Divine Grace (4 page)

“Maybe what he’s really doing is checking you out. He must be blind or something.” He belched.

“What?”

“Maybe he needs glasses. Or maybe he prefers fat asses like yours. It takes all kinds, I guess,” he muttered with a shrug.

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“Whatever, Owen. Go watch your game and let me get done in here.”

She would not give in and start crying. In his current state, that was like blood in the water to a shark.

“Whatever?” he slurred. “That’s probably what he was thinking when he saw your fat ass. I’m going to Dave’s. I don’t want to be around for whatever method of payment the two of you have worked out. Of course, he may demand cash payment on the spot
after
fucking your fat ass or maybe even demand a refund from
you
. That cunt will probably disappoint
him
, too. There’s a paper bag on the refrigerator if he needs it, fuckin’ slut.” He grabbed his keys from the table and allowed the screen door to slam shut on his way out.

Grace had frozen as the evil filth flowed from his drunken lips. Each horrible word flowed over her like acid. She was such a chickenshit. That was her opportunity, and she'd passed it up. Maybe not the best opportunity because Owen was not a drunk she wanted to piss off.

In the next second, what she’d thought was the worst moment of her life became so, so,
so
much
worse
.

She heard a tool clank against the air conditioner compressor, right outside the
open
kitchen window. She listened to the crashing thud of her heart. She broke out into a cold sweat, and each rasping breath made her throat hurt. Adam had probably heard every despicable word Owen uttered, the names he’d called her, and the innuendo he had dropped. Her day was now complete.

When she started seeing black spots in front of her eyes, she realized she was holding her breath and turned to make her way to a kitchen chair. She sat forward, placing her elbows on her knees, her forehead in the palms of her hands. The black spots went away, but the mortification stayed.

He startled her when she felt his large hand sweep across her back. She jumped, but kept her eyes closed, not wanting to look into his. He pulled up a chair and sat down and gently rubbed her back.

“You heard?”

“Yeah.”

“How much?”

“Every ignorant word. Why do you put up with someone who treats you like that, baby?”

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“I plan to throw him out. I just don’t want to do it when he’s drunk.

He’s mean when he’s drunk, as you can see. I didn’t want an ugly scene while you were here.”

“You were trying to avoid a scene because of me, baby? I wish I’d known you want to break up with him. I would have personally kicked his stupid drunken ass for you and then helped you throw his shit out with him.

Is
that
the house cleaning you told us earlier that you needed to do?”

She nodded as he continued, “Grace, all you have to do is call us when you’re ready to clean house. All three of us will come whether he’s drunk or sober, and your house cleaning will be
done
.”

“Thank you, Adam. I’m really sorry that he was here, and I’m very embarrassed about the things you heard him say.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad he was here so that I could see firsthand what an ass he is. You deserve better.”

Grace finally opened her eyes, wiped the tears away, and hoped like hell she didn’t look like a raccoon. He smiled at her, and she tried to smile back.

“I need to order a part for your compressor,” he said, distracting her with the change of subject.

She grimaced. “Expensive?”

“No, but very necessary. I don’t have it at the house,” he said apologetically, “but I should have it by Tuesday morning.”

“When can you come back?” she asked, afraid that he might not be able to come back to fix the unit till much later.

“As soon as I have the part in my hand.” He laughed out loud when her eyes got big, and she flung her arms around his neck.

“Oh, thank you, Adam! I’m dying here!” She wiped her forehead on the back of her hand.

“Would you consider something for me?”

“Sure, what?” She felt giddy that at least one of her problems was about to be fixed.

“Would you consider staying with us, just until the part comes? You’re going to be miserable here for the next day and a half. We have plenty of room, and the house is big so we wouldn’t be underfoot. We’d all be perfect gentlemen, I promise.
Absolutely no strings attached
.” He emphasized the last few words and took her hands in his, gently stroking her knuckles and the tops of her hands. The simple action was sweet, as were his words, and

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kindled more complicated feelings in her heart. An invitation to stay at their ranch was completely unexpected.

“That is really sweet of you, Adam, and I admit I’m tempted. But I think it would be better if I didn’t. Y’all are going to have family and friends popping in on you while everyone’s in town, and I think it might be better if I just stayed home.”

