Samhain Publishing Ltd, Ebooks and Books in Print

Undenied

Wes Hoffman pulled into the parking lot of Zack’s Bar and Grill and killed the engine. He looked around in surprise as he got out. It was awfully crowded for a Thursday night.

As he walked closer to the door, he could hear the raucous laughter from inside. When he actually stepped into the bar, he winced as a set of girly shrieks from hell pierced his eardrums.

He glanced around the room to see a hoard of females clustered in the corner. Ah hell, he’d stumbled into a girls’ night out? And not just any girls’ night out. These looked to be hellions.

His eyebrows lifted when one of them plunked down her drink and climbed on top of the table amidst hoots and shouts of encouragement from her friends. She proceeded to do a loud rendition of a twangy country song before being coaxed back down by one of the other girls.

Wes headed for the bar in full retreat mode. Zack slid a cold bottle down the bar as Wes plopped onto a barstool.

“Thanks,” he said as he raised the bottle to his lips. Then he nodded in the direction of the chaos. “What the fuck is going on tonight?”

Zack chuckled and flipped his towel over his shoulder. “Bachelorette party.”

Wes groaned. “Say no more.”

“What brings you out tonight anyway?” Zack asked as he resumed pouring a round of drinks. “You’re usually over at Jeremy’s your nights off.”

“They’ve all turned into a bunch of damn pussies,” Wes grumbled.

Zack burst out laughing. “I assume you’re talking about the female influence on the male members of your circle?”

Wes took a long chug of the beer. “Got it in one. Babies, wives…” He shook his head. “And then I come here expecting a nice quiet drink and find a bunch of screaming women.”

Zach laughed again. “You sound down on the fairer sex, my friend.”

Wes grinned. “Oh no, I wouldn’t badmouth them. I love them far too much for that. I’m just pissed because everyone I know is at home getting laid, and I’m sitting here bitching to you like a goddamn old man.”

Zack inclined his head in the direction of the ruckus. “Plenty of women over there.”

Wes snorted. “I don’t do about-to-become-attached women.”

“Well, hell, they aren’t all getting married. Just one.”

“Which one?” Wes asked as he swiveled on his barstool.

“The blonde sitting by the redhead over in the corner. Ah hell, is that lingerie they’re breaking out?”

“Looks like it,” Wes said as his gaze swept over the group. He stopped on one and stared for a long moment, studying her profile. There was something about her.

“Who’s the brunette on the end?” he asked Zack. “The one wearing the cowboy hat. I swear I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

“Dunno. The bride-to-be said she had a lot of out-of-towners coming in for the wedding.”

Wes continued to stare, the niggling growing stronger. Where had he seen her? As he sat watching her, she turned and looked in his direction. Their eyes locked and a burst of recognition hit him directly in the chest.

Her eyes widened in surprise and then she smiled. She stood and began making her way toward him.

Heat rushed up his neck as humiliation set in. Fuck me. Oh Lord, anyone but Payton Ricci. He stood, nearly knocking his beer over in his haste to be as far away from there as possible.

“Wes Hoffman?”

Her voice, husky and sweet, only added to his guilt.

And then she launched herself at him. One minute she was standing just a few feet away and the next she was in his arms, legs wrapped around his waist.

“It is you!” she exclaimed.

One hand clapped on top of the straw cowboy hat she wore and the other hand curled around his neck, holding on for dear life.

Then she yanked off the hat and tossed it onto the bar before she wrapped both hands around his neck and planted her lips on his.

He registered a hot, needy mouth, but his shock and embarrassment was too great for him to do anything but stand there wishing the floor could open up and swallow him.

Finally she pulled away and slid down his body until her feet hit the floor. She cocked her head to the side, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Do you not remember me?”

He cleared his throat. On one hand he wanted to plead ignorance but then she’d no doubt explain just how they knew each other, and he really didn’t need the details all over again. On the other hand, he had no desire to hurt her feelings. He’d already done enough damage to her.

