Along Came Merrie Read online

  Their conversation remained light and Merrie made sure to avoid talking about what had happened the previous night. She didn’t think it right to analyze it while missing one of the trio, and Braden was now very much a part of her life.

  When they got back later that evening, eerie darkness engulfed the house. Crickets chirped, a soft breeze rustled the willow branches, and for a moment, Merrie thought it might be deserted.

  “Braden must’ve gone to bed,” Leo said, as he strode to the front porch.

  Disappointed, she sighed, having missed Braden all day. Leo led the way up to his bedroom, where she hesitated, wondering if she was breaking some kind of unknown rule about sleeping with one man while the other was not around. Would there be private moments with Braden as well? So, she took Leo’s hand and halted with him just as he closed the door, sealing them inside.

  “This is all right, isn’t it?”

  He frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

  “Braden’s not here.”

  Understanding dawned and he smiled at her. “Yes, it is all right, Merrie. Above everything, there’s trust. All right?”

  “All right. If that’s the case, then stay just like that.”

  Amusement lit up his face but he did as she’d asked. Merrie began undressing him, kissing his skin wherever she exposed it. The shirt slid down his arms to land in a heap on the floor, followed by his belt. She kneeled to help him out of his pants and underwear and gasped as his cock sprang up, the tip already leaking fluid. She gave the head a quick lick, collecting the moisture before she pushed him back onto the bed. He gave a little groan. Merrie took off his shoes and socks to slide off the rest of his clothes.

  “Scoot up the bed,” she ordered.

  He did so, fisting his dick and pushing the foreskin down to slowly massage his shaft. As he met her gaze, she enjoyed him pleasuring himself.

  She performed a little strip-tease, even though there wasn’t any music, but hunger lit up his face so any embarrassment she had drifted away. Finally naked, she crawled on her hands and knees over his body, taking another lick of his cock tip. He moaned and thrust his hips up, so she went down on him, swallowing his large cock as far as she could go. After a few minutes of making him moan, she released him and continued on her journey until she sat on his lap. His dick pressed along her ass cleft and the thought that she’d like to explore that area one day drifted through her mind, but then he kissed her and everything else faded from her head.

  She sat astride his legs, her hair flowing loose around her face and shoulders. The position thrust her breasts out, toward his mouth, and he eagerly accepted the invitation. He sucked on each nipple until they stood raw and turgid from the delicious torment.

  He collected her hair in one hand and yanked her head back, not causing pain but allowing him better access to slide up her torso with his tongue, taking nibbles along the way until his mouth met hers. Leo swept his tongue in to duel with hers as if he were trying to exert his dominance. Merrie was more than happy to surrender to such bliss.

  He trailed his fingers over her hips then across her thighs to find the wetness oozing from her pussy. Merrie shuddered, and he delved his fingers deeper to find her G-spot. She rocked her hips as his hard cock slid into her crack while he teased her clit with his fingers.

  His body all hard muscles over smooth skin, Leo maneuvered his jutting cock between her thighs. She reached behind her to grasp it, tracing the lines and contours, learning how it responded to her touch. She captured some of his pre-cum on a finger and brought it to her lips. She loved how he tasted.

  He reached over to the nightstand and opened the drawer to pull out a condom. Next, he guided her to kneel forward so he could slip it over his cock. Then he lowered her over his shaft.

  Excitement gripped her stomach as she sank on him, her pussy practically grabbing and pulling him inside her. He held her still for a moment to allow her to adjust to his girth, before he propelled her hips—back and forth, very tenderly and slowly.

  Needing to move, she rolled her hips. Leo let out a moaning-hissing noise that she took as a good sign. She leaned over to gently bite his earlobe and that was all it took to break the slow and easy façade. He pumped her up and down on his cock—in and out, in and out—until Merrie wasn’t sure if it was him out of control or her. All she did know was how incredible it felt to be with him. She gripped her inner walls around him so tightly a squelching sound occurred with each thrust.

