Divine Grace (19 page)

* * * *

Ethan worked on sketches and ideas for a bed for Grace’s future bedroom. This bed would be large enough for all four of them to fit comfortably. It was going to be an over-the-top romantic design that would be something straight out of Grace’s fantasies. At least, that’s what he hoped for. They were feeling more and more hopeful that Grace might choose to become a permanent part of their lives. If that hope became a reality, they wanted her to be comfortable and happy. Since Grace would be busy the rest of the day, they decided to sit down and start working out the plans for a possible home renovation.

They talked about transforming the upstairs into a huge master suite.

They would keep their bedrooms downstairs and allow upstairs to be her space. She could be alone if she needed to, and she would be able to spend time alone with each of them or have all of them sleep with her at night.

That way she had options. Until the renovation was through, she could use Jack’s bedroom downstairs because it had the large master bathroom, and he would use the extra bedroom upstairs.

Ethan got in touch with a couple of friends, Wesley and Evan Garner, who owned a custom furniture business and talked to them about building the bed. Wesley invited them out to their house to eat and watch a baseball game that evening. They could talk about their plans and get the ball rolling.

If it were up to Ethan, he’d move her in today, just so he could be sure she was safe. Like Grace, he was not convinced they’d seen the last of Owen.

That was just expecting too much.

He told the others about his concerns, and Jack made some phone calls to a friend who might be able to help them. Jack’s friend Ace Webster planned to arrive in Divine by mid-week after tying up some loose ends in San Angelo. Ethan wished he could come sooner but felt relieved they’d have somebody who could keep an eye on him now that he was out of jail.

162

They had promised Owen they’d be watching him, and it was past time to act on that promise. They’d just have to be vigilant until Ace arrived.

Before the game started, Wes took them out back to the big workshop and showed them what he was working on as well as pictures of what he’d made in the past. Ethan showed him the sketches of what he had in mind.

Wes laid out some samples of wood and showed them a photo of another custom bed he’d made recently.

“We could add posters and a rail for a canopy with no problem,” Wes dropped a transparency over the photograph and using a dry erase marker to show them what he meant. “If you’ll call and let me know a time, you can bring her by and see if she likes it and pick out the wood for it. She can look at the other photos if she wants to. Did you want more than just a bed?”

Jack nodded. “That part’s a surprise. She’ll probably want a dresser or chest of drawers, as well. But we’ll want you to build the other pieces that would go with it. She’ll have plenty of space for them.”

Wesley showed them some layouts to give them an idea and to get an estimate of how much wood they were going to need. Ethan looked on and pointed at the several different pieces he thought she would like and said,

“Show her these pictures and see if there are any particular pieces she seems interested in, even if she doesn’t come right out and say so. She won’t want to ask for anything extra. That’s why we’re doing this.”

“Make the lingerie chest a large one,” Adam stated simply.

Wesley looked at them and laughed. “I have
got
to meet this woman.

She must really be something! This is a big commitment you’re making.”

“Wes, this is nothing compared to what she’s brought to our lives,” Jack said. “We just want to make her happy. You let us know, and we’ll pay your price. We might be able to bring her out next weekend or next week.

Depends on how she likes our renovation plans.”

“You’re renovating, too? Wow. She have a sister?” Wes replied, half teasing. “She must really be something, judging by the goofy expressions on your faces.” The three of them chuckled quietly but made no excuses.

“Sorry, Wes, her sister is already married with kids and a big biker dude husband,” Ethan replied.

They went back inside to eat and watch the game. Ethan had a good time with his friends, but found it hard to ignore the little hitching ache in

163

his chest when thoughts of Grace invaded his mind. He imagined her satin-soft body wrapped around him in his king-size bed.

During a commercial, Wesley muted the TV. “You don’t worry about feeling jealous of each other?”