“What about Owen? Aren’t you afraid he’ll come back tonight?”

“No, when he’s like this he usually goes to his friend Dave’s house. I doubt I’ll see him before tomorrow afternoon. By then he might be sober again. He’s probably already forgotten that you were even here. I’ll be fine, but I really appreciate the offer.”

“Okay, but if you change your mind later, the offer still stands, all right?” he said, smiling down at her.

“You are a real sweetheart, you know that?” She placed her palms on his cheeks as she stood up. She was stunned when he leaned down, wrapped his arms around her, lifted her off her feet, and hugged her tightly. She couldn’t help the tremor that went through her and did her best to ignore the reaction her nether regions had to being enfolded in his warm strength.

No one had picked her up like that since she was a little girl. His arms wrapped securely around her made her feel tiny. It felt really good, especially after Owen’s cruel words about her weight. She was suspended there for a moment as he held her close and buried his face in her hair. Then he looked in her eyes for a brief moment. Her body responded to his nearness with a deep yearning. She smiled in thanks for his sweetness, wishing the quiet moment could last as he put her down.

Adam gathered all his tools and left her his business card after writing his private cell phone number on it. She walked him out to his truck. She felt such a sense of relief that the problem with her AC was fixable. Mixed with that was a sort of delirious happiness that he seemed to accept and appreciate her just the way she was with all her flaws. He looked over at her as he placed his tool belt in the truck and then reached out to gently grasp her wrist as she turned to go.

His eyebrows knitted together as he considered his words. “Grace, I want you to know something. None of what that son of a bitch told you is true. None of the hurtful things he’s told you in the past are true, and I’m sure he’s told you a lot of things to hurt you. You’re not ugly, and you’re
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not fat. You’re beautiful, and your body is a work of art. You were really pretty in this outfit today, and we were all proud as hell to be seen with you.

You deserve to be with someone who appreciates who you are and what you do for the people you care about. You deserve to be cared for and loved by a
man
who knows how to do it
properly
.” He reached out and palmed her jaw, grazing her cheekbone with his thumb. “Make sure you lock your doors tonight. I’ll see you soon.”

“Thank you, Adam. I really needed that.”

“Don’t forget. The offer to stay at the ranch still stands.”

“All right. Drive safe.”

As he pulled away from the house, she went back inside and locked up.

The uncomfortable heat of the day lingered, and eventually she turned off the TV and took a cool shower. She felt like a new person when she was done. She thought over all the things Adam had said to her. She was exhilarated at the thought that he saw her that way but confused, too. Why would he say those things if he understood and acknowledged that Jack might possibly have feelings for her?

Judging by the way Jack treated her today, he did. She was jubilant to know that the attraction was not one-sided. But the affection that she felt from Ethan and Adam was baffling to her, especially considering that she’d just met them recently. It felt right and easy being that way around them, and Jack evidently approved because they had been the same toward her around him as well as apart from him.

She climbed into bed, turned off the lamp, and curled up with a pillow.

For once, she fell asleep not worrying what she was going to do about Owen and the general chaos that was her life. She had some house cleaning to do and three willing men ready to help her.

* * * *

Had he pressed her too hard? Adam thought about all the things he’d told her on the way home. After what that bastard told her, he knew he needed to tell her what
he
thought. He wanted to take the hurt away and open her eyes to the possibilities.

Trying to see the situation from her perspective, he could see how she might be confused and overwhelmed by the interest the three of them were

37

all taking in her. He’d grasped her delicate wrist and stopped her from walking away. He didn’t pull her to him again because he knew he’d kiss the daylights out of her, and that couldn’t happen yet. Not while Owen was still a problem. Once she was free would be different, though. He planned to kiss her like he had a feeling she’d
never
been kissed before. The thought made him harden. It was difficult to keep his hands off of her, and he knew Ethan and Jack felt the same.

When he got home, he filled the guys in on her situation and what happened with Owen. They were ready to jump in the SUV and go hunt him down and beat the crap out of him. Jack and Ethan were more relieved she was dumping the jerk and were only too happy to be involved in plans that might help bring that about. He told them what he told her as he was leaving and asked them if they thought he might have said too much.

