Point of Contention (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (2 page)

run. This week, she had her menus ready as well as a few small

requests. Today, she’d finally get to meet the infamous Stuart Drake,

owner of the lodge. For the two years she’d been friends with Travis

Polson, she’d heard a lot about Stuart and even seen a photograph of

him. The e-mail had been sent when the lodge was first opened and

Travis had given her his new address. His enthusiasm for the lodge

and his new job running the kitchen was apparent, the picture

reinforcing his words of his best buddy and longtime friend.

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Only the moment she saw them, their arms locked around each

other’s shoulders as they stood before the newly hung sign, Kay

realized there was something about Mr. Drake that drew her to him.

Maybe it was the dark eyes and black wavy hair that was just a bit too

long to be called conventional. Or maybe it was the close-clipped

beard that covered his cheeks and chin. Maybe it was the look of

defiance for the camera that had made her catch a breath, his

arrogance pronounced, as if he were inviting a confrontation.

Whatever it had been, a quick glance had turned her insides warm,

something that hadn’t happened to her in a long time.

A crazy thought passed through her at the time that it would be

interesting to be in the middle of those two men, sandwiched between

their solid bodies. She could almost feel the texture of their skin

against her fingers. She knew Travis had a smooth chest and decided

that Stuart would have soft curls of dark chest hair. She also assumed

the curls would lead down his belly, forming a halo of curls around

the base of his cock. She’d spent several nights using dildos and

dongs as replacements for the men’s cocks, imagining how they’d

love her. She dreamed all sorts of wonderful scenarios, imagining

how their bodies would intertwine and the logistics of their positions.

Each time, she would finish exhausted and sated from their touch.

Surprisingly, her fantasies were the one hesitation that kept

presenting itself while she mulled over the offered contract. By way

of Travis, she knew Stuart was single and had never been married.

She also knew they had been best friends since their days of the

baseball farm team they’d both played on. She’d begun to wonder if

the friends had shared women in their younger days.

Kay knew Stuart could be dangerous to her on a level she hadn’t

known before. While she’d seen chemistry in action many times, she

herself had opted for a combination of respect and friendship for her

first husband. They had dated for a long time, knew each other well,

and when the time was right, got married. What she thought was love

turned out to be companionship, and it wasn’t enough for either of

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them. She’d wanted love and lust, hot and erotic, from Eric, but what

she’d gotten was a tepid version of sexual companionship. Once the

newness and excitement of the wedding was behind them, their jobs

and day-to-day life had tarnished their existence. Three years later

Kay still wondered how she’d talked herself into marrying him. The

answer was always the same—Eric was what she thought she wanted.

Professional, yes, athletic, yes, handsome, God yes, especially with

his beach-bum attitude, blond hair, and blue eyes.

In the beginning, all he had to do was look at her with those soft

ocean blue eyes and she’d melt. Only after being together for two

years did she realize she wasn’t the only one he looked at like that.

That was his downfall in her eyes. Kay felt she was worth his full

attention and wouldn’t accept his casual dalliances, as he called them.

He claimed they meant nothing to him and were just a sexual outlet.

She drew a breath and let it out slowly, letting the image of Eric fade.

He was long gone, and she had a new life to begin. Without a second

glance, she forced herself from the mirror and took one last look

around her new home. It was clean and comfortable; the small sitting

room and larger bedroom with en suite bath more than met her needs

for the time being.

* * * *

The staff was gathering around the large table set in the windowed

alcove of the restaurant kitchen in the main lodge. Coffee was

brewing, and tea was steeping. Travis was discussing baseball with

Hoyt, the lodge’s foreman. Lisa, who ran the lodge for Stuart as his

office manager, was scanning computer printouts, a glass of cola in

front of her. Martha sat quietly with her knitting, her fingers moving

the soft wool over the needles, the metal clanking softly, keeping her

rhythm. Kay dropped her notes at the far end of the table and

disappeared to the other end of the kitchen, using the time to take a

few deep breaths for control as she organized pastries on a platter for

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presentation. She forced herself not to look up when she heard him

enter, the screen door snapping shut behind him.

“Stuart, how was your trip?”

Kay listened to the five longtime friends and employees talk with

her new boss. Grabbing a glimpse of him, she forced herself to count

to ten while she willed her hands to stop shaking. Standing in front of

the coffeemaker, the simple act of pouring the hot liquid into a mug

made her wonder what his hands might feel like against her skin. It

was a sobering thought that made her laugh aloud. “Get a grip,” she

whispered to herself before she turned to join the others. The sight of

him in a flannel shirt with the cuffs folded back and worn denims was

enough to push her over the edge. His battered boots and beyond

broken in oilskin hat completed the picture. Thankfully, he’d dropped

his hat on a counter before taking his place at the head of the table. If he’d left it on, she couldn’t guarantee swooning wouldn’t be next.

She remembered the billboard and magazine ads she’d grown up

with of the Marlboro Man. Now a younger version of that character

was standing just a few yards away, and Kay wanted to touch him.

“I’m losing my mind,” she told herself quietly, her fingers literally

itching to stroke his cheek and feel his beard. The vision that fueled

her teenage fantasies was within reach. And technically, she had no

right to think about him in any way, let alone actually approach him

on a sexual level. After all, he was her boss, and this job was

important to her. Proving she was capable of doing her new job was

important on many levels, mainly to herself.

