Collared: Ashton [Collared Lovers] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (8 page)

“I suggest we go to your place and pack a few bags. I think we need to keep exploring this and the best way to do that is for us to be together,” Nate said, looking at her expectantly.

Ashton looked at them both and agreed. “Okay. I have a shift tonight, so I need to take a nap. Let’s go soon so we have plenty of time together this afternoon.”

Shock overwhelmed Ashton when they arrived at her apartment, finding the door broken down and the apartment she shared with Sophie trashed. Their furniture was destroyed. It looked as if someone took a butcher knife to it, or at least that’s the way it appeared.

Neither Ty nor Nate would allow her inside. Instead, they called it in to the police. The men flanked her, one on each side, as they waited for the police to come. They left her with a patrol officer in the hall when they went to look over the apartment with an officer. When they came back, both men looked as mad as hell.

The cop talking with her men explained inadvertently, “That’s fucked up, jerking off on both their pictures. You need to tell your girl to call us if someone out of the ordinary seems to be watching her or let us know if something else happens like this.”

Her head jerked up, and she saw Nate and Ty glance at her face as she reacted to the stupid cop’s words. Cursing the dumb-shit beside them, they quickly made their way back to her. The guys muttered that they wouldn’t be able to salvage much from inside and, even if they could, they didn’t want her in the fucking apartment until they could have the damn thing cleaned up and ensure it was safe for her presence.

Nate said, “Babe, let’s go. They have all of our information, and we need to pick up some things for you.” Grabbing her hand and linking it with his own, Nate pulled her down the hallway to the elevator with Ty taking up the rear, watching out.

After they had her safely in the SUV and were headed down the road, Ty asked, “Baby, you need to call work and tell them you won’t be there for a while. Has anyone been harassing either you or Sophie? Calls, notes, or anything like that?”

“No, nothing. Why would someone do something like this?” Ashton immediately queried.

Nate shook his head in frustration. “That was someone obsessed, and the fact he was comfortable breaking into your home says he considers you and Sophie his possessions. I’m going to call Mike and Keith and explain everything to them, and they will keep Sophie safe until we can figure out what’s going on and who this guy is. Make a list when we get home of things you need, and we will pick them up or have them delivered.”

They started home with Nate making several circles and loops through various neighborhoods, and he even pulled through some different businesses. Finally home, they convinced her to go and make her list in the kitchen.

Walking into the kitchen, she found a pad and pencil and wrote down things she might need. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she called the hospital, explaining what had happened at her apartment and that she needed some time off. The supervisor could only give her four days, so she started with that. Maybe she could take some vacation time or sick days later in the week. She was worried about Sophie, so she called her cell and got her voice mail.

Frustrated, she went looking for the men, and, hearing their voices, she found them in an office-type room. Ashton poked her head in. Nate greeted her quietly. Seeing Ty on the phone, she tried to back out of the room, but Nate grabbed her wrist and towed her to the chair he occupied then pulled her into his lap. Afraid she was crushing his legs, she attempted to hold herself away from him, but he yanked her into the crook of his chest and maneuvered her legs across his own. His fingers grazed over her mound and up and around her breasts, and then he seemed to content himself with lightly brushing her nipples. He made it difficult for her to concentrate, but she heard Ty give all of her basic information to the person on the other end of the phone. She looked at him wide-eyed. She had no idea he knew so much about her. He hung up and turned his attention to her in Nate’s arms.

“Do you remember John from last night?” When she nodded her head he continued, “If you need to go somewhere without one of us he will be with you. We should be with you, but I want you to know you can trust him. Until we know who this guy is we don’t want to take any chances with your safety. Nate and I can keep you safe. We were Force Recon before we got out and this is our specialty. Did you make your list and call into work yet?”

