Authors: Paige Cameron
Tags: #Romance
Bliss realized how stressed she was when the jet took off for Texas. Her whole body gave a sigh of relief when she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
They’d had a lovely lunch with Sara and her husbands. Sara had regaled them with stories of how she, Mitch, and Daren had met and ended up married. Bliss really liked her and her husbands. They were nice, handsome, and obviously adored their wife and children.
Lann took her hand in his. “You’re tired.”
“Exhausted. But I’m glad we made this trip. It cleared up many questions I had and gave me much to think about regarding you and marrying into your extended family.”
She’d opened her eyes and saw the worry in his. “It doesn’t mean I won’t marry you. Still, I need time to think and let my brain sort through all the information.”
He nodded and laid his head back against the seat. Bliss knew he was disappointed in her answer, but she wanted to be sure before she committed herself to him and Bern.
When they arrived, Bern was there to meet them. Bliss ran across and threw herself into his arms.
“I hope this means you missed me.” Bern smiled and kissed her.
“I did, although we were so busy, and I’ve learned many stunning things about Lann and his ancestors. You knew who he really was!”
“Yes. He’s been quite open with me over the years. It came out gradually. I can’t imagine how confused you feel hearing it all at once.”
“I am, and Lann doesn’t seem to understand I’m not rejecting him when I say I need time to process all the information.”
Bern looked behind her. “Here he comes. He must have been saying good-bye to Ethan.”
“He wanted to give us a few minutes.” Bliss frowned. “Do you understand?”
“Completely. We’d talked about taking a trip just the two of us when you and Lann got back, but you need alone time, and we have an assignment. I just got the call an hour ago. We’ll both be gone for an indefinite period.”
“Oh, I’m sorry we’ll miss our weekend.”
“Don’t worry. Hopefully when we return you’ll know your mind and want to marry us. Afterward, we’ll have many opportunities to take a few days off.”
“I heard the last of the conversation. We have a job to do.”
“I’ve ordered clothes for you. They’re at my house. As soon as you change, we have to leave.”
Bliss pulled back and looked at Bern. “I was so glad to see you that I hadn’t noticed what you were wearing.” He had on a gray T-shirt with a small, black insignia on the left side. She leaned in closer. It was a black scorpion.
“This is serious business. Will you two keep safe?”
“We plan on it. I hope you won’t mind if one of my cowboys drives you home.”
“No. You go ahead and do what’s necessary. I’ll be busy getting my shop open.”
Bern walked with her to another truck. A tall, lean cowboy stood straighter when they got to him. “You know Cadel. He’s in command when I’m gone on assignment. Cadel, see her safely home.”
“I will, Boss. Don’t worry. Nice to see you again, Madam.”
Cadel opened the truck door for her and Bern lifted her inside, then he leaned in and kissed her. When Bern stepped aside, Lann, who’d followed them to the truck, kissed her, too.
“Be safe, darlin’, and think good thoughts about us while we’re gone.”
“I will. You two take care of each other.” She waved at them until the truck turned a corner and she couldn’t see them any longer.
Well, I wished for time alone to think, and I got it. I guess I have to be careful about my wishes. I’m not feeling so happy about being by myself now.
Bliss’s boxes had all come the next day after she’d returned to Saddlespurs. Since she had money from the sale of the ranch, she had hired painters and they were all finished. The walls to her shop were slate blue and the trim, white. This week she’d hurriedly sewn white curtains for the windows and door. The contractors had come by during the week to inspect their work and finish anything that needed to be done.
She was excited to see the picture in her mind come into existence. Friday night she walked around the finished shop, picturing where to place certain items. She wanted to start putting the lingerie and soaps out for show.
Maybe if she kept busy she wouldn’t worry so much about Bern and Lann. They’d left Monday night right after she and Lann got home from Wyoming. She hadn’t heard from either of them.
