming.”

Felicia glanced to the owner of the voice as a good looking and grown up version of Todd Reynolds walked toward them. His face lit up when he saw her and his gaze slid over her in a quick once over.

“Felicia, it’s good to see you. I knew these guys would be the best ones to get a hold of you.” His green eyes carried warmth and his tone sincerity. “They talk about you all the time.”

She didn’t know how to respond to the statement so she nodded once and plastered a smile on her face. “How’s my mom?”

“She’s awake, and her vitals are steady, I still want to run a couple tests and I’m waiting on her blood work results, but I don’t think it was a heart attack. Her blood pressure is up though, so I’m keeping her at least overnight.”

High blood pressure?  She guessed it was probably through the roof after Paul wagged her ear off. “Can I see her?”

He smiled and nodded. “Of course, room 418.” He pointed down the hall to a door across from the nursing station.”

“Thank you Todd—I mean Dr. Reynolds.”

He glanced at her empty ring finger then again met her gaze. “You can call me either.”

Fabulous.

She nodded and decided now would be a good time to make her escape. She slowly walked away from the men and struggled for air. Collin should be here, but of course that would be uncharacteristic of her brother. To care about his family. Felicia darted a glance over her shoulder as Brady and Mickey exchanged a couple more words with Dr. Reynolds and followed in the direction of her mother’s room. She glanced at the
room number and paused. She turned the knob and ventured in, confident her men were only a couple steps behind. As soon as she pushed the door open and crossed the threshold, her heart slammed to a stop.

Her mother was indeed awake and sitting up in bed, with monitors hooked up and an IV dripping. The alarming part about the situation was Paul sitting in the chair next to her mom’s bed. Somewhere in the back of Felicia’s mind a ding-ding sound echoed, similar to that of a cue at a boxing match. The last thing she wanted was a second round with the asshole ex-fiancé.

“Felicia! Thank God!” her mother exclaimed as she forced one foot in front of another and ventured deeper into the room—or boxing ring—could go either way at this point.

“Hi, mom.” Hesitation and trepidation ran over her shoulders like a cold rain. The scuff of boots entering the room indicated the cowboys had caught up and she didn’t have to turn to know both had stiff backs and displeased expressions over Paul being parked in the room and looking much too comfortable.

“Mickey, Brady. You boys didn’t have to come,” her mother informed them and despite the seriousness of the circumstances, Felicia’s patience buckled under the strain.

“Sure they did. They drove me and are more like family than other people present.” She rested her gaze on the scumbag in the chair.

Paul stood and plastered a smile. “Well they can go; I’ll take you back to L.A”

“No.”

Her mother’s eyes widened. “Well, Paul is—”

“I won’t be returning to Los Angeles.”
More of her tolerance eroded away.  “My mother is in the hospital here. Until things are resolved and she in the clear, I need to be close by.”

“Felicia, Paul is only trying to be a good fiancé.”

Her mother’s persistence in forcing her to marry the cheating scoundrel—after a near life-threatening incident, sickened Felicia. The very last bit of her calm, cool, consideration dissipated. “He’s not my fiancé. I’m not marrying him. I realize now is not the time to have this conversation so I will leave it there for now.”

Her mother’s expression faltered. “I nearly died after what I heard.”

Brady stepped forward and stood next to Felicia. “Mrs. M, your daughter is right, now isn’t the time to have this conversation. We’ll be there for Felicia and—”

“No Brady.” Her mother’s tone carried icy venom. “I appreciate you bringing Felicia to see me, but you and Mickey have done enough damage.”

Anger seeped into Felicia’s blood stream. If her mother hadn’t been on a heart monitor—she would have torn a strip into both her mom and Paul like a Texas tornado. “They, unlike some people, have done more for Collin and me than you could ever imagine. So do me a favor, give it up mom and stop trying to cram the life you lost down my throat.”

“Don’t upset your mother.” Paul barked. “God dammit, Felicia, grow up and be responsible.”

“Don’t raise your voice to her,” Mickey warned, without missing a beat. “Ever.”

Felicia shook her head and glared at the man she wanted to haul off and punch. “I’m not doing this. You want me to be responsible, fine.” She turned to her mother. “I’ll check on you tomorrow after your visitor has left. I’m going home now and leaving you to the life you want and I want no part of.”

“Don’t speak to me in that tone of voice.” The older woman’s tone was cold. “Why can’t you be more like Collin?”

