Her Heart-Stealing Cowboys [Hellfire Ranch 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (18 page)

Wade winced at the flat command in Tag’s voice but his heart pounded in his chest like an out-of-control locomotive.

“Fine,” she said in exasperation. “I was seven and in school. Public school. Father wanted me to have a normal upbringing.” She licked her lips and a tremor drifted through her.

Wade picked up her hand and rubbed lightly. “It’s okay, Bex. We’re right here.”

She nodded but he could tell by the look in her eyes she was far away. “It was a normal day. Perfectly fine. School had just let out. My teacher, Mrs. Wilson was in the room. I was putting my books in my bag and talking to Betsy Skillman. She was my best friend. Two boys, Roger and Jim, were in the room, too. The door burst opened and a man charged inside. Mrs. Wilson told him to leave.” She swallowed again.

Tag picked up her cup and gave it to her. “Drink some. It’ll help.”

Her smile was sweet but still distant. Wade lifted a brow but Tag shook his head as he rubbed her back.

“Better?” Tag asked. He took the cup and put it back on the table.

“Yes, thanks.” She rubbed her palms on her jeans. “He didn’t go. He was wild. Yelling. Betsy started to cry. Jim and Roger ran to the coat closet.”

“What did you do?” Tag asked gently.

She snorted. “I marched up to him and asked him if he needed help. Mrs. Wilson ran forward. I remember she’d just put her hands on my shoulders when he hit her in the face. She fell on the floor. He grabbed me by the arm and shook me. Asked me where her purse was. Told me to give him my money. I gave him my two dollars and said I didn’t know where her purse was.” Her expression was wistful. “I did, though. And he knew it. He slapped me and told me he’d keep doing that until I told him. So I did.”

She said the last in such a tortured whisper that Wade’s heart twisted and broke for her. He hugged her in a tight-one armed grip.

“It’s okay. You were just a baby.”

She leaned her head to his throat and sighed deeply then pushed away.

“He took her purse then headed for Betsy demanding her money. I knew she didn’t have any. Her family was poor. I started screaming then. I kicked him and ran away then started turning over desks so he couldn’t come any closer. I pulled Betsy to me and tried to get into the closet but the boys had it locked. The man was yelling as he came closer. I knew he was going to kill us.” Her tremors increased. “I shoved Betsy down and lifted my fists like I’d seen on TV. But then the janitor appeared in the doorway and started hollering. Pretty soon a couple of other teachers showed up and subdued him. The police came and took him away.” She stopped talking but not shaking.

Wade kissed her temple and stroked her hair. Tag muttered under his breath and continued to caress her hand.

Rebecca sighed and the tremors eased. “He was just a junkie looking to score some cash for a quick high.”

“What the hell kind of security did that school have?” Tag demanded. “Sounds like shit.”

She blinked then smiled. “Back then schools didn’t have to worry about keeping people out. We didn’t have metal detectors and security guards and drug-sniffing dogs. It was just a normal school.”

“What did your dad do?” Wade asked.

She rolled her eyes. “He enrolled me in self-safety classes and martial arts. He also had a special alarm created for me. It was a cross between a safety whistle, mace, and what is now a GPS locator. Back then, it was just a radio signal that was unique to the alarm.”

Tag whistled. “That’s a smart man.”

“Are you a black belt in any discipline?” Wade asked.

She shrugged. “No, I got bored and quit after a couple of months. But by then I knew enough to get away safely if I had to. And I had the alarm.” She lifted one slim shoulder. “Actually, lots of people have it now. When he realized what a safety measure it could be for other kids and their parents, my dad had it mass produced and sold.”

“Wait a minute,” Tag said. He leaned forward and stared at her. “Is your father Joseph Lyons, of LyonSafe Products?”

She ducked her head. “Guilty,” she said softly.

Tag whistled. “Damn. That’s impressive. Your father’s company has a huge reach in the world of personal alarm products. He’s done a lot of good things.”

“Yes, he has. But after that day—” She hesitated. “After that day he tried to hold me a little too tightly. He wouldn’t let me grow up, you know what I mean?”

“He smothered you?” Tag asked.

“He was just looking out for your safety,” Wade said.

