Coming Home

  "No need to lay it on so thick, Pax. I already gave up the goods. Many times."

  His eyes grew serious, his mouth set in a thin line. "I'm serious. You amaze me."

  Not being ready for her dream turning into reality had her head spinning. She'd never considered a relationship with the two men could really happen, and now that it might be, confusion had her lost as to how it could move forward. Would it always be just sex? The books she wrote told stories of honesty, love, and compatibility. Without question, she would grasp that with both hands if the men offered her a future. Going back now, after she'd felt their touch, would be near impossible, but she needed to consider what her father would say.

  With all the questions swirling through her head, she stilled in his arms. "I need some space."

  She jumped down off the counter, rushing to pick up her discarded shorts from the night before that had been left in the living room. "I'm going to talk to my dad."

  Pax winced, hurt flashing in his eyes. Her quick dismissal had upset him. She didn't look back, unable to deal with the pain her shut down had caused.

  Chapter 8

  Using her father as a distraction turned out to be far more difficult than she thought. Sydney's mind kept wandering, recalling how Pax and Caleb touched her, aroused her, and made her climax time after time. She replayed the earlier conversation with Pax, trying to work out how what she had with them would move forward.

  The characters she wrote about were under her complete control, a happy ending a must for each one of her books. She couldn't make Pax or Caleb feel anything, nor could she expect the relationship to go a certain way just because she'd dreamed about it for years. Being with Pax and Caleb wouldn't be as simple as following a plot.

  The three had been intimate once… well, three times, really, but it had all been one night, and having sex didn't turn anything into a relationship. She was well aware of that fact. Sydney doubted her father would accept the three of them living together. He'd probably be repulsed. The last thing she wanted would be to turn his world even more upside down. He had enough to think about.

  "What's up, Ne-Ne?" her father asked as they walked carefully around the burned shell of the house.

  She exhaled, trying not to breathe in too deeply, avoiding the thick acrid smell of charred rubble. The clean-up had already begun, most of Jack's ruined belongings now in a heap at the edge of his land. The insurance company had acted quickly, thankfully.

  "I'm fine," she lied, kicking at a heat-buckled serving spoon.

  "Heard that plenty of times when you were younger. Didn't buy it then. Don't buy it now. I know when my girl is hidin' somethin'."

  She gazed at her father, only now noticing how white his hair had gotten. When had her father grown old?

  "Dad, I haven't been a girl for a long time."

  "Maybe," Jack replied, peering through a cracked, blackened window. "But you still need your dad. I'm here and I make a good listener. Or at least I used to."

  His sharp blue eyes met hers, and her shoulders slumped. She knew that look, because she'd been on the receiving end of it more times than she cared to remember.

  Syd also knew he wouldn't back down.

  "Caleb still lives with Pax," she whispered.

  Jack frowned, his thick white brows drawing tightly together. "He does—has done since Pax inherited the place, but then you knew that when you came. I thought that was why you were happy enough to stay at the house with them.

  “I never did believe the two of you were done."

  "Dad!" she snapped, annoyed that he would never let the subject rest.

  "Well, you took off out of here like your ass was on fire. You were in such a hurry. I thought eventually you'd cool down and come to your senses. It's been five years, Ne-Ne."

  "We've had this conversation before."

  "Sure have, but you were in Sacramento then, not here, livin' in a house with your fiancée and his friend." He reached out, taking hold of her hand. "I'm your dad. I don't like to see you upset—like you are now. Maybe tellin' me would help?"

  "And maybe it would drive you away," she muttered, lowering her head.

  "Does Caleb finally understand why you left?"

  Jack led her back to his truck, opening the door for her to climb in. Sydney didn't respond until Jack settled firmly behind the wheel, ready to start the engine.

  "We talked some last night. I think he finally grasps it."

  "I'm glad someone does," Jack said somewhat sarcastically.

  Sydney chose to ignore him. There would be no possible way her father could understand her obsession with two men. "Dad, there are times when you shouldn't know every detail of your daughter's life. Trust me, you don't need to know the truth of this situation."