  “Ah, Leo,” she breathed just as her climax hit. It coursed through her, bringing exquisite pleasure.

  “Merrie!” He gasped just as he surged against her, shuddering his release.

  After a moment, he relaxed and tucked her sweaty body against him. She could feel both their hearts beating frantically. He took off the used condom and tossed it in the wastebasket next to his bed.

  “Will you sleep with me?”

  “Of course,” she answered drowsily. “I wish Braden was here too.”

  Leo didn’t answer as she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Braden left the house before dawn, wanting to get as far away from Merrie and Leo as possible. Damn if he hadn’t been right about her being fickle, and even though he should have felt a small amount of vindication, hurt battered his heart. He’d had to listen to them last night and the memories of how Merrie had come apart in his arms, how tight her pussy had been around his dick, had crashed over him painfully.

  To know that she’d gotten over him so quickly, that she’d turned her back so easily on him, cut him to the core and he tried to shake that off. He had no reason to feel such betrayal because he was the one who’d backed off. He was the one who’d given Leo the go-ahead.

  He drove to the barn and parked, wishing it was as easy to turn off his thoughts. He planned to ride all day so he wouldn’t bump into either of them. Braden greeted his ranch hand, who had just begun to clean the stalls. Usually he’d help, but today he couldn’t. He needed to be out on the range, away from everyone.

  He saddled his horse and mounted, then galloped off toward the eastern fields so he could check on the other horses. Crisp morning air filled his lungs and it helped settle his mind. How was he going to live with Merrie and Leo, who were now together? He felt sure he’d be able to bury his emotions deep but that didn’t mean he wanted to be slapped upside the head each time he saw her—or saw them together.

  Of course, it was just a matter of time before Merrie headed to Cheyenne, back to the life that she really wanted. Friends, parties, men her own age—how could she not want all that? She was only twenty-three with her whole life in front of her. Once she got bored of ranch life, she’d be gone.

  Just like Samantha.

  Through the day, he checked his horses, ate a power bar at lunch and enjoyed the solitude that only wide-open spaces could allow. And he almost forgot about what had driven him out here to begin with. When twilight began to fall, he reined in toward the barn. He dismounted about half a mile away and walked his mount to cool him down. He spent a couple more hours finding odd jobs to do—anything to keep him from going back to the house. Eventually his stomach protested too much so he got back in his truck and drove home. The dashboard read a little past nine o’clock and all he wanted to do was eat, shower and sleep.

  Lights glowed in the kitchen and when he went inside, Merrie stood cleaning up the kitchen surfaces. Just seeing her hurt his heart and he was half tempted to starve himself just so he wouldn’t have to face talking with her. What would she say? What would he say?

  “Oh, hey!” she greeted, a warm smile not only gracing her lips but shining from her eyes.

  “Hi,” he greeted coolly. “Is there any food?”

  Her smile slipped and she regarded him oddly. “Yes. Let me heat it up for you. Sit.”

  “Let me go wash my hands,” he said. He used the downstairs bathroom, taking a little longer than necessary to clean up. When he walked back into the kitchen, a plate fu
ll of meatloaf, potatoes and vegetables waited for him. Merrie sat in the chair to his right, a cup of tea in her hands.

  He wished she wasn’t there. It was hard enough keeping his hands off her, let alone the temptation of her only a few inches from him. But when she smiled, he felt himself walking toward her like a moth drawn to a flame, helplessly caught in her heat.

  He sat at the table and began to eat, doing his best to ignore her. Her fresh scent drifted over him and his dick stood at attention. Holy hell. How was he supposed to pretend she didn’t affect him?

  “I haven’t seen you in almost two days,” she said, lightly touching his hand. “I’ve missed you.

  Braden frowned and moved his hand away. He took another bite to give himself time from what she’d said.

  “Didn’t Leo talk to you?” he asked after he’d swallowed.

