Their Independent Bride

The Men of Space Station One #6 

Their Independent Bride Janet is used to taking care of herself. How will Greg and Steven convince her that they can take care of all her needs? They want to keep her safe, but Janet thinks they just want to boss her around. When she agrees to twenty-four hours of sexual domination to prove she won’t mind submitting to them, they pull out all the stops to make it worth the sacrifice. When Janet learns that she is pregnant, she is excited and scared. The men struggle to care for her and reassure her that they will keep her and the baby safe. Then an accident leaves her without her memory of the two men or their devotion to her, and they must prove all over again their love for her as she struggles to remember them. Will she remember that submitting to them was more pleasurable than being independent? Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among cousins. Genre: Futuristic, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Science Fiction Length: 63,898 words

THEIR INDEPENDENT BRIDE The Men of Space Station One #6

Marla Monroe

MENAGE EVERLASTING

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at [email protected]

A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

THEIR INDEPENDENT BRIDE Copyright © 2012 by Marla Monroe E-book ISBN: 1-61926-776-4 First E-book Publication: June 2012 Cover design by Les Byerley All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Their Independent Bride by Marla Monroe from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Marla Monroe’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Monroe’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

 

THEIR INDEPENDENT BRIDE The Men of Space Station One #6 MARLA MONROE Copyright © 2012

Chapter One Janet had all of their luggage in one spot by the time her husbands secured their transport and made it to the terminal. Steven jumped down, stalking toward her as he eyed the various pieces of luggage. “We told you we would get the suitcases.” “You can load it for me. All I did was move it to one place so it would be easy for me to keep an eye on it. I didn’t want us to lose anything. I know your tools are important.” “The trunks were too fucking heavy for you to move by yourself.” “It’s done. Live with it.” Janet planted her hands on her hips. She wasn’t used to men doing things for her. She had always done everything for herself. It was going to take some getting used to. While they loaded the luggage, she thought about what was ahead of her there on planet Alpha. Ever since the Earth had begun to fall apart with the massive solar flares from the sun, man had been looking for somewhere that would sustain life. They found three planets and began sending manned shuttles to explore and finally to colonize them. Now, two years into the colonization of Alpha, Janet was finally there, her new home. Well, she was on the planet anyway. It would be

8

Marla Monroe

another two hours to get to the actual house. She hoped it would be livable, but if it wasn’t, her husbands were carpenters. They could fix anything. The women of Alpha and the other planets being colonized were all married to two men for husbands. Because of Shear’s disease, caused by the solar flares back on Earth, most of the Earth’s female population was barren, unable to have children. Those women who were fertile were kept in bunkers belowground to protect them from the flares. Therefore, when they sent out groups of people to build homes and lives on the new planets, they sent one woman and two men to ensure fertility and that there were enough hands to work and feed a family. The first group of people that settled the planets had been strictly men who built the original houses and city. Then a group of women arrived and were allowed to pick their mates. Now, the Earth was disintegrating too rapidly for the government’s peace of mind. They were doing the choosing. They wanted to assure the family was compatible, so they used computer programs to match them up. That was how Janet, a completely independent woman used to taking care of herself, ended up with two very dominant men used to taking care of a woman in all ways. Leave it to the government to screw up again. She didn’t know how they were going to work it out, but they had better. This was for life, and there was no divorce on planet Alpha. “Okay, everything is loaded. Let me help you up.” Steven took hold of her waist and lifted her to the transport. Janet sighed. She could let them do the little things, she supposed, although, lifting her had sent butterflies flittering around in her stomach. Most any touch from Steven or Greg had that effect on her. Unlike most of the other men, Steven and Greg had sought her out many times while they were on the shuttle for six months traveling to Alpha. She saw a lot of them. They had wanted to ease her into their way of life. She wasn’t going to change hers that easily.

 

Their Independent Bride

9

Steven climbed up and helped her put on her safety harness, which she was appreciative of because it was slightly complicated. It would have taken her some time to figure it out. He smiled his approval that she had let him do it. Janet resisted the urge to roll her eyes. How was she going to manage to live with them? They were very overbearing, but not cruel or mean. They expected her to mind them unequivocally. “You’re thinking awfully hard over there, Janet,” Greg said. “Wondering what the house will be like and if it’s livable, or if I’ll need to clean before we can sleep.” “Whatever it is, we can fix it. If there is something you don’t like, just tell us. We’ll take care of it,” Steven assured her. “Thanks.” “Here, read through this while we are on the way. Someone gave this to us as we picked up our transports. They said it’s an update to what has been found on the planet with some recipes for some of the native foods. You can let us know if there is anything we need to read up on.” Steven handed her a pamphlet. Janet eagerly opened it to see what was inside. The first five or six pages were warnings about dangerous animals and plants to avoid. Some of the animals were scary. She looked over at Steven and wondered if he had even looked at the little booklet. She continued to read until she had read through the entire thing. There were several recipes she wanted to try once they were settled in. She also wanted to meet up with the other family of carpenters. Carmen was the female in the family. They had met several times onboard the shuttled and talked. She thought they could become good friends. “I think you need to read this when you have everything unpacked. It has some dangerous-looking animals that they say we need to watch out for.” Steven frowned. “Surely they covered them on the shuttle.”

 

10

Marla Monroe

“They didn’t with us. I’ve never seen any of these before, and they have some sort of nasty acid stuff in their mouths.” “We’ll read through them,” Steven said. He opened the booklet and began going through it. Janet saw the exact minute he reached the part about the acid. His jaw began to work like he was grinding his teeth. He wasn’t happy. “Greg, this is serious. They haven’t been entirely truthful with us about this place. It’s even more dangerous than we worried about.” Greg glanced over from steering the transport. “What do you mean?” “Some of these animals have a type of acid in their blood and saliva. It burns when it gets on you.” Janet did roll her eyes now. She had just told him that. They were going to have to realize she wasn’t one of their ignorant little subs that they were used to. How she got placed with them she would never know. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a house that looked quite large on the outside. “Is this ours?” “According to the coordinates and the transport guidance system, this is our new home,” Greg assured her. Janet started unfastening her safety harness. Steven climbed out of the transport and looked around. Then he reached up and helped her down. She was grateful since it was a good ways to the ground. “Let’s go inside and be sure everything looks safe in there,” Steven said. Steven led her to the front porch and then up the steps. He opened the door carrying a gun and carefully looked around before he let her follow him inside. Then he and Greg methodically cleared each room from top to bottom and belowground in the cellar, as well. Once they were assured it was safe, they left her to determine cleanliness to unload the luggage.

 

Their Independent Bride

11

Janet decided that someone had to have cleaned and stocked the house for them before they arrived. The floors were free of dust as was the furniture. There was plenty to eat in the pantry, fridge, and freezer. They wouldn’t need supplies anytime soon. She found that the house had four bedrooms and two baths, a large eat-in kitchen, and a nice-size living room with an office tucked around the corner. The master suite was comfortable for three people with a very large bathroom. It had both a huge tub and a walk-in shower large enough for three. Of course, considering that her husbands were so large, it was a good thing. She thought about them as she waited for them to finish unloading the transport. Steven looked to be about six feet six inches with shaggy brown hair and hazel eyes. He was muscular without being thick and had a tight abdomen as well. When he picked her up and set her down from the transport, she had felt safe and secure in his arms. She liked that about him. It was obvious that they worked very hard for a living due to the calluses on their hands and their sun-kissed skin. Greg stood nearly the same height, maybe an inch shorter. He had a lighter brown hair than Steven but the same hazel eyes. It was obvious that they were related in some way, so she had asked and found out they were cousins. Both men were Dominants and used to the D/s lifestyle. She wasn’t and didn’t intend to start now. She had already resigned herself to an in-depth conversation with them as soon as things settled down. Janet busied herself unpacking all the suitcases and trunks they had brought up. She figured out several things about the men from their packing style and clothes. One, they were neat freaks. Good, so was she. Two, they didn’t wear underwear since there was none packed. Three, they wore the same clothes since all the jeans were packed in one suitcase and all the T-shirts were packed in another one and the sweatshirts packed in another one. The only thing that seemed to separate them was their shaving essentials. They kept their own

 

12

Marla Monroe

kits. She placed both kits in the bathroom next to a sink with her bag in the middle. Once she had everything unpacked, she wandered downstairs to see how they were coming along. When she walked out on the back porch, it was to see a strange-looking animal that looked much like a dog sitting at the edge of the drive. It appeared to be watching the transport out by the shed. She knew that the men were unloading supplies into the shed from the trailer behind it. She watched the creature for several minutes until it jerked around to see her and ran off. Shrugging, she started out across the yard to check on the men. When she arrived at the shed they were unloading several pallets of supplies. Steven looked up as she walked inside the shed. “What are you doing outside? It’s too dangerous for you to be out here.” “I have to be able to work in the garden. What is the difference between being out here and in the garden?” Both men opened their mouths to say something then shut them again. Their lips formed straight lines. Uh-oh. She’d pissed them off. “Look, I just came out to tell you that there was an animal watching you from the drive earlier. It looked like one of those doglike things in the booklet. I wanted you to be careful.” She turned to storm off when Greg’s hand caught her around the waist. He hauled her up over his shoulder and carried her back to the house with Steven right behind them. “Put me down! What are you doing?” “We’re going to have our talk now instead of later,” Greg said. They filed into the house, through the kitchen, and into the living room. He sat down on the couch with her in his lap. Steven sat next to him and looked just as serious. Janet wasn’t sure what they were going to do. She felt a little nervous of them now. “Look, I don’t know how they managed to put the three of us together, but they did, so we have to live with it. We’re Dominants

 

Their Independent Bride

13

and can’t change who we are any more than you can change who you are. I personally think you would enjoy the lifestyle if you would just try it, but we can’t make you. I wouldn’t want to make you. It’s no good if you haven’t embraced it.” He sighed and then continued. “That being said, we will not allow you to put yourself in danger. If we tell you something that is for your safety, we expect for you to obey us without question. Because you aren’t our submissive, everything else is up for discussion.” “I’m supposed to blindly follow your directions when my life could be at stake. How do you know that I don’t know what I’m doing?” she argued. “We don’t, but we know what we’re doing, and what we say goes,” Steven joined in. “I still don’t get why I should trust you. I don’t know you.” Greg and Steven looked at each other and sighed. “There’s where the problem is. Trust. You have to be able to trust us to know what is best for you and follow our instructions. If you would give us a chance to show you that we can be trusted, maybe we can work this out between us,” Steven suggested. “What do you mean?” “Allow us to prove that we can be trusted with your safety and pleasure. Give us your submission in bed.” Greg ran his hand up and down her back in a soothing rhythm. She was enjoying it far too much for her comfort level. Janet wiggled to get down, but he clamped a hand over her legs to keep her still. “Janet, we’re living on a very dangerous planet if we can believe that brochure. There are a lot more dangers out there than we were told about on the shuttle. Please give us this much control. We can’t concentrate on our safety or our jobs if we are worried about you. If we know you will trust us and follow our directions concerning your safety, then we won’t be distracted,” Steven tried again.

 

14

Marla Monroe

Janet swallowed around a rather large lump in her throat and nearly choked. Trust them in bed? Let them have their way with her sexually to learn to trust them? Could she give up control enough to do that? For how long? She thought it over for several seconds before she nodded. “I’ll submit to you in bed for twenty-four hours to see if I’m comfortable trusting you.” “Fair enough. Then we’ll discuss it again afterwards.” Greg nodded his head. “For now, would you please stay in the house and not come out without one of us with you until we’ve had time to look around the house?” Steven asked. “Okay, I’ll stay inside. I need to work on dinner anyway. How long before you’re ready to eat?” “Probably another hour and a half,” Greg said. Greg slipped her off his lap, holding his hand at her back until he was sure she was steady. Little things like that she enjoyed. It was the big things they were going to have trouble with. The men stood up and headed back outside to finish unloading the trailer. Janet returned to the kitchen to decide on what to put together for dinner that night. She realized after a few minutes of staring at nothing that she was nervous about the coming night now. She had never allowed another man to call all the shots in bed. Not because she was aggressive, but simply because she had never trusted another person with her safety before. She’d learned early in life that if she didn’t look out for herself, no one else would. Her own parents had been too tied up in their lives to worry about her. Her previous lovers hadn’t worried overly much about if she was satisfied or not. Her boyfriends tended to care more about what was going on in their lives than what had happened in hers. She was used to seeing after herself. Now Greg and Steven wanted her to trust them to take care of her. It went against everything she knew about people and men in particular.

 

Their Independent Bride

15

Somehow she would get through it, though. It was only for twenty-four hours and only in bed.

 

16

Marla Monroe

Chapter Two “I’m really worried about how we’re going to keep Janet safe, Steven. She’s too independent for us. What in the hell were they thinking?” Greg moved some forming material over to the shed. He had nothing to complain about her physically. She was a tiny thing for them, but she had the general body type they both loved. She had rounded hips with curves and a slightly rounded abdomen. Her generous breasts were pleasing as well. He wanted to bury his cock in her ass and his face in her breasts every time he looked at her. Her heart-shaped face and startling green eyes were accented by strawberry-blonde hair that stopped at her shoulders. She couldn’t be more than five feet two inches. She brought out every protective streak in him, which left them in a mess. “I don’t know, but we’ve got to figure something out. We’re married for life, and this damn planet is a lot more dangerous than they originally told us.” “We’ll start tonight trying to change her mind about submission.” Greg felt like it was their only chance at staying sane around her. “When she first talked to us on the shuttle, I would have sworn she was a submissive with the way she looked down and let us lead. The more she got to know us, the more independent she became.” “I think the independence in her is the learned behavior. I think she’s had to be that way in the past, so she wears it like a shield now.” “If you’re right, what will it take to break through that shield without damaging her? She’s actually a sweet little thing.” “I don’t know, Steven, but we’ve got to figure it out for all our sakes, and we’ve got to figure it out fast.”

 

Their Independent Bride

17

They worked in silence for a little while longer then started talking about the other family that would be working with them building houses. They were going to meet up with them in a few days for dinner to get to know each other better. They had spent some time together on the shuttle but had been so tied up learning about the plant and how to work the machinery that they hadn’t gotten to know them that well. Greg was looking forward to finding out how the other family was faring with all the dangers. “Looks like that about does it,” Steven said as he dropped the last pallet against the side of the shed. “Let’s put the transport up in the garage and see about dinner. It should be ready by the time we shower and change.” “I’m all for that. I’m starved.” Greg followed Steven back to the transport. Once they had it parked in the garage, they walked into the kitchen to an amazing smell of something he hoped was edible. “Hey, you’re back. Dinner will be ready in another fifteen minutes.” “We’re going to go take a shower and change clothes. We’ll be back downstairs about that time.” Steven hurried up the stairs. Greg smiled at Janet and just looked at her for a few seconds. “What?” “You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.” “Um, thanks.” She wiped her hands on her pants as if her hands had gone sweaty. He liked that he could get her flustered. He turned and walked toward the stairs. He needed that shower now. His cock was standing at attention. It had been ever since he had gotten to thinking about her luscious body and what the night would bring. As soon as he finished in the shower, he dried off and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. She had figured out that they wore the same clothes and hadn’t bothered separating them out. Good. He liked that she didn’t question anything about their personal

 

18

Marla Monroe

preferences. Only when it came to her had she voiced concerns. They would work through those and teach her all about the joys of submission. They might have to compromise outside of the bedroom, but he was willing to bet they could convince her that sex with them their way involved a lot more pleasure. He and Steven took the stairs together and walked into the kitchen at the same time Janet was serving their plates. “I hope you like this. It’s a native dish. It tasted decent onboard the shuttle when we made it, but I added a few things. It’s made with currik, a potato-like vegetable.” “It smells delicious,” Steven said. They all sat down and began to eat. Greg lifted his eyebrows at the taste of the new food. It was pretty good, a little chewy, but good. “I think it needs more cooking. It’s a little tougher than it should be. I’m sorry. I’ll eventually learn.” “Don’t worry about it, Janet. It’s really good. Learning to cook with foreign foods is going to be tough,” Steven assured her. They finished eating while talking about when to start work on the new house and construction in general. “I’ll call Brad and Kirk on the radio and ask what their thoughts are on starting and when we’re going to meet for a meal,” Greg said. “I can’t wait to see Carmen again. I think we’ll be great friends. I just wish we didn’t live so far away from each other.” “You’re only a fifteen- or twenty-minute drive. We can take you to visit her sometimes.” Greg sat back in his chair. He was full. “Why don’t you two go on in the living room while I clean up the kitchen? I’ll bring you some coffee in a few minutes.” Greg and Steven both got up and headed for the other room, leaving Janet to clean up. Greg chose a recliner and settled into it. Steven took the other one. They talked about what they would do the next day. Both agreed that getting the garden in was a top priority. They needed to till it up into rows for planting. It would probably take all day to get it ready and then they could plant the next day.

 

Their Independent Bride

19

“Are you talking about the garden?” Janet asked, walking in the room with two cups of coffee. She handed each of them a cup then curled up on the couch and asked them what they were discussing about the garden. “We plan to plow it up and get it ready to plant tomorrow. Then we can plant the next day,” Greg told her. “There’s where we are going to have some trouble. The garden is my domain. I need you to plow it up for me, but I do the planting. You’ve got more than enough to do with building houses. The rest is up to me.” “Janet, love, we’re going to help you get started while we have time to help. Once we start working on the house, we won’t have the time to do anything else.” Steven took a sip of his coffee. “You can help, but it’s my garden.” Greg hurried to avoid a fight. “It’s your garden, Janet. We’re just trying to figure out how to help while we can.” “Thanks, I appreciate it.” She eyed him warily, though, as if she knew he’d been placating her. Steven sighed rather loudly. They both looked at him. “What?” Janet finally asked. “Let’s start the twenty-four hours now.” Janet’s mouth hung open and she licked her lower lip either in anticipation or nervousness or both. Greg wasn’t sure. It drew his attention to her mouth and how good it would look stretched around his cock. A glance at Steven revealed that he was probably thinking the same thing. They both waited for her answer. “Now?” “It’s as good a time as any,” Greg offered. “What are the rules?” “Basically, you follow our directions and do whatever we say or we punish you. You have to trust that we can take care of you and your pleasure. We would never hurt you, Janet, but we will push your limits.”

 

20

Marla Monroe

Greg watched her as his words sank in. She licked her lips again. That was anticipation. He was sure of it. “Okay, I’ll start now. Just remember that I don’t know anything about this so don’t expect me to be perfect.” “You are perfect, love. Just let us show you how perfect.” Steven reclined his seat back some. “Stand up and remove all of your clothes.” Janet’s brows furrowed and her mouth dropped open. Then she shut her mouth and stood up and began to remove her clothes, keeping her back to them. When Steven would have said something about it, Greg shook his head. They could allow her some leeway as she got used to them. “Now turn around and come to me.” Janet slowly turned around and walked toward Steven. Her lush breasts moved as she walked. Her slightly rounded abdomen would be perfect to rest his head on. Greg envied that Steven would hold her first. “Climb up in my lap, love.” She slowly climbed into his lap and sat with her legs off to the side. Steven put his arms under her knees and pulled her farther into his lap so that she was cuddled against his wide chest. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned in to kiss her. Greg watched as Steven ran his lips softly back and forth across hers before licking along the seam in an attempt to get her to open her mouth to his. When she did, Steven plunged his tongue inside. When they finally pulled apart, Steven laid her back some so that he could look at her. Her body turned a pale shade of pink all over. “Baby, there’s no need to be embarrassed because we look at you. You’re lovely to look at. We like watching you.” Greg tried to soften the obvious uncomfortable feelings she was having. Steven sat her back up. “Go on over to Greg and let him see you. He’s right. You’re beautiful.”

 

Their Independent Bride

21

Greg watched Janet carefully climb off of Steven’s lap and walk over to his chair. She started to climb up, but he reached over and plucked her off the floor and settled her on his lap. He didn’t want her to end up rubbing all over his rock-hard cock. He wasn’t sure how long he would be able to maintain control if she did. “Your tits are so pretty. I love pretty, pink nipples. I bet they taste like ripe berries. Have you ever tasted your own nipples, baby? I bet you could.” She shook her head, but her eyes flared when he mentioned it. He bet if he could spy on her later, she would try it. He almost got her to try right then, but he didn’t want to increase her anxiety level just yet. “I’m going to touch your pretty breasts, Janet. I want to feel how heavy they are in my hands.” He reached with both hands and palmed her breasts. They felt like ripe melons. He rubbed them lightly then let go. Then he ran a hand over her shoulders and down her arms, getting her used to his touch. He liked to touch a lot. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I can’t wait to taste that pretty pussy, too. I love licking hot, wet cunts.” Greg laid his lips against her neck and trailed his tongue down her neck to her shoulder where he nipped a little at it. He felt her shiver and smiled. It was exactly the kind of reaction he was looking for. When he saw her eyes, he knew they had a submissive just waiting for the right touch. They had gone a dark green and were heavy lidded with desire. He looked over at Steven. His cousin couldn’t see her face. “She’s ready.” “Then let’s move this upstairs.” Greg repositioned the chair and stood up, carrying Janet with him toward the stairs. “Where are we going?” Janet asked. “To the bedroom, baby. You’ll be more comfortable there.”

 

22

Marla Monroe

She held onto him lightly, as if she already trusted him to a certain degree. It made him feel good to have that small amount of trust that she was so stingy with. When he made it to the bedroom, he flipped the switch to turn on the lights. He wanted everything to be visible to her so there were no secrets. She needed to know that they would always be honest with her. Steven walked in right behind them and began pulling off his clothes. He folded everything and placed it on the dresser. Greg sat Janet on the bed and let her watch them remove their clothing. When Steven’s cock came into view, her eyes got big. He was used to that reaction and wasn’t intimidated by it. He was longer than Steven, just not as thick. When they were both totally nude, Greg walked over and ran his hands through her shoulder-length hair before pulling her head back with it. Her eyes rounded and darkened once again. Yes, she was most definitely a submissive, at least in the bedroom. **** Janet couldn’t believe how good it felt for Greg to pull her head back with her hair. It took her breath away. When he looked down into her eyes and smiled, she found herself smiling back at him. “You’re beautiful when you’re aroused, Janet. Your skin glows and your eyes grow all dark and heavy. I like seeing you that way. I want to keep you that way.” Steven walked over and ran his hand from her neck to her breasts and pulled one erect nipple with his thumb and forefinger until the sensation was bordering on pain. When he let it go, he bent down and licked it. His tongue felt so good against the agitated little tip. He repeated the gesture to the other one, and she whimpered when he licked it. “Janet, crawl over to the middle of the bed and raise your hands over your head for me, baby.” Greg walked over to the chest where she had hidden away their toy collection. He pulled out a length of

 

Their Independent Bride

23

soft rope and carried it over to the bed where he climbed up and knelt next to the headboard. “What are you going to do?” She didn’t lower her hands, but she did tense up. “Relax, baby. I’m going to tie your hands to the headboard. We’ll be redesigning the bed later to fit our needs. But for now, this will work.” He tied a loose knot around one wrist then wrapped the rope around the headboard in the middle and fastened her other wrist to it. He double-checked the slack to be sure she wouldn’t chafe her wrists on the rope and that there was plenty of room to move her arms. She couldn’t help testing the rope for any give and to assure that she really was unable to get away. It calmed her to a certain degree, and she realized that all of those meetings on the shuttle had taught her to trust them. She wasn’t afraid of what they might do to her at all. She was more afraid of how her body would react. “Don’t worry, Janet. We won’t hurt you. All we want to do is prove to you that we will always take care of you and have your best interests at heart.” Steven lay down next to her and propped his head up on one hand. Greg lay down on the other side and did the same. They watched her for what felt like hours before she began to get antsy and break the silence. “So. Do something already.” She frowned at them. Greg smiled that slow, sexy smile that stopped her heart and let her know she was in for it. True to his nature, he popped her on the thigh with his hand and shook his head. “I didn’t say you could speak, baby. We’re admiring you. Let us enjoy just looking at you for a while.” “You hit me!” She frowned at him, knowing that it had been nothing more than a love tap. He chuckled and shook his head. “You know better than that.”

 

24

Marla Monroe

Steven reached out and ran his finger all around her nipple without touching it. He let his nail scrape around the areola, sending sharp, tingling sensations straight to her clit. Then he wet one finger and drew a line from nipple to nipple and blew across it. Shivers ran down her spine at the cooling sensation it caused. She could see the amusement in Greg’s eyes at Steven’s little teases. Then Greg bent over and nibbled at her jaw with his teeth. He nipped along her skin from chin to cheek and on around to her ear. There he sucked in her earlobe and began drawing on it much as a baby would a teat. When he stopped, Steven took over on the other side while Greg continued on down her neck to her shoulder. She shivered when he licked her there. He quickly followed with his teeth and nibbled her until he reached her shoulder. “What are you doing to me?” “What do you mean? We’re just exploring your body. Learning what makes you wiggle and what makes you shiver. Soon we’ll know your body better than you do.” Greg whispered this into her ear. “I want to touch the two of you, too.” “All in good time, baby.” Greg ran his hand down her side to her hip. “Have some patience, love,” Steven said. She opened and closed her hands into light fists. She wasn’t in any pain or distress. She just wanted to be able to do to them what they were doing to her, because they were driving her crazy. “Be still, Janet. You’re wiggling around like a wiggle worm.” Steven squeezed her shoulder. “You did not just compare me to a worm!” She huffed out a breath. “Well, you’re moving around like one.” Greg took that opportunity to latch onto her nipple and draw on it. He crammed as much of her breast into his mouth as he could manage before sucking. Steven followed suit and took the other breast into his hot mouth. They both sucked and licked around on it until she was

 

Their Independent Bride

25

once again wiggling in an attempt to get them where she wanted them. Greg pulled back and shook his head with a stern expression on his face. “You need to learn some discipline, Janet.” “Why?” “Because you can’t always have what you want when you want it. Sometimes you have to wait. You’re not being very submissive right now.” “Remember, you agreed to give us twenty-four hours, love, and you’ve barely managed thirty minutes and not even that very well.” Steven dropped his hand away from her shoulder. “I don’t get what being still does for anyone. I would think you would want me active when we’re having sex.” Janet was totally confused. “When we are having sex, yes, but we aren’t having sex right now. We are exploring your body.” Steven smiled down at her before dropping a brief kiss on her forehead. “Let’s find out what makes her scream, Steven. I want to hear my name on her lips as she screams in passion.” Greg sat up and moved to the foot of the bed between her legs. She started to close them, but he wiggled his way between them in an instant. She knew what he planned to do now. He would tease her until she begged for him to finish her, but she wouldn’t do it. She refused to be made to beg for something that she could do for herself. She would have sex with them anytime they wanted, but she wouldn’t let them turn her into a simpering female who begged for attention. She had never begged for attention in her life and wouldn’t start now.