“Of course I remember you, Payton.” He even managed what he hoped was a sincere smile.

“I can’t believe you’re still here, I mean living here. I figured you’d have left right after high school. Didn’t you have a scholarship to A&M to play ball?”

Her smile and enthusiasm discomfited him. Why was she being so damn nice to him? He eased awkwardly back onto the barstool and motioned for Zack.

Zack walked over, a smirk on his face that Wes really wanted to wipe off with a well-placed fist.

“Can I get you a drink?” Wes asked, not really knowing what else to say to a woman he’d never expected to see again.

She bounced onto the stool next to him and turned her dynamite smile on Zack, who promptly melted into a pile of slush. Damn fool.

“I’ll take a water,” she said.

She turned back to Wes, a million questions burning in her eyes. “Well? Tell me about you. What are you doing these days?”

His tongue felt thick in his mouth. Like he’d just swallowed a cup of sawdust or eaten a dozen crackers without a drink.

She looked beautiful, but then she’d always been gorgeous. The years had been good to her, how long had it been? Eleven? Twelve years? Good God, it had been twelve years. She’d been sixteen then. Sweet, innocent and so very beautiful.

She hadn’t changed much. Not now when he soaked in her appearance up close and personal. She still had a sparkle about her, something that inexplicably drew him to her, just like it had twelve years ago.

“Wes? Are you all right?”

He blinked and opened his mouth to try and say something to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation, but damned if he knew what to say. Sorry? Apologize for hurting her? Apologize for being a clumsy, inexperienced dumbass?

“I’m fine,” he mumbled. He looked around…for what, help? He met Zack’s gaze, sure panic was etched in his features.

Zack looked curiously back at him, nodded once in silent understanding then reached for the phone under the counter. A few seconds later, Wes’s cell phone rang.

Wes yanked up his phone, knowing when he answered there wouldn’t be anyone on the other end, but he gripped the receiver like a lifeline.

“Yeah,” he said shortly. He waited an appropriate amount of time before saying, “Okay, I’ll be right in.”

He closed the phone and donned an expression of regret. “That was the station. I’m a local cop. They need me to come in. I’ll, uh, catch you another time.”

“Oh,” she said. “Well, it was nice to see you again.” She flashed a smile that didn’t quite reach to her eyes, eyes that reflected suspicion.

“Uh, yeah, you too,” Wes hedged. He nodded in Zack’s direction. “Thanks, man. I’ll see you later.”

He turned tail and all but ran the hell out of the bar. When he reached the outside, he sucked in several breaths, trying to rid himself of the embarrassment blazing a torch over his face.

Bless Zack for resorting to the oldest trick in their repertoire. It wasn’t something they’d done in a long time, the last when a very drunk, very married woman had come on to Wes. He definitely owed Zack for this one, and he’d be more than happy to pay up.

Overheard

Gracie woke to the sun shining in the bedroom window. The space beside her was empty, and she smelled bacon cooking. She smiled. Luke must be in the kitchen cooking breakfast.

She stretched and climbed lazily out of bed. Luke’s flannel shirt lay in a heap on the floor, and she reached for it. She slipped it on, leaving it unbuttoned down the front. His scent surrounded her, and she wrapped the shirt tighter around her.

She padded barefoot out of the bedroom toward the kitchen, a wicked smile on her face. She’d tease him with a few glimpses of those nipple rings he loved so much. By the time breakfast was done, he’d be a walking hard-on.

She rounded the corner, letting her shirt gape a bit wider and let out a squeak of surprise. She yanked her shirt closed and stared at Wes who was standing in the kitchen leaning against the countertop.

She started to back up but Wes closed the distance between them.

“I-I didn’t know you were here,” she sputtered.

She gripped her shirt even tighter, sure her face was as red as a stoplight. To her surprise, Luke stood by the stove, his expression one of interest as he watched her.

Wes stopped in front of her and reached down for her hand. He tugged her forward into the kitchen.

“Come on now, Gracie,” he drawled. “You’ve seen me naked. Time for me to return the favor.”