“I don’t think it would have worked,” Jack said, “if we hadn’t known each other for so long. You would have to meet Grace to understand. She met Ethan and Adam and fell for them as hard as they fell for her. It came as no surprise to me when that happened, and I was already open to the idea she might be the one.”

“You don’t worry about being manipulated?” Wesley asked. “What if she played one of you against the others? I’m not saying Grace is like that.

I’m just curious,” Wesley said.

“I think your frame of reference is a little different from ours.” Jack explained. “The women in town who go for uncommitted threesomes and one night stands might play those games with the men they latch on to, but that’s not how we met Grace. She has no experience with a relationship like ours. We met through my mother.”

Ethan returned from the kitchen with more beers and handed one to Wes. “She’d never even been in The Dancing Pony until last week. She’s innocent to what goes on with those women. For her, and for us, this isn’t about power, it’s about love.”

Wesley nodded silently. Evan had been listening intently and then spoke up. “Patricia still after you, Ethan? That’s who you were referring to, wasn’t it?”

Ethan replied, “Unfortunately, yes. Grace is a lady through and through, otherwise she might have kicked Patricia’s ass for putting her hand on my arm last night at the Pony. Yes, Patricia remains very persistent.”

“She’s still with Angel?” Wesley asked, and at their nods, he said,

“That’s got FUBAR written all over it.”

“Tell me about it,” Jack said. “Her living arrangement is on shaky ground unless she backs the fuck off. Angel was disgusted today because she didn’t come home until this afternoon. Of course, she claims she spent the night at a girlfriend’s house because she had too much to drink.”

“They don’t like each other?”

“Grace wants to simply live and let live,” Adam said, “but she’s the jealous type, and Patricia doesn’t play fair. Rachel Lopez caught Patricia in
164

the bathroom with Grace last night, looking at each other like they were about to have a cat fight.”

“Did she pitch a fit, Ethan?” Evan grinned. “Make you kick Patricia out of the club?”

“Naw, it’s like Adam said. She’s willing to live and let live if possible.

She never said another word about Patricia and seemed determined to not let her ruin her fun. She loves to dance, and I think she had a really good time with us,” Ethan replied, smiling, remembering the joy in her eyes as he spun her on the dance floor. “Grace is not the type to pitch a spoiled hissy fit.”

“Nobody said anything about her being with the three of you together?”

Wesley asked.

“Nobody much cared,” Ethan said, realizing they were all but ignoring the game. “We raised a few eyebrows when she kissed all three of us. But she wasn’t giving us tongue or anything like that. Like I said, she’s a lady.

When we went out for lunch today, she sat with us like we were all just friends, not like she was in love with us. She’s aware people may talk.”

“What if people get judgmental with y’all or her?” Evan asked. Ethan noticed he seemed very concerned about how this relationship would affect her.

“If you were in love with a worthy woman, would you let public opinion sway you?” Jack replied.

“No, but what about her? What if
she
can’t handle the criticism?” Evan asked, pointedly ignoring the frown Wesley sent his way.

“We just have to make it worth her while to be with us. What do you really want to know, Evan?” Ethan asked, wondering at the burr obviously up Evan’s ass tonight.

“Well, I remember when y’all first told us you wanted a woman you could share. Someone you could make happy together, have a family and everything. That was years ago, remember, back when we were teenagers?

But then, seeing how most women are, manipulating and lying to get what they want, I just don’t see how it could work. I mean, we all play games, we all manipulate, right?”

“I think your issues are with women in general,” Ethan said, knowing that Evan’s problems with women ran deep, “not a woman willing to try a polyamorous relationship specifically. Not all women are liars, Evan, and not all people manipulate. You’re still not over Rita, I think. Ruling and

165

using the men in her life is not the goal of every woman out there. What if there was a woman who has so much love in her heart that she falls in love with Wesley, meets you, and falls just as completely for you. Would you let your past keep the three of you from being happy?”

Ethan watched Evan’s reactions, noticing that Wesley watched him just as closely. Evan didn’t respond, so Ethan pressed on.

