AWantonWoman:

MailOrderBrideofSlateSprings

ByVanessaVale

©2016Vane ssaVale ,Bridge rMe dia

Allrightsre se rve d.

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TOWNNOTICE:

Passed by unanimous vote of the town council, September 16, 1885, law 642. The Marriage Law.

Because of deficient numbers of women in the area, it is now legal within the city of Slate Springs,
Coloradoandthesurroundingareas,fortwoormorementolegallywedonewoman.Allceremonies
willbe performed bythe Justice ofthe Peace and willbe considered validand legally binding until
deathuponthebrideorboth/allhusbands.

Signed,
LukeTate
TownMayor

CHAPTERONE

Celia

Tyler,Texas

September1885

Itwastoohottobeoutside.Although,itwastoohottobeindoorsaswell.Thesummerheathadyetto

diminishandthegroundwashardpackedandbonedry.Iglancedupandsquinted.Therewasn’tacloud
inthesky.Nowaytoshieldmyself—besidesmystrawhat—fromthesun.Mydress,withthehighneck
and long sleeves, was stifling. Sweat soaked the back of my corset and I longed to strip off the excess
layersofclothingforjustmyshift.

It had been a long day. John’s office hours were in the mornings on Tuesdays and he’d had several

patientswaitingwhenwearrivedateight.Myhusbandwasn’ttheonlydoctorintown,butpeoplecame
longdistancesifailingenoughandtherewasenoughbusinessforallthreeofthem.Today’sailmentshad
includedanimpactedtooth,acolickyinfant,acaseofpneumoniaandabrokenfinger.Whenheleftfor
lunch,Iwasleftbehindtocleanupandsendthosewhoarrivedafterthenoonhour—whenJohnwentto
thehotel’srestauranttoeathismeal—inthedirectionoftheothertwodoctors.Hewasveryprecise,very
strictinhisroutineanddidnotvaryfromit.

Whilehespenthisafternoonathishomeoffice—alwayswiththedoorclosedsoasnottobedisturbed

—Ioftenwenttothehousesofthosewhohadbeenseen,checkingonthem,tendingtothem.Specifically
thewomenpatients.Noneofthemen,foritwouldnotbeappropriate.Iwasn’tevensupposedtovisitthe
ladies, but who else would? Not John, for if they did not appear in his office, injury apparent, or have
moneytopayforahousecall,hewasnotinterested.

And so I spent my afternoon tending to the sick, rocking babies, even washing a few dishes. John

laughedatmypedestrianafternoonactivity,alwaystellingmeIwasloweringmyselftosuchtedium.But
wasIsupposedtosithomeandreadandneedlepoint?Icouldnotsupportsuchastagnantlife.

AndsothatwaswhyIstoodinMrs.Borden’skitchen,scrubbingapot.Iblewawaywardcurloffmy

face,butitclungtothesweatonmybrow.Justdeliveringherthirdchild,shewasinbedrecoveringwith
twoyoungonesclimbingoverherandthenewbornwhileherhusbandwenttoworkinthecottonfields.

As I moved on to clean the previous night’s dinner dishes, she called from the bedroom. “It will be

yourturnsoonandIwillcomeandhelpyou.”

Ipausedinmyscrubbingandlookeddownatmyflatstomach.No,therewouldbenoturnforme.No

children;Johnwasaveryindependentsort,andexpectedmetobeaswell.IknewwhenImarriedhim
that he wanted a helpmeet, not a coddler. I’d been well and fine with that, for I’d been raised by stern
parentswhodidnotdote.Iknewnootherway.Iwouldhavebeenunaccustomedtoamanwhohugged
andlavishedmewithaffection.

Butinthepastfiveyears,I’dgrowntochangemymind.Watchingothercoupleswhowereblatantlyin

love—liketheBordens—provedthatIhadmissedsomething,andwouldneverseeitinmyownunion.
Withoutchildrentotend,mylifewasempty.Iwasempty.ToJohn,Iwasofficiallybarren.Officiallynota
truewife,forIcouldnotfulfilltheonedutythathecouldnotaccomplishonhisown.

Andso,forlornandoverheated,Ireturnedhome,forgoinganyotherafternoonvisits.Closingthefront

doorbehindme,InoticedthatJohn’sofficedoorwasopen.Odd,forheneverappearedbeforefive.AsI
removedmyhatandplaceditonthetablebesidethedoor,Iheardvoicesfromupstairs.Murmuring,then
asigh.Awoman’scry.

IglancedupasifIcouldseethroughtheceiling.Iknewwhatitwas.Whoitwas.AtleastIknewitwas

John and a woman. A rhythmic thumping followed. They were fucking. In my bed. John barely touched
me,soIknewhetookhisneedstosomeoneelse.Abrothelorawidow,someonewhohefeltworthyof

his desires. But he’d never slaked these needs in our own home. While I doubted he loved me, he
respectedmeenoughtokeephiswomenseparatefromme.Untilnow.

“Yes!Rightthere.Harder.”
My eyes widened at the carnality of the woman’s words, the desperate tone. While angry he would

flaunt his behavior in such a way, I was also curious. Curious as to what John did to make her so
satisfied.I’dnevercriedoutlikethatbefore.Ever.

I tiptoed up the stairs, careful to avoid the creaky fourth step. The bedroom door was closed, so I

slippedintotheotherbedroomthathadanadjoiningdoor.Meantforanursery,itsatunused.ButIknew
thedoorwasopenaboutafoottoallowforairtocirculateandcouldeasilywatch.AndthatwaswhereI
stood, behind the connecting door, and observed my husband in bed with a woman. I did not recognize
her,forherpalehairwasunboundandcoveredherface.Shewasalsonaked,onherhandsandkneeswith
herwristsrestrainedandtiedtothemetalscrollworkoftheheadboardwithmydressing gown tie. The
garmentitselflayforgottenonthefloorbesidetheheapoftheirdiscardedclothing.

Johnwasbehindher,nakedtoo,andfuckingher.Hishandsgrippedherhipsashetookherforcefully,

thesoundofhishipsslappingagainstherupturnedbottomfilledtheair.

“Isthathardenough?”hegrowled,themusclesinhisneckcordedandtense.
She tossed her head and her grip turned white on the bed rails. Her breasts, which were very large,

swungwitheachthrust.ItwascarnalanddarkanddecadentandI’dneverseenJohnlikethis.Hewaslost
todesire,losttothepowerhehadoverthewoman.Neverso…overcomebyhisbaserneeds.Whenever
hetookme,hewasquietandpassive,hishipsshiftingenoughforhiscocktomoveinandoutforhimto
releasehisseed.

Hesmackedherbottom,thecrackofitmakinghercryout.Shegroaned,butitwasnotinpain.“You’re

such a slut, letting me take you like this. You need it, don’t you? Your husband thinks it’s hysteria that
makesyouafrustratedwife,butyou’rejustawhorethatneedsabigcock.”

“Yes!” she cried again. This was what I was supposed to look like while being fucked? Wild and

wantonandinthethroesofpleasuresointenseIlovedhavingmybottomsmacked?

I’dneverheardhimspeakinsuchawaybefore,hiswordssobluntandcruel.Hisvoicewasrough-

edged, not the flat, even tone to which I was accustomed. He’d never spoken to me in such a fashion,
nevergrippedmewithsuchintent,neverfuckedmethatwayeither.Ihadn’tevenknownyoucould.

ButIwasnotlikethiswoman.Herfigurewasunlikemine.Shewastallandlean,withaveryample

bosomandasmallbehind.Iwaspetiteandcurvy,roundhipsandbottomandyetmybreastsweremuch
smaller.Hadhechosenhertofuckbecauseshewastheantithesisofme?Didherappearancebringabout
thischangeinhim?WasIthatlacking?Ihadtoassumetheanswerwasyes.

Johnonlytookmeatnightwhenitwasdark,thesoftlightofthelanternbesidethebedcastingasoft

glowtotheroom.Therewasnotalking.Hejustpressedmeontomyback,workedmynightgownupashe
spreadmylegsandpushedinsidemewithoutanypreamble.Hedidbreathehard,butonlywhenhespent
hisseed,theexertionfromitmildincomparisontothevigorheappliednow.Heneverperspired,never
groaned.Whendone,he’dtugmynightgownbackdown,pullthecoversovermeandrolloverontohis
sidetosleep.Iwouldbesoreandunfulfilled,seedstickyonmythighsandthebedbeneathme.

This woman, she was not unfulfilled. The way she shifted and circled her hips, the way her skin

glowedwithasheenofperspiration,thewayshewaspantingandchantingyes,yes,yesover and over
again,itwasquiteobviousthatshewasenjoyingherself.I’dneverenjoyedmyselfwithJohn,neverfelt
the same abandon, the obvious desire this woman did at my husband’s hands, or cock. The way she
moaned her release, her body tensing even as John continued to pound into her, I knew now I’d never
comebefore.

I was more upset at being cheated of this kind of deep and dark—and pleasurable—connection

between two people than the fact that my husband was sharing it with someone else. I’d known of his

philanderingforsometime,butnotwhohediditwith,orwhere.I’dcertainlynotexpectedthis.

I wanted this. I wanted someone to tangle their fingers in my hair and yank my head back. I wanted

someone to take me hard from behind. I wanted a man’s handprint to be a bright pink on my bottom. I
wantedpassion.

Thefrontdoorslammed,whichmademejump.
“Marie!”Aman’svoicebellowedfrombelow.
John’smotionsstilled,hiscockdeepinsidethewomanasshewhippedherheadtowardthedoor.Her

eyeswidenedinsurpriseandpanic.

“It’smyhusband!”shehissed,butcouldn’tmove,tiedasshewastothebedandJohnbehindher.
The man came up the steps, his heavy tread sounding as if he took them two at a time. The bedroom

doorswungsoharditslammedintothewall.Ijumpedandgasped,thenbitmylip.Abigmanstoodinthe
doorway.Dressedinasuitandtie,hishairwasslickedbackwithsweat,beadsofitdrippingdownhis
temples.Hewasbreathinghard,asifhe’drunallthewayacrosstown.Hewasn’tafarmeroralaborer,
but a well-to-do man. The cut of his clothes was telling, and John wouldn’t have taken a low-class
mistress. But a married one? This man was scorned. The gun in his hands proved that and I bit my lip
againtostiflethepanicthatwantedtoslipout.Provedthathewasalittleinsane,too.Madwithjealousy?
I felt ridiculed and ashamed at being tossed aside. I could only imagine this man’s rage at being
discoveredacuckold.

Johnpulledoutofthewoman—Marie—andturnedonhiskneestowardtheotherman.Hiscockwas

redandswollenandshinywiththewoman’sarousal.Mariewastrappedbyherwristsbeingtied,butshe
tippedontohersideandpulledherkneesuptotrytohide.Shewaslikeachildwhocoveredtheireyes
andthoughttheycouldnotbeseen.Hermotionsdidnothingtohidehernakednessortheviewofherused
pussy.Hercrime,andJohn’s,wasindisputable.

“Neil,” she cried, her eyes widening. John put his hands up as if to ward the man off, but he said

nothing.Whatwastheretosay?

Neil narrowed his eyes as his chest heaved. There was no hesitation, no deliberation. He shot John

squareinthechest.

ThesoundreverberatedintheroomandIcoveredmymouthwithmyhandtocovermycryofsurprise.

Blood bloomed on his chest and John put his hands over the hole. He only looked down at the wound
before he fell to his side, dead. I was not the doctor, but I knew a shot to the heart would make death
instantaneous.Mariescreamedandpleadedwithherhusbandassheshuffledupontoherkneesandtugged
at the bonds that held her trapped. Instead of a playful game of bondage, it kept her right where Neil
wantedherwhenheshother,too.Once,thentwice.

Ibarelybreathed,myearsringingfromthereportofthegun.Ididn’tdaremoveamuscle,afraidhe’d

seemeandcomeaftermenext.Neilstoodandlookedatthebodiesforafewseconds.Maybeaminute.I
hadnoideaoftime.Ijustremainedasstillaspossiblebehindthedoor,hopinghecouldn’thearthefrantic
beatofmyheart.Surely,he’dshootmetooifIwasdiscovered.Whilehehadreasonforhisactions,it
wasstillcold-bloodedmurder.Hetookadeepbreath,thenanother,thenspunonhisheels,stompeddown
thestepsandoutthedoor.Thequietleftinhiswakewasjustasdeafeningasthegunshots.

My legs quivered, then folded. I slid down the wall to the floor, a crumpled, wilted heap. My hands

shookandItriedtokeepmyselfcalm,tokeeptheexcessenergyfromoverwhelmingme.Thatwaswhere
the sheriff and my neighbors found me a few minutes later, the dirty secrets of my marriage no longer
hidden.Instead,theywerenakedanddeadinmyownbed.

CHAPTERTWO

Luke

Denver,Colorado

December1885

“You didn’t have to do this,” Walker murmured, standing with me on the train platform as the

westbound train pulled in. It was loud, hissing and clunking as it came to a stop. Finally. Two hours
behindscheduleandinthattimeIshouldhaveturnedaroundandleft.Butawomanwaited,awomanwho
wasmybrideandIcouldnotbecrueltoher.ItwasnotherfaultI’dbeenproxymarriedtoastranger.The
blamefellsolelyonme.

“Ido,”Ireplied,mybreathcomingoutinabigwhitecloud.Thesunhadslidbehindthemountainsand

nightwasfallingfast,thetemperaturedroppingwellbelowfreezing.Anysnowthathadmeltedearlierin
thedaywasnowturningtoiceonthebrickwalkways.

Tucking the collar of my coat up about my neck, I looked down the length of the train, knowing she

wouldsoonappear.Mybride.Mymailorderbride.Astrangerwithapieceofpaperthattiedusinlegal
matrimony. What would she look like? Tall or short? Homely or beautiful? It mattered not. What did
matterwasthatIwasthefirsttomarryunderthenewlawofSlateSprings.IglancedatWalker,stalwart
andquietbesideme.“Areyouhavingsecondthoughts?Isthattheproblem?”

“Fuck, Luke, I said I’d do it and I keep my word.” His dark eyes flared in anger, but it was quickly

banked.

Isighed.“Shit,sorry.I’mjust…thisisjustnothowIexpectedit.”
“What?Freezingourballsoffforawomanwe’recommittedtofortherestofourlivesjustbecause

SlateSpringsdoesn’thaveenoughwomen?”

Yeah,thatdescribeditprettywell.
“Fine,Ididthisoutofduty,butreally,Iwantsomeonetosharemylifewith,justlikemostmenintown.

Children.Companionship.Hell,someonetowarmmybedonanightliketonight.”

Ituggedthecollarofmycoatupagainstthewindthatwhippeddowntheplatform.
“Allyouhadtodowascomedownthemountain.Denverhasenoughwomenwhowouldgladlymarry

themayorofSlateSprings,andamineownertoboot.”Heliftedhishandsandcuppedthemaroundhis
mouth,exhaledwarmairontothem.

TheTrustyminewasputtingoutsilveratapacethatwasmakingmeasrichasthoseupinButtedigging

up copper. I knew it wouldn’t last, that the vein would dry up eventually, but I had more money than I
neededinmylifetime.Now,itwastimetoshareitwithothers,likeawifeandchildren.

“I’m more than a mine owner. I don’t want a woman who’s only interested in my money. I want a

womanwhowantsme.”

Standing still, the cold seeped through the bottom of my boots. Passengers began to alight the train.

Porterspassedustohelpthewearytravelerswiththeirbaggage.

Iturnedtomybrother,tryingtojustifythismarriage.“ItookthejobjusttokeepThomkinsfromgetting

theposition.IfIremember,weflippedforthejob.”

Thecornerofhismouthtippedup.“Yeah,andyoulost.BeingmayormightkeepThomkinsfromfucking

upthetown,butitgetsyouabride,too.”

Yes,beingmayorandvotingonthelawthatallowstwomentomarryonewomanhadmesettingthe

example, a precedence for other men in town to follow. Thus, Walker and I were in Denver meeting a
womanwhowouldbeours.MaybeIshouldhaveletThomkinsbemayorafterall.Hedidn’tneedtofind
abride.He’dbeenmarriedtothemeekAgnesThomkinsfortenyearsorso.He’dbeenanassholepretty
muchsincebirthwhenhisdaddyfoundedthetownandhe’dbeenoneeversince.Hewouldn’tdorightby

thetownifheweremayor,probablybanminingorsomesuchnonsensewhenthereweremouthstofeed.
My anger toward Thomkins was enough to keep me in the leadership role and keep me standing in the
coldwaitingforourmailorderbride.

“Andyou,”Iadded.“YougetabridebecauseofhowmuchwefuckinghateThomkins,too.”Wewere

inthistogether.Thiswomanwouldbeourstogether.

Iheardhimsigh,buthesaidnothingmore.
Passengers began to pass and I watched them all closely, looking for Celia Lawrence, widow from

Tyler,Texas.Andmybride.CeliaTate,now.Ihadnoknowledgeofherappearance,onlythatshewasa
widow and twenty-five years old. I gripped the Bible in my hand and placed it so it could better seen.
WhileIwasnotanoverlypiousman—Iwascommittingtomarryawomaninaveryunbiblicalway,with
Walker and without our union blessed in a church—but the Bible was the way for Mrs. Lawrence to
discernmefromthecrowd.

“Are you sure?” I asked, wanting to confirm one last time. “You vowed never to marry again after

Ruth’sdeath.Youcanstillchangeyourmind.Icanfindsomeoneelse.”

Hecouldbackout,butIcouldn’t.Theproxymarriagewaslegallybinding.LukeTate,husband.Celia

Lawrence,wife.ButIhadnointerestinsharingabridewithjustanyman.I’donlydoitwithmybrother.
Wewereclose,closeenoughtohavesharedwomeninthepast,tohavethesameinterests—anddarker
desires—whenitcametotakingawoman.Somemightfindourpredilectionstobesinfulorevenwrong,
but dominating a woman only led to her pleasure, her ultimate satisfaction. We put her first. Sure, we
mighttieherupandspankherass,evenfuckit,too,butshe’dlikeit.No,she’dloveit.

“Iwantchildren,too,”headmitted.“Butlove?”Shrugginghisshoulders,Iknewhewasjaded.“That’s

foryou.Shedeservesitandyou’llgiveittoher.Thisworksperfectlyforme.”

Iangledmyheadtowardtheemptyingtrain.
Walkershrugged.“Wehavetohope.”
Thebulkofthepassengershadlefttheplatformandhadmovedquicklyintothewarmstation.Onlya

fewyearsold,itwasanimpressivestructure,asignthatDenverwasbooming.Ididn’tcareforthecity.
Toomanypeople,toomuchnoise.TheonlyreasonIwasherewasfor—

Her.
She was walking toward us, eyeing the Bible. I should have approached her, asked her name and

grabbed the small bag she held. But I couldn’t. I just stared. And stared as if my feet had frozen to the
ground.

“Fuck.”IheardWalkermumbleunderhisbreathashetookherinaswell.Itseemedmybrotherhadthe

sameintense—andinstant—attractionforher.“Lookather,”hewhispered.

Yes,weweretrulyfucked,forMrs.CeliaLawrencewaseverythingIcouldhaveimaginedinabride.

Petite,hercurvescouldn’tbehiddenbeneathherlightjacket.Herpalehairwasupandtuckedbeneatha
prim hat. The lanterns that lit the platform from the dusk set her skin to a warm gold. Her cheeks were
flushed from the cold and I could see that her pale eyes were wary and hopeful at the same time. She
stilled when she shifted her gaze away from the Bible and onto me, but she tilted up her chin and took
anotherstepcloser.

She was… fuck, incredible. Lovely. Dainty. Shy. Daring. I wanted her. Instantly and desperately. My

cockhardenedandIwasthankfulmycoathidthereaction.Shewasmybride.

Shewasmine.Mine!
Walkerhadhiswitsabouthim,unlikeme,forhemovedaroundmetoapproachher.“Mrs.Lawrence?”

heasked.

Shelookedupathim,afrownforminginherbrow.“Yes.Mr.Tate?”
Hersoftvoicehadmemoving.Finally.IwasfuckingitallupandIhadn’tevensaidaword.Shewas

justtoo…perfectandIfeltasifI’dbeenhitontheheadwithasupportbeamfromthemine.Iclearedmy

throatandjoinedthetwo,removingmyhat.“I’mLukeTate,ma’am.”

SheglancedattheBibleoncemore,thenupatmyface.Wayup.Iwassomuchtaller;sheonlycameup

tomyshoulder.Sheofferedmeasmallsmile,butIcouldtellittookeffort.Iwasabigman,andastranger
at that. She was very brave to travel so far on her own, to be wed to a complete stranger. No, two
strangers.I’djustmetherandIwasveryproudofher.Iwantedtotakeawaythewarinessandreplaceit
with…hell,whatwouldshelooklikewhenImadehercomethefirsttime?I’dfindoutsoonenoughifmy
cockhadanysay.

“Itis…nicetomeetyou.Please,callmeCelia.”Hervoicewasdeepandsultry,acompletesurprise

andmademycockhard.

Ashivershookhersmallframe.
“Whereisyourcoat?”Iasked.PushingtheBibleintoWalker’schest,Istrippedoffmineandwrapped

itabouthershoulders.

HertonguedartedouttolickherbottomlipandIwastransfixed.“Idon’thaveone.Itisnotthiscoldin

Texas.”

Hervoicehadaslightaccenttoit,aslighttwangthatspokeofhowfarshe’dtraveled.
ThecoldairhitmytorsoandIcouldonlyimaginehowchilledshe’dbeen.
Smiling,sheheldtheoversizedgarmenttogetheratthefront.Itwassolargethatithungdowntopast

herknees.Itwouldkeepherwarmintheshortterm.

“Didn’t Mrs. Carstairs from the agency tell you your destination was Colorado?” The woman at the

mailorderbrideserviceshouldhaveadvisedherofsomethingassimpleaswinterwardrobe.

Sheliftedhershouldersandalmostsnuggledintothegarment.“Yes,ofcourse.ButnoshopsinTyler

havecoatslikethis.ItistoowarmyearroundforsuchitemsinTexas.”Sheglancedaboutandtookinthe
snowthathadbeenshoveledintopilestocleartheplatform.“Ihaveneverevenseensnowbefore.”

Ilookedattheoldsnow,crustyhardfromthetopbeingmeltedbythesunandthenfrozenatnight,gray

from the soot and ash from the trains. This patch was far from remarkable. When we were home, she
wouldknowsnow.Perhapsevenbecomequitesickofitbeforetheseasonended.

“Come,let’sgetoutofthecoldthen,”Walkersaid.
RealizingIhadyettointroducehertoherotherhusband,Ifeltevenmoreofabumblingfool.“MayI

presentmybrother,Walker?”

Shedidn’tknowhewasalsoherhusbandandthetrainplatformwasnotwhereIwantedtoenlighten

her.ThelastthingIwantedtodowasscareherrightbackonthetrain.Nofuckingway.Shewashere,she
wasmineandIwasnotlettinghergo.

With his hands full, he did not remove his hat, only tipped it with his fingers as he held the Bible.

“Ma’am.”

Weturnedtowardthestation,workingourwaydownthelongplatform.Atanicyspot,Itookherelbow

andguidedheraround.“Careful,”Iwarned.

If she had never seen snow, I had to doubt she’d encountered ice before. I did not need my bride

breakingsomethingwithinfiveminutesofherarrival.Icouldbarelyfeelherthroughthethicknessofmy
coat,butIhadmyhandonherandthatwasastart.

Onceinsidethewarmstation,Istopped.Walkerstoodtohersidesothatweblockedoutthenoiseand

crowdsbehindus.“Areyouhungry?”Iasked.

“Tired?”Walkeradded.
She laughed then, deep and throaty, as she looked between the two of us. “I am not used to such

attentions.Fromoneman,letalonetwo.”

Shewouldgetusedtoitsoonenough,butnothere.UnionStationwasnotwhereIwantedtoshowher

myattentions,orthatshe’dbegettingthemfromWalker,too.Whenshelearnedshewasmarriedtobothof
us,Ididn’tknowhowshewouldreact,althoughIhadtoassumewithgreatsurprise.Whilebeingmarried

totwomenwaslegalinSlateSprings,itwasnotelsewhere.EspeciallyinalargetownlikeDenver.

Glancingbetweenus,shereplied,“Iamboth.”
Both?Ohyes,hungryandtired.
Nodding, I looked her over from her stylish hat to her spun gold hair, her lovely oval face, full lips,

flushedcheeks.Mycoathidherfashionabledress,butithadbeencrispandfresh,evenafterherjourney,
herhairneat.Shewasconcernedforherappearance,butdidnotseemvain.“Wewillreturntothehotel
thenwhereyoumayrestandeat.”

“Yourtownistoofartotraveltonow?”
Walkerlookedupatthelargeclockonthewallabovetheticketcounter.Five-fifteen.“SlateSpringsis

in the mountains, over a day’s ride from here. The weather is good so the pass remains open, but we
expect it to be snowed in before the new year. We do not need to push ourselves to return tonight, for
while it is clear, it is very dark. As you said, you do not have the proper clothing. Tomorrow is soon
enough.”

Yes, I wasn’t spending the first night with her—it couldn’t be called a wedding night as we were

alreadyproxymarried—onthebackofahorse.Iwantedheronherbackandmeoverher.“Wehavea
roomatahoteldownthestreet,”Iadded,shiftingbecauseIhadtohidemyhardcock.

“Pass?” she asked as she looked behind her one last time before we led her out of the station to the

busystreet.Horsesandwagonsfilledthethoroughfare.

Ituckedmyhatbackontomyhead.Whiletheairwasfrigid,itdidnothingtocoolmyardor.Nothing

would,notuntilIwasburieddeepinsideherandfillingherwithmyseed.Eventhen,I’dwantheragain.I
wasabsolutelysureofthat.

“TheroadtoSlateSpringsfollowsacanyonupintothemountainstothewestofhere.Itgoessohigh

thatitissnowedinforthewinter.Denverisonthissideofthepass,ourtownontheother.”

Sheslowedherpacebutdidnotstopwalkingaswecontinueddownthesidewalktowardourhotel.

“Youmeanwewillbeisolated?”

IglancedatWalker,butcouldnottellhisexpressionwithitbeingdarkandhisfaceinshadowbeneath

the brim of his hat. Many people had difficulties being in a town that was cut off from the rest of the
world.Thesnowandcoldwassometimestoomuchforpeopletohandle.Bythetimespringthawcame,
manymenhadturnedslightlyinsane.Thusthenewlaw.Ifthemenhadtheirbedswarmedandafamilyto
carefor,theymightfindthelongwintersmucheasiertopass.

“That’sright,”Walkersaid.WhileCeliacouldn’ttellhiswordswereguarded,ashisbrother,Icould

hearitplainasday.“Oncethesnowcomesinearnest,thetowniscutoffuntilspring.”

“Whatifithadbeensnowedinearlierthanusual?WouldIhavebeenstuckhereinDenverwhileyou,

Mr.Tate,remainedontheothersideofthepass?”

Her question was unexpected. I feared she would be concerned about being trapped in a small town

with us, not trapped without us. I stopped on the sidewalk, tilted her chin up with my fingers. Her skin
wassoft,likesilk,yetchilledfromthecold.Hereyesmetmine.“Luke.CallmeLuke.Wewouldnever
leave you alone like that,” I replied, my voice gentle. “We have been in Denver three days waiting for
you,consideringjustsuchanoccurrence.”

Hereyeswidened.“You…youhave?”
Itwasthesurpriseinhervoicethatkeptmefromresponding,forIknewtherewasmuchtolearnabout

herfromthatalone.