  “Talk to me about what?”

  He sighed and rose, walking to the fridge to grab a beer. He twisted the lid off and downed half of it in one, long drink.

  “You should eat more before you drink it all,” Merrie warned. “Otherwise you’re going to be tipsy.”

  “Damn it,” Braden swore. “I never thought Leo was such a coward.”

  “What’re you talking about? What’s wrong, Braden?”

  “Where’s Leo?”

  “He said he had some things to do at the office. Why? Hey, talk to me, Braden,” she stressed.

  “This,” he said, gesturing between her and him. “Isn’t going to work.”

  She flinched as if he’d struck her and it made him feel like a heel.

  “I don’t understand,” she said, clearly confused.

  “I told Leo I was stepping back,” he said quietly.

  “You…what? What does that mean?”

  “It means we had a fantastic night together, but we need to be practical. Leo has this idea that we can all be together, that you’re going to stay. And I know how impossible that is.”

  Her mouth dropped open and he read the surprise on her face. Slowly, she shook her head.

  “What did I do wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he said. “I just know how this is going to end and I’d rather not get my heart broken again.”

  She blinked, her eyes huge in her pale face. “So this isn’t about seeing if a three way relationship could work. It’s about our age difference, isn’t it? You still think I want to leave.”

  “Eventually, you will. Maybe not right now, but once this Axe person is caught, I’m pretty sure you’ll be itching for the twenty-something lifestyle.”

  She surged to her feet and anger turned her cheeks red. “You condemn me for my age but out of the two of us, you’re the one acting immature.”

  “Perhaps we should talk later—”

  “Oh, no. You don’t get to hide.” Her face flared red. “We had something pretty incredible the other night and now you’ve decided I’m not good enough?”

  “I never said you’re not good enough!”

  “This,” she said, indicating the space between them, “tells me everything I need to know. You don’t get to fuck me then decide a relationship is too messy, not even if it’s a three-way relationship.”

  He turned away and set his beer down then leaned against the counter and hung his head. God, he was confused. He wanted to pull her into his arms and beg her forgiveness but his brain kept warring with his heart.

  “Braden, please don’t do this,” she whispered.

  He straightened. “I won’t stand in your way with Leo. You both have my blessing, for as long as it lasts.”

  “May I ask you a question?”

  “Of course,” he said warily.

  “When you were twenty-three, did you ever want to leave this ranch?”

  He shook his head. “No, never.”

  “Then how can you doubt me when I feel as emphatically as you did then?”

  He pursed his lips. “Well played, Merrie. But you’re a woman. It’s different.”

  “You’re a coward,” she spat. She didn’t even wait for him to comment. Instead, she spun and stormed away. A few seconds later, the front door slammed. Part of him wanted to go after her and beg her to forgive him for his stupidity and another part of him wanted to punch something until he bled.

  But he didn’t do either of those things. He picked up his plate and dumped the rest of his dinner in the trash before washing everything. Then he headed up stairs and locked himself in his bedroom.

  * * * *

  Merrie sat on the porch swing and stared out at the night, unable to stop the tears flowing down her cheeks. Her emotions fluctuated from despair to anger. In fact, she was so mad she didn’t know what to do except sit there and cry.

  She understood about being scared and wary when it came to trusting someone. Hell, her own mother often forgot she had a daughter that she needed to feed. When her mom had ended up overdosing on heroine, Merrie had been sent to live with her Uncle Clarence but he’d died the following year, leaving her alone again. She’d dated a lot of guys, hoping one clicked with her so she wouldn’t have to be alone anymore, only to realize they’d only wanted to screw her without any deeper feelings involved, thus earning her a bad reputation. Like mother, like daughter.

  But she didn’t understand how Braden could turn his back so easily when she knew they had a deep connection. She’d seen the pain on his face, the longing in his eyes when he’d looked at her. And to hear him dismiss what they shared had really cut her to the quick.