“How did she react?” Jack asked. “Did she cry or seem upset?”

“No, she seemed more surprised than anything. I think she’s starved for affection. The hateful things Owen said to her were more embarrassing for her because she realized I’d heard him through the window. To be humiliated within my hearing seemed more painful to her than his actual words. He must criticize her an awful lot.”

Jack nodded as he sat on the couch and put his feet up on the ottoman.

“You did right in what you told her. She needs to hear the truth, so she’ll stop believing his lies. When do you go back?”

“On Tuesday, as soon as the part comes in. She’s going to need to replace that unit soon. It’s limping along on its last leg as it is. I considered doing just that. What do you think?”

“Order it instead of the part. I’ll write the check as soon as you can tell me the amount.”

“I’ll call my supplier on Monday morning. Y’all want to split the cost evenly, tack a big red bow on it, and call it good?”

Ethan said, “Count me in, too. I’d rather do that than make her wait an extra day for the part.”

“Then it’s settled,” Adam agreed. “I’ll call the warehouse. They can probably have it to me by Monday afternoon, if we’re lucky.” He wished she didn’t have to wait even that long.

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“I gotta say,” Jack said, “I don’t mind spending the money to see her happy and comfortable in her own home, but I hope we’re lucky enough to have her living under our roof some day.”

39

“Clear your schedules, boys,” Adam said Monday evening when they gathered around the dinner table. “Our lady is ready to clean house and needs some muscle.”

“Hot damn!” Jack responded enthusiastically.

“Hell yeah!” Ethan added.

“I wish we could go over there now. I offered to, but she said to wait until tomorrow after she gets off work,” Adam said, in the mood to go and hunt the little prick down that night. When he talked to Grace earlier in the day, she’d told him Owen still had not come home. “That son of a bitch won’t know what hit him.”

Angel chuckled and responded, “Man, I would hate to be in that idiot’s shoes come tomorrow if he’s got all three of you after him.” Jack had brought home some thick sirloins from the meat market to grill that evening, and Angel had come over to join them.

Adam turned to Angel. “Where is your woman, Angel?”

“Pouting.”

“Pouting? Why?” Adam wondered what was wrong now. Angel’s woman, Patricia, seemed to pout an awful lot these days.

“She’s still mad at Ethan and me, I suppose. It’s the same shit as last time. She thinks by pouting she will change our minds. She went with her friends to The Dancing Pony. She probably thought you were up there working tonight, Ethan.”

“Is she still after y’all for what I think she’s after y’all for?” Jack asked, shaking his head.

“She heard Ethan shared a woman with y’all, and she still wants a threesome with him and me.”

Adam cringed, grateful he wasn’t in on that deal.

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Jack joined them at the table and said, “I hope that blows over quick because if things work out for us like we hope they do, we’re going to have someone new under our roof real soon.”

“What do you mean?” Angel asked.

“You remember Grace Stuart? From Harper’s Embroidery?”

“Of course. How could I forget
her
? Are you seeing her? The three of you?” At their nods, Angel sighed and shook his head.

“What?” Jack asked.

Angel laughed and said, “I knew I should have asked her out when I had the chance. Now, knowing her nature, she’ll never notice another man ever again.”

“What about her nature?” Jack asked.

“She’s loyal and submissive,” Angel said as he opened his beer and sat down at the table with Jack. “Have you seen how that chump treats her?”

“Don’t even get us started about that asshole,” Adam replied derisively.

“She has a strong loyal streak,” Angel continued. “If she becomes yours and you treat her the way she deserves, she’ll never stray from you or be unfaithful. Does she know all of you are interested in her in that way?”

Jack shook his head. “No, we haven’t talked to her about it, but there is definitely chemistry there. We want to see if it might work for her.”

“What do you mean by submissive, Angel? Like she’s a doormat?”

Adam asked, a little offended by that notion.

Angel shook his head. “No, not at all. Lots of people are confused by that word. I’m surprised Ethan hasn’t said anything about it.”