She shivered slightly under his intense stare. “Is this a practical joke or something?”

Wes ran his hand up the lapel of her shirt, nudging it slightly aside until her breasts peeked around the edge.

“No joke. We’ve been friends a long time, Gracie. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I don’t think you are. I think you’re as turned on as I am right now.”

She cocked her head in confusion and shot Luke a panicked look.

“Quit dicking with her,” Luke said.

“You want a threesome,” Wes said. “Luke and I want to give you one.”

Her mouth rounded to an O and her eyes widened. Wes’ fingers brushed across her nipples, flicking lightly at the rings.

She looked back over at Luke again to see him staring intently at her.

“If you don’t want this, just say so,” Luke said quietly. “We don’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable.”

“Wow,” she whispered. “I mean, I don’t know what else to say. You’re okay with this?” she asked Luke.

He smiled. “Who do you think invited Wes?”

“Holy shit.” She shook her head, unsure of whether or not she was dreaming. A threesome. Not with strangers. With two men she trusted implicitly. Two men who cared for her and would make it good. Not much to think about there.

“What do you say, Gracie?” Wes murmured.

She nodded. “Okay.”

Wes nudged her chin up with his knuckle, and she looked into his warm brown eyes.

“I don’t want things to be awkward for us. We’ve been friends too long for that.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. His goatee rubbed softly on her chin. Bubbles of excitement took flight in her chest. She relaxed against him, and he deepened the kiss.

Her shirt parted as his hands slid underneath the material and cupped her breasts. His thumbs worked over her nipples, and his hands moved down her skin.

Shedding her inhibitions, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, letting her tongue roam playfully over his.

It was a different experience kissing Wes. He was more gentle than Luke but every bit as sensual. If she gave herself time to analyze the situation, she’d likely retreat in mortification, but it felt right.

Wes wrapped his hands around her waist and hoisted her upward until she sat on the countertop.

“Much better,” he murmured.

Her breasts were now level with his mouth, and he took advantage. His tongue rubbed lightly over one nipple. It puckered and her muscles tightened in response.

He cupped her breasts with both hands and held them up for his mouth to devour.

“I never knew you had such a wild side, Gracie. I like it. The rings are hot.”

She moaned as he sucked her nipple into his mouth, his tongue toying with the ring.

“She needs to eat,” Luke interjected.

Wes slowly pulled away, and it was all Gracie could do not to insist she wasn’t hungry so they’d take her to bed. Her stomach contradicted her by rumbling.

Wes lifted her down as Luke set a plate on the table for her. She walked unsteadily to her chair and sank down into it. She pulled her shirt tight around her, suddenly giving up the idea of making Luke crazy. He’d completely turned the tables on her.

The two men sat down on either side of her and proceeded to polish off their plates of food. She managed to nibble down a small amount, but her stomach was in full somersault mode, and she knew she wouldn’t do much justice to her food.

“If you’re done picking at that, I know something we could be doing that’s a whole lot more fun,” Wes spoke up.

Understood

He walked through the house on silent feet. When he reached his bedroom, he paused at the doorway and stared over at the bed. His chest shook at his sharp intake of breath.

Unable to resist, he moved closer to the bed. The sheet was tucked underneath her arms, covering her chest. Her silky, dark hair splayed out over his pillow. His fingers itched to touch the curls, to twine them around his hands.

While the sheet covered her body, it did little to conceal the dark imprint of her nipples. He swallowed as he imagined what they’d taste like, the sensation of the sweet buds on his tongue.

As if sensing his presence, she stirred and her eyelids fluttered open. A shy, sweet smile curved her full lips.

“Jake,” she whispered. “You’re here.”

Hell and damnation, it was all he could do to keep himself from ripping the sheets from her body, spreading her legs and diving in. Instead he eased to a sitting position beside her and trailed a finger over her cheek.

“Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

She nuzzled her cheek against his hand as if seeking his touch. “I hoped you would,” she said quietly.

