Dakota Springs Read online

  Elizabeth’s body gathered as Hayden stroked her clit insistently, his mouth moving over hers to muffle her cries.

  There was nothing teasing about his touch. He stroked her steadily, driving her relentlessly to the peak, and she’d been hungry for them too long to resist.

  Her body sizzled, every nerve ending screaming with ecstasy as she came, trembling helplessly at the strength of her orgasm. Her body tightened and jerked as her pussy clenched desperately, her juices coating Hayden’s fingers. Her clit burned where he stroked her, pulsing in time to her rapid heartbeat.

  He swallowed her whimpered cries, his touch gentle now as he raised his head, raw possession glittering in his eyes. “So beautiful.” Removing his hand from her panties, he allowed her dress to fall back into place.

  Chandler turned her in his arms. “I can’t wait to get you naked and explore every delicious inch of you.”

  She closed her eyes against the wave of longing, only to snap them back open again. Pushing against them, she moved several feet away, wrapping her arms around herself as a chill went through her. “I can’t do this. Don’t do this to me. I know you both well enough to know this won’t work.”

  Both regarded her steadily for several long seconds before sharing a look. Hayden nodded, reaching out a hand to her, only to flinch when she took a step back. “You’re tired. We’ll leave you alone tonight. Get some sleep. We’ll be back tomorrow.”

  Elizabeth took another step back. “Don’t bother.”

  Chandler grabbed her arm before she could avoid him. Leaning close, he brushed his lips against hers. “Oh, it’s no bother, darlin’. You’ll be seeing us quite a bit.”

  Hayden ran a finger over a still pebbled nipple. “If you’re trying to get rid of us, you’ve got a hell of a fight on your hands, baby.”

  Eight years ago, Elizabeth would have given anything to hear those words. Now they filled her with sadness. She could never be that woman again. “You’re wasting your time.”

  Chandler cupped her jaw. “The last eight years of our lives have been a waste of time, Lizzy. It’s time to start living again. We want you and Angie in our lives.”

  Hayden ran a hand over her hair. “We’ll do whatever it takes to get you back.”

  Surrounded by all that raw masculinity, Elizabeth struggled to keep her voice cool, while inside she wanted nothing more than to believe them. Raising a brow, she backed away from them for her own sanity. “Get me back? You never had me.”

  Hayden’s eyes hardened. “Don’t kid yourself, Lizzy. You’ve always been ours.”

  Chapter Three

  Elizabeth sighed, rubbing her head where an ache had settled right between her eyes. Angie’s grouchiness made it throb even worse.

  “I don’t wannum!”

  Elizabeth shared a look with her mother and tried again. “Angie, you have to eat something. You like scrambled eggs. Finish them and we’ll go for a walk.”

  She wanted to walk around Dakota Springs today, to familiarize herself with all the changes that had been made since she’d gone. She also wanted to check for help wanted signs, and she needed to pick up a few things.

  It appeared Angie had other ideas.

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Angie pouted belligerently, sticking her bottom lip out as far as she could. “No. Wanna see the horses.”

  Her mother hid a smile as she shook out two aspirin. “She sure does love horses, doesn’t she?”

  Elizabeth sighed again, smiling her thanks as she accepted the tablets. “She’s never even seen one in person, but all of a sudden she’s obsessed with them.”

  Angie glared at Elizabeth before turning to her grandmother. “Becky telled me that I have to ride a horse or nobody’s gonna like me.”

  Elizabeth sighed tiredly. She’d slept very little the night before and found herself struggling for patience. “Becky’s wrong. People will like you if you don’t ride. Not everyone in Dakota Springs rides horses. Look at Grandma and Grandpa. They don’t ride, and everyone loves them.” Spotting the local paper her father had pushed aside, she picked it up and began searching the help wanted ads. Grabbing a pen, she started reading, hoping that Angie would eat her breakfast.

  “I wanna ride a horse now!”

  Elizabeth went back to the paper and downed two aspirin with her coffee. A few of the jobs listed were within walking distance. “Not today, Angie. We’ll see the horses another day.”