 

26

Marla Monroe

Chapter Three When Greg suddenly widened her legs using his broad shoulders to keep them there, Janet gasped. She felt so exposed with her pussy spread wide for him to see. The position afforded him plenty of view and her with little control. She didn’t like it until he swiped his tongue across her pussy lips. Then she relaxed back against the bed and closed her eyes. Steven chose that moment to claim her lips. With her eyes closed, she wasn’t expecting his mouth to descend on hers. When his lips touched hers, she jerked and her eyes sprang open. He smiled down into them before rubbing his lips across hers once again. “Open for me, love. I want to taste you.” Janet stared up into his eyes while she slowly relaxed her lips and opened them. He cocked his head and took possession of her mouth in one fell swoop. His tongue swiped at the roof of her mouth then dove to move along hers. He licked at her teeth then pulled back slightly to repeat the process on her lips. She sipped at his tongue when it touched them. Then all her attention was focused southward as Greg sucked in first one pussy lip and then the other one. He pulled and licked at them until she was pumping her hips in rhythm to his sucking. He soon had her moaning just under her breath at the feel of his warm, wet mouth on her equally wet skin. He let go of her and pulled them back so that he could lick along the inside of them. The feel of his tongue on her innermost skin drew a moan from her. She clamped down on his finger when he eased one inside her cunt. She needed more than a simple finger to satisfy her. She wanted

 

Their Independent Bride

27

more. But Greg was in charge, and she was sure he had no plans to give it to her in the near future. Resigned to being tortured for the rest of the night, Janet did what she always did when she was being ignored. She went inside herself. She could enjoy spending time with herself as much as with anyone else. Sex? Well, that was a little more difficult. She at least needed her hands free to get off. **** “Steven?” “Yeah.” “Why is she in subspace? I wasn’t doing anything down here to put her there.” “Well neither was I.” Greg crawled up her body to where Steven was lying looking down at her face. She was relaxed all over. Her mouth still parted in a small “oh” from Steven’s kisses. He nipped at her nipple a little harder than usual and got nothing from her. He didn’t like it one bit. Why would she have gone into subspace when they weren’t stimulating her in that direction? He climbed off the bed and stared down at her. Had just tying her up done it? Had she been abused in the past and they had brought that back for her? He couldn’t stand the idea of her feeling the need to escape from them. “Untie her hands, Steven. I don’t like this.” “What is going on? Why would she space out like that when all we were doing was licking and teasing her?” “I don’t know unless just tying her up did that.” Steven swiftly untied her and tossed the rope to Greg to replace in the chest. Then they both lay down next to her and began rubbing her arms to try and draw her back. At first, it didn’t seem to be working,

 

28

Marla Monroe

but finally, she began to react to their touch and then opened her eyes and stared up at them. “What’s going on?” “That’s what we would like to know. You spaced out on us. Why?” Greg moved up to a sitting position and stared down at her. “Um, you were teasing me. I don’t like to be teased and made to beg for attention. I don’t need anyone’s attention that badly.” “Love, you had our attention, all of our attention. There was no reason to bug out on us.” “You were teasing me, trying to make me beg for an orgasm. I can give myself an orgasm. I don’t need to beg for one.” “We obviously need to talk some about this. We weren’t trying to make you beg for anything, baby. We were simply drawing out the tension so that the pleasure would be greater. It takes patience to be able to hold out for an even greater orgasm than what you might have if we had just gone at it. You need to learn patience if that’s the case.” Greg shook his head. “I have plenty of patience. I don’t need to learn more. You’re both very domineering, so I naturally thought you expected me to beg you for what I wanted. I wasn’t going to do it. I shouldn’t have to beg for anything.” “So you could wait for us to give you what we planned to give you all along? You could handle long, drawn-out foreplay so that your pleasure would be all that more intense?” Greg looked back at her. He wanted to see her face suffuse in pleasure. He had never made a woman plead for release just to be able to before. He’d had women beg before, but it was their own doing. He would have stopped at any time and given them what they asked for had they really wanted to cut it short. He had never dreamed his new wife would be so different from what he was used to. “If that is what you were planning, then I’m sorry. I guess I misunderstood. Men like you usually want the woman to beg them to

 

Their Independent Bride

29

let her come. I guess we just don’t know each other very well.” She was leaning back on her hands now looking from Steven to him again and again. “Let’s start over,” Steven began. “We won’t make you beg for anything, Janet. It doesn’t mean that if you beg on your own we won’t enjoy teasing you, but it was never our intentions to make you beg.” “Okay. I’m sorry I misread you.” “You should be sorry. You jumped to conclusions about us. That’s worth a good four pats on your gorgeous little ass.” “Little is so not true. I have a fat ass.” “That adds another two. Your ass is not fat. It’s perfect. I’ll prove it when I sink my dick into it later.” Janet blushed a pretty shade of pink. He loved seeing that on her cheeks. He didn’t want her to use it as an excuse to back away from them, though. “You’re pretty when you turn pink when I tease you, too,” Greg added. “Let’s get back to what we were doing.” Steven climbed back on the bed and attacked one of her breasts with his mouth. Greg just sighed and watched as Janet relaxed into the other man’s embrace. He enjoyed seeing a woman pleased, but he was a little unsettled right now by the way things had gone with Janet. This was their wife, and it was obvious that they still knew next to nothing about her despite all the time they had carved out to visit with her on the shuttle over the last six months. They had a long way to go toward earning her love and devotion. She already had theirs. They had fallen for her almost immediately. He wanted more than anything to keep her happy, but first and foremost was keeping her safe and this was what the twenty-four hours had been all about—earning her trust to keep her safe. They had failed so far. He slipped back onto the bed and resumed his position between her still-parted legs. He let the smell of her ripe, feminine flesh draw him in as he settled down. His cock was harder than ever now, and he

 

30

Marla Monroe

knew that there would be a long time before he found his own release. He grunted and willed the overeager appendage under control. It wasn’t the most comfortable position to be in when he was this horny, but he gently pulled apart her pussy lips and licked from her slit to her clit and back down again. When she moaned, he smiled. He would have her screaming before it was over with. He stiffened his tongue and fucked her with it as she began to squirm. Her pussy sucked at him when he pulled out. He replaced his tongue with two fingers and began to slowly fuck her as he licked all around her clit. She moaned again and pumped her hips up to meet his fingers. Greg smiled and searched around with his fingers until he located her hot spot. She nearly came out of the bed the first time he brushed over it. She was in better control the second time and only bucked when he pressed on the special spot. He grinned to himself. He would exploit her weaknesses to wind her pleasure up even higher. He wanted her to come apart with it. Nothing got to him so much as seeing his sub wiped out with pleasure. “God, that feels so good, Greg.” He hadn’t expected her to tell him. He grinned. “There is plenty more pleasure where that came from, baby.” “Much more and I’ll pass out.” “Now you’ve challenged me.” He nearly laughed when he heard her curse. He glanced up to find out why she was even talking at all to find that Steven had moved to her breasts. He loved a woman’s breasts. He would spend hours playing with them if he could. Right now, he was sucking on the nipples of both of them together, no doubt wishing he could sink his slicked-up cock between them and fuck her there. They would get to that one day soon for Steven. Right now, he needed to get back to business. He had a woman to pleasure until she passed out.

 

Their Independent Bride

31

Greg continued to fuck her with his fingers as he licked around her pussy without touching her clit. He could feel her frustration, but since he’d assured her that they would take care of her, he ignored her not-so-gentle nudges in the direction of her clit. He only grinned. When she began to whimper and chant oh God, oh God, oh God over and over, he knew she was close. He brushed his fingers back and forth across her hot spot at the same time he sucked in her clit. She exploded beneath him. He heard Steven’s faint fuck before he was totally lost in giving Janet pleasure. He concentrated on petting her sweet spot over and over as he sucked and licked the little nubbin at the top of her pussy. She screamed out their names, and he grinned. It wasn’t the loss of consciousness he wanted, but he would take it for starters. He still planned to get in her sweet ass before the night was over with. He needed to be there, needed it like his next breath. Once she began to whimper, he gave her clit one last lick and her G-spot one last tap before pulling free of her cunt. He licked and sucked her juices from his fingers before climbing over her and up the bed to lie next to her. Steven was whispering in her ear how good she’d been as he ran his hand up and down her arm. He wanted a kiss. He wanted her to taste herself on his lips and know that he’d enjoyed every minute of pleasuring her. He bent over her and when she focused her eyes on his, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. She didn’t pull away or turn her head at the taste of herself from his mouth. She met him halfway and ran her tongue around inside his mouth to search out his. Then she licked along it until he nipped at her lower lip and ended the kiss. “That was wonderful,” she finally said with a soft smile. “Thanks.” “It was our pleasure. But we aren’t finished yet.” “Oh, I know. You haven’t had your turn.” She started to sit up, but he stopped her.

 

32

Marla Monroe

“It’s not a one-for-one thing, Janet. We don’t have to come at all when we pleasure you. You don’t have to reciprocate. If you decide that’s something you really want to do, then fine, but right now, we’re still working on you. I want you to be sure that you understand that we can more than take care of you.” He kissed her belly that was still quivering from her orgasm. Then he ran a hand down her chest between her breasts to her mons where he cupped her pussy and lay there waiting for her to catch her breath. He couldn’t wait to get started on round two. His cock was aching for equal time now. He was sure there was in imprint on the mattress from where he had been lying. No doubt Steven was in the same shape. As many times as they had done without while taking care of some wayward sub, nothing had prepared him for abstinence with their wife. Even for this brief of a time. Something about her pulled at him. He wanted to love her and protect her more than anything else in this new world. She was so tiny compared to them, but fierce in her spirit. They liked that. They certainly didn’t need a whimpering girl living out in this dangerous place. Their wife needed to be able to take care of herself as well as rely on them to protect her. The fact of the matter was that they couldn’t be there all the time and work, too. She would have to be able to make important decisions that would affect all their lives. They both had to come to grips with this and were happy she wasn’t one of their subs from back home. They would make allowances for her fierce independence, and she would give some to their need to be in control. At least, this was what Greg was hoping. She might change all of that. She didn’t have to go along with his plans, though he hoped and prayed she would. With someone like Janet, you never knew what to expect, and perhaps that was part of her allure.

 

Their Independent Bride

33

Chapter Four Janet was relaxed and comfortable. She had both her husbands lying next to her and touching her body as if they couldn’t help themselves. It felt good. She reached out to both of them and took their hands in hers, just to hold them. Did she want to reciprocate? Yeah, she did. She wasn’t sure she had ever really wanted to before, but then no one had ever really taken the time to coax her to come so thoroughly before. Just as soon as she got her breath back and her muscles to cooperate she would return the favor. They had taken good care of her. She couldn’t fault them with that. Did it equal trust? Some. Maybe. “Think you can climb up on top of Steven and take his dick into your hot pussy, baby?” Janet grinned. Just what she wanted to do. She opened her eyes to stare up into Greg’s as he leaned over her. “I can take him.” She moved to sit up. “Here, let me help you.” Greg took her hand and helped her sit up. Then she rolled over to straddle Steven’s thick thighs. His massive cock was long and hard resting against his belly, too heavy to stand at attention. She ran her hand over it, and it jerked at her touch. “Love, it wants inside that wet cunt of yours.” Steven held out his hands for her to take. Janet took his hands to balance herself as she rose to center his cock at her slit. When she began to lower her body over his thick dick, she realized it was going to take some work. He was massive, and she was small and still swollen from her orgasm earlier. She rose

 

34

Marla Monroe

up on one leg and began to work herself over his cock so that as he pushed up, she shoved down and together they made some headway. Still, she was a long ways from fully seated on his dick. “Fuck, you’re tight, love. I’ve never had this much trouble getting into someone. Easy, so that I don’t hurt you.” “God, you’re so big. I don’t know how I’m going to take all of you.” She tried once more to shove down on his cock and made it a little farther. He pulled back from her and shoved up over and over until finally their skin met as she totally engulfed his dick. Steven threw back his head and groaned. “Greg, man, you’re going to have to hurry up, or I’m going to come just lying here. She’s absolutely squeezing the hell out of me just breathing.” “I’ll do my best, man, but she’s small.” “Fuck, tell me about it.” “Hey, you two. As the meat in this little sandwich, I’m telling you both to hurry up. I’ve had a cock in my ass before, so I don’t need a lot of prep, but I do need some and as it is, I’m not getting any right now.” Greg chuckled and popped her on the ass. “Behave down there.” She wiggled her ass which caused Steven to curse some more. She grinned and looked back over her shoulder at Greg. The other man had an expression on his face that would have done any general over an army proud. He looked as if he were about to conquer some unknown territory or some terrible monster. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that until his hand caressed her ass as if it were his most prized possession. She turned back around and leaned forward to give him more room. She knew the pain would be there, but it would feel pretty good after a little bit. She could handle anal sex on occasion if the men wanted it.

 

Their Independent Bride

35

She felt the coolness of the lube when Greg applied it to her back hole. He massaged it in then added more and entered her with a finger. It went in without much resistance at all. He added more of the cool, jellylike substance and used two fingers on her. She had to push out and relax for him to finally make it past the inner ring of resistance. He pumped them in and out of her ass for several seconds as both men told her how well she was doing. When he added more lube and a third finger, she had to concentrate on relaxing to let them in. He had thick fingers and her back hole stretched to receive them. He pumped them in and out over and over before he finally pronounced her ready for his cock. She wasn’t so sure about that but was willing to try. He smoothed in more of the cool lube and pressed down on her back. “Lean over some more, baby, and try to relax. It’s going to be so good once we’re both inside of you. Remember to breathe out.” She felt the spongy head of his cock at her back entrance as he began to push forward. She moaned and began to push back as she tried to relax her muscles to accommodate him. Despite the good prepping, he was thick and she wasn’t used to anyone so well endowed. The pinch turned into a burn that widened into a bite of pain. As she panted around the pain, he made it past the resistant ring and slid farther inside her. Janet moaned in relief. Then as they continued to be still, she growled and tried to push back on Greg as she pulled off of Steven. When she attempted to reverse the move, they grabbed her and held her still. “Easy, love. Let us do the work. You need to be still and relax for us,” Steven said. “Then move! I need someone to move for me!” “I’m all for moving,” he said with a groan. “I don’t want to hurt you, baby. Are you sure you’re ready for us to move?”

 

36

Marla Monroe

“If you don’t do something soon, I’m going to do something violent involving your cock.” Greg laughed and began pulling out, dragging his cock over sensitive nerve endings that were so rarely awakened. The rasp of skin against tissue sent swirls of pleasure straight to her cunt. She could feel their cocks moving against each other inside her. Only a thin membrane separated the two dicks as they pumped in and out of her aroused body. The pain had changed to pleasure so that every move they made only ramped hers up into the stratosphere. It wouldn’t take much more to see her explode in rapture from the dual penetration. Over and over again they pulled out and rocked inside of her, spreading the burning warmth throughout her body. She squeezed down on them with her ass and cunt muscles just to hear them curse. “Fuck, baby. Do that again. Yeah. Just like that.” Greg popped her ass cheek twice. “Aw, hell. If she keeps doing that I’m a goner.” “Do you like having your ass spanked when you have two dicks inside your body? Mine is tunneling in and out of this hot ass and Steven’s is fucking your wet cunt.” “What’s so interesting about a few slaps on my ass?” “Feel it burn, baby. It will make the pleasure so much better.” He tapped her on the other side twice more. She groaned. It burned and made her tighten down on the men. She felt a little tease at her clit when he tapped her ass, but it wasn’t much. Then he popped her twice more on each cheek and she felt the burn begin low in her belly. It spread its tentacles around her womb and into her clit. The more he spanked her, the hotter her fire roared and the tighter her clit felt. She thought that if she could reach it to touch it she would explode. When he popped her twice more then reached between them to her pussy, she knew she was going to fly away. He managed to find her clit and pressed against it twice, sending her screaming their names into oblivion. She was aware of the thunderous

 

Their Independent Bride

37

pleasure that engulfed her and knew when they both shouted out their release, but after that, she knew nothing. Everything went black with little lights blinking all around her. **** “I hope she doesn’t get bent out of shape about passing out during sex,” Steven said. “If she does, we won’t do it again, but I just had to feel that once in case I never feel it again.” Greg gently lowered his body into the extremely warm water with her in his arms. Steven had run the bath full for them to relax in. Steven had already climbed in and was soaping up a cloth. They would soothe and clean their wife between them. It was part of how they enjoyed taking care of their women after sex. There would be no more women in their lives. They had their wife and would be spending all their spare time and energy taking care of her. From the looks of things, it would take both of them to do that, too. She began to stir in his arms once the water crept up over her body. She moaned and wiggled her body in his lap. He winced and lifted her just a bit off of his cock. “What’s going on?” She opened her eyes. “Nothing, love. Just taking a bath to soothe us before bed.” Steven lifted one of her feet and began to bathe her with his soapy cloth. “I can bathe myself.” She didn’t pull her foot back, though. “We know, but we like doing it,” he said. “It feels weird to let someone else clean me up.” Janet really didn’t sound too enthused, but she wasn’t stopping them. He took his cloth and handed it to her. “Why don’t you wash your face, and I’ll get your back and arms?” She nodded and washed her face before rinsing it and handing the cloth back to him. She closed her eyes as they quickly bathed her then opened them again when they merely leaned back in the tub and

 

38

Marla Monroe

rubbed her body with their hands. She seemed to like for them to touch her. That was good, Greg thought. They liked to touch. “Do you think you can trust us with your safety, Janet?” Steven asked after a while. “I don’t know. I think so.” “You don’t really sound convinced. That’s not good. You need to feel like you can one hundred percent so that we aren’t worried about you.” “The twenty-four hours aren’t up yet,” Greg reminded them. “True,” Steven said. “What more is there?” she asked. Greg smiled. She really had no clue what all they could do to her to bring all three of them pleasure. He would enjoy showing her over time, but right now, they needed something that would instill upon her the fact that they wouldn’t hurt her for anything. It needed to be something that would require a great deal of trust. He would have thought that taking her ass would do that, but it hadn’t. He thought hard about it and by the time the water had begun to cool, he had an idea of what to do. He hoped it would work. He was running out of options with how to prove their ability to keep her safe and earn her trust all at the same time. “Let’s get you out of this cold water, baby. Then we’ll work on that trust issue you seem to still have.” Greg stood up, picking her up with him. She squealed and wrapped her legs and arms around him. They quickly and thoroughly dried her off before drying themselves. Then they returned to the massive bed in the other room. Greg helped Janet back up on the bed and had her sit on the edge. Then he rummaged through the chest and found the padded handcuffs. He had her put her hands behind her back where he cuffed them. Steven checked behind him to assure that they weren’t too tight on her wrists. “Now what?” she asked with a frown.

 

Their Independent Bride

39

“Now you learn to trust that we will always take care of you and keep you safe.” Greg placed his cock at her mouth. “Open up, baby, and let me fuck this sassy mouth of yours.” She frowned but opened her mouth to take his already-throbbing cock inside. She immediately began sucking on him. He let her for a few seconds since it felt so damn good, but stopped her soon afterward. “I’ll be fucking your mouth. You just keep it open for me and keep your teeth away from my cock.” He pulled out when she started trying to talk. “I don’t understand? What does fucking my mouth have to do with showing me I can trust you?” “I’m going to be deep-throating you, baby. You have to trust me to let me do that. I promise neither of us will hurt you or choke you to death. We’ll be very careful of you, but without trying to see how far you can take us, we won’t know ’til we try it. You just have to trust us to pull back when we go too far.” Greg smiled at her then tapped her lips with his dick. She rolled her eyes but opened her mouth and swallowed him down deep before pulling back. He grunted but didn’t give her the satisfaction of groaning no matter how much he wanted to. She had to learn that they were the bosses in this dangerous land. They would never hurt her for any reason, but they might hurt her feelings if it kept her safe. He held her head by her hair and began to pump his cock in and out of her mouth, going a little deeper with each thrust until he was deep-throating her over and over again. She was taking it without a problem. Fucking amazing was what she was. Somehow they had to earn her trust so they could assure her she would be safe. It was scaring him that he hadn’t found a way yet. She surprised him by swallowing around his cock while it was deep inside her throat.

 

40

Marla Monroe

“Fuck! Hell yeah. Do that again, baby.” His voice came out husky. She swallowed around him again then raked her teeth lightly down his dick. Greg exploded in her throat like a schoolkid with no control. Damn, she wasn’t like any sub they had ever played with. That’s just it, you idiot. She’s not some sub I’m playing with. She’s my fucking wife for the rest of my life. Hell, what was he going to do? They were running out of time. They needed to be able to trust that she would follow their directions while they were out on the house site working. “That was so fucking hot to watch,” Steven said. He unlocked the cuffs and massaged her wrists. Greg fought for breath as he watched Steven smooth his hands up and down her arms. She looked entirely too pleased with herself for making him lose control. He swallowed and shook his head. This shouldn’t be a contest of who could outdo the other. “Steven, let Janet ride you, man.” “Greg? Are you sure it’s not too soon?” “I’m sure.” He leaned in toward Janet and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Climb on top of him, baby, and go for a ride.” She cocked her head as if trying to read what was on his mind. Then she shrugged and climbed over on top of Steven and slowly slid down his cock until her pussy had sucked him all the way inside her. Greg had to close his eyes to the sight in order to regain control once again.

 

Their Independent Bride

41

Chapter Five Janet sighed as Steven’s thick cock filled her aching cunt. She couldn’t believe she was already so turned on after the orgasms from earlier. Her pussy was dripping wet, and it eased the way for Steven’s cockzilla. She turned to see what Greg was up to and found that he’d left the room. For some reason, this bothered her. She felt like she had failed him somehow. She had taken his cock in her throat and given him one of the best orgasms she knew how to give a man. Had that not been what he wanted? Idiot! He wants me to trust him—them. That’s what all of this has been about. Do I trust them? What’s different now than a few hours ago? She let them master her in ways she’d never let another man. She had taken men to the back of her throat before, but she was always in total control when she did it. She’d had anal sex before, but never allowed herself to enjoy it and then pass out afterwards. Hadn’t that taken a great amount of trust to be totally at their mercy while she had been unconscious? Janet was so caught up in her thoughts that she forgot to move. Steven was looking up at her with an odd expression. “What?” “You look like there’s something important on your mind.” Steven held his hands lightly on her hips. “I suppose I was thinking too hard. Sorry. I didn’t mean to spoil the moment.”

 

42

Marla Monroe

“Honey, if you’re thinking about what I think you’re thinking about, then I’m happy. Sex is great, but things like trust are much more important in any marriage, especially ours.” “I won’t be bossed around, Steven. I’ve taken care of myself for too many years to just secede control to two men I really know nothing about. It’s going to take time, but I’m willing to work at it.” “That’s all we want, honey. If you’ll work at trusting us and following our directions where it concerns your health and safety, we can work around everything else.” “Tell that to Greg. He’s a lot more controlling than you are.” “You caught onto that, did you?” Steven chuckled. “I’m not a submissive, Steven.” “Actually, I think you are. You’ve had to take care of yourself so long that you’ve buried that part of you. I think over time that we can coax that part of you back out. But that’s for another time. Right now, I’m still hard as a rock and in the juiciest pussy there is. Squeeze me, baby. Let me feel your cunt muscles milk my cock.” Janet smirked and squeezed him until his eyes rolled back in his head. “Damn! You could crack a nut with those muscles. Do it again, baby. Yeah, just like that. Aw, fuck!” Janet laughed and began riding him in long, slow moves. She lifted up using her knees and feet before sliding back down just as slowly. Soon, he was shoving his cock up to meet her. Their rhythm began to stutter as both of them grew close to orgasm. She reached up and began to pinch and pull on her nipples as he reached between them to stimulate her clit. In less than a minute, they both shouted out their climax before collapsing together on the bed. Janet figured she wasn’t helping Steven’s breathing any by lying on top of him, but she honestly didn’t have the strength to move. When he turned them both on their sides, she sighed and snuggled up against him. They were still joined with their combined juices sliding down their legs.

 

Their Independent Bride

43

“We’d better clean up before we leave a major wet spot on the bed.” Steven gently pulled out of her and rolled over to the edge of the bed. “Come on, lazy.” Janet smiled and followed him to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and adjusted the water before stepping in. She followed him and watched as he began to soap up. He showered with a minimum of wasted movement. It didn’t take him long to finish. “Want me to clean you up, baby?” “No. I was just watching you. I like looking at you. Your body is gorgeous. Both of you have amazing bodies. I could look at them all day long.” “Well, you can look at mine anytime you want to. For now, though, you need to hurry up and clean up before the water turns cold. I don’t want you to catch pneumonia.” Janet smiled and began to clean up. She thought again about Greg leaving the room and wondered where he had gone and what he was thinking. No doubt he was pissed at her and cursing that he had been saddled with someone like her. The thought of him not wanting her hurt. She frowned and finished in a hurry. Steven was waiting for her with a towel. He quickly dried her off in between quick kisses and teasing pokes with his semihard cock. “You can’t be horny again already.” “Speak for yourself, baby. I’m always ready for more.” Janet laughed and shook her head. “Do you know where Greg went?” Steven’s face fell. “Don’t worry about him right now, baby. He’s busy sorting through everything. Give him some time.” “But he’s a part of this. We all need to handle it together. Isn’t that what a family does?” “Yes, but you have to remember, he’s a Dominant, and he’s used to what he says being law. I’m a little more relaxed. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you if you do something stupid and put yourself in danger. I’m serious about that.”

 

44

Marla Monroe

“I’m not planning on getting into anything dangerous. I like to avoid it at all costs. I think that your idea of danger and mine aren’t the same thing, though. Maybe we need to talk about it some.” “We’ll talk more about it tomorrow. Right now, I’m ready for bed.” “What about Greg?” “He’ll come up soon. Don’t worry about him.” Janet couldn’t help but worry. She didn’t want them to have a rift in their marriage. Especially at this early date. **** Greg ran a hand through his hair as he stared out the kitchen window. With two moons, the night was bright and seemed almost alive. Between them, they chased away most of the shadows and revealed anything that moved. What was he going to do about Janet? She seemed willing to work at it, but working at it was a far cry from trusting them. They would be working soon, and he would worry the entire time that something would happen to her while they were gone. Something had to work. The two things he knew required trust in a sub hadn’t worked on her, though. What was left? He didn’t particularly want to use the single tail on her. He wasn’t a fan of pain, and he doubted she would stand for it. Steven would balk as well. No, that wasn’t the answer. So what was? He paced back and forth across the moonlit kitchen floor and worried. He looked up at a sound from the direction of the stairs, and Steven walked into the room. “Where is Janet?” “Sleeping. She’s wiped. I am, too, for that matter.” “What’s on your mind?

 

Their Independent Bride

45

“You, us. She was hurt that you left, Greg. I know you’re trying to come to grips with the situation, but walking out during sex sure as hell isn’t the way to do it.” “Fuck, Steven! Don’t you think I know that? I had to go, or I was going to say something that would have made things worse.” “Hell, I don’t even want to know,” Steven said. “Man, what are we going to do? I can’t handle leaving her every day not knowing if she’s going to end up hurt or worse—dead.” “I don’t think you need to worry. I think she’s realizing that she does trust us. She was thinking awful hard earlier instead of fucking me. I had to rouse her out of it. Needless to say, it hurt my feelings that she could space out during sex without being in subspace. Know what I mean?” “Cut it out, Steven. What do you mean? Does she or doesn’t she?” Gregg shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I think she does. She just had to process everything. We pretty much put her through the ringer, Greg. She wasn’t able to think when you asked her earlier. She’d just woken up from passing out after sex. That had to be a little bit disorienting.” “Maybe you’re right.” Greg sighed. “You really think she’s going to trust us enough to mind us?” “About her safety, yeah. I foresee a lot of arguments in our future on everything else, though. She’s very independent and used to doing things her way. It’s going to take patience.” Greg shook his head. Most of the patience would be coming from him. Steven had plenty of it. He wasn’t so sure that Janet was too long on patience, either. The two of them were going to be at odds an awful lot. “Come on to bed, man. If she wakes up and both of us are gone, we’re going to lose what little ground we’ve gained.” “I’m right behind you.” Greg followed Steven out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the master bedroom.

 

46

Marla Monroe

Janet lay sprawled out across the bed almost sideways. He grinned. She was going to be one problem after another, but hell to live without. He already found himself caring about her a lot more than he had anticipated. No doubt Steven was well on his way to falling in love. Shaking his head, he grinned across the bed at Steven and they carefully scooted her back toward the middle so that they could climb in bed next to her. She grumbled and frowned in her sleep but didn’t open her eyes. Even when the bed dipped on either side of her, she didn’t wake up. Yep, they had worn her out. Maybe that was the answer to most of their problems—wear her out every night so that she was too tired to get into trouble the next day. He couldn’t help smiling at that thought. It wasn’t practical and would never fly with Janet. She’d figure it out in a second. With that last thought, he snuggled up closer to her and closed his eyes and fell asleep. **** Steven stretched and yawned the next morning before turning over to see that he was in the bed with Greg and Janet was nowhere to be seen. He groaned and rolled out of bed. He hated it when a woman left them in bed together. It just wasn’t right. He kicked the mattress. “Get up, Greg. Janet is already up. We need to see where she is.” “What?” The other man rubbed his eyes and sat up looking around. “Come on. We need to get dressed and see where she’s gotten off to.” Greg cursed and climbed out of bed, grabbing his jeans as he headed for the bathroom. Steven sighed. He should have waited to wake him up until he’d had the bathroom first. Instead, he dressed and then took his turn before following Greg downstairs to look for Janet. For her sake, he hoped she hadn’t gone outside alone.

 

Their Independent Bride

47

They found her in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee with breakfast sizzling on the stove. She smiled when they walked in, and then frowned at the intense expression on Greg’s face. “What?” “Um, nothing. We just didn’t know where you were.” Greg tried to cover up the anxiety that had probably bled through in the looks on their faces. She cocked her head and started to say something, but she changed her mind and stood up instead. “Breakfast is about ready. I hope you like steak and potatoes. It’s going to take me some time to get used to cooking with what we have. We’re having currick again to replace the potatoes.” Steven pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She turned startled green eyes up at him. He guessed she really hadn’t expected him to show affection outside of the bedroom. She wasn’t a virgin by any means, but she acted as if no one had ever shown her any love before. Greg smiled and assured her that whatever she cooked would be fine with them. “We’re not picky. We’re used to living off our own cooking and neither one of us can cook worth a damn.” Steven let her go and helped himself to a cup of coffee, and then he poured one for Greg. They sat at the table and discussed plowing the garden. They remembered to include Janet in the conversation. “I’ll show you where I want it. A lot depends on the sun. We don’t have many trees around. If what those are out there are really trees. They look like something out of a kid’s coloring book. Whoever heard of blue trees?” She seemed to be nervous. She was rambling a bit. Steven had thought kissing her would show her that everything was fine. Instead, it seemed to fluster her even more. There was no telling with women. He sighed and sipped his coffee.

