Forrest, Dawn - Sweet Water Wedding: Sharing Shannon (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (32 page)

“Do you have anything specific that you want to ask us about the lifestyle?” James asked.

Shannon decided that she’d better bite the bullet and find out as much as she could. “Are you into kinky sex?”

James and Luke both spluttered a laugh but then grew serious. They must have realized that it was a source of concern for her because her face burned hot and she stared straight ahead.

Luke cleared his throat. “Well, it depends on your definition of kinky. Most people would think having three bodies in the bed is kinky enough. We wouldn’t do anything that you didn’t want us to and we’d go at your pace love. We are adventurous though, we’re tri-sexuals...we’ll
try
anything once,” he joked.

“But what if I’m not passionate or kinky enough for the two of you?” She knew that her insecurities were speaking but she wasn’t experience in that sort of thing, what if she bored them?

They both look momentarily stunned, as if they couldn’t believe what she had just said.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” James mumbled, trying not to laugh.

“I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem, Shannon.” Luke reached over to grip her hand and stop the horses. Catching her eye and holding her gaze he looked deep into her eyes. “I have absolutely no doubt that you can
more
than handle us and that it’ll be fantastic for all of us. We’ll give you the most incredible sexual experience of your life yet.”

Shannon couldn’t tear her eyes from his because what she saw belied the arrogance of his words. He sincerely and utterly meant what he said, with no swagger or pretense.

“And I suspect the same will be true for us, too,” he added.

“Jesus, spare me the pressure, why don’t you?” she muttered.

He laughed. “There’s no pressure doing what comes naturally with people you care for. This isn’t a competition or a test; it’s a lifestyle choice and just as easy and difficult as normal relationships. We’ll all be learning and probably making mistakes as we go.”

Shannon had a lot of questions, but it seemed a little premature to ask about which man would be the legal husband, if they wanted kids, where did they want to live and all of that more detailed stuff. No, now wasn’t the time but it would soon be important if they wanted to go further. Instead Shannon focused on the immediate issues.

“If this relationship is to go further it might be a good idea for us all to get tested for STDs.”

Luke nodded. “We’re ahead of you, darlin’. James and I went to the clinic the day after you arrived, we’re both clear, the papers are at home, and I’ll show them to you tomorrow.”

“Why am I suddenly feeling like a foregone conclusion?” she half joked. “I’ve always insisted on the use of a condom and I also had a full checkup six months ago, after I caught Carl, my ex, with that other woman. I was worried that the weasel may have somehow given me something. Fortunately it was all clear, and I haven’t had sex since. I’ll go for another test though if you want.”

* * * *

Six months? Holy cow.
James nearly reeled. By her standards he was definitely a slut. He knew that it was old-fashioned, but it gave him a certain satisfaction to know that she had been a damn sight more selective about her partners than he had. It also alerted him to the fact that she really wasn’t as experienced as they were, which is why she had doubts about being enough for them. She didn’t realize that her reaction to them individually showed just how passionate and responsive a woman she was. There was no doubt in his mind that when they finally got her together at the same time, she would go up in flames. Hell, they all would.

“That won’t be necessary, Shannon, we trust you. Are you on the pill?”

God, he hoped that she was. It had been a long time since he’d not used a condom and the thought of riding her bareback had him gritting his teeth as mercurial hormonal heat coursed through his body—one vein in particular.

“Actually, no.”

Damn.

“But I’ll consider it, if you’d prefer to skin dive. I bet that would feel great.” She looked dreamily at them.

“Hell yes,” they said together. Just the thought of it made him harder than calculus.

 
They rode on, mostly in companionable silence, until the first well came into sight. There was no apparent activity, only a structure that was a haphazard looking tangle of assorted pipes and valves called a Christmas tree.

“We don’t need to use the nodding donkey type of pump here because there is sufficient pressure underground in the oil reservoir. We remote monitor the equipment electronically and a technician comes out to check once a week. This is a small, remote site, so we use oil storage tanks instead of a pipeline. The tanks are monitored and when they’re full a tanker comes to collect the oil. Later today we’ll see a well that is being drilled, that’ll be a bit more interesting.”

“I’ve actually been around a lot of similar sites recently in Canada, looking at how best to decommission wells and restore areas to their natural state.” She said nodding and looking around with interest.

He enjoyed talking to her in this way. It reinforced the possibility that she could be a full partner in their life.

“Did you tell her that we are looking to get into that line of work?” He asked Luke.

“Yep, mentioned it in Houston.”

Shannon noticed with approval that there were catchment bunds around each tank in case of a spill or leak, and that there was a concrete apron on which an oil tanker could park that also had an oil catchment trench.

“Hey, what’s that?” Shannon pointed at a rotting wooden structure.

“Oh, that was one of the earlier wooded oil tanks from the 1930s.”

“Shouldn’t it be conserved or something?”

“Never really thought about it.” James shrugged.

