STORY EXCERPT

Quickly moving from his seat, he hunkered down and cautiously reached out. Placing his hand on her calf, he ran it up and down her leg in a soothing motion. He was aware of Brandt standing behind him, trying to block the scene of the woman’s fear from prying eyes.

The whimpering sounds she made nearly broke his heart. This woman had obviously been to hell and back, and he wanted to haul her into his arms and offer her comfort, wrapping her tight in his embrace.

“It’s okay, baby. You’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you,” Cord said quietly but loud enough for her to hear. Keeping up the soothing motions of his hand and nonsensical noises, he felt the tension slowly leave her body. She lifted her head slowly, her fear-glazed eyes meeting his. They were such a beautiful color, a mix of brown and gold with flecks of green, but her irises were nearly drowned out by her dilated pupils. Holding her gaze, he extended his hand to help her from beneath the table and watched as she lowered her eyes. He pushed his attraction aside, more concerned about her well-being, and her face pinkened with embarrassment when she realized where she was.

“Are you okay?” Cord asked when she wouldn’t meet his eyes. She gave him a nod and finally lifted her arm and reached out for his hand. Tingling heat enveloped his hand and shot straight down to his crotch. The trembling of her fingers and palm pulled at his heart, and he wanted to get to the bottom of her fear and help her in any way he could. Her hand was so small compared to his, as well as really cold and clammy. Being as gentle as he could, he pulled her out from under the table, her ass sliding on the linoleum floor. When her head and body had cleared, he helped her to her feet. Keeping his hand around hers, he stood from his squatting position, placed his other hand on her waist, and helped her to her feet. Instead of sitting her back at her own table, he moved backward, gently guiding her to sit next to him in their booth.

“My name is Cord Alcott, and this is my brother, Brandt.” He indicated with his head as Brandt sat down on the other side of her.

“Shelby,” she began and then cleared her throat. “Shelby Richmond.”

“Pleased to meet you, Shelby,” Brandt said, and Cord saw the color rise in her face again. Even though she tried to hide her shiver, he saw that, too.

“Are you all right, Shelby?”

“Yes,” she squeaked out in a high-pitched voice, and then the color drained from her face, leaving her so white Cord was scared she was about to pass out. Her breathing was escalated, and he could see the rapid beat of her pulse in the hollow at the base of her throat.

Just then the waitress brought Shelby’s order and placed it on the table in front of her. She took his and Brandt’s orders and left again.

Shelby picked up her iced tea and gulped half the glass, her hand still trembling slightly.

Cord knew she was far from okay but didn’t want to make her any more uncomfortable than she already was.

“Do you live in Slick Rock, Shelby?” Brandt queried.

“No.”

“Where are you from?” Cord asked.

“Illinois, Bloomington to be exact.”

“You’re quite a distance from home. What brought you here?” Brandt inquired.

“Um, I just needed a change of scenery.”

Cord realized that Shelby was becoming uncomfortable again, because she was fidgeting and squirming in her seat, so he changed the subject.

“We’re part owners of the local security company and have only been in town for a little over twelve months. We’re retired cops and love how the pace of this town is much more relaxed than the city.”

Shelby nodded, letting him know she had heard him, but kept her eyes lowered. She took deep breaths and released them slowly. This time when she reached for her glass, her hand was a lot steadier. It looked like little Shelby was back in control again. Finally she looked up and gazed to him then Brandt.

“Thank you,” she said so quietly that Cord found himself leaning toward her to hear her.

“You don’t have to thank us, Shelby, we didn’t do anything,” Brandt replied.

“Yes, you did. You kept prying eyes away from me.”

“We would have done the same for anyone, baby,” Cord stated. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“So, how do you like Slick Rock, darlin’?” Brandt inquired.

“I−It’s fine. But I’m not staying.”

Cord looked over to Brandt and knew his brother was thinking the same as him. Little Shelby was running from something. He wanted to pick her up, carry her out to the truck, and take her home, where they could keep an eye on her and make sure she was safe. When he realized where his thoughts were at, he knew that this woman was worth courting.

Shelby was pushing the salad in front of her with her fork, but she didn’t look to be interested in eating. Cord sighed when the waitress brought their order. He began to eat, hoping she would settle enough to do the same.

“How long will you be stayin’, little one?” Brandt queried.

Cord held his breath while he waited for Shelby to answer. He didn’t want to hear that she would be moving on. Exhaling slowly, he watched her expectantly and saw a gamut of emotions flit across her expressive face. She went from concern to fear and finally resignation and then lifted her eyes to Brandt.

“I don’t know, but I need a job. You wouldn’t happen to know anyone hiring, would you?”

“Maybe. What is it you’re looking for?”

ADULT EXCERPT

“I want you, baby,” Cord stated, his need for her making his voice deep and husky.