  Several families kept horses, but none on the scale of Hayden and Chandler’s spread. They bred and trained horses and were considered the best.

  Angie would love the ranch, but after what happened last night, Elizabeth couldn’t go near it. Or them.

  “You pwomised.”

  Elizabeth sighed again. “I said that we would see the horses one day but not today. Come on, sweetie. Mommy has a lot of things to do today. Wouldn’t you like to go see the park?”

  “Is there horses there?”

  Scooping up a forkful of eggs, she offered them to her daughter. “No, baby. The park doesn’t have any horses. But if you’re not going to be a good girl, we’re not going to go see any at all.”

  Petulantly, Angie pushed the fork away and turned her face.

  Grateful that a knock at the door interrupted what might have turned into a full-fledged temper tantrum, Elizabeth went back to the paper as her father went to answer it.

  “Hayden, Chandler. Good morning. What a surprise.” Her father’s tone implied it was anything but.

  Elizabeth stiffened, her insides fluttering. Her face burned as memories of what they’d done to her last night made her clit tingle even now.

  Her father grinned and gestured toward the table. “I’m having breakfast with my girls. Would you like to join us?”

  Hayden’s pained smile made Elizabeth’s heart lurch. “You’re a lucky man.”

  Both Hayden and Chandler wore faded denims, white t-shirts lovingly molded to their muscular frames, and their good cowboy boots. The strenuous work they did on a daily basis showed. Not an ounce of fat could be seen anywhere. Those bodies didn’t come from a gym, like her ex-husband’s had. Roped with hard muscle, Hayden and Chandler’s bodies had been sculpted over time by years of backbreaking work and were built for strength.

  Hayden lifted a brow at her continued silence, making her face burn as she realized she’d been staring. “Good morning, Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth looked away. “Good morning. What brings the two of you by this morning?”

  Chandler looked down at Angie, frowning at her belligerent pose.

  Angie put her head down, not meeting his eyes, and crossing her arms over her chest again.

  Kneeling beside her, Chandler tapped a finger under her chin. “What’s wrong, Angel?”

  Angie lifted her eyes. “My name’s not Angel. It’s Angie.”

  Chandler lifted a brow and took a seat next to her, accepting a cup of coffee from her mother. “I know, but you look like an angel to me.”

  Elizabeth grimaced. “She may look like an angel, but she’s not being very angelic this morning. Have you two eaten?” Good manners dictated that she ask, but she couldn’t imagine sitting with them long enough for them to eat. The kitchen felt much smaller since they’d entered. Their presence was overwhelming, making it feel as though they’d sucked all of the air out of the room.

  Hayden accepted his own cup with a smile and sat down next to Elizabeth, smiling at Angie who sat on Elizabeth’s other side. “Hours ago. What’s the problem?”

  Elizabeth picked up her own coffee. “Angie doesn’t want to finish her breakfast unless I agree to take her to see horses today.”

  Paula looked at the clock. “You father and I have to get to the garage. We’ll see you at dinner.”

  Hayden smiled up at her, a warmer smile than usual. “We wanted to invite Lizzy and Angie to the ranch for dinner if that’s all right with you.”

  Elizabeth’s head shot up. “But I—”

  “I think that’s a won
derful idea.” Her mother quickly gathered her things, kissing Angie on the cheek before turning to Elizabeth. “If you can’t get your errands done today, give me a call, and I’ll pick up what you need.”

  Elizabeth jumped out of her chair as soon as the door closed behind them. Sitting so close to Hayden played hell with her nerves. “Angie, please eat your breakfast so we can go.”

  Chandler sipped his coffee, eyeing Angie. “Why don’t you want your breakfast? Don’t you like eggs?”

  Angie pushed the eggs around on her plate but wouldn’t answer.

  Elizabeth went to the kitchen sink and began washing the breakfast dishes. “She loves scrambled eggs, but she’s mad at me because she wants to see horses. Now. Her friend back home, Becky, told her that when she moved here she would have to learn to ride or no one would like her. She refuses to do anything until she gets to ride a horse.”