He shifted to try and alleviate the ever growing discomfort in his groin. Her voice, so sexy, husky, like a shot of good whiskey. It licked over him, and he began to imagine her tongue doing the same.

“Ellie, we need to talk.” He didn’t recognize his own voice. It sounded hoarse and needy.

She struggled to sit up, and when she slid upward, the sheet fell to her lap. He groaned aloud as the rosy tips of her breasts became visible.

She yanked the sheet back up, clutching it to her chest. Pink dusted her cheeks, and she peeked up at him.

He fought to try and remember what it was he wanted to say to her. His mind had gone straight to mush as soon as he’d gotten a glimpse of those perfect breasts.

“What did you want to talk about?” she prompted.

He shook his head and refocused his attention.

“I need to be sure this is what you want, Ellie. I don’t want a martyr in my bed. You need to be absolutely certain you want what’s about to happen here, because once I take you, you’re mine.”

He watched as her lips formed an “O” of shock. He leaned in closer until his lips were a hair’s breadth from hers.

“Mine, Ellie. In my bed. All mine. I won’t let you go. You need to tell me if you’re prepared for that, because if you aren’t, you need to hightail it home right now.”

She ran her tongue over her lips, licking nervously then pulling at the bottom lip with her teeth.

“I don’t want to go home.”

“Then look at me, Ellie. Tell me who you see. Tell me who’s going to make love to you in about two minutes.”

“You are, Jake,” she whispered.

He covered her mouth with his, his need to taste her nearly overwhelming. He’d waited years for this moment. He sucked gently at her tongue, grazing it with his teeth.

He looked at her in confusion when she ended the kiss. Earnestness burned in her blue eyes as she pulled away.

“There’s something I want to say, too, Jake. About the other night.”

He put a finger over her lips to shush her, but she shook her head.

She took in a deep breath, and he wondered what the hell she could possibly have to say that was worth interrupting the moment.

“Jake, the reason I went to that bar. I didn’t know you’d be there, you have to believe that.”

He frowned. “That makes it better? Hell, Ellie, what if I hadn’t been there? Have you thought about that?”

She colored and seemed to grow more anxious.

“The reason I went…I went because I hoped that if I could go through with it, I mean I did it because I wanted you. I had to be sure I could go through with it.”

He looked incredulously at her. “Am I supposed to be flattered that you thought you had to test drive some other cock in order to work up the nerve to climb into my bed?”

She shook her head vigorously. “That’s not what it was about.”

“Then what was it about?” he demanded.

Her gaze dropped. He reached out to nudge her chin up. He looked expectantly at her.

“I wanted it to be perfect,” she said quietly. “I wanted you. I felt pretty positive you wanted me. I didn’t want our first time together to be a disaster because I couldn’t go through with it. I thought…I thought if I went to bed with another man, I could get past my demons.”

Her lips trembled as the last words came tumbling out. He swore softly under his breath even as his chest tightened at her admission.

“I’m so damn tempted to turn you over my knee and spank your ass. Of all the fool-headed, cockamamie things. Do you honestly think I’d sit back and be grateful you went to bed with another man before offering yourself to me on a silver platter?”

Her blue eyes glimmered with a hint of moisture as she stared back at him.

He moved his hand from her chin and stroked it over her cheek. “Ellie,” he said in a low voice. “I don’t expect you to pretend. Not with me. Never with me. You don’t have to put up a brave front and act like no one’s ever hurt you.

“Do you understand how much I want you? Not your idea of perfection. I want you. Just the way you are. I want you so damn much I ache.”

Her eyes widened.

“Do you want me, Ellie? Do you ache like I do?”

She leaned forward, reaching a hand to his face. The sheet fell once more, and this time she didn’t try to retrieve it. Her fingers slid over his jaw, and he turned his face so he could kiss the smooth skin of her palm.

“I do want you, Jake. So very much. And you’re right. I’m not afraid of you. You’re the only person I feel safe with. But I’m afraid of me.”

He looked hungrily at her. “Then trust me to make this perfect for both of us.”