Irony hit Felicia at full force. “Oh, but you see, I’m going to be, because my useless brother is never around. I think for now, I’ll be taking a page out of his book.” She spun to Paul. “As for you. Keep away from the ranch, run back to Los Angeles and bury your head in the sand and your dick in a bimbo. You step foot on the property and I’ll remember mighty fast how to use my grandfather’s hunting rifle.”

Her mother gasped. For once she didn’t care. “Felicia—”

“Good night, mother.” She spun on her heel, hit Mickey’s shoulder and stormed out of the hospital room. Once in the hall she finally exhaled the breath of air she he’d been holding. The door opened behind and she swore if it was Paul, she was going to knock his lights out. Instead and saving her from needing bail, Mickey and Brady stood.

“We’re sorry, “ Mickey breathed, with grief on his face.

Brady stepped toward her and brushed a wayward ringlet from her cheek with a sigh. “Doll—”

“I probably could have handled that better I know.” She swallowed hard and nodded her head. “I just didn’t want to and I won’t let anyone think less of you two.”

“What can we do?”

She met Mickey’s gaze. “Take me home, get me a glass—or maybe three—of wine and let me have my perfect life back.”

Brady’s arm slid around her waist and he pulled her in next to his strong torso. He placed a kiss on top of her head and already the world seemed better. “We can do that.”

She inhaled a cleansing breath and despite what she had just done, it really was for the best. Felicia glanced up at Brady. “After that, take me to bed.”

Mickey inched closer to where they stood. “That, doll is a given.”

Chapter
Eight

Felicia snuggled in the corner of the sofa in the family room, still as silent as she’d been on the trip home from the hospital. Brady exchanged a worried glance with Mickey as he walked over with a glass of wine and pressed it into Felicia’s hand then passed Brady one of the beers in his other hand.

She glanced at Mickey. “Thank you.” She lifted the glass and sipped the red liquid. Again, quiet.

Brady glanced at Mickey, who shrugged. He shifted his gaze to the doll, then reached in his pocket and pulled out a penny. He tossed it on the coffee table and her eyes settled on the copper coin as it spun around then laid flat against the surface.

For the first time in what felt like all night a small, warm smile curled across her full lips and she met Brady’s gaze.

“For your thoughts.”

She nodded as Mickey sat down on the sofa next to her being careful not to crowd her. Undoubtedly, like Brady, the other man wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and hold her.

She reached out, picked up the penny, and darted them each a smile. “For my collection.” She studied the penny and glanced up at Brady as she slid the penny into her shirt pocket.

He expected to see sadness in her dark depths, but instead, other than the faint circles under her eyes from fatigue, she wasn’t upset. “It’s always me.” Felicia paused and debated. “Not true, it’s always me and the pair of you.”

Mickey’s brows furrowed slightly. “In what way?”

“When grandpa died, Collin was away at College and—by the grace of God—made it back an hour before his funeral. Then he left the next day. Brady and you stepped up and helped gram and mom. I was in high school.”

“When grandma died, life around here was a routine; mom had bought the consignment shop in town and the house. However, it was me and the two of you that helped her through that dark time. Collin was overseas and couldn’t get back, remember?”

“We do, you lost a semester of school,” Brady, murmured. He remembered the huge number of people who’d come to the house after the funeral. Everything Felicia said was true and she took on the weight of everything since Clarissa wanted no part of the ranch or the horses.”

“Tonight when I walked in that hospital room and Paul was there, I realized my mom is a bitch. She treated you both so badly and praised the man who has done nothing but cheat, apologize, cheat again and what-have-ya on me—all because he works at a Beverly Hills law firm.”

Mickey shifted on the sofa and inched closer to where the doll sat. She didn’t flinch or move away from him. Instead, she got up, captured Brady’s hand and tugged him to where she’d been sitting while she climbed into Mickey’s lap.

Brady grinned. “Is this more to your liking?”

She nodded, but still didn’t let go of his fingers wrapped in hers. “I stood in that hospital room and again, Collin was off and away and I was with both of you and I became so impatient every time she spoke. She has taken everything we’ve done for granted.”

“Some people are like that,” Brady soothed.

She met his gaze. “I’m not, and I’m so grateful to have not just one amazingly supportive man, but two.” She lifted her glass and sipped her wine, still not letting go of Brady’s hand.

