Forrest, Dawn - Sweet Water Wedding: Sharing Shannon (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (17 page)

“Don’t deny the attraction,” James whispered as Luke deepened the kiss.

Shannon felt almost suffocated by desire as James found the erogenous zones on her neck and Luke slipped his tongue into her mouth. Her arms automatically found their way around his neck. Her fingers laced in his hair, holding him to her, taking his breath, her tongue dueling his. She became aware that James’s arms now enfolded her and that his hands were inside her T-shirt, cupping, squeezing, and stroking her breasts. Instinctively she arched her back to push into his palms and grind her butt against him.

She felt hot, wanton, and darn well needy. Less than ten minutes with both of them and she was putty in their hands, pooling her panties, and rubbing herself against them like a bitch in heat. What the hell was she doing? Rachael was right; it was going to be a monumental battle to not keel over with her legs spread wide.

“Stop.” She spoke clearly with a certainty that she didn’t possess. “Back off...please.”

She uttered the plea with such desperation that the men stopped what they were doing and backed away leaving her feeling chilled, alone, and exposed. Both James and Luke were breathing unevenly, their pupils were dilated, and impressive bulges pressed against their jeans.

Do not look at their crotches, do not!
“I find you both unbelievably attractive in a way that is new to me, I’m not denying it, and the other night was amazing, Luke. I can’t...can’t think clearly around either of you, but I know that I shouldn’t rush in where a more rational person would fear to tread.”

“Darlin’, you can see and feel what you do to both of us. The other night was something else, something special, and it will only get better if you give us a chance. We won’t do anything you don’t want us to, Shannon, don’t be afraid.”

But she was afraid, afraid that she wanted them to do
everything.

“We’ll take it slow if that’s what you want.” James smiled at her gently. “But give us the opportunity to get to know you and keep an open mind about what we want and what we can give you.” He turned to Luke. “She has to trust us.”

Luke looked mildly surprised at his partner’s insight. Shannon was comforted that James had taken onboard the comments she’d made earlier and relaxed a little.

Luke nodded in agreement. “Shannon, we’ll lay it out for you. We want to get to know you better. Meanwhile we’d like an exclusive ménage, no other women for us, and no other men for you. Honesty is an important part of the lifestyle, and if you think that there is just no way on earth that you could get involved with us,
ever
, then you need to tell us now, otherwise we intend to pursue and court you.”

“Court me?” Shannon had visions of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, top hats and tails. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve only just met you, Shannon, and we want to get to know you better—go out, stay in, have fun, have sex, maybe even have an argument or two, all that stuff. Darlin’, it’s new territory for us too.”

She knew that it was, and bet that they’d never had to pursue anyone in their lives. They were saying that they wanted more than casual sex, but it was a new thing for them too.

“Maybe what you really have is a desire for new sensations, another form of entertainment. For all I know you’re going to follow your peckers to greener pastures once the novelty of ‘courting’ has worn off. I’ve heard that you two have been busy with the ladies, like bees flitting from pretty flower to flower, pollinating as you go.”

“Hey, I’ve pollinated no one,” James exclaimed indignantly.

“We’ve not been monks, that’s for sure,” Luke interjected. “We’ve had a good time, but as I told you the other night, we want something more than a temporary diversion, we’ve just been waiting to find the right woman.”

“And you think that could be me?” Shannon was wary. “Look, I am far from perfect and I worry that you are setting me on a pedestal from which I’m going to fall.”

“Honey, we know that nobody’s perfect, we sure as hell aren’t...well, he isn’t anyway,” Luke joked, jerking his head in James’s direction, “but maybe we can be perfect for each other. Let’s find out.”

She looked at them both and believed that they were sincere but there were many obstacles, like the significant fact that she lived in Ireland, and had a good career curtailing the activities of people like them. There were some basic objections, ones of morality and decency. Still, this County seemed to operate by a different code.

“I’m not sure which scares me most; the thought of sex with two guys or a relationship with two guys involved with oil and cattle and all that that entails. I wasn’t looking for or expecting either, and now suddenly here you are offering both. It’s a lot to take in.”

“The worst thing that can happen is that you have a really great holiday,” James reasoned.

Oh no, that was not the worst thing, there were many worse things she could think of, like a broken heart. Nevertheless, Shannon knew she had never felt this way about anyone before. It was unfathomable how she could be falling for two men with such different lives and no doubt ideologies from her. Still, she wasn’t foolish, she wasn’t about to deny herself an unforgettable experience with these two gorgeous, smart men who might also be a big part of her future. She knew that if it went further, if she trusted them with her body, she would more than likely end up entrusting them with her heart. It could mean major heartache when she left or ultimately a total lifestyle change for her. Such a thing couldn’t,
shouldn’t
be rushed. If something was worth having it was worth waiting for wasn’t it? It was going to be a battle of biology versus mentality, and her traitorous body had a way of muddling her thoughts when they were around. It was as wonderful as it was disconcerting.
Bloody hell, I think that I’ve a real risk of falling in love with two men.
That realization hit her like an unexpected fall to the bottom of a deep hole. She felt like Alice on her way to Wonderland. What the hell, she’d give it a go. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, right? Rachael would be proud of her.