“Yes and yes, the list is on the counter and my supervisor could only give me four days. I have some vacation time and sick leave built up so if I need to take it I can. What are you going to do to find him? I haven’t been involved with anyone for a couple years beyond a few dates. Sophie doesn’t really date either. I thought she was in love with y’all until last month. She explained that you helped train her, but nothing beyond friendship was involved. What about the people she is with now?” Ashton started to get very anxious. “Are you sure she is safe? Wouldn’t it be better for us to be together so we will both be safe?”

Nate shook his head in disagreement at her suggestion and explained. “No. Mike and Keith didn’t do this. For one thing, they wouldn’t have jerked off on your picture. This guy desecrated both of your pictures. Keith and Mike are devoted only to Sophie. It just took them a while to get their asses in gear. This is someone who is infatuated, not in love. The path of destruction started in Sophie’s room, but ended in your room, which leads me to think he may have only intended to get Sophie’s attention but something led him to look at you and your things. He sat out some of your lingerie and some of Sophie’s, and since you both weren’t there he chose to punish you by destroying stuff. I know it sounds crazy, and he probably is nuts. We have to go about this logically. It’s important we don’t allow him the opportunity to come in contact with either one of you, with this guy being so unstable.” As he spoke, Nate rubbed her back comfortingly and she cried at the thought of the man getting to her or Sophie.

Ty spoke next. “We keep you both secluded and he will pop back up. It will drive him a little nuts not being able to track and find either of you. Look, sweetheart, I have some paperwork to do. Why don’t you let Nate take you upstairs and y’all take a nap?”

Shaking her head a negative answer, she wiped away her tears and glanced over at the couch in the room and then anxiously at Nate. “I’d rather stay with here with you both. I don’t want to be separated from either one of you.”

Nate agreed. “I don’t want any of us to be apart yet. I still felt uneasy about what we found in your apartment. I’m so thankful you were with us last night instead of at home.”

“Take your clothes off.” Ty ordered, taking the reins.

Ashton complied immediately. She watched as he stripped his own clothing off and led her over to the couch. Her eyes devoured Nate as he lay down naked on the soft brushed leather, and she felt so naughty admiring his beautiful tanned muscles and dick that even in repose was more than a hand or mouth full. Ashton turned and sat down, and reclining against his body, his arm pulled her back and to him. Ashton’s back pressed to his chest he wiggled, nestling her down so her ass brushed against his cock and she could feel it twitch, but he didn’t do anything more than grab the sofa blanket off one side of the couch to cover them both, her head pillowed on his arm.

Ashton snuggled against Nate before looking at Ty, for approval obviously, hoping her actions would speak better than any words. Her eyes became so heavy and she surrendered to sleep.

When Ashton woke next it was to find Ty sitting on the floor by the sofa, his fingertips brushing her curls off her cheek and his eyes studying her face.

“The things you wanted just got here and I started on dinner. Come with me to the kitchen. You can put Nate’s shirt on, but nothing else.”

Nate remained asleep as Ty helped her up. They quietly left the room with Ty carrying Nate’s shirt. Once they stepped out into the hall, he helped her slip it on her and she had to smile as he buttoned it up, but only going as far as below her breasts. The hem of the shirt came to her knees, and her feet were freezing, but looking up at Ty, she was mesmerized by this side of him. They told her they would take care of her, but it was a little disconcerting. Not their actions, but the feelings those actions evoked in her. Those feelings were almost frightening.

Seeing him study her facial expressions, she guessed he could sense her unease and knew she was having an unsure feeling about their relationship.

He demanded, “What are you thinking? Don’t bother with telling me nothing. I’m quite sure you can come up with another reason to be punished instead of something silly like not telling me the truth.”

“I was just thinking. I’m not sure if I like how your actions make me feel.” Seeing his stunned expression, she exclaimed, “Ugh, that didn’t come out right. I like how you both make me feel, but I’m not sure I like how comfortable I am with how content you make me feel. Does that make sense? How can it? It doesn’t even make sense to me.” Ashton covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. God, why couldn’t she explain how she felt in a more dignified manner. Ty had to think she was so a bumbling idiot at best. At worst, he would think she was too stupid to even be associated with. Why couldn’t the ground open up and swallow her?