  Chandler hid a smile and nodded. “Oh. Well, I guess we should be going then. We just came out to see if Angie wanted to see the puppies, but if she won’t mind her momma—”

  “Puppies?”

  With her back to the table, Elizabeth couldn’t see her daughter’s face, but heard the excitement in her voice. “Maybe another time. Angie’s grouchy today and we have a lot of errands to do.”

  “Mommy! I wanna see the puppies.”

  Elizabeth turned around to tell her ‘no’, automatically snapping her mouth shut when Hayden lifted a hand. Irritated that she’d reacted automatically to his authority, she glared at him.

  Ignoring her, Hayden sat back, shaking his head at Angie. “Only good girls get to see the puppies. Maybe if you finish your breakfast and be a good girl while your momma does what she needs to do, we can go see the puppies and horses later.”

  Angie’s eyes went wide. “You have puppies and horses?”

  Chandler’s soft chuckle sent a wave of longing through Elizabeth, and she turned back to her chore to hide it. “Yes. We have a lot of horses. Your momma used to ride them all the time. Eat your breakfast so we can get going.”

  Elizabeth turned slightly, determined to keep them from planning her day. “We don’t have the time to go out to your ranch today. Maybe another time.”

  Angie stopped shoveling in eggs to protest. “Mommy, I wanna see the puppies and the horses. I’ll be good.”

  With a tender smile, Hayden wiped away the egg that dribbled out of her mouth.

  Trying to harden her heart against that smile, Elizabeth shook her head. She needed to come to grips with her feelings before she spent any more time with them. “Angie—”

  Chandler interrupted her. “Your momma’s the boss. Why don’t you finish your breakfast and get your shoes? Maybe if you’re a good girl while we do what your momma has to do, we can go to the ranch later. The puppies and horses will still be there.”

  “’Kay.”

  Angry now that he’d more or less promised Angie a trip to the ranch, Elizabeth started to turn to tell him ‘no’ when Chandler’s hard body pressed against her back, pinning her to the sink. She automatically started to lean back against him before she caught herself. Her nipples beaded, pushing against her lacy bra as an ache settled low in her abdomen. Accepting the empty cup from him, she shuddered, hoping he hadn’t noticed. “You can’t promise her things like that without asking me. I have no intention of going out to the Double S today.”

  Chandler’s lips brushed her ear, sending a shiver racing through her. It brought to mind the havoc they’d created in her so effortlessly the night before. A pool of lust swam languorously through her system, melting everything in its path. His hands settled on her waist, pulling her more firmly back against him. “All’s fair, darlin’.”

  Elizabeth smothered a moan, frantically trying to maintain her composure. “I didn’t realize we were at war.” She absently heard Hayden speaking softly to Angie but couldn’t focus on their conversation.

  Chandler’s hands slid up to cover her breasts, startling a gasp from her and making her nipples tingle. “It’s not war, darlin’.”

  “Mommy, I’m done!”

  Elizabeth jolted in Chandler’s arms, grateful that he released her. She went to gather her daughter’s dishes, unsurprised that her hands shook as she fought to regulate her breathing.

  Out of Angie’s view, Chandler slid a hand over Elizabeth’s hip. “Come on, Angie. Let’s go find your shoes.”

  With her face burning, Elizabeth turned back to the sink to wash the rest of the dishes, stiffening when she heard the scrape of Hayden’s chair.

  He moved in close behind her as Chandler had done, dropping his cup into the dishwater and sliding his arms around her. “Do you have any idea what it does to me to be anywhere near you?” His hands moved up to cover her breasts and began to massage gently. “Why the hell did you have to get married? You were supposed to come back here after you graduated. Christ, I’ve missed you like hell.” Burying his face in her neck, he breathed deeply. “No one else smells like you.”

  Fighting the urge to lean back against him, Elizabeth grabbed his hands with her wet, soapy ones and pushed them away. Unnerved at the ache that settled low in her abdomen, she snapped at him. “Why the hell would I have come back here? You and Chandler both made your feelings for me plain enough. I’ve already made enough mistakes. I’m not about to make any more.”