“We’vebeenwaitingforyou,Celia,”Itoldher.Allmylife.Ijustdidn’tknowit.
“Let’sgetoutofthecold.”
I glanced at Walker as we turned toward the hotel once more. Neither of us would leave our bride

aloneinabigcityaswewaitedforspringthaw,stuckinSlateSprings.Ifanything,we’dremainonthe
eastsideofthepasswithher.Withher.

Whatkindofmarriagedidshehavebefore?Whywasshesoamazedwehadbeenconcerned?Iwanted

toknowtheanswer,butnotonthestreet.WhileIwasbigenoughtokeepwarminjustmyshirt,andthe
temperaturesinthecityweremuchwarmerthanathome,Ididnotthinkourbridecouldtoleratethechill
forlonguntilshebecameaccustomed.Eventhen,shewasatinythingandweneededtobecautious.Ifmy
toes were turning cold, then certainly hers were as well in her thinner shoes. Some new clothes more
suitedforthewinterweatherwereourfirstpurchases.ButasIglanceddownatheraswecontinuedon,
watchingthegentleswayofherhips,seeingthelonglineofherelegantneck,Iwasjustaseagertosee
heroutofclothesentirely.

CHAPTERTHREE

Celia

“Thisisimpressive.”
Thereweren’tanyotherwordsforthesuiteLukehadatthehotel.I’donlycomethroughthedoor,but

thespacewasopulent.Thickrugscoveredhardwood,darkredvelvetcurtainshungatthetallwindows
andalsocoveredthechairsandcouchesthatfacedacracklingfire.Icouldseeintotwoadditionalrooms,
theirdoorsacrossfromeachother.Largebedswerecenteredineach,oneevenhadacanopy.Thiswasn’t
a simple hotel room to waylay until our departure in the morning. This showed wealth. It appeared my
husbandhadmoney.Lotsofit.

I should be reassured that I would not be married to a pauper, but I knew that money did not offer

happiness.Certainlyafullbellyandwarmclothes,butI’dknownbothofthosewithJohnandI’dbeenso
veryunhappy.IwouldholdjudgementonLuke,fornow.

Iwatchedasheremovedhishatandplaceditonatablebythedoor.Heworetheusualmen’suniform

ofdarksuit,whiteshirtandblacktie,butitseemedtofithimbetterthanmostandonlyaccentedhisbroad
shouldersandthickchest.Heturnedandtookhiscoatfrommyshouldersandcaughtmestudyinghim.The
heavyoutergarmenthadkeptmewellprotectedfromthecoldandallowedhisenticingscenttoenvelop
me.Somethingdarkandmanly.NotaheavytoniclikeJohnwouldhaveused,butanaturalscent,clean
andsharp.IbreathedinthelastremnantsofitasIfollowedhimtothecouchbeforethefire.

I took the moment that was offered for one more surreptitious look. He was tall, so very big. I only

cameuptohisshoulderanditshouldhavefeltimposingtohavetotiltmychinbacktomeethisgaze,but
thatwasnotthecase.Everytimehespokewithmeatthestationandoutonthestreet,he’dbeenclose,
perhaps a little closer than was appropriate for a man, but he was my husband. It hadn’t felt awkward.
Instead,Ifelt…protected.

Butterflies fluttered in my belly as I looked at him. His fair hair was short and neatly trimmed. His

eyes,sofairandyetintense,werebeneathastrongbrow.Hisnoseseemedtohaveaslightcrooktoit,as
ifithadbeenbrokenatonetime.Whileitappearedhehadshavedearlierintheday,whiskersdustedhis
squarejawandIwonderedifitwouldfeelraspyagainstmypalm.

The entire journey from Texas I’d wondered and fretted as to the man to whom I’d been matched.

WouldhebejustlikeJohn—awell-respectedmanwithabsolutelynoconscienceorvalues?Ihadn’thad
tosharemuchofmypastwithMrs.Carstairsattheestablishmentthatmatchedmentomailorderbrides.
Mypasthadprecededmecertainly,butwomenwhocametoherhadvariedreasonsforwantingtobesent
to marry a stranger. I was sure she’d heard it all, even a story like mine. The underlying reason though
wasmostlikelythesame.Desperation.

IhadbeendesperatetoescapeTexastheonlywayawomanwithnomoneyorjobcould.Thatdidnot

meanIhadn’tbeenwaryanddoubtingmychoiceforthethousandmilesittooktoarriveinDenver.The
reliefoffindingLukevisuallyappealingwasastart;however,Johnhadbeenanattractiveman,educated
too,butaphilanderer,sothatdidnotallayallofmyconcerns.OnlytimewouldtellifLukewasthesame.

I was wary about my attraction to him. It was instant. The moment I saw him on the station platform

holding the Bible, I’d been interested. Intrigued. Immediately overwhelmed. Newfound desire had
coursedthroughme,heatingmeatjustthesightofhim.I’dshiveredwhenIstoodbeforethetwomen.It
hadn’tbeenfromcold,buttheheavyfeeloftheirattentionsonme.Yes,bothofthem.Itwasn’tjustLuke
thathadmademefeel…curious,buthisbrother,Walker,too.

He’dbeenjustasattentiveasLuke,justassolicitous.Hishairandeyesweredark,butitwasobvious

thattheywerebrothers.Eveninphysiquetheyweredifferent;Walkerwasatouchtallerandleaner.While
Lukehadofferedasoftsmilethatsoftenedthelookinhiseyes,Walkerappearedtobemoreofabrooder.

Intense,butnolesskind.

ButitwasLukewhoapproachedmenow;Walkerhadnotcometothesuitewithus.Myheartleaptinto

mythroatwiththerealizationthatthishandsomemanwasmyhusband.Mine,andhewouldsoontouch
me,hopefullyinawayI’dwantedforsolong.

Withoutsayingaword,heliftedhishandstomyhead,removedmyhat.Ibreathedinhiscleanscent

andtriedtocalmmyracingheart.Bluntfingersranovermyhair,thentuggedthepinsfrommyprimbun.

“I’vebeenwantingtoseeyourhairdown,tofeelit,”hemurmured,hiseyesonhisministrations.
Iheldmyselfstillandlethimtouchme.Onceallthepinswereremoved,myhairuncoiledandspilled

longdownmyback.Itwasunruly,withawaywardcurltoit.LukegruntedoutwhatIhadtohopewas
satisfactionasheranhisfingersthroughthestrands.Myeyesfellclosedatthedecadentfeelofit.

“Likespungold,”hemurmured.Whenhegentlyplacedhishandsonmyshoulders,Ilookedupathim

andwatchedashiseyesloweredtomymouth.“I’mgoingtokissyou.”

“Yes,”Ibreathed,myheartbeginningtogalloplikearunawayhorse.Iwantedthatsoverymuch.
His lips were gentle and soft. Only for a moment. Then the kiss turned carnal and deep, his tongue

slipping into my mouth as I gasped. The kiss was startling, for it was like instant heat. Desire pulsed
throughmyveinsandsettledbetweenmythighs.Myhandstookholdofhisshirtandgrippedtightlyashis
ownhandscuppedmyface.Hispalmswerecallused,butwarm.

I had no idea how long we stood there before the fire, but Luke eventually lifted his head and I

whimpered.Hiseyeswereadarkgreen,narrowedandcloudedwithneed.

Icouldn’tcatchmybreath.
“Thissuitehasawashroom.Atubwithhotwater.”Hiseyesstayedfixedonmyswollenlips.“Bathe.

Relax,forwhenyoucomeout,Iwillhaveyouwelloccupied.”

“You…youdon’thavetowait,”Isaid.Myvoicewasunfamiliar,breathyandeagerasIadmittedmy

needs.

The corner of his mouth tipped up as his knuckles raked over my cheek. “So brave,” he said with a

groan.“Iamnotdenyingyou.Quitethecontrary.Ionlyhavesomuchcontrol,sweetheart.”Hetiltedhis
chininthedirectionofthewashroom.“Iwishforyoutoscrubthejourneyfromyourskin,totakeaminute
toyourselfbeforeIpossessyou.”

Possess.OhGod.Nottake,orclaimorevenfuck.Possesswas…more.Somuchmore.
Offeringawobblynod,Iturnedtothebathingroom.
“Celia,”hecalled.
Ilookedathimovermyshoulder.
“Whenyouaredone,don’tdress.”HiseyessliddownmybodyandIfeltmynipplestighten.“Iwantto

seeyou.Allofyou.”

My cheeks heated then. He wanted to look at me, to see me bare and exposed. I should have been

fearful,butitonlymademe…eager.Ifithadbeenanyoneelsewho’dmadesuchablatantstatement,I
wouldhavebeenmortifiedandappalledandfearful.ButwithLuke,Ifelt…God,arousedandeagerto
please.

Themanwasvirileanddominantandyethewaitedformetoaccepthisexpectation.IfIdidn’t,Iknew

somehowthathe’dbegentleinstead.Butthiswaswhathewanted,whatheneededandwouldnothide
that.Itonlymadememoreeagerforhim.

Lickingmylips,Inoddedandwentintotheotherroom.Leaningagainstthedoor,Icaughtmybreath.

ThathadjustbeenakissandIwassoaroused.CouldIsurvivemore?

Therewasnoquestionthathewantedme,thathewouldtakeme.Didheknowthatwhenhestopped,

whenheofferedmeachancetobathe,itonlymadememoreeagerforhim?I’dthinkofnothingbutthe
kiss,ofhimseeingmenakedforthefirsttime.Forotherthings.Thewaitwasarousing.

Goingtothecoppertub,IadjustedtheknobsuntilhotwaterpouredinandIwatchedasthesteaming

waterslowlyfilledthetub.Somehow,hehadrestraint,butonlysomuchofit.

IhadnoideahowmuchtimehadpassedonceIsankintothesteamingwater,butheknockedonce,then

calledmyname.

“Yes?”Ianswered,myhandsgrippingtheedgeofthetub.
“MayIcomein?”
IfIsaidno,Iknewhewouldstayonhissideofthedoor.Ididn’tevenknowhim,yetIwasconfidentin

this,confidentthathewouldnotpushme.ButdidIwanthimtostayout?IlickedmylipsasIknewthe
answer.Iwantedhimtocomein.Iwantedmorekisses.Iwanted…more.

“Yes,”Isaid,myvoicequiet.Iwasabouttorepeatitlouder,butheheardme.
ThedooropenedandLukeentered.Hislookedmeintheeyesashesaid,“Icouldnotwaitanylonger.”
Ilikedthatheadmittedtohisdesire,thatheplainlysharedthetruth.Itwasobviousineverylineofhis

body.Hisjawwastense,hishandsclenchedinfistsandIcouldn’tmisstheveryprominentbulgeinhis
pants.

Itwasmyturnnow.HewaswaitingtoseewhatIwoulddonext.WhileI’dmadethedecisionweeks

agotobecomeamailorderbride,chosetoboardthetrain,thiswasthemoment.Thiswasthedecision
thatmademehis.

Lukewantedme.Iwantedhim.Theconnectionhadbeeninstant,theattractionreal.Hedidn’tjustwant

totakemeasJohnhad.Hewantedme.

Pushing off the sides of the tub, I stood then, letting the bath water sluice down my naked body. Let

Lukelookhisfill.Mybodywasn’tperfect.Mybreastswereonthesmallside,myhipswide,buttheway
hiseyesnarrowed,thewayheranafingeroverhismouthmademefeelbeautiful.

Hedidn’tsayanything,onlytookabathingtowelfromthechairinthecornerandhelditoutforme.

Carefully,Isteppedfromthetubandintohisarms.Hewrappedthetowelaboutme,butinsteadofletting
go,heliftedmeintohisarmsandcarriedmeintotheotherroom,loweringmesowekneltbeforethefire.

“Idon’twantyoutocatchachill,”hesaid,nowusingthetoweltodryme.
Slowly, he worked the towel over me, my arms, my back, then my chest as his eyes followed his

motions.ThesoftmaterialbrushedovermybreastsandIheldmybreath.

A groan slipped from Luke just before he lowered his head and took a nipple into his mouth. He

suckled at it and I tangled my fingers in his silky hair, holding him in place. I cried out his name in a
mixtureofsurpriseandpleasure.Ihadnoideamynipplesweresosensitive!

Atmycry,Luke’srestraintfellawaycompletely.Hishandsmovedtomybody,strokedoverit,pushed

mebacksoIlaiddownonthesoftcarpetasheloomedoverme.Thewarmthofthefirewasalmosttoo
much,forhisbodyradiatedsomuchheatofitsown.Iwasnotcold.Iknewthenthatwhatevertheweather
ragedoutside,Iwouldbewarminhisarms.

Iwasbreathinghardashelookeddownatme,rakedhisgazeovermybody.“Ican’tholdback,Celia.I

wantedtobegentleourfirsttime,but…Ican’t.”

Ishookmyhead.“No.Don’tholdback.Please.”Ididn’tmindbegging,forIwasdesperateforhim.

Hisrestrainthadonlymadememoreeagerforhim.Itwasasifitonlybuiltmyneedforhimtoaneven
greaterlevelthanifhe’dtakenmewhenwe’dkissedearlier.

Now,nowIachedforhim.ToprovetohimIwasnotafraid,Ibentmyrightlegandletitfallopenin

invitation.Itwasawantonmove,butLukeseemedtowantmethisway,tooffermyselftohim.Myblatant
interestdidn’tdisgusthim.Basedonthewayhisjawclenchedashelookeddownmybody,thentuggedat
hispants,itonlymadehimlosealittlebitmoreofhiscontrol.

Opening the placket, he tugged his cock free. My eyes widened as he gripped the base and stroked

himself.

“OhGod,”Isaid.Hewasbig.Longandthickandapearlydropoffluidseepedfromthetip.Myinner

wallsclencheddownattheideaofbeingstretchedopenforhim.

HelookedupatmeandIsawthelastvestigesofhisrestraint.
Itwouldonlytakeonewordtoripittoshreds.Iknewtheword,whimperedit.“Please.”
Iwantedtobefilled,taken,claimed.Possessed.
Lowering down onto a forearm, he aligned himself with my eager entrance and slowly sank into me.

Unaccustomedtosuchgirth,Ishiftedmyhipstoaccommodatehim.IbreathedasIadjusted,grabbedhold
ofthebackofhisshirtasifIneededtoholdontosomething.Lukewasalmosttoobig,havingtograbmy
hipandshiftmesothathiscockcouldslideinevendeeper,thendeeperstill.

Ilovedthathewasstilldressed,onlytheimportantpartsuncoveredforhimtoclaimme,whileIwas

completelybareandexposedtohim.

Deepinside,heheldhimselfstillasIclenchedabouthim,onlymovingwhenIshiftedmyhipsup.
Hishandstrokedmyhairashebegantofuckme.Slowly,yetwithvigorousintent.
“Yes!”Icried,archingmyback.
Itwasn’truttingasJohnhaddone.Itwasn’tlovemaking,forIdidn’tknowhimenoughforthatdeepofa

connection.Butitwasgood.Ohsogoodanddarkandcarnalandroughand—

“Ibetherpussy’sgoingtomilkthecumfromyourballs.”
Walker.
MyeyesflewopenasIlookedupatLuke’sbrother.Ihadn’theardhimcomeintotheroom.Mybody

stiffenedinsurpriseandIgrippedLuke’sback.Hedidn’tstopmoving,didn’tstopfuckingme.Heturned
his head to look up at him, but only grinned. He wasn’t bothered—or surprised—that his brother had
walkedinonus.

Luketookmybottominhispalmandangledmesothatheslidoveradifferentspotdeepinsideme.My

eyes slipped closed and I cried out at the delicious feel. Nothing was stopping the pleasure, not even
Walkerwatching.

“She’sperfect,brother,”Lukesaid,breathinghardasWalkerloweredhimselfontoachair,lethislegs

sprawloutbeforehimandwatched.Hewaswatchingmebeingfucked!“Don’tbescared,sweetheart.Let
Walkerseehowbeautifulyouare.”

“You are beautiful, Celia,” Walker confirmed, his voice deep and rough. “So perfect beneath my

brother.Icanhearhowwetyouareforhim.You’regoingtocome,aren’tyou?”

IshouldhaveoffendedbyWalker’sappearance,byLuke’scasualattitude,shouldhavepushedathim

soIcouldrunawayinshame.Ishouldhaveatleastwantedtocovermyself.ButIdidn’t.

“My cock is rock hard looking at you,” Walker crooned, as if he knew his words made me hotter.

“Seeingthepleasureonyourface,watchingyournipplestighten.Ibetyourpussy’ssosweetandtight.”

“I’mgoingto…God,it’stoomuch,”Isaid.
“Shh,”Lukecrooned.“I’vegotyou.Letgo,sweetheart.Comeallovermycock.”
MyheadthrashedfromsidetosideasItriedtogettoaplace,somewherethatIcouldn’treach.The

pleasurewastoomuch,sointensethatIwasafraidthatitwouldoverwhelmme.

“Walkerwantstoseeyouwhenyoucome.”
Those words were what pushed me over. I tensed, then every muscle in my body went lax beneath

Luke’sweight,mybonesseemedtohavedissolved.Icriedoutmypleasureasmyhandsfelltomysides.
“Luke!”Icriedagain,overcome.

Lukeplungeddeep,once,thentwice,thenstilleddeepinside.HegroanedasIfelthisseedfillme.
Heloweredhisheadtomyneckandourwildbreathsmingledbeforehepushedoffandmovedtolie

besideme.

Ismiledtomyself,revelingintheblissthatLukehadwrungfrommybody.Johnhadneverdonethatto

me.I’dneverfeltthatwaywhenhe’dtouchedme.Noothermanhad—

Myeyesopened.“OhGod!”Icried,tiltingmyheadtolookupatWalker.Grabbingthebathingtowel

thatlayonthefloorbeneathme,Ituggedatittotrytocovermyselfwithoutmuchsuccess.

Walkerstareddownatme,completelyatease,hishatinhishands.Heworeasuitandtiesimilartohis

brother’s.FormalwhileIwasnaked,sweatyanddrippingwithhisbrother’sseed.

“I’veaskedforfoodtobedelivered.Shouldn’ttaketoolong.”
Hespokeasifhehadn’twitnessedsomethingsoprivate,socarnal.Iwasconfusedbymyreactions,or

lackof.Thefireatmysidewastoomuch.IfeltoverheatedandLukewasdoingnothingtosheltermeor
covermefromhisbrother’seyes.Hedidn’tseemtobecruelaboutit,morethathewaswillingtoshare
mewithhim,thathewantedtoshowmeoff.

Iscrambledtomyfeet,rantothenearestbedroomandshutthedoorbehindme,leanedagainstthehard

surface.Thewoodwascoolagainstmypalms,mybareback,asItriedtocatchmybreath.Iwasnaked
andIfeltLuke’sseedslipdownmythighs.

I’dfuckedmyhusbandwhilehisbrotherwatched!
IputmyhandsovermyfaceandwonderedwhatI’dturnedinto.I’dwantedtobemoredaring,tofeel

thepleasurethatcouldbehadinamarriage,butthiswasnothingI’deverimagined.Iwassowickedand
wanton.Itwasn’tbecauseIwassurprisedthathe’dwatched,butIwassurprisedthatI’dlikedit.

“OhGod,”Iwhispered,shakingmyhead.
I stared at the bed and realized this was not a good place to hide. I wasn’t going to just bed Luke

tonight.ThewayWalkerhadbeenlookingatme,thewayLukehadallowedit,hewasjustasinterested.
TheconnectionbetweenuswasjustasstrongaswithLukeandme.

“Celia.”Luke’svoicewasdeep,yetcalm.“Openthedoor.”
ItookafewdeepbreathsandrealizedIhadtofacethem.I’dletJohnhavehisway,turnedmyheadat

thesignsthathehadstrayedfromourmaritalbed,thatwhenweknewnochildrenwouldcomefromour
union,he’dneverconsideredmeanythingmorethanafreesourceoflaborforhispractice.Ithadbeenmy
fault.

And now, I’d gotten myself into this situation with Luke and Walker. I’d chosen to be a mail order

bride. Of course I was going to be wedded and bedded. I’d known that all along. I wasn’t twenty
anymore.Iwasn’tyoungornaive,butneverinmywildestandmosttawdrythoughtsdidIimagineLuke
sharingmewithhisbrother.

Icouldn’tstayinthisroomforever.IknewthelimitofLuke’spatienceandhewouldeventuallyopen

thedooronhisown.Icouldnotkeephimout.Buthewaswaitingformetocomeoutvoluntarily.Ihadto
facethem.I’dbeensilentforonemarriage,andlookwhatthathaddonetomylife.Iwouldn’tbesilentin
thisone.

Grabbing the blanket off the foot of the big bed, I wrapped it about my shoulders, about to face two

veryardentmen.Afteronemoredeepbreath,Iturnedandopenedthedoor.Bothmenloomedandwere
quitedaunting.Bothoftheirgazesrakedovermyblanket-coveredbody.ForoneheartbeatIfearedthey
would push their way into the bedroom and have their way with me, but they didn’t. I saw nothing but
concernontheirfaces.

Luke’s cock was tucked back in his pants and he showed no outward signs of just having fucked

besideshishairbeingunruly.Irememberedthesilkyfeelofthosestrands.

IbreathedthroughmymouthasItriedtocalmmyracingheart.
Lukebegantoundothebuttonsofhisshirt,tuggedthetailsfromhispantsandstrippeditoff.“Here.”

Hehelditoutformetotake.“Youwillbemorecomfortableinmyshirtthantheblanket.”

Itookthegarment,stillwarmfromhisbody,thenclosedthedoorbehindme,slippeditoninprivacy

andbuttoneditup.Itwasbigonme,sobigthatithungdownalmosttomyknees.

Opening the door once more, Luke smiled. “Looks better on you than me. Please, Celia. Sit.” Luke’s

voicewasevenmoregentlethanbefore.ItookinhisbarechestandIswallowed.Asmatteringoflight
hairwasonhisbroadchest.IttaperedtoaVtowardhisnavelandthenevenlower.MusclesrippledandI
wanted to feel every defined inch of him. Resisting the urge—he’d just fucked me minutes ago—I

clenchedmyhandsintofists.

TheysteppedbacksoIcouldpassandImovedtothecouchacrossfromthefireandsatdown,careful

totugtheshirtdownovermythighs.Themensatdownoneithersideofme,theirlegspressedintomine.
Iwassurrounded.

“Mrs.Carstairssharedlittleaboutyouinhertelegram,”Lukebegan.“Thatyouareawidow.”
Ifrownedathim,confused.“Afterwhatjusthappened,youwanttoknowthat?”
Lukelookedalittlechagrined.“Perhapsweshouldhavedonethisfirst.”
IlookeddownatmylapasIfeltmycheeksheat,wonderingwhatelseshe’dshared.Hopefullytheheat

from the fire hid that from them. “Yes, perhaps,” I replied, not wishing to offer up too many details. I
didn’twishforhimtothinkanylessofme.“Andyes,I’mawidow.”

“I’msorryforyourloss,”Walkersaid.Itiltedmyheadandofferedhimasmallsmile.“Nochildren,

then.”

Itwasn’taquestion,fortheanswerwasobvioussincenotoddlersalightedthetrainwithme.Still,I

shookmyheadatanotheroneofmywifelyinadequacies.

“Wereyouhappy,Celia?”Lukeasked.Hisvoicewasgentle,butIstillfeltsurrounded,pressured,soI

stood,movedtostandandlookdownatthecracklingfire.Withthesleevesdanglingovermyhands,Ikept
myselfbusybyrollingthemuptomywrists.

“Wasitalovematch,youmean?”Ididn’tturntolookatthemenforananswer,andneitherresponded,

obviouslyallowingmetotakemytime.“Ithoughtso,atfirst.ButIwasquiteyounganddidn’tknowwhat
lovewas.Iknewhewasindependentandexpectedmetobeaswell.”

“Wearenotoverbearingeither.”
Overbearing?No,Lukehadn’tbeenoverbearing.Bold,yes.
Iheardtheword“we”inhissentencebutdidnotgiveitmuchcredence.Istraightenedmyspineand

liftedmychin.“Iwon’tbeasimperingwife,Iassureyou.”

“No,Idon’tthinkyouwill,”Lukereplied.“Wearepossessivemen,though,Celia,andwillensureto

yoursafetyandwellbeing.Wewillallowyouindependence,butyouwillfindusveryprotectiveofwhat
belongstous.”

Ispunaboutthen,theheatfromthefireatmyback.“What?”
“Weareveryprotective,”Walkerrepeated.
“We?”Ilookedbetweenthetwo.Bothhadearnestexpressions.Open.Theywererelaxed,theirgazes

fixedonme.“Um…Idon’tunderstand.”

“Besidesbeingamineowner,IamalsothemayorofSlateSprings,”Lukeshared.“AsIsaid,thetown

isisolatedinthewinterandthepopulationispredominantlymale.Anewlawhasbeenpassed.”

AhintofapprehensionappearedinLuke’sgaze,thenwasgone.IhadtowonderifIimaginedit.
“Thelawallowsfortwomentomarrythesamewoman.”
MymouthfellopenasIglancedbetweenthetwobrothers.“Youmean…Iam—”
“The reason why I watched you and Luke fuck—why he allowed me to do so—is because you are

marriedtobothofus,”Walkerfinishedforme.

CHAPTERFOUR

Celia

“I should have told you this before we… well, before I took you, but I couldn’t resist and I had no

patiencetowaitforWalker.”

ThecornerofLuke’smouthturnedupandIsawthelookofsatisfactiononhisface.I’dputthatthere.
“Neithercouldyou,”headded.
Ilookeddownatmybarefeet.
“No,neithercouldI,”Iadmitted.I’dwantedhimsomethingfierce.Istilldid.
“Therewasnowaytoeaseyouintothearrangement,totakeourtimeandtellyou,sowefeltitbestif

—”

Aknockatthedoorinterruptedhim.
LukesworeunderhisbreathandWalkerwenttoopenit.
Auniformedporterrolledinacloth-coveredtraywithdishescoveredwithsilverdomes.Ispunonmy

heelandfacedawayfromtheman,Lukecomingtostandbeforeme,toblockmefromview.Mycheeks
flushed, wondering what the porter thought of me. Could he know that I was married to both Luke and
Walker?CouldhetellI’djustfuckedLuke?God,ofcoursehecould.IwaswearingLuke’sshirt!

I knew scandal, was too familiar with it, and didn’t wish to have another. But the man took the tip

Walkerofferedandclosedthedoorbehindhimwithoutaword.

Lukeputhishandonmyshoulderandturnedmetowardthetable.Mynipplespebbledagainstthesoft

fabricofhisshirtandseedstillslidfromme.

“WhileIwillshareyouwithWalker,wewillnotallowanothertolookuponyouaswedo,”Lukesaid.
“Perhapsitisbettertoeataswetalk,”Walkersuggested,liftingacoverfromadish.Alarge,verypink

steakwasrevealed,thenglazedcarrots,mashedpotatoesandmoreastheplateswereuncovered.

“You have just revealed that I am married to both of you and you expect me to sit and eat?” They

seemedtoocalmaboutthis,orperhapsthey’djusthadmoretimetoreconciletotheidea.

Usingaservingspoon,Walkerputavarietyofitemsontotheplatewiththesteakandcarriedittothe

diningtablethatsatbeforealargebaywindow.Ihadtoimaginetheviewifitweredaytime.

“Please,”hesaid,wavinghishandtotheplate.“Yousaidyouwerehungryafteryourjourney.”
Iwashungryandthetopicofconversationwasn’tgoingtochangeregardlessofwhetherIateornot.

Walker held out the chair for me before turning to the food cart for himself. Luke pulled out the chair
besideme,spunitaboutandsatdownwithhislegsstraddlingtheseat.Hisbareforearmsrestedonthe
chairbackandhewatchedmeasIcutasliceofmeat,thenputitinmymouth.