  He turned the key, the engine rumbling into life. "That boy cheat on you?"

  Her tone came out exasperated. "Dad, he's hardly a boy and I've explained to you so many times that Caleb did not cheat. Nor did I."

  "You think I'm gonna stop askin' what happened? If you do, you're a damn fool. I see my baby hurtin' and I want to help. That's what fathers do."

  Groaning softly, she nodded in Jack's direction and changed the subject. "Have you contacted anyone about rebuilding the house?"

  "Nope."

  Perplexed, she asked why.

  "Been wantin' to talk to you about that." He paused, turning the truck around the corner and onto the main road.

  "I know the place means a lot to you, but it's gone. No amount of renovation will bring it back." He glanced in her direction. "Ne-Ne, I've decided to leave it be."

  "What?" Panic made her heart race. Her father couldn't be serious.

  "I'm too old to start again—to rebuild a house. And what for?" He responded. "You're not here. It's just me and the animals. You don't understand the work I have to put in to keep the land goin'."

  "You could hire someone," she said quickly, guilt being her driving force.

  Jack shook his head. "I'd still have to do the majority of the work. I've spoken with the boys—"

  "Boys?" she shot back, slightly hysterical. "You mean Pax and Caleb? Oh, go on! What have the boys said?"

  Jack pulled over, stopping the truck and turning off the engine. He twisted in his seat, staring directly at her. He looked tired, and again, it struck her how much her father had aged while she'd been writing stories in another state about promiscuous cowboys. She hadn't been supportive of him, whereas Pax and Caleb had. Did she have any right to demand what her father did with the house if she'd run away from it?

  "Calm down, Sydney. They only said they'd take the horses and some of the land. Incidentally, they also said I could stay at the cottage for as long as I needed it."

  Sydney's stomach somersaulted so fast she was certain she would vomit. "They said what? They're not taking Roman!"

  Ignoring her comment, Jack continued. "I can also work on the ranch, help them out and earn a bit for myself."

  "But, Dad, that's our home," she pleaded.

  "How can it be a home if you don't live there? No fun doing everythin' by myself. The only one that gets a kick out of it is Pax's dog." His anger and irritation showed in the shake of his hands on the steering wheel.

  Sydney closed her eyes for second, willing herself to calm down. She had no claim here. She'd been gone for five years. Her father obviously struggled with the ranch and caring for the land had become too large a task for him now. She should listen to him, not get angry about it.

  "So that's it then?" You're selling up to Pax and going to live in the cottage indefinitely?"

  Jack shrugged, restarting the truck. "No decision has been made. You weren't even supposed to be here.

  They should have kept their noses out. I wanted to let you know about my possible plans first. That way, any decisions you make will be based on what you want rather than what's best for your old dad."

  Pouting, she muttered, "I have no idea what decision you're on about. I'm going back to Sacrament
o once the house is dealt with."

  Jack snorted. "Sure you are, Ne-Ne. Sure you are."

  They rode the rest of the way in silence, and when they returned to the 4D, Sydney raced to the stables. She saddled Roman and galloped from the ranch without looking back.

  Running away seemed to be her habit now.

  *~~*

  She ended up in the far field, refusing to admit it came down to the fact that Pax and Caleb were working out there. They were happy to see her, discarding their lunch and making room for her on the flatbed of the truck.

  Pax lay back, resting on his elbows while Caleb tethered Roman.

  "Where did you bolt to, sweetheart?"

  "I didn't bolt. I went to see my dad."

  "Uh huh, funny how that urge caught you at the exact moment I wanted to talk about what's happenin' between the three of us."

  "Not at all," she snapped, growing weary with the number of arguments she appeared to be having. Last night she'd been in a dream-like trance, but the constant negativity quickly dispersed the daze. "I just wasn't ready for that conversation, Pax. I'm not now either."