 

48

Marla Monroe

“Yeah, it looked like a rainbow on the way in yesterday. I’ve never seen so many colors on trees before that weren’t in the leaves,” Steven said. “Baby, while we’re gone every day, we want you to stay inside except when you’re working in the garden, okay?” Greg asked. “That’s probably a good idea. I can do that. I don’t want to tempt fate.” Steven could feel the relief roll off of Greg that she had agreed. If only everything would go this smoothly. He almost laughed out loud at that thought. He doubted there would be much that did. He watched her eyes crinkle when she smiled. He loved seeing her smile and realized that he was quickly falling in love with her. “While you’re looking over the plow thingy, I’m going to clean up the kitchen, and then I’ll show you where I want the garden.” She got up and gathered the dishes to take to the sink. Greg opened his mouth and Steven cringed. He already knew what he was going to say. “Don’t come outside until we come get you.” She placed the dishes carefully in the sink then slowly turned around. Her face was as void of expression as was possible. “I’m not a child. I can go outside by myself. I wasn’t planning to run around the yard shouting for something to come get me.” “Greg!” Steven warned. “I didn’t think you would. I just don’t want you outside without one of us with you until we know more about this place.” “Then why didn’t you say that? Don’t give me orders like I’m your employee. I’m not! I’m your wife and a human being.” She slammed her hands on her hips and fumed up at the big man. Steven winced. He had no idea how Greg was going to take the outright challenge she’d thrown at him. He saw the spark in his eyes before he took a deep breath and blew it out.

 

Their Independent Bride

49

“I’m sorry, Janet. You’re right. You’re our wife. I’m trying, but you’re going to have to help me out and not fly off the handle when I make a mistake, too. Can you do that for me?” She pursed her lips and seemed to be thinking it over. Steven prayed she would realize just how much of a concession Greg had made in apologizing to her. In all the time that they had shared women, he had never heard Greg apologize for being the way he was. “You’re right. I tend to speak before I think about it when I’m angry. I’ll try to point out the error in your logic in a nicer way.” She smiled and seemed to wait to see how he would react. “I’m sure you will point them out. So, we’re going out to check on the tractor and will be back in to get you in a few minutes. You can show us where to plow and we’ll get it started.” Steven let out his breath. He hadn’t even realized he had been holding it. They had made it past their first hurdle. All he could do was hope that things would get easier along the way and not harder. He followed Greg outside after dropping a quick kiss on top of Janet’s head. He could tell the other man needed silence, so he held his tongue. He didn’t have long to wait. “She’s going to be the death of me. Write that on my tombstone. But as God is my witness, I’m already half in love with her.” Greg started up the plow and drove it out of the shed leaving Steven to follow on foot.

 

50

Marla Monroe

Chapter Six Janet let out a breath once the men had closed the door behind them. She couldn’t believe Greg had backed down like that. Maybe he really was trying to work with her. She sure hadn’t helped matters by jumping on him like she had. She needed to think before she flew off the handle like that again. It wasn’t fair to expect him to do all the changing. She made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen and washing the dishes. She heard the tractor about the time she had finished and started to go out on the back porch to meet the men when she remembered that she had promised to wait inside for them. It aggravated her to wait for them like an obedient dog, but she would do it. As long as they were less demanding in other areas, she was willing to give on the issue of her safety. They did have her best interests at heart. The door opened and Steven walked in with a giant smile on his face. “Ready, love? Greg has the tractor primed and ready.” “I’ve got my drawings right here in my pocket.” She pulled them out and handed them to Steven. He took them and grabbed her hand to pull her out the door. She laughed and followed him. He was in a good mood for some reason. She wasn’t about to ruin it. She just hoped that Greg was as well. They stepped out onto the back porch. The spring day enveloped them in pleasing smells of flowers and bright sunshine. The sound of the tractor drowned out the eerie silence that she had learned was because there were very few bugs and no birds at all on the planet.

 

Their Independent Bride

51

She wasn’t sure how she would get used to no birdsongs or crickets chirping, but she supposed it would happen over time. Greg sat on the tractor waiting for her to give him directions. She could tell he was antsy to get started. She looked up at Steven and pointed out toward the back. “I need to walk out there to find the spot.” He nodded and walked with her as she looked from the back of the house to the line of trees and judged where the best place would be. Finally, she was satisfied with her choice and explained it to Steven. He nodded and motioned for her to head back to the house. “You can sit on the front porch and watch, but don’t get off the porch without us. Like I said, we don’t know enough yet about the planet to be sure of what is safe. I’m going to be walking the area to check for poisonous plants for you to avoid.” He almost had to yell to be heard over the sound of the tractor idling in the background. Janet drew in a deep breath and nodded. She could sit on the porch. There really wasn’t anything she could do while they plowed the garden anyway. Planting time would have her out there soon enough. She hurried back to the porch and sat in one of the rocking chairs to watch the men. After an hour of watching Greg plow and Steven walk around, she was bored and wanted something to do. She walked the length of the porch several times and started to walk down the steps on more than one occasion. Then Steven would look up as if knowing she was thinking of disobeying him. She huffed out a breath and decided to go inside and fix them something to drink. She was sure they would be thirsty. She quickly brewed some iced tea and poured two glasses. She was about to carry them outside when Steven stepped inside. “I wondered where you had gotten off to. Here, let me help you with that.” He took the iced tea from her and walked toward the door. “If you’ll open the door, I can carry Greg his.”

 

52

Marla Monroe

“I want to go with you. I can’t stand sitting on that stupid porch by myself.” “Come on. Just don’t wander off. There are quite a few dangerous plants around here that I’m going to have to get rid of. I don’t want there to be any chance you might get mixed up with one of them.” “Are they the same ones that we studied about on the shuttle? I think I can stay away from them on my own.” She didn’t like that he assumed she wasn’t smart enough to stay away from them. “They are. I figured you could point them out without a problem, but I want them out of the area. What happens when we have children? If we don’t get a start on them now, we might not get them all.” Janet froze. Children? She hadn’t thought about that. She really hadn’t thought much past herself and realized she was being childish and selfish all at the same time. “Good idea.” She managed to get out around the lump in her throat. “Come on. You can let Greg know that he’s doing a good job when you give him his tea.” Steven urged her forward once again. Greg stopped the tractor and cut the engine when they walked up to the edge of the freshly plowed ground. It was turned under but still needed quite a bit of plowing before it would be ready for a garden. Janet could see sweat beading on Greg’s forehead. Even though it was spring, the sun was hot and the heat from the tractor’s engine shimmered around him. She watched him climb down and smiled at him. “Thanks, that looks good.” He took the glass from Steven but looked at her. “How about a kiss, baby?” She smiled and walked over to kiss him then stopped in midstride. “Wait. You’re all smelly and wet. I don’t think I want to have to take a shower this early in the day,” she teased. “I can kiss you without getting you all messy. Just lean up a little and purse those pretty lips for me.”

 

Their Independent Bride

53

She giggled and leaned forward. He leaned down and took her lips in a scorching kiss that rocked her world. She wasn’t even aware until later that she had plastered herself to his sweaty body and wrapped her arms around him. His lips devoured hers, eating at her mouth with teeth and lips and tongue. When he slowly pulled from her embrace, a satisfied grin stretched his face. Knowing eyes sparkled as she pulled away with a frown. He’d known what he was doing. “I suppose you think it’s funny that I’m going to have to take a shower and change clothes before I can fix your lunch.” She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Now, baby. I didn’t touch you—” he began. “It was just supposed to be a quick kiss, not a scorching prelude to sex on the grass,” she interrupted him. “Oh, well, if you want to get naked right here, I’m game.” He started unbuttoning his jeans. “Oh, you!” She stuck her tongue out at him and stomped back toward the house. She could hear them laughing as she slammed the kitchen door. She wasn’t really mad, just miffed that she’d fallen so completely under his spell this easily. It wouldn’t take much for her to learn to love them. They were stubborn and bossy but funny and gentle all at the same time. Even Greg, with his overwhelming personality, had his moments. She talked to herself all the way upstairs to shower off and change clothes. She couldn’t believe she wasn’t as mad as a wet cat at him. Instead she found herself smiling and even chuckling at the way she looked when she saw herself in the mirror. Moisture plastered her top to her chest where her nipples were poking through the bra and wet shirt. There was a line of dirt around the area and another circle of dirt around her mouth and on her cheeks. She made out a dirty handprint on her shoulder. Yeah, he’d touched her all right. Never mind the over-the-top kiss.

 

54

Marla Monroe

Janet stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower. She couldn’t decide whether she needed to be mad at him or laugh it off. Part of her wanted to slam him for using sex against her, while another part of her wanted to forgive and forget. After all, all he had done was kiss her. She’d done the rest, which only showed how much she enjoyed his kisses. While she soaped up and sponged off, she planned a quick lunch of soup and cracked bread. She could have the bread made in about an hour. By then, they would be ready for another break. She wouldn’t make the same mistake of kissing either one of them a second time, though. With that, she stepped out of the shower and dried off. After dressing, she hurried to the kitchen and started prepping the bread. When they came in a little over an hour later, she had everything ready for them. “Stop right there, and take those dirty boots off before you track it all over the house.” The men stared down guiltily at their dirt-crusted boots and stepped out of them before continuing to the washroom to clean up. She smiled and set the table while they washed their hands. Once they had finished lunch, it was decided that the men would switch places and Steven would plow during the afternoon. She wondered what Greg was going to do. He announced that he planned to take a shower and clean up. “Want to take another one with me and scrub my back, baby?” “I think I’ve had enough showers for the day. You go right ahead and get cleaned up. I’m going to read for a while, I think.” She backed away from him as he advanced on her. “How about a kiss before I go shower?” “Not on your life. You got your kiss earlier.” He took another two steps toward her. She backed up then turned and ran to the living room.

 

Their Independent Bride

55

He chased after her but only halfheartedly. She easily escaped him and circled around the couch. He feigned left but went right. She managed to escape him by a thread. She laughed and ran back into the kitchen to put the table between them this time. “Okay, okay. I am going to take my shower now. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.” Greg turned and headed for the stairs. Janet didn’t trust him and remained where she was until she heard the shower cut on above. She grinned. He had a playful streak in him she hadn’t expected. Earlier had been a small glimpse. She found her book and curled up on the couch to read. Thirty minutes later, a much cleaner Greg bounded down the stairs to the living room. He looked like a Greek god with his hair still wet and his chest bare. She couldn’t help but stare at him. He smiled, catching her ogling him. “Come sit in my lap while you read, baby. I want to hold you.” She started to say no and go back to reading, but she really wanted to and wasn’t one to deny herself when she really wanted something. Besides, he hadn’t said it in a demanding voice. He sounded like he really wanted to hold her. Janet unfolded her legs and got up from the couch to follow him over to one of the recliners. He sat down and pulled her down on his lap before he reclined the chair. She settled against his chest but found that she couldn’t read in that position. She closed her book and relaxed. He held her in his arms and rubbed his hands up and down her body. Before long, she was having trouble keeping her eyes open and soon nodded off to sleep. The sensation of movement roused her from a light sleep. She opened her eyes and found that Greg was carrying her upstairs. She gasped and grabbed hold of him. “Easy, Janet. I won’t drop you.” “Sorry, it just startled me to wake up like this.” “Just hold on and don’t move. We’re almost there.”

 

56

Marla Monroe

She closed her eyes again and let him carry her to the bedroom where he carefully laid her on the bed. She opened her eyes when the bed dipped. He was removing his shoes. Then he stood up and pulled off his jeans. He was gloriously nude under them. She couldn’t help but stare at his amazing body. “Let’s get your clothes off, baby. I want to take a nap, and having you naked next to me is a dream come true.” He kissed her on the nose and began to undress her. She was so taken aback by his admission that she didn’t fight him on removing her clothes. Instead, she helped him and was soon as naked as he was. They climbed beneath the covers and Greg pulled her over on top of him. She rested her head on his shoulder and quickly drifted off to sleep. **** Janet woke slowly to the feel of a tongue at her breast. She yawned and stretched with a little squeak. When teeth closed over her nipple and bit down just a little, her squeak turned into an ow! “’Bout time you woke up, sleepyhead. I didn’t think I would ever get you to open those pretty green eyes for me.” Greg smiled and then licked her nipple where he’d bitten it. She moaned and thrust her chest toward him. He took advantage of it and sucked in more of her breast while manipulating her other nipple with his fingers. “Mmm that feels so good.” She ran a hand through his hair. He continued with his assault of her breasts while she dug and flexed her fingers at his scalp. When he didn’t complain, she knew he enjoyed it as much as she did. She pulled on his hair to try and move him down her body. He chuckled but didn’t let her lead. Instead, he pulled back and just stared down at her. “You’re not getting your way in everything, precious.”

 

Their Independent Bride

57

“I don’t think I’m getting my way in much of anything right now.” She pouted. “Don’t be too sure of that. I didn’t want you outside at all today. Not until we knew more about the area. You got away with murder there, baby.” “I’m careful, Greg. I don’t take unnecessary chances. I promise.” “Let’s not talk anymore about that. I’m more interested in something else right now.” “Need I ask what?” Janet grinned. “Put your hands over your head for me and don’t move them no matter what.” Janet figured she could do that. She lifted her hands and held onto the mattress behind her as he slowly made his way down her body. He licked and kissed his way down her chest, her abdomen, and her pelvis until he got to her mound. There he settled himself between her legs and looked up at her from his position at her pussy. “Keep your hands above your head for me.” She nodded and waited for whatever he would do next. She figured she could only profit from this. When he licked her pussy from her slit to her clit, she moaned and wiggled her pelvis. Holding her hands above her head wasn’t such a big deal. She changed that thought when he began to nibble at her pussy lips and tease her slit with his finger. The more he played, the more difficult it became to keep them there. Greg seemed to be out to make her move them. He teased and played with her pussy, shoving a finger into her wet cunt and skimming around her hot spots without really ever touching them. She began to fuss at him which soon turned to curses. “Damn you, Greg. Stop fucking around and suck my clit!” “Cursing isn’t allowed, Janet. I’m going to have to punish you for that.” “Fuck you!”

 

58

Marla Monroe

He spanked her pussy, and she roared in outrage until she realized it felt good. In fact, she figured if he would do that a few more times, she could come. She continued her naughty tirade, and he spanked her again and again then stopped and backed away from her. “You’re not going to get me to spank you till you come, you little minx.” He grinned and walked back up her body to take her mouth. When she would have wrapped her arms around him, he pulled back and shook his head. “Keep those hands up there, baby.” Janet groaned but returned them to the mattress. She latched onto Greg’s mouth as soon as he lowered it to hers. Even the taste of herself on his lips didn’t lessen her need to kiss him. She licked along his teeth then across the roof of his mouth in her quest for more. He slid his tongue alongside hers then fought her for control. She let him have it. She was much more interested in coming than controlling. “Easy, baby.” Greg pulled back. “I’ll take care of you. Just relax and let me love you.” Janet froze at that. She hadn’t expected to hear those types of words from his mouth. He didn’t seem to notice her reaction. Instead, he slid back down her body, licking as he went. Heat followed him wherever he touched her. Her skin flamed at each tender caress of his tongue. When he reached her sodden pussy once again, she willed herself to remain still so he wouldn’t stop again. “Please, Greg. I need you.” “You’ll have me soon, baby.” He lapped at her wet pussy then slowly inserted two fingers into her cunt where he searched for her hot spot. When he located it, he stroked it until she was standing at a great precipice waiting for something to send her flying over the edge. He pumped his fingers in and out of her pussy as he licked around her clit, growing closer and closer with each circle. Finally, he laid the flat of his tongue over it and pressed. She exploded with pleasure. Her body bowed as multiple sensations bombarded her.

 

Their Independent Bride

59

Suddenly, Greg was flipping her over and positioning her so that he could enter her from behind. She held herself up with her hands and knees though her arms quivered from her recent climax. Then he was slowly pushing his way inside her. She was swollen from her orgasm, and he had to work to enter her. “Fuck, you’re tight, baby. You’re like a skintight glove over my dick.” He pulled out and surged back in over and over until he was balls deep in her cunt. They slapped at her pussy when he reached the end of her. He bumped against her cervix, creating a wonderful bite of pain that sent shivers down her spine. When she moaned, he grunted and pulled out to do it all again. “Oh, God! Yes!” “Your cunt is squeezing my cock like a vise. Do that again, baby. Yeah!” Janet clamped down on his dick as he tunneled in and out of her pussy. When he bumped against her cervix she screamed and bucked against him. It felt so freaking good. She arched her back and thrust back against his body as he hammered into her over and over. It was wild and dirty sex. She felt her climax building from the tiny spark it started as to a roaring inferno that raged out of control. “Aw, hell, Janet. You’re so fucking tight.” He continued plunging in and out of her pussy. Janet felt him reach around her. His finger tapped at her clit once, twice, and she exploded. Sparks burned along her skin as she came within a heartbeat of flying for real. Then Greg was growling and grew still behind her. She felt his cum, hot and thick, coat her womb. He bent over her and bit her shoulder as he filled her body with his seed. She collapsed on the bed panting like a dog. She fought for her breath and could tell that Greg was in as bad a shape as she was. He rolled off of her as he pulled out of her still-spasming body. “Fuck!”

 

60

Marla Monroe

Janet grinned. She could agree with him on that. Now if only they could agree on everything else in their new lives.

 

Their Independent Bride

61

Chapter Seven Janet woke up to the sound of Greg snoring next to her. She had to stifle a laugh in fear she would wake him up. She had to work at untangling her body from his without rousing him. She needed to get downstairs and start on supper. It would be dark soon and Steven would be coming inside. Once she had extracted herself from Greg’s sleeping form, she rinsed off and dressed. Then she hurried downstairs and started working in the kitchen. She’d only been there for about thirty minutes when Steven walked in and pulled off his boots. He looked worn out and ready to drop. “Hey, love. Something smells good.” He walked over and bent to kiss her. “Why don’t you go take a shower and get comfortable? I’ll have supper ready soon. You can wake up Greg while you are up there. He’s a sleepyhead.” “Ah, like that, is it? I missed out.” He grinned and kissed her nose. “I’ll roust the slacker.” Janet smiled as he disappeared from the kitchen. She heard his footsteps on the stairs as he climbed them to reach the second level. He was so much easier to deal with than Greg in so many ways, but she knew he would be just as hard if she did something after she had promised not to. Things were going to be difficult at first while they felt each other out. Nearly an hour later, she had everything ready and was just about to call up the stairs when the men could be heard coming down. She

 

62

Marla Monroe

waited for them to stick their heads in the kitchen and wasn’t disappointed when Steven walked in. “Supper about ready?” “Yeah, come on in and sit down. Where’s Greg?” “He’ll be right here. He wanted to get something from the office.” Steven took a seat at the table and a few seconds later, Greg joined them. They discussed the garden and how far Steven had managed to get. “Should be able to row it up in the morning. Then we can get down to planting,” Steven said. “I’ll get to planting. You two have done enough. You can see about your supplies and such for work.” “Baby, we’ll help you while we can. You won’t have us once we start working. You’ll have to harvest by yourself,” Greg said. “Fine, you can help. I’ll tell you where to plant, though. You have to follow my directions. I’ve been planning this for six months now.” “Yes, ma’am,” Greg and Steven both agreed. Somehow, Janet didn’t believe they would listen to her if they took a notion to override her directions. She would be fighting with them for sure before the day was over with. Still, she would welcome their help. It was backbreaking work to bend over and seed the ground. She still couldn’t get over the rich, red color of the dirt. It didn’t seem real. Of course, a lot of things didn’t seem real on this planet. “What are you thinking about over there, love?” Steven asked. “Just that there is so much about Alpha that we don’t know and so much that is weird, like the different color trees and the lack of birds.” “That’s why we have to be so careful here. We don’t know anything about the planet. I don’t care what they tried to teach us on the shuttle. It’s obvious that they didn’t know that much about it either. I’m beginning to think that all they checked was to see if it was inhabitable and that was it.” Greg stood up and carried his empty dishes to the sink.

 

Their Independent Bride

63

“I’m with you on that one.” Steven followed suit. “We haven’t seen that dog-looking thing again since yesterday. Maybe it won’t be back.” Janet started washing the dishes. “I wouldn’t count on that. It was curious. It will be back. I don’t want you anywhere around it.” Greg squeezed her shoulders, and then turned and followed Steven into the living room. She could hear them continue their conversation in the other room but couldn’t make out the words. It irked her that they assumed she didn’t need to know anything other than what they told her. She hurried up with the dishes so that she could join them. Then she walked in the room and they went quiet with smiles on their faces. “What?” she asked. “Nothing. We were just talking about work.” Greg reached out a hand for her. She walked over to where he sat in his recliner and climbed up in the chair with him. He held her close to him, smoothing his hand down her arm. “Don’t stop just because I’m here. I want to know what you’re talking about, too.” “Just going over the plans for building the house. We hope that the others will want to start the same way we do so that it will be easier for the four of us to work together,” Steven said. “Do you know them very well?” “We spent a good bit of time on the shuttle with them in classes, but other than that, we’d never met them before. They’re nice enough guys from what I could tell.” “I liked their wife, Carmen. She was really nice. I can’t wait to see her again. When are we having them over?” “In two days. I figure that gives us all time to get the garden in and relax some before we visit. I thought having them over here would be a good idea.” Greg shifted her on his lap. Janet could feel his cock long and thick against her hip. He was obviously aroused once again. She couldn’t believe it. How could he

 

64

Marla Monroe

be ready for sex again so soon? Well, it had been more than three hours. Most men she knew couldn’t go more than once or twice in a twelve-hour period. She was impressed and quite happy to have them as her husbands. “What are you grinning about over there?” Steven asked her. “Nothing. I’m just anxious to see Carmen again. It’s a shame we live so far apart.” “I suppose you can talk to each other over the radios occasionally, and when you’re not busy with the garden, you could visit with her all day while we are at work.” Greg seemed to be thinking hard on how to accommodate her wanting to visit with Carmen more. “That would be wonderful. I would enjoy that.” “Let’s get ready for bed. Morning will be here before you know it.” Steven stood up and stretched before pulling Janet out of Greg’s lap and carrying her up the stairs. Janet began undressing as soon as Steven let her slide to the floor in the bedroom. Since everyone had already had a shower, she grabbed the bathroom before they did and hurried through her nightly ritual so they could have it. Then she climbed in the bed under the covers and waited on them. She hoped they hurried since the sheets were a little on the cool side. Greg slid into bed next to her and pulled her into his arms as soon as he was settled. “Hmm, you smell delicious. I think I might want a second helping of you, baby.” “Are you always this horny?” “Just around you. You bring out the worst in me.” “You can say that again.” She rolled over in his arms and stared up at him. “Kiss me, Janet. I want to feel your lips on mine.” She reached up and pulled his head down to her so that she could reach him and then pressed her lips to his. When he didn’t immediately open, she nipped at his lower lip. He growled at her but

 

Their Independent Bride

65

opened his mouth. She licked along his lips then around the inside. His tongue reached out to trace hers as she sucked on it. He couldn’t resist taking over the kiss. She had known he would. When he pulled back a few seconds later, Steven had joined them in the bed. The other man lay on his side watching them with a smile on his face. “What are you grinning about?” she asked. “Just thinking about that sweet pussy of yours. I plan to bury my cock in it just as soon as Greg finishes playing around with you.” “On your hands and knees, baby. Let Steven have your pussy while I fuck this naughty mouth of yours.” “Yummy.” She quickly turned over so that Steven had easy access to her cunt. Then she leaned forward and licked Greg’s engorged cock like an all-day sucker. She lapped at the length of him before curling the tip of her tongue under the mushroom cap to rim around it until he groaned. Janet smiled when a pearly drop of cum formed in the slit on top of his dick. She ran her tongue across it, making Greg hiss when she did. To hide her smile, she sucked his cockhead into her mouth and swirled her tongue around it until he was pumping his hips in the same rhythm. She had all but forgotten Steven behind her until he licked her pussy slit in one long lap. She groaned around Greg’s cock. The raspy vibration seemed to feel good to him. He cursed and began digging his hands in her hair. She loved the feel of hands in her hair. She especially liked it when they tugged on it as Greg was beginning to do now. “I’m going to fuck this wet pussy, love. It’s all juicy and waiting on me. Watch your teeth on Greg while I get inside of you.” Steven began to push against her slit, spreading her pussy lips wide as he tunneled his way inside of her. She drew off of Greg as he began to pump in and out in short, quick jabs in an effort to seat

 

66

Marla Monroe

himself inside of her. The harder he thrust, the more she scooted toward Greg. She licked and nibbled along Greg’s shaft while Steven pressed deeper inside her cunt. When he was finally all the way inside, his balls slapping at her clit, she took Greg’s cock back into her mouth and swallowed him as far as she could take him without gagging. “There you go, baby. Just like that.” Greg groaned when she swallowed again. “Hold still and let me fuck that pretty mouth, baby.” Janet figured there was no holding still with Steven pumping her pussy with his dick, but she would give it her best shot. She relaxed her jaw and let Greg fuck her as he held her hair in his fingers. His nails scraped at her scalp before tugging against the roots. She hummed her approval. Steven set a fast pace as he got into a steady rhythm of stroking himself in and out of her pussy. Neither man seemed to want to drag it out. She could appreciate that and worked hard at remaining relaxed for them. The dual penetration of her mouth and her pussy all at the same time had her pussy dripping and her nipples hard and aching. Sparks danced around her cervix as Steven kissed it several times with his hard cock. “Baby, play with yourself for us. We want you to come. Make yourself come.” Greg’s voice was harsh as he seemed to be getting close to climaxing. Janet didn’t have to be told twice. She reached between her legs and began to circle her clit with one finger. She teased it with her finger then reached back up to pinch at her nipples. Back and forth, she alternated between pleasuring her clit and teasing her breasts. She could tell that Greg was close because he was losing the rhythm he’d set. Steven wasn’t that far behind him. She knew with Steven that all it would take was for her to come and he’d follow right afterward from the pressure of her pulsing cunt. Greg needed a little shove to send him over first. She waited until he

 

Their Independent Bride

67

was on his way back down her throat, then she raked her nails lightly across his balls and squeezed them. “Fuck! Oh, hell, yeah!” Streams of cum coated her mouth and throat as he climaxed. She sucked and licked until she had managed to swallow every drop. He pulled from her mouth and collapsed against the headboard before he reached out and squeezed her nipple. With his attention now on her breasts, Janet concentrated on her clit. When the burn in her cunt had grown hot enough and the sparks at her clit sharp enough, she pinched the little nubbin at the same time that Greg twisted her nipple. She exploded, clamping down on Steven’s cock at the same time. “Yes!” He shouted out her name and filled her burning womb with his cum. They all fell back to the bed in a haphazard heap of panting bodies with Janet caught between the two men. “Move, you guys, I need up.” She shifted from beneath them and made a quick trip to the bathroom to clean up. When she returned, they were hugging their sides of the bed waiting for her to slide in between them. Greg spooned her from behind and kissed her shoulder while Steven backed up to her and pulled her arm across his waist. He kissed the back of her hand and squeezed it. Between the two of them, they had worn her out. She was going to need more rest if they planned to have sex two or three times a day. With an amused smile, she quickly fell asleep.

 

68

Marla Monroe

Chapter Eight By ten the next morning, they were ready to plant. The deep red soil had been thoroughly plowed and was now rowed up and ready for the seed. This part was Janet’s job. She quickly set up her work area so that the seeds were lined up with the rows she planned to sow them in. Her only problem seemed to be the men. They insisted they wanted to help. “I really don’t need any help with this part. It’s just a matter of dropping the seeds and covering them up.” “At least let us cover them for you. We’ll go behind you and do that part.” Greg seemed to be the ring leader of everything. “But I can do it all myself. You’ve already done the hardest parts. Let me do my part now.” “Love, let us help. We won’t be around to help you later when you really need it,” Steven added his thoughts to the mix. “Fine. Just don’t put too much dirt and press it down lightly. Don’t press it hard.” “We’ll be careful,” Greg said. They followed her up and down the rows, covering the seeds and tamping down the soil over them. She stopped frequently to assess their work and pronounced it adequate, much to Greg’s annoyance. He insisted they were doing a perfect job of it. With a smile, she hurried toward the house just after noon to fix a quick lunch for them. She missed the steps and fell on the back porch, scraping her leg up the shin and twisting her ankle. The men were almost immediately there picking her up.