“Slate Springs has a population of about three thousand,” he began. “Only three hundred or so are

women. All of them are either married, much older than the bachelors or too young to wed. A young
maidenwhoarrivesintownissnatchedupquickly,usuallywithatleasttwofightsbeforehand.Withthe
townbeingisolatedforfivemonthsayear,themenbecome…aggressiveandsomewhatvolatilebythe
endofwinter.”

Hemeanttheyhadn’tbeenabletofuckawomanforthatstretch,butIdidn’tclarify.
“Oncethepassopens,mostofthemenareeagertoleavetown,nevertoreturn.Asabusinessowner,it

isaconcernsincemyminershavewalkedawayfromtheirjobs,butthereisaneverendinglineofmen
readytowork.Replacementsareeasytocomeby.”

“Butthetowndoesnotgrow,norhavealargenumberoffamilies,”Walkeradded.He’dsatontheother

sideofhimandmadequickworkofhiscarrots.Hespearedanother.“Theyarequitegood.Tryone.”

HecoaxedmeintoeatingabutterysweetcarrotandInoddedinagreement.Thefoodonthejourney

had been passable at best. This was the first meal I’d had in weeks where I didn’t have to eat quickly

whenthetrainstoppedformorewaterandcoal,oreatalone.

“Thesolutionwastoallowtwomentomarrythesamewoman,”Walkeradded,whenhewassatisfied

I’deatenthevegetable.

“Ican’timagineeveryonewouldbekeenonthisidea.Surelytheclergywouldfinditamoral,”Iadded,

cuttinganotherpieceofsteak.Mystomachhadsettledafterthemen’sinitialsurpriseandIrealizedIwas
ravenous.Iwasgladforthefood,andsomethingtodoaswespoke.WasthiswhyWalkerhadsuggested
it?

“There are some who are against the law, but they are either wed already or are, as you say, in the

clergy.TheBiblewasseparatedfromthechallengethetowncouncilfaced.”

“Andyetyouusedittoidentifyyourselftomeontheplatform,”Icountered.
Walkergrinned,pointedhisforkatme.“Touché.”
“MostmeninSlateSpringswantabride,buttheyarefewandfarbetween.”Lukesnaredarollfrom

Walker’splate,rippeditinhalfandpoppedapieceintohismouth.

“Thus,yourneedforamailorderbride,”Iadded.“Iassumetheothermenwillneedtoleavetownto

findabride?”

“Yes.” Luke shifted in his seat. “As mayor, everyone in Slate Springs is looking to me to set an

example,toensurethelawworksbeforeothersarewillingtocommit.”

“So I am wanted solely as an experiment?” I knew Luke had not specifically chosen me, personally,

fromMrs.Carstairs’business.He’dwantedawomanwhowouldwedhimsightunseen.Ishouldn’thave
felthurtbythetruthbecauseI’dknownitallalong,butstill,Iwas.

Lukedidn’tanswerthequestion.Instead,heaskedoneofhisown.“Andwhatofyou?Youmusthavea

reasonforchoosingtobecomeamailorderbride.”

Iwasverythankfulthenforthefoodonmyplate.Itookabigbiteofcarrotandtookmytimetochew,

stalling.

I glanced at the men, who recognized my action for what it was, but remained quiet and patient.

Waiting.

“Myhusbanddiedandleftmewithoutmoney.WhileIhaveskillsasanurse,mychancesforajobwere

limited in Tyler.” Especially with my history and the gossip that followed. “I felt it was best to move
somewhereelse.”

Thatwasvagueanddidnotcastanylighttotherealreasonsformydeparture.Pleasedwithmyself,I

tookasipofwater.

“Wearebusinessmen,Celia.Wecanbullshitbetterthanmost,”Walkersaid,notsofteninghiswords.

“Luke’sthemayorandthiskindofvaguetalkishisstrength.”

“That’sright,sweetheart,”Lukeadded.“You’veprobablybeenraisednottoshareyourburdens,being

diplomaticandaloof.Iappreciateawomanwhocankeepasecret,butwe’reyourhusbands.Therewill
benosecretsbetweenus.”

Husbands.Insteadofbeingstandoffish,theywantedmetobareall.
ThemashedpotatoesonmytonguetastedlikesawdustandIworkedhardtoswallowthemdown.
“Letmeaskyoumorespecificquestionsandthatareeasiertoanswer,”Walkersaid,placinghisfork

andknifeonhisplate.“Howlongwereyoumarried?”

“Fiveyears.”
“Fromyourclothing,itdoesnotappearasifyouweredestituteinyourmarriage.Isthatcorrect?”
“Yes,”Ianswered,thentookamomenttostudyhim.“Yousoundlikealawyer.”
Walker smiled then, brilliantly, showing off straight white teeth and a face so handsome my breath

caught.“That’sright.Youhavemefiguredout,doll.Nowlet’sdothesamewithyou.”

“Whatwasyourhusband’sprofession?”Lukeasked.
“Hewasadoctor.”

“Impressive.Andyouwerehisnurse?”
Inodded.
“Howdidhedie?”
I bit my lip, recognizing Walker had started off with easy questions and they were quickly becoming

moredifficulttoanswer.Usingmynapkin,Iwipedmymouth.

“Hewasshot.”
Bothmen’seyeswidened.
“I’msorrytohearthat,”Walkermurmured.“Youmustmisshimkeenly.”
Ipushedbackmychairattheridiculousnotion,thenstood.“Whataboutyou,Walker?”Iasked,steering

the conversation away from me. “Why did you agree to this unusual marriage?” I pointed to the two of
themastheystoodaswell.Theycertainlyhadgoodmanners.

“Tobehonest,Iwantawomaninmybedeverynight.”
Hisbluntnesscaughtmebysurprise.“Sonointerestinalovematchthen?”
Hetossedhisnapkinonthetable,movedtopacetheroom.“Iamawidower.”
Icouldhearthedarknessinhisvoice,seethetensenessinhisshoulders.
“Marrying again was not something I ever considered. But the new law forced Luke’s hand into

marriage.”Heshrugged,thenturnedtolookatme.“ItofferedmetheopportunityIhadneverconsidered
before.”

“Oh?”
“Awomandeservesloveinamarriage.Fairwarning,youwon’tgetthatfromme.NotbecauseIdon’t

thinkyouaredeserving,butbecauseIjustdon’thaveittogive.Butyou’llgetthatfromLuke.I’llgiveyou
everythingelse:myprotection,mymoney,myattention.Mybody.”

The idea of having continuous and permanent access to Walker’s body was definitely enticing, but it

wasn’t enough. Wiping my hand over my face, I laughed, although without any amusement. “None of us
wantthis.Luke,you’remarryingmeoutofduty—”

“Ididn’tjustfuckyououtofduty,”Lukesaid,cuttingoffmywords.“Asforwant,youwantedmeas

muchasIwantedyou.”

Icouldnotargue,foritwastrue.
“Walker,you’re…marryingmeforalifetimeoffucking.”
He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Based on what I watched, it does not appear it will be a

hardshipforeitherofus.”

“Allofus,”Lukeclarified.“Whataboutyou,Celia?Youdeflectedourquestions.It’stimetobareall,

sweetheart.”

Hemovingtoleanagainstthebackofthecouch,armscrossed.
“I am the only one who has bared everything,” I countered, meaning I’d been naked while he’d

remainedfullydressed.TheywerenotswayedbythatdiversiontacticandIsighed.“Youwanttoknow
howmyhusbanddied?”

Lukeofferedasimple“yes,”thenwaited.
“My husband was shot in our marriage bed as he was fucking his mistress. The woman’s husband

discoveredtheirillicitactivitiesandfoundthemtogether.Killedthemboth.”

“Fuck,”Walkermurmured,shakinghishead.
“Heleftyouwithoutmoney?”
Iglancedatbothmen,thenaway.Theyseemedmoreangrythanupset.
“Thehouseandanymoneyinthebankwenttohisnephew.”
“Couldn’tyouhaveworkedasanurseforanotherdoctor?”
Puttingmyhandsonmyhips,IstaredatLuke,narrowedmyeyes.“You’rethinkinglikeaman.”
“Whatdoctorwouldhireawomanwhosehusbandhadbeenmurdered,youmean,”Lukereplied.

Walkershookhishead.“No,itwasworsethanthat,wasn’tit,doll?Theyblamedyou.Thehusband,the

town,everyone.”

Tearsfilledmyeyes,butIblinkedthemaway,refusedtomeeteitheroftheirgazes.IwasusedtoJohn

beingdistracted,neverofferingmehisfullattention.ButwithLukeandWalker,theirsdidn’twaverandI
wasuncomfortablebeneaththeirscrutiny.

“Ah,Celia,”Lukewhispered.
Idroppedmyhandstomysides.“Ishouldhavebeenabetterwife.Kepthimhappy.Gavehimchildren.

Satisfiedsohewouldn’tstray.”

“There was something wrong with your husband, sweetheart, not you. Look at you.” Luke lifted his

handandhiseyesgrazedovermybody.“You’rebeautiful.Youcamealiveinmyarms,onmycock.Any
maninhisrightmindwouldwantyou.Hell,Icouldn’tevenwaittenminutes.”

“Iwantyou,too,”Walkeradded,puttingahandtothefrontofhispantsandrubbinghiscock.
I blushed at their words, thinking of how bold I’d been, how while I’d been bothered at first that

WalkerhadwalkedinonLukeandme,I’dlikedit.

“Withoutmeans,withoutajobandyournameindisgrace,youdecidedtobecomeamailorderbride,”

Walkerfinished,breakingmefrommycarnalthoughts.

Whathesaidwasalltrue.Everybitofit.Hewasn’tbeingcruelbysayingitaloud,onlyhonest.
But from my recounting, I’d left out Carl Norman, the brother of the man who’d killed John and his

mistress. As I’d witnessed Neil Norman’s crime, my testimony had sealed his fate and he’d been hung
within the week. Carl had first accosted me two days after the hanging and had dogged me about town
eversince,blamingmeforhisbrother’sdeath,threateningtokillme.

I’d been the one who’d let my husband stray. If I’d been a better wife, more attentive sexually and

provided him with children, he would have been content with me. But no. He’d been forced to find
comfortelsewhere.Ashe’ddraggedmeintoanalleyandpinnedmetherewithahandaboutmyneck,I
wasn’tgoing to tellhim that perhapsthe problem had lainwith his brother,who obviously hadn’t been
abletosatisfyhiswife.

WhileI’dfledTylerbecauseIhadnoreputationleft,Ialsofearedformylife.I’dbeenwatchingover

myshoulderforCarleversince.Whilethefinger-shapedbruisesaboutmyneckhadfaded,theworryhad
not.I’dknownhewaswatching,waitingforthemomenttodomeharm.Inhisanger,Ithoughthewould
followmefromTyler,perhapsdosomethingliketossmeoffthemovingtrain.Itwasaneasyandvery
tidywaytokillsomeone,abodylefttorotoutontheopenprairieofwestTexasorOklahomawhereno
onewouldeverfindit.Inmycase,noonewouldmissmeorquestionmydisappearance.Noonecared.

When I stepped onto the train platform in Denver, I’d been relieved. But it didn’t allay my fears

entirely,ashecouldfollowonalatertrain.IwouldalwaysbelookingovermyshoulderasIknewhe
wouldnotbedeterred.

ThenewsthatLukeandWalker’stownwouldbesnowedinforafewmonthshadbeenalmostjoyful.

ThatmeantCarlcouldn’tgettome.Perhapsinthattimehe’deithercalmhisangerorgiveup.

“Noneofuswantedthismarriage,”Isaid,admittingthetruth.
LukeandWalkerremainedsilent.
“Youcanannul,youknow,”Icontinued.“I’llstayhereinDenverandfindajob.I’msuremynursing

skillsareneeded.”

CHAPTERFIVE

Celia

Lukepushedoffthebackofthecouchandstoodabruptly.
“No.”Bothmenspokeatthesametime,theirvoicesloud,commanding.
Itookastepbackward,surprisedbytheinstantvehemence.
“No?”Iasked,lickingmylips.
“While we may have not wanted to marry, we want you,” Luke said, glancing at his brother, who

nodded.“Didn’tIjustprovethatinfrontofthefire?You’rewearingmyshirt.”Hepointedatmyskimpy
attire.“Myseedisdrippingdownyourthighs.Hell,youcamewithWalkerwatching.I’dsayyouwantus,
too.”

Iblushedfuriously.
“Unlike your first husband, we are honorable. We don’t stray. We aren’t anything like him, doll,”

Walkeradded.

Ilaughedthen,astherewasnocomparisonbetweenthethin,palemanI’dmarriedfiveyearsagoand

thesetwostrappingcowboys.“No,no,you’renothingalike.ButIwasonlymarriedtooneman,nottwo.”

“Youhavereservations,”Lukesaid.
“Ihavequestions,”Icountered.“Suchas,howdoesitwork?”
“Beingmarriedtotwomen?”Walkerasked.“Thisisafirstforus,aswell.Firstforthetown,too.I

thinkwecanmakethismarriageworkanywaywewish.”

Ibitmylip.“Yes,but…Imeantinthe,um…bedroom,specifically.”
Luke’seyeswidened,thenhesmiled.“Youenjoyedfuckingme,sweetheart?”
Inodded,becauseIcouldn’tlie.Theywerebothwitnesstomyfirstpleasure.
“Beingmarriedtobothofusgetsyoutwomentogiveyoupleasure.”
Hesaiditsosimply,soeasily,confidentthattheycouldbothsatisfyme.
Iflushedhotlyandturnedaway,lookedblindlydownatthefoodonthetable.
“Whatdoyouwant,Celia?”Lukeasked.“Whatdoyouwantfromamarriage?You’vebeenmarried

andknowwhatit’slike,whatyouweremissing.Whatisityou’dhopedfor?We’llgiveittoyou.”

Ifeltfrayed,myemotionsrevealed.ThescarsofmyfirstmarriageachedandWalkerandLukeseemed

toknowhowtoexposeeverysingleone.Ipickedupafork,studiedthedetailworkinthesilver.“How
canyousaythat?HowcanyouknowwhatIwant?”

“Isitmoney?Youneverhavetoworryaboutgoinghungry,Ipromiseyou,”Lukesaid.
“Isitprotection?”Walkerasked.“Noharmwillcometoyouwhenyouarewithus.”
IthoughtofhowLukehadhiddenmefromtheporter’sview.
Anachefilledmychest.ThatwaswhatIwantedsoverybadly,toknowthattheywouldtakecareof

me,thatthebadthingsintheworld,likeCarlNorman,wouldneveraffectme.Buttheycouldn’tprotect
mefrommypast.Noonecould.

“Tellus,sweetheart,”Lukeprodded.
Was it as simple as just telling them my wants and they would give them to me? It was never that

simple.I’dwantedamarriagewithatleastmutualrespect,butJohndidn’trespectme.I’dknownhimfor
sometimebeforewewed,butthesemen.Iknewnothingaboutthem.Andyettheycouldpromisetofulfill
myeverydesire?

Aknotoffrustrationandangerformedinmychest.Myhandsclenchedintofists.Iftheywantedtoknow

whatIwanted,thenI’dtellthem.Whatdiditmatteratthispoint?WhentheyannouncedWalkerwasalso
myhusband,itseemedcivilizedrulesdidn’tmatter.AndsoIopenedmymouthandtoldthem.

Ispunabout,liftedmychinandsaid,“Iwantamanwhowon’tignoreme.Whowillsmileatmeand

offerreasonableconversation.Iwantamanwhoisrespectfulandcourteous.Iwantmorethanamanto
givemefoodandshelter.Iwantahusband.”

“Yougettwo,then,doll,whowilldoallthat,”WalkersaidwhenItookabreath.
Iheldupmyhand.“I’mnotdone.Iwantsomeonewhoisallmine.Tosharesecretsandlaugh.”
OnceIbegan,itwaseasytojustletitallout,tosharewhatIwanted.That’swhyIdidn’tstop.
“Ialsowanttobefucked,wellandgood.Idon’twantitatnight,inthedark.Idon’twantaquickrut,

thennothing.Iwantfulfillment,wildabandon.”IthoughtofJohn’smistress,howshe’dlovedwhathe’d
been doing to her before they were discovered. “I want to be tied up. Taken. Do things I never even
imagined.”

I was breathing hard, my skin hot and prickly. There, I’d said it. I’d said exactly what I wanted,

everythingIneversaidtoJohn.

Bothmen’sgazesdarkenedandturnedintense.
“I’mproudofyouforsharingthat.Itmusthavebeenhardforyoutoadmitthelast,”Walkersaid,his

words of praise acting like a balm. “You had a taste of what it will be like with Luke. While it was a
quickrut,itwaswildandfullofabandon.”

Ifeltthesorenessofouractionsbetweenmythighs,unaccustomedtoamanofhissizeandhis…vigor.
“Yes.That’strue.”Ishookmyheadslowly.“ButIwon’tbemarriedtoaman…tomen,whostray.I

won’tbecastasideagain.IfI’mnotenough,turnmeawaynow.”

“Turn you away?” Luke asked. “I’ll turn you over my knee if you even think about walking out that

door.”

MyeyeswidenedandIfeltmycheeksheatattheideaofbeingplacedinsuchaposition.Iremembered

John’s mistress and how she’d liked it when he’d spanked her bare bottom. The sound of it, that skin
againstskincrackandthenafieryburstofstingingpain.Iwantedthat.Iwantedtoknowwhatitwaslike.
Iwantedtoknowitall.

“Icanseethatexcitesyou.Doesn’tit,sweetheart?”Lukeasked.
Ibitmylip,wonderingifIshouldadmitthetruth.Thetruth,though,waswellandtrulyout,sowhat

wasthepointofdenyingitnow?AndsoInodded.

Luke stepped toward me, but I held still, not letting him know I was a little wary. I wasn’t afraid of

them,butI’dneverbeencompletelyhonestwithJohn,neversharedthedarkestofsecretswithhim.The
truthwaspowerfulandsoIwonderedwhattheywouldsay…ordo,next.

“We’llneverwantanother,”hemurmured.
Histonewaseven,hisvoiceearnest.
I looked up at him, saw the serious expression. “How can you say that? I… I didn’t please John. I

won’t have you fuck me then find me lacking. I’d rather you decide you don’t want me now, before…
beforeIhavefeelings.”

“Lacking?”Lukeasked.“Walker,whenyouwerewatchingmefuckourbride,diditlooklikeIfound

Celialacking?”

“Hell,no.Woman,”Walkergrowled.“We’llsayitonelasttime.You’llstayandwewon’tstray.”
Thevehemenceofhistonehadmebelievinghim,butthedoubtstilllingered.“I—”
“You’ve given this worry to us. Let it go,” Luke added. The back of his knuckles stroked down my

cheekandIshivered.“Youwantustotakecontrol,togiveyouwhatyouneed.”

DidI?DidIwantthemtotakemyworriesaway?WasthatwhyItoldthemthosesecrets?Wasitsothat

theycouldknowthetruthandwantmeanyway,todoexactlywhatIwanted?

Mygazemethis,thenskitteredoverhisshouldertolookatthedecorativewallpaper.“Howcanyoudo

that,givemewhatIneed,Imean,when…whenIdon’tevenknowwhatIneed?”

Walkermovedcloser.Ihadonemaninfrontofme,theotheratmyside,Walker’sbighandgentleon

myshoulder.“We’lldiscoverittogether.Enoughfortonight.You’reexhaustedandwe’vegivenyouquite

asurprise.WhileIdesperatelywanttofeeltheheatofyourpussyaroundmycock,I’msureyou’realittle
tender.Hmm?”

WouldIeverstopblushing?“Yes,”Iadmitted.
“Tomorrow is soon enough,” he said, pulling me into his arms. He felt different than Luke, his scent

wasdifferent.

CHAPTERSIX

Celia

Iwassowarm,overlysoandItriedtopushtheheavyblanketoffofme.WhenIputmyhandsoverme

to move it away, it wasn’t a blanket, but an arm. My breath caught and my heart skipped before I
remembered.LukeandWalker.Iwasinbedwithoneofthem.

Glancingdown,Isawanarm,sprinkledwithdarkhair,aboutmywaist.Basedonthehaircoloronthe

arm, it was Walker. The hand was so big, it reached from my hipbone to have the thumb brush the
undersideofmybreast.Mybarebreast.I’dwornLuke’sshirttobed,butithadriddenupwellpastmy
waistandWalker’shandwasbeneathit.

It all came back to me then. Arriving in Denver, the luxurious hotel room, the men’s pressure into

havingmeadmithardtruths,thefucking.God,thefucking.

TheblankethadfallenaboutmywaistandIwaspressedagainstasolidwallofman,hisfrontagainst

mybackliketwospoonsinadrawer.Ifelteveryhardinchofhim.Thehaironhischesttickledmyback,
hisstrongthighstuckedbehindmine.Thatmeantthehardnesspressingagainstmybottomwashis—

“Don’tbefrightened,doll.”
Walker’svoicewasroughanddeepfromsleep.
Ishouldhavebeenfrightened.Iwasinastranger’sbed,inhisarms,practicallynaked.I’ddonesuch

wickedandcarnalthingswithhisbrother.

A whimper escaped just before he shifted so that I was on my back and he was looming over me,

settledupontooneforearm.Hebegantoundothebuttonsdownthefrontoftheshirt,slowlyexposingme,
inchbyinch.

IlookedupatWalker.Hisdarkhair,whichlastnighthadbeenneatlycombed,felloverhisforehead,

tousled from sleep. His shoulders were so broad he blocked out the pale light coming in from the
window.Hiseyeswereontheskinthathewasexposing.

“Sleepwell?”heasked,ashepartedthefabricsoitfellofftothesides.Exceptformyarms,Iwas

baretohim.

Iheatedathishonestandblatantperusal.HadIsleptwell?Yes.Ihadn’tsleptthatwellinalongtime.I

barelyrememberbeingtuckedbeneaththecoversandWalkerclimbingintobedandpullingmeintohis
arms.IrememberedLukesettlingontheothersideofme,butnothingmore.

Inodded.
Hesmiledthenandtheharshedgesheborethenightbeforeweregone.“Good.Youhadalongtripand

ifyouweren’twearyenoughfromthat,Lukecertainlyworeyouout.”

Iflushedthenandhegrinnedbroadly,ashebrushedonefingeracrossmycollarbones.
“Youturnpinkwhenyou’reembarrassed.Everywhere.”
Ilookedawayfromhismesmerizingeyes.“Where’sLuke?”
Hishandstilled.“Areyouafraidofme?”
“No.Ijust…wondered.”
Walkersighed.“Hehadanerrandtorunbutwillbebacksoon.”Heglancedoverhisshouldertothe

window. “The weather is fair again today, but there are clouds over the mountains, which means it’s
snowingupthere.WhileIwantedtostayatleastaday,ifnottwo,withyouinthisbed,weneedtoget
home.”

MymindclearedthenandIrememberedCarlNorman.“Oh!”
ItriedtomoveawayfromWalker,buthedidn’tshift.Bigashewas,Iwouldn’tbeabletogetupunless

heletme.Theideaofhimkeepingmeinbed—ofwantingmebeneathhim—wasquitenice,forJohnhad
neverevenheldme.Notonce.ButthelongerweremainedinDenver,thechanceofCarlfindingmegrew.

WhileIcouldn’tbesurehewouldfollowthroughwithhisthreats,Icouldn’tignorethem.Ihadtokeep
moving.ThesoonerwewereinSlateSpringsandthepassclosedbehindus,thebetter.

“Yes,weshouldhurry.”
WalkermovedhisarmandIpushedupandslidtothesideofthebed.Sittingup,IrealizedIhadno

covers, no way to shield myself except to tug the sides of Luke’s shirt together, but it still gaped open.
Whilehe’dseenmethenightbefore,nakedandbeneathLuke,themorninglighthidnothing.

Glancingovermyshoulder,IsawthatWalkerhadn’tmoved,justremainedrelaxedandcomfortableas

he watched me. While he had a gleam in his eye that indicated interest, he was not making any kind of
advances.Hedidnotseemtheleastbitbotheredbywakingupwithawomanhebarelyknew.

“Youseemquiteatease.Isthissomethingyoudooften?”Ibitmylipassoonasthewordsescaped,for

theyweresharplybarbedandnotdeserved.

Walker’seyesnarrowed,buthedidnotofferanyotherindicationthathewasbothered.Hestudiedme

quietlyforsometime,longenoughformetowanttosquirmundertheintensityofit.

“Jealous,doll?”
Mymouthfellopen.“What?No!Ishouldn’thavesaid…Imeanitwas…letmeup.”
“Iamnotkeepingyouinbed.”
“Yes,butIneedmorethanLuke’sshirt.”
“I’dratheryoudidn’tcoveryourselfatall,foryouarequitelovely.Ah,theblushagain.”Hesmiled

softlyandIrefusedtolookdownatmychestwhereIknewitwasturningaspinkasmycheeks.“Iwasno
virgincomingintothismarriage,andneitherwereyou.Wehavebothbeenmarriedbefore.Ihavevowed
to be true to you and I will, but we can’t make the past go away. What I did before you is of no
consequence.”

Isighedandstudiedhim.Hewasnotapologizingforanywomenhe’dbeenwithbefore,forhehadno

reason to do so. He was correct. What he did before my arrival was of no consequence. He was also
correctinthatmyshrewishquestioningwasoutofjealousy.

“I’msorry.”Itwassimple,butenough,forhenodded.
“Toansweryourquestion,IamateasebecauseIamhappy.IfindIamenjoyingbeingmarriedagain

verymuch.”

“Butwehaven’t…Imean—”
“Fucked?”heasked.“Youhadnoproblemwiththewordlastnight,doll.”Hetuggedgentlyonthetail

ofLuke’sshirt,butnothardenoughtopullitfrommygrasp.Itwasenoughformetoknowhecouldeasily
stripmebare,andmorethanwithwords.“Sayit.”

“Fucked,”Imurmured.
“Goodgirl.Wewillfucksoonenough,”hevowed.“AndIenjoyedsleepingwithyouinmyarms.Did

Lukenotpleaseyou?”

Ipursedmylips.“Youhaveforcedmyhand.HowcanIdenythathedid?HowcanIdenythatIdidn’t

enjoyit?”

Hisgrinreturned.“AndyetyouareafraidthatIwillfindyou…what?”
“Awhore,”Iwhispered,lookingaway.
His eyes narrowed. “I do not like that term, or the way you are thinking of yourself. If you speak of

yourselfthuslyagain,Iwilltakeyouovermyknee.”

Iwastakenabackbyhisvehemenceanddidn’tknowwhattosay.
“Doll,enjoyingwhatyourhusbandsdowithyouinbed—orout—doesnotmakeyouawhore.”
Ibitmylip.“ButI’veneverlikeditbeforenow.”
Iwasmortifiedbyourconversation.JohnandIneverspokeofsuchthings.Perhapsthatwasoneofour

problems. If he’d known I’d been dissatisfied, would he have changed his ways? I thought of his strict
routine and casual view on our marriage. Most likely, he wouldn’t have done a thing differently. It

probablywouldhavedrivenhimintothearmsofanotherwomanevensooner.

Walkerreachedoutandtuggedmebackdownbeneathhim,breakingmefrommythoughtsaboutJohn.

Hisdarkgazesearchedmyfaceonceagain.Icouldn’thelpthetearthatescaped.Withhisthumb,Walker
wipeditaway.

“Yougiveusquitethecompliment,”hesaid.“Yourhusbandcouldn’tpleaseyouandthat’sasadthing.

YoucamehardlastnightforLuke.”IturnedmyheadawaybutWalkertiltedmycheekbacksoIcouldn’t
look away. “You came because he gave you what you needed. You can’t compare, doll. I promise you,
LukeandIwillnotjustfuckyoubeneaththecoversinthedark.We’regoingtodothingswithyouthat
willsurpriseyou,makeyouquestioneverythingyouusedtoknow.”