Mickey’s fingers toyed with her hair as he listened and Brady wanted many more nights just like this—not the drama from earlier, but nights like they were right now.

Felicia leaned and lightly brushed a kiss against Mickey’s lips and immediately desire blazed in his dark eyes. She turned to Brady. Before Paul showed up I talked to both Jen and my boss.”

He chuckled. “Let me guess, she knows you are busy saving the horses on the property, by riding us.”

She scrunched her nose and mischief danced in her gaze. “Pretty much, and she told me she always wondered if maybe it was always meant to be. Then she confessed she is a tad jealous, but swore she wouldn’t say anything to anyone.”

Jen and Felicia had been friends since they started kindergarten together back in the day. Even after the Morgan’s moved back to Carter’s Grove from LA, after her father died, they remained friends. Keith, Felicia’s grandfather, would pick Jen up and bring her out or drive Felicia into Jen’s family. After he died, Mickey and/or Brady had done the trip more than once so the two girls could see each other. Even after Felicia got her license, they didn’t want her alone on the highway that young and they didn’t want her grandmother to be a basket case.

“What happened with your boss?” Mickey asked quietly, before exchanging a curious glance with Brady.

“I told him I would be extending my vacation indefinitely and to consider the rest of my vacation time my two weeks’ notice.”

Brady’s heart started to race and he couldn’t control the grin. “You quit?”

“I did.”

He turned to Mickey who was smiling like a fool and tightened his hold on Felicia. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I think you’ve officially made us the happiest men alive.”

Brady couldn’t agree more. “He’s right doll. We want you with us all the time.  We want to love you and provide you with everything your little heart desires. And part of that is to protect you from Paul, and your mom, too, if need be. We never thought Paul would show up here or we never would have left you by yourself.”

“I’m pretty tough when I want to be. I had some very hot guys when I was growing up teach me how to defend myself.” She downed the contents in her glass and placed it on the coffee table. “Walking out on my mom tonight was one of the hardest things I’ve
ever done. However, I just didn’t have the strength to pick up the pieces when she has disappointed me so many times and insulted the pair of you.”

“She’s still your mother.” Brady could understand where Felicia was coming from, but the bottom line was, her mother needed to see Paul for what he really was and to open her eyes to how much he and Mickey truly loved her daughter.

“She is, but she has a son. Maybe it’s about time he carried the weight and responsibility while I carry on with my life—and that life is here with both of you.” By the tone of her  voice alone, he knew she was dead serious. He couldn’t agree more though; Collin needed to man up and be there for his family. Then maybe he and Mickey could focus on having one with Felicia. “I’m serious, let him worry about mom and her store and everything for a change. I’m done dropping everything while he does whatever the hell he wants unaffected.”

Brady studied the brunette beauty and realized she was indeed tougher than maybe they realized—he also realized one other thing. “Good God! You’re as stubborn as Mickey, I’m so screwed.”

Mickey threw his head back and laughed. “Not yet you aren’t but I’m pretty sure Felicia and I can help you with that.”

Brady’s cock stiffened from the possibilities and he grinned. “I think that’s a real good idea.”

Mickey savored the feel of Felicia as she lay naked on his and Brady’s bed. It was quickly becoming
their
bed.  She hadn’t slept in her own bed since the night they tucked her drunk, barely covered ass in. He didn’t want her down the hall. Both he and Brady wanted her with them. His hand caressed her breasts and she wrapped a hand around his cock and gently teased with a feathery touch up to the tip, which now seeped in need against her belly. Felicia shivered from his caresses and the sudden wetness of Brady’s desire.

He couldn’t wait any longer and rolled onto his back taking Felicia with him. He lifted her curvy frame then lowered her over his throbbing dick.  She gasped in ecstasy as he filled her. She placed her hands on his chest to support herself and bucked her hips slowly and deliberately, so his cock pressed hard against her pussy walls. She shifted back, pressing him from a different angle and held the position. “You’re killing me, Doll,” he groaned wanting nothing more than to pin her to the bed and take her hard and fast. Yet he restrained himself, wanting to enjoy her for as long as he could endure.

“Now that’s an incredibly hot sight.” Brady called from the doorway of the bedroom and she turned.

Felicia
couldn’t control her grin as he walked toward the bed and slid onto the mattress. She eyed him seductively while Mickey kept himself buried deep inside her very wet walls. “You have way too many clothes on.”