 

Their Independent Bride

69

“Fuck, baby. Are you okay?” Greg had her in his lap as Steven checked the scrape on her shin. “This is going to hurt for a while, love.” “Damn, it stings and my ankle hurts.” “I hope you haven’t broken anything. Let’s get you in the house so we can see about you.” Greg carried her inside while Steven held the door. They carted her to the living room where they laid her gently on the couch with her foot elevated on the arm. Then they checked every inch of her for other injuries. “I’m okay, guys. I just twisted my ankle and scraped my shin. I’ll be fine. It’s sore is all.” “Let us check you over first. Steven, get a wet cloth and let’s clean up this scrape. Oh, and get some salve out of the first-aid kit.” Greg kissed her gently on the mouth then gently manipulated her ankle to check it out. She bit her lip to keep from crying out, but he noticed and lifted an eyebrow in question. “It hurts some, but not a lot. Is it swollen any?” “A little bit. We probably need to put some ice on it. We’ll do that after we clean up your leg.” Steven returned with the cloth and salve. He cleaned the scrape and then added some of the medication to the wounded area on her leg. He leaned down and kissed her knee before smiling up at her. “Thanks, Steven.” Greg had disappeared into the kitchen but returned with a plastic bag with ice in it. He carefully applied it to her ankle and shook his head. “What?” “You need to be more careful and not run. You could have broken something. I don’t like seeing you hurt like this, Janet.” “I’m fine, Greg. I’ll be more careful. I wasn’t thinking when I picked my foot up. I just missed the step.”

 

70

Marla Monroe

“What if that had been the cellar steps? You would have fallen a lot farther down and we wouldn’t have been here. Please be more careful.” Steven kissed her forehead and wiped off her hands where she’d caught herself. “Okay, okay. I’ll be more careful. I need to get up and fix our lunch. We still have a few rows left to plant.” “Nope, you’re not getting up from this couch the rest of the day. We’ll fix lunch and finish planting. You’ve got everything all lined up where it goes. We can do it.” “But I want to. It’s my garden, guys.” “Janet, your ankle is already swollen. You don’t need to be on it at all until it’s better. The garden is still yours. You’ll have all the fun of weeding it and taking care of it while we’re at work, love. Listen to Greg.” Steven squeezed her hand and walked off to see about lunch. Janet pouted and crossed her arms. She couldn’t believe she’d done something so stupid. She tried to think back at what had happened and couldn’t come up with anything other than her own carelessness of running up the steps. She had been so excited about the garden. It would teach her not to let things go to her head like that in the future. Twenty minutes later, the man returned to the living room with plates of sandwiches. She reached to take one, but Greg held it out of her reach and sat on the floor next to her. “I’ll feed you, baby.” He lifted the sandwich to her mouth so that she could take a bite. “This is really a little over the top, Greg. I can feed myself. It’s my ankle that’s hurt, not my hands.” “I want to feed you. It scared me to see you falling like you did.” He waited for her to finish chewing before he held the sandwich back to her mouth. She started to say something else, but one look from Steven and she swallowed it along with the bite of sandwich she had been

 

Their Independent Bride

71

chewing. She guessed she could let Greg feed her. It was sort of cute in a crazy sort of way. Once she had finished eating and had emptied her glass of tea, Greg ate his sandwich and then took the plates back to the kitchen. Steven sat on the edge of the couch and bent close to her ear to whisper to her. “Greg has always liked to coddle his submissives, Janet. Let him every once in a while to satisfy that need in him. It will go a long way in easing things between us. We all have needs and like it or not, we’re married now. We’ve got to find a common ground to work on.” “You’re right, Steven. I’ll try. I know he’s used to someone who follows all his orders. I’m not like that, but I can try to be what he needs in other ways. I’ll be more careful, too.” “Good girl. It won’t always be easy, but we’ll make it.” Steven stood up and winked at her when Greg returned with a fresh bag of ice. “More ice! My ankle is already getting frostbite.” “You need it on for another thirty minutes. The ice has been melted on the other one for at least the last fifteen minutes.” He replaced the bag of water with the ice. “Stay on the couch no matter what until we get back. We’re going to quickly finish the garden and then be back to help you if you need anything.” Greg stared down at her as if waiting for her to argue. “Okay. I’ll be fine. It shouldn’t take you that long with two of you.” He nodded and followed Steven back into the kitchen. A few seconds later she heard the back door close. The tears she’d been fighting finally fell. She hadn’t wanted to cry in front of the men. It would have made her appear weaker to them. She didn’t want to be weak. Her leg stung and her ankle throbbed. She sat up some and looked at her raw-looking shin and purplish-colored ankle. How was she going to take care of the house like this? They would be going out to

 

72

Marla Monroe

work soon and she would be stuck at the house. She hoped it would be much better by the next morning. She still had the dinner with the other family to take care of. Finally, the tears stopped and she wiped her eyes with her shirt. She hoped her eyes weren’t all red and puffy when the men returned. She didn’t want them to know she had been crying. They would fuss over her even more. Janet wasn’t used to being fussed over. She’d always taken care of herself and didn’t know how to handle the men coddling her like they tended to do. The entire thing with Greg feeding her had almost overwhelmed her. Seeing someone as big and tall as he was sitting on the floor feeding her out of his hand had been unsettling. Thank goodness Steven had intervened before she had said or done something to cause trouble. Why did Greg seem to need to take care of her? It had to be a form of control for him. He could control what and how much she ate that way. Yeah, that was what it was all about—control. She could understand that about him. With nothing to do, Janet quickly dozed off thinking about submissives and masters and her husbands. **** “She was trying not to cry,” Steven pointed out once they were outside. “Yeah, I caught that. Why wouldn’t she cry in front of us? We’re her husbands for heaven sakes.” “It would have shown weakness and she doesn’t want to appear weak in front of us.” “Why not? She is weak compared to us. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with her crying or being weak.”

 

Their Independent Bride

73

“To her there is. She’s been strong and taken care of herself all her life. She doesn’t understand that she doesn’t have to anymore. Give her time, Greg.” Greg nodded his head, but he still didn’t quite understand her need to be in control of herself at all times. That was what they were for, to be in control and take care of her so she didn’t have to worry about anything. He had always taken care of everything for his women. His submissives were all treated like the treasures they were. He expected them to follow his directions and obey him, but in return, he made sure they wanted for nothing while they were with him. He’d had no control over his life as a child. His parents moved constantly when he was growing up. Whichever way the wind blew had them on the road again. His father wandered from job to job and his mother made ends meet the best she could. Sometimes they had plenty to eat and sometimes they scrounged for a meal. They moved so much that he could never keep a friend and struggled with school. After so many years of having no control over where he lived or when he went to school, Greg required strict control in his life now. He found what he needed in a D/s relationship. Only now, he was without a submissive. He had an independent bride with a mouth on her. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. This was for life. He couldn’t uncollar her and look for another one. “She’s trying to accommodate us, Greg. Remember this is all new to her, too.” “I know. How in the hell did they screw up so badly?” “I don’t know, but we can’t let her feel like we don’t want her. She’s a good woman.” “I’m not saying she isn’t, but she’s not the type of woman we are used to. You have always been more flexible than I am. I’m sure you’re having trouble, too, but…” “But I can handle a little compromise where you have to work at it. I know, Greg. Just try.”

 

74

Marla Monroe

They worked in companionable silence until all the seeds had been sown and the garden tools cleaned and put away. Then they watered the garden and rolled the hose back up. “That’s it. We need to get inside and check on Janet. Knowing her, she’s gotten up and gotten something when she was supposed to stay on the couch.” Greg brushed the dirt off his hands and walked toward the house. After washing up, he walked into the living room to find Janet sound asleep on the couch. Her ankle was still propped up with a bag of water lying on the floor. He guessed he was lucky it hadn’t opened up and spilled. Steven walked up next to him. The other man shook his head and pointed at her swollen ankle. It had turned a purplish color. She was going to be in pain for a while. The next couple of days would be tough on her. He didn’t want her up on her foot at all. He was sure she would balk over that directive. As they stared down at her, she opened her eyes and jumped. “Easy, love. It’s just us.” Steven sat on the edge of the couch and patted her hand. “What are you two doing standing there staring at me while I’m asleep?” “We had just walked up when you woke up,” Greg told her. “Did you finish the garden? What about watering it?” “Everything is done,” he assured her. “I’m going to go start something for supper.” Steven stood up and headed toward the kitchen, leaving them alone. “Your ankle is in bad shape, baby. You’re not going to be able to walk on it for a couple of days.” “I have to take care of the house, Greg. It will be okay in the morning. You’ll see.” He sighed and chose his words carefully. “If it’s still swollen, you’re not getting on it tomorrow.”

 

Their Independent Bride

75

“We have Carmen and her husbands coming tomorrow night. I have to be able to get up and see to them.” “We’ll see how you are tomorrow afternoon. If you behave and stay off your ankle from now on, maybe you can get up while they are here.” She started to say something then closed her mouth and nodded. “Good girl. Steven and I will take care of everything. You just have to get well. They aren’t coming for dinner, so all there will be a need to worry about is coffee and maybe something sweet to eat.” “If I promise to stay off my foot, will you promise to let me get up while they are here?” Greg drew in a deep breath and counted to ten. She was struggling like he was. He needed to remember that. “If it is not as swollen and you can walk on it with only a slight limp. If you can’t put pressure on it without a lot of pain, then no, I won’t let you up.” “Fine. I’ll go with that. I’ll be fine by then, anyway.” Greg grinned. She was so feisty. He liked that about her where he had never really enjoyed a woman with fire before. He’d always liked them subdued and biddable. This was something new for him. Steven walked back into the living room. “I’ve got supper started. It should be ready in an hour. I’m going to run upstairs and take a shower.” “I’ll take one when you finish.” “There are two showers, guys. You don’t have to wait.” “I want someone down here with you in case you need something, baby.” Greg ruffled her hair and gave her a quick kiss. Steven kissed her before going upstairs. She sighed and watched Greg as he looked over her shins and ankle again. “I’m going to pick you up and let you sit with me while we wait on Steven to finish. Let me know if I hurt you.” Greg picked her up off the couch and walked with her to his recliner. He sat down and arranged her so that her leg was propped

 

76

Marla Monroe

over the arm of the chair. She leaned back against his chest and settled her head on his shoulder. He smiled. He liked this. Holding her this way was so intimate. He enjoyed the intimacy of just holding a woman. “How is your ankle like this?” “It’s fine. It throbs some, but no more than it did earlier.” “I’ll get you a painkiller before I take a shower when we get up again. We’ll soak your ankle in the bathtub when you bathe later. That should help it.” “I’m going to be fine, Greg. You don’t need to worry about me.” “I don’t like for you to hurt, Janet.” “Well, I’m going to hurt sometimes. That’s just how life is.” “But if you’re careful, you don’t have to get hurt. You’ve already said you would be careful from now on. That’s good enough for me, but something tells me that you’re prone to accidents.” “Now why would you say something like that?” “Because you fly off the handle like you just did, baby.” “Only because you said something dumb like that.” “Relax, Janet. Steven will be down here soon. I don’t want him glaring at me because I’ve riled you up again.” “Then don’t say things like that. I’m not accident prone.” “Yes, dear.”

 

Their Independent Bride

77

Chapter Nine Janet stretched out in the tub. It was a big tub, large enough for three. She enjoyed the hot water as it encased her like a warm cocoon. Her ankle wasn’t even throbbing much now. The painkiller Steven had given her was slowly working to mellow out the pain and maybe her mood, as well. Steven’s supper had been fairly good and now she was relaxed and about ready for bed. Greg walked in and smiled down at her. He knelt by the tub and ran a hand over her knee in the water. “How are you feeling?” “I feel much better, thanks. The painkiller is working, and my ankle is great. The warm water is wonderful. Thanks for running my bath for me.” “You’re welcome, baby. I want you to rest well tonight. If you feel better, you’ll sleep better.” “I know something else that would help me sleep better.” “Oh, no you don’t, you little minx.” Greg shook his head. “You are in no shape for sex.” “There’s nothing wrong with my mouth or my pussy, Greg. Don’t punish me like that.” “Baby, I’m not punishing you. You’ll end up hurting your ankle if we screw around. I don’t want to take the chance.” Janet huffed out a breath and closed her eyes. She would ignore him until he left and then she would show him later. She’d seduce Steven. He was much easier to deal with than Greg. Since it was Steven who came to get her out of the tub, she started right away. He ignored all her attempts at manipulating him into a

 

78

Marla Monroe

position where she could rub her body against his. Instead, he wrapped her up in the towel and carried her to the bed where he gently lay her down. Then he unwrapped her so that she ended up in the middle of the bed far away from him and his obviously interested cock. “You’re not going to play with me, love. I know your game. We don’t want to accidently hurt you.” “Please, Steven. I want you.” “You want whoever you can con into having sex. Now behave and go to sleep.” He climbed into bed next to her and presented his back to her. She started to throw her leg over his, but stopped just in time to prevent hurting her ankle. She wrapped her arm around his waist and hoped she didn’t bump one of them during the night and call out. They would go crazy if she did. She rolled her eyes and settled in to go to sleep. Several minutes later, Greg slipped into bed behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. She tried to settle down, but her ankle bothered her enough that she couldn’t. She was so aware of it and trying not to bump it on either of the men. Maybe they had been right and sex hadn’t been a good idea. Thirty minutes later, she could hear the men snoring while she remained awake. She would never get any rest as long as she worried about her ankle. She tried just lying still and counting under her breath, but all that did was frustrate her. Finally, after nearly an hour of restless movement, she drifted off to sleep. **** Janet woke up when she bumped her foot against Steven’s. She managed to keep from shouting out, but nothing stopped the tears from forming in her eyes. Surely her ankle was better today. She

 

Their Independent Bride

79

looked around after wiping her eyes in an effort to tell what time it was. Without sitting up, she couldn’t see over the men to see the time. “What are you wiggling for?” Greg’s sleep-deepened voice startled her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up. I was just trying to see over Steven to see what time it was.” She felt the bed move and dip behind her. There was a grunt and then Greg’s arm wrapped around her waist, drawing her back closer to him. “It’s nearly seven. We really don’t have to be up this early, baby. Don’t you want to sleep a little longer?” He sounded hopeful. “I’m wide awake. I didn’t sleep very well anyway. Can you just carry me downstairs and let me sit on the couch? You can go back to sleep after that.” “I’m not staying in bed with Steven, Janet. I’ll get up and dress. We can always take a nap later.” “I’m sorry.” She hated that she had to ask for help. It drove her crazy. “Don’t worry about it. Hold on while I get dressed. Then I’ll help you dress.” Janet winced. More help. She had obviously been in more pain than she remembered for it not to have bothered her this much the day before. Today was going to be a testament to her patience. “Here we go, baby.” Greg reached over and gently pulled her toward him while she held her foot up off the bed. Then he picked her up and carried her to the bathroom where he had clothes waiting on her. She smiled. He’d chosen comfortable clothes for her. The shorts were long enough to be decent for company and the shirt a comfy T-shirt that she loved. He helped her dress then propped her leg up on the countertop to look at it. “Your shin looks sore, but the ankle is a lot less swollen. If you keep off it all day, you may be able to walk a little bit on it tonight.” He gave her a stern look when he said it.

 

80

Marla Monroe

“I hear you. I’ll be good and keep off it. Can I have some more of the painkiller when we get downstairs?” “Sure, baby. I’m sure you’re still in a lot of pain despite it looking better.” He picked her up and then carried her out of the bathroom. “Hey, is something wrong with Janet?” Steven was sitting on the side of the bed, rubbing his face. “No, she couldn’t sleep so I’m taking her downstairs. She wants to sit on the couch.” “How does her leg look today?” “Her ankle is a lot less swollen this morning, but her shin is painful looking.” “Hey, you guys, I can talk.” Janet huffed out a breath. “I know, love. I just trust Greg’s take on the subject more than I trust yours right now.” “You don’t trust me!” “Not about your ankle, I don’t.” Steven chuckled and stood up. Janet couldn’t take her eyes off his handsome body, especially his cock. It was standing at attention with his morning erection. She had noticed Greg’s as well. Right now, she couldn’t see or feel it, held in his arms as she was. “We’ll be downstairs.” Greg turned and walked toward the stairs. Once they were in the living room, he stooped and carefully settled her on the couch with her foot elevated over the arm of the couch once again. It really wasn’t very comfortable that way. She fumed with herself. She hated to ask. “What is it, baby? I can see that you want something but you don’t want to ask.” God, she must be an open book to him. She didn’t like that one bit. “Um, a pillow would be nice to prop my foot on. The arm of the couch is hard. Um, please.”

 

Their Independent Bride

81

“Now was that so hard? I’ll be right back with a couple of pillows. You should have one for your head, as well.” He bent down and kissed her nose then bounded up the stairs. God, I’m pitiful. I can’t even ask for something without stuttering. I shouldn’t be so fussy about something like this. I need help. So what? So, it bothered her that she was dependent on them. She was an independent-type woman. She had been all her life. Now she was married to two very dominant men who expected her to mind them and now she was hurt and had to depend on them. Who would have thought? “Here you go, baby.” Greg had made it back down the stairs and she hadn’t even noticed it. He gently lifted her leg and placed the pillow under her foot. Then he settled her with the pillow behind her head. She smiled at him and tried to make it look genuine. She wasn’t sure how she’d done because he chuckled. “I’m going to get you something to drink and that painkiller. Then I’ll fix you something to eat. You really don’t need to take it on an empty stomach, but I guess you need it now rather than later.” “Thanks. I appreciate it.” That wasn’t so bad. A few minutes after she had taken her pills, Steven clomped down the stairs. His sleepy smile made her wince. She’d woken them both too early. She really felt bad about it, too. They had worked hard the day before and deserved to sleep in. She had ruined that for them. “What’s with the sad face, love?” Steven walked over and sat on the edge of the couch next to her. “I messed up your sleeping in. You shouldn’t have had to get up.” “Don’t worry about it. There will be time for a nap later.” He bent down and kissed her. She warmed to his kiss and opened her mouth without being prompted. In fact, she was hungry for his kiss. She realized that she had missed the closeness they’d shared with sex. Not that they hadn’t

 

82

Marla Monroe

given her plenty of opportunities for closeness over the last couple of days, but she hadn’t wanted to be dependent on them. Now that she was, she realized that maybe it wasn’t all that bad after all. Well, the sex part and the kissing and all. She still didn’t like to be dictated to. They would have to come to a compromise with that. She would give them the benefit of the doubt and follow their directions concerning her safety until they gave her a reason not to. She could even give in to their leading during sex. She liked what they did. No, she loved what they did. The kiss was over with before she had gotten into it really well. She frowned and lifted an eyebrow at Steven. He smiled and pursed his lips in an obvious attempt not to laugh. “Sorry, love, but you tend to get overexcited, and there will be no sex until you’re well enough we won’t injure your ankle any more than it already is.” He stood up and, after laying a hand against her cheek, walked off toward the kitchen. She could hear the men talking in the other room. She was sure they were talking about her. No doubt they were comparing notes on how she was acting. She almost fumed at the idea but stopped herself. She didn’t need to get all upset. She was at their mercy and wanted off the couch before their guests arrived later that night. Several minutes later, Greg appeared with a plate of food for her. She was sure her eyes grew wide by the lazy smile on his face. The plate was piled high with food. There was no way she could ever eat that much. “Don’t worry, baby. I don’t expect you to eat it all by yourself. I’m going to share with you.” “You’re not going to feed me again. I can feed myself this time.” “I know you can. I brought two forks.” He smirked at her then held out a fork. Janet felt like a fool, but then figured she didn’t have anything to feel bad about. She realized he planned to put the plate on her

 

Their Independent Bride

83

stomach and eat from it that way. She couldn’t stop the giggle that erupted, sending the plate moving in all directions. “See now, you’re going to have to contain yourself so we don’t end up with food all over you and the couch. No giggling, laughing, or snorting.” “I don’t snort,” she said with her nose in the air. “I’ll take that under consideration until you do and I can point it out to you.” Greg speared some meat and took a bite. Janet found that it was difficult to eat like that. She frowned after several attempts at gathering food on her fork. Finally, Greg had pity on her and picked up the plate to hold it for her while she ate. Then he finished up what she didn’t. She gave a grudging “thanks” and tried not to be disappointed when he didn’t kiss her before he took the plate back to the kitchen. Once again, she was alone with her thoughts and she had to admit she was confused inside over her feelings for the two men. She genuinely liked them and could even go so far as to say that she respected them. They appeared to be hard workers and good men. But the dominant thing got to her. She couldn’t believe that she had caved so easily on two things. Neither could she believe how quickly she had become addicted to their kisses and their loving. Before she knew it, they were back in the living room with her. They checked her ankle again, and Steven went so far as to massage her shoulders and neck for her. “We’re going to go out and check the garden and then go to the shed and check our supplies. We don’t know anything about the creatures around here and want to be sure nothing has been messed with. Will you be okay for an hour or so?” Greg asked. “I’ll be fine. Could you bring me one of those books on the shelf over there? I’ll read some.” Steven brought her two books in case one didn’t catch her attention. They each kissed her on the forehead and headed back to the kitchen. A few seconds later, the door opened and then shut. She

 

84

Marla Monroe

stared at the offending ankle before opening one of the books to begin reading. She managed to immerse herself in the book for a good thirty or forty minutes, but a noise at the front of the house caught her attention. She put the book down and tried to turn to look in that direction, but she was facing the kitchen and couldn’t see toward the front door or the windows. The noise came again, and she could have sworn it was something scratching at the door. She felt a moment of panic before she got hold of herself. It couldn’t get inside, whatever it was. She listened closely for several more minutes, but the sound didn’t come again. Then she heard the men in the kitchen as the door opened. Maybe their coming up had scared whatever it was off. She wondered if she should tell the men or not. They would get upset and worry about her if she did, but then if she didn’t and they found out… In the end, she pretty much had to tell them when they walked in the room and immediately asked what was wrong. “Is your ankle worse? Your face is pale, baby.” Greg ran a hand across her forehead. “You don’t seem to have a temperature.” “No, I’m okay. I heard something, though, at the front door, and it startled me, I guess.” “What did you hear?” Steven asked. “It sounded like a scratching noise. I wasn’t sure at first, but then when I listened, I heard it fairly well.” Steven and Greg walked over to the front door and opened it. They were gone for several long seconds. Then they returned, closing the door behind them. Their faces were grim when they were once again in her line of vision. “What? What did you find?” “There are small scratch marks about two feet up on the door and there are a couple of prints in the yard. The grass obscured most of them. I would say it’s about the size of a small dog.” Greg settled his

 

Their Independent Bride

85

hands on his hips. “I don’t like this. We don’t know if it will attack or if it’s just curious.” “Either way, I don’t want to leave Janet here alone during the day.” Steven looked down at her. “I’ll be okay. I know how to act around animals. You don’t move and you don’t under any circumstances run. If I have to, I ease toward the house and walk inside as fast as I can once I’m there.” “Regardless, I don’t like it.” Greg shook his head. “We’ll talk to the others when they come tonight and see if they’ve seen anything around that looked like that.” “Did you see anything around the garden or the shed with your supplies?” “No, love. We didn’t notice any tracks or movement around the supplies. Whatever it is, it concentrated on the house. I suppose it knows that we are here.” Steven rested his hand on the back of the couch. They spent the rest of the morning going over various plans and ideas on what to do about the creature and leaving Janet during the day taking care of the garden. She made sure they had their conversation where she could participate. They grudgingly remained in the living room so she could hear. It was obvious they were bending to compromise, though. Still, once it was all over, they were no closer to a decision on what to do than when they had started. “I have to take care of the garden, or we don’t eat. You’ve got to work on the house because it is your job and why you were selected.” “There has to be something we can do to keep you safe. We’ll talk it over with the others,” Greg said. Lunch was a silent affair for the most part. Each of them was lost in their thoughts. She was sure they were concentrating on what they could do to keep her safe. She was thinking about sex. She’d never thought so much about it before Greg and Steven. It just went to show that she hadn’t been with the right men in the past. Considering that

 

86

Marla Monroe

she called all the shots said what type of men she had gone after— wimps. Now she was attracted to two dominant males who rocked her world when it came to fucking. They were gods as far as she was concerned. If she could just get past their expectations that she would obey them unequivocally. So far, they had bent to a certain degree to meet her halfway. She would hold up her side of the bargain, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t argue her point. “What are you contemplating over there?” Greg looked a bit wary. “Trying to come up with a workable solution and falling short.” She sighed. “You don’t need to worry so much about it. Let us do the worrying, baby.” “If I let you do all the worrying, you’ll end up with an ulcer and I’ll end up in a padded room surrounded with pillows and silk like some harem girl.” “Hmmm, I like that image.” Steven smiled. She rolled her eyes and stared hard at her foot still propped up on the pillow at the foot of the couch. It still looked an appalling shade of purple around her ankle, but it hadn’t spread to her foot. With the swelling down, she should be able to get on a pair of her looser shoes. Maybe even a sandal. “I think we could all use a nap.” Greg started to pick her up. “Wait. Can we try and take it down here? I can’t sleep between you in the bed. I keep knocking my foot against one of you.” “I want to hold you, baby.” “Why not try the recliner, Greg?” Steven suggested. “Good idea. You bring her over to me.” She watched as Greg sat on the recliner and pushed it back to a lounging position. Then Steven picked her up and carried her over to hand her to him. It took a few minutes for her to situate herself, but once she had, she actually felt pretty comfortable. Greg, on the other hand seemed a bit uncomfortable. She realized the reason why. His

 

Their Independent Bride

87

cock was stuck between her and him so that her ass had it thoroughly trapped. “Um, sorry. Do I need to move?” “No! Don’t move anymore. You’re settled now. It will be fine.” Janet winced at the obvious discomfort in his voice. Steven chuckled and sat in his recliner. Everything settled down and after a few minutes, the men were both asleep. She was afraid she wasn’t going to sleep, but slowly her eyes became heavy and she slipped off into slumber.

 

88

Marla Monroe

Chapter Ten Steven woke slowly from a highly erotic dream with Janet and Greg in it. He could almost feel Janet’s skin against his. He opened his eyes and noticed that the room was slightly darker than usual. He quickly climbed out of the recliner and found that it was later than they had planned. He gently woke Janet first so she wouldn’t hurt her ankle. “Love, time to rise and shine.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. She roused with a frown. She looked to be a bit grumpy. He grinned. She was cute when she was fussy. “What? What time is it?” “It’s nearly five. We’ve slept the day away.” “What’s going on?” Greg woke instantly. “It’s late. We need to get up.” “Aw, hell. How did we sleep so long?” He glanced at his watch and cursed. “I guess we were all more tired than we thought.” Janet yawned. “I could use some coffee.” “Your wish is my command.” Steven headed toward the kitchen but stopped to find out the verdict on her foot. “Let’s settle you on the couch again, baby. I need to see about your ankle.” “I think it’s much better. I should be able to walk on it some when they get here.” Her voice sounded hopeful. “We’ll see.” He sat the chair back upright and then carried her over to the couch.

 

Their Independent Bride

89

He looked over her ankle and shin again. He shook his head and sighed. “It looks well enough you can try putting some weight on it, but I really wish you wouldn’t. You’re only going to make it worse.” “I’ll get off it as soon as they leave. Plus, I’ll be off it while we talk.” She smiled. “I’m going to warm up some soup and make sandwiches for us along with the coffee.” Steven walked back toward the kitchen. He knew this was going to be a long night. Not only were they going to have company who would probably stay a bit late, but Janet was going to end up in more pain by the end of the night and much grumpier because of it. He put on the coffee then began to warm up soup and make sandwiches. They needed to eat something, and their neighbors would arrive soon. Thirty minutes later, they were eating at the table. Greg had grudgingly allowed her to sit up and see how her ankle did. They discussed what all they wanted to go over with the men while Janet remained quiet. He was sure she was listening to every word even while thinking about seeing Carmen again. He could tell she was excited by the look in her eyes when Greg had agreed to let her up. Around seven, their guests knocked on the door and they all greeted them. Brad and Kirk shook their hands, and Janet quickly ushered Carmen into the kitchen. He heard the other woman commenting on Janet’s obvious limp but didn’t hear Janet’s response. They discussed the various creatures they had read about in the brochure and told the others about the doglike creature that Janet had seen their first day. Then they told them about the scratches on the door. They looked at them and agreed it was the size of a small dog. “I don’t like the idea of leaving the women alone during the day,” Kirk said. “Neither do we. The only thing is they have to work the garden or we won’t have anything to eat,” Steven commented.

