Owned Forever (12 page)

“Promise me, regardless of all this stuff”—she extended her hand, circling the empty air, as if that encompassed her whole relationship with Grant and Daniel—“I’ll still get at least a few grandchildren.”

Kate smiled. It wasn’t exactly how she’d describe her relationship. But she’d give her mother this one. She’d come far in only an hour. They’d work on classifications on her next visit.

She nodded. “I don’t know when we’ll be ready, but we’ve already talked a little about it.” Some of their triad was more focused on kids than others.

For the moment, Kate was happy with just her men. Happy she’d soon be married to Daniel. Happy to be mastered by Grant. But one day, she hoped there’d be more than just the three of them. “I think I can guarantee there will be at least a few grandkids for you and Gale to spoil.” If Grant had his way, there’d be a whole dozen of them. Kate might be submissive, but she was prepared to put her foot down on that idea.

“I know I won’t be the same kind of grandmother Gale will, but I want some time with my grandchildren.” Her mother looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

Was it possible her mother felt inadequate? Was that what the dinner fight had really been about? It had never crossed Kate’s mind before.

Her entire childhood, her mother always seemed like the most confident woman Kate had ever known. She’d never acted like she wanted to be another one of those mothers. The kind that baked brownies, sewed Halloween costumes and ran the Girl Scout troop. She’d always been unapologetic about what she wanted. Maybe Kate had painted her the wrong way too. Maybe Kate wasn’t the only one in the family that had kept a few secrets.

It’s true her mother would never be a grandmother like Gale. She wouldn’t bake cookies or get up in the middle of the night to soothe a colicky baby the way Kate envisioned Gale would be a part of her children’s lives. But her mother had other skills to impart to their children. She’d take them to the theater and ballet. She’d teach them how to appreciate art and fine dining. Not to mention they’d love to visit her house in Dallas with the large in-ground pool and waterfall. They wouldn’t find anything like that on the ranch.

“How about we make a deal?” Kate slipped into the negotiating persona she’d learned from watching her father over the last twenty-eight years. “We’ll promise to come down to Dallas at least twice a year to meet and spend time with you and Dad on your own. I’m sure Gale would be happy for you to come here as often as you want, but this way, you’ll be guaranteed some alone time with Daniel, Grant and me—and any children we have.” Kate wasn’t sure how much time her parents cared about spending with Grant and Daniel, but they were a package deal.

Abruptly, her mother stood up and walked across the room. Kate’s heart sank. She’d really thought she’d been getting somewhere. For the first time in her life, Kate believed she’d made an honest connection with her mother. She saw her mother for the person she was, with flaws and insecurities. Kate pulled in a shaky breath. Just like her childhood, what she wanted was beyond her reach.

“I have to call your father,” her mother declared from the other side of the room. Rifling through her purse, she picked up her cell phone from the small bag. She slid her fingers across the screen as she selected the number she needed and set it to dial. “We need to get him back here before he buys those tickets.” She smiled over at Kate. “We have a wedding to go to.”

Kate looked up at her, surprised.
Did I hear that right?
Her mother was coming back to the farm. Her father would walk her down the aisle. They’d be a part of the lives of the children Daniel, Grant and she made together.

“That’s right.” Kate grinned, standing up from the bed, and racing to the door. She had some beauty rest to get and two gorgeous dates she couldn’t wait to meet. And a wonderful life to start with the support of her family.

* * * *

A knock sounded at his door and Daniel’s stomach clenched.

“Who is it?” he called, hoping for any name but one. His little wife-to-be was good at a lot of things, but following the rules wasn’t one of them.

“Don’t worry. It’s me.” Grant opened the door and walked into his room without any more invitation. He was dressed in his tux. His long hair was slicked back, ready for the wedding. His tie hung limp from around his neck, undone.

He didn’t look comfortable in the attire at all, almost like a dog in a hat. He might look good in it—Daniel couldn’t judge that on a man, especially not his own brother—but he shifted around awkwardly, showing just how uncomfortable he was.