Not disappointing Travis was high on her list. Not making a fool

of herself was higher. Starting over took courage and determination,

and she’d succeeded, so far. Losing her concentration for a

momentary tryst wasn’t wise. Best she focus on the job at hand and

forget her hormones. Besides, her cowboy fantasy man would

probably like to have a say in the matter. The idea of pleading her

case to him flashed through her mind, and she held back a confident

smile. Maybe someday she’d let her guard down, but not yet. Not

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8

until she’d proven herself. Kadence knew one thing about her own

personality—she could be a stubborn bitch when needed. And

apparently, Stuart Drake would test her resolve. She checked the

platter once more and wondered if he had a current girlfriend.

The old white Labrador that followed behind him dropped by his

side. She’d met the dog last week and was quickly becoming attached

to him, only to realize this morning he was absent from his perch on

the back stairway when she came in to start the baking. Every

morning since she’d arrived, the old hound was waiting for her, and

every morning she had an ear rub for him.

Kay moved to the far end of the seating and placed the platter of

pastries in the center, leaving to retrieve a stack of plates and napkins she’d set aside earlier. When everyone had listened to Mr. Drake’s

minimal description of his absence, she settled in beside Martha and

across from Travis. Only then did she let herself openly appraise her

boss. His beard was heavier than in the picture and his eyes darker.

His longer hair brushed his collar in a soft wave. When his left hand

moved, she followed its path to his forehead, where his fingers wove

through his hair, pulling it back from his face. Of course, that was the moment he chose to meet her eyes. For one terrifyingly long second,

she froze, forgetting to breathe. He recovered first and smiled with a

soft nod.

“I’ll assume you’re Kadence Farrell?” he asked, his voice deeper

than she expected.

“Kay is preferable,” she managed to answer without her voice

cracking.

“Welcome to Lodge, Kay. Are you settled in, anything you need?”

“Thank you, I’m fine. Martha and Lisa have been wonderful in

making me comfortable.”

“Let us know if you need anything.” Stuart caught her gaze and

didn’t elaborate any further. Instead, she watched as he looked away,

the folder in front of him a good diversion. While he talked with Hoyt

about the grounds, she tried to stop watching his hands. They were

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large hands, with strong, thick fingers. Kay felt the heat rise from her chest to her neck and onto her cheeks when she thought about how his

fingers might bring her to a release. Holding back a nervous giggle,

she rose and grabbed a coffeepot, topping off the cups on the table.

Composed by the time she’d finished, Kay forced herself to not look

in his direction. She became very interested in her notes, reinforcing

the importance of her job.

They were given a rundown on next week’s guests, and their wish

lists were circulated. It was a practice Travis had started when he took the job as main chef. Since the lodge was so secluded, each group of

guests was forwarded a questionnaire in advance of their arrival. It

helped to design the meals for their stay as well as head off any minor

or major disasters. Peanuts were one such disaster, depending on the

degree of allergy. Alcohol was another. Some groups preferred a dry

week, while others preferred an all-out vacation bash for their time at

the lodge. Dislikes were strictly adhered to, and Travis was currently

laughing at the fact that he’d never had a chance to cook liver and

onions for a group yet. Even Kay made a face at his remark, her

stomach clenching at the idea of liver, the smell of it cooking making

her shudder.

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Chapter Two

Stuart listened to Travis talk, but watched Kay from under his

lashes. He saw her visibly pale when liver was discussed and held

back a smile. A woman he could love, he thought, then quickly

dismissed the idea from his mind. Today, she looked different to him.

Gone was the severe hairdo. Instead, her sable locks fell in soft waves

around her shoulders, reaching to her waist. Her brown eyes seemed

tinged with gold rims as the sun teased through the window before

her. Worst of all, her voice got to him on a gut level. She reminded

him of a blues singer, all gravelly voiced, low and strong with a hint

of sex thrown in. Her laugh was sultry and honest, no high-pitched

squeals here, just a smooth roll of sound.

She was rapidly getting on his last nerve just sitting there when

she rose from her seat and reached to the platter, handing it to Travis

to choose from. In doing so, her T-shirt pulled against her breasts,

outlining her full shape as it smoothed to a slim waist. He hardened

immediately and looked away, only to see Travis watching her, too.

And there was the rub. Reminding himself that she was his best

friend’s dream woman, he pulled the meeting back to order. When all

the business was winding down and he thought to slip away, Kay

broke in before they would disband.

“I have two quick questions.” All eyes were instantly on her, and

he watched as she swallowed hard, the instant acknowledgment and

embarrassment turning her cheeks pink. “The patch of land just

outside the back kitchen entrance, Travis mentioned it was designated

as a garden. Whose toes would I be stepping on if I wanted to throw

in a few seeds?” Everyone looked to another and back to her, none

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taking responsibility.

“I told her if she wanted the space I don’t see a problem,” Hoyt

started, “but in all honesty I don’t have time to put a man on it.”

“I told her the same thing. You know me and getting dirt under

my nails.” Travis added, “Motor oil is a different subject.” He smiled

and glanced at Lisa, and she only nodded to him, their private joke not

shared with the rest of the group.

“I’ll take responsibility for the garden.” Straightening in her seat,

she added, “I’d just like to put a few rows of herbs and maybe some

tomatoes for sauce. Would that be a problem?”

“I don’t see it being a major hassle,” Stuart started and then turned

to Hoyt. “How much time would it take to keep it up if she got it