Iheardadooropen,close,thenheavyfootfalls.
“Luke’sreturned.”
Withinseconds,hefilledtheopenbedroomdoorway.
I saw that my shirt had fallen open and my breasts were exposed, the soft hairs of Walker’s chest

tickling my belly. Luke’s gaze raked over both of us as he shrugged out of his coat and I could only
imaginewhathewasthinking.

Hetosseditonthebackofasettee,satdownandtuggedoffhisboots.
“Wasyouroutingsuccessful,brother?”Walkerasked,notmovingoffofme.
“Itwas.”Lukestoodtohisformidableheightandreachedintohiscoatpocket.Withhisbacktous,I

couldn’tseewhathe’dretrieved.

“While we were sleeping, doll, Luke went and collected a few items that we couldn’t get in Slate

Springs.” Walker moved so that he was sitting up in bed, leaning against the pillows, as casual and
relaxedasever.

ThesheetrodelowonhiswaistandItookinhistorso.WhileI’dwokeninhisarmsandfelthischest,

thiswasthefirsttimeI’dactuallyseenit.

HewassomuchbiggerandheavierthanJohn,withcordedmusclesbeneathdarkskin.Asmatteringof

hairwasonhischestbetweenflat,darknipples.HewasleanereventhanLuke,butnolessappealing.

LukeclearedhisthroatandIblushedfuriously,caughtoglingWalker’schest.Ituggedtheshirtclosed.

Bothofthemgrinnedatme.

“Rememberlastnightwhenyouaskedushowourmarriagewouldwork?Wesaidyou’dbepleasured

bytwomen.”

“Yes,”Ireplied.“Iremember.”
“I took you without Walker. He’ll fuck you on occasion without me. Sometimes, we’ll take you one

aftertheother.”Lukecockedhisheadtotheside.

IcouldfeelmyselfflushandIhadtowonderifI’deverstopbeingembarrassed.Butitwastempered

bytheircalmdemeanorsandthehintofneedintheirgazes.TheywereasaffectedasI.Theywantedit,
too.Neededit.

“Soon,we’lltakeyoutogether.”
“Atthesametime,”Walkeradded.
Iglancedathim,thenLuke,tryingtounderstandwhattheymeant.
“I’lltakeyourpussy,”Luketoldme.
“AndI’lltakeyourass.”
TheshirtslippedalittlefrommyfingersasIrealizedwhattheymeant.Swallowinghard,Ilickedmy

lips.“Youmean…together?”

That’swhathe’dsaidbefore,butIhadn’trealizedtogethermeanttogether.
Lukenodded.
“But…butyou’rebothsobig.I’venever—”Ishookmyhead.“Itwon’twork.”
Walkerofferedaverymanlygrunt.“Oh,itwill,doll.Wejusthavetoprepareyou.”

Turningmyhead,IlookedatWalker.Hisexpressionwassoopen,sorelaxed.Howcouldhefeelthat

waywhentalkingaboutdoingsomethingso…wrong.

“It’sshameful,allofit.Thistalk,howIbehavedlastnight,”Iadmitted,lookingdownatthebed.“Ilet

youwatchashe…ashefuckedme.”

Walkerreachedoutandtuggedmetowardhim,thistimewithenoughstrengththatIfellintohimwitha

smallgaspofsurprise.

Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me up so I lay atop his chest. The sheet was between us,

Walkerbeneathandmeontop.HetuggedatLuke’sshirtandeasilystrippeditfromme,tosseditontothe
floor.

“Walker!”Icried,tryingtomove,butheheldmeinplace,onehandatmylowerback,theotheronmy

neck.Hisholdwasn’tharsh,butinsistent.

“Youneedtolisten,doll.We’vesaiditbeforeandwe’llsayitagainandagainuntilyouunderstand.

Whatwedotogetherisnotshameful.Givingeachotherpleasureisnotshamefulorembarrassing.Sharing
yourdesires,tellinguswhatmakesyouhot,whatwillmakeyoucomemakesyousuchagoodgirl.”

Lukecameovertothesideofthebed,squatteddownsohecouldlookmestraightintheeye.Hewas

sohandsome,hisfairhaircreasedwithalinefromhishat.Hischeekswerecleanshaven,asifhe’drisen
much earlier and shaved. His scent was different than Walker’s. Like fresh air and some wood smoke.
Walkerwasmoresharpspice.Together,theirmergedscentwasheadyandsoverymasculine.

Beneath my cheek, I heard the steady beat of Walker’s heart, his heat seeping into me. Unlike John’s

calmdemeanorwherehe’dusedsilencetounnerveme,Ifeltthatthesetwomenwerepatientandsteady,
asifallowingmetimetocontemplateourdiscussionandtounderstandthem.Tounderstandus.

“It’sourprivilegeasyourhusbandstogiveyouexactlywhatyouneed.Justasyouwillforus,”Luke

added.

“ButIdon’tthinkI’mgoingtolikehavingyoutakemethere,”Iadmitted.“Itwillsurelyhurt.”
Lukesmiled,thelinesatthecornersofhiseyescrinkling.“Thankyoufortellingushowyoufeel,”he

said. They’d said that before, as if they were refreshed by my honesty. He placed his elbow on the
mattressandheldasmallobjectaloftformetosee.“Itwoulddefinitelyhurtifwefuckedyourassnow.
Ourcocksarebigandyou’renotprepared.”

I frowned at the oddly shaped piece of wood. It looked like a sock darner, but the tip was more

pointed,anditwassmaller.“Prepared?”Walkerhadsaidthatwordbefore,buthadyettoanswerme.

Walker’s hand slid up my back again, then down; it didn’t stop at the base of my spine, but moved

lowertocupmybottom.Histhumbslippedintotheseambetweenandbrushedovermy—

Igasped.
“Yourass,doll,needstobereadyforourcocks.You’resotighthere,weneedtoopenyouup.”
IstartledatthefeelofWalker’sthumbthereagain.Hebrusheditoverthatsensitiveskinsolightly.
“Shh,”hecrooned.“Doesthishurt?”
Ishookmyheadagainsthischest.Itdidn’thurt,butfeltpleasurableanddecadent.Wicked.Heshifteda

leg,whichmovedmineapart,openingmeupevenfurtherforhim.

“Wewon’thurtyou.We’llneverhurtyou.Onlypleasure.”
“But—”
Lukemovedtositonthesideofthebed.Heputthewoodenobjectdownandslippedahandbetween

my legs, below Walker’s. His fingers slipped over my folds as Walker continued to touch me in that
forbiddenplace.

Myeyesslippedclosedattheirerotictouch.
AsWalkercontinuedtolightlycirclemybottom,Lukeslippedafingerintomypussy.
“Icanfeelmyseed.”Lukegroaned.“I’mhard,Celia,knowingyourpussy’smarkedbyme,andsoonby

Walker,too.”

Thepleasure,theneed,wasinstant.IwassosensitiveinsidethatLuke’sfingermademecryout.My

hips shifted, which pushed Walker’s thumb harder against my untried hole. It didn’t hurt. Quite the
oppositeactually.

“Rideourfingers,doll.Rubyourclitonme.Yes,likethat.”
Itwaseasytoslipintoneed,toforgetthatIwasnakedontopofonemanashisthumbwasinsistenton

gainingentrytomyvirginbottomwhileanotherfingerfuckedmywell-usedpussy.Iwantedtocome,to
feellikeIhadthenightbefore.AndsoImovedmyhips,rubbedthatbundleofnervesWalkercalledaclit
againstthesheet.Allthewhile,themenmovedtheirfingersabout.

Walker’sthumbmovedawaybrieflytoslideovermyinnerthigh,thenreturned,coatedinmyarousal.It

madethedigitslipperyandwhenhepushedgentlyagainstthattenderopening,itfloweredopenforhim,if
onlyjustalittlebit.

Icriedoutattheoddsensationofbeingstretched,butitwasn’tbad.Infact,itfeltreally,reallygood.

SogoodthatImovedmyhipsevenmore,whichonlyslidhisthumbinevenatinybitfurther.Hedidn’t
move it, just kept it still, stretching me, letting me adjust to the feeling of something there, even if just
negligibly.

ItmademyhandsclenchthehardmusclesofWalker’sarmsasIliftedandloweredmyhips,circled

them.Itwassowarmintheroomthatsweatbrokeoutonmyskin.Iknewwhatitfeltliketocomenow
andIwasclose.

Walkermurmureddirtylittlethingsinmyears,abouthowhecouldn’twaittoopenmyassupmorewith

theplug.LukewhisperedabouthowmuchIlikedtheirtouch,howmuchhecouldn’twaittogethiscock
backinsidemytightheat.

Everything coalesced into bright, hot need and when Luke curled his finger in some magical way, I

came. Nothing could hold it back. Nothing could hold back my scream of pleasure either as I clenched
downontheminsideme,asifmybodydidn’twantthemtoleave,butwantedthemdeeperinstead.

Walker’sthumbslippedfrommefirst,hisotherhandslidingupanddownmysweatyback.Lukemoved

hisfingerinawaythatwrungthelastbitofpleasurefrommybody.Onlythendidhepullaway.Imoaned
attheloss,forwhileIenjoyedthedexterityofhisfinger,itwasn’tenough.Itwasn’tlongenoughorthick
enough.Ineededhiscock.

“Luke,”Imoanedashestoodandbegantostrip,eagertojoinusinbed.
Iwatchedashisbodywasquicklyexposed.Hewasheavierthanhisbrother;whereWalkerwaslean,

Luke’sbuildwasmoremuscularandsolid.HishipswerenarrowandIdidn’teventakeamomenttolook
athislegs,forhiscockwasrightthere.ItwasthickandlongasIrememberedit,butthecolorindaylight
was a ruddy red and I couldn’t miss the thick vein that ran down the side of it or the clear fluid that
seepedfromthetip.

“Fuck,”IheardWalkermumble,justbeforeheshiftedmesoIwasonmyback,myheadonthepillows.

Hepushedthesheetbackandclimbedfromthebed,notlookingback.MymouthfellopenasIwatched
himmoveacrosstheroom,rejectingme.

Luketookhisplace,kneelingontheedgeandthenmovingontopofme.Bracedonhisforearmsbymy

head,hecuppedmyfacewithhishands.

“I’ll prepare for our departure.” Walker’s voice came from across the room and I heard clothes

rustling,thenhisbarefeetonthewoodfloorashelefttheroom.

Ifrowned,butLuke’sthumbstrokedthecreaseinmybrowaway.“Didn’tI…pleasehim?”
Lukesighed.“Hewillprotectyou,Celia,fromanythingthatmightharmyou.Buthealsoprotectshis

heart.”

IjuststaredatLukeasIconsideredhiswords.“I’veknownyoubothlessthanaday.Ishisheartthat

muchinjeopardy?”

Lukesettledhishipsbetweenmineandhishardcockslippedovermyfolds,thensankintome.

“Fuck,yes.”
IclosedmyeyesandtiltedmyheadbackandgavemyselfovertoLuke.Yes,perhapshewasright.I’d

neverfeltanythinglikethiswithJohn,andwe’dbeenmarriedfiveyears.PerhapsthereasonwhyIwas
soconcernedthatWalkerleftwasbecauseIworriedformyownheartwherehewasconcerned.

WhenLuketookholdofthebackofmythighandpushedmylegupandbacksohecouldgodeeper,all

thoughtslippedfrommymind.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Luke

“Whatthefuckiswrongwithyou?”IaskedWalker.
I’d come up behind him, put my hand on his shoulder and leaned in so that not everyone in the hotel

lobbycouldhearmyheatedquestion.Ifanyoneglancedatme,theycouldcertainlytellIwasbothered,but
not as angry and frustrated as I truly felt. He’d walked out on Celia without a word or a backwards
glance.He’dhadhisthumbonherass,forfuck’ssake,andthendidn’teventendtoherafter.

I’d had to soothe her from not only Walker’s departure, but embarrassment after having come while

havingherassplayedwith.Shewasdefinitelyadventurousinbed,butshe’dprobablyneverconsidered
assplaybefore.AfterItookheragain—itwasmoregentlelovemakingthanfucking—I’dshownherthe
smallestplugandletherholdit.Wecouldn’tdomorethismorningsincewehadtoleavetownandmake
ituptoJasperbynightfall.WhenItoldherwe’dnotuseituntillater,herreliefwasnoticeable.Shejust
wasn’treadyforityet.Tosaythatwewereoverwhelmingwasmostlikelyagrossunderstatement.

Andyet,she’dstaredatitwithdefinitetrepidationanddoubt,butwithsomecuriosityaboutitaswell.

Thatbodedwellfortwodominantmenwhowishedtotakeheratonce.Ifonlyoneofthedominantmen
wouldn’tbesuchapussyaboutallofthis.

ThatwaswhyIsteeredWalkeroutontothestreetwherewewerelesslikelytobeoverheard.Where

myshoutingathimblendedintothebusyactivityoftheDenverstreet.

Heletmedoit,becausewhileIwasbigger,hecertainlywouldn’tletme—oranyoneelse—pushhim

aroundifhedidn’tallowit.

Oncewewereawayfromtheentrance,hespunabout.Hisfacewasallhardlinesasheputhishaton

hishead.Noneofthedesirefromearliershowed.

“Ihavenoideawhatyou’retalkingabout.”
TwoladieswalkedbyandWalkertippedhishat.
IwaiteduntiltheyweredowntheblockbeforeIresponded.“Youhadanakedwomanontopofyou

andyouwalkedaway.”

Walker’slipsthinned.“IhadCelianakedandontopofme.”
“Whatthehell’sthedifference?”Itriedtokeepmyvoicetempered.“Shethinksshedidn’tpleaseyou.”
“Fuck,” Walker swore, scuffed his boot over the ground. He walked away, turned back, paced. His

raggedbreathscameoutinwhitepuffsbeforehecametostandbeforemeagain.Itwasacoldmorning,
especiallyinthebuilding’sshadow.

He had his issues that stemmed from Ruth dying. It had been horrible and I wouldn’t wish an early,

miserabledeathonanyone,butshewasn’tthewomanforWalker.Hedidn’tloveher,althoughIdoubted
he’d admit that. She’d… intrigued a twenty-year-old and he’d made her his. But it hadn’t been a true
match.Iwasn’tsureifhewasriddledwithguiltmoreforbeingasinstantlyenthralledbyCeliaasIwas
orthathehadn’tfeltforhisdeadwifeashedidforCelia.Icouldseehisinterestinournewbrideandit
wasn’tjusthiscockthatwantedher.He’dassumedhecouldgointothisunorthodoxmarriageandjustget
awomantowarmhisbedandtosatehisneeds,buthe’dbeenwrong.Perhapswebothhad.

Celiawassomuchmorethanweeverimagined.
“Shepleasedme,”hesaid,finally.
“Toomuch,”Iguessed.“That’stheproblem,isn’tit?”
Henoddedonce,curtly.
Ileanedin,putmyhandonhisshoulderagain.“Ifyouwanttogetinherass,thenyouneedtogetyour

headoutofyours.”

HegrinnedthenandIknewI’dbrokenhimfromhisreverie.But,Iwasn’tdone.

“Ruth’sgone,brother.”
Hesighedatmydirectwords.“Iknow,butIwon’tgettrappedlikethatagain.”
“Trapped?YoucanwalkawayfromCeliarightnow.Justkeepongoing,”Iadvised.“Thetowncanjust

finddifferentmentoinauguratethenewlaw.I’lltakeherbacktoSlateSpringsasjustmine.”

“AndletThomkinslaughyououtofoffice?”heasked.“He’llcallyouout,sayingwhileyou’llpassthe

law,youwon’tsubscribetoityourself.”

Thomkinswasanassandhewoulddoeverythinginhispowertofuckwithme.Ithadbeenthatway

sincewewereboys.WalkercouldshrugoffhisinsultsmucheasierthanIevercould,itwasjusthisway,
buthewasn’tmayor.

Iwatchedasastagenearlymissedamanpullingawagonofcoaldownthestreet.
“Thisfightisn’taboutme,orThomkins,orthestupidlawandyouknowit.IwantherandI’mkeeping

her.Ifyou’renotin,noonewillknowdifferently,butyouhavetobetheonetotellher.”

While I’d rather share Celia with Walker—there was no question she was attuned and interested in

bothofus—Iwasn’tgivingherup.Shewasmine.Mybrotherjusthadtodecideifshebelongedtohim,
too.Ifnot,heowedheratleastthetruth.

Walkershruggedoffmyhand.“Andletyouhaveheralltoyourself?She’snotRuth.Iknowit.Fuck,

whenshegotoffthestage,itwaslikeyou’dpunchedmeinthegut.She’sours,Luke.Noquestion.”

“Iknowwhatyoumean.”
I did. The connection, the sense of knowing, had been instantaneous. As soon as I saw her walking

downthetrainplatformtowardus,Iknew.IwantedherwithacravingIcouldn’texplain,wouldnever
haveimagined.IhadtoassumeitwasthatpotentforWalkeraswell.Hewouldn’thavewalkedoutonher
otherwise.Hecaredenoughtoleave.But,hopefullyhewasgoingtocommitonanevendeeperlevel.We
werebothinvestednow.

“Andyetyouwalkedawayfromher,”Iadded.
“Iwalkedawayfromhow…intensethisis.”
I slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s incredible, how perfect she is for us. But I’ll keep her all to

myself,”Irepeated.“Noproblem.”

Hehuffed.“Nofuckingway.”
Igrinnedthen.Itwasn’taboutthelaw.Itwasaboutus.Webothwantedherandwewerebothgoingto

keepher.

“Whenyouleft,Ihadheralltomyself,”Isaid,tryingtorilehim.Itworked,becausehenarrowedhis

eyesandpointedafingeratme.Iheldmyhandsupinfrontofme.“YouhadherallalonewhenIwentto
TheLuckySwan.”

One thing neither of us had considered during the three days waiting for Celia to arrive was how to

preparehertotakebothofusatthesametime.Itwastheultimateconnectionbetweenusandwewould
notbedenied.But,wewouldnothurtCeliaeither.Lastnight,whenI’dfuckedher,Irealizedwedidnot
haveanybuttplugstoprepareher.AndsoI’dgoneatdawntooneofthebrothelsintown,onethatI’d
frequented in the past. The owner knew me and had not only given me a small set of varying sizes of
plugs,butcongratulatedmeonmynewbride.

WhileI didn’t tellhim she alsobelonged to Walker, theman wouldn’t havecared. In his profession,

he’dseeneverything.Ménagewastameforhim.

“Brother,it’snotallaboutfucking,”hecountered,hiswordssharp.
Idroppedmyhandsbacktomysides,gavemybrotherameaningfullook.“Exactly.”
AndI’dcaughthim,rightthen.Hiseyeswidenedasrealizationsetin.Thismarriagewasn’tallabout

fucking,ashe’doriginallywanted.ItwasbecomingacquaintedwithCelia,talkingwithher,discovering
her interests, enjoying her, not just her body. She wasn’t just a bride, a faceless woman coming from
Texastomarryus.

Walkergruntedandturnedabout,headingbackintothehotel.Igrinned,thinkingaboutourbride.While

Walkerwasconsideredtheintensebrother,thebrooder,he’dheldhimselfback.Cautiousandwary.But
nowthathewasresolved,IwonderedifournewbridecouldhandlethefulleffectofWalkerTate.Itwas
goingtobeenjoyabletofindout.

***

Celia

“I do not need that many clothes,” I told the men as they escorted me from a ladies’ dress shop,

Walker’sarmsladenwithwrappedparcels.Lukerefusedtoletmeleavewithoutdonningacompletely
newoutfit,fromhattoboots.Nowoutonthestreet,Ihadtoadmittheclothingwasquitewarmagainstthe
bitingwind.

Duringourforayinsidetheshop,Walkerplayedtheroleofbrother-in-lawwhileLukefilledtheroleof

my new husband. I understood all too well that marrying two men was against the law everywhere…
everywherebutSlateSprings,Colorado.Ididnotwanttodrawattentiontoourunusualarrangementany
morethanthemendid.

IwasstillcomingtotermswithwhatI’ddone.Lord,I’dspentawildandcarnalnight—andmorning—

withbothofthem.LukehadfuckedmeandI’dorgasmedwithwildabandon.Justthismorning,Walker
hadevenpressedthetipofhisthumbintomybottomasLukedidmagicalthingswithhisfingersinmy
pussy.Andthey’ddoneittogether.Together!I’dhadtwomentouchingme.

Theonlytimeitseemedeventheslightestbitsimilartoaconventionalmarriagewasthismorningwhen

LukehadtakenmewhileIlayonmybackinbed.

But what was a conventional marriage? Had my marriage to John been conventional? Did other

husbandstakemistressestotheirbeds?IhadtowonderifperhapswithLukeandWalkerIwas,infact,
quite lucky. I’d come three times. In five years, I’d had zero orgasms with John, so I knew what Luke,
WalkerandIsharedwas…unique.

TheonlysimilaritytowhatI’ddonewithJohnwastheposition.Earlier,Lukehadbeenontopofme,

justhasJohnhadalwaysdone.ButwithLuke,I’dbeennakedandeagerandwetandhe’dmademecome.
Again. He’d done it by sucking on one of my nipples as he brushed his fingers over my clit. John had
neverdoneeitherofthosethings.I’dneverevengottenwetbefore.

I’dloveditallwithLukeandWalker.Everybitofit.IjusthadtoreconcilewhatI’dbeenraisedto

believecomparedtowhatweweredoing.Ishouldbechasteandmodest.Iwasnot.Ishouldbemeekand
submissive. I wasn’t meek, but I seemed to be even more submissive than I ever thought. I’d loved the
waythemendominatedme.Mymind,mybody,mypleasure.

Buttheyhadn’tpushedordemandedwhentheycouldhaveeasilyoverpoweredme.Johnhadexpected

compliance,acquiescencetohishusbandlyneeds.I’dnevertoldhimno,butIhadtowonderifhewould
havetakenmeevenifI’ddeniedhim.

WalkerandLukehadaskedfirst,gainedconsentbeforetheyevenkissedme.Theywerehonorable,yet

didanhonorablemanwanttofuckmyass?AndyetWalkerseemeddoubtfulaboutsomething.Notme,but
perhapshehadsomeissuesashe’dbeenmarriedbefore.Wasthatwhyhe’drejectedme?Haditbeentoo
muchtoplaywithmyass?WasItoomuch?

Ihadtoassumetheanswerwasyes,but—
“Yousaidyourselfyouhavenowinterclothing.Notevenacoatorgloves.Yourdressesaremadeof

cotton, not wool. Even your stockings are for warm weather,” Luke said. “While there are premade
dressesattheshopinSlateSprings,itisbettertobewellsuppliedinadvanceofthelongwinter.”

He tucked my hand into the crook of his arm as we walked down the street. My new coat, a lovely

shade of blue, was thick and heavy. The kid gloves were lined with rabbit fur. But neither kept me as
warm as the feel of Luke against my side, who seemed to be warm even in the coldest of weather. I
assumedWalkerwasthesameway,buthewalkedtwostepsbehindusforpropriety’ssake.

“Theliveryisjustablockaway.Areyoucomfortablewalkingthatfarforustogetourhorses?”Luke

asked.

They’d told me we were to ride horses to Slate Springs, stopping overnight in a town called

Georgetownontheway.I’dneverheardofit,butbothmenassuredmeitwouldbeacomfortablenight.
Bythelooksintheireyes,Iassumedbycomfortabletheymeantpleasurable.Mypussy,whichwasalittle
soreanddefinitelytender,clenchedattheideaofbeingbetweenthemagain.

I was about to reply with a simple yes when I saw someone and I stopped as if my feet froze to the

ground.MyheartskippedabeatasIlookedacrossthebusythoroughfareandsawCarlNorman.Hewas
ofaverageheightwithdarkhairandequallydarkeyesandcouldhideeasilyamongthepeoplewalking
alongthecitysidewalk.Butitwashistannedskinthatsethimapart.Whilethesunwasbright,overlyso,
inColorado,noonewalkingpasthadskinthecolorofcaramel,indicativeoflifeinawarmerclimate.

Luke didn’t expect my stop and kept walking, tugging me along a step. Walker put his arms on my

shoulderstokeepfromrunningintome.

“Whatisit,doll?”heasked,turninghisheadtowhereIwaslooking.
Istaredacrossthestreetintently,Carl’seyesdirectlyonmine.OhGod,he’dfoundme.Allmyfears

hadn’tbeenunwarranted.Hewasherewatchingme.

Thecornerofhismouthtippedupinawickedsmile.Igasped,thenpinchedmylipstogether.Ihadn’t

toldeithermanaboutCarl,thathewishedmedead,eventhreatenedtokillmeforwhatI’ddonetohis
brother.I’dsputteredtohimwhenhe’dcorneredmeinthealleythatI’ddonenothing.Ihadn’tpulledthe
triggerthatkilledtwopeople.ButCarlhadn’tseenitthatwayandsoughtrevenge.Soughtrevengeforthe
onlywitnesstohisbrother’scrime,whohelpedinhisconviction,andultimately,execution.

“Doll?”WalkerrepeatedandIlookedovermyshoulderathim.
He looked across the street—God, I had to hope he hadn’t noticed Carl—then looked down at me,

studiedmyface.

MyeyesdartedtowhereCarlwas,buthewasgone.Ilookedupanddownthesidewalkontheother

sideofthestreet,buthewasnowheretobeseen.

Hadhereallybeenthere?Hadmymindplayedatrickonme?WasIsoafraidofhimfollowingmethat

Iwasputtinghisfaceonstrangers?

“What’sthematter,Celia?”Lukeasked.“Youlookasifyou’veseenaghost.”
ShouldItellthem?ShouldIletthemknowthattheirwifepossiblyhadacrazymanafterher?Would

theyevenbelieveme?Wouldtheychangetheirmindsaboutme,leavingmehereinDenver?I’dratherbe
upinSlateSpringswithasnowed-inpass,butthatwouldonlyhappeniftheytookmewiththem.Icould
tellthemthetruth,butlaterwhenIwassureCarlcouldn’tgettome.

Aghost?Yes,CarlNormanwasaghostandIhadnoideahowtomakehimgoaway.
Itookadeepbreath,letitout,thensmiled,althoughweakly.“Nothing.IthoughtIsawafamiliarface,

butitcouldn’tbe.IknowonlyyoutwohereinDenver.”

Themendidn’tseemsosure,continuingtoappraisethoseonthesidewalkforafewmoreseconds.
“WeshouldbegoingtomakeittoJasperbeforedark?”Iasked,hopingtoprodthembackintomotion.

Chillsrandownmyspineanditwasn’tfromthecold.ThesoonerwewereoutofDenver,thebetter.

Lukepattedmyhandinthecrookofhiselbowandwecontinuedon.Thistime,Walkerwalkedbeside

mesoIwasflankedbytwoimposingmen.Iwasreassuredbytheirsizeandprotectiveness,butIdoubted
itcouldkeepCarlaway.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Walker

WerodeintoJaspertwohoursafterdark.Snowwasfallingsotheroutewasbright,butIwasreadyto

getoutofthecoldandintobedwithourbride.She’driddenonherownformostofthejourney,butthe
lastfewmilesshegrewweary—notthatshecomplained—andLukecoaxedhertoridewithhimandhe
heldheronhislapandletheranimalbetetheredtomine.Iwasmightyjealousofhimholdingher,butI
wasalsogladforthedistance,forIwouldhaveinterrogatedherlikeawitnessincourtifshewereinmy
lap. With my new resolve in our marriage, I was impatient to know about the man on the street. I was
possessiveandprotectiveandIneededtoknow,butIhadtowait.Atleastuntilwewereallwarmagain
andfed.