“You’ll go at my pace and help me to understand how the ménage lifestyle works?”

“Sure, honey, and there are a lot of people you can talk to about it, like Susan who is married to Rachael’s cousin Colin and to Mark.”

Shannon couldn’t imagine discussing this with anyone except Rachael.

“And if you find that I’m not the woman for you, you’ll tell me straight away, before I get in too deep, sooner rather than later?” Shannon dreaded the thought that it wouldn’t be long until she was at that point.

“Sure, and you will do the same for us. We’ll be thankful you gave it a go.” Luke spoke softly, as if he didn’t want to even consider it.

“Okay.” Shannon looked at them both and nodded her head.

“Okay?” they repeated together as if they didn’t quite believe it.

Luke whooped and picked her up, kissed her lightly and spun her around before passing her to James who did the same. He didn’t let her go though. Instead he held her tight and buried his face in her hair. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. Even through the layers of clothes that separated them she could feel the solid length of his manhood.
Jesus, he’s as big if not bigger than Luke!

“I don’t suppose you’d consider taking pity on my poor cock now?” James pouted.

“No! Jaysus, you push your luck more than me,” Shannon cried out in exasperation, and quickly unwrapped herself to stand on her own, admittedly shaky, two legs.

“Patience, partner, patience,” Luke cooed.

“It’s all very well for you to say, you’ve already—”

“Gentlemen please,” Shannon cut in, already wondering just what she’d let herself in for. “I think it’s time to go back to Sweet Water. Luke’s coming with us, right?”

Without waiting for a response she pushed past the hard bodied men and marched out of the house, not glancing back. Relief flooded her as she took a big gulp of pheromone free, fresh air. It made no difference to her decision; she was along for the ride, even if it turned out to be only a short gallop. She had a suspicion that it may just turn out to be the trip of a lifetime. The men swiftly followed Shannon outside. As James bounced around the car looking well pleased, Luke opened the back passenger door.

“Wanna sit in the back with me?”

Before Shannon could answer, James snorted, “Hey, I’m not a damn chauffeur; Shannon can sit up front with me.”

“Boys, please, no squabbling, I’ll sit in the back,” Luke began to smirk but she continued, “and both of you can sit in the front. Problem solved.” She began to think that if this was the sort of balancing act she had to look forward to then she would soon be exhausted. As if he read her mind Luke put his arm around her and gave a quick squeeze.

“Don’t worry, darlin’, we’re just playing about. James and I are compadres, like close brothers except I’m nicer and better looking.”

James barked a laugh.

“Sit in the front next to James. You’ll get a better view of the countryside.”

With one fluid movement her picked her up like a child, placed her in the front seat and buckled her in.

“I can do that myself.”

“I know.” He grinned and winked at her, then threw himself into the back.

James and Luke told her stories about the various places they passed on the way to the ranch. They had known each other since they were kids, went to the same schools and the same college, although they were not in the same year as Luke was two years older than James.
James is twenty-eight, Luke is thirty and I’m twenty-nine, between the two, how prophetic.

Their banter reminded Shannon of the way she and Rachael sometimes spoke, with the easy familiarity and understanding that close friendship brings. She liked their lighthearted humor, witty dry comments, and gentle teasing. She adored their accent and low, deep voices, redolent of warm, flowing honey. She could get used to listening to those sexy tones. She could get used to having them around.

Chapter 11

Rachael and Joshua lay in a tangled, sweating heap on a huge platform bed. For the past hour and a half Joshua had thought of nothing but his fiancée and what she did to him body and soul.

“Do you think that we’ll ever get enough of each other?” she asked him, languidly stroking his butt and lower back.

“No.”

“I hope that we die old trying.” She chuckled. “What a way to go.”

“Come into the world between a woman’s thighs, and go out the same way? Sounds like a great plan to me.” He rolled onto his back, dragging her over him.

Rachael looked down at him with concern in her eyes. “Do you think that Shannon is okay? I wonder if I should call to check.”

Joshua stroked her waist and stomach. “James will take care of her.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. You see it’s a little more complicated than you think.” Rachael briefly told him about her conversation with Shannon last night. “I don’t want to betray Shannon’s trust, but I also won’t keep secrets from you that directly concern you, and this could get complicated. Shannon seems like she’s really confident and independent and to some extent she is, but she is also a very caring and kind person who feels a lot. She said that she felt a connection to both Luke and James and I think it frightens her a bit. She was hoping for some R&R—rest and relaxation, not raunchy romance. Personally I think some real raunchy romance could be just what she needs, but I don’t want James to hurt her, she isn’t hard. She’s my best friend, so James and Luke better not mess her around.”

He stiffened and stopped his caress. “James told me a similar story last night too. They like her a lot and have serious intentions. I gave him twenty-four hours to sort it out because then I was gonna talk to you.” Joshua was glad that they had the same priorities and sense of loyalty to those they loved. “He said that they aren’t messing around and I believe him because I’ve never heard him talk about a woman that way before.”