A knock on her locked shop door stopped her thoughts. She peeked around the curtains she’d made for the double doors. Sunn held up a large pizza box. They’d made plans to spend the evening setting up the shop and visiting.
“Come in. The pizza smells delicious.”
“It has everything on it except one side has no anchovies. I can’t imagine why you don’t like them.”
“I just don’t. Thanks for keeping them off my part. Let’s eat and talk. Then we’ll get to work. What’s in the bag?”
“Ah, a surprise.” Sunn pulled a bottle of Chablis out. “Our drink for the night.”
“Then you’re staying and not driving home.”
“That’s correct. We haven’t had a sleepover in a while, and you said your men were out of town, so let’s make merry.”
“We can sit at the table I’m going to use for soaps and such. I’ll get two chairs from my office.”
Sunn put the pizza and wine on the table. “I’ll help.”
Once they were seated, Sunn poured the wine in plastic cups, and they stuffed themselves with pizza.
“This is good,” Bliss said after finishing her third slice. “I haven’t been eating much this week.”
“I guess you’re missing Bern and Lann.”
“Yes. I’ve had a lot to think about, too. Lann and Bern want to marry me.”
“I sort of figured. They have that stunned look. The ‘I’ve been caught’ stare.”
Bliss laughed. “I’ve never heard of any such look. I think you made it up.”
“Oh, I’ve given it a lot of attention over the years. Watch the expression on the next man’s face that falls for one of our friends. If he’s serious, you can see the startled, ‘I’m in the headlights of something barreling down on me’ look.”
“When is it going to happen for you, Sunn?”
“I’m a career woman and a lawyer. One or both scares them off.”
“Dr. Larsson didn’t seem the type to frighten easily. You never said why he quit coming around.”
“He had divorce fear. It was soon after his, and he wasn’t ready to try again. I fell hard for him and his friend. It must have frightened Chandler terribly. He disappeared back to Houston. If he’s been back to Saddlespurs since, I haven’t been aware of it.”
“Too bad. What was his friend’s name?”
“Todd Carrigan.”
“I’ve heard his name recently. He owns a part of the contracting company that worked on my shop, but I haven’t met him. Harrison and his workers did the actual work. But Carrigan, you, and Chandler appeared to be having a great time.”
“I thought the same, but Todd has many businesses. He returned to Houston with Chandler and stays there most of the time. They hurt me more than I let on to anyone. I’m still not ready to date someone else.”
“Sunn, was I so oblivious? I didn’t notice either. You joked and carried on the same as usual.”
“There were tears when no one was around.” She sat up in her chair. “But I’m over them, and I’m going to eat this last piece of pizza.”
“I’ll clean up the mess, and we can start putting out the lingerie.” Bliss walked around the table and hugged Sunn. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more aware and there for you.”
“I didn’t want even you to know. I think I have too much pride, but it’s handy to hide behind. Forget my sad story. Let’s get busy. How exciting that your dream is coming true.”
Bliss loved handling the delicate lingerie and smelling the wrappers on the special soaps. She breezed around arranging it all as she’d imagined. Finally, she and Sunn stood back.
“It looks great, Bliss. The Saddlespurs women are going to love shopping here. You’d better put in another order before you open. I’m guessing most of this will go at the preopening party and opening day.”
“Do you think so?”
“Definitely. I think you need to place your second order.”
“I will first thing in the morning. Come on upstairs and we’ll finish this bottle of wine.”
* * * *
They’d finished drinking and talking. Bliss had wanted to tell Sunn about her visit to Wyoming. She mentioned it, but couldn’t tell her about all she’d discovered. Sunn had gone to bed, and Bliss lay in the lounger thinking about Lann and his people.
She’d purposely kept busy and hadn’t allowed herself to retrace her visit. Relaxed and ready, she pictured Elle and her husband, Garth and Walker, who she’d seen briefly before leaving, and Morgan with her lovely family.
