Intimate Illusions [The Callens 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (19 page)

Taking hold of her shoulders, he pressed her into a stand and turned her around. When he moved close, his jaw loosened. The feathery kiss that followed was tender and breached any wall of doubt she had about coming back.

“I couldn’t stop thinking of you.” His eyes smoldered with desire.

She removed the towel from his hand and let it float over his back. The sooner they got dry, the sooner they could get to the business of becoming one again. She’d never been a wanton woman, but after she met Max and Ian, her thoughts had focused only on happily ever after. Every sensual smell evoked lust. Soft, luxurious fabrics made her skin prickle with need. She’d become consumed with carnal desires.

Ian picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Holding her with one hand, he pulled down the spread and placed her on the cool sheets. Her hair dampened the pillow, but she bet he wouldn’t care. Without taking his gaze off her, Ian lowered his nakedness on her, causing every cell in her body to ignite. Having him with her brought such closure. This is where she needed to be.

“I love having you on top of me.”

His cheeks dimpled. “I’m hoping you’ll love having me in you, too.” He nipped her lips then captured the bottom of her earlobe.

The man had a way to make every touch light her up. She wanted to return the favor. “Roll over.”

In a flash, he was on his back and she was on top. Bending her knees, she straddled him. Her pussy rubbed against his erect cock, and electric bolts streaked up her sides. If she didn’t lessen the contact, she’d explode.

She moved to the side, knelt, and bent over. After cupping his balls, she drew his cock into her mouth. His fresh scent teased her nose as she took in as much of him as she could. Baring her teeth, she retreated in a slow, lazy pattern. Her greedy tongue darted around him. His fingers found her nipple, and he pressed hard, setting her skin ablaze with an intense yearning.

His sac hardened as his cock expanded. She loved teasing him with her tongue. With her free hand she stroked him. The combination of playing with his balls, having her wet mouth on his cock, and his fast-moving fingers on her tits must have tipped him over the edge because his hand left her breast and clasped her shoulder.

“No more. It’s my turn. I’m weak.” Once more she found herself on her back. “I need to taste your sweet honey. It’s like my drug, and I’m addicted.”

How could any woman refuse such a confession?

He got off the bed for a moment and picked up his pants. From his wallet, he pulled out a condom, tore the foil, and snapped it over his bulging dick.

“I’m back.” He got on his stomach and spread her legs. Her body tensed in anticipation. Instead of the lick she expected, he circled her clit as if to purposefully drive her mad. Slightly bending her knees, she lowered her body for more contact. He kept circling.

“Lick me.”

“I plan on doing a lot more than that. Let me enjoy this moment.”

He must not understand how all the light touching was making her unravel. She grabbed his shoulders and tightened her grip. His teeth finally found its mark. He grabbed the hood of her clit and tugged.

“Sweet Jesus.” Shards of pleasure bit into her.

Her pussy exploded with cream the moment he added a finger. He plunged in, and she contracted her walls. The rough texture of his skin set her on fire. She had to have more. Just when her nerves tingled, he withdrew.

“Don’t stop.”

His answer was a full mouth on her cunt. Her back arched as wave upon wave of sensual bliss bombarded her. She rocked and groaned the moment his tongue stabbed her opening. She tugged on his arms to bring him on top of her. He got the hint and slid upwards. At tit height he stopped.

“I need you.” Her plea sounded pathetic, but she didn’t care. If she didn’t have him now, he might as well take away her oxygen.

He pressed up higher and kissed her with fierce protectiveness. There were no more airy kisses or light touches. He was a man on a mission. His cock pumped into her in one strong stroke.

His large size stretched her wide. From the way she held her breath, he must have realized he needed to take his time, so he stopped moving. She didn’t want that. She needed to feel his power, his strength, his need.

To encourage him, she lifted her butt to start the action again. Ian took the hint and withdrew only to plunge in again. He devoured her mouth, and she returned the kiss with equal passion. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him closer. Her fingers roamed everywhere. His back was a gold mine of ridges and muscles, flexing with tension with each move.

He shifted his weight, and her clit got more action. Wicked flames crawled up her channel with each thrust. Molten lava bubbled, heating her core to heady levels. Her climax threatened to erupt.

She nipped his chin and licked his cheek. His mouth returned to hers as their breaths matched pace. His tempo increased as a storm built inside her. His balls slapped her ass as he drove in. She dug her nails into his skin and dragged them down his back. So involved, she could only think of the joy and rapture manifesting inside her. She milked his cock, and his moan came out loud.

“Devonne, I’m so close.”

That was her signal to let go and allow her release to toss her high. Standing on the precipice of sheer glory, she broke the kiss and gasped out a primal groan. Her climax tumbled from her head to her toe, washing her over the sands of ecstasy. Seconds later, Ian’s eyes closed, and his cock doubled in size as he jettisoned his cum.

He held her tight, and her breaths slowly eased as every muscle gave way. “I love you.” Was that the first time she’d told him? No cogent thoughts seemed to be allowed in her brain.

He dropped down and rolled them over. “That has to be the highlight of my year.”

She would have smiled if she’d had the strength.

Footsteps sounded. “What the fuck is going on?”

Double shit.
What was the probability of this happening a second time? Apparently, it was one-hundred percent.

Max always did have crappy timing. Devonne had dreaded this part of the reunion. Before she came, she figured the discussion with Max would most likely be adversarial. She didn’t mind a little confrontation, but if she couldn’t convince Max that she belonged here, she’d be devastated.

She sat up, not caring that she was naked. Maybe because Ian wanted something to do, he climbed off the bed and made a beeline into the bathroom.

“I’m here to stay, if you’ll let me.” She couldn’t be any more direct than that.