 

90

Marla Monroe

“What do you think about one of us staying behind every day and the other two working on the house?” Brad asked. “We all agreed to work on the house as a team when they chose us. I don’t think they are going to accept anything less. Plus, they have people arriving every six months. They’re going to have to have somewhere to stay.” Greg shook his head. They discussed possibilities and finally settled on teaching the women how to shoot a gun as the first line of defense. They needed another gun since they only had one per household. “Maybe we should think about going into the town and getting another one,” Steven suggested. They each thought that was probably a good idea. Then they discussed when to start work on the house. They agreed to start the day after next. About that time, the women returned with coffee for each of them. It wasn’t long before Kirk decided it was time to leave. “We’ve had a good visit. Thanks for having us over.” “You’re welcome anytime you want to visit.” Greg stood up and shook their hands. Steven decided they’d had a productive meeting even though he wasn’t really satisfied with their decision on keeping the women safe. He didn’t think the others were taking the animal situation as seriously as they should. Once they had left, Greg shook his head. “I don’t think they realize the danger the women are in.” “I don’t, either. I was just thinking the same thing.” “It’s late. We need to head up and shower. I want to go over the supplies and make a list of things we know we are going to need our next trip into town.” “I’ll get Janet. She’s cleaning up the kitchen. Her limp is worse. She needs to get off that foot again.” Steven headed toward the kitchen just as he heard a crash.

 

Their Independent Bride

91

Both he and Greg ran for the other room. When they arrived, it was to find Janet sprawled on the floor amid a broken coffee cup. “Don’t move, baby. There’s glass all around you.” Greg grabbed a broom from the washroom and began to sweep up the glass to get it away from her. Steven cringed at the sight of her tears. He hoped she wasn’t badly hurt. As soon as Greg had the worst of the glass out of the way, Steven reached down and picked her up. He carried her over to the kitchen table and sat her on it. “What in the world happened, Janet?” “I was carrying the cups to the sink, and when I put pressure on my ankle, it just gave out and I fell. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to break the cups.” She began to cry in earnest now. “Don’t worry about the fucking coffee cup, baby. All that matters is how badly you’re hurt.” Steven winced at Greg’s voice. He didn’t know when he had developed such tender feelings toward Janet, but he found that he didn’t want to dominate her all the time now. He also worried about Greg’s aggressiveness with her even though it had never bothered him before with other women. He knew Greg genuinely liked and cared about her, but he wasn’t sure how deeply and how much his attitude and behavior would mellow. He hoped it would mellow some. Watching him feed her the day before had hinted at the tenderness he could show their wife if he tried. He hesitated in talking to him about it. He didn’t want to make it worse. He would give it some time. “Have you cut yourself anywhere?” Greg asked. “I don’t think so. I didn’t do it on purpose.” “I know you didn’t.” Greg sighed. “You shouldn’t have been trying to clean up. You should have left it for us to do and gotten off your ankle.” “Well, I didn’t, so stop yelling at me.”

 

92

Marla Monroe

“Easy, everyone.” Steve ran his hands over Janet’s hair. “We’re just worried about you, love. You scared us to death when we heard the crash.” “Your ankle is swollen again. I don’t see any cuts on you, but you have a bruise on your knee.” “I’m not surprised. I landed on it.” She sighed and hung her head. “That had to have hurt.” “Believe me, it did.” She lifted her head and looked up at Greg as if willing him to understand. Steven watched the other man visibly soften toward her. He let out a silent breath. Things would be okay now. He stepped between them and picked Janet up. “I’m going to take her upstairs and run her a bath. Why don’t you finish cleaning up, Greg?” “Why do I have to clean up and you get to bathe Janet?” “Because I beat you to it.” Steven carried her to the stairs and up to the bedroom. There, he sat her on the bed and left her there to start the water. He added some bath salts. They would help her feel better, he hoped. Either way, the warm water would do wonders for her sore places. Well, the skinned place on her shin probably wouldn’t feel well. Once the water was deep enough, he turned it off and returned to the bedroom to find that Janet had removed most of her clothes by herself. He smiled and shook his head. “I should have known you wouldn’t be still. Here, let me help you with your shorts.” He pulled them off, paying careful attention to her leg so that he didn’t rub over the tender areas. Then he helped her remove her underwear. “Ready for your bath, my lady?” “Thanks, Steven. I appreciate it. I know it will feel good.” He carried her to the bathroom and carefully slipped her into the water. She hissed when her lower leg went under water but soon

 

Their Independent Bride

93

sighed and leaned back against the back of the tub. He quickly bathed her so she could relax in the warm water for a while. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to get you out. Stay put, love. Don’t make things worse.” She meekly nodded then grinned at him. He sighed and smiled back. Then he left her to her soak. He returned to the kitchen to find Greg finishing the cleanup. “She okay?” Greg asked. “Yeah, she’s fine. I have her soaking in the tub. She’s going to be sore tomorrow.” “Maybe we should convince her to stay in bed most of tomorrow.” “I think if you word it right, she just might do it. Like I said, she’s going to be sore tomorrow. Besides the bruise on her knee, she has another one on her elbow. I’m sure it jarred her fairly hard.” “Fuck! I knew I shouldn’t have let her up off the couch, company or no company. Now she’s worse off than she was, and we’re headed off to work in another day.” “Calm down, Greg. You getting upset isn’t helping matters. She didn’t mean to fall. It was an accident. Don’t make her feel like she did it on purpose.” “That’s absurd. I know she didn’t do it on purpose.” “Yeah, except that you’re fussing at her about it. Back off some.” “Since when have you turned soft, Steven?” “I’m not soft, just realistic. She’s our wife, not a passive sub we used to play with. Are you going to be able to separate the two?” Greg’s mouth worked as he appeared to wrestle with it all. The other man wasn’t a dominant for the normal reasons. He had history, and it was deep. Steven knew that. He knew Greg’s story. It didn’t change the fact that they had a very independent wife to learn to live with. “I’ll get her out of the tub. You can close up the house. Check the doors again. I know I locked them, but double-check all of them.”

 

94

Marla Monroe

Steven nodded and watched his friend leave the kitchen. He checked the kitchen door and the windows for good measure. Then he walked through the house checking everything else. When he thought he’d given Greg enough time to smooth things over with Janet, he climbed the stairs and walked into the bedroom to find Janet asleep in the middle of the bed and the sound of the shower in the bathroom. Since Janet was already asleep, he had to assume that everything worked out well. At least, he hoped so. He decided to use the shower down the hall instead of waiting on Greg to finish. He was truly worried that Greg was going to alienate himself from Janet if he wasn’t careful. Where Steven had naturally gravitated toward the D/s lifestyle, Greg needed the lifestyle because of his past. Steven had grown up with one brother and three sisters. He’d learned at an early age that some women liked to be dominated in bed. He’d developed the appreciation for that type of lifestyle and met Greg, his cousin, soon after. They had become best friends and found that their personalities complemented each other’s both in and out of bed when they were sharing a woman. Greg tended to be intense and would sometimes intimidate a woman, where Steven was more relaxed and able to calm them. Together, they were the most sought-after pair of Doms in the area. He sighed. They had to change their methods now, though. Janet was their wife and deserved to be treated with kid gloves. He resigned himself to talking to Greg if it didn’t look like the other man was backing off. Steven finished rinsing off and grabbed a towel to dry with. Then he hurried back down the hall to the bedroom where he slipped into the bed on the other side of Janet and quickly fell asleep.

 

Their Independent Bride

95

Chapter Eleven The next morning, Janet woke to an empty bed. The men were already up and gone. She noticed a note on the pillow next to her. There were indentions on the pillows on either side of her, so she knew the men had slept with her. The fact that she hadn’t bumped her foot on either of them during the night was proof of how tired she’d been. She rolled over to read the note and groaned. She was so sore. She really had done it this time. The note was from Greg and was about what she would expect from him. He had obviously tried to soften the words. Baby, please stay in bed until we come see about you. I’m sure you’re in no shape to get up, but I know you and you’ll try if I don’t say no to you. I know you’ll do what you want to do, but please stay in the bed. We’ll be back inside in a few hours. Greg Janet wondered how they thought she could lie in bed when she needed to go to the bathroom? She waited as long as she could for them to return, but when they didn’t show up an hour later, she was desperate. She gently got to a sitting position. God, she was sore. Her leg felt like it had been sat on by an elephant. Her elbow hurt as well. She lifted it and winced. She had a bruise there as well. With an indrawn breath, she slowly got to her feet, putting most of her weight on her good leg. Her bad leg hurt. Still, she had to get to the bathroom. She hopped most of the way only using her sore foot

 

96

Marla Monroe

for balance when she had to. Still, by the time she made it to the bathroom, she had broken out in a cold sweat. After dealing with her urgent need, Janet knew she would never make it back to the bed. She closed the lid on the toilet and sat on it to wait for the men to finally come back. No doubt Greg would be angry, but she would deal with it. Even he had to understand the call of nature. She heard them coming up the stairs and braced herself for the worst. Instead, she heard Greg call out for her. “I’m in the bathroom. You can come in.” “Why did you get out of the bed, baby?” Greg just sighed. “I had to go to the bathroom. I waited as long as I could.” “I’m sorry, baby. I should have thought about that and come back sooner.” He ran a hand over her forehead and winced. “You’re sweaty. It hurt to move, didn’t it?” “Yeah, but I mostly hopped in here. So I didn’t put much weight on my bad ankle.” “That was good thinking.” Steven stepped into the bathroom. “Damn! We should have left a radio with her and taken the others with us. She could have gotten hold of us on it.” “Didn’t think of that, either.” “We’ll do that from now on. I’ll go get a radio for you now.” Steven squeezed around Greg and picked her up to carry her back to the bed. She was still trying to process the change in Greg. Maybe Steven had said something to him about calming down some. She didn’t know, but whatever had happened, she was excited. If he continued to act this way, she knew they could get along. Never mind that she liked their sex life as it was. It was the rest that had had her worried. Greg disappeared out the bedroom door as Steven settled her back in bed. He even sat next to her, running his hand over her hair. Then he bent over and kissed her. It wasn’t a brief kiss, but not a passionate one like she longed for, either. When he pulled back, he smiled at her.

 

Their Independent Bride

97

“I’ll get you a painkiller and something to eat as soon as Greg makes it back.” “Thanks, that would be great.” “Here is the radio, baby. Keep it close to you all the time so you can get us anytime you need us.” Greg handed it to her. “I will.” She smiled at him. “I’m going to fix her something to eat and get her pain medicine. Keep her company.” Steven kissed her lightly on the forehead and walked out of the room. “How are you feeling now that you’re back in bed?” “Much better. I wouldn’t have gotten up if I hadn’t needed to really bad, Greg.” “I know. It’s okay. We should have thought about that.” “If I hadn’t been so stubborn, I wouldn’t have fallen the second time. I’m sorry.” Greg kissed her. He sucked in her bottom lip and then ran his tongue along it before letting it go. Once he had pulled back, she realized it had been his way of saying it was okay. “How about a nice warm bath when you finish eating? That should help with any soreness you have.” “I know it will.” “Janet, I’m not an easy person for you to get along with, but I’m trying. We have completely different personalities, and that’s bound to cause problems from time to time. Let’s promise to work it out right then, and not let it fester between us.” “I can do that. I don’t want us to be out of sorts with each other, either. I’m stubborn, and the more you push me, the more I tend to push back. I can’t seem to stop myself.” “I don’t want you to change your personality. It’s one of the things I like about you. I enjoy some of our sparring, but sometimes, we get serious. That’s when we need to step back and find a solution that we can both live with.” Greg ran his hand up and down her arm.

 

98

Marla Monroe

Janet knew this had been hard for him to do. Men just didn’t talk about relationships and their feelings. She was humbled that he thought enough of her and their marriage to initiate the conversation. “Okay, love, I have your breakfast and the medicine for you.” Steven walked in the room carrying a tray bearing a plate full of food along with something to drink. He set it over her lap. “This is too much for me to eat, Steven.” She was hungry, but not this hungry. “Just eat what you can. We’ll finish up the rest.” “What do I look like, a garbage disposal?” Greg frowned at Steven. “Fine, if you don’t want it, I’ll eat it.” “I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat it.” Janet laughed at them. They were both stubborn, and she realized that she was growing to love them with each passing day. Regardless of their differences, they were good men. Would they ever grow to love her? She hoped so, but only time would tell. **** While she was upstairs lounging in bed with her books, the men were downstairs going over the plans for the houses they would be building. They had already checked their supplies. She was feeling a bit sorry for herself and lost interest in the book she had been reading. The sound of footsteps on the stairs perked her up. The fact that they were hurrying had her heart thumping madly in her chest. “Hey, love. How are you doing?” Steven walked into the room with a giant smile on his face. “I’m bored, but I’m all right. What’s going on?” “Brad and Kirk called on the radio. They have a great idea to keep you and Carmen safe. We’re going to put up a fence around the yard and garden.”

 

Their Independent Bride

99

“Hey, that is a good idea. When are you going to be able to do it? I mean you have to work on the house almost every day, and you have to rest sometime.” “We’re going to get the materials today and work on the fence tomorrow. Then we’ll work on it every other day until we get it finished. Keeping you safe is more important than finishing the house on time. Besides, if we work every other day without breaking for a day off, it will get done that much quicker.” “I hate for you to work so hard, Steven. You and Greg are always busy doing something. You should be able to relax a little occasionally.” He ran a hand down the side of her face and flicked her nose with his finger. “Don’t worry about us, love. We’ll be fine for a few days. Once we have the fence up, we’ll go back to working like we normally would.” “Are you both going to get the supplies?” Janet really didn’t want to be left alone in the house. “No. Greg is going to get the fencing and I’ll stay here with you.” Is that okay with you?” “Oh, I guess I can deal with you for the afternoon.” She laughed when he rolled his eyes. Greg appeared in the doorway. He had a small smile on his face as if he’d been listening in on their conversation. “I’m about to leave. Is there anything you want from town while I’m there, baby?” “I can’t think of anything right now. I wish I could go with you.” “I know, but your ankle wouldn’t hold up to walking around and you would want to shop. We’ll take you back to shop another day once we have the fence installed.” Greg leaned down and gave her soft kiss before pulling her hair. She swiped at him with her hand but missed.

 

100

Marla Monroe

“Steven, take care of her. I’m going to be gone a good six hours. Come on down and help me finish unloading the supplies so I’ll have room for the fencing.” Greg and Steven disappeared through the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts. The fence would be wonderful. It would help the men not worry as much and she could work in the garden without constantly looking over her shoulder. She wasn’t stupid. Janet respected the danger of the creatures that lived on the planet. She’d read through the pamphlet several times and cringed at the knowledge that several other women had been hurt by the things. She realized that she hadn’t even thought about the men being hurt. What would she do if one of them was attacked? She didn’t want to lose them. They were important to her. How could they watch for the wild animals and build a house at the same time? Once they had finished the outside, they would be fairly safe inside working. Steven walked back in the bedroom some time later, startling her from her thoughts. She smiled at him as soon as her heart stopped pounding. “You scared me.” “You were thinking pretty hard not to have heard me come in.” He crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m thinking about a nap. Want to take one with me?” “Sure, love. I’ll rub your back for you. Let me take off my clothes. I’m dirty from unloading the supplies.” Janet watched as Steven removed his shirt and jeans. He didn’t wear underwear, so he was gloriously naked when he walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in next to her. He was playing directly into her plans to seduce him into having sex. She was almost desperate she was so frustrated. She felt that Steven was her best bet when it came to manipulating him into playing around. “Lie down and let me massage your neck and shoulders. You’ll feel much more rested afterwards.”

 

Their Independent Bride

101

She relaxed on her tummy while Steven smoothed over her back, shoulders, and neck. His hands were magic when it came to pleasuring her both sexually and this way. A soft moan slipped from her mouth. He chuckled behind her. “Go ahead and fall asleep, love. I’ll cover you back up when I’m done.” Damn him. He was putting her to sleep. She had no intentions of falling asleep when an afternoon of lusty sex was waiting for her within reach. Finally, he stopped his ministrations and leaned back on the bed next to her. She roused herself and rolled over toward him and wrapped her arm around his waist. Then she laid her head on his shoulder. “Comfy, Janet?” “Umhmm.”’ He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She felt him relax beneath her. She waited until he was just about asleep and moved her hand from his waist lower to grasp his cock. She squeezed a little hard and began to slowly pump his dick up and down. “Janet! What in the hell are you doing?” “Playing. I’m bored and you’re here.” “This isn’t a good idea, love. You’re hurt. I could hurt you worse.” “Whoever said you had to do anything other than lying there?” She grinned against his upper chest where she’d rested her head when she had reached for his cock. The steel-hard dick jumped when she ran her fingertips up and down the stalk. It felt like a velvet glove over an iron spike, both hard and soft all at the same time. Janet squeezed it hard then lightly ran her fingertips up and down. She was almost certain she could talk him into fucking her desperately aroused pussy. She was so wet, her legs felt sticky.

 

102

Marla Monroe

“I think I know where this is going. You do realize that Greg will be angry with both of us for doing it.” “But if you don’t hurt me, where’s the harm? You’re not going to hurt me, Steven.” “It’s the principle of the thing, Janet. He said no.” Despite his trying to talk her out of it, Steven’s hips were pumping, shoving his cock harder through her hand. She had him, and she knew it. All it took to tip the scales even farther was to lick the pale discs of his nipples. He groaned and rolled over her in one swift move. “I’m going to catch hell for this. But you would tempt an angel.” He took her mouth in a scorching kiss that was so deep and sensual it was almost painful. She returned the kiss, fighting to take control even though she really didn’t want it. Steven’s dominant side came out in force. He nipped her lower lip then ran his tongue over hers, sucking it into his mouth. Janet had to come up for air first. Steven gnawed on her chin before licking and kissing his way down her neck and shoulders. When he reached her breasts, he divided his time between each of them. Her nipples were peaked and sensitive. Steven knew this and teased her mercilessly. When he bit them or pulled them, she cried out in pleasure. She loved that her husbands were aggressive in bed. She couldn’t help that she liked it that way. It was so different from how she normally was. “Fuck, I want your pussy in my mouth, love. I crave your sweetness like a newborn calf craves its mother’s milk.” He scooted down the bed and carefully moved between her legs so as not to touch her sore ankle and shin. Then he spread her pussy lips and licked her slit all the way to her clit. He twirled his tongue around her opening then teased her clit by circling it several times. Janet groaned and thrashed her head back and forth as he entered her cunt with two fingers. They stretched her from side to side then curled, locating her sweet spot. Steven stroked it several times before

 

Their Independent Bride

103

lapping at her pussy juices. The more he licked, the harder it became for her to be still. “I need to be inside you, when you come, love. I want your cunt to squeeze my cock as you climax.” “Yes, Steven. Please, fuck me. I can’t stand it any longer. Please.” She was nearly sobbing now with need. He couldn’t screw her soon enough as far as she was concerned. Steven scooted up in the bed and moved her legs over his arms so he wouldn’t accidently put pressure on her injuries. In this position, she wouldn’t be able to wrap her legs around him and lock her ankles like she tended to do when she climaxed. It was a thoughtful move on his account. The fact that he could think at all was a testament to his control. She had no control now. She was a bundle of nerves in need. “Fuck, you’re going to be so tight.” He slowly positioned his dick at her entrance and pushed forward. The stretch burned. His cock was so thick that he had to work his way inside of her. Sweat beaded across his forehead as he finally settled himself all the way inside her throbbing cunt. He held himself still as if trying to regain some of the control he’d lost fucking his way in. “God, Steven! You’ve got to move. I need you to fuck me. Fuck me hard.” She gripped the covers in an effort not to reach up and dig her nails into his arms. “You’re squeezing my dick, love. I can’t last. Play with your nipples for me. Help me make you come.” Janet didn’t hesitate. She pulled and twisted them as he began slowly tunneling his way through her pussy over and over. The stretching burn morphed into a singeing pleasure. When Steven applied his thumb over her clit and pressed while she was pinching her nipples, she exploded into an orgasm that took her breath then slammed it all back into her. She screamed out his name. “Hell! Squeeze me just like that, love.” He gritted his teeth into a grimace just before he shouted out his release.

 

104

Marla Monroe

Sweat from his forehead dripped onto her breasts to mingle with the dew on her skin. Neither of them could catch their breath, much less move. Finally, Steven pulled out of her and rolled over to the side. Despite being in a sexual haze, he still managed to avoid her sore leg. “Fuck.” “I agree,” she said. “Let me catch my breath, and I’ll go run a bath for us. We both need it.” “Greg is going to be pissed, isn’t he?” “Yeah. He’ll get over it.”

 

Their Independent Bride

105

Chapter Twelve Greg parked the transport inside the shed and climbed down. He was bone tired and a little anxious to see Janet. He hoped she hadn’t gotten out of bed without Steven to help her. The thought of her hurt any worse really bothered him. Despite their differences, he honestly cared about her. Love? Well, that might come with time. In their type of relationship, where they hadn’t done the choosing, love might not happen for them. He walked up to the house and unlocked the door. When he stepped inside, he called out to let them know he was back. Steven walked into the kitchen from the living room. “I’m glad you’re back. I was beginning to worry. You’re a little later than I thought you would be.” “Took longer than I thought to locate the fencing supplies and load it on the transport trailer. How is Janet?” “She’s doing fine. She’s probably asleep. I have something warming in the oven for you for dinner.” Steven walked toward the oven. “Leave it for now. I need a shower before I eat.” He started to walk into the living room then stopped. Turning around, he stared at Steven. “You fucked her, didn’t you?” “Yeah, she doesn’t make it easy to say no. But she’s fine. I didn’t hurt her.” “Damn it, Steven! We agreed no sex until her leg was healed.” “I know, but she grabbed me by the dick and there wasn’t much I could do after that. You say no to her when she’s milking your cock.” “What in the hell were you doing naked in the first place?”

 

106

Marla Monroe

“Taking a nap?” “Bullshit.” Greg drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He should have known what would happen and sent Steven to get the damn fencing material. He wouldn’t have caved on her. He would have been able to say no. Even with her hand around my dick? Fuck! “Look, I’m sorry, Greg. I knew what she was about and figured I could just pleasure her and that would be enough for her, but she had me by the short hairs. I can’t resist her when she’s like that.” “Oh, hell. I probably knew deep down you would end up having sex. If I truly didn’t want you fucking her, I would have sent you instead. Doesn’t make it right, though.” Steven grinned. “Go take your shower so you can eat and we can both go to bed. If we’re going to work on the fence tomorrow, we’re going to need all the rest we can get.” Greg nodded in agreement and headed toward the living room and the stairs. Once in the bedroom, he checked on Janet and found that she was sound asleep. He couldn’t see her leg to check it for himself since she had the covers over her. She looked much more relaxed than she had when he left. Maybe the sex had been better for her than he thought. No reason to let her know that he wasn’t as upset as he should be. He would make sure she knew he was disappointed that she had seduced Steven into sex. Greg had to assure that she would follow his directions when it came to her health and safety. Everything else, he had agreed to relax his stance on. This had been in regards to her health and she’d deliberately disobeyed him. The shower felt good to his aching muscles and cleared away the dried sweat from his skin. He quickly bathed then rinsed and dried off. He pulled on a clean pair of jeans and padded downstairs to the kitchen where Steven was pulling his dinner out of the oven. “Thanks, I’m hungry. I had a sandwich of something while I was waiting on them to locate the things we needed. It wasn’t very filling, though.”

 

Their Independent Bride

107

“Well, this might not be much better since I cooked it. Janet didn’t complain, so it must have been decent.” “I can’t see her leg. She has it under the covers. How is it looking?” “Her ankle is still a little swollen, but the bruising is beginning to change colors, so it will be fading soon. Her shin has a good scab over it. All in all, it looks better. She didn’t have to have any more pain medicine, either.” “I’m going to fuss at her for disobeying me. She has to follow our rules when it comes to her safety and her health, Steven. So don’t interfere.” “I won’t. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking about sending her mixed messages. I helped her do something you had said no about.” Greg finished eating and rinsed his plate before setting it on the edge of the sink. He turned off the light in the kitchen and followed Steven back upstairs. This time when he walked in, Janet was awake but had drowsy-looking eyes. He wasn’t at all sure she would understand anything in that state. “Hey, baby.” “Greg? You’re back.” She smiled then stretched and yawned. “What time is it?” “It’s only seven thirty, but we’re coming to bed. We’ve got to get an early start in the morning.” Steven walked around and climbed into bed next to her. Greg stared down at her and frowned. “Do you have something you need to tell me?” “Um, do I?” He scowled at her, and she winced. He figured she was awake enough to know she had been wrong. Her eyes cut over to Steven and then returned to him. “We had sex today. But it didn’t hurt my leg at all.” Her voice rushed through the words.

 

108

Marla Monroe

“Didn’t I tell you that we weren’t going to have sex until your leg was healed? I said that for a reason, Janet.” “I know, but I think you’re going overboard. It’s just a sprained ankle and a skinned leg. I didn’t break anything or have to have stitches.” She seemed to be trying to look serious, but lying in bed naked with the sheets up around her breasts made her look vulnerable instead. “It’s for your health, and we agreed you would listen to us when it concerned your safety or your health. If you’re going to ignore me this time, how can I believe you won’t do it about something more serious?” She sighed and looked down. Then she raised her eyes to look at him again. “You’re right. I wasn’t taking what you said seriously. I thought it was silly, and I didn’t want to wait because I was horny. I’m sorry, Greg.” “I don’t know what to believe. How am I going to trust you?” “I promise. It won’t happen again.” He looked at her until she sighed and lowered her eyes. He pulled off his jeans and climbed into bed beside her. She wrapped her arm around his chest and laid her head on his shoulder. “You’re a little minx. Are you sucking up, now?” “Yeah, is it working?” “As long as you keep your hands north of the line.” “Yes, sir.” **** “Wake up, sleepyhead. We’re getting ready to leave.” Steven’s voice pulled her from sleep. Janet wanted to put the pillow over her head but knew she couldn’t do that. They were leaving to go to work at the house site. She needed to get up so they could settle her downstairs for the day.

 

Their Independent Bride

109

The men had worked on the fence all day the day before and hadn’t come in until nearly dark. She knew they had to be exhausted and yet they were going off to work. That meant more physical labor. She wished they could have had a day off, but the house had to go up and the fence was still just poles in the ground. “I’m awake. Let me use the bathroom first. Then I’ll be ready to go downstairs.” “I have your clothes ready for you.” Greg ushered her into the bathroom. Janet was able to walk gingerly on her foot now as long as it wasn’t too far or too often. They had agreed that she could stay downstairs as long as she was careful and didn’t walk or stand more than was absolutely necessary. She could go to the bathroom or fix something to eat and drink. The remainder of the time, she was to keep her leg propped up on the couch. “Okay, I’m ready.” She hobbled out of the bathroom and let Greg help her with her clothes. Steven picked her up and carried her downstairs to the living room. He settled her on the couch before arranging everything she might need close to her. He handed her the radio, and she stuck it between her and the back of the couch. Then he piled a small table that he’d put next to the couch with books. Greg brought her breakfast and some coffee as well as a glass of water. When he stooped down to kiss her, she smiled and kissed him back. He was disappointed in her, but he wasn’t mad, at least not anymore. She would obey him from now on about things like this. It was a small thing really. They hadn’t asked her to do anything she knew was wrong or crazy. Staying off her foot made sense, and she knew it did. Why did she butt heads with him all of the time? Because I want to make my own decisions and he wants to make some of them for me. I need to back off some and give him some control. I promised. She sighed and sipped the coffee.

 

110

Marla Monroe

“Need anything else that you can think of?” Greg sat on the edge of the couch next to her hip. “I can’t think of anything. I have the radio if something is wrong, and everything I need is around me. I wish we had a TV, though. I could really go for a movie or two.” “Sorry. We can’t provide that.” Steven ran his hand over her hair, tugging on it just a little. “Behave yourself, baby. We’ll be back around dark. Don’t try and fix anything for us tonight. We’ll fix something when we get home. Okay?” “All right.” Greg leaned forward and kissed her before standing up. She watched as the two of them walked toward the kitchen. A few seconds later, the back door opened and shut. She should be used to that by now. It seemed to happen a lot for her. They went out without her all the time. If they were back on Earth, she would complain that they were seeing someone as much as they left her behind at the house. She spent the first two hours reading through the pamphlets and booklets about the planet, Alpha, that they were living on. She realized that the ones from the shuttle and back on Earth hadn’t included anything about the dangers, really. All they had provided them with were some names of plants and a few animals. They had identified several plants that were dangerous to humans. One was a pretty-looking blue-and-yellow flower. It was poisonous if ingested. Another one was a poisonous thistle plant. It was dangerous if the needlelike thistle poked you even once. Janet finished the last pamphlet and checked the clock. A little over two hours since the men had left, with about ten more to go. She sighed and started thumbing through the books to find one that interested her. She opened it to the first page and began to read. Halfway through the chapter, she found her mind wandering to the men. She wanted them there with her. She didn’t like that they were separated even for an hour, much less twelve or more hours a day.