She’dknowntheman,whoeverthefuckhewas.We’dwatchedheralightthetraininDenverandhad

keptherwelloccupied,soshehadn’tseenhimintownbefore.Thatmeantshe’dknownhimfrombefore
herarrival.HadhebotheredheronthetrainorwashesomeonesheknewfromTexas?Thewayshe’d
reacted,equallystunnedandafraid,wasobvioustome,althoughshe’dhiddenitfairlywell.Thatmeant
twothings.Shewasn’texpectingtotheseethemanandshewantedtokeephimasecret.

Onthestreet,I’dglancedatLukebuthehadn’tseentheman.HisgazehadbeenfocusedonCelia.The

strangerhaddisappearedquickly,asif,likeLukesaid,he’dbeenaghost.Hewasnoghost.I’dseenthe
man’ssmirk,theroilingangerinhisgaze,directedsquarelyonCelia,withoutquestion.Why?Andwho
thehellwashe?

We’d find out soon enough, because a man like that, with anger directed at my wife, needed to be

stopped.WhileI’dbeenreluctanttotakeabride—especiallybecauseofthenewtownlaw—I’dgivenin
becauseIwasn’taversetotheideaofawifewarmingmybedagain.ButLukehadcalledmeoutwhenI
climbedfromthebedofawillingwoman.FromCelia.Hell,I’dbeenteachingheraboutassplaywithmy
thumb.Iwasanassholeandanidiot,butI’dbeenfuckingscaredandpanicked.

Whatotherreasonwouldamanclimbfromthebedhesharedwithanakedandwell-satedwoman?
I’d married Ruth when we were both so young. I’d thought it was love, but it had been youthful

randiness on my part. She’d been beautiful and I’d wanted her in my bed. Ruth had wanted out of her
zealousandstrictparents’house.SoImadehermineandwhenIgotherjustwhereIwantedher,beneath
me, she’d been… disinterested. I’d wanted to show her the fun that could be had in lovemaking, even
somemoreunusualaspectsoftheact,butshe’dgottenallshewanted.Escape.Ithadturnedintoastale
andemptymarriage,butI’dvowednevertogothroughthatagain.Tobeboundtoawomanforlife,toa
womanwhokeptyoufromlove.

AndsowhenIagreedtothepluralmarriagewithLuke,ithadbeeneasy.I’dplannedtoletLukeworry

aboutkeepingherhappywhileIjustenjoyedthe…perksoftheunion.Butshe’dsteppedofthattrainand
destroyedeverywall,everydefenseIhad.Onesmallsmile,onelookofsurprisewhenourtouchbrought
her pleasure and I never had a chance against Celia. I walked away this morning, not because I didn’t
wanther,butbecauseIwantedhertoomuch.Iwouldn’tdoitagain.

IwasastupidfuckandIwasgoingtomakeitright.Iwasgoingtogivehereverything.
As for Celia, while she was so open and passionate when we touched her, she had to learn that we

wereherhusbandsandtherewouldbenosecretselsewhereinourmarriage.Shewouldnotkeepthings
fromus.Wewouldprotectheratallcosts.Whoeverthatmanwas,hewouldnotevenlookatherwrong
again.Buttohelpher,sheneededtotalk.Iwaswillingtodowhateverittooktogethertoopenup,even
ifthatmeanttossingherovermykneeandspankingherassuntilsheshared.

WerodeuptoourfriendLaneHaskins’house;thedownstairswindowsglowedwithsoftlanternlight.

The man himself came out onto the porch and put his hat low on his head. Tucking up the collar of his

coat,hecamedownthestepstomeetus.

Luke handed Celia down from his lap and Lane was there to help her. Luke dismounted and stood

besideherandintroducedourbride.

Lanerepliedwithasimpletipofhishat.“Ma’am.”
Climbingfrommyhorse,Ijoinedthem.
“Celia,thisisLaneHaskins,anoldfriend,”Lukesaidbywayofintroduction.
We’dknownLaneforadecade.AsamineownerinJasper,heandLukehadthesameprofession,fell

inwiththesamecircles;he’devenhousedLukeonewinterwhenhe’dbeencaughtinJasperafterthepass
closed. While his mine was smaller than Luke’s, it was very prosperous. His house sat at the edge of
town,thebaseofthemountainsdirectlyouthisbackdoor.Largeforjustabachelor,he’dbuiltitwitha
familyinmind.Hehadyettofindtherightwoman.Inthemeantime,westayedwithhimaswepassed
through,oftenbringinghimsupplieswithusbackfromDenver.Notthistrip.

Tonight,weonlybroughtourbride.
“Stew’sonthestovetostaywarm.”
Stewsoundedperfectformyemptystomach.
“Youwon’tjoinus?”Iasked.
Laneshookhishead.“Iateearlier,butwantedtomeetyournewbridebeforeIleft.”
“You’renotstaying?”Celiaasked.
“No,ma’am,”hereplied,offeringherasmile.“It’sbestthatnewlywedshavetimeontheirown.Don’t

concernyourselfwithme.Iwon’tbecoldtonight.”

Hewouldspendthenightinhismistress’sbed,nodoubt,andwouldbequitewarm.
ItwastoodarktoseeifCeliablushedwithembarrassment,butIhadtoimagineherthoughts.Ofcourse

wewouldfuckhertonight.Hell,we’dfuckhereverynight…andmorning.

“Youmustbechilledthrough.Headoninsideandwarmup,”hetoldCelia.
SheglancedatLuke,whonodded.
“Thankyou,”shereplied.Allthreeofuswatchedhergoinside.
“I’llsettleyourhorsesforyou,thenbeonmyway.”
“You’vebeengenerousenough.I’vegotthem,”Lukesaid,grabbingthereinsandwalkingaroundthe

sideofthehousetothebarn.

Laneslappedmeontheback,knockingsnowoffmycoat.
“She’slovely,Walker.”
OnlyafewyearsolderthanbothLukeandI,Lanewasstillinhisprimeandfocusedonhisprofession

insteadofabride.Theminebroughtmoney,butitdidn’tputawomaninhisbedorchildreninthenursery.
Sofar,Lanehadn’tminded.

Ilookedattheclosedfrontdoor.“Sureis.Weare…lucky.”
“Ifthat’sthebrideyougetfrommailorder,maybeIshouldsendinaletter.”
MaybehewasmoreinclinedtofindingawomanthanIthought.We’dbeentothebrothelinJasperwith

him before and knew he had some unconventional needs. When we told him about our marriage, how
we’d share a bride together, he hadn’t flinched, perhaps been a little intrigued. He’d poured us some
whiskeytotoastournewbrideandwasalmostaseagertomeetheraswe’dbeen.

Igrinnedthen.“Perhapsyoushould.Thanksforthehousetonight.”
“I’llcomebackafterbreakfasttomorrow.Lilwillkeepmeoccupieduntilthen.”Hewinked.
“IhatetothinkIkickedyououtofyourownhouse,”Isaid.
Withonehandraised,hecontinued.“Please.Idon’twanttobetheonlyonenothavingawomanwarm

mybed.Besides,youdon’tneedmeaboutifyouonlymarriedyesterday.”

“Probablyforthebest,”Ireplied.“She’sgotsometroublefollowingher,andImeantogetthestory

behinditfromher.”

“Youmeanfromherbehind,”Lanecountered.
Ishrugged,somesnowfallingoffmycoat.“Ifthat’swhatittakestolearnaboutthebastardwhowas

eyeingherinDenver.Sheknowshim,butisn’ttellingus.I’llspankherassifneedbe.We’reinchargeof
hersafetynow.Iwon’thaveherharmed.”

“Ithoughtyouweren’ttookeenonthismarriage.”
I’dtoldhimthatonourwaydowntoDenverlastweek.Somuchhadchangedinjustafewdays.So

muchhadchangedsinceLukecalledmeoutonmystupidity.“That’strue.Iwasn’t.Butnow,nowI’mall
in.”

Lane’seyeswidened.“Whoa,”hesaid.“Fellhard,didyou?”
Ishookmyhead,laughed.“Hard.I’dheardofinstantattraction,butthis…hell,ifitcanhappentome,

itcanhappentoyou,sobecareful.”

Lanechuckled,definitelyatmyexpense,andhelduphishands.“Ihavebeendulywarned.It’sgoodto

seeyouinvestedinthis,Walker.”

“Ruth’sbeengoneawhilenow,”Isaid,mysmileslipping.Ifeltlightersayingitaloud,toletmyguiltof

ourfailedmarriagego.“It’sfinallytimetomoveon.”

Laneslappedmeontheshoulder.“Goodforyou.Ifyouneedhelpwithtrackingdownthetrouble,let

meknow.”

“Willdo,andmuchobliged.”ItippedmyhatandLanewalkedofftowardtownandhismistress.
Ilookedbackatthefrontdooragain,thoughtofCelia.Ihadnoideawhatkindoftroublefollowedher,

forLukeandIbarelyknewher.Butwiththeattractionanddesire,theabsolutecertaintythatshewasours,
itmatterednot.Thetroublethatfollowedherwassomethingwecouldresolve,couldmakegoaway.The
rest,itwouldstayforever.

But she was holding back and I could not be in a marriage where my bride didn’t give the marriage

everythinginherbeing.Iwould,forCelia.Thesecretwouldberevealed…tonight.

CHAPTERNINE

Celia

Lane’s house was impressive. While simple, it was large, larger than a bachelor could need. A

stairwell was directly in front of the entry with a long hallway beside it. I could see the warm lantern
glowtowardthebackandassumedthekitchenwasthere.Thescentsofbreadandmeatfilledthehouse.I
strippedoffmycoatasIpeekedintotheroomstotheleftandright,butbothweredark.Onlyonehada
fireinthehearth,butitonlygaveoffenoughglowformetoseethatitwasanofficeofsorts;bookslining
thewallsandalargedeskinthecenter.

Hangingmycoatbythedoor,Icarriedmyhatandmittenstothekitchen.Theroomwaslitbyalarge

lanternabovethewell-worntable.Acast-ironstovewasinthecornermakingthespacequitewarm.Isat
onthesmallbenchwasbesideitandremovedmyboots,placingthem,alongwithmyouterwear,beside
thefiretodry.

Oncedone,Iwenttothestoveandliftedthelidoffalargepotsettothebackofacookingstove.The

stewwasfilledwithrootvegetablesandthickchunksofmeat.Mystomachgrowled,eagerforsome.

“Smellsfantastic.”
Walker’svoicemademejumpandIputthelidbackonthepot.
HesettledhimselfonthebenchanddidasIhad,strippingoffhisboots.He’dforegoneanecktiethis

morningandworejustawhiteshirtwithhisdungarees,hiscoatprobablybesidemineintheentry.“We’ll
eatinalittlebit.First,weneedtotakecareofyourpunishment.”

Whilehewasbentoverandundoinghislaces,hiseyesweresquarelyonme.Ifrownedslightly.
“Punishment?”MymouthwasdryandIlickedmylips.
Hestoodandplacedhisbootsbesidemine.Whilethekitchenhadbeensobigjustsecondsago,with

Walker,itseemedasifthewallswereclosingin.

“Forlying.”
Ipickedupsomefoldednapkinsandwalkedaroundthetable,readytosetitforthemeal.“Ihaven’t,I

mean—”

“Who’stheman,doll?”Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.
Istoppedathiswords.Sodidmyheart.Surely,hedidn’tknowaboutCarl.Hecouldn’t.“Man?”
“That’stwo.”
“Two?”Isqueaked.
“Twopunishments.”
“Walker,Idon’t—”
“Doyouwanttomakeitthree?”heasked,archingabrow.Withhisarmscrossedoverhischestandthe

wayheleanedagainstthewall,sopatientandcasual,itseemedhehadallthetimeintheworld.

Iglancedatthebackdoor,wonderedwhereLukewasandifLanewouldreturn.
“TellmeaboutthemanonthestreetinDenver.”
MyshouldersslumpedandIlookedatthefloor.“Yousawhim.”Ididn’tstateitasaquestionbecause

hewouldn’thaveaskedafterhimifhehadn’tseenhim.

“Whoishe?”
“Noone.”
Ididn’thavetimetomakemorethananoddgaspofsurprisewhenIwaspulledintoWalker’sarmsand

whenhesatinoneofthekitchenchairs,hesettledmeoverhislap.Myhandswenttothewoodfloorfor
balancewhenheshiftedmeforward,mytoesbarelytouching.Itmademybottomstickstraightup.

“Walker!”Icried.“Whatareyoudoing?”
Ifeltthehemofmydressslideupmylegs,higherandhigheruntilitbunchedatmywaist.Iheardthe

crackofhispalmonmybottomamomentbeforeIfeltit.Stiffening,Ibuckedonhislap.

“No!”
“Youdecidehowlongyou’respanked,doll.TellmeaboutthemaninDenverandwe’llbedone.”
AsharptugonmydrawersandthestringbrokeandWalkerslidthemdowntomythighs.“Ipunishon

thebare,doll.”

Spank.
Spank.
Spank.
“I’mtoooldtobespanked!”Icried.
Walkerdidn’trelent,spankingmeconsistently,hispalmlandingindifferentplacesonmybottomand

thetopsofmythighs.“You’retoooldforlies,aswell.”

Iwincedashespankedwheremybottommetmythighs.Atenderspot,Icriedout.Hewasnotgoingto

stop.IthoughtofCarlNormanandhowhe’dmademylifehellinTexasandthenhe’dfollowedme.He
wasn’tgoingtogoaway.Hewastheonefollowingme,pesteringme,andIwastheonebeingspanked.It
wasunfair.Allofit.Icriedthen,forthepainwasenoughtopushmeover.

TearscourseddownmycheeksasWalkercontinued.
“Whatthehell?”Luke’svoiceboomedinthekitchen.Ifeltthecoldaircomeinbehindhimjustbefore

heshutthebackdoor.HestompedhisfeetonthematthereandIcouldseehisbootsandlowerlegsfrom
myupturnedposition.

Spank.
Spank.
“Celia’sbeenanaughtygirlandlyingtous.”
Histonehelddisappointmentandthathadmytearsfallingevenfaster.
“I’msorry,”Imumbled.
Slowly,Walkerliftedmetomyfeet,holdingontomyhipsasIsettled.Withhimsitting,wewerethe

sameheightandIlookedintohisdarkeyes.Theyheldinfiniteamountsofpatience,butalsoconcern.

“WeareverypossessiveandIwillnothaveamanfollowingyou,watchingyoulikethat.”
I wasn’t going to be able to escape. The truth would have to come forth. There would be no more

running,atleastfrommyhusbands.

“HisnameisCarlNorman.”
Walker’shandcameupandhewipedthetearsfrommycheekswithhisthumb.“Thatwasn’tsohard,

wasit?WhywasheonthestreetinDenverwatchingyou?”

Thecornerofhismouthtippedup.
Lukewentaroundthetablesohecouldseeme.“WhothehellisCarlNorman?Alover?”
My gaze met and held Luke’s. “No! Of course not. The idea of that man touching me makes my skin

crawl.”

Walker pulled me into him so I stood between his parted knees. “Has he touched you before? Hurt

you?”Hisvoicewasadarkgrowl.

Ishookmyheadandbitmylip.“No.It’snotlikethat.”
“Explain.Now.Oryou’llgoovermyknee,”Lukewarned.
“Itoldyoumyhusbandwasshot.Thathewasinbedwithhismistress.Thewoman’shusbandfound

themtogetherandkilledthemboth.”Irememberedwhathappened,shivered.“WhatIdidn’ttellyouwas
thatIsawthewholething.”

Neithermanspoke,butWalkersqueezedmywaisttourgemeon.
Isniffed,thencontinued.“I’dcomeinwhiletheywere…fuckingandwentintotheroomnextdoor.I

peekedthroughthepartiallyopendoorwayandwatchedthem.I’dbeenstunnedtoseemyhusbandbeso
vigorous,sowildinbed.He’dneverbeenlikethatwithme.Butthenthewoman’shusbandcamestorming

inthehouse,upthestepsandshotthem.HeneverknewIwasthere.Astheonlywitnesstothecrime,it
wasmytestimonythatsealedhisconviction.Hewashungsoonafter.”

“Ifhewashung,thenwhothehellfollowedyou?”Lukeasked.
Iwaslearninghewasnotaspatientashisbrother.
“Hisbrother.CarlNormanblamesmeforhisbrother’sdeath.ThatIshouldhavebeenabetterwifeand

pleasedJohn.IfI’ddonethat,thenhewouldn’thavestrayed.”

“That’swhyyouwereskittishwithus,”Walkeradded.
Inoddedandlookeddownatthefloor.“IknewhowJohnreallylikedtofuckandyetheonlypushedup

mynightgownand…andtookmeatnight.ItwasquickandIdidn’tlikeit.Therewasnopleasureinitand
whenIdidn’tgivehimachild,hegaveupentirely.Buthedidthingswithhismistressthat…God,thatI
wouldhavedonewithhim.ButIhadn’tpleasedhim.There’ssomethingwrongwithmebecauseIdidn’t
makehimhappyandhedidstray.”

“Stop.”Walker’sonewordcutoffmyfrustratedoutpouring.“Thereisnothingwrongwithyou.Ifyour

husbandwasn’talreadydead,I’dkillhimmyselfformakingyouthinkthisway.”

“Damn straight. We’ll talk about that later, trust me. For now, this Norman fucker. Why is he in

Denver?”

IputmyhandonWalker’sshoulder,feltthehardplaneofmusclebeneathmyfingers.“Hethreatened

me.InTexas,hegrabbedmeaboutthethroat,saidhewasgoingtokillme.HewantedrevengeforwhatI
didtohisbrother.”

“Andsoyoufled.”
Inodded.“Yes.IhadnomoneytoleaveonmyownsoIappliedtobeamailorderbride.”
“Andhefollowedyou,”Walkeradded.
“Yes.He’sinsane.Idon’tthinkhe’dfollowusupheretoJasper,butIhavenoidea.Iwasthrilledto

hearthatSlateSpringswassnowedinandhecouldn’tgettome.Ijustwanttogetwherehecan’thurt
me.”

“We don’t have to be in Slate Springs to keep you safe. He won’t hurt you, doll. You don’t have to

worryaboutthat.Whywouldn’tyoutellusthis?”

Ilookedatbothmen.“BecauseIdon’t—didn’t—knowyouandIwasn’tsureifyou’dagreewithhim,

thatI’dbeentheonetomakeJohnstray,tomakehimbekilled.”

“Ishouldtossyoubackovermykneeforthatridiculousidea.”
MyhandswenttomybottomandIrubbedthesmartingflesh.Bothmenchuckled.
“Thisproblem,doll.ThisCarlNorman,he’sourproblemnow.Hewantstohurtourwife,we’lltake

careofit.Allright?”

IlookedatWalkerwithhope.I’dtoldthemandtheyhadn’trunaway.I’dtoldthemandtheysaidthey’d

takecareofCarl.Ofme.Ifeltbetter,betterthanIhadinaslongasIcouldremember.Iwasn’tallalone.

Inodded,wipedanothertearfrommyeye.“Yes.”
“Good.Tellmesomething,doll.Didyoulikeyourspanking?”Walkerasked.
“No!”Irepliedinstantly.“Ofcoursenot.”
Hearchedonedarkbrow.“Really?Yousaidlastnightyouwanttobetiedupandtaken.Youwantwild

abandon.”

I flushed, remembering I had said those exact words. I was impressed that Walker had listened so

intently.

“Yes,butnotlikethat.”
LukecamearoundthetableandWalkerspunmeabouttofacehim,althoughhekeptmeinthecircleof

hislegs.“Walkerhadyoupinneddown.Youcouldn’tgoanywhere.Couldonlysubmittowhathedid.You
kickedandbuckedwithwildabandon.”

“Yes,but—”

Heputafingerovermylips.“Areyouwet,Celia?”
OhGod.Hiswords,socarnalanddark,mademewet.NotthatIwasn’talready,Ijusthadn’tnoticed.

Withoutmydrawers,Ifelttheslickarousalonmypussyandthighs.Iwhimpered,butIshookmyhead.

“SoifWalkerslippedhishandoveryourpussyhewouldn’tfinditdrippingwet?”
Walkerbunchedupthefabricofmydressandhisfingersslidupmycalf.
“What’sgoingtohappen,doll,ifIfindyouallwet?Doyougetanotherspankingforlying?”
“Yourbodyneverlies,Celia,”Lukeadded.
He lifted his finger from my lips as Walker’s hand moved higher. Higher still until his fingers were

mereinchesfromdiscoveringjusthowarousedIwas.

“Yes,I’mwet.Itmademewet,”Iadmitted.
Walker’shandmovedaway,thedressfallingbacktothefloor.LukesteppedbackandWalkerreleased

mefromhishold.

“Goodgirl.I’mhungry.You?”Lukeasked,turningtoliftthelidfromthepotonthestove.
Istoodthere,confused.They’darousedme,mademeacheforthem,thenwalkedaway.Iwhimpered

onceagainasIclenchedmythighstogether.

Walkerstood,leaneddowntowhisperinmyear.“Punishmentnumbertwo.Orgasmdenial.”
Iwhimpered,forIwasreadytocome.
“Later,doll.LaterI’mgoingtofuckyou.Hard.Withwildabandon.Imighteventieyouup.”
Lukeladledsomestewinabowlandhelditout.
“Eat,doll.You’regoingtoneedyourstrength.”

CHAPTERTEN

Celia

Ididn’tsaymuchoverdinner.HowcouldI?I’dbaredmyoneandonlysecrettothem.They’dtakenthe

dangerousfactthatCarlwasfollowingmewithaneasygoingnature.Whatfrustratedmewasthatthey’d
beenmuchmoreupsetthatI’dliedtothem.Clearly,theydidn’tlikesecrets.Theydidn’tlikenotknowing
ofanykindofdangerorproblem.Icouldn’tblamethem,butthefearofrejectionhadbeentoogreatofa
risk,andresultedinasoundspanking.

But I hadn’t been turned away. In fact, they wanted me more. Their care and concern for me was

obvious.IhighlydoubtedWalkertookjustanyoneoverhisknee.Theactionwassolelyforme.Whileit
had hurt, and the heat and sting of it lingered, he’d done it because he cared, because I had not been
forthrightwithhim.Itmademefeel…protectedandoddlycherished.Iwasatoddswithhowthatcould
be.He’dspankedmeandyetIfeltprotected.Ishouldfeelembarrassedorappalled.Ifeltneither.

When they had me admit the truth, that it had been arousing as well, I’d felt overwhelmed and

dominated.Hadn’tthatbeenwhatI’dwantedfromthem?ThatI’daskedforjustthenightbefore?They’d
givenmeexactlywhatI’dwanted,whatI’dneeded,withoutmyevenrealizingit.

ButwhenIthoughtofbeingcontrolled,IhadthoughtofhowJohnhadtakenhismistress,tiedtothebed.

Whileeager,Lukehadnotbeenoverlydominantthenightbefore.Walkerhadyettofuckme.

Nowthough,theywaiteddownstairs,allowingmetimetobathe.Ieventookafewminutestolookover

myshoulderandstareatmypinkbottom,tothinkaboutthespanking,howI’drespondedtoit,tothem.
TheywereoverwhelmingandIwasabletocatchmybreath.

Not for long, as they were below. I had no choice but to join them. Not that I wanted to do anything

else. I’d been wet and eager for them. I still was and this delay only made my need even greater. This
delayed pleasure was a punishment I did not enjoy. I looked down, saw my nipples clearly against my
nightgown.Hardandtight,theyached.Sodidmypussy,eagerfortheirtouch,fortheircocks.

Barefooted, I went down the steps and into the library by the front door. The lanterns offered a soft

glowandtheheatfromthefireplacebeckoned.Themenstoodatmyappearance.They’dunbuttonedthe
tops of their shirts, rolled up their sleeves to show off solid forearms. While I thought the room a
comfortabletemperature,theyprobablyconsideredittoohot.

Iwassuddenlyshy,evenaftereverythingthey’ddonetome,withme,inthepastday.
“Ithoughtwedidn’tpurchaseanightgown,”Walkersaid,hiseyesrakingovermefromheadtotoe,but

settling on my breasts. The rough timbre of his voice had my nipples tightening. The idea of being
touched,beingtaken,bythesetwoasthey’dsaidwasheady.Itwasalsoarousing,anddefinitelydaunting.

“Wedidn’t.Thatmustbeoneshe’dbroughtfromTexas.”
I ran my hands down my hips, drying my damp palms. Yes, it was just as I’d imagined. They didn’t

wantmeinanightgown.

“Youwon’tbewearingthattobed,doll,”Walkersaid,onlyconfirmingmywords.
“It’s…coldout.”
Lukesteppedcloser.“Iassureyou,youwon’tbecoldbetweenus.”
No,Ididn’tthinkIwould.
Hesteppedforward.“Mybrotherwasanidiotanddidn’ttakeyouthismorning.Idid,andIwantyou

again.”

Takingmyheadinhishands,hisgazedroppedtomymouth.Igaspedwhenhislipsmetmine,foritwas

notakiss.NotakissIknew.Warmlipstouchedmine,sosoftandgentleIwasconfused,thenheslidthem
backandforthovermine.Histongueflickedouttolickthecornerofmymouth,thentheother.

Hismouthwasn’tfirmorhislipschilled.Norwasitchaste.Thiswashotandcarnalanditwasjusta

whisperofakiss.Asoundescaped,makingLukegroan.Itwasthenthatthekisschanged.Withmylips
parted,histonguelickedintomymouth,tastingme,learningme.Tentatively,mytonguemethisanditwas
likelightning,aheatedsparkthatshotthroughme.

“Hey,Iwantedherfirst,”Walkersaid,hisvoicearoughgrowl.
Lukeliftedhisheadlongenoughtosnarlback,“Toobad.”
Ilovedtheideathatthesebrotherswerefightingoverme,thattheybothwantedmeenoughtoargue.

They were like two toddlers fighting over a toy. And that was me. They were going to play with me,
takingturns,andperhapsasthey’dtoldmethismorning,together.

Luke’shandcuppedmyhead,tiltedmyheadsohecouldtakethekissdeeper.Ididn’tobject.Icouldn’t,

nordidIwantto.Iwantedthiskissmorethanmynextbreath.Itwasn’tjustamergingofmouths,buta
mergingofsouls.Itwasasifheknewjustwhatwouldmakemyskintingle.

I felt other hands on me as Luke continued the kiss. I never wanted it to end and by the way he

continuedandcontinued,neitherdidhe.WarmaircaressedmycalvesasIfeltfingertipsslideuptheside
ofmyleg.Ittoo,wassoftandgentleandyetIgasped.

“Walker.”Igaspedhisname,surprisedbyhisboldness.
IturnedmyheadinLuke’sgraspandlookeddown.Walker’seyesweresodark,sofilledwithpassion

Icaughtmybreath.

“Luke’sgotyourmouth.Igettherestofyou.”
Istudiedhimbriefly,butLuke’smovedtomyearandlickedalongthedelicateshell,thennippedatthe

lobe.MyeyesfellclosedasIbreathed,“Yes.”

Walkermadearoughsoundofassentashishandsreturned.
Theyweren’tbeingroughatall.Domineering,yes,butIfeltnofear,noworrythattheywouldtakeand

take. There was no take. They were giving to me. I was awash in sensation, especially when I felt
Walker’sfingershigherandhigheronmythighs.Igaspedagain,butLukedidn’trelentandturnedmyhead
backtoclaimmymouthagain,toswallowallmysoundsofsurpriseanddesire.

Walker’shandsstrokedme,front,back,andthenbetween.Onehandmovedtomybottom—stillalittle

sore from the spanking—and cupped me as the other brushed over my curls and then in between. I
couldn’tsplitmyattentionbetweenwhatWalkerwasdoingwithhishandsandthewayLukewaskissing
me.

“She’sdrippingwet,”Walkergrowled.
“You’realwayswetforus,aren’tyou?”Lukewhisperedagainstmymouth.
“Aren’tyou,doll?”Walkerasked,rakinghisfingernailsoverthetenderskinofmybottom,awakening

thehintofpainfromhisearlierspanking.Itfocusedmymindonhim,ontheirquestions.