Ethan shrugged as he seasoned the steaks at the kitchen counter. “It was obvious in her demeanor when she brought the food. She puts the needs of others over herself, and she likes to be of service. Though she’s not happy with him, she places a high value on being a loyal girlfriend. I don’t see her as a doormat, but who hasn’t found themselves in a situation where they lived with the status quo for a while? I think she probably was attracted to Owen in the beginning because he sounds dominant. Unfortunately, he’s dominant in a bad way. It will take time to draw it out of her because she’s been hurt, but I have an inkling that she sees the same quality in us but in a positive way. That’s why she’s responding so strongly to us.”

Turning to Adam, Angel said, “Being submissive doesn’t mean she’s going to allow you to walk all over her or push her around, although you

41

might be
surprised
where her limits truly are when she’s in the hands of someone she can trust. Considering the arrangement you guys are hoping for, gaining her trust should be your only goal right now. Show her that any loyalty and trust she puts in you won’t be betrayed.”

“Is your mom submissive? Is that why your mom and dads have stayed together happily for so many years?” Ethan asked.

Angel had shared with them over the years about his rather unorthodox upbringing. His mother was wife to three husbands. Angel and his brothers thought of the three as their fathers, and all three husbands claimed them equally. In the nearby town, they were careful that she was seen as the wife of only the eldest of the three brothers, and only close friends and relations knew the truth about their family.

“No, but my dads
wish
she was! She’s mellowed over the years, but she doesn’t have a submissive bone in her body. She still makes them pay if she doesn’t get her way, but she loves them all just as hard. They spoil her like crazy, but they taught her early on to not try to play them against each other.”

“What do you mean ‘taught her’?” Adam asked, though he had a feeling he knew the answer.

“She wanted something really bad. I don’t recall what it was, if they ever told me to begin with, and when one of them refused her, she tried to play the others against him to get it. He found out about her game, and he spanked her for it. She tried that several more times but eventually learned to not do that again. She’s very stubborn.”

“Your dads spanked your mother?” Adam asked, cringing at the thought of it.

“A few times in the beginning until she learned she couldn’t manipulate them into getting her own way.”

“How did that go over?” Jack asked.

“Well, I wasn’t there, as you can imagine, but the rare times they have ever talked about it in front of me, she always blushes and shushes them, but…not like she’s embarrassed. I have a feeling whichever dad spanked her did it in such a way that she learned her lesson the hard way but enjoyed the process. Know what I mean?”

There was a collective groan around the table.

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“So, submissive is a good thing?” Adam asked, a little relieved. How Angel described his mother didn’t sound like Grace at all.

“Yes, as opposed to being manipulative or controlling. It’s taken her a while to get around to dumping her boyfriend, but that goes back to her being loyal. She’s hung on until there is no hope left. And now you lucky assholes get to swoop in and be her saviors.”

“So, Ethan, how is it that you know so much about Dominance and submission and we never knew that about you?” Jack asked, grinning at Ethan.

Adam snickered when Ethan turned to Jack and pointed a finger at him.

“If you’re imagining me in a black patent bodysuit and whip, you need to stop, asshole. I have an acquaintance that comes in the club every so often that knows a little about it. He made a remark about a conversation he overheard between me and an employee at the club and pointed out that I had Dom tendencies but a ‘caring and considerate’ personality, ideal qualities for a good Dom. I was curious about the subject, and he answered my questions. I’m not interested in living the lifestyle, but it’s always good to be self-aware, right? He comes in from time to time and we talk. It’s very intriguing.” Ethan opened another round of beers.

Adam arched an eyebrow, unable to resist commenting. “But not
intriguing
as in you’d like to pop our asses with a riding crop and ride us on the lawn right? Because we’d have to kill you and hide your body. It would be messy, and the police would get involved.” He laughed and tipped the bottle to his lips as the others joined him.

“Sorry, guys, you can keep dropping hints, but you’re just not my type.

Assholes.” Ethan laughed. “Have a little respect. Not all Doms go around dressed in leather, ready to wield a whip. There’s way more to it than that.”

“How did you know he knew something about that stuff, Angel?” Adam asked.

“Patricia overheard one of their conversations at The Dancing Pony.

That’s when all the damn talk about a threesome with Ethan started.” Angel rubbed a hand on his face. “I guess she figured one kink was as good as another.”