Yet the sight of his brother in the get-up had Daniel sucking in a breath. This was real. He was getting married. Today.

“Kate went to the hair salon with her mom and ours. They should be gone for a couple hours.”

“Thanks.” Daniel’s gut released a bit. One less thing to worry about, freeing up room in his mind for the other million concerns running through his head. He was getting married in only three hours. He’d be crazy if he wasn’t a little nervous, right?

“Mom said you could help me with this.” He picked up the loose ends of his bow tie. Daniel smiled. There probably weren’t a lot of reasons for Grant to wear a bow tie on the ranch. Thankfully, Daniel had a little experience from a few formal events back in Dallas.

“Sure”—Daniel motioned him closer—“I can help you out.”

Grant smiled, striding to where Daniel stood. Daniel grabbed the ends of the tie, twisting them together into a knot and pulling the loops through.

“Thanks, man.”

“What are brothers for?” If anyone pushed the limits of that definition, it was the two of them. He didn’t think most brothers were for fucking the same woman, but most men never met a woman as amazing as Kate.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Grant looked up at him from his hunched over position as Daniel tightened the bow around his neck. “After all, I am the best man, sort of.” They hadn’t declared titles. No one was standing up with him and Kate at the altar, besides Grant, who was officiating the ceremony. But if there was anyone who could call himself the best man, it was Grant. In some ways, he was the best man and maid of honor.

“No.” Daniel shook his head. “Nothing I can think of.”

“Are you nervous?”

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “I guess. A little. Wouldn’t you be?” The words came out of his mouth before he even realized them. Grant would never be in his position. He was as committed to Kate as Daniel would be, regardless of what the law said.

“Yeah. Especially in our situation. You’re not just committing to Kate out there. You’re committing to me too—and all we do together.”

Daniel nodded, releasing his brother with a completed straight bowtie. “But I’ve been committed to you my whole life.”

“I’m not talking about being born into the same family.” Grant laughed, straightening his back. His fingers traced the bow tie, exploring the knot with a little fascination. “This is different.”

Daniel nodded. That was true.

“I want you to know. I heard what you said last night. I want you to feel included. I don’t want us to ever be just two men that happen to love the same woman. We’re a family, in every way that counts.”

“Thanks, man.” That might have been the nicest thing Grant had ever said to him.

“And I also want you to know that I appreciate you being here. Not just because you brought Kate here, but for all you’ve done. The ranch is pulling in the biggest profit it has in years, and that’s all because of you. It’s nice to have someone to count on, someone to work with around here…since Dad passed.”

Daniel’s chest tightened so hard he had trouble drawing in breath. They didn’t talk about their father’s death much or the hole in their lives and the farm his passing had created. But as hard as his death had been on Daniel, he knew it was doubly difficult for Grant. They’d worked together every day, eaten dinner together every night and spent almost every moment between together. Daniel was grateful he could ease some of the pressure of his brother’s shoulders. After all, that’s what brothers did. “Thank you. I’m happy to be here too.”

“You’re welcome, buddy.” Grant popped him in the shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

He turned around, walking back to the bedroom door.

“Hey, Grant,” he called after his brother.

Grant turned toward him, a big smile on his face. “Thought of something already?”

Not exactly.
“You know that plan we have for tonight?”

Grant nodded, his stance straightened at the mention of the treats they’d bought for Kate. The Dom in him rising to the surface.

“Do you think we could change them, just a little bit?”

His brother looked down, scratching his chin. “I guess so. What did you want to change?”

“I think we need to incorporate a little bit more of what I’m good at into our plans.”

Grant smiled. “I think we can do that. In the spirit of togetherness.” Grant stepped back into the room and sat down on the edge of his bed, staring up at Daniel with interest. “What did you have in mind?”

Oh, he had a lot in mind. For tonight and for the rest of their lives.

