Authors: Alicia White
* * * *
Six Weeks Later
She was staying in Coltmann County and couldn’t avoid Grant and Justin any longer. Everywhere she went, they were there. It was such a small town that hiding from them was impossible. Alyssa tried to avoid them at first, and then she tried the whole kill-them-with-kindness routine. Nothing seemed to work. They were always calm, always sweet, and it was driving her crazy. If one or both of them would just be rude, she could tell them off and never speak to them again.
Justin—just thinking about him caused a riot of emotions to rock through her. He always had a smile on his face. Those dirty blond locks. She wanted to push her fingers through his hair, to feel the thickness. She wanted to be able to feel his strong, callused hands rubbing her naked body. He was perfect with that innocent yet slightly menacing smile. And his mouth, oh, his wonderful lips. She would give anything to feel them kissing her, to know what he tasted like.
Grant was the opposite. He had short brown hair and deep, brown eyes. His face was strong, almost fierce looking, with sharp bone structure. He was the strong, silent type. He only spoke when he had something to say, and the mystery was a bit overwhelming. She thought about his strong hands and the pleasure that they brought her. Butterflies were in her tummy, and she felt anxious. Thinking of him made her knees weak, and she hadn’t felt that since she was in high school.
Everything had started innocently enough, and then Grant had pulled that horrible spanking incident, the one thing she couldn’t tell her friends. How would she possibly be able to explain the spanking? She hated and loved what he did to her, and she couldn’t explain it. She felt utterly ridiculous. How could she climax so hard across his rock-hard thighs? How could she possibly enjoy his large hand across her bottom? It didn’t make sense. She must be sick. Alyssa took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She couldn’t tell anyone. She didn’t want Jessica and Bella to judge her.
Alyssa now stood, staring out the window of her store, Love Song, watching Hannah kiss Reese. They were so in love that she felt sick to her stomach. She couldn’t take her eyes off of them. She wanted to be in Grant’s arms, playing with him like that, laughing together and kissing his perfectly plump lips. She was becoming more irritated by the moment, not able to stop thinking of them. Why couldn’t she just stop thinking? She turned away from the window when Hannah walked through the door. She was beaming, and Alyssa felt a twinge of jealousy sweep through her.
“Well, well, well. That was hot. Are you gonna share the details?” Alyssa knew she was being a little bit bitchy. She couldn’t seem to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. Watching both Hannah and Reese together was actually sweet, and she envied their relationship. Hannah sent her a sideways glance and a half smile. She had definitely come a long way since they met, no longer the shy wallflower. She was turning into an assertive woman. It was a nice change.
“Yes, he is quite hot. I’m a lucky girl.” Hannah smiled broadly and went to work, helping to organize the store. She was a hard worker and really seemed to want to be a part of this venture.
“I’m a very jealous girl. How’s the sex? I really, really want to hear all about it.” Alyssa walked away from the large front window toward the counter where Hannah was working. She ignored the glare she received from Bella. It was obvious she wanted to protect her baby sister.
“Everything is perfect, absolutely amazing.” Hannah hummed to herself, and Alyssa couldn’t understand why she found her happiness so irritating. She was happy for her, amazed that Hannah had come into town and right away was able to click with Reese and Logan. It was the same story with Bella. She met her three men, Clint, Clay, and Cody, the night they all arrived in Coltmann County.
How was it that they could meet men, fall in love, and have zero problems? Was there something wrong with her? Was she difficult, or was the issue really that her and Grant couldn’t get along? Would it be possible to start a relationship with only Justin?
Hmmm, lots to think about.
“Tsk, tsk, Hannah. I want details. I have no doubt that the sex is amazing. I want to know more.” Alyssa tapped her fingers against the countertop. She knew that she should just let it go and stop bullying her, but she wanted to know more. Bella told her on a regular basis about her relationship with Clint, Clay, and Cody, but hearing it from someone else might convince her to try it, or at least confront Grant and Justin together.
“Fine.” Hannah stopped what she was doing and walked over to the couches they had set up in the middle of the store. Alyssa followed her and sat down. Jessica and Bella joined them, sitting back and relaxing.