Yes.
“Iwant,”Ibreathed,mybodyheating.“Iwanttokeepfeelinglikethis.”
ThecornerofLuke’smouthtippedup.
“Yes,ma’am.”JusttwolittlewordsthathadmethinkingthatLukeandWalkerweredoingmybidding.

They were touching me to make me feel good, not themselves. They were unselfishly giving me what I
wanted. It was so unfathomable to me that I was left reeling. John would have never done something I
wanted.Ithasalwaysbeenabouthim.IfI’devenmentionedwantinghimtokissme,ortouchme,orfuck
me,he’dthinkmewanton.Andyet,hesoughtoutamistresswhowantedjustthat.

Johnwasgone,deadandburiedandinmypast.IfLukeandWalkerwantedtotouchmeanddoingso

made me feel... bliss, then so be it. I relaxed my shoulders as Walker’s hands crept back between my
thighsonceagain.

“That’sit,doll,giveover.”Whenhepushedontheinsideofonethighwithhispalm,Imovedmyright

foot.“Goodgirl,letmein.”

Theirpraisemademefeeljustasmuchastheirkissesandtouches.Iwaspleasingthemandtheywere

definitelypleasingme.WhenoneofWalker’sfingerscircledmyentranceandthendippedinside,Ibroke
Luke’skissandcriedout.“OhmyGod!”

Pleasure, so sharp and bright pulsed through my veins. It was just the tip of his finger stretching me

openandIwaslost.Icouldn’twaitforoneoftheircocks.

“She’stight,”Walkersaid,movingjusttheslightestbitfurtherintome.
Lukebegankissingalongmyjaw,nippingthetenderskinasheworkedhiswaytomyear.
“Iknow.She’ssosnug,shefitmycocklikeaglove.You’regoingtocomeforus,”Lukeadded,biting

myearlobeagain.“We’regoingtogetyouniceandsoftandwetsoyou’rereadyforourcocks.”

IclencheddownonWalker’sfingerandheretreated.
“No!”Icried,wantinghimtocontinue.
“Don’tworry,doll.I’mnotgoinganywhere.”Insteadofonefingerslippingbackinsideme,heworked

twoin,scissoringandturningthemtostretchmeopen.Ifelttheburnofit,thetightfitandIhissedouta
breath.EvenafterhavingLukeinsidemetwice,Iwasstillunusedtosuchattentions.

Lukereturnedhismouthtomine,kissingmeasWalkergentlyworkedmybody.Whenheputhisthumb

overmyclitandcircledit,mylegsalmostgaveout.Ahandbandedaboutmywaisttoholdmeup.My
eyes were closed and I didn’t know whose it was. I didn’t care, for I wanted what both of them were
givingme.Ifeltsurroundedandcherished,possessedandpleasured.IfeltlikeIwasthecenteroftheir
world.

“I’mgoingto...Ineed,Ican’t—”
“Let go, doll,” Walker murmured, never stopping his ministrations. “We’ve got you. We’ll keep you

safe.”

The pleasure morphed into a swirling ball of heat that spread from between my legs outward. My

fingersandtoestingled,colorswirledbehindmyeyelids.Itwasasifthepleasurewasliftingmeupso
highthattherewasnowheretogobutdown.

IgrippedLuke’sforearms,myfingersdiggingintothehardmuscles,holdingon.Iwascomingapart,as

ifseamsonmybodybegantounravel.WithonesurprisingcurlofWalker’sfingers,thestringwaspulled
andIcameapart.Iwasflying,soaring,falling,butIdidn’tcare.

IcriedoutagainstLuke’smouth,hiskissswallowingthesounds.Mybodyshook,myhipsshiftingto

rideWalker’sfingers,tocontinuethepleasurehewrungfrommybody,toneverletitend.

BeforeIreturnedtomyself,Ifeltlifted,theroomspinningandthenthecushionofacouchatmyback.

Thelonghemofmynightgownwaspushedupsoitbunchedaboutmywaist.Thewarmairoftheroom
cooled my skin from the bliss they’d wrung from my body. I should have been ashamed that my lower
body was exposed to both of the men, but I had yet to recover. My skin was heated and coated in
perspiration,mybreathwasragged.Slowly,IopenedmyeyestoseeWalkerloomingoverme,thetwo
fingershe’dhadinsideofmeinhismouth.Irealizedthathewaslickingupmywetness,thedesirefrom
betweenmythighsthatclungtohisskin.

“Youhavetotasteher,brother,”WalkertoldLuke,whowaskneelingonthefloorbesidethecouch.
Withdefthands,Lukeliftedoneofmylegsupontothebackofthecouch,theotherhewidenedsomy

footwasonthefloor,mykneebent.Iwasspreadsowidehewasabletomovebetweenthem.Handsslid
upmyinnerthighstohavehisthumbsrunoverthecreasebetweenmylegandmypussy.

“Justlookather,”Lukemarveled.Itriedtopushmylegstogether,buthishandsheldmeapart.“No,

sweetheart.Letuslookatyou.Sopretty.Pinkandplush.Walkerhadataste.It’smyturn.”

“But—”
“Ifyoudon’tlikeit,I’llstop.”Hiswarmbreathfannedmytenderskin.
I couldn’t offer a retort, for he lowered his head then and ran the flat of his tongue over my most

intimateflesh.

“OhmyGod,whatareyoudoing?”Ipushedathisshoulders,butwhenhisthumbspartedmyfoldsand

openedmewideforhistonguetolickandcirclemyentrance,thenhigherwhereWalkerhadcircledhis
thumb,Igrabbedontohisheadandpulledhimcloser.“Yes,rightthere.”

“Idon’tthinkshe’severhadherpussytastedbefore,”Walkersaid.“Isn’tthatright,doll?”
Imoanedthen,myonlyresponse.Lukesaidhe’dstop,butIdidn’twanthimto.Ever.Luke’smouthwas

decadentandsoverywicked.Icouldfeelhishairbrushingagainstmyinnerthighs,thewhiskersonhis
jawraspingmytenderskin.Iarchedmyhips,tiltedmyheadbackandstaredvaguelyupatthecolorful
shadowsfromthefireplacethatdancedacrosstheceiling.

“Luke’s going to get that honey sweet taste of your pussy on his tongue, then he’s going to make you

comeagain.Thenyou’llbereadyforourcocks.”

Walkerkepttalking,alongstringofdirtywordsthatonlyheightenedmyarousal.
You’resobeautiful.Soperfectforus.Ilovethewayyou’vegotyourlegsspreadsowideforLuke.I

canstilltasteyouonmytongue.I’msohardforyou.

Ofcourse,withLuke’sheadbetweenmythighs,theraspyfeelofhiswhiskersonmysensitiveskinhad

meclosetothebrinksoquickly,butitwasthedirtywordsthathadmecryingout.

“Doyouwantourcocks,doll?”
“God,yes.”
Luke’smouthwasn’tenough.Walker’sfingershadn’tbeenenough.Iwantedtobefilled.
“Shejustgotwetter,”Lukesaid,histonguelappingitallup.“Shelikestheidea.”
Yes,Ididliketheideaverymuch.
“Comefirst.We’rebothbigandwedon’twanttohurtyou.”
Ishookmyhead,butIwasn’treallysurewhatforanylonger.
WhenLukeslippedtwofingersintomeasWalkerhad,curlingthemoveracertainspotashistongue

flicked a very sensitive bundle of nerves, I came again. My body stiffened, every muscle tightening. I
clenched down on Luke’s fingers as my mouth opened wide, but no sound could escape. My fingers
grippedhishairasIrockedmyhipstomakethefeelingslingeraslongaspossible.Thistimeitwasn’tas
intense, the pleasure rolling over me like a thunderstorm across the prairie. It was still powerful and I
waswiltedandsated,overcomewithpleasure.Iwasdrenchedinit.

Withagentlekisstomyinnerthigh,Lukeliftedhishead.“Likethesweetestcandy,”hesaid,wipinghis

wetmouthwiththebackofhishand.

Walkerscoopedmeupandsettledmeontohislap,wrappinghisarmsaboutme.Mynightgowncame

down over my pussy, but my legs were still exposed. I pushed at it, trying to cover up my thighs, but I
gaveup.ThesteadybeatofWalker’sheartsoothedmyraggedemotions,calmedmybreathing.Hiscock,
hardandthick,wasinsistentagainstmyhip,buthemadenomovestodoanythingaboutit.

Lukestoodandmovedtothechairacrossfromus,loweredhimselfdownsohislegswerestretchedout

beforehim.Hewasbreathingraggedly,hischeeksflushed,hiseyesnarrowedanddark.Aglisteninghint
ofwetnessstillmarkedhischinandIknewthatwasfromme.Ishouldhavebeenashamed,buthowcould
I?They’dmademefeelsogood.

Afterworkingonesuspenderoverhisshoulder,thentheother,heundidthefrontofhispants.Icould

onlywatchashegrippedhiscockandpulleditfree.ThenIcouldn’tlookaway.

“Thisiswhywehadtogetyouready,sweetheart.Togetyouallslickandswollen,softandopen.”
Luke’scockwasthickandlongwithawidecrownatthetop.Abulgingveinrandownthelengthofit,

thecoloraruddyred.Butasheslidhisfistupthelengthofitandabeadofclearfluidseepedfromthe
tip,itlookedangryandneedy.Irealizedthenhowmuchrestrainthehad.BytheheavypressofWalker’s
cock,himaswell.

My pussy clenched in anticipation, but I was thankful that I was, indeed, wet, for that would not fit

withoutsomeassistance.

“AreyoureadyforLuke’scock,doll?”Walkerwhisperedinmyear.“He’sreadyforyou.Fuck,Iam

too,butIwanttowatchyoutakemybrotherforaridefirst.”

Irubbedmycheekoverthefeelofhissuitjacket.“Ride?”
“Doyouwanthiscock?”Walkerasked.
Inoddedagainsthischest.
WalkerliftedmesoIstoodbeforehim,hishandsonmyhipstokeepmesteady.“Thengostraddlehis

thighs.”

Luke watched me approach, his gaze narrowed, his jaw tense and leisurely stroked himself. Fluid

continuouslydrippedfromtheslitanddownoverhisfingersinablatantsignofhisneed.

“Take off your nightgown.” Luke’s voice was dark and raw. While it was commanding, he wasn’t

trappingme,wasn’tforcingme.Itwasmydecision,mychoicetofollowhiscommand.

HisordersentashiverthroughmybodyandIeagerlycomplied,liftingmynightgownupandovermy

head,lettingitfalltothefloor.Iknewbothofthemcouldseemethen,seehowhardmynippleswere,see
myarousalslickandshinyonmythighs.

Iputonekneeontheseatcushionrightbyhiship,thenplacedahandonhisshoulderforbalanceasI

movedtheother.

As I hovered above him, Luke continued to work his cock as he looked at me, at my breasts, which

wererightateyelevel.

“Dropdown,sweetheart.”
Iloweredmyself;hisbluntheadnudgedmypussyandIshiftedmyhips,lettingthewettipslipovermy

swollenfoldsandthensettleagainstmywetentrance.

Hekeptahandabouthiscockashisotherwenttomyhip,guidingmetolowerdown.Slowly,everso

slowlyhepartedmyfoldsandworkedhiswayin,stretchingandopeningmeup.Myeyesflaredwideas
hewentin.Hefeltbiggerthanthepreviousnight,butperhapsitwastheposition.

Iliftedupatthehintofdiscomfort,tookabreath,thenloweredagain,thistimedroppingalittlelower.

Ididthat,upanddownoverandoveruntilhefilledmetothebrim,hishandmovingaway.Therewasa
slightnipofpainatbeingtoofull.MybreathcameinlittlepantsasIshookmyhead,knowingIhadn’t
takenallofhim.

“Luke,I...you’retoobigthisway.”
Heshookhishead,lookedatmewithhoodedeyes.
“Shh,I’vegotyou.”
Hishandsonmyhips,hetiltedmebackjustabitandthatchangedanglehadhimslidinginalltheway.

Webothcriedoutatthat.Islumpedforwardandrestedmyforeheadagainsthis,ourbreathsminglingasI
adjustedtobeingsocompletelyfull.Myinnerwallsclenchedandpulsedaroundhim,adjustingtohissize
asheremainedstill.

They’dbeenright,I’dneededthepreparation,thetwoorgasmstosoftenmybodybeforeIcouldaccept

suchathickandlongcock.Icouldn’tremainstillanylongerandIbegantoliftandlowermyself,allthe
pleasureandneedreturninginfullforce.Iwantedtocomeagain.ThewayLukegrippedmyhips,hewas
justgettingstarted.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Walker

Myballsachedtofillher.Shit,justwatchingherrideLuke’scock—again—hadmealmostcomingin

my pants. Hell, it had been torture getting her pussy all slick and soft with my fingers and watching as
Lukeateherout.ItseemedIwasamasochist.WhileIwantedtosinkintohermorethananything,Iwas
gettingoffonseeingherwithLuke.

IcouldonlyimaginethefeelofheraroundLuke’scockandIhadtowonderhowhehadn’tblownhis

loadyet.Undoingmypants,Ipulledoutmycock,relievedtonotbesoconfinedandgaveitalonghard
stroke.Squeezingthebase,Itriedtostaveoffmyownorgasm.Ididn’twanttocomeallovermyfingers
likearandyteenager,butinsteaddeepinsideofCelia.IwantedtofeelLuke’sseedeasingmyway,thento
addminetohergreedypussy,markingherbothofoursonceandforall.

Lukehadpulledmeoutofmyfunk,hadmademerealizeI’dbeenanassholetoCelia.Climbingoutof

bed when she’d been so generous and open, letting me play with her ass for the first time, had been
downright cruel. I’d been in denial about how much she’d affected me. No longer. I was part of this
marriagenow.IwasherhusbandandIwasgoingtoprovethattoherfortherestofmylife.

Wewerestartingoffslow,easingwecouldshowhersomemoreunusualaspectsoffucking,asIknew

nowshe’dbeshy,butquiteeager.Whilewe’dprimedherpussyforourcocks,wewerealsopreparing
hermindformore.Easingherintowhatitwasreallylikebetweenhusbandsandtheirwife.Itcouldbe
anythingwewanted.Tenderortawdry,tameorwild.NeitherLukenorIweremildlovers.We’ddiscover
whatsheliked,whereonherbodymadehermoan,madeherwet.Onlythenwouldshetrulybeours,for
she’d give us everything. It had started this morning when Luke had showed her one of the plugs he’d
pickedupatthebrothelandwhenwemadehercomewhileplayingwithherass.

Shewasshyandinnocentaboutcertainthings,buteagertoo.Likenow,ridingLuke’scock,herbreasts

bouncingasshetookwhatshewantedfromhim.SheknewIwaswatching,knewIwouldbenext.

Ifthiswasmarriage,withhersoeagerandopen,thenIwasgoingtobefinewiththeidea.I’dworried

I’dbejealousofLuke,fuckingwhatwasalsomine,butasIwatchedherridehimwithabandon,Ijustgot
hotter,mycockthicker.

Luke sat up and nuzzled into the valley between her breasts, then sucked on one puckered tip as he

liftedandloweredher,takingherashewantedsohecouldcome.Itdidn’ttakelong.Thistimeitwould
befast,forwewerebothtooeagerforher.Forme,Ihadthetasteofheronmytongueandwasjustshyof
coming.

Celiawhimpered,thenexhaledabreathymoan,herheadfallingback,eyesclosedasshecame.Itwas

a gorgeous sight, her wild and lost to her body’s pleasure. Luke thrust up into her one last time and
shoutedouthisownrelease.Heheldherstillashecame,ashekissedandsuckedonherdampskin.Iwas
eagertofeelthesame,tolosecontroldeepinsideher.

Lukecaughthisbreathfirst,openedhiseyesandlookedoverhershoulderatme.Gonewerethelines

oftensionfromhisbody,theclampedjaw.Hewassatedandrepleteandthesmilethattuggedathismouth
hadmewantingtopunchhimintheface.Whilehe’dcome,myballswereachingwithneed.Thiswasthe
thirdtimehe’dfuckedherandI’dhadyettogetinsideher.

“Celia.”Hisknucklesstrokeddownhercheek,gettinghertoopenhereyes.“LookatWalker.”
Sheglancedbackatme,studiedme,eyedmyveryangrycock.
“Heneedsyou.”
Damnright.IneededherwithanurgencyIhadn’tfeltforalong,longtime.Eventhen,ithadn’tbeen

likethis.Ruthhadn’tbeenblatantatallinherinterest,lettingmeguidehergentlythroughourlovemaking.
Even then, she’d been reticent and had never given herself over to abandon. Celia, though, was so

responsive,soeager.AndsowasI.

ShemovedtostandandLukehadtohelpher,bothofthemhissingashepulledoutofher.Sheturnedto

faceme,Lukekeepingahandaboutherwaist.Shewasthreeorgasmsinandcouldn’tbetoosteadyonher
feet.Hercheekswerepink,asheenofperspirationdottedherbrow.Hereyeswereglassyasshelicked
herdrylips.Icouldn’thelpbutgroan,mycockpulsing,eagertofeelawetflickofthattongue.

Herhairwaswildcurlsdownherbackandshehadaflushed,verysatisfiedlookonherface.Noone

would doubt she was a well-pleasured bride if they saw her now. Her nipples had softened and her
breastswereplumpandfull,aperfecthandful.Anarrowwaistflaredintofullhips.Iknewthatdelightful
bottom,everylushcurveofit.AsIwatchedherrideLuke,Isawthatitwasstillpinkfrommyspanking.

I’dthoughtherbeautifulwhenshefirstwalkedtowardusfromthetrain,butnow,withhermindquiet

and her body relaxed, she was gorgeous. It wasn’t her body that was drawing me to her—although it
wouldmostlikelykeepmeconstantlyhard—butherspirit.Itwaslightandafterherorgasms,eagerfor
more.

Icrookedmyfingerandshecameclose,movingtostandbetweenmykneesasshehadinthekitchen

earlier. There was no resisting her perfect breasts and I lifted my hands to cup them. I felt their soft
weight,rubbedmythumbsoverthetighteningtips.

HereyesfellclosedasItuggedonthemwithtwofingers.Itookinhernakedbody.Shewasallsoft

womanlycurves,fullhipsandalushass.AtthejunctureofherthighsIsawherpalecurlsglisteningwith
herarousalandLuke’sseedslippingdowntheinsideofhercreamythighs.

AsImovedmyhandsaway,hereyesslowlyopened.Itiltedmyhead.“Kneeluponthecouchandgrab

holdoftheback.”

I hadn’t even realized I’d closed my knees, holding her in place. Once I released her, she moved,

settlingasI’drequestedonthecouchbesideme.Herbreastsswayedasshemovedandmyhandsitched
tocupthemagain.

Uponherknees,shefacedawayfromus.Glancingoverhershoulder,shelookedtome,thenLuke.
Istoodandmovedbehindher,ranmyhanddownthelonglineofherspine,felttheheatfromherskin,

thesoftnessofit,thencurvedaroundtocupherlusciousass.

“I’llneverwalkawayagain,doll.”
Ileanedinandkissedherbareshoulder,methergaze.ShenoddedandIleanedback.
“Youthinkyou’renotenoughforus,doll?Luke’shardagain.”
Hookingherhip,Igentlypulledhertowardmesoherpussywasondisplayandattheperfectheightto

fuckher.

“Luke,where’sthatplugyougotthismorning?”
Lukegrabbedtheplugandajaroflubricantfromthesidetable.Knowingwe’duseitonher,toprepare

herfortakinghertogether,he’dbroughtitintotheparlorwithhimaswewaitedforhertofinishherbath.

Unscrewingthelid,hedippedtwofingersintothejarandcoatedthepluggenerouslybeforehandingit

tome.

I held it up for Celia to see, glistening as it was in the firelight. “You liked it when I touched you

earlier.”

Shelookedattheplug,thenatme.Bitherlip.
“You’regoingtolikethis.”
Steppingcloser,Islippedmyfingersoverherpussy,Luke’sseedcoatingthetipsofmyfingers.Iusedit

whenIslidbackandtouchedherpuckeredentrance.Coatingitthoroughly,IgentlycircleditasI’ddone
earlierinthehotelroom,thengentlypushedinward,insistentyetpatient.

“Breathe,doll.That’sit.Goodgirl.”
Ididn’tstop,didn’trelent,butletherbodysoftenandsurrender.Allatonce,heruntriedholeflowered

opentomyfingeranditslippedin.

Shegroanedandherheaddroppedbetweenherarms,butshedidn’tmove.
“Likethat?”Iasked.
“Walker,I—”
NothingelsecameoutasIslowlymovedmyfingerinandout,justtothefirstknuckle,mimickingwhat

mycockwouldeventuallydo,butdeeper.Lukewentaroundthecouchtostandbeforeher,totiltherhead
upandkissher.

HeswallowedhermoansandcriesofpleasureasIcontinuedtoopenherup.
She gasped when I pulled out, but I didn’t leave her empty for long. Pressing the hard, slick plug

againsther,Icarefullyworkeditintoher.

Luke cupped her breasts, which hung down heavily. Taking hold of her nipples, he tugged on them,

stretchingthemtothepointwhereherfacewasstrained.Thecombinationofthenippleplayandtheplug
widening her virgin asshole was too much for her. With my free hand, I brushed my fingers over her
swollenclitandshecame.Ipushedthepluginalltheway,watchedassheclosedaboutthenarrowneck,
thedarkbaseabeautifulsightbetweenherspreadcheeks.

Awildscreamescapedherlipsandshetossedherheadback,herhairlongdownherbareback.Itwas

abeautifulsight,seeinghergiveovertothemoredecadentanddarkaspectsoffucking.Andshelovedit.

Uninhibitedandperfect.Shedidn’tholdanythingback.
Icouldn’twaitamomentlonger.Ihadtobeinsideher.Ilinedmycockupwithherslickentrance.“I’ll

nevertireofyou.Ofthis,”Imurmured.

Slowly, I pushed in, her passage slick from Luke’s seed, but the plug made her so very tight. Her

languidstateeasedherbody,allowedmeentrance.Shewantedthis.Thewayherfingersturnedwhiteon
thebackofthecouch,sheneededittoo.

Lukecontinuedtoplaywithherbreastsasifhecouldn’tkeepfromtouchingher.
“Walker,”shebreathed,herheadfallingdownbetweenherarmsonceagain,asifitweretoomuchto

holditup.HerbackarchedandshepushedherassbacksothatIfilledheralltheway.

“Haveyoueverfuckedlikethisbefore?”Iasked.MyvoicewasgrittyandroughasImovedinandout.
Sheshookherhead,herhairfallingfreeofthepins.
“Doyoulikethis,doll?Doyoulikeitfrombehind?”Istilleddeepinsideher,waiting.“Doyoulikea

pluginyourass?”

“Yes.Walker,pleasemove!”Sheclenchedandsqueezed,shiftedherhips.
Slidingmyhanddownthelengthofherspine,Ibegantoworkthepluginandoutofher,inarhythm

withmycock.

“Walker!” she cried, looking over her shoulder at me with widened eyes in surprise as her pussy

squeezedmycock.

Igrinnedandmovedonceagain.“Likethat,doyou?”
“I…Inever—”
“Youwill,withus.Thisiswhatitwillfeellikewhenwefuckyouatthesametime,butwe’rebigger

thantheplug.”

Theideaoffuckingherthere,ofbeingthefirsttodosopushedmetothebrink.Therewasnowayto

holdoffmyrelease.

“I’mgoingtocome,doll.Seewhatyou’vedonetome.Mademelikearandykid.”
Ithrustonce,twice,asIcontinuedtoplaywiththepluginherass,thengroanedasmyseedemptied

frommyballs,coatingherpussy,fillingitsothatitslippedoutaroundmycockanddownherthighs.

Withmyfreehand—Ididn’tmovemythumbfromplayingwithher—Ireachedaroundandfingeredher

hardlittleclit.Shewassoclose,sosensitive,ittookonlyafewgentlecaressestomakehercomeagain.
Herinnerwallsmilkedthelastofmyseedfromme.

Leaningforward,Ikisseddownherback,tastinghersaltysweat,feelingthefranticbeatofherheart

beneath my lips. She’d taken both of us so beautifully. Her inhibitions slipped to the floor like her
nightgownandshe’dgivenherselftousentirely.Forthat,Iwasinawe.Enthralled.

“We’llnevergetenough,”Imurmured,beforeIpulledout,pickedherupandcarriedherupthestairs

tobed.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Celia

“Wakeup,doll.”
Isnuggledintoahardbodyanddidn’twanttomove.Ahandstrokeddownmyback.
“Thesnow’sstillcomingdown.WeneedtoleavetomakeittoSlateSpringsbeforethepasscloses.”
Walker’swordshadmeopeningmyeyes.MyheadwasonLuke’sshoulder,myhandtossedoverhis

waist. While he wasn’t asleep, he remained still. The sky was just starting to brighten, but through the
windowIcouldseethethickflakesstillfalling.Heaviereventhanwhenwerodeintotown.

IglancedupatWalker,whoworepantsandanunbuttonedshirt.
“Itwillcloseinthenextfewhours?”Iasked,thenclearedmythroat.Itwasroughfromsleep.
Lukeshiftedandsatup.IwasamazedthatI’dsleptsowell,andusinghimasapillow.I’dalwaysslept

onmyownsideofthebedwhenmarriedtoJohn.I’dwantedmyspace.ButwithLukeandWalker,they
didn’tofferanytome.Ihadtosettlemyselfrightinbesidethemwiththeirarmswrappedaboutme.For
coldwinternights,Ididn’tmindatall.AndwhatWalkerhadsaidwastrue.Ididn’tneedanightgownto
staywarmwhenIhadthem.

“No,butitwillbehardgoing.Thesnowwillbeverydeepanddifficultforthehorses.I’drathernot

getstuck,putusortheanimalsindanger.”

The snow was deep enough in Jasper. I could only imagine what it would be like at the top of the

mountain.

“Allright,”Isaid.Walkerwalkedoutoftheroomanddownthestairs.
Luke climbed from the bed, naked and went in search of his pants. He had no modesty, just like his

brother, which afforded me the opportunity to see him—all of him—in daylight. I glanced at his cock,
whichwasquiteerect,andwonderedhowthathadfitinme.Johnwas…ohdamn.EnoughaboutJohn.

LukewasreallybigandIrememberedhowhe’dfilledmerightup.Toomuch,almost.
Hegrinnedatmewhenhecaughtmelooking.
“Iloveyourcuriosity,Celia.Unfortunately,Ican’tdoanythingaboutituntiltonightwhenwegethome.

Thenwecanspendthewintersnowedinandnaked.”

Mypussyclenched.Theideadefinitelyhadsomeappeal.

***

SlateSpringswasdifferentthanIexpected,especiallysincewerodeintotownwiththesnowblowing

sideways.Therewasnopath,norouteIcouldseeasitwasburiedinsnowandwasrelievedwhenboth
menknewwheretheyweregoing.Anyprevioustraveler’stracks—evenfromminutesbefore—hadbeen
wipedoutbyfreshsnow.EvenLuke’shousewasbarelydiscernibleinthesnow.Itwaswhiteandtwo-
storywithaporch,butIcouldn’tseemuchelseandIhadnointerestinlingeringoutdoorstolearnmore.

Luke led me inside as Walker took the horses to the barn. It wasn’t much warmer. Luke stomped the

snowfromhisboots,thensatdownonthebenchbythedoortoremovethem.“It’scoldnow,butI’llget
thefireslit.Keepyourcoatonandsoonenough,it’llbetoastyinhere.”

Hefinishedwithhisbootsandhunghishatbythedoorashetuckedhisglovesintohiscoatpocket.He

walked toward the back of the house and I heard the grating sound of metal on metal, a cast-iron stove
beingopenedandfilledwithwood.