“You do?”

“Oh yeah. You’re such a sexy little thing. I want to kiss and lick you all over.”

“What?” Shelby asked and stiffened in his arms. She lifted her head and stared up at him.

“I want to make love with you, Shelby. So does Brandt,” Cord declared.

“Oh God,” Shelby moaned.

“Will you let us, darlin’?” Brandt asked from just behind Cord.

“I−I…shit.”

“Think about it, Shelby. I know you’re attracted to us, too. I can smell your little creaming pussy,” Cord rasped. “Just imagine what it would be like to have us touch you at the same time. It’ll be so good, baby.”

“But I’ve never had two men before. I’d never thought it possible until I heard of the other polyandrous relationships in Slick Rock.”

Cord carried Shelby to her room and slid her down his aching body. He made sure she knew of his arousal, thrusting his hips into hers before her knees connected with the mattress.

“Do you trust me—us, Shelby?”

“Yes.”

“And you know we’d never hurt you, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you want us, don’t you, baby?”

“Yes.” She whispered her reply.

“Then will you let us make you feel good? Will you let us make love with you?”

“Oh God. Yes!”

That was all Cord had been waiting for. He stared deeply into her eyes and watched as her breathing escalated and desire tinged her cheeks a pink hue. Finally, when he couldn’t stand it anymore, he pulled her close, bent down, and took her mouth.

She opened to him as soon as his lips connected with hers, and she sighed into his mouth. Slanting his mouth over hers, he slid his tongue into her and tasted. Shelby tasted like no other woman before her. She was pure ambrosia, and one taste would never be enough. The little whimpering sounds she made had him burning for more, and she gripped his shirt like she would never let go.

Again and again he took her, exploring every bit of her moist cavern until they were both breathless. Easing back, he kissed and nibbled his way down her neck until he reached the collar of her shirt. Lifting his head, he watched her carefully as he undid the buttons and parted the material.

“You are so fucking sexy, baby. You have no idea how much I’ve craved to feel you under my hands, my mouth, and my body.” Shelby didn’t reply, but she was panting heavily. Her eyelids were lowered, and the green in her eyes seemed to glow with her desire. Her lips were swollen and red from his kisses.

Brandt moved up beside him, and Cord reluctantly stepped back to allow his brother a taste of their woman. “Hey, darlin’, are you sure about this? Because once we start there’s no going back. You’ll be ours, and I’m not just talking about tonight. I mean permanently. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Shelby moaned, reaching for Brandt.

Brandt kissing his woman was one of the most erotic things Cord had ever seen. He couldn’t wait until they had her naked and writhing beneath them. Being careful not to interrupt his brother’s moment with Shelby, he knelt on the bed behind her and pushed her shirt from her shoulders and off her arms. He measured her tiny waist with his hands. He was right, his fingers met at the front and his thumbs in her back. After pushing her hair away from her nape, he kissed and licked down her neck and across the smooth, creamy skin of her shoulders.

Cord caressed his hands over her belly and slowly inched his way up her torso, over her ribs, until he was cupping her lush breasts. He groaned when her hard little nipples stabbed into his hand. With deft fingers he flicked the front catch of her bra open and inhaled sharply when her voluptuous mounds spilled into his palms.

She whimpered into Brandt’s mouth and arched into his touch as he took her hard nipples between fingers and thumbs and squeezed. Fire raced through his blood, making his cock ache and jerk against his zipper and the cum in his balls roil. Covering her with his large hands, he kneaded and caressed, exploring every inch of her soft, fleshy globes. Her body heated with need, and Cord could smell the sexy scent of her musky arousal. His mouth watered as the urge to taste her became too much to ignore. With slow deliberation, he released her breasts and caressed his way down her ribs, torso, and belly, until his fingers connected with the waistband of her jeans.

With unerring dexterity, Cord popped the button of her jeans, lowered the zipper, and hooked his fingers into the sides of the denim material, pushing the pants and her underwear over her rounded hips and down her thighs. Brushing his fingers through the soft hair of her mound, he slid his hand down until he was cupping her pussy with his fingers and the palm of his hand. Then, with slow deliberation, he began using the heel of his hand to massage her soft flesh. Shelby gasped for air as she drew away from Brandt’s mouth, and her eyes closed when Cord applied rhythmic pressure to her clit, still hidden beneath the soft folds of her pussy.

Brandt bent down, removed Shelby’s shoes, and pulled her jeans and panties off over her feet and ankles. Cord supported her weight by tightening his free arm around her waist, bringing her back into contact with his chest.

“She likes what you’re doing to her, Cord. I can see her little pussy creaming. Shelby’s so horny her thighs are wet with her juices.”

“Do you like what I’m doing, baby?” Cord rumbled out.

“Yes,” Shelby gasped.