“I’m not sure where you want to me begin. I met both Reese and Logan when I drove into town, and since then I realized that I don’t want to be separated from them. Everything they do is perfect. I’ve never had so many orgasms in my life.” Hannah leaned back on the couch, smiling broadly, and Alyssa found herself feeling giddy. She wanted to have the attention of two men loving her, holding her, and kissing her. Only in her wildest dreams would that happen.
“The only orgasms, isn’t that right, Hannah?” Bella piped up, shocking her.
Wow, little Hannah was innocent.
Hannah gasped and shot to her feet, shock written all over her sweet little face. “Jeez, Bella. Thanks. I wasn’t planning to tell everyone that little bit of information.” Alyssa couldn’t help herself. She laughed.
“That’s so sweet. Your first dozen orgasms belong to Reese and Logan.” Jessica laughed a little as well. “Don’t worry about Bella. We all share information around here. We like seeing you happy. It’s refreshing. I think Texas is good for you.”
“Really? We share information? Then you won’t mind telling us about what’s going on with Beau and Chase?” Alyssa asked, wanting to take the attention off Hannah. She really wanted to know what was happening with Jessica. “I’m curious as well. I saw you going to the garage yesterday while I was at the farmer’s market,” Hannah added, shocking Alyssa. There seemed to be lots of secrets. She wasn’t the only one keeping them.
“That is none of your business. I’m not telling you anything about them. There isn’t anything to tell anyway.” Jessica got up from the couch and walked back behind the main counter, reorganizing the shelves. Alyssa almost felt betrayed and then realized that once again she wasn’t opening up and telling them about Grant and Justin.
“Well, I guess you told us. You have totally shut us up. We no longer believe anything is happening.” Bella’s voice dripped with sarcasm. She made a face behind Jessica’s back, shaking her head. “I think Jessica’s in love—true, true love.” Her voice sang the last part, mimicking the priest’s voice from
The Princess Bride
, making them all laugh.
Jessica turned around. “Not funny! Fine, you want to know something. I find them both to be completely irritating. I mean really, what normal man wants to share? No offense, Bella, Hannah.” She nodded at each of them, her face turning red, obviously embarrassed. “I don’t know. They are both so determined, and I keep telling them I’m not interested. I just don’t think we could make it work, you know, sexually.”
Everyone stopped and stared at Jessica. A look of confusion passed over Bella’s and Hannah’s faces, but Alyssa knew the truth. They had talked about it in the past. She played along, though, acting as if she knew nothing. Jessica was the in-charge type, not only in life but also in the bedroom. She loved telling men what to do, and she expected to be worshipped like a queen.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I already said too much. I like both Beau and Chase, really I do. I just don’t think we want the same things, end of story.” Jessica turned back around. Alyssa looked at both Bella and Hannah. Finally, she shook her head, signaling to Bella not to ask any more questions. They all went back to work, focusing on their various tasks. Alyssa felt guilty again. She shook her head. Why couldn’t she have kept her big mouth closed? They worked in almost an annoying silence, but at least they were getting a lot of work done. They planned a huge party for the store opening next week and still had lots to do.
Most of Jessica’s lingerie filled the store, hanging on beautiful designer hangers. The sitting area was complete, with a minifridge filled with water, juice, and iced-coffee containers. They also set up a self-serve minibar that would hold hot tea, coffee, and various snacks. They wanted this to be a boutique and a place women could just enjoy relaxing and chatting.
Love Song was turning into the place of their dreams. This had always been Bella’s dream, having the three of them work and live together, to be neighbors, to have families and children grow up together. It was a childhood dream really, a way to connect them, to stay together. This store was the beginning. Alyssa closed her eyes, thinking about the future. She needed to figure out how to deal with Grant and Justin. It was that spanking that changed everything. She put her head in her hands and moaned to herself. Damn it, what could she do?
Bella’s voice jolted her back to reality, “Jessica, it’s obvious that you like Beau and Chase. I’m sure that if you talk to them and tell them what you want, they’ll make it happen. Most men want to please their women, I can’t imagine that they’re any different than Clint, Clay, and Cody.”