 

Their Independent Bride

111

She had to be honest with herself. She was falling in love with them. She needed to figure out how to keep it from them. She was sure that eventually she would screw up and say the words to them after or during sex. It was when she was at her most vulnerable. Hopefully, when that happened they would take it as being from the heat of the moment. If the men thought she loved them, they would probably use it against her. She would eventually do anything for them. She didn’t want to become some simpering little wife that bent at their every word. She was stronger than that. Being independent meant that she didn’t have to cater to anyone if she didn’t want to. That was when she realized that she wanted to please them. She wanted to become the woman of their dreams. It frightened her. She started to get up and pace, but remembered just in time that she wasn’t supposed to be on her foot any more than necessary. Never mind that it had been Greg’s order. It was the best thing for her, and she could admit that. It didn’t mean she was losing her independence. Conflicting feelings raced around inside her. On one hand, she wanted to be what they needed, but on the other hand, she wanted to keep her independence. How was she ever going to reconcile the two? She spent the rest of the day on the couch only getting up for the bathroom, off by the office, and to get something to eat and drink. Her leg felt much better by the end of the day. She hoped they would let her off of couch confinement with bathroom privileges and let her walk around in the house. She was going stir crazy sitting there. She turned on the lamp by the couch when it began to get dark outside and waited anxiously for the men to return. She missed them, even Greg’s bossiness. When she heard the transport pull up outside, she almost ran for the door to greet them. She remembered at the last minute to stay on the couch. No doubt they would unhitch the trailer and park the transport before they came inside. Several minutes passed before she heard the kitchen door open and close. Footsteps crossed the kitchen floor. Finally, they walked

 

112

Marla Monroe

into the living room to greet her. She couldn’t help the massive smile on her face. She’d been so lonely all day. “Are you glad to see us, love?” Steven bent over her and kissed her. She wanted to deepen it and pull him down on her but figured Greg needed his turn. She waited for him to kiss her. He hesitated and her heart fell. He wasn’t really as enamored by her as Steven was. She supposed she should have expected that since she was so far away from the type of women he was normally attracted to. He kissed her then stood back up. “How did you do today?” “I’m bored to death. There’s only so much sitting and reading you can do before you want to get up and do something. But I didn’t. I stayed on the couch all day like you said.” “Good girl. I’m proud of you.” Greg nodded. “Are you ready to go back upstairs?” “Yes, anything different. I’ve already eaten, but you are probably hungry.” “Hungry is one word for it, love.” Steven headed for the stairs. “We need to shower first. Then I’ll carry you upstairs.” “Yeah, you do smell a bit ripe.” “Funny,” Steven called down. “I’m going to shower in the other bathroom, baby. It won’t be much longer and we’ll have you upstairs. Just give us a few minutes.” “I’m not going anywhere.”

 

Their Independent Bride

113

Chapter Thirteen The next day, the men were back working on the fence. Janet was allowed up to walk around, but she was strongly encouraged to rest her ankle often. Now, she could insist on a more normal relationship in bed. The men couldn’t say that she was too hurt to play. She had never been this needy when it came to sex before Steven and Greg. Now she had a difficult time going several hours without thinking about it. I’m turning into a pervert. She couldn’t feel bad or guilty about it, though. It was natural for someone her age to want to have a healthy sexual relationship with her husbands. She sighed. There she went again. Janet hobbled over to the stove to check dinner. Everything seemed to be on time. The men would show up in about thirty minutes. Then they would want to take showers before eating. She was pretty sure she had it timed right. She finally pronounced it ready and returned to the couch where she propped her foot up. She heard Steven and Greg walk in cursing several minutes later. They were talking about a fence puller and a pair of pliers. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know bad enough to ask, though. They walked into the living room still fussing. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?” Greg tugged on her hair before dropping a kiss on her forehead. “I’m doing fine. Dinner will be ready once you finish in the shower.” “Where’s my kiss?” Steven wrapped his big hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a four-alarm kiss.

 

114

Marla Monroe

His tongue teased hers before sucking it into his mouth. When he let her go, she opened her eyes to find him grinning down at her. He obviously knew he’d rocked her world with that kiss. “Go shower. You stink.” She squinched up her nose for good measure. “Minx. I’ll show you stink.” He acted as if he was going to wrap his arms around her. She held up her hands to ward him off. “Okay, you two. Act like grownups.” Greg couldn’t hide the chuckle from them. He had enjoyed it just as much as they had. “We’ll be back down in a few minutes, love.” They returned to get her for dinner thirty minutes later. She let them serve it since she had cooked it. Once they were finished, the men cleaned up the kitchen while she waited in the living room for one of them to carry her upstairs to bed. They still wouldn’t let her climb the stairs. Greg carried her up while Steven ran her a bath. As soon as he put her down, Janet began stripping out of her clothes. She was ready for bed, and even the thought of a warm bath didn’t excite her as much as going to bed with her men. Steven helped her in. Then he left her to bathe and soak for a while. She could hear the murmur of their voices outside the bathroom door, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. It was frustrating not to know everything they were talking about. They had talked all day outside. She wanted to talk with them now. Well, maybe not talk, exactly. She carefully got out of the tub by herself and dried off. Once she was thoroughly dry, Janet walked out of the bathroom with as little of a limp as she could manage. She didn’t want Greg to see her as still injured. She wanted him to see her as a desirable woman that he wanted to fuck. “Baby, you should have let one of us help you out.” Greg walked over to her and picked her up. “I didn’t have any trouble getting out, and I was careful.”

 

Their Independent Bride

115

“Still, we don’t mind helping you.” “Anything to get our hands on you, love.” Steven pulled back the covers on the bed so that Greg could set her down. “Why aren’t you two undressed? I’m ready for you to come to bed.” “We were just talking about that, baby.” Greg brushed a strand of hair off her face. “Why were you talking about undressing?” “We were actually talking about sex, nosey.” Steven began unbuttoning his jeans. He unzipped but didn’t start pulling them off. She frowned. This didn’t sound good. “What about sex?” “Trying to decide if you are well enough to play, baby. I don’t want to hurt you.” “You’re taking this way too far, Greg. I’m not made of glass. I won’t break if you touch me too hard. I think you know that by now.” “Yeah, our baby likes it a bit rough. That’s why I wanted to wait until you were healed before we had sex again. You bring out the beast in us, and we lose control once we’re in the middle of things, so to speak,” Greg said. “Well I’m good to go, guys. Come to bed and make me happy.” She rolled over to the middle of the bed and crooked her fingers in a come here gesture. Steven looked at Greg. Almost at the same time, they moved toward the bed and climbed on. Greg attacked her breasts with hands and mouth. He licked all around the nipple before sucking on it. His fingers were twisting and pinching her other nipple. She felt the initial warmth of arousal flood her bloodstream. Her pussy juices began to leak from her body as Greg bit at her nipple. Steven licked and kissed her pelvis and the areas just above her hip bone. She was sensitive there. Each time he ran his tongue over one of the spots, she cried out and lifted her hips toward him. After tormenting her for what seemed like thirty minutes, he moved to her mound. She shaved regularly, so he could enjoy sucking on her there.

 

116

Marla Monroe

He was very oral and tended to mouth every part of her body at one point or another. “Your pussy is soaking wet, love. Are you turned on? Do we make you hot?” “Please, Steven. I need one of you inside me. I feel so empty.” “Don’t rush us, baby. We’ve had to do without, too. Steven and I want to enjoy it.” Greg began biting and sucking all around her breasts. Steven’s mouth moved farther south. He licked over her slit twice before he settled in to suck and eat at her pussy. His teeth tugged at her pussy lips. Then he kissed and licked them to soothe the little stings. When he entered her cunt with two fingers, she nearly screamed in relief. For a brief moment, it settled the burning fire in her belly, but only for a few minutes. Then the aching emptiness built inside of her once again. “Cunt is so tight, love. I can’t wait to get my cock inside of you. You’ll squeeze me to death.” “I need you, Steven. Please. Fuck me.” “Greg?” “Lay down, Steven. If she wants something to fill her up, we’ll take care of her.” Greg directed them until Janet was trying to stuff Steven’s thick dick inside her snug, wet pussy. She wasn’t sure he would fit and wondered why. Then, as if by magic, she began to slide down the length of him until she was flush with his pelvis. His groin hair rasped against her clit. It felt wonderful. She wiggled her hips to grind her clit down on him. Greg popped her ass. “Be still, baby. I want in that hot ass, but I’ve got to stretch you first.” She giggled then felt him spread lube around her dark rosette. When he pressed a finger past the tight ring, she hissed out a breath but remained still. It didn’t hurt, only pinched. Then he added more lube and another finger. This time she had to press out in order to

 

Their Independent Bride

117

relax for him to force the second finger past the resistant tissue. It burned but quickly changed into more of a warm tingle. Then he was pressing three fingers into her back hole with more lube. She moaned but pushed back, and finally, the searing sting turned into nothing but fullness as he passed the resistant ring. Her ass felt full, but she knew that was nothing compared to how it would feel when Greg’s hard cock filled her there. “Easy, baby. Just breathe through it.” He pumped his fingers in and out of her ass in long, slow strokes. Once he was satisfied that she was ready, he pulled them out and replaced them with his lubed-up dick. He pressed forward against her back hole and slowly pushed past the tight tissues trying to keep him out. Janet panted as she pushed out in an attempt to let him in. It burned so good. She loved the bite of pain that changed to something even better once he made it past the hardest part. He tunneled his way deeper into her ass and then held still for her to adjust to his girth there. With Steven filling her pussy to overflowing and Greg shoved in her ass, she almost couldn’t breathe around them. Something had to go. She needed them to move. She couldn’t be still with them both inside of her. “Oh, God. Fuck me! I need you to move, Steven. Please, Greg.” Greg pulled out then pressed back in as Steven moved out. They set a slow, sensuous rhythm that threatened to overwhelm her. She ached for them to speed up, but she also didn’t want it to end too soon. Greg stimulated nerve endings deep in her ass that, mixed with the ones Steven had stirred up, had her body singing in pleasure. It wouldn’t take much more to put her over the edge. “Fuck, you’re tight, baby. I’m not going to last long.” “She’s squeezing my dick to the point of pain. Jesus, love. I’m going to explode if you keep flexing that tight cunt around me.” “I can’t help it. Oh, God! I’m so full.”

 

118

Marla Monroe

They sped up a little and the pleasure-pain totally blew through her. She clamped down on both men as she exploded around them. She heard their shouts and curses as if from a long way off as she flew through ecstasy to the point of passing out. The last thing she heard was Steven’s Holy Hell. **** Steven felt it the minute she relaxed against him. She had passed out. He was almost too worn out to grin, but he managed. “She’s unconscious, isn’t she?” Greg asked. “Yeah. We did well.” “I don’t think we bothered her leg too much, either. She had most of her weight on you and not on that leg.” Steven felt Greg pull out of Janet’s body. The other man padded toward the bathroom then returned a few seconds later with a washcloth. He helped Steven pull her off of him. She moaned but didn’t wake up. “I’ll clean her up while you run the bath,” Greg said. Steven grunted and rolled off the bed. He couldn’t believe how wobbly his legs were. The sex had been intense. Maybe it hadn’t just been sex. Maybe it had been more along the lines of making love. God knew he had been affected by it. Being inside her body was akin to being in paradise. He couldn’t get enough of her. He wondered how Greg felt about her. The other man didn’t talk much about his feelings. He turned on the bath and adjusted the water to the warmest temperature he thought she would like. She tended to scald herself if he didn’t watch out. She liked her water really hot. Greg walked in carrying her. For just a second, there had been a very soft expression on the other man’s face as he looked down at her. Maybe Greg felt more for Janet than he was letting on. He sure hoped so since they were going to be together for the rest of their lives.

 

Their Independent Bride

119

“How hot did you make the water? Am I going to burn my balls?” “Probably, but it’s not as hot as she would have run it.” Greg grunted and stepped over into the tub. His hissed-out breath was an indication that the water definitely hot. Steven smiled and handed the other man a cloth. “You can bathe her. I’ll remake the bed so we can sleep in it.” Steven left cousin and wife in the bathroom. He hoped Janet would wake up and they would talk some. They didn’t talk to each other nearly enough. It would do them some good to spend time alone. He concentrated on putting away the clothes and straightening the bed covers so they would be comfortable when they went back to bed. They tended to make a mess of the sheets during sex. Once again, he felt like it hadn’t been just sex. He smiled. To him, it was much more. He hoped it had been to the others. He heard the murmur of voices coming from the other room, now. Good, Janet had awakened and they were talking. He almost walked over to the door to listen in but caught himself. That was between them. They needed to have their own time together. He slipped downstairs and fixed a glass of water for Janet. He was sure she would be thirsty when she got out of the tub. When he returned to the bedroom, he heard the water draining from the tub. They would be out in a couple of minutes. Steven set the glass of water on the bedside table then climbed into the bed to wait for them. The sheets were a bit cool. He would be glad when they returned to warm the bed up some. The door to the bathroom opened and Greg carried Janet out of the bathroom toward the bed. He handed her off to Steven then got in bed next to her. Steven cuddled her up next to him. “How do you feel, love?” “Hmm, wonderful.” “Enjoy your bath?” “It was great, thanks. Greg bathed me. I guess I passed out.”

 

120

Marla Monroe

“Yep. You were dead to the world. We must have done something right.” “Silly, you always take care of me. This time, it was just so, so, I don’t know. Intense.” Greg grunted. “That is one way to say it. You nearly squeezed my damn cock off.” “I can say the same thing on my end.” Steven kissed Janet on the lips then turned her so that she was facing Greg. He wrapped his arm around her waist and settled his chin on top of her head. She reached across Greg and settled her arm over his chest before burying her face in his neck. “Mmm, you smell good.” He grunted. “It’s those damn bath salts Steven put in the water.” “Well, they smell good on you.” She shoved her ass back against Steven’s cock. “Good night, Steven.” “Night, love.” “Good night, Greg.” “Night, baby. Go to sleep.” Steven waited to hear her soft snore before he let himself drift off to sleep. He wanted to be sure she was settled. He didn’t want her to be the last one to fall asleep. It just didn’t seem right that she would remain awake after them. Once he relaxed and closed his eyes, he was gone.

 

Their Independent Bride

121

Chapter Fourteen Janet stretched as she stood up from weeding the garden. The months had passed and they were actually already getting some vegetables from the garden. It seemed too soon to her. She wasn’t originally a gardener, so she didn’t know for sure. It would be good to talk to Carmen and see what she thought as well. She would call her on the radio later. She tied back the tomatoes and worked at training the beans to climb the trellis they had set up for them. After finishing in the garden, Janet put everything away and sat on the back porch for a few minutes to enjoy the pretty day. She knew the men would prefer that she immediately go inside, but a few minutes out on the porch near the door wouldn’t hurt. They had the fence completed now, so nothing was supposed to be able to get inside it. She still kept her eye peeled for anything that could harm her. Despite giving Greg a hard time, she wasn’t one to be reckless or to take chances where her life was concerned. She valued their interest in her safety. It made her feel special that they cared so much. Over the months, she and Greg had grown a little closer. He seemed to relax more around her than he had at first. She pretty much gave into him on anything safety or health related, but she still stood her ground about other things. When he suggested that she shouldn’t go up and down the cellar stairs alone, she pointed out that they couldn’t always be there. Besides, what was the difference in that and the stairs in the house? He finally relented, and they agreed that she would be very careful when they weren’t around.

 

122

Marla Monroe

The men came home with various nicks and scratches all the time. She was constantly cleaning off a cut or scrape and applying bandages to one or the other of them. They took it all in stride that she wanted to see after them. She got a splinter working with the trellis one day and Greg threw a fit about it. Steven had finally settled Greg down that getting a splinter out of her hand wasn’t that big of a deal. “You pull it out of her and have her yell and cry.” She hadn’t been able to help herself, because it had hurt for him to dig at it. Still, it was just a splinter. He couldn’t seem to stand for her to hurt in any way. When she had a headache, he rubbed her back until she fell asleep. It was so tender of him when he seemed to be so rough on the outside. Times like that, Steven stepped aside and let Greg take care of her. The other man seemed to know that they both needed the tender time. Janet stood up to go back inside when she saw something on the other side of the fence. She squinted into the afternoon glare and recognized one of the insect-like creatures that were listed in one of the pamphlets from the city. It was massive and so ugly she shivered. It hissed across the fence and then acted as if it was going to climb. She ran for the door and slammed it shut as soon as she was inside. When she locked it, she looked out the window, but the thing was gone. She hoped it was gone, anyway. God forbid that it had gotten inside the fence. Janet checked every window and door to be sure it was locked and to see if she could see the thing. When there appeared to be no sign of it, she relaxed and decided it had run off again. With that thought, she took a quick shower before starting dinner for the men. They would be home around sundown. Like clockwork, the minute she had the meal ready, the transport pulled up next to the fence in the front yard. She restrained herself from throwing open the door for them. It tended to upset Greg. He didn’t want to chance that a creature might slip in the front door while

 

Their Independent Bride

123

she had it open. She had rolled her eyes at that in the past, but now, after seeing the creature, she wasn’t so sure it was a bad idea. “Hey, love. How was your day?” “Busy. The garden is growing so quickly. I am having trouble keeping up with it.” “Hey, Janet. What’s for dinner, baby?” Greg walked in, wiping his forehead on his shirt. It was hot outside in the afternoons. Both men would take a shower before settling down to eat. “Currick and roast with carrots and butcher beans. I think I got them tender this time.” Butcher beans were native beans that grew two to a pod and had to be soaked before you could cook them or they tended to be tough. “I’m sure they’re fine, baby. We’re going to shower. We’ll be back down in a few minutes.” Greg popped her on the ass as he passed by. Steven bent down and dropped a quick kiss on her lips before climbing the stairs behind Greg. She watched their fine asses as they climbed. She could well imagine them naked and how their muscles would clench when they walked. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see them through their jeans. Once the men had returned, she started serving the meal. They talked about the house and the garden. Then Janet decided to bring up what she had seen despite knowing it would upset the guys. She needed for them to know so they would be careful outside the fence. “While I was in the garden about to go inside, I saw one of those insect creatures like in the pamphlet we got from the city. It was buttugly, too.” “You what? Where was it?” Greg stopped eating and dropped his fork to the plate. “It was outside the west side of the fence. It had its claws on the fence, but it didn’t climb over it that I know of. I went in the house and locked the door, so I didn’t see where it went. I did check all the

 

124

Marla Monroe

doors and windows to make sure they were locked. I didn’t see it outside anywhere again.” “That’s good. I wish we had been here to see it,” Steven said. “Baby, you handled it right. Never run and don’t hang around the garden when you don’t need to be in it. I don’t want something to happen to you.” “I know, Greg. I’m being careful. I might not have even seen it except that I was paying attention to what was around me.” “I’m going to have to look at that pamphlet again to remind myself what it looked like.” Steven got up from the table and headed for the office. He didn’t return right away. Greg looked at Janet with furrowed brows when she pointed out that Steven hadn’t returned. “I’ll go check on him,” she said and started to get up. “No, you finish eating. I’ll check on him. He’s probably looking through the entire pamphlet again, knowing him.” She shrugged and finished up her meal as Greg disappeared through the kitchen door. She had raked out her plate and set it in the sink when it dawned on her that neither man had returned right away. She was just about to go check on them when they returned with serious expressions on their faces. “What is it?” “Brad just called. Carmen is hurt.” Steven broke the news. “What happened?” “She evidently got pricked by one of those thistle plants. They thought they had removed all of them, but one had gotten mixed in some flowers that she picked. She’s unconscious and not doing well.” Greg wrapped his arms around her, giving her a brief squeeze. “That’s horrible. Oh, poor Carmen.” Janet buried her face in Greg’s shirt. “Is she going to be okay?” “I honestly don’t know, love. They called the doctor up on the radio and are talking with him on what to do. Evidently, there’s not much he could do for her so he doesn’t want her to come to town. He

 

Their Independent Bride

125

thinks it might be too hard on her to transport her.” Greg ran his hand up and down her back. “I can’t believe it. I just talked to her yesterday. I was going to call her about the garden tonight. Is there anything we can do?” “I’m sure praying would be appreciated,” Steven said. The men sat down and finished their meal. Then they left Janet to clean up while they talked in the living room. She overheard Steven say that they would be working the house site by themselves for a few days. She couldn’t believe that Carmen was in such bad shape. She had helped Carmen understand anal sex when she had been worried about it. They talked on the radio almost every day and had discussed having a meal together one night soon. Janet shivered and finished the dishes before wiping down the stove, counters, and table. When she walked into the living room an hour later, the men stopped talking. Steven held out his arms for her to climb up into the recliner with him. She snuggled against his chest. “Baby, we want you to be extra careful about what you touch out in the yard and the garden. Evidently, a thistle plant can pop up anywhere. The men had already gone over the area and killed everything dangerous before Carmen was allowed outside. We think we have, too, but maybe not.” “Don’t worry. I’ll double-check anything I plan to touch. I never really thought about it before now.” Steven kissed her on the forehead and ran a soothing hand up and down her arm. She appreciated the contact. She felt so cold thinking about Carmen’s serious condition. If she died…well, Janet didn’t want to think about that. The other woman had to be okay. “Let’s go on up to bed. We need to get a little extra rest to be ready for work in the morning. Baby, we might be working a little longer than usual with the other guys staying to watch their wife.”

 

126

Marla Monroe

“I understand, but I’ll worry about you. You’re already working such long hours. The extra hour in the day means that you’re putting in close to twelve hours every day.” “We’ll be fine. Carmen will be up on her feet in no time and we’ll cut back then.” Greg lowered his chair and stood up. Steven did the same thing but let Janet slide out of his lap before he stretched and stood up. Janet fell asleep thinking about the other woman. She prayed that Carmen would be okay and hoped God heard her prayers. **** Several weeks passed with no change in Carmen. Janet made sure that the guys called and checked every day to see if there was any news. She worried and worried that she would lose her new friend. Having left all her friends back on Earth, she had been pleased that she and Carmen got along so well. Finally, Carmen woke up. Everyone was overwhelmed with joy. The others were taking the woman to the doctor to have her checked out. When they returned, it was to relay the news about having a strange cell in their bodies that had mutated. The doctor felt like everyone who ate the food on the planet had it. He didn’t know what it was or what it meant to the people living on the planet. All he knew was that it didn’t seem to affect them in any strange way. There were several children on the planet now, and they appeared normal though a little advanced for their age. “I don’t like it, Steven.” Greg sat back in the office chair with Janet in his lap. “I don’t, either, but what can we do about it? We can’t stop eating. Evidently, it’s something in the earth and it is in the food we are growing as well.”

 

Their Independent Bride

127

“I told you it was maturing much too fast. I’m going to be harvesting it all soon.” “Do you think we should all get checked for the cell in our bodies?” Steven asked. “I don’t want to go to the doctor. He already said he didn’t know anything.” “I’m with Janet on that. If he can’t do anything about it, what’s the use in taking a day out to drive to town until we need to? The next time we go to town, we can stop by the doctor’s office and let them draw our blood.” “Let’s go to bed, guys. I’m tired.” Janet wanted her men around her. “It sounds like someone’s thinking about something other than sleep to me.” Steven grinned across at her. Greg got up and carried her out of the office. They climbed the stairs and started undressing as soon as they made it to the bedroom. Steven had his clothes off first and started helping Greg rid Janet of hers. Before she knew what he had in mind, Steven had her bending over the edge of the bed with her ass in the air. “I want to fuck this pretty pussy and spank this hot ass.” “Greg! Don’t let him spank me.” “Don’t look at me. I’m going to enjoy watching.” Greg was slowly stroking his cock. Steven rubbed his hand over her ass. Then Steven popped it. She looked over her shoulder at him and growled. When he popped the other cheek then smoothed over it with his hand, she couldn’t stop the moan that escaped her mouth. It stung so good. “I like how hot your ass is getting from me spanking it. It turns so pretty and pink for me.” He gave her taps on either side once again, then another two. She was thrusting her ass out for him now. It was turning her on so much. Her pussy was soaking wet from the stimulation. When he centered a spank to her pussy, she nearly came. It burned but felt so good.

 

128

Marla Monroe

“I’m going to slide right into your hot cunt. You’re so wet, Janet. You like having your ass spanked, don’t you, love?” “Please, spank me again. I’m going to come, Steven.” “No. I want you to come around my cock. Let me inside.” He pressed against her weeping slit. He slid in just a short ways before he had to pull out and push forward again. It took him several tries before he finally made it all the way inside of her. Her pussy wept around him as he began pumping her full of his cock. He held her hips in a tight grip as he tunneled in and out of her. Janet looked up to find Greg stroking his cock with his hand. She licked her lips and watched him watch where Steven’s cock disappeared inside her pussy. She wanted to taste him so badly. “Greg. I want your cock in my mouth. Please?” “You want to suck my cock, baby? Beg me.” “Please, Greg. Let me taste you. I want your cock all the way down my throat.” Greg growled before moving close to her. She opened her mouth and allowed him to feed his cock to her. He pulled out then pressed back in a little deeper. Then she pulled back enough to get to his cockhead. She licked her tongue around the spongy head and over the slit. He hissed when she slid her tongue along the slit. “Fuck!” “She’s going to blow your mind, Greg.” “You just make sure not to do anything different so that she bites me.” Janet grinned around Greg’s cock as she sucked on just the head. Then she took him to the back of her throat and swallowed around him. “Hell yeah, baby. Just like that.” She did it again, then slowly pulled back to the tip where she ran her tongue around it again. Then she nibbled her way down his cock and back up. He grabbed her hair and held her still.

 

Their Independent Bride

129

“I’m going to fuck this pretty mouth. Hold still for me, baby.” Janet concentrated on holding still for both men. Steven continued to plunge in and out of her pussy, and then Greg was pumping his long cock deep into her throat. He hit the back of her throat and she swallowed around him again and again. He cursed, and sweat rolled down his arms. She wanted to lick the beads that she could see on his forearms. Instead, she took him as far down her throat as she could without choking. He pulled at her hair with each thrust of his dick. It tingled nicely and together with his mastering her, shot her closer to orgasm with each pull. “Hell, Greg. I’m not going to last. She’s squeezing her cunt muscles around my cock like a vise. Hurry up, man.” “Fuck! She’s going to suck me dry. I’m close, too.” Janet redoubled her efforts to make both men come. Yet all it did was shoot her closer to her own climax. “Here I go, baby. I’m going to come in your throat.” She felt him pulse in her throat and streams of his cum coated her mouth. She swallowed as fast as she could so she didn’t spill any of it. He pulled out and massaged her scalp where he’d been pulling on it. “God, that was so good, baby.” He left her there with Steven to clean up. Steven began losing his rhythm as he plunged in and out of her tight pussy over and over. When he reached around and plucked at her clit, she lost it and screamed out his name as sparks sent her flying into orgasm. She clamped down on his dick until he roared and shot his cum deep into her cunt. She felt its warm splash against her womb. She collapsed on the bed as Steven rested his body over hers. Finally, Steven stood up and helped her to as well. She felt his seed run down her leg when he pulled out. “Let’s get cleaned up, love. We need to get in the bed.” Greg passed them on the way to the bathroom. He slapped her ass as he passed with a smile. “What was that for?”

 

130

Marla Monroe

“For being so damn sexy.” He climbed into bed. Janet grinned. She’d enjoyed her early night. Maybe things would get back to normal now that Carmen was going to be okay. Everyone had been on edge while she had been sick. They snuggled close with Janet thinking about the garden and how much work she had ahead of her over the next several weeks. It was about time to harvest. She would be very busy and wouldn’t feel as eager for sex, she was sure. When she was overly tired, she tended to fall asleep as soon as she got out of the tub. “What are you thinking about, love?” “Just that it is going to be a lot of work dealing with the garden this month. Everything is beginning to get ripe and ready for picking now.” “Yeah, winter will be here before we know it. They say that they can be harsh here. We’re going to have to be sure we are ready for it.” “I think we’ll have plenty of vegetables to eat, but I don’t know about meat. We might need to make a run to the city to stock up on frozen meat before it starts snowing.” “Well, we’ve got a month or six weeks before we have to worry about that.” “I guess so. I sure don’t need to wish the time away. I need it to tend to the garden.” “Hey, you two! Come on to bed and stop talking. I’m tired.” Greg’s voice carried into the bathroom. Janet giggled and climbed out of the tub. She and Steven dried off then padded into the bedroom to get into bed. She couldn’t wait to see Carmen again to see how she was doing. Maybe they could still have that harvest dinner they had been talking about before she had gotten sick. In the meantime, she would work to get the harvest done.

 

Their Independent Bride

131

Chapter Fifteen Janet had almost finished harvesting their garden. She was exhausted and had little appetite. She’d lost some weight and Greg had been all over her to eat more. She tried. She honestly did, but the food didn’t settle well in her stomach. She had even gotten sick one day when she’d managed to eat some. “Here’s the bath cloth. Run it around her forehead.” Steven handed the cloth to Greg who wiped her brow with it. “Baby, do you think you’re pregnant?” “Ah, hell. I hadn’t thought about that.” Steven’s voice reached her where she knelt over the toilet. “I don’t know. God, my stomach is rolling.” “Sit back and let me wipe your face, baby.” Janet sat back and Greg ran the cloth around her face before handing it back to Steven to rinse again. “Think about it. You haven’t had a period in a long time. I know it’s been at least six weeks.” Greg squeezed her hand. “I–I guess so. I really hadn’t paid any attention because I’m never regular.” “I think we need to go to the doctor and see if you are. You probably need to be on vitamins as well.” Steven handed the cloth back to Greg. “I guess you’re right. I hate going to the doctor. He’s going to want to take my blood.” “Don’t worry, he’ll get ours, too,” Steven reminded her. “The cell, that mutated thing that’s in everyone’s body. What if it’s in my body, too?”