* * * *

They rode on, and just when Shannon thought that she might have to call for a rest stop she heard the sounds of clanking metal and the hum of a diesel engine. In the distance, through the shimmering hot air, Shannon could see a blur of what looked like low buildings and a tall tower. As they got closer she could see that the tall structure was a rig and the smaller ones were generators and container units similar to those she’d seen on remote sites in Africa. The commonly used rectangular metal storage containers could be converted for a number of uses, such as a canteen of sorts, an office, a store and so forth. They had air conditioning units tacked on to the side.

As they moved closer into the small base Shannon heard the deep, gruff shouts of the men working before she saw them in hard hats and orange coveralls moving about the drill floor. For the sake of the horses they dismounted a good distance from the rig and tied them to a post on the shaded side of a container unit where a bucket of water was waiting. A big bear of a man who looked to be about fifty-five to sixty years old, strolled over to meet them. He was distinctive-looking with Father Christmas rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes, and a full white beard to match. He was wearing a hard hat and grey coveralls with the name Kirby Dare emblazoned on the breast.

“Hey, howdy, James, Luke, we’ve been expecting you. How ya doin’?” He shook their hands with an exuberance that demonstrated his fondness for the younger men.

“I’m real good, Kirby.” Luke grinned.

“Me, too,” James added. “This here is our girlfriend, Miss Shannon O’Reilly. She’s gonna be a bridesmaid at the wedding.”

Crap. He’d basically told this kindly looking older fellow, that she was doing them both.
Gee, thanks, James.
She expected a shocked look. Instead Kirby turned to her with a genuine, friendly smile and a little curiosity.

“Howdy, ma’am, Kirby Dare, Operations Manager for Sweet Oil in these parts. I’m pleased to meet you.” He stuck out his huge paw again and Shannon happily shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Dare.” She smiled up at the giant grinning down at her.

“Oh, call me Kirby please,” he drawled with a pleasant smile. “Now let’s get out of this blasted heat and have a cool drink eh?”

They went into the canteen closely followed by Rug, and Kirby filled them in on what was going on. “We’ve just hit three thousand feet, the casing is in, and the cement is being pumped as we speak. There are no problems yet.”

James nodded and turned to explain to Shannon. “The plan is to drill to ten thousand feet here, but we have to do it in stages. We encase the hole with steel pipe and pump cement up the outside to seal everything as we go along. Once that’s done, tubing is put down the pipe and then explosives are put down the tubing. They are set off at the depth we think the oil is, to blow holes through the pipe and allow the oil to flow.”

Shannon nodded. She already understood the basics, as it was the same the world over.

“There are no storage tanks here because it’s part of a large field with several wells spaced out. Each well has a small pipe leading from it to a larger pipe that transports the oil to our depot.” He held his forearm straight and splayed his fingers out to demonstrate. Shannon couldn’t stop herself from fantasizing about his long fingers.

“That reminds me,” Kirby said turning to Luke. “We’ll need some pipe handling equipment on another rig by Friday. Do have any available?”

“Yeah, we got some back from another job last week. I’ll get it to you on Thursday.”

She drank her Coke slowly as the men discussed business. She half listened and half daydreamed about both James and Luke. They had lunch in the cool interior of the canteen then had a look around the rig. Seeing James in his element, discussing and directing the operations, impressed her. In fact both of her men clearly knew their business and exuded a familiar, easy confidence on the drill floor. Someone came out of the office holding a phone and waved to Kirby. A minute later he was in deep conversation with Luke.

It tweaked her conscience that they were involved in the production of a product that was ultimately harming the environment. Her guys were to a fossil fuel addicted world what opium farmers were to heroin addicts. Cattle weren’t exactly environmentally friendly either. What the hell was she doing with them? Falling more and more in love, that’s what. At least they were taking care of their immediate environment and operating responsibly. She was shaken out of her thoughts when Luke approached her looking a little pissed off and regretful.

“What’s the matter?”

“Darlin’, there’s a problem on another rig and they need some of M&R’s equipment. It’s not a straightforward job, so I can’t leave it to my guys back at our base. I’ll have to leave you in James’s capable hands. It ruins our plans for tonight. I’m really sorry.”

He looked like he was.

“So am I.”
Very, very, very sorry!
“But I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Definitely. I’ll call you.”

Luke had to leave his horse with them and get a lift back to Ridge Water. She felt his absence as they headed to the next camp with Luke’s empty horse trotting behind, tethered to James’s saddle.

Chapter 19

It was early evening when they arrived at the next camp by the river. James lamented the fact that Luke wasn’t with them. There was a good vibe between the three of them and he missed his partner. Still, it did have its compensations—alone time with Shannon.

“Is this the same river as yesterday?” she asked as she began to dismount.

“Yep, the Sweet River meanders, but we took a more direct route. We’ll follow it tomorrow past near Rachael’s land. The stream that goes through her property flows into this river.”

He quickly moved next to her horse as she dismounted, and caught her in his arms for a slow sensuous slide down his body. He didn’t need any excuse to feel her up, but he sure used any opportunity. They dealt with the horses and Rug first, set up camp, started a fire, and then decided to go for a wash and swim.