AsIundidmyownboots,IstudiedLuke’shouse.ItwascomparabletoLane’sinsize,butLuke’swas

made of stone, the walls thick. It, too, was two stories and vast. There was no question that Luke had
money,forthefurnishingsweresimplebutwellmade.RugscoveredthewoodfloorsandIhadtoimagine

howgoodtheywouldfeelbeneathbarefeetinthewinter.

Luke came back down the hall, gave me a wink, then went into the parlor to light a fire in the stone

fireplace. It was cleaned out and stacked with wood, ready for a match. The tinder quickly lit and the
roomquicklywarmed.

Withthesnowoutside,theroomswereverybright.
“Ihaveahousekeeperthatcomesseveraltimesaweektoclean,butshehasdinnerreadyformeatsix

each night. Sometimes she cooks here, other times she brings a portion for me from her home. Can you
cook,Celia?”

Wehadn’tdiscussedhouseholdworkandIhadtoadmit,Ihadn’tthoughtmuchofit.“Oh,um.Yes.Ican

cleanaswell.”

“IdonotwishtoputMrs.Jacobsoutofajob,soIwouldliketokeepheron.Pleasedon’tthinkIdoubt

yourabilities.”

Iofferedhimasmile.“That’squiteniceofyou.TokeepMrs.Jacobsemployed,Imean.I’msurewe

willgetalongfine.”

“Shewillnotbeherethisevening,sowewillhavetofendforourselves.”
Bootedfeetstompedtowardthebackofthehouse.“ThatwillbeWalker.”
Hetookmyhandinhisandledmetothekitchen,thechillalreadygonefromtheroombecauseofthe

stove.

“Untilthisweatherletsup,wewillnotbeseeinganyonefromtown,”hesaidasheremovedhisboots.
Lukenodded.“Good.Thenwecanhaveourhoneymoonwithoutinterruption.Letmelighttherestofthe

fireplacesandgetthehousewarm.Thenwe’llwarmyou.”

ThedeeptimbreofhisvoicehadmethinkingIdidn’tneedmycoatanylonger.
Walkerstrippedhisoffandhungitbythedoor.
“Shemightrunoff,though,Luke.”
“Oh?”heaskedhisbrother.
Walkerkepthiseyesonme,butIfrownedinconfusion.Iwasn’tgoinganywhereinallthatsnow.
“We’llneedtotieherup,Ithink.”
Mymouthfellopenthen,rememberingI’dtoldhimIwantedtobetiedupandtaken.
Lukegrunted.“Mmm,yes.Onceweknowshe’llnotescape,Ithinkweneedtoprepareherasswiththe

nextplug.”

Iclencheddownattheidea.
“We’llprepareherandfuckher.Againandagain.Thissnowmightnotletupfordays.”
“Days,”Lukeconfirmed.
Theysteppedtowardmetogether,handsonthebuttonsofmycoat,thehatonmyhead.
Ihadnowheretogo,nothingtodobutbethecenteroftheirworld.Astheybegantokissdownmyneck,

cupmybreastsandwhisperdirtywords,IknewIdidn’twanttobeanywhereelse.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Luke

Twodays.WehadCeliatoourselvesfortwoperfectdays.Twodayswespentinmyhousewithher,

makingherthecenterofourworld.Weslept,wefucked,wetalked.Welearnedabouteachother.Iknew
nowthatshedislikedonionsandpreferredtohavesocksonherfeetwhensheslept.Whilesheremained
nakedbetweenus—webothenjoyedthefeelofherbarebodypressedagainstours—herfeetwereina
pairofmythicksocks.

Therewerenocallers,nooneinterestedinseeingthewomanthatI’dmarried,thatInowsharedwith

Walker. They would arrive soon though, for Walker had walked to his house to retrieve some of his
clothes.We’ddecidedbeforewewenttoDenverthatwewouldliveinmyhouse—ourhousenow—and
Walkerhadyettomoveinfully.Comespring,wewouldsellhishouse.Therewasnodoubthe’dbeseen
and everyone would know of our return. I guessed we had three hours before the most curious would
comeknocking.

Whilethejourneyoverthepasshadbeentreacherous,thesnowheavyandthewindcreatingblizzard-

likeconditions,SlateSpringshadescapedthebruntofit.MountainweatherwasfickleandIwaspleased
toseeonlyafewinchesonthegroundoutthewindow.Themorningsunwasbright,makingthesnowwe
did have, glitter. Inside, the scent of coffee and fried potatoes filled the warm air. The cast-iron stove
madetheroomquitewarmandIenjoyedseeingCeliainjustmyshirtandsocks.

“Seetherope,sweetheart?”
Sheturnedawayfromthestoveandlookedoutthebackwindow,squintingagainstthebrightness.
“It’s strung between the back porch to the barn. If it’s snowing too hard to see the barn, you need to

grabholdofitanduseitasaguide,otherwiseyoumightgetlost.”

“Lost?”Shefrowned.“It’sonly,what,fiftyfeettothebarn?”
“Mmm,”Imurmured,agreeingwithherestimate.“Aboutthat.Lastyear,Mr.Demerwenttofeedhis

horses one night and they found him twenty feet from his back door the next morning. He’d walked
outside,gottenturnedaroundandcouldn’tfindhiswayback.Thesnowwassoheavyhecouldn’teven
seethelightfromthekitchen.”

Hereyeswidened.“Hedied?”
Inodded.“Yougotothebarninastorm,yougrabholdofthatlineanddon’tletgo.Justfollowiteither

wayandgetintoshelter.Allright?”

“Yes,Luke.”
“Good,becauseIcan’tspankyourassfornotlisteningtomeifyou’redead.”
TheideaofCelialostoutintheelementshadachillrundownmyspine,eveninthewarmkitchen.
Walkercameinthenstompedhisbootsandshookoffhiscoat.
“I checked on Mr. Bernard.” When he leaned in to kiss Celia, he added for her benefit, “He’s in the

housenextdoor.”Nextdoorwasafewhundredfeetaway,butstilltheclosestneighbor.“He’sawidower
and getting older now. We make sure he’s got enough cut wood by the door to keep his fires lit. Other
things.”Walkerglancedatme.“Iexpectwe’llhavevisitorsbeforetoolong.”

I frowned, knowing that we’d have the entire town descending on us soon enough. Walker couldn’t

walkthroughtownwithoutbeingnoticedandIkneweveryonewaseagertoseewhothemayormarried
underthenewlaw.Withhisbrother.

Asshe’dputitthefirstnightintheDenverhotelroom,shewastheexampleandeveryonewouldbe

lookingatherdifferently.Therewouldbethosewhojudged,whocriticizedherandourmarriage.They’d
probably even think her a whore for bedding two men. But it was our job to shelter her from this, to
protecthernotonlyfromhertroubles,likethebastardCarlNorman,butfromthetroublesthatfellonmy

shoulders,andWalker’stoo.

Wejusthadtohopethatthetransitionwouldbesmooth.NotonlywasIthemayor,Ihadaminetorun

andcouldn’tremainathomeforever.

“Areyouworriedwhatpeoplewillthink?”Celiaasked,scoopingfriedpotatoesintoabowl.
Isawtheworryonherface.
“Iworrywhatpeoplewillthinkaboutyou,”Walkersaid,takingthebowlfromherandputtingitonthe

table.“Butwewon’thide,doll.Wewon’thidewhatweshare.Ithinkit’sprettyspecial,don’tyou?”

Sheblushedthen,butnodded.
“He’snottalkingabouthowwebothfuckyou,sweetheart.”
Walkergrinned.
“We’llhideeverythingabouthowweshareyou,”Iadded,mypossessivenessmakingmealmostgrowl.

“That’sprivate.Nooneseesyouthewaywedo.Noone.”

“Especiallylikeearlierwhenyouhadthepluginyourass.”
Sheflushedanevenbrightershadeofredandturnedbacktothestove.Iimaginedthewaytheplughad

parted her ass cheeks so prettily just a short time ago and I had to shift my cock in my pants. It had
instantlybecomehard.Hell,Iwasalwayshardforher.Shetookthelargersizewellnow,evenfucking
herwithitdeepinsideher.Itwouldbesoonwhenwetookhertogether,thatweweretrulyjoinedasone.

“Lukeisinsatiable,”Walkersaid,smilingandshakinghishead.“Imeantourmarriage,doll,isspecial.

What we have, this connection, is unique whether there are two grooms or one. I won’t let anyone
diminishthat.”

Celia’slookwentsoftandhersmileabitwistfulathiswords.IagreedwithWalkerwholeheartedly.
“Allright,”shereplied,thenpausedasshestaredblanklyatthetable.“Doyouthink…doyouthink

Carlmadeitintotown?”

Whensheturnedherheadtome,Isawtheworryinhereyes.
“Ican’tsayifthepassisclosednow.Thesnowwasbaduptherewhenwecamethrough,butitcould

havestopped.”

Iwantedtoeaseherfears,butcouldn’t.
“Astrangercan’tgounnoticedinatownofoursize,doll.Ifhe’shere,we’llfindhim.”
WalkerwalkedbyCeliaandsqueezedhershoulder.
“We’llfindoutifthepassisclosedandifanyone’sseenhimfromthosewhocalltoday.”
“Youreallythinkpeoplearethatinterestedinourmarriage?”shewondered,sittingdownatthetable.
IglancedatWalkerandhegrinned.
“Definitely.”

***

Celia

Wedidhavecallers,justasthemenhadexpected.First,Mr.Bernardfromnextdoor,whowasinhis

sixtiesasWalkerhadsaid.Whilequitefit,hishandsweregnarledfromrheumatismandIimagineditwas
difficultforhimtocompletesometasks.IwasgladtohearWalkerhadstoppedtoofferhimsomehelp.
He’d been kind, yet curious about me, but had not stayed long. Then came the Johnsons, the Rands and
thenasmallgroupfromchurch.Whilenoonesaidanythingtomeoutrightbesidestownnews—thepass
was indeed closed—I had no doubt when they walked back down the street, hats low on their heads
againstthecoldweather,theywhisperedaboutme.

ItwasnothingIwasn’tusedto.ThelastfewweeksIwasinTexas,thewhispersandlookshadbeen

unbearable.I’dhadnoonetosheltermeasIdidnow.BothLukeandWalkerremainedwithmetheentire

time,notleavingmealoneonce.

It was another couple who came up the walk that made Luke curse beneath his breath. I didn’t know

whyhedreadedopeningthedoor;Ijustsensedthathedid.

Lukeletthemin,butwithmuchlesswarmththanwiththeothers.Hewasasmall,rotundmanofsimilar

agetoLukeandWalker.Whathairhedidhaveonhishead—hewasmostlybald—wasfair.Thewayhe
staredatmewithbeadylittleeyes,suspiciouslyandwithdislike,mademewary.Whiletheotherswho
hadcometocallhadbeencurious,they’dalsobeenkind.Thismandidn’tseemtobekindatall.Hiswife
wasevensmallerthanhe,hereyesdowncastandhershoulderscurledin.

“Thomkins,mayweintroduceyoutoourwife,Celia?”
“Howdoyoudo?”hereplied.“Mywife,Agnes.”
Agnesofferedmeapeekathereyesandafaintsmilebeforeshelookedattheflooragain.Ithoughther

shyuntilherhusbandspoke.“Agneshasbeencurioushowyourmarriagewouldbeconsummated.”

Thewomansuckedinherbreathandglancedatherhusband,butremainedsilent.No,shewasn’tshy.

Shewascowed,trainednottospeakbacktoherhusband,evenifhespoutedlies.Ihadnodoubtitwasn’t
the meek woman who wanted to know about how Luke, Walker and I fucked. Looking at the very
unappealingMr.Thomkins,Ihadtowonderifthey’dactuallyconsummatedtheirmarriage.

“Thomkins,”Lukewarned.
“YouknowIdidn’tvoteforthelaw,”hebegan.
Walkersighed,butremainedquiet.
“Toseeitnowineffectwillchangethemoralfiberofourtown.”
“Yes,we’reawarethatnoteveryonewantedthelaw,”Lukereplied.“Butweareademocratictown,

eventhoughwearesmall.Everyonehadachancetospeakandthecouncilvoted.”

“You’reawareofallthis,”Walkersaid.“Youwereatallthemeetings.”
“Yes,butwhataboutchurch?Thechildren?”
“Wedon’thaveanychildren.Yet,”Lukeadded.“Giveuslongerthanaweektogetonthat.”
Iblushed.
“Ididn’tmeanyourchildren.Imeanttheonesintown.Whataretheygoingtothink?”
Walker came to stand behind me, one hand on my shoulder, the other on my hip. “That we love our

wife,thatwehonorher,respectherandcertainlydon’tshameher.”

Thelastwasn’tdirectedatme,butabarbforMr.Thomkins.Ididn’tlikehim,notonebit.He’dmadeit

veryeasytofeelthatway.IfeltsorryforAgnes.Thepoorwomanhadtolivewiththeman.

“We won’t stay and take up any of your time. We are having dinner with Reverend Carnes and his

wife.”

I didn’t know the religious couple, but I doubted they would be overly welcoming either. I could

imaginethefourofthemsittingthereandgossipingaboutusoverboiledpotatoesandstewedmeat.

“Thendon’tletuskeepyou.”Lukewenttothedoorandopenedit,makingitclearhewaseagertohave

themgo.

Thomkins stormed out and left his wife to follow. She offered me a small smile before stepping out

onto the porch. Without anything to hold onto, she slipped and fell, landing on her bottom, but with her
handouttostopherself.Shecriedoutinpainatthejarringdrop.

LukewascrouchedbesideherasMr.Thomkinsreturnedupthesnowywalkwaywithcare.
“Agnes,”hesaid,butitwasmorewithfrustrationthanupset.
Sheheldherarmtoherchestandherfacewasetchedwithpain.Ikneltdownbeforeherandlooked

intohereyes.“Agnes,I’manurse.CanIlookatyourhand?”

Perhapsitwasmysofttoneorthefactthatshewashurtingsobadly,butsheheldherarmawayfrom

her body. Her hand was curled and her little finger, while it should have been aligned with the others,
stuckouttothesideatanawkwardangle.Itwasverybroken.

“I’msureyoucanseethatyourfingerisbroken.”
“I’lltakeyoutoseeDoctorDeeter,”Mr.Thomkinssaid.Luke,AgnesandIalllookedupattheman.He

didn’tevenwanttolowerhimselftohelphiswife.

“Celiaisanurse,”Lukesaid.
Thomkins’eyebrowswentuponhispastyface.“AwomantohelpAgnes?She’snothavingababy.Her

finger’sbroken.”

“Wecanallseethat,Thomkins,”Walkersnapped.“LetCeliahelpsoAgnesdoesn’thavetobeinpain

longerthannecessary.”

Thomkinspursedherlips.
“HowdoIknowyou’rereallyanurse?”heaskedme.
“Youdon’t,”Icountered,thenignoredhim.Agneseyedme,butwarily.“IamanurseandIcanhelp

you.Let’sgobackinsidewhereit’swarmer.”

IlookedtoLukeoverhershoulderandhenodded.HethendeferredtoMr.Thomkinstoassisthiswife

backinthehouse.Onceshewassettledonthecouch,Isatbesideherandcarefullyheldherhand.

“Yourfingerisoutofjoint,notbroken.Weneedtoputitbackintoplace.”
“Willithurt?”sheasked,hervoicemeekandlacedwithpain.
Mr.Thomkinsscoffed,butIignoredthetone.
“Yes,” I told her. She deserved the truth. “Mr. Thomkins, will you allow your wife to have some

whiskey?”

Hiseyeswidened.Untilnow,Ihadn’trealizedhehadjowls,buttheyshookandhadmenoticingthe

waytheywobbled.“Whiskey?Nowseehere—”

“She’snotgoingtocorrupthertothedevil’sspirits,justgethernumbfromthepain,”Walkertoldhim.
“Idonotneedwhiskey,”Agnesreplied.“I’vedeliveredthreechildren,onebreech.”
I blanched at the pain she’d gone through. I’d assisted in a number of childbirths to know what a

woman went through to deliver a baby, but breech? I cringed and counted her lucky to have survived.
Wherewerethechildren?Withananny,grandmother?Orweretheyoldenoughtoremainalone?Neither
Walker nor Luke asked after them, so I had to assume they were fine. I was sure I’d meet them soon
enoughinatownthissmallandfindoutformyself.

“You’resure?”
Shenodded,thenmetmyeyes.Shewasn’tmeeknow.Thepainwassomethingshecouldcontrol,that

shehadpowerover.Unlikeherhusband’susualoverbearingdemeanor,thiswasherchoice.

“Allright.I’mgoingtopullonyourfingersothatIcanturnit,realignthebonesandputitbackinto

place.”

Ididn’tdelay,didn’tgiveherachancetochangehermind.Ididn’tcount.JustdidasIsaidandquickly

resetherfinger.Shehissedoutherbreath,butheldherselfstill.

“Alldone.”IletoutabreathI’dbeenholding.“Luke?”
“Yes?”herepliedinstantly.
“Ineedsomestripsofclothtobindherfingerstogether.”
Heturnedandlefttheroom.
Agneswaspale,herlipsthinnedwithpainandsweatdottedherbrow,butshewascalmer.
“Yourfingershouldbesoreforafewdays;keepitimmobilized.”
Luke returned and handed me a thin strip of white cotton. I smiled at him and went about gently

wrappingitaroundherinjuredfingerandtheonenexttoit,tyingthemtogether.

“There.”Iofferedherasmallsmile.“Thatshouldkeepthefingerstill.Haveyourhusbandassistyou

whileyouareonicygroundtokeepitfromhappeningagain.”

WhileitsoundedasifIwerescoldingherforgoingoutsideonherown,itwasadirectbarbatMr.

Thomkinsfornotbeingagentleman.

Agnesstoodandheldherinjuredhandwiththeotherinfrontofherchest.“Thankyou,Celia.Welcome

totown.”

Thomkinsmadeafunnysoundinthebackofhisthroat.“Wearelatefordinner.”
Withabackwardglance,Agnesofferedmeasmallsmileasshewasledfromthehouse.
“Atleasthe’sgotholdofherarmnow,”Walkersaid,watchingthemfromthewindow.
Imovedbesidehimtowatchthemandheputanarmaboutmywaist.“Thatisnotaniceman.”
“Thatnotnicemanwantstobemayor,”Walkercountered.
IlookedbackatLuke,realizedhewasmayortokeepMr.Thomkinsout.“Youhavethejobsolelyto

keephimfromtherole?”

Lukeshrugged.
“Youwereforcedtomarrymebecauseofhim?”
Icouldn’thelpbutfeelpanickedknowingtherealreasonforourunion.He’dtoldmebefore,butbeing

inSlateSpringsmadeitsomuchmorereal.

“Yes,”Lukerepliedhonestly.Hecameuptostandonmyotherside,surroundedonceagainbymytwo

men.“WhatThomkinswillneverknowisthatIowehimathanks.”

Ifrowned,confused.
“Iwouldn’thaveyouotherwise.”
“We,”Walkerclarified.“Wewouldn’thaveyouotherwise.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Celia

Wewokeuptosnow.Lotsofsnow.Justliketheblizzardatthetopofthepasstheothermorning.Ithad

beensocoldandwindyaswecrossedandI’dbeenthankfulforbeinginWalker’sarms.I’dneverseena
storm like it before. And now, another. I knew before the season was over, I’d be accustomed to such
snowinSlateSprings.Fortunately,Iwassafelyinsideandoncethebankedfireswerefilledwithwood
again,thehousewouldbequitewarm.IstoodatthewindowasItuggedonWalker’sshirt.Neitherman
allowed me anything more than socks in bed, but when I did not have to dress fully, I enjoyed the
comfortablefeelofwearingtheirclothes.Theirshirtssmelledlikethem,theirscentsremindingmethatI
belongedtobothofthem.Ridiculous,yes,butitwascomforting.

“Snow,”Lukemutteredfrombed.Hecouldn’tmissthesoundofthewindorthewhiteout.
“It’shauntinglybeautiful,”Ireplied,glancingovermyshoulderatmymen.
Luke was on one side, sprawled out on his stomach. An empty space was between them where I’d

slept,andWalkerwasonthefarendonhisback,hisarmoverhishead.Bothmen’sbodieswerecovered
totheirwaistsandIreveledinthesight.OnlyIwastheonetoseethemunkemptlikethis,toknowthereal
men behind the gentlemanly facade. While they were gentlemen, they were also quite wild and wanton
themselves.

“Ifwehadn’theardyesterdaythepasswasclosed,Icouldconfidentlysayitisnow,”Walkeradded,

rubbingahandoverhisface.Theraspofhismorningwhiskerswasunmistakable.

Yes.Howcouldanyonetravelinthis?Ifitwasthisblusteryintown,muchloweraltitudethanthepass,

thenIcouldonlyimaginetheconditionsatthetop.

“I’llneedtogoandensureeveryoneisfollowingthesnowplan.”Lukeclimbedfrombedandpulled

cleanclothesfromhisdresser.

“Snowplan?”Iasked,runningandhoppingbackintobedwhereIknewwasstillwarmfromLuke’s

body.Ipulledtheblanketsuptomywaistashelookedatmeoverhisshoulderandgrinned.

“Ensuringthateveryoneintownissafe,withenoughwoodnearbytokeepthehousewarmanddon’t

have to wander out in the snow,” Luke said. “Some elderly need food delivered. Even tending to
animals.”

“LikeMr.Bernard.Sincewe’retheclosest,I’llgooverandcheckonhim,makesurehehaswhathe

needstomakeitthroughthestorm,”Walkeradded.

Ilikedtheidea,thoughtitsmartforneighborstocheckoneachother.
“Howlongwillthestormlast?”
Lukebuttonedhisshirt.“Couplehours,coupledays.Weneverknow.”
“Miss Esther, she’s eighty-four,” Walker commented. “Her bones ache when a big storm’s coming.

She’stheclosestwe’vegottoweatherpredictionsaroundhere.”

Ismiledattheideaofanoldladytellingeveryonebadweatherwascomingbecauseherkneeshurt.

But,I’dheardotherspredictrainthesamewayinTexas,soIdidn’tdoubtit.

“Aftersomecoffee,I’llgetgoing.Ishouldbebackinafewhours.”Lukecameoverandkissedme,

thenwentdownstairs.

Walkerpulledmeintohisarms.“I’lltakecareofthehorses,thengoseetoMr.Bernard.”
IshiftedinhisholdsoIcouldlookathim.“I’llseetotheanimalswhileyougonextdoor.”
“You’resure?”heasked.
“IknowwhatI’mdoing.I’llbefine.”
Heranafingerovermynose.“Idon’tdoubtyourabilities,doll.Idoworryaboutyouintheweather.

Thisisnewforyou.”

Ilaughedthen.“Verynew.Ihadnoideaitcouldsnowlikethis.I’llbefine.Luketoldmeabouttherope

tofollow.”

“Good.Whenwe’realldonewithourwork,we’llmeetbackhere.”Hepattedthebed.“Righthere.I

haveplansforyou.”

Mybodywarmedathiswords,atthehuskytoneofhisvoiceashesaidthelast.
“Oh?”Iasked.“Wecould…wecoulddothemnow.”
Hisfingersliddownmyneckandovertheskinexposedbythepartiallybuttonedshirt.“Theyinvolve

bothLukeandme…andthatgorgeousassofyours.”

Myheartskippedabeat.“Youmean—”
“Whenwegetback,we’llclaimyou,doll.Together.Thenyou’llbeoursonceandforall.”

***

WithLukealreadygone,IwatchedWalkeroutthewindowashetrudgedtowardMr.Bernard’s.Ittook

lessthanaminuteforhimtodisappearintothesnowandwind.Ididn’twanteitherofthemtoleave,but
that was a silly fantasy. We couldn’t remain holed up in the house forever. Perhaps it was his dark
promise of what we would do upon their return that had me longing for them. But chores needed to be
done, there were neighbors to help. Until that was finished, I would have to wait, no matter how
impatiently.

Ittooktimetoputontheboots,coat,mittensandhat,butknewIcouldn’tgooutsidewithoutthem,not

evenjusttheshortdistancetothebarn.Itookadeepbreathandopenedthebackdoor,butthecoldsucked
it from my lungs. Narrowing my eyes against the blowing snow, I turned my back against the wind and
pulledthedoorshutbehindme.

I’dneverfeltsuchcoldbefore.Evencrossingoverthepasshadn’tbeenlikethis,forI’dhadWalkerat

mybackandablanketshelteringme.Mycheeksstungandmyeyesteared.Therewasnoreasontolinger,
soIcarefullysteppeddownfromtheporchandlookedacrosstothebarn.Icouldseeiteasilyandranfor
it,mystepswobblyfromthesnow.BythetimeIpushedthebarndoorclosedbehindme,Iwaswinded
andmycoatwascoveredinsnow.

Stompingmyboots,Ibrushedthesnowfrommyshouldersandarms.Thebarnwascold,butwithout

thewind,itseemedalmostwarmincomparison.Thescentofhayandanimalwasheavyintheair.Taking
offmygloves,IwenttothefirststallandrubbedthenoseofAtlas,Luke’shorse.AsImurmuredtohim,
hesnorted,bothourbreathscomingoutinpuffsofwhite.

Footstepsonthehardpackedgroundhadmespinningabout.Forasplitsecond,IthoughtitwasWalker,

havingreturnedfromMr.Bernard’s.ButIhadn’theardthedooropenandhewouldn’thavesurprisedme.

BeforemestoodCarlNorman.Igaspedatthesightofhim.Hewasnolongertheconfident,tidyman

who’d harassed me in Texas. He wore a heavy winter coat, no gloves and a scarf wrapped around his
headinsteadofahat.Hehadn’tshavedindays,thedarkhairofanewbeardonhisjaw.Hischeekswere
chappedandred,hiseyesnarrowedandwild.Hehadnosnowonhim,meaninghe’dbeeninthebarn.
Hadhebeenwaitingforme?Hadhesoughtshelterfromthesnow?

“ItoldyouI’dcomeafteryou,”hespitout.“I’dgetyouandmakeyoupay.”
Igulpeddownmyfear.Thiswasnotasane,rationalman.
“My…myhusbandisinside.He’llbeexpectingme.”IwassurprisedIwasabletogetthewordsout,

mymouthnumb.IwassoafraidIfeltmykneeswobble.Myheartwasbeatingsohardithurttobreathe.

Carlslowlyshookhishead.“Isawthemleave.Yes,them.You’remarriedtotwomen,givingyourself

tothemlikeawhore.Nowonderyourdoctorhusbandbeddedsomeoneelse.”

Whenhe’dconfrontedmeinTexas,he’dsaidI’dbeentoofrigidtopleaseJohn.Now,he’dspunhis

reasoningallaround.Clearly,hewasn’trightinthehead.AndIwasalonewithhim.

“What…whatdoyouwant?”Iasked.
“Toseejusticeserved.”Hesteppedovertothebarnwall,grabbedacoilofropeoffthepeg.“You’re

goingtohang,justlikeNeil.”

Heunwoundtherope,letthelengthofitfalltothegroundathisfeetashebegantofashionanoose.I

wasgoingtodieandLukeandWalkercouldn’tsaveme.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Walker

“Theweather’sprettybad,”Mr.Bernardsaid.Withacloth,hegrabbedhiscoffeepotoffhisstoveand

poured two cups. Even with his rheumatism, his hands were still strong enough to grab it safely and I
didn’toffermyhelp.I’dcarriedseveralloadsofwoodfromalean-tobythebarnandbroughtupbythe
back door. I also carried several loads to set by the stove in the kitchen. He wouldn’t need to even go
outsideformoreuntiltomorrow.Ifearedhemightslipontheslickgroundandwithnooneabouttofind
him,he’dquicklydiefromexposure.