  Leo’s truck pulled into its spot and the lights flicked off. Leo stepped from the truck and sighed as he approached her.

  “I take it he’s still being an ass?”

  Merrie wiped her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I was hoping he’d stop being an ass. He doesn’t mean it, you know. He’s just scared.”

  “Yeah? Well, newsflash—so am I. Having this type of relationship wasn’t in my plans. I’m sure they weren’t in yours either.”

  He sat next to her on the swing and rocked it gently. “What happened?”

  “Basically he gave me to you, which by the way, thanks for asking. I’m not a door prize, you know.”

  “Give him a few days,” Leo said.

  “And then what? We live happily ever after? I can’t do that if he’s always going to think I’m going to leave. The only reason to leave would be because of him! Doesn’t he get that?”

  “I’m sorry, Merrie.”

  She stood. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. In the beginning, I wanted to leave because I was petrified of Axe finding me. Then I stayed because I felt safe with you two. Now I have feelings for both of you and if one of you shuns me then I can’t stay.”

  “Merrie—”

  “If you don’t mind,” she snapped. “I’d rather be alone right now.”

  She left him there in the dark and headed up to her room. She didn’t want one man over the other and she refused to put Leo in that kind of position. Damn Braden. It was just like a man to twist everything out of proportion.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Givon grabbed the phone and punched the line on hold. “Hello, this is Sheriff Halloran.”

  “Hello, Sheriff, I’m Captain Bruce Buckner with the Cheyenne PD.”

  “Thank you for returning my call. I’ve recently discovered the burned-out shell of a car and the VIN was traced back to a woman named Merrie Walden. I was informed through a third party that you have a detective in Destiny investigating and I’m slightly disturbed that I’ve yet to meet this detective.”

  “Clark hasn’t checked in with you?”

  “No, sir, he hasn’t. I’ve called the number on his cell but I’ve not been able to touch base.”

  “My detective is working on the case,” Captain Buckner assured him. “He’s investigating you, so it’s possible he’s gathering evidence.”

  “Evidence? Need I remind you I am a sheriff of another county? Some common courtesy is demanded. Why don’t you inform m
e what’s going on, Captain?”

  “We had a call come through about a woman allegedly assaulted by a biker. The woman was informed the Destiny police force was…ah…on the take and she shouldn’t expect help. So I sent one of my detectives down to assess the situation. He should have come by to inform you of this.”

  “Yes, he should have,” Givon stated. “Bikers?”

  “Yes. Clark works organized crimes.”

  “Do you happen to know the name of the biker?”

  “Sorry, Sheriff. I don’t. Clark hasn’t reported in.”

  “Isn’t that unusual?” Givon asked.

  “Not if he’s in the midst of investigating a known outlaw biker gang.”

  Givon didn’t agree with that at all and this was turning out to be a whole lot more complicated than just a burned-out car. Except now, he knew the first person he was going to question.

  “If and when you get in touch with your detective, Captain, would you have him give me a call?”

  “Will do, Sheriff.”

  * * * *

  Givon waited by his truck, standing on one of the Laramide uplifts overlooking the Wind River Basin. It was one of the most beautiful places on Earth and he considered himself fortunate that this was where he’d grown up. The sound of another vehicle coming up the narrow single road had all his senses on high alert.

  The truck came to a stop and the engine turned off. A door slammed and Givon turned his head as North Tabion walked up to him. North intimidated people. The air around him practically vibrated with authority and his blue eyes were cold enough to freeze fire. A bandana hid most of his blond hair. Givon saw his reflection in the man’s mirrored sunglasses.

  “You rang?” North drawled in a deep gravelly voice. It matched his outward persona. A Red Wolf strip encircled the bottom of his leather cut while dark jeans and a white T-shirt hinted at the muscles under his big frame. A chain for his wallet attached to his belt and tattoos peeked out from under one sleeve.