She looked from one to the other. Another shadow lurked in her bottomless green eyes but Wade didn’t probe. “Okay, so back to your college meeting with Boone,” he said lightly. “Tell us about that. And crazy,” he said teasingly.

Her grateful smile did funny things to his insides. Warmth and tenderness swelled within him and he wanted to scoop her up and hold her tightly to him.

“I stayed holed up in my room most of the time during college. Boone was a year ahead of me and dating my roommate. He came to pick her up but she was gone.” Rebecca tugged on her ponytail. She had a wistful look on her face. “We were both at loose ends, so we went out for coffee. We laughed and talked and got to know each other better.”

Tag shifted restlessly on the couch. Wade shot him a “settle-down” glare over her head. Tag rolled his eyes.

“I heard about a party some of the frat guys were throwing and I wanted to go,” she continued. “Boone tried to put his foot down and forbid me.” She snorted and crossed her arms. “Idiot. He caved and declared I could go only if he went with me. We had a lot of fun. Lots of drinking and lots of crazy games like truth or dare and strip poker.” She smiled slyly up at Tag. “Boone is a horrible poker player but he never seemed to lose his underwear.”

Tag frowned. “You sound disappointed.”

She tipped her head to the side as though contemplating. “Nah,” she finally said. “By then we knew we’d never be more than friends. He was my best friend, actually. You should feel sorry for him.”

“Why?” Wade asked.

“I never had any close girlfriends and he became my surrogate. I poured out every angsty, emo teenage thought I had pent up and then some. I’d get drunk and start blabbing about my dad, my life, my nonexistent friends and then…the big one. My sex life. Or lack of it. I told Boone all of my fantasies and desires and what I wanted to do and have done to me.”

She blushed again and surged forward to grab her cup. She rose and headed for the fireplace.

“What did he do about it?” Wade asked.

Her shrug was imperceptible and he wished she would turn around so he could see her expression.

“Bex?” Tag said. “What did he do?”

She finally faced them. “He guided me. At first he tried to talk me out of all of it. And he succeeded in some areas. I don’t have any tattoos.”

Her gaze lingered on Wade’s chest and he could feel her warmth against him. He tamped his instant reaction.

“Though after seeing yours, I’m reconsidering. It all boils down to one simple fact. Boone kept me safe. He knew me by then. Really knew me. Knew how stubborn and determined I was. If I wanted something then there was little to be done to talk me out of it.” She pushed back a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail. “To be honest, I’m surprised I didn’t end up pregnant, diseased, or dead. Or all three. That I didn’t is solely thanks to Boone.”

“You make him sound like a saint,” Tag muttered.

She laughed. The low, throaty sound ricocheted through Wade’s body and centered on his rousing cock. He shifted on the couch.

“He’s far from it. But he helped me explore my sexual nature safely. He vetted my dates, made certain they took good care of me, saw to it I had a curfew, and they knew all the rules.”

“That’s all he did?” Tag demanded.

She nodded. “Boone is no choirboy, as I’m sure you know. He introduced me to some of the more naughty things like porn videos, peep booths, and BDSM.”

Her inhalation lifted her perfect tits and Wade saw her nipples were hard and tight against her T-shirt.

“Boone’s into S&M?” Tag choked out incredulously.

Rebecca bit her bottom lip. “Look, I don’t pry into his life. I know what I know and I’ve trusted him for years. I still do. I always will. Once I admitted to being bondage curious, he took me to a couple of private gatherings and let me watch what the lifestyle was really about.”

“Did you like it?” Wade asked.

“Yes and no,” she said. “I enjoyed watching the various scenes. Most of it was what I’d already seen in movies and read about in books. Whippings, being bound, leather, etc. But some of it was way out of my league or interest level.”

“Like what?” Wade asked.

“Like knife play, branding, being shared.” She shook her head violently. “By shared, I mean this girl was passed around like a box of chocolates to anyone who wanted her. That was the last event I attended and I put my curiosity on hold. Then Boone graduated and I went back to a more normal way of life. That’s our story. Nothing romantic about it.” Her smile was wistful and a bit sad.

“You still wanted a taste of that, didn’t you?” Wade asked.

“I did, but I ignored it.”

“Tell us some of the things that intrigued you the most,” Tag said.

Another small hesitation and pink blush. Wade couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed or excited but he suspected it was a little of both.