* * * *

Ty pulled one of her hands from her face, and kept it in his as he dragged her to the kitchen. Placing his hands at her waist, he picked her up and sat her on the island counter across from the grill. “Sit there a moment, honey.”

Ty needed to gather his thoughts before he responded, so he assembled everything he would need for Caesar salad and the beef and vegetable kabobs. Ty started the grill to heat up and washed the lettuce. He continued to ruminate on what she had just said while situating everything for dinner. He hoped that his next words would be accurate and help ease the anxiety Ashton was experiencing.

When he pulled out a bowl and sat it down by her, she leaned over and washed her hands in the sink in the island then picked the head up and started tearing the lettuce into bite-sized chunks, all the while watching him efficiently move around the kitchen.

Finally breaking the silence, Ty said, “Ashton, it is okay to enjoy a submissive lifestyle. I think that’s what you were trying to say—that you weren’t sure why you felt okay with liking how we make you feel. Did I get that right?”

“Yes. I’m an independent woman. I have a career and an education. I’m not supposed to enjoy sitting back and letting a man, or in this case, men, take care of everything. I’m probably going to regret saying this, but I love how you both make me feel. I even enjoy that you take care of all the little details. It makes me ache to hear an order pass your lips and how, when you and Nate spank me, I’ve never felt more complete or loved.”

By the time she finished her admission, Ty was directly in front of her. He gripped her butt, pulling her to the edge of the counter. Keeping one arm wrapped around her back, he fisted the other tight into her hair and devoured her mouth. Ty sucked on her bottom lip and nipped it with his teeth, releasing it he swept into her mouth and claimed every available space. Directing his cock to the juncture of her thighs, he rubbed against her over and over until she was moaning and on the brink. Releasing her hair, Ty grasped the edges of the shirt and ripped it open, pushing her back on the counter. Mouthing her tight little peaks, he yanked open the fly of his jeans covering his painful erection, pausing only to shove the material down far enough to free his throbbing dick and slam into her.

When Ashton cried out at the invasion, he paused only to look into her eyes to ensure it was pleasure, not pain, which made her cry. Pulling his hips back until only the head remained in her wet confines, he slammed back in, his cock reaching the end of her pussy. Seeing her eyes close with pleasure, he took them on a fast, hard ride, and when she cried out in an almost-scream, he let go, his cum spurting wave after wave into her.

It felt so good to come in her. Nate was the only person he had ever had sex with without a condom. He hadn’t asked about birth control, because he honestly didn’t care if she was on any or not. As dishonest as it might be, he didn’t care how he kept her, and the only thing that would affect how he felt was the possibility that she wouldn’t want to be with them. If that were the case, he would let her go, because he understood that he couldn’t force someone to love him. He knew that better than anyone.

Pushing himself up from where he was resting on her, he looked at her and saw her eyes were closed, a half-smile playing on her lips, and he felt relief. Pulling out of her, he lifted her, sitting her up, enveloping her in a hug. He hated letting her go, but he stood in the kitchen with his wet dick hanging out and a grill going, he noted with chagrin. Grabbing a paper towel off the roll, he swiped his wet cock and tucked his cock back into his pants.

Moving back to her, he kissed her lips and asked, “Do you want to grab a shower or bath before dinner?”

Meeting his eyes, she said, “No. I like the feel of you inside of me. It’s a reminder that you just loved me.”

“If it was left up to us, your pussy would always be wet from one of us, if not both.” Reaching beneath her armpits, he lifted her off the counter and stood her on her feet, lightly pushing her toward the kitchen table.

He kept an eye on her as she sat, tucking Nate’s shirt under her bottom in an attempt to keep from leaving a wet spot on the wood.