I glanced out the window toward the house. It wasn’t Luke’s house any longer, but our house. The

house we shared with our wife, and hopefully soon, children. I caught sight of the lamp in the kitchen
window,butthenitwasquicklyobscuredbytheblowingsnow.“Yes,IshouldgetbacksoI’mnotstuck
here.”

Hehandedmemycupwithaknowingsmile.“Whywouldyouwanttostayherewithmewhenyou’ve

gotalovelywifewaitingforyou?”

Whyindeed?
Igrinnedandspokehonestly.“It’sdifferentthanIimagined.”
“Sharing her with your brother? I’d imagine.” He took a sip, then went to sit at his small table. “I

rememberwhenImarriedLydia.”Hiseyesfocusedonthecupinhishands,butIknewhewasseeingthe
past.“Awomanchangesaman.Makeshimwantmore.Tobemore.Andwhenyouhavechildren...”

Mrs.Bernardpassedonseveralyearsbackandtheirchildrenwerefullgrown.OnesonlivedinJasper

with a family of his own, the other settling in Denver. Neither had wanted to stay in Slate Springs, for
therewasn’tenoughemployment.Inthesummermonths,Mr.Bernardtraveledtovisit,stayingforafew
weekswitheachofthem.Butwiththepassclosed,hewascutofffromthemforthewinter.

“Ineverwantedchildrenbefore,butIwantthemwithCelia.”
“Thenyoubetterheadhomeandgetonthat.”Mr.BernardwinkedatmeandIfeltmycheeksheat.“But

you’vegotcompanystaying.I’dthinkthatwouldputadamperonthings.”

Ifrowned.
“Company?”
“Thatman.Yourwife’sfriend.”
I put my cup down with a thud, the coffee sloshing over the brim and onto my hand. A sick feeling

spreadthroughmygut.“Describehim.”

Hiseyeswidenedandallhumorslippedfromhisfaceatmytone.“Alittleshorterthanyou,darkhair.

Tan.”

“That’snotafriend,”ItoldhimasIgrabbedmycoat,buttonedit.MyheartwaspoundingandItriedto

remaincalmknowingwhowasatthehousewithCelia.

“Whoishethen?”Mr.Bernardstood,wenttograbhisriflehekeptbehindthedoor.
“TroublefromTexas.”
Hepushedtherifleinmyhands.“I’msorry,Ididn’tknow.Hestoppedbythismorning,firstthing.He

didn’tevenhaveahat.Igavehimoneofmyscarvestouse.”

Igavehimacurtnodandopenedthebackdoor.“Notyourfault.ButI’vegottogosavemywoman.”

***

Celia

Carlfashionedanoosefromthelengthofropewithaskillthatmademyskincrawl.Hadhemadeone

tohangsomeonebeforeorhadhepracticedspecificallyforme?

“WhatifithadbeenWalkerorLukewhocametotendtheanimals?”Iwondered.
“I’dgettoyou,”hereplied.Ihadtoimaginehe’dkillthemtogettomewithoutevenblinking.
“You’llbecaught,”Iadded.
He glanced up from his work for just a second. His eyes had a wild glint in them. “Doesn’t matter.

Justicewillbeserved.”

Hewaswillingtodie,acceptediteven.
“YoucameallthewayfromTexasjusttodothis?”
“YouruinedNeil!”heshouted.“Destroyedhim.”
“Hiswifedidthatallonherown,”Icountered.
Heshookhishead,finishedwiththenoose.
“Youcouldn’tsatisfyyourhusband.HestrayedtoNeil’swife.”
Therewasnoexplainingwithhim.Itwasn’tworththeeffort.He’dcomethisfar,athousandmilesto

seemedead.NothingIwasgoingtosaywouldstophim.AndsoIhadtoact.Iglancedatthedoor,dashed
forit.Hegrabbedmyarmandspunmeabouttofacehim.

“Ohno,”hesaid,hiseyeswild,spitonhischin.
HepushedmebackandIstumbledintothewall.TheairleftmylungsandIwatchedasheprowled

closer,ropeinhand.Thelengthofitdraggedonthegroundbehindhimasthenoosedangled.Therewere
plentyofbeamsandraftersforhimtoaccomplishthedeed.

Islidalongthewall,theroughwoodatmyback,awayfromhim.Ikickedandknockedoverashovel

andIsquatteddownandpickeditup.Thewoodhandlewasroughinmypalms,theweightofitheavy.
Liftingit,Ihelditoutinfrontofmelikeaweapon.ItwasallIhad.Ashovelagainstamadman.

“Stayback,”Isaid,myeyesnarrowed,mybreathcomingoutinlittlepants.
“I’m your judge and jury, Mrs. Lawrence. I find you guilty in the death of Neil Norman. You are

sentencedtobehungbyyourneckuntildead.”

Hesteppedcloserandreachedfortheshovel,butIpulleditbackoutofhisreach.Grinningthen,he

steppedcloser,hishandsalmostonme.Thiswasit,myonlychance.Iswungtheshoveltowardhimwith
allmymight,strikinghimintheshoulder.

Itknockedhimtothesideandhestumbled,felldown.Theshockofitreverberateddownthelengthof

myarms,butIbarelynoticed.Droppingtheshovel,Idashedforthedoor,pulleditopen.Itrippedfrom
myfingersbytheforceofthewindandslammedagainstthewall.Tiltingmyheaddown,Iranoutintothe
snow,squintedtoseethehouse.

Nothing.Thewindhadgottenworse,thesnowheavier.Therewasnopath,myfootstepsfromminutes

ago long gone. I knew the house was directly before me, but I couldn’t see it. Luke had been right, a
completewhiteout.Ithoughtofthemanhe’dtoldmeabout,theonewho’ddiedjustoutsidehisdoor.That
wouldn’tbeme.Itcouldn’t.

Lookingback,Icouldbarelymakeoutthedarkshapeofthebarn.IknewCarlwasinthere,thatIhadn’t

hurthimtoobadly.Onlystunnedhim.He’dfollow,surely.Hewascrazy.Completelyoutofhismindand
nothingwasgoingtostophim.Knowingthat,Iwasn’tgoingbackthere,evenifitmeantdyinginthesnow.
Ihadtogettothehouse.Iwouldn’tbesafethereeither,butIwouldn’tsurviveinthestorm.

Icouldn’twalktoMr.Bernard’swhereIknewWalkerwas.WhileIknewhishousewastomyleft,I

didn’tknowexactlywhereanditwasjusttoofar.Icouldn’tevengoinastraightlinewithout—

Therope!Ilookedupbutdidn’tseeit.Lettingthesnowfallonmyface,Iwalkedleftandrightforthe

ropeLukehadtoldmeabout,thatIknewwasthere.Itwasmyonlyguidetothehouse.Itwasjustafew
stepsawayandmyheartleaptforjoyatthesightofit.Reachingup,Igrabbeditandranforthehouse,
stumblinginthesnowafewtimes.

“Celia!”
Carl’svoicewasabellow,eveninthewind.Hewascomingaftermeandhewasangry.OhGod,he

wasgoingtogetme.Imovedfaster,allbutrunningtogetinside.Imadeittothebackdoorwithoutgetting
lost,justasLukehadsaid.Glancingovermyshoulder,Icouldn’tseeCarl,butheardhim.Hecalledmy
nameagainandagain,asifchantingit.IclosedthedoorasquietlyasIcould,afraidifIslammedithe’d
hearandfollowthenoise.TherewasnolocksinceSlateSpringswassosafe,nowaytokeephimout.

God, were they wrong about that! A bubble of laughter threatened to escape as I looked about,

searching for a place to hide. I ran for the stairs and saw out of the corner of my eye the rifle on pegs
above the door. Sliding a chair close, I stepped up on it and grabbed the heavy weapon. I went up the
stairs,strugglingwithliftingmyskirtandholdingthegunontheway.Iranintotheextrabedroomandhid
behindthedresser,sliddownthewallsoIwasonthefloor,kneesuptomychest.Withmybackpressed
againstthewall,ItriedtoquietmybreathingsoIcouldlisten.IfCarlsearchedhardenough,he’dfindme,
butatleastnowIwasarmed.

Iheardthewind,theharshwhistlingofit,thesnowpeltingthewindow.Iheardmynameonce,then

again,thennothing.IhadnoideahowlongIsatthere,kneesupandgunready,butIjumpedwhenthefront
dooropenedandslammedagainstthewall.

“Celia!”WasthatWalker?
“Celia!”heshoutedagain.
“Uphere!”Icried.MyheartpoundedalloveragainasIstruggledupoffthefloor.Hisfeetwereheavy

onthestepsasheranupthem.

“Celia!”
Iranoutoftheroomandintothehall.Walkerstood,arifleofhisowninhishands.Hewascoveredin

snow. His dark hair was completely white and as it melted, it dripped down his face. His breath was
raggedandhisknuckleswerewhiteastheyclenchedhisgun.Eyeswild,theyrakedoverme.

“Doll.”
ItwasthenthatIwilted,thatalltheexcessenergyfromwhathadhappenedbledaway.Myfingerswent

numb,mykneesbecameweakandIslumpedtothefloorathisfeet.

***

Walker

I’dlostsightofthehousetwiceonmywayback.I’dtriedtorun,butthewindheldmeback.Itriednot

toveeratall,butwhenthehousedidcomeintoview,I’ddiscoveredIturnedtotheleftslightlyandwas
inthemiddleoftheroad.Islippedontheslickwoodoftheporchonmywaytothedoor.AllIcouldthink
aboutwasgettingtoCelia,wonderingwhatkindofdangershewasinwiththatfuckerNorman.Tocome
thisfartochaseafterawomanwhohadnopartinhisbrother’scrime,themanhadtobeinsane.We’d
promisedtoprotectourwifefromharmandyetitcamerighttoourhouse.Shehadtodefendherselffrom
amadman.Alone.

Takingtheriflefromherandleavingitonthefloorbesideher,IwrappedmyarmaroundCelia.She

mumbledaboutNormanbeingoutside,thathe’dchasedherbutwasn’tinthehouse.

IhelpedhertostandandtookhertothekitchenwhereIwatchedoutthebackwindowforthefucker,

rifleinhand.Ifhemadeittothehouse,hewasadeadman.Ifhewasoutinthesnow,hewasalreadya
deadman.Hecouldhavereturnedtothebarnforshelter,butI’dchecklaterwithLuke.

My brother returned a few minutes after I had, hearing about Norman’s presence in town from

Thomkins,ofallpeople.“HementionedthatCelia’sbrotherwasheretovisit.”He’dstrippedoffhiscoat
and dropped it to the floor, pulling Celia onto his lap, held her tightly. I doubted it was to offer her

comfort,buttotakeitforhimselftoknowthatshewaswellandwholeandsafe.Hebreathedherin,just
asIhadwhenIheldherintheupstairshall.

“Iaskedifhewasfuckingwithmeandhiseyeswidened.Saidhestilldidn’tlikemeorwhatIwas

doingwiththetown,buthewouldn’tbotherCelia.”Lukekissedthetopofherhead.“Iguessyou’vegot
oneadmirerbecauseofyourhelpwithAgnes.”

Celiadidn’trespond,onlyrubbedhercheekagainstLuke’schest.Everylineinherbodywastenseand

I knew she wouldn’t relax until we knew what happened to Norman. Neither would I. Neither would
Luke.

Wewouldnotgotothebarnandconfronttheman.Notinthestorm,sowewaited.Iwatchedoutthe

window and knew the minute the winds died. It took two hours and while the snow still fell, the barn
slowlybecamevisible.Butwedidn’tneedtocomeupontheoutbuildingwithriflesinhandaswewere
readytodo.Norman’sbodywasadarkspotonthewhiteground,halfwaytothehouse.Sprawledfaceup
inthesnow,itwasobvioushewasdead.

Iturned,lookedtoLukeandtiltedmyhead.
“What?”Celiasaid,poppingupfromLuke’slaplikeachild’sjack-in-the-box.
“Don’t look, doll.” I stopped her with my hand on her shoulder. Her cheeks were pale, her dress

rumpledandherhairhalfloosefromitsbun.

“He’sdead,isn’the?”sheasked,swallowedhard.
Lukewalkedpastmetothewindow.“Hewon’tbebotheringyouanymore.”
Shelookedupatme,hergreeneyespleading.“Ihavetosee.Ihavetoknowhe’sgoneforgood.”
I moved my hand and she went to stand beside Luke. A half a minute passed as she just looked at

Norman.

“Ididasyousaid,Luke.Igrabbedholdoftheropeandfollowedittothehouse.I…Icouldn’tseea

thing.”

Sheputherhandsoverhermouth.
“Atfirst,Igotconfused,couldn’tseewhereIwasgoing.Igotlost.ThenIrememberedtheropeand

foundit.”

Lukepulledherintoahug.
“Idon’tthinkheknewabouttheropeandgotturnedaround.”
“Iheardhimcallingforme,againandagain,thennothing.”IthoughtofhimchasingCeliaandclenched

myfists.

Istaredoutatthebody,partiallycoveredinblownsnow.“Itlookslikehewrappedaropeabouthis

waistandventuredout.Notsurewhyhedidn’tjustfollowitbacktothebarn.”

Celia shook her head. “He… he was going to hang me. Like what happened to his brother. It’s the

noose.”

Holyfuck.Iputtherifledownonthetableandwentoutthebackdoor.Nocoat.Ididn’tneedone.My

angerkeptmewarm.ItrudgedthroughthesnowuntilIstoodoverthebodyofCarlNorman.Inhishands
wasaropewithafuckingnooseontheend,justasshe’dsaid.Iglancedbackatthehouse,atCelia,at
Lukestandingrightbesideher.

Ithadbeenclose.Tooclose.Shecouldhaveeasilydiedagruesome,horribledeath.Lifewasfragile.

I’dlearnedthatwhenRuthdied.I’dsurvivedherdeath,thelossofher,ourmarriage.Butithadn’tbeen
anythinglikewhatIhadwithCelia.WhatIsharedwithLuke.IfCeliadied,IdoubtedIwouldsurviveit.
I’dbeashellofaman,lost.

And so I walked away from Carl Norman, left him and his insane hatred behind and walked back

towardthehouse.Towardmyfamily.Mylife.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Luke

IsawthelookinWalker’seyesashemadehiswaybacktothehouse.Resolve.Determination.Love.

He’dacceptedCeliaashiswifebackinDenver,butperhapshehadn’tgottenitallsortedinhisheaduntil
now.Untildeathalmosttookherfromus.

HeshutthedoorbehindhimandfacedCelia.Liftinghishand,hecuppedherjaw.“Iloveyou.”
Celiasteppedintohisarmshearingthat,andIlookedtomybrotheroverherhead.Isawthetruthofthe

wordsinhiseyes,hearditinthosethreewords.Hewaswithusinthis.Completely.Utterly.

“Ilovebothofyou,”Celiamurmuredagainsthim.
Prideandloveswelledmychest.Nothingmatteredbutourfamily.Thethreeofus.NotThomkins,not

Norman.Nothing. This waswhat I’d hopedfor from the marriage,but hadn’t expectedit. Then again, I
hadn’texpectedCelia.

ShereachedoutformeandItookhersmallhandinmine.Squeezedit.“Thisiscrazy.”
Ismiledatdownather,shookmyhead.“Sometimesitjustworks.Thislove,sweetheart,I’vesaidall

along,isperfect.”

Itwas.Absolutelyperfect.
“Ineedyouboth,”shereplied,hervoicesoft.“Please.”
“You’vegotus,”Iassuredher.
“Notlikethat.Ineed,”sherepeated.
Walker pushed her back so he could look at her. “You don’t have to beg, doll. We want you, too.

Always.Butwecan’ttakeyounow.You’vehadascare.”

Sheshookherhead.“Weallhave.Itmakesmewantyoumore.”
“Wewon’tleaveyou,”Itoldher.
Whileshewasagrownwoman,itwouldbealongtimebeforeeitherofusleftheraloneagain.Iknew

howshefelt.Shewantedvalidation,tofeelpleasureinsteadofpainorfear.“Youwantustofuckyou?”

“Yes,”shereplied.
“Areyousure?”
“Yes,”sherepeated.“Iwantyou…together.”
I arched a brow at her request. “Together?” She wanted us both, to fuck her at the same time. That

meantIwouldclaimherpussy,Walkerherass.“It’stime?”

Shenodded.“Afterwhathappened…whatalmosthappened,Iwanttofeelalive.Connectedtobothof

you.I’mready.”

Shewas.We’dpreparedherbodywelloverthepastfewdaysuntilherbodyreadilytookthelargest

plug,butweweren’tgoingtoclaimherlikethatuntilshetrulywantedit.Nowshedid.Mindandbody.

Itookherhandandledherdownthehallandupthestairs.Walkerfollowed.Wewerereadytomake

heroursonceandforall.

***

Celia

I wanted this. I needed this. I needed my men in every way possible. They’d been patient with me,

preparing my body so I could take them both at the same time. It was the final act that would tie us
together.Iwastheonetoconnectus,tomakeuscomplete.

But…therewassomethingmissing.

When Walker closed the bedroom door behind us, I knew I had to share my one last worry. The one

thingthatmighttearusapart.“Whilewecancometogetherlikethis,there’sonethingthatwouldshow
ourlovetotheworld.”

“Oh?”Lukeasked,unbuttoninghisshirt.
Inodded,glancedatthefloor.“Ababy.”
ThethoughtofachildthathaddarkhairlikeWalkerorfaircurlslikeLukemademelongforoneso

desperately,butIresignedmyselftothetruth.

“You want a baby, doll?” Walker asked, coming up to me. I could feel his heat, breathe in his spicy

scent.

“Soverymuch.But…butIcan’t.”
HetippedmychinupsoIhadtolookhimintheeye.“Whatdoyoumean,youcan’t?”
Ilickedmysuddenlydrylips.“WithJohn,itneverhappened.Afterfiveyears.”
“Hewasadoctor.Didhetellyouitwasimpossible?”Lukeasked.
IshookmyheadandWalkersteppedback.“No,buthesaiditwasmyfault.Icouldn’t…Itried.”
“We’lltrysomemore,”Lukeadded.“It’snotlikewehaven’tfilledyoufullofourseedalready.You

couldbepregnantnow.”

Iputmyhandonmyflatbelly.Ishookmyhead,refusingtohope.“WhatifIcan’t?”
Wouldtheythinklessofme?TearswelledinmyeyesandLukewipedthemaway.“Thenyoucan’t.We

wantyou.Wemarriedyou.”

“Butyouwantchildren.YousaidsowhenwefirstmetinDenver.”
Lukenoddedgravely.“Iwantyoumore.Iloveyou,sweetheart.Justthewayyouare.”
WalkersteppedupbehindmesoIwasbetweenthem,justwheretheyknewIlikedtobe.Heleanedin,

murmuredinmyear.“Afterwhatjusthappened,wehaveeverythingwewant,righthere.”

He kissed my neck and I tilted my head to give him better access. My eyes slipped closed and I felt

handsonthebuttonsofmydress.Iwasquicklystrippedbareandtheirhandswereeverywhere.Overmy
breasts,downthelineofmyspine,overthecurveofmybottom,betweenmythighs.Theytouchedmeas
iftheycouldn’tgetenough,asiftheyhadtoensureeveryinchofmewasunharmed.

Myskinheated,mybloodturnedsluggish,mythoughtsgone.Ijustfelt.Breathed.Gaveovertomymen.
Onesetofhandscuppedmybreasts,tuggedandplayedwithmynipplesasanotherslidovermypussy,

thendelveddeep.Irodethehand,rubbingmyclitagainstit,needingtherelease.Itdidn’ttakelong.Ihad
beenreadyforthem,eagertofeelalive.Icriedoutmyrelease,mybodysoftandsoverywetforthem.

LukedroppedtohiskneesandIlookeddownathim,curledmyfingersinhisblondhair.“Oncemore,

Celia,thenwe’llfuckyou.”

Walkernippedatthespotwheremyshouldermetmyneck.“Oncemoreandwe’lltakeyoutogether.”
Lukekepthiseyesonmeashelickedovermyslickfolds,thenIcouldn’twatchanylonger.Myeyes

fell closed as he flicked my clit with his tongue, then sucked on it. One finger slipped into me just the
tiniestbit,strokedovertheplacethathadmyhipsbucking,hadmecryingouthisname.Ituggedonhis
hairtopullhimcloser,toensurethathewouldn’tstopuntilIcameagain.

Allthewhile,Walkerplayedwithmybreastsandwhispereddirtythingsinmyear.Icouldn’tholdback

thepleasure,forthetwoofthemcombinedweresoaggressiveintheirattentions.Mybodyhadnochoice
tocomply,tocomesohardthatIhadnovoice,thatmybodytightenedandtensedbetweenthem.

I didn’t even realize when I was lifted and carried to the bed. Luke shucked the remainder of his

clothesandlaydown.WalkerhelpedmesothatIstraddledLuke,hiscockdirectlybeneathme.Aftertwo
orgasms,Iwasn’tdone.Iwantedmore.Neededit.And,Iwantedtomakethemfeelgood,tomakethem
feelthepleasure,thereleasethatthey’dgivenme.TheyneededitasmuchasIhad.Stilldid.

Withoutdelay,IputmyhandsonLuke’swell-muscledchestandloweredmyselfontohim,hiscockso

big and thick it stretched me open, filled me to the brink. He hissed out a breath as I surrounded him,

clenchedmyinnerwallstoholdhimwithin.

“Sogood,”hegroaned.Hishandswenttomyhipsandhestartedtoliftandlowerme,movemeashe

needed.IheardWalkerrustlingabout,thenjoiningusonthebed.HewasonhiskneesbehindmeandIfelt
himkisshiswaydownmyspineashishandcuppedmybottom.Hisfingerfoundmybackentranceand
playedthere.Bynow,Iwasaccustomedtotheirtouch,toafingeroraplugpressingintome,fillingme
up.Iknewthistimeitwouldbedifferent.

“Ready,doll?”Walkerasked.
Inoddedandlookedovermyshoulder.Isawhiscock,slickwithlubricant,hardandreadyforme.My

eyesfellclosedasIrelaxed,triedtobreatheashepressedtheflaredheadtomyvirginentrance.Luke
stilleddeepinsideme,pulledmedownforakiss.MychestrestedagainsthisandIfelthiswarmthseep
intomyskinasWalkerslowlypressedagainstmytightbackentrance,slowlyeasingmeopen.

“Breathe,Celia.That’sit.Goodgirl,”Lukemurmured.
I began to pant as Walker’s pressure increased, as I began to open for his cock. Slowly, slowly he

pressed against me; all of a sudden the ring of muscle gave way and the head slipped inside. Walker
groaned and I clenched Luke’s shoulders. My eyes widened at the feel of Walker inside me. I was so
open,alittlesoreandvery,veryfull.

Lukesmiledatme,butIsawthelineoftensioninhisface.IknewitcosthimtoremainstillandifIfelt

howfullitwastohavebothoftheminme,Iknewhecouldfeelitaswell.

Walkerbegantomovethen,veryslowly,inandout.“That’sit.Sogood,doll.Ilovetoseeyourbody

takemycock.Deeperanddeeper.Yes,likethat.I’mallthewayin.”

HeplacedhishandsonthebedbesidemeandIcouldfeelhischestagainstmyback,hishipspressed

againstmybottom.Bothmenwereinsideme,fillingmecompletely.

“Soperfect,Celia.You’retheonewho’sbroughtustogether,tomakeusafamily,”Lukesaid.
“We’llshowyouhowperfectitcanbe.”Walker’swordswerefollowedbyhimpullingalmostallthe

wayoutofme,thenslidingbackin.Ihadnoideatherewassomuch…feelingthere.Toomuch,forIwas
readytocomeagain.

Lukepulledbackandbegantofuckme,alternatinginandoutwithWalker.
“OhGod,”Igroaned.Iwasbeingfuckedbybothmyhusbands.Together.Therewasnothingbetween

us.Iconnectedthem,madeusone.Icouldn’tholdoffmypleasure,couldn’tkeepanythingback.

Icriedoutmyrelease,myinnerwallsclenchingandsqueezingboththeircocks,needingthemasdeep

insidemeaspossible.They’dheldbackuntilnow,carefullyfuckingme,buttheirbaserneedstookover.
Theneedtofuckandfuckhardcametothem,forthey,too,wantedtocome.Theyneededit,weredriven
byit.Ineededthis,theirwildabandon,foritmademefeelsopowerful.

Iwastheonewhomadethemthisway.Itwasmewhotheywanted,mybodythattheyneeded,thatthey

fucked. And when they came seconds later, they filled me with their seed, marked me. Claimed me. If
therewasnobabytocomefromthisunion,itwouldnotbeforlackoftrying.Theygavemehope,they
gavemelove.Theygavemeeverything.

EPILOGUE

Eightmonthslater

Celia

“Isthatmywifetakingthosestairsbyherself?”
Walker’svoiceboomedthroughthehouseandIstoppedhalfwaydownthesteps.Icouldn’tseemytoes

andmymenwereafraidI’dtoppledownandhurtmyself.Andthebaby.

“You know what happens when you disobey, doll.” Walker came up the steps to stand before me, a

handcomingtorestonmyveryroundbelly.

“Igetspanked?”Iaskedhopefully.
Hegrinnedatmyeagerness.“Needy,doll?”
Inoddedandbitmylip.Yes,Iwasveryneedy.“Ijustwantedaglassofwater.”
“Youjusthadtocallforme.Youknowwedon’twantyoutofall.”
Both men had been very protective of me since we learned I was pregnant. It has only been a few

weeksaftertheawfuldaywhenCarlhadtriedtokillme.Itseemedthatmyfirsthusbandhadbeensterile.
Iwasnotbarrenintheslightestandmyhusbandswereveryvirile.Theywerequiteproudofthefactand
basedonthesizeofmybelly,Ihadtoquestiontwins.

Wedidn’t,however,questionmyconstantneedfortheircocks.I’dbecomevoraciousinmypregnancy

andhavingtwohusbandscertainlyworkedtomyadvantagetoassuagethisneed.

Walkertookmyhandandledmebackupthesteps.“Luke!”hecalled.
“Yes?”Herespondedfromsomewheredownstairs.
“Ourwife,sheneedsusagain.”
Walkerescortedmetothebed,liftedmynightgownupandovermyheadtorevealmynakedness.The

windowswereopentothesummerair.Itwasn’thotlikeTexas,butperfect.Evenso,mysensitivenipples
tightenedinthecoolair.

I’d worried if they would like my altered shape, but they reveled in my additional curves and never

ceasedtotellme.“Uponyourhandsandknees,doll.Ifyouwantaspankingandagoodfucking,thenget
intoposition.”

Eager, yet with a slow pace, I crawled up onto the bed and grabbed hold of the headboard. Since I

couldn’tbeonmystomachanylonger—Ihadn’tseenmyfeetinafewmonths—mymenhadbeencreative
inhowtotakeme.

“Isyourpussyneedy?”Lukeaskedfromthedoorway.
“Yes,Luke,”Ibreathed,takinginmyhandsomehusband.
When Walker knelt on the bed behind me and gave my bottom a sharp spanking, I cried out. “Yes!

More.”

Lukeclosedthedoorbehindhimandcamearoundtotheothersideofthebed,kneltbesideme,cupped

oneofmyfull,tenderbreasts.We’ddiscoveredthatItrulydidlikefuckingalittleroughandfullofwild
abandon.Igotwetfromaspankingorbeingtiedup.Ijustlikedmymenincontrol.

“We’vegotyou,sweetheart.Always.You’llalwaysbebetweenusjustlikethis.You’regoingtogive

usabeautifulbabyandwe’llgiveyoueverythingyouneed.”

TheysawtomethenandIgaveovertotheirtouch,tobeingthecenteroftheirworld.Themenneverlet

meforget.

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