Brady laughed and untucked his shirt. “You think so?”

She glanced down at Mickey who nodded and winked. She rose slowly, gently separating their bodies. Though he already missed having his dick buried inside her, he knew, once she had Brady undressed, tonight both of them would be deep inside her, so the temporary discomfort of his straining arousal could wait.

“You
are so beautiful,” Brady whispered, as she crawled over to him on her knees. He reached out and lifted her onto his lap while his hungry gaze raked over exposed flesh.

“And so yours.” She leaned in and kissed his firm mouth. His hands slid over her body to her breasts and she reached for the hem of his t-shirt and lifted her lips from his to tug the tee up over his head. She tossed the clothing to the floor, ran her fingers down his chest and brushed her mouth against his again.

Mickey grew harder and hoped to God Brady would get naked so they could get down to less talking and more lovemaking. He grinned at the other man. “Take your pants off and join us.”

“
I was comfortable where I was. You need to shut things down faster so you can come to bed quicker.” Felicia again ran her fingers down Brady’s chest and abs.

Mickey
chuckled. Brady tilted his head to the side and lifted his brows. “As long as you’re honest, doll.” His fingers brushed against her cheek then took her hand in his and pressed it to his groin.

Mickey
inched up behind her and his solid length pressed up against her ass. Neither he nor Brady had gone there with her, but after the emotional day, tonight they would. They wanted Felicia well satisfied and exhausted so she’d sleep well.

“I agree with
the doll, too many clothes.” He wrapped his arm around her and cupped a breast. Her back arched and her ass pushed against his cock. Desire ripped through Mickey’s body with searing heat.

Brady
’s gaze lingered on Mickey’s hand and his touch as he pinched Felicia’s nipple. She whimpered as Brady got off the bed and Mickey’s left hand came around, cupped her other breast, and rolled the taut peak between the pads of his fingers. She arched her back and this time leaned forward, thrusting her ass harder against his aching dick.

Brady
’s gaze never left them as he stripped off his clothes and his rock hard cock pointed straight up. “I love seeing you pleasure her,” he whispered, running his hand over his length, taunting his lovers with what was to come, before climbing back on the bed with them.

Felicia
reached out her hand and fondled Brady’s dick as his lips covered her mouth. She wrapped her fingers around his length and stroked him up and down. Mickey’s cock nudged at her ass and one of his hands slipped off her breast to caress the smooth skin of her ass cheek. Brady’s tongue continued to make love to her mouth while Mickey’s fingers slid down between her legs from behind to toy with her wet folds. She groaned against Brady’s kiss and pushed her flesh against Mickey as her lips left Brady’s. She murmured as Mickey’s touch teased her slit before dipping into her pussy.

Mickey
slid another two fingers into her and met Brady’s gaze. He nodded toward the bed and the other man worked his way over and stretched out. Brady’s strong hands grasped Felicia’s hips and eased her up and over so she straddled his hips. He guided her body to his and brought her down hard over his cock.

Mickey
’s slid his fingers between her cheeks and whispered by her ear. “Trust us, okay?”

Felicia moaned and nodded. “Always.”

He pressed his other hand against her spine, gently nudging her forward until she was flush with Brady’s body and her ass was displayed for his pleasure. Heat riveted through his body.

Mickey
lubricated the area around her anus, using the juice from her pussy. He slid one finger inside and worked it in and out while Brady’s cock moved deep in her pussy. When Mickey’s second finger slipped slowly inside her she moaned, but not from pain. He met Brady’s gaze and the other man nodded, she was okay;

Her body began to shake and
she stretched a little more as Mickey’s fingers plunged deeper. Brady’s thrusts picked up speed.”

Felicia’s head fell back and she wailed.
Her anus puckered and squeezed Mickey’s fingers. Her body shook violently as Brady made her cum.

“God, Felicia,” his friend moaned, and Mickey well imagined it was taking every ounce of control for Brady not to climax inside her. Just watching them and touching her strained Mickey’s cock further.
Her release gushed out of her in hot, slick wetness. Mickey played in the folds, teasing Brady’s cock in the process.

As she came down from the rush of her orgasm,
Mickey’s strong hands spread her cheeks apart and the tip of his dick teased the hole his fingers had abandoned. Brady’s movement came to a stop and his hand reached for her nipples, tugging and pinching.

“Oh god, yes” she moaned
, as Mickey’s thick length worked the tip into her ass.