  Sydney crawled up onto the flatbed where he reclined. Remaining on all fours, she didn't waste any time, reaching for the zipper on his jeans and releasing his cock. Distracting him would end his constant questions.

  "Shit, sweetheart," he hissed, surprised, then sucked in a harsh breath when she wrapped her fingers around it.

  Smiling, she shot him a hooded glance and flicked her thumb across the engorged head of his erection. His hips bucked, coming very close to her lips when she leaned over him.

  "I'd much rather touch you." She smiled, trying to appear as innocent as possible. "Lick you."

  His fingers combed into her hair, gripping the strands, and Caleb came to stand behind her. He coiled his arms around her waist, unbuttoning her shorts before pulling them down her thighs. His hands roamed over her ass, delving between her legs for a moment before smoothing back up to her buttocks. Red hot blood blazed through her system and her mouth watered at the sight of Pax's jutting cock. She moved closer, licking her lips, lifting her eyes to meet his molten gaze.

  Pax raised his hips, silently offering himself to her.

  Her tongue darted out, skimming slowly across her lower lip at the same time Caleb's fingers delved into her slick folds. "Yes," she begged, before leaning forward to lap at the swollen tip of Pax's shaft.

  Pax grunted the moment she covered him with her wet mouth, sucking lightly. She hummed around the length and the vibrations tickled her cheeks, having the same effect on his balls. All thought dissipated when she focused on giving Pax pleasure and gaining it from Caleb's questing fingers.

  "Fuck, baby. You get so wet. You really are perfect for us," Caleb declared, slapping her buttock sharply. She gasped around Pax's cock, teasing and licking at the head with her tongue. She hadn't taken her eyes from Pax's, the intimacy arousing her further.

  Caleb continued to whisper dirty words, his thumb skimming up to circle the tight, puckered hole of her ass. His fingers stroked her clit and her hips rolled against them.

  The breeze floated across her bare buttocks, tickling the wetness between her thighs. She hadn't given a second thought to their location when she'd started the interlude.

  Sydney only needed the oblivion of their hands—of their bodies. However, lust consumed her and they had gone too far stop, but she could certainly hurry it along.

  She opened her mouth, displaying Pax's cock as it rested on her tongue. He grunted, pushing himself further into her mouth, hitting the back of her throat. She gagged a little but recovered, and when he did it again, she hummed, licking against the top of his balls.

  Caleb's fingers continued their assault, slowly massaging her tight bud and exposed ass. Pax's hand slipped under the shirt—his shirt—and fondled her breast.

  He kneaded it, taking the nipple between his fingers and teasing harshly. Sparks of desire shot to her pussy, no doubt coating Caleb's fingers with her fresh wave of lust.

  Sydney sucked on Pax's hardness, circling the base of his shaft tightly. She used her teeth to graze the underside of his cock, knowing he would lose it.

  "Oh, yeah, sweetheart." Pax gasped, his stomach contracting and she felt him swell within her mouth. He came, spurts of his hot seed hitting her tongue at exactly the same moment Caleb pressed on her clit. Her orgasm hit her so quickly, so intensely, she moaned around Pax's cock. Freeing him with a pop, she swallowed, writhing against Caleb's slowing fingers. Her skin tingled, her sex pulsing until her orgasm gently dissipated.

  "Hot damn, Syd! You make a lunch break so much better," Caleb whooped, moving away from her but pulling up her shorts first.

  Pax tucked himself back into his jeans, shooting her a sheepish gaze. "What was that all about?"

  Cringing, she jumped down from the truck, keeping her back to them both. She hated how Pax saw through her. He always had, and his stare burned through her back. The intimacy between them had been perfect and she felt guilty for using it as a way to stop Pax's questions.

  "I wanted to come and see how you were," she lied, knowing she had to be more honest with them if the relationship were to move forward.

  "If you say so, but I don't believe a word of it."

  Caleb wrapped his arms around her middle, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I don't either, but you'll tell us when you're ready, right?"

  She shrugged. "Guess so. Just give me a bit of time. My head is still spinning with the realization you both want me. Together."