  Hayden massaged her shoulders. “When we get some time alone, Chandler and I are going to explain what happened eight years ago.” He froze, tightening his grip and spun her around to face him. “Mistakes? Why does it sound like you’re talking about more than just marrying the wrong man?”

  Cursing herself for lowering her guard, Elizabeth reached for a towel. “It doesn’t matter. Get out of my way.” Drying her hands, she started past him, but Hayden pulled her up short.

  “Explain.”

  Elizabeth shoved at him, wondering why she even bothered when he didn’t move so much as an inch. “No. Look, I came back here to start over. I want Angie to be raised in a small town and for both of us to live close to my parents. The people in this town are old-fashioned. You know as well as I do they’d never accept what you’re proposing.” Gritting her teeth, she glared up at him. “Damn it, you’ve got me talking about it as if it could happen. It won’t, Hayden. Ever. After what you and Chandler did to me and what I put up with from that jerk I married, I’m never tying myself to a man again.”

  Hayden pulled her close in an unbreakable grip, his eyes hooded. “We’re not going to allow you to stick your head in the sand and ignore this thing between us. You can’t throw away the rest of your life just because your marriage didn’t work out.”

  Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to lean into him, to feel his arms come around her as she cried for all the lost years. Instead she shoved him, her bitterness spewing. “I’m not throwing my life away. I’m living it without a man. Richard cheated on me from the start. You and Chandler only feel obligated to take care of me. How long do you think we’d be together before you two did the same thing?” Just the thought of it filled her with dread. She’d never survive it.

  Hayden’s jaw clenched. “Never. Why didn’t you leave your husband when you found out he was cheating?”

  Careful to keep her voice low, she glanced at the doorway, not wanting Angie to overhear. Maybe if he understood her bitterness he would back off. “Because of his father, the senator. Richard Sr. said a divorce would hurt his career. The senator, his wife, Vivian, and Richard threatened to take Angie away if I tried to get a divorce. I never slept with my husband again. My marriage was over from the beginning. If you and Chandler think I’m going to make the same mistake again, you’re crazy.”

  A muscle worked in Hayden’s jaw. “That son of a bitch.” Grabbing her shoulders, he shook her once. “Why didn’t you call me? I would have taken care of it.”

  Elizabeth pushed at his chest and broke free, but she knew it was only because he allowed it. “I grew up, remember? I wouldn’t have called anyone for help
, least of all you and your brother. Contrary to what both of you think, I can take care of myself.” Lifting a brow, she smiled mockingly. “See? I don’t need either one of you.”

  Hayden grabbed her, lifting her to her toes, his eyes hard and furious. “You’re ours, Lizzy. Both of you. You might as well get that through that hard head of yours right now.”

  “You son of a—”

  “Mommy! I putted my shoes.”

  Shaken, Elizabeth shoved at Hayden and moved to her daughter, not bothering to correct her. “Great, darling. Let me get my purse and we’ll go. Say goodbye to Mr. Hayden and Mr. Chandler.”

  Hayden ignored her glare and smiled smugly. “That won’t be necessary. We’ll go with you to do your errands before we take you back to the ranch. That way you can see how the entire town has already accepted us.” Looking at Angie, he grinned. “Then we can go see the puppies and the horses.”

  “Yay!”

  Elizabeth glared at him again, having to raise her voice over Angie’s excited squeals. “You haven’t won, Hayden.”

  “We will. That’s all that matters. Get your shoes and your purse so we can go.”

  * * * *

  Hayden wanted to throttle her.

  Watching her walk stiffly down the street a few feet in front of him, he couldn’t keep his eyes away from her delectable ass in those skin tight jeans.

  He knew it would take some time, but it pissed him off that she didn’t even want to listen to them. She didn’t believe they loved her even after all of the fights he and Chandler had had over her.

  It had taken a lot of soul searching, the kind that was best accomplished when drunk, before he and Chandler had decided that the only way they could all be happy would be for both of them to have her. It seemed like a good idea, especially after several straight whiskeys.

  To their immense surprise, the next day it had still made sense.

  Sure, it was unconventional, but if they could be happy, he didn’t give a damn what other people thought.

  But he knew Lizzy would, and he cared for her parents very much.