“Do y’all want the same kind of relationship?” He looked from Wesley to Evan and saw the fleeting look of hope on Wesley’s face. Ethan glanced at Evan and saw several emotions cross his face. He smiled weakly, but the look in his eyes was doubtful. Dubious. Then he realized exactly who this was all about.

They were interested in how Grace was handling loving them because Rosemary Piper was back in the picture. They’d always had a soft spot for her, even if she was a bit of a spitfire. They obviously did not want to go into details. Maybe it was a sore subject, and here they were with all their sappy puppy love vibes.

Ethan made eye contact with Wesley and grinned knowingly. “We’re here for y’all if you want to talk about it, okay?”

Wesley nodded almost imperceptibly. His phone rang, and he checked his caller ID before excusing himself. Evan hit the mute button on the TV

remote, thus ending that conversation. Adam caught Ethan’s eye and shrugged at him.

They were yawning by the time the game was over and left soon after.

Wesley and Evan never brought their earlier topic of discussion up again, and neither did the guys. After so much lost sleep the night before, they were ready to call the evening done. Jack called Grace on the way home to see if she’d made it back home all right. She was just preparing to climb into bed. Jack put the phone on speaker so they could all say good night to her.

She sounded sleepy and sexy. “Hey, guys, did you have a good time this evening?”

“We did. What are you doing, Gracie?” Ethan asked, hearing rustling sounds coming from the phone.

“Gettin’ ready for bed,” she said, lapsing into a drawl.

“What are you wearing?” Adam asked playfully.

“Can you guess?”

Adam chuckled. “That skimpy outfit you had on last night?”

166

“Nope.” Grace giggled.

“Flannel pajamas?” Adam asked.

More giggling. “Nope. Too hot.”

“A T-shirt?” Ethan asked.

“Nope.”

“How about a nightgown?” Jack asked

“Nuh-uh.”

“A babydoll nightie?” Adam asked.

“No,” she replied.

Ethan leaned forward to the phone and asked softly, “Gracie, are you wearing what I think you’re wearing?”

“Uh-huh,” she said, giggling with anticipation.

“Really?” He laughed at the confused looks on the others’ faces. “Jack and Adam still haven’t figured it out. Why don’t you tell them, honey?”

The interior of the SUV got very quiet as she let them wonder a few seconds more, and then he heard a small, slightly breathy voice say, “I’m nekkid, well, almost.”

Adam almost stuttered. “R–Really? What’s almost?”

“I was thinking about my men, and I decided to put my necklace back on.”

“Holy fuck,” Adam whispered.

All Jack could manage was a low moan.

Ethan asked, “You’re wet, aren’t you, Gracie honey?” Even though he was exhausted, his hardening cock volunteered for duty.

“Yes, Ethan, a little.”

“Do you need us?” Jack asked.

“I’ll always need you, honey, but it’s been an exhausting weekend for all of us, and you have busy schedules this week. If you come over, you know you won’t leave for hours. I’m kicking myself for saying this, but I want you to have your rest. I’ll be fine.”

“We wouldn’t mind, Gracie,” Ethan’s cock was now sitting up and begging.

“I know you wouldn’t, but I don’t want to worry about you being tired behind the wheel tomorrow. Get your rest.”

“Will we see you this week, honey?” Adam asked.

“If you want, yes.”

167

Jack picked the phone up off the console. “We’ll call you, darlin’.”

“I love you.”

“We love you, baby, sweet dreams,” Adam said.

“’Night,” she whispered before hanging up.

“She is the sexiest woman I’ve ever met,” Jack said as he ended the call.

“I’ll bet she’s touching herself right now,” Adam muttered, sounding like he was in pain.

“Maybe, but I doubt it,” Ethan said, grinning, his cock threatening mutiny. He palmed it to the other side, trying to get more comfortable.

Jack looked over at him curiously. “Why do you say that?”