 

132

Marla Monroe

“Don’t worry about it, now, Janet. We’ll talk to the doctor about it. He said that there were other women with children on the planet, so don’t worry about it.” Greg bent down and kissed her forehead. “I think I can get up now.” They helped her to her feet then Greg picked her up and carried her to the bed. “Go back to sleep, baby. I’m going to call the others and let them know we’re going to the city.” “I’ll stay with her,” Steven said. Greg nodded and smiled at her before heading downstairs. Janet relaxed but couldn’t go back to sleep. Too much was circling around in her head to sleep. What if she was pregnant? What would she do with a baby? She knew that it had always been a possibility, but she had hoped to have a little more time to prepare. She still didn’t have all the harvest in and would need to be able to finish that. Then there was the wintertime coming up. They had never been through a winter on the planet yet. “You’re awful quiet to not be sleeping, love. What’s going on in that head of yours?” “Just wondering if now is a good time for me to be pregnant. I mean, we’ve only been on the planet a short time. We don’t know about what the winter will bring or about this stupid cell in our bodies, for that matter.” “Everything will be fine, Janet. Don’t borrow trouble. Just relax and try to rest until we get ready to go to the city. I think I heard Greg go outside to pull up the transport.” “I’m sorry you’re missing work. I know it’s hard to keep on track when you miss a workday.” “It will be fine.” A few minutes later, Greg returned. She turned her head toward the door as he walked through.

 

Their Independent Bride

133

“I have the transport out by the front door. Brad and Kirk aren’t working today, either. It seems they think that Carmen is pregnant, too. They’re getting ready to take her to the doctor as well.” “Well, can you believe that? Both of them pregnant at the same time. That’s almost spooky,” Steven said. “Let’s get her dressed and into the transport.” Greg pulled out her jeans and a top. They helped her dress then Steven carried her downstairs to the transport. They headed for town with her strapped in between them. When they finally arrived, it was to find the others already there. She walked into the office and prepared herself for whatever she might find out. She wanted to see Carmen, but the other woman was already in a room with her husbands. They sat out in the waiting area for nearly thirty minutes before a man greeted them and introduced himself as Scott, the doctor’s nurse. “Let’s get you set up in the other exam room.” They followed him into the room. He handed her a gown and told her to strip and put it on and then climb up on the exam table. “I’m going to draw some blood from each of you while you’re here,” he said. They all suffered through the brief stick and watched as Scott labeled each vial with their names and the date. Then he left them to get Janet ready for the doctor. “I don’t like doing this. It reminds me of all the exams we had back on Earth.” Janet pulled on the oversized gown. “I can agree with you there, baby. I didn’t like giving blood all the time.” Steven helped her back up on the exam table once again. They waited another twenty minutes before the doctor walked in. “Hello everyone. I’m Doctor Jeff Davis. Let’s see how you’re doing, young lady.” “I’m doing fine, Doctor. I really don’t think it’s necessary to go to so much trouble.”

 

134

Marla Monroe

“I know you are tired of being poked and prodded, but it’s necessary in this case. Lie back for me.” After twenty minutes of enduring the doctor’s exam, he finally stepped back and told them she could get dressed now. “I’m going to go check on the test results then we’ll talk again.” As soon as he walked out, Janet jumped off the exam table and grabbed at her clothes. “Easy, baby. You don’t want to fall and hurt yourself. We’ll get you dressed.” Greg held her arm as Steven held out her panties. Once she was fully clothed again, Janet felt a little better. She hated doctors and hated their exams even more. Dr. Davis was nice enough, but he was a doctor. When he returned sometime later, he was smiling. Janet was sure by the smile that she was pregnant. She had mixed feelings. She was glad that everything must be okay for him to be smiling and worried about having the baby on the strange planet to begin with. Never mind that it was one of the main reasons she had been selected. It was still a viable worry for her. There were so many dangerous things they didn’t really know about on the planet. “I’ve got good news for you. You’re pregnant, Janet. Congratulations!” “Is everything okay with her?” Greg asked. “She’s fairly healthy. She’s obviously lost some weight judging by how big her clothes are on her, but it seems to be the norm on this planet. Some women always do lose weight during the first few weeks of pregnancy. The trick is to stop and turn it around to where you are gaining weight.” “What about the cell you were telling the others about? Do we have it? Does she?” Greg asked. The doctor’s face changed to a more serious expression. Janet didn’t like the change. “Yes, you all have the cell inside of you. Janet’s is more pronounced than yours. I can only surmise it’s either because she is a

 

Their Independent Bride

135

female or because she is pregnant. I’ve had the same results in most of the women here.” “Has anyone had anything bad happen because of this cell that’s in us?” “No, to my knowledge, nothing bad has happened to anyone as a result of the cell. Several of the women who have been bitten or had the acid-like stuff on them have actually appeared to be healthier than the others. I can’t prove anything by it, but it does appear that way so far.” “So what do we do from here?” Steven spoke up. “I’ll give her some prenatal vitamins, and she needs to eat better. She is one of the few women I’ve had who became pregnant that didn’t need iron pills as well. That’s a very good thing.” “What about Carmen? How is she?” “She’s doing well. I can’t tell you anything more. You’ll have to talk to her yourself. She’s outside waiting to see you.” Janet didn’t wait any longer. She threw open the door and hurried outside. “Carmen! How are you?” She wrapped the other woman in her arms. When she let go, she smiled at the huge grin on the other woman’s face. “You’re pregnant,” they both said at the same time. “Isn’t that great! We’ll have babies at the same time! They’ll be friends. I wonder if we’ll have the same kind or if one of us will have a boy and the other a girl?” Carmen was overly excited about being pregnant. “It will be great. How are you feeling other than that?” she asked. “I’m fine. There’s nothing really different since I was sick. I think the stuff inside of me and you has helped me.” “I sure hope it will help. I can’t stand thinking about something foreign being inside of me.” Carmen smiled. “I agree, but I really think that is what saved me.”

 

136

Marla Monroe

“Are you ready to head back home, Carmen?” Brad wrapped his arms around her. “We should at least eat together while we are here,” she said. “What do you say, guys?” Brad asked. They all agreed it was a good idea and left the doctor’s office together. They walked down the street to a diner and talked and visited while they had an early dinner. It was only three in the afternoon, but they had a long drive back ahead of them. Janet was sure her men were anxious to return. “Carmen, we should talk every day on the radio and compare symptoms to see if we’re doing the same things.” “That’s a great idea!” “We better go, Janet.” Greg stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t want to get back too late.” “Same here,” Kirk said. They loaded up, strapped in, and headed for home. Janet spent the majority of the trip just thinking about everything. She knew that she would probably have the baby around the middle of April. That meant that the garden would fall on the men to get started. She wouldn’t be able to do it. That led to the thoughts of how to care for a baby and a house and a garden all at the same time. Well, women did it on Earth back before the advent of the automobile and tractors and such. Surely she could manage as well. They had a fence that would keep the creatures out. She would have to worry about all the added responsibilities once the time came. She was making herself sick thinking about it too much right then. “You’re awful quiet, love. What are you worrying about?” “Just that I don’t know how I’m going to take care of a house, a garden, and a baby all at the same time.” “We’ll worry about it more later. Right now, you need to concentrate on eating and gaining weight. You’ll feel better once you are able to eat right.” Greg looked over at her from the driver’s seat.

 

Their Independent Bride

137

“I can’t help it. I don’t think they thought about this when they sent us out to another planet.” “I think they did,” Steven said. “They gave you two husbands so that one could help you while the other one worked when the time came. We’ll work it all out, Janet.” “Steven’s right. You’ll have help. Just relax and take a nap until we get home.” “Maybe you’re right.” “Of course I’m right. I’m always right.” Greg grinned at her then squeezed her leg. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She didn’t sleep because she could hear the men talking around her, but she did rest. By the time they pulled up outside the house, she felt much better. “Stay put while we get the house unlocked.” Greg jumped down from the transport and headed for the house. Steven stepped down and waited while Greg unlocked the door. Then he reached up and unlatched the harness before carrying her over to the front door. Janet slid out of his arms once they were inside. She wanted a bath. She felt icky after the exam and wanted to clean up. “Where are you going, baby?” “To take a bath. I feel dirty.” “Need one of us to run it for you?” he asked. “No thanks. I can do it.” “Remember you’re carrying a baby, love, and don’t boil him.” “Ha, ha.” She shook her head at Steven. Once in the bathroom, she took his comment to heart and was careful not to run the water too hot. Still, it was a nice temperature when she slid down into the water. It felt wonderful. She quickly bathed then climbed out and dried off. About the time that she walked into the bedroom, the men walked through the door as well. “Time for bed, baby.” Greg began pulling off his clothes. “I’m going to take a shower.”

 

138

Marla Monroe

“I’m going to grab the one down the hall,” Steven said. “I’ll tuck you in first before I go.” She climbed into bed and settled in the middle under the sheets. She shivered at the colder temperature of the bed. After having been in the warm bathroom, it was a startling difference. “Snuggle down, love. We’ll be back to warm you up in a few minutes.” He bent down and kissed her. Greg walked over and kissed her as well. “I’ll be right out.” She never knew when they came to bed. Sleep claimed her in the middle of thinking about the baby.

 

Their Independent Bride

139

Chapter Sixteen Janet finished up most of the garden by the end of the month. She still had a few tomatoes and some eggplant left on the plants to watch and gather. Most everything else was ready to be pulled up and plowed under. She sighed. She had made it past the morning sickness part of pregnancy but still couldn’t seem to do much at one time. She got tired easier than before. She took frequent breaks and actually took a nap almost every afternoon. If she didn’t, she ended up in bed by seven or eight that night. The men noticed and encouraged her to rest as much as possible. They didn’t think it was odd for her to be so tired. Janet made her second trip down to the cellar to put away the tomatoes she had canned. It would probably take two more trips to get them all down there. She was tired and figured she would need to take a nap for sure that afternoon after she had lunch. As she climbed the stairs, something ran up between her feet and scared her so badly, she lost her balance and fell backwards down the stairs. Her head hit the bottom step and she slid down to land in a heap on the floor. The first thing she thought about was her baby. She wrapped her arms around her middle and prayed she hadn’t hurt the child. Then she tried to get up, but she found that her back hurt too much to move. Then she turned her head and found that her head was hurting as well. When she ran her hand down the back of her head, it came away bloody. Oh, God! She’d busted her head open. That’s when she felt the pain in her head.

 

140

Marla Monroe

Janet tried to roll over but couldn’t stand the pain to her back and hips. Tears began to flow as she realized she was stuck until the men got home that evening. She didn’t feel anything wet between her legs, but she couldn’t reach that far without jarring her back. Her head began pounding after a little while. Then she worried about whatever it was that had run between her legs coming back. How had it gotten in and what was it? It had looked to be about the size of a small cat. Was it dangerous? She couldn’t remember whether she had read anything about it or not. She thought she remembered there being something about it, but she couldn’t concentrate with her head pounding like it was. It was cool down in the cellar and before long, and she felt herself begin to shiver. She worried that she was going into shock. That couldn’t be good for her, especially not with having a busted head. If she fell unconscious, she wouldn’t be able to watch for the creature. “Greg, I wish you were here. I’m so scared.” Several long minutes later, she felt herself begin to drift. What if they didn’t find her down there? Then she remembered that the pantry door was open so they were bound to find her. But what if the creature closed the door? They might not find her for days. They could think that a wild animal had run off with her. Just as she began to fall asleep, the creature started down the stairs toward her. She screamed thinking it would scare it away, but it just stood at the middle step looking at her. **** Greg looked over at Steven and laughed. The other man had a black eye from running into a board and busting his nose. It really wasn’t funny, but what was funny was how Janet would treat him. She was going to smother him with attention. Greg thought it was funny. The other man hated it when he did something stupid.

 

Their Independent Bride

141

“Man, you can laugh all you want, but it will be me she’s all over tonight, not you.” “I know. I can’t help seeing you walk into that board though because you were too busy talking about her.” “Well Kirk and Brad talk about Carmen all the time. We should be talking about Janet the same way.” “And look what happens when you do. You end up with a black eye.” Greg shook his head. “You don’t love her, do you, Greg?” Greg didn’t take his eyes of the road now. He had dreaded this question for a long time. “Greg?” “No. I don’t love her. I care about her. She means the world to me, but I guess I’m just not that sort of person. Either that or she just isn’t the one for me. I mean, we knew that we might not fall in love with our wives when we agreed to be a part of this.” “I guess I just can’t see how you can not love her. She’s wonderful and gives you every part of her. She’s worked really hard to be who you need, Greg.” “Don’t you think I know that?” Greg all but yelled at Steven. “Okay. Just don’t let her know how you feel. She’s having our baby.” “I don’t plan on it. I can’t help how I do or don’t feel, Steven.” “I know.” The other man grew quiet. Greg sighed and pulled the transport up to the side of the house. Steven jumped down and Greg parked it under the shed. He was just walking inside when Steven came running into the living room white as a sheet. “She’s fallen down the cellar stairs.” Greg felt cold water pour down his spine at the thought of her at the bottom of the stairs. He ran behind Steven toward the kitchen and the cellar stairs. Steven hurried down the stairs with Greg right behind

 

142

Marla Monroe

him. When they reached the bottom, it was to find Janet lying on her side in a pool of blood. Aw, hell. She’d lost the baby. “Where is she hurt?” Greg demanded. “I don’t know. I can’t tell where the blood came from. Her pants are mostly dry. I don’t think it’s the baby.” “Fuck! Check her head.” “Ah, hell. She has a busted place on the back of her head.” “I’m scared to move her, Steven. I don’t want to do anymore damage.” “We don’t have a choice. We’ve got to get her upstairs, she’s cold, Greg. We can’t do anything with her down here.” “I’ll pick her up. You walk behind me so that if I slip, you can catch us.” “Got you.” Steven stood back while Greg gathered her to his chest and picked her up. She groaned but didn’t open her eyes. He felt something burn his arm when he held her, but he didn’t pay any attention to it. Right then, all he cared about was getting Janet upstairs where they could see about her. What in the hell were they going to do for her? As soon as he had her upstairs, he walked over to the kitchen table and gently laid her on her side on the table. “Check her head, Steven. I’m going to start taking her clothes off her to see where she’s hurt.” “She has a big gash, about two inches, back here. She needs stitches in it, but at least it’s quit bleeding.” “She has a bad bruise along her back. I hope to God she hasn’t broken her back. I’ve made it worse by carrying her up here if she did.” “We had to move her, Greg. We can’t see well enough down there and she’s cold already. I’m going to get blankets while you finish checking her. I’ll be right back.” Steven ran out of the kitchen. “Hell, baby. What have you done? Please don’t die on us.”

 

Their Independent Bride

143

Greg finished pulling her pants off and found to his amazement that she wasn’t bleeding vaginally. Thank God for small favors. The baby seemed to be fine so far. He did find some strange-looking bumps on her thigh, though. He checked her pants and found that they were all burned looking. Where had that come from? Steven was back with blankets and piled them on her. He gave Greg a questioning look. “Other than the bad bruising on her back, the only thing I found were some bubbly bumps on her thigh. It looks like something like acid dripped on her that went all the way through her jeans.” “That sounds like one of those creatures, Greg. Do you think something attacked her and she fell down the cellar stairs that way?” “I don’t know. We need to get her to the doctor.” “Go get the transport and I’ll stay with her. Honk the horn when you’re out there, and I’ll bring her out. We’ll put her in the back. I’ll ride back there with her.” “She hasn’t lost the baby, yet, Steven. With all that she’s been through, I can hardly believe it.” “She’s going to be fine. She has to.” Steven tucked the blankets all around her. “I’ll be right back.” Greg took one last look at her and ran for the door. Something inside of him was choking. He didn’t know what it was, but it hurt like hell. When he had the transport back at the house, he honked the horn and threw open the back door to help Steven get her inside. Once they had her settled on her side, Steven lay down with her and wrapped the covers around her once again. Greg climbed back in the driver’s seat and waited until Steven gave him the go-ahead to drive off. When he said to go, Greg took off at top speed. He had to slow down several times because of the terrain, but they made it to the city in half the time it normally took. There was an empty parking spot directly in front of the doctor’s office. He hoped they could find the doctor fairly quickly. As it was,

 

144

Marla Monroe

as soon as he climbed out of the transport, Scott, the nurse, opened the door and walked out. “What’s going on? Someone saw you flying into town like the hounds of hell were on your tail.” “Janet fell down the cellar stairs. I don’t know how long she was down there. She’s unconscious and she has a busted head.” Greg ran around to open the back door. “Steven, let me go get a stretcher before we move her again.” He ran back inside and returned with the doctor as well as the stretcher. Greg helped them settle her on the stretcher on her side, showing them the bruise to her back as well as the cut on the back of her head. “Let’s get her inside so I can take a look at her. Any vaginal bleeding?” “No, not so far,” Steven said. “There was a lot of blood around her head, though.” “She has some weird, bubbly bumps on her thigh. I think one of those creatures got her,” Greg added his thoughts. “Well let’s get her inside.” Once they had transferred her over to the bed in a large exam room that looked more like a surgery than anything, Greg watched as they unwound the blankets from around her and checked her over. Doctor Davis paid close attention to her head and the bumps on her thigh. He didn’t seem as worried about her back. “Okay, I’m going to sew that cut up first. I’ll have to remove a small area of hair to do it. She isn’t going to like that too much.” “We’ll deal with that when the time comes,” Greg told him. “I’m more worried about her back and if she’s going to be okay than anything.” “We aren’t going to know much until she wakes up. I’m worried about her waking up right now. With a head injury, you never know.” “Fuck!” Greg turned away and took a few steps before turning back around and staring at Steven.

 

Their Independent Bride

145

The other man was still pale and had an obvious tremor to his hand as he rubbed up and down Janet’s arm. “Do you want to wait out in the other room while we do this?” “No. We’re both staying,” Greg almost shouted at him. “Just stay out of the way.” Steven looked at Greg and drew in a deep breath. His cousin was having a difficult time holding it together. Hell, he was having a hard time doing the same thing. He wanted to beat something, preferably the creature that had hurt her. Nearly an hour later, they had shaved a small section of Janet’s scalp, cleaned it, and sutured the cut. They didn’t bother applying a bandage to the area. The doctor had said it needed to get some air. It was already at least six hours old. He was hoping they had gotten it sewn up in time for the skin to heal. Next, they examined her back by checking her reflexes and found that she moved all her extremities with pain. She still hadn’t woken up, though. Greg was beginning to worry she wouldn’t anytime soon. He noticed that he kept rubbing his upper arm. He rolled up the sleeve and found that he had a couple of bumps that looked like Janet’s. He pointed them out to the doctor. “Looks like you got some of the thing’s saliva off her pants onto your arm. I’ll treat it once I finish seeing about hers. You’re going to have a raised scar there that will change colors.” “I could care less about me. I’m more worried about her. She had a lot more of it on her.” “Is it going to hurt her?” Steven asked. “I don’t think she’s going to hurt from it. She’ll be past that part by the time she wakes up. She will have some raised scars and it will turn colors. I’m not sure what color, either green or yellow I think. At least that’s what color the others’ skin turned. It’s all I have to go on. You don’t know what sort of creature it was, do you?” “No, we didn’t see anything around her when we found her,” Steven said.

 

146

Marla Monroe

They watched as the doctor and nurse cleaned the area and applied some white-looking salve to the area. He told them that it worked well on burns and essentially that was what they were dealing with. He had them move her to a room where the nurse set up an IV of fluids to keep her hydrated. Then the doctor treated Greg’s small burn the same way. “When is she going to wake up?” he asked. “I don’t know, guys. It could be a few hours to a few days. It depends on how bad the head injury is. She hadn’t thrown up anywhere that you could tell, had she?” “No. We didn’t see any,” Steven answered for them. “That’s good. Maybe it’s not that bad. The other thing I’m worried about is shock. Her vital signs are all low, and that worries me some, but she’s a strong young woman.” “We’re going to be staying with her. We’re not leaving her,” Greg informed him. “Only one of you can stay at a time. There just isn’t room for both of you.” Steven turned panic-filled eyes toward him. Greg looked the doctor in the eyes. “We’re both staying, Doctor. I’ll wait out in the waiting area when you need to get in there with her, but neither one of us is leaving her. You’re not even sure she’s going to wake up.” “Fine. Just don’t get in the way.” “We won’t,” Steven assured him. The doctor looked her over one more time before leading Scott out of the room. “She’s going to be okay, Greg. You’ll see. She’s not about to die on us.” “I’m more worried about if she wakes up and how bad her back is. I know she isn’t going to die. I refuse to believe it.” “One of us needs to go contact the others and let them know we aren’t going to be back to work for a while. They’ll understand.”

 

Their Independent Bride

147

Greg nodded his head. “I’ll do it. You keep watch on her.” Greg walked out to find the other two men talking in the hall. “I need to contact Brad and Kirk to let them know we won’t be out at the house site tomorrow. Where can I go to do that?” “Come on. I’ll take you to our radio. You can reach them with it.” Scott led the way to a room in the back of the building. “I’ll set it for you to call them. Here are the readings for everyone in the area.” He handed the mike to him and left the room. Greg called for nearly fifteen minutes and finally got Brad. He told him what had happened and that they wouldn’t be out for several days. “Take care of your wife. We’ll be fine. Keep us informed about how she’s doing. You know Carmen is going to be beside herself with worry.” Greg thanked them and signed off. Then he made his way back to the room. He hesitated to go back in. Maybe it was best to go back and let Steven take care of her. The man loved her with all his breath. A small part of him was choking inside. Was it more than just caring about her? Did he possibly love her just a little bit? He sighed and opened the door. When he saw her lying so still and pale on the white sheets, he nearly dropped to his knees by the bed. If it wasn’t love, it was something very close to it. Nothing had ever knocked him over like this had. He looked over at Steven and they both nodded. They would see her through this without fail.

 

148

Marla Monroe

Chapter Seventeen Janet felt like she’d been beaten. Her entire body hurt, most especially her back and head. She was aware that she wasn’t at home, because the bed wasn’t nearly as comfortable. She struggled to open her eyes but couldn’t quite make it. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t remember anything. She knew who she was but couldn’t remember what had happened. How had she gotten hurt? She felt like someone had taken a bat to her. She tried to speak but only managed a moan. This brought two men’s voices toward her. “Janet, baby? Can you hear us?” “Love, it’s Steven. Do you need something?” She didn’t recognize either of their voices, though they did seem familiar. Why were two strange men talking to her when she was hurt? Were they doctors? She struggled to open her eyes and managed to for several seconds then her eyes closed again. The brief moment allowed her to see two worried-looking men hanging over her bed. They were both very good-looking, but she didn’t recognize their faces. They seemed familiar, sort of like their voices did, but she couldn’t place them. The struggle to open her eyes had worn her out. She slipped back into sleep. The next time she woke up, she opened her eyes to find the two men sitting on chairs sound asleep. She was able to study them while they slept. They were both good looking and very muscular. Why there were two of them, she couldn’t imagine. One wasn’t her brother, because she knew she didn’t have a brother. She had a sister.

 

Their Independent Bride

149

She took stock of her body and realized there was something strange going on. First of all, her stomach had a definite pooch to it. She had never had a big belly. The other thing was that her back hurt very badly as did her head. Then there was the fact that she had a burning sensation on one of her thighs. She noticed that she had an IV hooked to a bag as well. That accounted for the heavy feeling of her left hand. She closed her eyes and drifted for a while. When she heard the strange men talking, she listened in hopes of learning something about what was wrong with her. “She hasn’t woken up again.” “She will. She almost did that last time. She’s just tired.” “How did her head look where she busted it?” “It looks like it hurts, but he said they will take the stitches out in another couple of days.” “I probably need to make another run to the house for fresh clothes. Do you think I should bring back some of hers?” “Yeah, that’s a good idea. She’ll need them when she wakes up. She isn’t going to want to leave here in nothing but a blanket like she came.” “Maybe I’ll see if I can find whatever it was that hurt her. It’s bound to be in the house somewhere. We need to get rid of it anyway before we bring her back. I don’t want to take her back if there is something running around that can do that to her again.” “Do you want to stay with her while I go?” The other man didn’t sound as if he really wanted to go. “No, it’s better if I go. I have more experience with hunting than you do.” “The doctor said the baby is doing fine. She’s carrying it well, but she needs to wake up and start eating before it starts taking a toll on the baby.” “I’m glad she didn’t lose the baby, but I would have given it up to keep her.”

 

150

Marla Monroe

“Yeah, me, too.” They grew silent and she didn’t hear anything more. At least she knew for a fact that she was pregnant. She had guessed by the strange sensations inside of her. She’d busted her head, and one of them must be her husband. She wasn’t sure which, but one of them. She wondered why she couldn’t remember which one. She opened her eyes once again and looked straight into a pair of hazel eyes. The man smiled at her, and then grinned even wider. “She’s awake, Greg!” The other man stood up and walked over to the bed. He bent over and kissed her lightly on the lips. This must be her husband. Greg. When the other man did the same thing, she was confused. “Can you hear us, baby?” Greg asked. “Try to say something, love.” The other man touched her cheek lightly with the palm of his hand. “Who?” she managed to get out before her voice broke. They looked from one to the other and then back at her. “Who what, baby? Your name is Janet.” “Know me. Who are you?” She looked from one to the other. “You don’t know who we are?” The other man looked stricken at that piece of news. “I think we better go get the doctor, Steven.” Greg edged toward the door. “What happened to me?” she asked. “You don’t remember?” Steven asked her. “No.” “You fell and hit your head, love.” “My head hurts. So does my back.” “You have a bruise on your back. I think you hit the steps when you fell.” “Who are you?” “I’m Steven, one of your husbands.”

 

Their Independent Bride

151

“Husbands?” She raised her hand to her head and rubbed her forehead. “Yes, you have two. Greg just left to get the doctor.” “I’m married to two of you?” “That’s right, love.” “Isn’t that illegal?” Janet felt like her head was going to explode now. “Not on planet Alpha. It’s the norm.” “Huh? Planet Alpha? Where am I?” “We’ll talk to you about it once the doctor looks you over.” Steven looked concerned. She realized he wasn’t going to say anything else. He held her hand and wouldn’t let go. She realized that he was very worried about her. She could believe he might be her husband, but she wasn’t sure about the other one. “Look who has finally decided to wake up.” Another strange man in a white coat walked in. “How are you feeling, young lady?” “Head hurts.” “I’m sure it does. You required seven stitches to close that hole in your head. I can give you a little something for your headache now that you’re awake. That will help some. Where else do you hurt?” “My back.” He smiled and nodded. “I’ll check you out and see how everything is working.” He led her through a long list of commands from touch her nose with her finger to wiggle her toes. Once he was satisfied with that, he began to ask her questions about her memory. She found that with him talking to her about it, she remembered a little more than she had previously. She did remember that Earth was falling apart and she had gotten picked to help settle another planet. She also remembered being pregnant and how happy she was, but she still couldn’t remember the fact that she had two husbands or what had happened to her.

 

152

Marla Monroe

“Do you remember something strange attacking you?” Greg asked. “No. I don’t remember being attacked at all.” “All right, we won’t push you to remember. You’ll remember what you need to on your own over time. Let’s just get you well for now.” “How long have I been here?” she finally asked. “This is the fourth night,” the doctor told her. “No wonder I’m hungry.” She felt her mouth water thinking about food. “We’ll start out with something easy on your system like some soup.” The doctor looked over at the other two men. “I’ll have Scott bring some soup in a few minutes. Don’t push her to remember anything. That will come or not. It’s not that important at this point.” The two men nodded then looked over at her and smiled. “We’re just glad she’s awake and doing okay.” Steven squeezed her hand. The two men talked to her about how glad they were that she was okay and going to get better. They kept a steady stream of conversation up until a fourth man came in with a bowl of something that smelled wonderful to her. He sat a tray in front of her with a bowl of beef soup and crackling bread. Janet was almost embarrassed by how quickly she downed the soup and bread. She really had been hungry. “If you’re still hungry, we could…” Steven began. “No, she can’t have any more for a few hours. Then we can try more if she still feels like she wants it,” the other man said. “Maybe more later. I’m sleepy. I think I’ll take a nap.” She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. **** Two days later, the doctor pronounced her ready to go home.