  "We understand that, Syd," Pax said. "And there are worse things than my body bein' used as a distraction." He kissed her cheek. "Sadly, we have work to do, and it sure as shit ain't goin' to do itself."

  Jumping on the statement and a chance to absorb herself in something other than her thoughts for a short time, she said, "I could help."

  Pax laughed from behind them. "No way, sweetheart. You have enough on your plate without addin' the ranch to it. Don't you have some writin' to get done? Deadlines?"

  Absorbing the comfort Caleb offered, she exhaled loudly. "I do. I just have a hard time concentrating when stuff is going on around me. My head doesn't work like it should when I'm upset."

  Pax walked in front of them, stroking his knuckles down the side of her cheek. He raised a solitary dark brow. "Need some inspiration?"

  Her nipples throbbed at the unspoken offer. She nodded. "I would never turn that kind of offer down."

  "Then we shall be at your disposal. Be ready tonight for as much inspiration as you could ever need. Caleb and I will keep you in hot cowboy fantasies for years to come."

  Sydney's pulse fluttered at his declaration and a frisson of excitement shot up her spine. Her mind whirled with possibilities at the mere thought of what they had planned for her. She could halt her thoughts when their hands were on her and ignore the world outside of their arms. Those people shouldn't matter. Being happy with her life did, and they made her feel exactly that, showing her dreams did come true.

  Sydney would enjoy every moment getting lost in her cowboy-shaped oblivion.

  Chapter 9

  "Oh, yes! Oh, please. Yes!"

  Sydney writhed against Pax, his cock pushing into

  her until she spiraled into one of the strongest orgasms of her life. Only minutes earlier she'd rode Caleb into oblivion, coming just as hard. She'd barely had time to gain her breath back when Pax rolled her underneath him, thrusting fiercely into her. Her clit still throbbed from the friction with Caleb.

  She'd lost count of the amount of orgasms she'd experienced over the last week. The men were relentless and certainly kept their promise to help inspire her. She had enough plot ideas to feed her novels for a long time to come. Nevertheless, she couldn't get enough of them.

  Her father still adamantly refused to rebuild, so Sydney decided reverse psychology would be the best way to deal with him and she pretended to go along with his plan. Every morning she made breakfast, sharing th
e time with Pax and Caleb and enjoying every second. She would write until lunch then meet the men in the paddock. Her afternoons were reserved for her father, sorting through the burned belongings they managed to recover. Each day she settled further into the routine, telling herself she'd go back to her life in Sacramento in another week, because living in a dream land with Pax and Caleb couldn't last forever.

  Everything about her trip home rested in the 'too good to be true' category, and it could never last. At least she kept telling herself that. The moments when they were together as a threesome, she memorized each touch, stroke, and smile. The intimacy would soothe her when she returned to her lonely apartment.

  She had friends in Sacramento, but after living here with Pax and Caleb, she couldn't imagine not waking in their embrace. There had been so many mornings where she laid in bed for over an hour before they woke. She watched them sleeping, reveled in their tangle of limbs and the heat from their bodies.

  Her bed would be cold. And empty.

  The secluded lunches would be gone, along with secret kisses and fondles, and there wouldn't be any more fireside seductions. As much as she'd like to stay, she didn't think she could. Work wouldn't be an issue, because the words were flowing faster than ever before.

  No, her biggest issue would be her father.

  Staying with Pax and Caleb would mean explaining the relationship to her dad, and the idea caused nothing but dread to run through her veins. How could he possibly understand her desire to live and love two men? His probable anger over it could ruin his plans. If he truly meant to stay in the cottage, with the horses moving to the 4D stables, then she had to leave. Her father had lost so much already. It would be selfish to take his friendship with Pax and Caleb, too.

  "You okay, baby?" Caleb asked, stroking her spine.

  She shivered, inhaling deeply when his arms coiled around her. Pax had left them alone, leaving to discard the condom. Caleb asked again when she didn't respond.

  "Sorry, I was just thinking."