“I always thought I’d like some things such as being spanked and whipped. I’m curious about being bound and really letting go of control. Being forced to do something.” Her grin was self-deprecating. “As long as it’s within the play arena. If some man called me a bitch or slut in the courtroom, I’d have his ass in jail. But hold my wrists behind my back, fuck the hell out of me and call me whore, and I’m pretty sure I’ll come until I’m dry.”

Wade groaned and cupped his erect cock. “Damn, you have a way with words.”

She laughed. “Sorry. I’ve always been a bit blunt.”

Tag rose and walked to her. He took the coffee mug away and set it on the mantle. Then he cupped her face and pressed a kiss on her lips. She swayed close to his body and grabbed at his shoulders.

“I’m glad you didn’t go to bed with him,” Tag said. “But it wouldn’t have mattered now.”

Her eyes widened. “It wouldn’t?”

“Nope.”

Wade stood, eager to join them and rekindle the passion.

A phone rang and Tag groaned. “Damn it,” he said. “That’s mine. Don’t move, honey. We’re going to pick this back up.” He kissed her again. “And this time we’re gonna talk about limits.”

He strode from the room.

Rebecca looked at Wade. “What about you? Are you okay with exploring this with me?”

He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “Yeah. More than okay. I’ve dabbled in the fetish area a little bit. Nothing organized or in-depth but I have played with some crops and floggers before.”

Her mouth pursed. “You shouldn’t use those things on someone unless you know what you’re doing.”

He nodded. “Absolutely. I attended a local munch for several months before I ever attempted to play.”

Tag returned and shoved his phone into his pocket. He handed Rebecca hers with a wide grin. “That was Boone.”

Wade’s eyes widened. Rebecca grabbed at his hand. “What did he say?” she demanded.

“The blood from the jail isn’t mine.” Tag gathered them both in a tight hug. “The DNA they pulled from Fischer’s room isn’t mine. The prints aren’t mine.” He threw back his head and laughed boisterously then squished them to his big chest again. “I’m officially cleared as a suspect.”

“Tag, that’s wonderful!” Rebecca couldn’t contain her relieved elation. She had not doubted his innocence but now everyone knew. She grabbed at his face and planted a long, deep kiss on his mouth. His big palms wrapped around her waist and hauled her even closer. His mouth slid wetly along hers and his tongue probed her lips.

She opened her mouth and groaned as his tongue tangled with hers. The dark coffee taste of him melded with the sweetness of the creamer he used and the pure, masculine essence that was Taggart Cain.

He pulled back and touched his forehead to hers. She could see a wet gleam in his eyes. Her hands tightened on his waist at his show of vulnerability.

“I knew you were innocent,” she said.

“Me, too,” Wade chimed in.

Tag cleared his throat and reached out for his best friend, who went easily into his embrace. They hugged and back-slapped each other. Wide grins creased each man’s handsome face.

“We should celebrate,” Tag said.

Now that she’d spilled almost all of her secrets, Rebecca felt very open and free with them. She stepped in between them and placed a palm to each of their chests. “I have a few ideas,” she said huskily.

Tag winked. “As long as it involves us, a bed, and a lack of clothing, I’m in.”

His phone rang again before she could reply fervently in the affirmative.

“Damn,” he said with a growl. He yanked the black phone from his pocket.

Tag didn’t even have it at his ear when hers trilled the theme to
Rocky
.

“Nice,” Wade said with a chuckle.

Rebecca couldn’t quite stop the blush traveling up her cheeks. “I find it very inspiring.” She looked at the screen.
Deidre.

Her stomach tightened. It was after three in the morning. Her secretary should be home in bed and sound asleep. “Hello?”
Has something else happened?

“Can you come home?”

Her secretary’s shaky voice confirmed her fears. She turned away from Tag and Wade and lowered her voice. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes.” Deidre’s indrawn breath was shaky and tear filled. “I had a phone call about an hour ago. Someone said they left another package in the office.”

Rebecca clenched the phone tighter. “Did you call Detective Garner?”

“Yes. He’s here now.”

She heard muffled voices, but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“Are you at the office? Deidre, tell me what’s going on.”

“Okay. Just a second.”

The conversation went even quieter and Rebecca figured she’d put her hand over the receiver.