“In most of my relationships I like being in charge, especially in the bedroom. I know that you kind of know that or at least had some sort of clue. Can you imagine either Beau or Chase letting me tie them to their bed? They’re both so alpha, you know. It would never happen. There is no way I even want to talk to them about it. And besides that, I don’t know if that’s even what I want to do.” Jessica let out a frustrated breath and gave Alyssa a side-glance, silencing her from adding anything.
“What do you mean?” Bella gave her a very sympathetic look.
“I want to be with them, I really do. I just don’t know how to make it happen. Every time I turn around, one or both of them are there. They make me nervous. I hate feeling that way. Unsure of myself. I’ve never been around a man that makes me question what I want—or I should say what I’ve always wanted.” She rubbed her hands down her face, looking almost defeated.
“You should just confront them. You’re a strong, confident woman,” Alyssa added. She wanted to be part of the conversation, but at the same time, she didn’t want to say too much. Jessica had confided in her years ago about the things she enjoyed. She liked tying men up, she liked whipping them and demanding they pleasure her. She hadn’t shared the information with Bella because Bella always seemed so naive and innocent just like Hannah.
“Jessica, you are always so demanding, I’m surprised you haven’t confronted the situation. I have a feeling you’re hiding something, though.” Bella shook her head. “Unless of course, you like that they’re dominating. Is that what’s freakin’ you out?” She looked at Jessica, waiting for an answer.
“What! No. That’s why I keep telling them both to stop. I don’t want to be with a dominating man, let alone two. Jeez.” Jessica threw herself onto the couch, pulling a pillow into her lap.
Alyssa laughed, enjoying Jessica’s discomfort a little too much. “I don’t have the same issue. I like dominating men. I just don’t want to deal with either Justin or Grant. They are both so extremely different, and I don’t want to play any games.” It was true she didn’t want to play games. She did want both of them. She wanted Grant and Justin to love her, but for some reason she couldn’t look at Grant when she felt so humiliated.
“I’ve seen you and Grant. He watches you. It’s obvious he’s interested. Same with Justin. He’s a cute puppy that follows you around town,” Bella told her.
“I don’t want either of them following me around. Sometimes I want to go back home.” Everyone stopped talking and focused on her. Nobody spoke. The room was silent, and she felt uncomfortable. It was true. She had thought about going home but knew that it wouldn’t solve her problem. She would just be running away.
“Alyssa, you want to go back to San Diego? Why? What did they do?” Bella looked at her with big, confused, pleading eyes.
Before she could even respond, the front door opened and Clay walked in. He walked straight to Bella and pulled her into his arms, kissing her until she laughed and pushed at his shoulders. “I’m sorry to interrupt, ladies. I just wanted to pick Bella up and take her home. That way we can get ready for tonight.”
Bella pulled back and looked up at Clay. “Where are we going?”
“Tonight we’re all having dinner at the pub. Grant and Justin are grilling, and everyone is invited. Since we love hearing you sing, we thought karaoke would be a great idea. Everyone has to sing.” Clay grabbed Bella’s hand, practically pulling her out the door.
“Can you take me to the ranch also? I’d like to shower and change, too. Alyssa, what about you, do you want to come with us?” Jessica got up and gathered her things, their conversation done for now.
“No. I’m fine. I’ll lock up, and then Hannah and I can head over to the pub.” Alyssa gave a shaky smile. She stood up, moving around the store, until Bella and Jessica left. When the door closed, the silence was overwhelming, and Hannah waited for her by the door.
“Alyssa, what’s going on? Really? I’m imagining that it must be serious. I know that we aren’t really that close, but I hope you know that you can say anything to me.” She babbled a little, her voice shaky.
“Bella and I went to the pub the first night we got into town. I met both Justin and Grant that night. They were both so sexy and I wanted them right away. I ended up drinking a lot that night. I mean
a lot
. I cursed at Justin and then, of course, at Grant. I was jealous watching Bella with her men, and I threw a fit. Grant threw me over his shoulder that night and carried me into his office.” She took a deep breath, not ready to tell anyone what happened, but wanting to. She desperately needed advice.