Then she’d met Sara. She’d told Bliss how she and her friends Morgan and Ellen had met and married their husbands. Sara and her friends had been living a normal life, before they discovered the men they loved were different. Bliss hadn’t met Ellen, but Morgan and Sara obviously did not regret the choices they made, and according to Sara, Ellen was equally happy.
Bliss wasn’t sure she had a choice. Her feelings for Lann were strong. She couldn’t imagine telling him to go away for good. Her throat tightened at the thought and her chest ached.
What did she have to worry about anyway? Lann’s people had lived on earth for centuries and had blended into society. Lann said a few select people high in the government were aware of them, but only a trusted one or two knew the whole story. They used Lann’s warriors, as Lann called them, for special assignments that needed their unusual abilities.
But had she known Lann long enough to commit herself to him? Bern had been around much longer and the townspeople all respected and liked him. And Bern respected and was best friends with Lann.
Her phone rang and she grabbed it hoping Sunn wasn’t awoken.
“Hello, darlin’.”
“Are you safe at home?”
“We’re on the plane headed that way. We rescued a lady and we’re bringing her back with us. We want to keep her hidden until we’re sure the threat’s over.”
“I’m glad you were successful.”
“Tell me you didn’t doubt us.”
Bliss laughed. “Only for a second or two.”
“My heart’s broken. You mustn’t doubt us, not when we have you waiting for us. You are waiting for us, aren’t you?”
“I’ve been busy setting up the shop. I hardly knew you were gone.”
Bern took the phone. “I was listening in. I don’t believe you, and I’ll prove it when I see you tomorrow.”
“Promises, promises.”
“Can you take the day off?” Bern asked.
“If it’s for a good reason.”
“It is. I’ll see you about nine. Tomorrow is for us. Sleep tight.” He ended the call.
They were safe and almost home. Joy rushed through her veins. There was no way she could tell them no when they proposed the next time. She was ready to have it all, her men and her shop. It meant taking a gigantic leap of faith. She’d do it.
* * * *
Sunn hugged her and left at eight. Bern knocked on the door at nine o’clock. Bliss threw the door open, and he grabbed her up in his arms.
“I’m sure it’s been months since I held you.” Bern carried her into the living room, but he had her lean down and lock the door first. “We’re going to my ranch later for a ride, but I have to make love to you right this minute. I’m a starving man.”
In the bedroom, he let her body slide down along his. Her arms wrapped tight around his neck. She kissed him hard on his mouth. His cock pulsed against her abdomen.
She took hold of his cowboy shirt and ripped open the snaps. Then brushed her fingers across his tight, scarred chest. When she rubbed his nipples, he groaned. He stepped back, quickly removed all his clothes, and sheathed his cock.
Bliss undressed equally fast. They tumbled onto the bed. Bern slid down and took a nipple into his mouth. When he sucked, Bliss arched her back when heat as hot as molten lava rushed through her veins. Her juices flooded her lower lips.
Bern spread her legs and touched her clit, then found her pussy opening and put two fingers inside while he licked and sucked on her peaked nipples.
“My body’s on fire. I want you in me.”
“I planned to take my time, but I want to be in you, too.” Bern put his cock at her opening and surged all the way in.
“Ah, that’s so good,” Bliss murmured.
Bern put his hands under her buttocks, tipping her hips upward, and slid in further. He thrust in and out, fast and hard.
Her pussy clenched him tight when he was inside of her pussy and released his cock as he pulled back. Excitement had her heart pumping at a rapid beat. Her body tingled, and her pussy walls throbbed around his cock. The crescendo heightened until she was sure she’d explode with pleasure.
Then Bern kissed her mouth and rubbed her clit harder. Her orgasm shook her inside and out. Bern held her tight and thrust in hard a few more times before she felt his cock spasm inside her very sensitive pussy. Another smaller orgasm radiated out from her center. Bern’s heart pounded against her chest wall, and in his eyes she saw his love for her.