Chapter Ten

Daniel, Kate and Grant walked up the stairs to their little house arm in arm. The ceremony had been beautiful. Grant had given a stirring speech about the love she and Daniel had for each other while the sun set behind them. Daisies and pink roses breezed from the archway about their head. Her parents had stayed through the whole service. They didn’t appear thrilled to be sitting on bales of hay, but they hadn’t complained. She’d even thought her father had tears in his eyes when they’d said goodbye.

Their relationship had come a long way this weekend. And though she knew it wasn’t perfect and there would be issues in the future, Kate was more hopeful for the future than she had been a week ago.

“Are you happy, my blushing bride?” Daniel smiled at her with a big grin.

She rubbed her hand across his cheek, and he nuzzled further into her palm. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, husband.”

“Good.” He pulled her close, kissing her completely. Behind her, Grant brushed his fingers across her shoulders. His touch was a heady accent to the already-drugging kiss.

Daniel picked her up, holding her tight to his chest. She leaned her head against his shoulder while Grant opened the door, ushering them into their home. Kate kissed Daniel’s neck as they walked across the threshold and into their new lives, together.

“Welcome home, sweetheart,” Daniel whispered in her ear, and her stomach fluttered.

She smiled. Home. She liked that.

She turned her head, studying the room with amazement. While they’d been busy preparing for the big day, Grant had finished up the last touches on their home. She’d been here only two days ago, yet somehow, the place looked completely different. The walls had been painted, the couch, table and chairs were placed in their respective spots in the living area, and a few pictures had been hung on the walls.

It wasn’t much, but it was all theirs. She’d never lived anywhere so beautiful.

“Good job, bro. It looks fantastic.” At her right, Daniel stared around the room, taking in all the changes Grant had made in the last day along with her. His hand never leaving hers.

“Like your new home, honey?” Grant tangled his fingers through the hair flowing down her back. Each pull on the strands sent shivers through her whole body.

She looked over at him, surprised by the apprehension in his eyes. How could he not know how much she loved their place? Every part of it. Because her men had built it for her. Together.

She nodded. “I love it.”

“I’m glad. It looks like we’ll be living in your divine pleasure for some time.”

Kate laughed out loud. “Damn right, you will.”

Grant stepped toward her. A dangerous hungry look in his eyes set her body flaming. Her stomach knotted and her pussy dampened. She knew what that glare meant. And she was more than ready for it.

His hand cupped around her cheek, directing her gaze up to his. He conveyed power in his every look, every touch, in every breath he took.

“Ready for your special surprise?” His rusty tone sent shivers through her whole body and her clit ached.
Oh yeah.
She was so damn anxious she might combust.

Kate nodded. “Yes, Master.” She’d been looking forward to this for months. From the hints Grant had dropped, she had some idea what lay beyond that door. All his gentle nudges about how he planned to spank her, bind her, all the different positions he planned to fuck her in. Her body burned at the thought of it.

“Good girl.” Grant smiled back, spreading his legs out a little farther, strengthening his stance. Her eyes dropped down to the distinctive ridge rising up below his belt buckle and sucked in a deep breath. She wasn’t the only one was desperate and needy.

“What do you think, bro?” He turned next to his brother, who held a similarly wolfish grin.

Daniel’s dark eyes scanned up and down her body, creating a whole new set of goosebumps across her skin. “Let’s go.”

In one quick movement, Grant scooped her up into his arms, lifting her into the air. Kate screamed at the sudden movement, wrapping her arms around his neck, more startled than anything else. She never doubted her safety. Grant would never hurt her, the bad way, on purpose.

He held her tight, keeping her cuddled up close to his chest. One hand picked her up from beneath her knees and the other tightened around her shoulders. She nuzzled into the hollow of his neck, nipping at his throat. He released a little grunt as he stepped up to the bedroom with Daniel trailing close behind.

In front of them loomed the closed bedroom door. The room she hadn’t been allowed to enter since they’d taken over the house for their own. Her body practically vibrated at the idea of walking through that archway and exploring all the treats waiting for her inside.

“Ready for your big surprise, pet?”

Kate nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve been waiting for this for a month, Master. I’m more than ready.”