Max’s teeth ground together. “Get dressed. We’ll talk in the living room.”

From the way his eyes had glazed over with lust, her nakedness had stunned him. Ian handed her a warm towel. She’d already gotten the bed wet, but she was able to stop more damage with the towel.

“I guess I better help calm Max.”

“Good luck.”

The clothes she’d worn on the plane were in the bathroom. For this encounter, however, she needed something sexier. She placed one suitcase on the bed and opened it. Her sexiest panties and bras sat in a plastic bag. Picking the pink set, she pulled then on.

“Need help with the clasp?”

She loved having Ian’s hands on her. “Sure.”

“You going for the maximum pain for Max?”

She turned around. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

Ian laughed. “I mean, do you want to torture him into begging you to stay?”

“Yes.”

He nodded to her matching underwear. “This might do it.”

“I figure I should use my assets to my advantage.” She grinned.

“I’m behind you. Wear white. With your tan and your long, dark hair, you’ll be stunning.”

Wow
. She never would have guessed that Ian would realize that different colors looked good on different people. She pulled out a pair of black jeans and located a V-neck white top that had sparkly stones across her chest. Max couldn’t accuse her of wearing some sexy cocktail dress, but this casual outfit was designed to dazzle. Pink sandals added a pop of color.

“Let’s go meet the bear.”

“I’ll try to stay out of the conversation. This is mostly between you and Max.”

“I know.”

Even though she’d rehearsed what she was going to say, her stomach still churned. Max was a stubborn man, but she hoped his inner passion and reason would show itself. Head held high, she did her model walk into the living room.

He put down the book he was reading and removed his glasses. “Can I get you something to drink?”

His anger had diffused, or else he’d coiled it tightly inside him.

“Thank you. I could use a glass of merlot.”

Ian stepped toward the kitchen. “I’ll get it. Max, you want a beer?”

“Sure.”

She was glad he wasn’t taking his frustrations out on his brother. “I want to explain why I came.” The kitchen doors banged shut and a drawer opened. She inhaled. “These three weeks have been really hard for me. I know you warned me about Ian and how he was destined to break my heart, but let me tell you something. My heart broke into tiny pieces the moment you walked out my door.”

Max winced but seemed willing to let her continue. “I love you. I love Ian. I don’t care if Ian isn’t as uptight and responsible as you. He’s fun. He’s adventurous. I love that about him. But I also love how you take the running of the ranch so seriously and how you want to protect me.”

Ian handed her the wine and gave a beer to Max. Her parched throat needed a coating. “Thanks.”

Max was on the sofa opposite her. Ian leaned a hip on the chair where she was sitting, almost as if he wanted to present a united front.

Why wasn’t he answering her? “Well?”

Max guzzled a bit of his beer. “So you’re saying you want to take a chance with us?”

“Yes.”

Ian stood up and sat next to Max. “I want to clear the air here.”

She glanced to Max whose lips had pressed tightly together. Max nodded. “Go ahead.”

Ian told her why he’d had the bar fight. “So you see, I wasn’t just in a brawl. I was defending your honor.”

“Then I amend my statement. I love both of you because you both want to protect me, but in the future, people can say what they want about me. I know who I am, and I like myself. I don’t need men to protect me against verbal attacks.”

Ian took a swig of his beer, but she caught the twinkle in his eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He held up a hand. “There’s one other thing. I am not a total fuckup like Max keeps claiming. Not only am I the one who picks out the best cattle at the best price, since you’ve been gone, I’ve mended fences, made arrangements for where to keep the cattle this winter, and repaired a stall.” He listed a few other items.

Max faced him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ian inhaled. “Because I decided that we both run this ranch. The fact you are two minutes older shouldn’t mean shit. I shouldn’t have to report to you anymore than you should report to me. I’m willing to take on my half of the responsibility of running the ranch.”

Mostly likely that wouldn’t sit well with Max. His identity was wrapped up with being in charge and in being needed. It was no surprise that his eyes had turned a stormy gray. She held up her hands in a time-out motion. “Men. How about a compromise?”

They both looked as if they’d never heard of the word. Max gritted his teeth. “What would that be?”

“How about if you both made out lists of what you want to be in charge of? You can look over each other’s lists to see if anything is left out. Once you’re satisfied, you can double-check with each other at the end of the week to see that the work was done. That way you have your own autonomy. No bugging the other person to see if the job got done until the time limit is up.” She was pretty pleased with the solution.

Both men looked at each other and shrugged. Max stretched out his legs and polished off the rest of the beer. “I’m willing to give it a try.”

She hadn’t expected him to give in so easily. Giving up his role of protector must have been hard for him. His action made her love him even more.

She slapped her thighs. “Great. Now if you wouldn’t mind, I’d love to go for a horse ride.” Both men got halfway up when she motioned they take a seat. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to do it alone.”

* * * *

The next few weeks were a bit strange. While Max and Ian did make out lists regarding what part of the ranch they wanted to be responsible for, she didn’t notice the old camaraderie between them like they’d had before. It must have been hard for Max to turn over the reins to Ian. So far, Ian had done what he’d promised, but it was as if Max were waiting for his brother to screw up.

The only downer was that both men had decided that until things got completely straightened out between them, they’d leave her alone in the bedroom. It drove her crazy not to touch them as intimately as she would have liked. Sure, she missed the sex, but she missed the kissing and touching more.

One night last week, she hadn’t been able to sleep so she decided to test their resolve. She crawled into Max’s bed. She could tell he was awake from the way he was breathing, but he said nothing and did nothing. At least he hadn’t kicked her out. Being with these two men was going to be a daily trial, but well worth it.