 

Their Independent Bride

153

“No strenuous activities for the next few weeks. Then I want to see you back and we’ll decide after that when you can go back to your normal routine.” “We’ll take good care of her,” Steven promised. “Let me go warm up the transport.” Greg stood up. “It’s getting colder every day.” “I can’t wait to get home. Even if I don’t remember it. I know the bed has to be more comfortable than this one.” Everyone laughed at that. The nurse handed the men a bag of something. “These are her prenatal vitamins and the iron pills. She needs to take the iron pills for another two weeks. We’ll check her blood when she returns to see if she still needs them after that.” Greg left the room as did the nurse. That left her alone with Steven. She still didn’t remember being married to the two men, but since the doctor and nurse were sure, she had to accept it. They were two very big and very handsome men. She couldn’t imagine what they saw in her. But then, if she remembered correctly, they hadn’t had a choice in the matter of who they were paired with. It was strange. She didn’t remember them when she could remember so many other things. Like she remembered tending to the garden, and to some extent, the house. She didn’t remember the accident, but she remembered picking tomatoes from the dying vines. “What are you thinking so hard about, love?” “Wondering why I don’t remember you and Greg, but I can remember other things, like the garden.” “I think it’s because we work so much, and you are by yourself so much that maybe being lonely stuck in your head. Your mind had felt alone. I’m really sorry about that. I think we are going to make some changes in how we work after this.” “What do you mean?” “We’ll talk more about it when Greg is with us.” About that time, Greg walked back in and smiled at her.

 

154

Marla Monroe

“You’re going to be glad I brought those sweats for you to wear home. It’s cold out there today.” “Think we might get some snow soon?” Steven asked. “Not real soon. The sky is clear, and there’s nothing on the horizon like clouds building up.” “They say that they have hard winters here, right?” Janet thought she remembered that. “That’s what we’ve heard so far. This will be our first one,” Greg said. “Okay, I’m ready to go home now.” “Steven, you carry her and I’ll open the doors.” “Oh, can’t I walk?” “I don’t want to take a chance that you will fall, baby. Once you’re home and have rested, then you can walk around some. Let’s get you home without another bump on the head.” Janet pursed her lips but didn’t say anything. She figured he was right, so why fight over it. She had a feeling she would have plenty to discuss with him as time went on. She got the feeling they were often at odds over things. Steven picked her up and carefully carried her through the doctor’s office and out the front door to where a transport was idling. “You never under any circumstances get up or out of one of these when it’s on, love. I’m going to hand you off to Greg to put you inside, but we really shouldn’t do it. We just don’t want you to get any colder than you have to.” Janet held fast to Steven as he held her out to Greg. She let go of Steven at the last moment and clamped her hands on Greg’s muscular arms. “Easy, baby. I’m not going to let you fall.” He settled her in the middle seat and proceeded to strap her in with the safety harness. Steven climbed in next to her, shutting the door behind him. She looked over to where he was buckling down then back at Greg as he did the same. Why couldn’t she remember them? She felt close to

 

Their Independent Bride

155

them. More so to Steven than Greg, but still, shouldn’t she recognize them? The ride out to their house took long enough that she managed a nap and was surprised to recognize the house as soon as they pulled up next to the front door. Her smile must have been noticed because both Greg and Steven grinned as well. “Looks like you remember the house.” Greg shut off the engine and unbuckled his harness. “I do. I remember all about it now. I hope everything else will come back to me as easily.” “Don’t count on it, love. Sometimes it takes time to get your memory back.” Steven unfastened her safety harness and then his own. “The doctor said you might not remember some things at all with some head injuries. So don’t get upset if it doesn’t happen right away.” Janet nodded and then let Steven pick her up and carry her to the front door. Greg had it open for them. He closed it as soon as they had cleared the doorway. She caught him looking around the room as if searching for something. She frowned and looked up at Steven. He was doing the same thing. “What is it?” “Nothing, baby. Just making sure nothing got in with us.” “You’re worried that thing that dripped acid on me is still in here, aren’t you?” “Don’t worry about it. I’ve checked the house from top to bottom. I sealed a place where I think it must have gotten in through the cellar. I don’t want you to worry about it. We’re going to keep you safe from now on.” For some reason, this seemed to be very important to Greg. Janet could tell that he felt like he had let her down. It wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t have foreseen that something would attack her, if that is what actually happened. They still didn’t know for sure how she ended up

 

156

Marla Monroe

falling and hitting her head and back. Nor did they know about how the acid got on her pant leg to burn her skin. “I’m not worried. I know you’ll keep me safe, Greg.” She wanted to reassure him that she didn’t blame him. “Do you want to go upstairs and take a nap or rest down here on the couch for now?” Steven held her as if she weighed nothing. “I already took a nap on the way here. I think I’d like to sit on the couch for now. If you’ll put me down, I can walk over there.” “Where would the fun be in that? I like carrying you around, love.” “I’ve got to be getting heavy, Steven. Put me down and let me walk. I need the exercise or I’m going to get stiff and sore from not moving around enough.” “Let her walk to the couch, Steven.” Greg nodded at the other man. Steven looked at him as if he’d grown another head. “Are you sure?” “Yeah, she’s right. She needs to move around some. Just a little bit to begin with, though.” He said that as he looked at her. Steven let her slide down his body to stand in front of him. He kept a light clasp on her shoulder as she got her balance. Then she took a step and realized she had been in bed for several days without moving. She was stiff, and it felt odd to stand upright. She managed to walk the six or seven steps to the couch and all but collapsed on it. “That was good, love.” Steven sat down next to her and rubbed lightly across her shoulders. He looked up at where Greg was standing in front of the fireplace. “Why don’t you keep her company while I see about starting dinner?” “Don’t take too long. We all need to talk. I’d rather do it before dinner if we can.” “I’ll just get something started and be right back.” Steven disappeared into the kitchen. “How are you feeling?”

 

Their Independent Bride

157

“I swear, if you both don’t stop asking me that I’m going to scream. I’m fine, Greg. I’ll let you know if I feel bad. I promise.” “All right, I’ll expect you to do that.” He smiled and sat down next to her. “Lean back and let me hold you for a while. I’ve missed you, baby.” “Tell me about us. I can’t remember. I feel like we weren’t always happy with each other.” Greg’s expression changed to one of caution. “I had hoped you wouldn’t remember that part.” He sighed. “Why not?” “Because I didn’t treat you as well as I should have. I was demanding and expected you to change without doing a lot of changing myself. I’m sorry, Janet.” “But we still got along, right?” “We did, for the most part. I was an asshole, though, a lot of the time.” He hesitated then sighed and continued. “I realized when we almost lost you that I loved you and couldn’t imagine living without you in my life.” “You hadn’t told me this yet?” Janet felt her heart stutter in her chest. He was saying that he loved her. How did she feel about him? She couldn’t remember. It was so freaking frustrating. “No, baby. I hadn’t told you because I had convinced myself that I wasn’t going to fall in love with you. I didn’t think I had the ability to love someone so different from what I was used to.” “And I wasn’t conforming to your idea of a dream wife.” Janet swallowed hard around the knot forming in her throat and sinking to join her heart in her stomach. What if he woke up from feeling guilty about her getting hurt to realize he really didn’t love her? What would happen then? She couldn’t change who she was, and he obviously had different views on marriage than she did. “Love doesn’t know boundaries, Janet. Just because I had always gravitated toward one type of woman didn’t mean that I was going to

 

158

Marla Monroe

fall in love with that kind. I fell in love with you. It’s you who I can’t imagine spending my life without. You are the woman who’s having our baby. I want to see you grow with that child and feel it kick and wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life.” “I don’t know what to say, Greg. I don’t remember how I felt about you or Steven. I remember that we had our differences, but that’s about it. Maybe we just need to start over as if I’m not going to remember and go from there.” “That’s a real good idea.” He bent over and kissed her. His lips sipped at hers before he ran his tongue lightly along the seam. She opened her mouth, and he ate at her hungrily before settling down to stroke her tongue with his. When he pulled back, they were both struggling to breathe. She couldn’t find fault with his kiss. That was for damn sure. If he made love the same way he kissed, well then, she wouldn’t mind finding out. “What are you guys talking about?” Steven walked in, drying his hands on his jean legs. “Have a seat. We need to talk about how we are going to work things around here.” Greg had recovered and was back to business. “First of all. Janet and I think we should start over as far as getting to know each other. She may not ever remember anything, but if she does, then she’ll have that much more information about us.” “That’s a good idea.” “Janet, Steven and I have decided that from now on, someone will stay with you at all times. One of us will work and the other will be here to help you. You’re going to need help this spring and summer with the baby coming.” “What about the houses? You can’t stop working. What about the others?” “We’re all in agreement. With both of you pregnant, we need to be able to help you first and foremost. With winter coming up, we won’t be working on the houses that much anyway. In fact, we probably won’t be able to leave the house for several weeks at a time

 

Their Independent Bride

159

from what everyone has been telling us.” Greg ran a hand up and down her arm. “You’ll get tired of us by the time spring arrives,” Steven added. “I doubt that.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about the fact that they were going to be with her all the time now. She felt a little like a child not being trusted to play by herself. Yeah, look what happened when I was alone, and I don’t even have a child to take care of yet. “What are you thinking, Janet? We need to be honest with each other.” Greg squeezed her hand. “I’m just thinking that I’m not sure how I feel about one of you being around all the time. I mean, I feel almost like you don’t trust me.” “Baby, it’s not that.” “Not at all, love.” “We trust you, but without some help, you can’t handle the garden being eight and nine months pregnant.” “Even if you could do it somehow, you don’t have to. We’re here to help. That’s why there are two of us, baby,” Greg said. “Maybe you’re right. I’m just sensitive about not being allowed to do things. I shouldn’t have to have anyone’s permission.” Greg looked up at the ceiling then down at where his hand held hers. She watched as a barrage of expressions flew across his face. “The thing is, you probably feel that way because I was very stern with you on your health and safety. I didn’t want anything to happen to you and thought by telling you what you could and couldn’t do that I could keep you safe. I was obviously wrong.” “Maybe you weren’t all the way wrong. Maybe we both need to give some. I’m not single anymore. I’m married, to two men, no less. That means that I have to take into consideration your views and needs as well as mine. I’m sure the blame isn’t all yours.” Greg smiled and kissed her knuckles. “Thanks, baby.”

 

160

Marla Monroe

“We thought that for the first week, I’d stay here and Greg would go to work. Then the next week we would switch. How does that sound to you?” “When do you start that?” She really hoped she would have them both with her for a couple of days. She needed to get used to them again. “Starts on Monday. That’s two days away,” Steven said. She nodded and sighed. “I’m thinking I need a nap before we eat. Do I have time, Steven?” “You’ve got plenty of time. Do you want to go upstairs or just rest down here?” “I’m going to go upstairs. I want something really comfortable for a change. That hospital bed was awful.” “I’ll walk up with you, baby.” Greg stood up and held out his hands toward her. She smiled and let him gently pull her to her feet. Then she stood there for a moment to be sure of her balance before she headed toward the stairs. “Come get us when it’s ready, Steven.” Greg walked next to her as they slowly climbed the stairs. Halfway there, she began to feel light headed. She held on to the railing with both hands. Greg’s arm went around her waist. “What is it?” “I’m getting dizzy. I think I’m moving too fast.” “I’ve got you, Janet. Just relax against me.” He easily picked her up and carried her the rest of the way up the stairs and into the bedroom. Once he had laid her on the bed, he crawled up beside her and pulled her into his arms so they could sleep. Janet enjoyed the feel of him surrounding her. She felt safe and cared for. Loved? She wasn’t sure how she felt about him yet, but he certainly seemed to love her. Only time would tell, and she had lots of time.

 

Their Independent Bride

161

**** Steven finished setting the table and checked the meal one more time. It was almost time to wake them for dinner. He hoped Janet was getting some rest. She needed it after the long drive and then sitting up on the couch for nearly an hour. She had only been sitting up in bed for about eight hours now. Walking and climbing stairs had to be taxing on her strength. He was a little jealous that Greg was getting to hold her while she slept but knew that his turn was coming. They would each have quality time with her from now on. Jealousy had no room in a ménage relationship. He needed to keep that under control. Besides, Greg needed the extra time with her to convince her that he had changed where she was concerned. He didn’t envy him that at all. Checking the time, he hurried up the stairs and walked into the room to find them both sound asleep. They looked so comfortable, he hesitated at waking them. Janet needed to eat, though. She was eating for two and had a lot of making up to do. It was only stew. Still, she needed to start slow, according to the doctor. Steven walked around to the other side of the bed and eased up on the edge of the bed to wake Janet. He didn’t want to wake Greg and startle her. “Janet, love. Time to wake up.” He kissed her cheek and smiled when she hummed. He tried again. “Wake up, Janet. Dinner is ready.” Her eyes opened just as Greg opened his. “Everything okay?” “Dinner is ready. I was waking Janet up. She’s more fun to wake up than you are.” Greg only grinned and nuzzled Janet’s neck. “I’m awake now. You said dinner is ready? I’m hungry.” “That’s great, baby. I’m going to get up. Don’t let me jar you.” Greg rolled out of the bed and stretched.

 

162

Marla Monroe

“You ready to get up now?” “I better if I’m going to get something to eat. I have a feeling you guys will eat it all if I don’t get my share now.” Steven winked at her. “You’re right about that.” He held out his arm for her to use to pull herself up. He watched as she scooted across the bed and slowly stood up. She kept one hand on the bed as she walked around it toward the bathroom. “Do you need help?” Steven asked. “I think I’ll be fine. I’ll call out if I need help, though.” A few minutes later, she walked out and smiled at the men. He and Greg had been waiting outside the door in case she needed them. She didn’t seem to mind, thank goodness. They were both being overly protective of her but couldn’t help themselves. They had almost lost her. She was able to walk all the way downstairs with only a little support toward the end. She looked tired when she sat down at the table to eat. Steven hoped they weren’t letting her overdo it on her first day home. They were trying so hard not to overwhelm her with demands that they might be letting her wear herself out unnecessarily. Both he and Greg were pleased when she managed to eat the entire bowl of stew and a slice of bread with it. Steven offered her some more, but she declined saying she was almost too full. “Maybe I will want something later. Right now, I’m stuffed.” “You did really well, baby.” Greg pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “It’s a little chilly in here. I think I’m going to start a fire in the fireplace.” Steven finished washing the dishes and left them to dry in the drainer. “I’ll get the wood, Steven. You cooked and cleaned.” Greg grabbed his coat off the rack by the back door and unlocked the door to go out. “Be careful, Greg.” Janet gave him a small smile.

 

Their Independent Bride

163

Steven was glad to see that she was relaxing around the other man. The fact that she slept next to Greg said that she trusted him. That meant that underneath it all, her subconscious still remembered them. Now if her conscious mind would just wake up. Steven took Janet’s hand and led her back to the living room. He settled next to her on the couch, holding her hand in his. “I know you don’t remember, but I love you, Janet. I want you to know that I haven’t stopped loving you. I’m just trying to not push you too fast.” “You’re not, Steven. I know I care about you, but I don’t remember anything more than that. I can’t believe we didn’t love each other, but I can’t remember.” She dropped her head against the back of the couch. “Easy, love. You’ll hurt your cut. It has to be sore. You just got the stitches taken out.” “You’re right. It didn’t feel too good to do that. I forgot about the cut on the back of my head for a minute there. I won’t forget that again anytime soon.” “Let me look and be sure you didn’t hurt anything.” Greg walked in with an armful of wood. “Didn’t hurt what?” “She bumped her head against the back of the couch. I’m going to be sure she didn’t do any harm to the incision.” “Baby, you’ve got to be careful with your head. It can’t take much more abuse.” “Funny, Greg.” “Looks okay back here.” Steven let go of her head and kissed her nose. “Just don’t do that again.” “I won’t.” Her face turned a cute pink as she blushed. Steven watched her as she watched Greg build the fire. She obviously appreciated the way he was built, but she seemed to be looking at more than his physique. She seemed to be looking at how

 

164

Marla Monroe

he moved as well. He couldn’t help but wonder if she looked at him the same way. “Scoot over, you two.” Greg had finished building the fire and was waiting for them to give him room to join them. Steven moved over with Janet scooting next to him. When Greg sat down, she giggled and pulled out from between them enough that she could breathe. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sit on you.” Greg moved closer to the end of the couch to give her more space. “I can’t believe how tired I am. I already had a couple of naps today. I shouldn’t be this tired.” “Baby, you’re pregnant and you’ve been sick. You haven’t had time to get over everything, yet. Give yourself some time.” “You know, while we were in the city, I should have gotten some books on babies and pregnancy. I have the standard handouts they gave us on the shuttle over here, but I think I need more information.” Janet looked from him to Greg. “Don’t worry. I got some books while you were in the doctor’s office. I put them in the office until you felt like looking at them.” Greg smiled at her. Steven was glad he had been thinking. All he had been thinking about was her waking up again. It was good that Greg was such a stickler for detail. If it had been left up to him, he would have never thought about baby books. “Oh, that’s great, Greg. I want to see them tomorrow when I get back up. I think I’m too sleepy right now to concentrate. Maybe I’ll just close my eyes for a few minutes.” Steven pulled her head toward his shoulder and smoothed her hair out of her eyes. Greg picked her legs up and carefully turned her so that she was lying between them. They exchanged a smile when she sighed and promptly fell asleep. “She’s really okay, right?” Steven asked.

 

Their Independent Bride

165

“Yeah, she’s going to be fine. She just needs rest and some TLC. We’re going to give her plenty of both.” Steven watched her sleep for the next thirty minutes while he and Greg discussed the logistics of keeping her happy and safe at the same time. Then Greg stood up and took Janet upstairs while he locked everything up for the night. Climbing into bed next to her after so many nights watching her lying unconscious at the doctor’s was like coming home. He didn’t ever want to go through that again.

 

166

Marla Monroe

Chapter Eighteen Something tickled her nose as she woke up. At first, she thought it was her hair, and then she realized it was coarser than hers. She opened one eye and found that she was lying with her head on top of Steven’s chest. It was his chest hair irritating it. She huffed out a breath and attempted to turn over. The immovable object at her back grunted when she elbowed it. “Sorry. I need to turn over.” She waited as Greg moved out of her way. “You all right, baby?” Greg’s gravelly voice sounded sleepy. “What’s going on?” Steven’s didn’t sound much better. “Nothing. Go back to sleep. I just needed to turn over. Greg had to move out of my way.” “She elbowed me in the gut, man. Watch out. She’s got deadly aim.” “Funny.” Janet smiled and settled between them once again. After thirty minutes of staring up at the ceiling and listening to the two of them snore, Janet was ready to scream. She wanted out of the bed, but that would mean that the men would have to get up, too. She stretched the thirty minutes into another twenty before she was so antsy that Greg woke up and called her on it. “If you need to get up, baby, just tell us. We’ll get up with you.” “I didn’t want you to have to. You should be able to sleep in if you want to.” “Don’t worry. If I get tired later, I’ll take a nap. In fact, we’ll both take a nap later. How’s that?”

 

Their Independent Bride

167

“Since I already know that I’m going to get sleepy later, I’ll take you up on that.” “So are you two getting up or staying in bed and keeping me up?” Steven’s muffled voice could be heard from under the pillow. “Come on, baby. We’ll go get something to eat. Sleepyhead will have to make his own when he does manage to get out of bed.” Greg helped her climb out of the bed then led her to the bathroom. When she finished in the bathroom, he had her clothes ready and helped her step into the sweatpants and pull on the oversized T-shirt. She followed him downstairs, stopping halfway to rest before reaching the bottom. He arranged her on the couch with a blanket and one of the baby books before he slipped off to the kitchen to make breakfast. She read the introduction of the book and quickly lost interest. Her mind just wasn’t on it. She was too busy going over the dream she’d had the night before. Was it a dream or had her subconscious pulled out her memory? She was in the cellar putting up the canned tomatoes she’d made. She walked up the stairs and just as she reached the top, something ran between her legs, causing her to lose her balance. It had looked like a small cat. Then she was falling. When she looked up from where she had landed, the thing was sitting on the top step looking down at her. It had a row of razor-sharp teeth and hissed at her. Then she woke up. The odd thing about it all was that she didn’t remember the thing touching her, and she hadn’t been afraid while she was dreaming. Not even when she fell down the stairs. “Hey, there. What are you thinking so hard about over there?” Greg walked into the living room. “Thinking about a dream I had last night. I’m wondering if it was actually a memory and not a dream, though.” “What was it about?” “When I fell in the cellar.” “Tell me about it.”

 

168

Marla Monroe

Janet waited until he sat down next to her to go back over the dream. He nodded. “I think that was a memory. That sounds too much like what was bound to have happened. The place I covered and nailed shut was in the basement, so it had to have been down there with you.” “But you never found it.” “No, baby. I looked all over this house. I think it got back out, and then I closed it out.” “I hope I never see it again.” “I’m with you on that. Let’s go eat breakfast.” He stood up and held out his hand for her to use to pull herself up. They had just finished eating when Steven shuffled into the kitchen and headed right for the stove. He sniffed at the contents of their leftover meal. She giggled when he frowned. They hadn’t left much for him to eat. “Sorry, Steven. You should have gotten up with us.” Janet couldn’t help but point that out. He yawned and stretched before scratching his belly and shuffling over to the fridge for more supplies. “Come on, baby. Let’s leave him to cook and go read your book. You can sit in my lap.” Greg snagged the book off the couch as he walked toward his recliner. He pulled her onto his lap and pushed the chair back so that they were in a semireclined position. Janet opened the book and began reading about what to expect as her body changed to support the baby. Evidently, Greg was reading along with her because he groaned at some of the changes. “I like the part about bigger boobs, but I’m not so wild about some of the others.” “You think you’re not wild about them. Imagine having to actually deal with them. I’m going to make you aware of every one of them when they happen.” “At least you’re not having anymore morning sickness.”

 

Their Independent Bride

169

“I am very happy about that!” “What does it say about sex in that book?” “Hold your horses. I can tell where your mind is.” She pulled the book toward her chest so he couldn’t see and turned to the index. “It looks like you have a few chapters to go before I get to that part.” “Can’t you skip on over there now?” Greg tried to look over her arm at the book. “Nope. I’m going to go in order. It’s like that for a reason, I’m sure. Now pay attention.” She began to read the less desirable parts to him, skipping over the good parts on purpose. “Ugh, don’t read anymore of it to me. I’ll wait ’til you get to the part on sex, and you can read that out loud to me then.” “What are you two doing in here? I can hear Greg groaning all the way in the kitchen.” Steven walked into the room. “Just reading over the baby book with him.” “Don’t let her read it to you. It’s got some disgusting parts in it.” Steven chuckled. “I can imagine. I think I’ll wait for the CliffsNotes version.” “The two of you are going to have to read these books all the way through with me. I insist. If I have to live through it, you can at least read through it.” She watched the two men exchange looks then shiver. She realized in that moment that she was very happy with them. Surely if she wasn’t happy with them it wouldn’t have felt so right. Maybe things hadn’t been as bad before her accident as she had feared. Why, then, couldn’t she remember? “Don’t push it, love. I can tell you’re trying to remember. Just let it go. If you’re supposed to remember, you will. Just give it time. You’ve been home less than twenty-four hours.” Steven patted her on the shoulder then walked over to his chair to sit down.

 

170

Marla Monroe

“I’m going to give you to Steven while I go check in with the others on the radio and see what’s going on.” Greg stood up and carefully transferred her over to Steven’s lap. She felt like a baby being passed around from parent to parent. She blew out a breath. She’d definitely been reading too much about babies. She was beginning to use them to make an analogy. She rolled her eyes and closed the book. “What, you’re not going to read the disgusting parts to me? I feel left out.” Steven ducked when she started to smack him on the head. “I think I dreamed last night about what happened to me.” She told him about her dream. “Sounds like that’s what happened. I agree. Your subconscious mind is trying to get through. Like I’ve said, don’t push it, and let it happen naturally. You’ll remember when you least expect it.” “It’s just so frustrating to have this hole inside of my head where my feelings about the two of you should be. I can remember so much about everything except about you two. It’s like I’ve lived here alone all this time.” “Let’s change the subject or you’ll get all worked up about it. What about names for the baby?” “Good Lord! Don’t you think it’s a little early to be picking out baby names?” Janet burst out laughing. “I happen to think we’re going to have a difficult time agreeing on names. There are three of us.” “You’re probably right. How about I make a list of names and then the two of you can choose your top two from the list. Then we’ll vote on them.” “I don’t know. What if a name I like isn’t on your list?” They argued over how to choose baby names until Greg returned and announced that everything was okay with the others. “They’ve managed to finish up the outside walls, so we’ll be working on the inside from now on. Hopefully, we will be able to

 

Their Independent Bride

171

finish most of the house before bad weather stops us from going.” Greg walked over to Steven’s chair and dropped a kiss on her nose. “We’re arguing on how to choose baby names. Want to add your two cents in?” Steven asked. “Doesn’t matter what he thinks, we’re doing it my way.” She grinned when Greg narrowed his eyes at her. They discussed methodology and logistics for the next hour without arriving at any conclusion on how to pick the baby names out. Through it all, Janet thought about how comfortable she felt with them. The more she thought about it, the more she believed that Steven was right and if she never remembered, it would be fine. She was coming to the conclusion that everything was fine between them, anyway. After lunch, the men decided to work on paperwork and journals while they had some downtime. Every family had to keep detailed journals to record their experiences and the new world around them. Janet hadn’t worked on hers since she first found out she was pregnant. It was time for her to get back to it, but she was dreading it. She hated writing in it. She didn’t much see the point when no one would ever read them. Besides, it wouldn’t help anyone back on Earth since no one would ever send them back down there. The Earth was disintegrating faster and faster every month. That thought saddened her and she had to take a deep breath to keep from crying about it. Damn pregnancy hormones. She finally put her pen down around three that afternoon and announced that she was going to take a nap. “I’ll walk you upstairs, love.” Steven stood up and grabbed her hand. “You don’t need to climb the stairs by yourself. You haven’t recovered all your strength yet.” “I’m beginning to wonder if I ever will.” “Sheesh, Janet. It’s been one day. Give your body time to heal.” “It seems like weeks have gone by.”

 

172

Marla Monroe

“Not hardly. I’m still seeing you at the foot of those stairs. My heart thunders just thinking about it.” Janet let him hug and kiss her before he led her upstairs and tucked her in for a nap. “Do you want me to lie down with you?” “Only if you want a nap. I’m fine, Steven.” “I’m going back downstairs then. Don’t come down without one of us yet. Please?” “Okay. I’ll call down if I need one of you.” “Thank you, love. I can’t help but worry right now.” She rolled her eyes but kissed his hand where he had it against her cheek. She understood he was still worried. The truth was she wouldn’t want to try right now to go downstairs alone anyway. She had been very shaky walking up them with him helping her. Once he had left, she rolled to her side and closed her eyes to go to sleep. **** Two weeks passed by before she knew it and the doctor had given her a clean bill of health. She still had to take the iron pills along with the prenatal vitamins, but she had gained a pound. The men were happy with her good report. She was happy with it. Now everything could return to normal. Janet winced. Well, as normal as possible since she still hadn’t regained all of her memory. “I’m so glad to be able to do whatever I want again. I hated always having to get one of you to help me up and down the stairs.” Janet looked up at Greg. She was sitting at the kitchen table while Steven cooked. Greg was standing next to her massaging he shoulders. She expected Greg to say something about still needing them to help her. She wasn’t disappointed.

 

Their Independent Bride

173

“You could still use some help here and there, baby. That’s what we’re here for.” “I’ll ask when I need help, but I don’t have to be babied all the time.” “We like babying you, love.” Steven winked at her. Greg shook his head but didn’t push it. He seemed to be trying so hard not to be too demanding. She appreciated it and hoped it would last. From everything he had told her about their relationship before the accident, he was really putting forth an effort to change. “Okay, you guys. Dinner is ready.” Steven began serving them. After everything had been cleaned and put away, they settled in the living room in the recliners with Janet sitting in Steven’s lap. She read from one of the pregnancy books, giving them all sorts of insightful information that she hoped they were listening to. One thing she made sure to go over was the chapter on sex. She found that she was beginning to get sexually frustrated since they hadn’t been able to have sex while she was recovering. Janet knew she was an active sexual person and couldn’t believe that anything had changed other than she was pregnant. She didn’t think it should affect their making love. She wasn’t sure how the men felt about it, but she was all for resuming that part of their lives despite having no real memory of their joining in the past. Maybe they thought she wouldn’t want to make love since she couldn’t remember them. Janet planned on telling them otherwise tonight if they didn’t act interested. For a second, she worried that maybe they weren’t interested since she was pregnant. Some men tended to get turned off by pregnancy. She wasn’t showing really. She had a hard little belly, but it wasn’t poking out yet. “What are you frowning about over there?” Greg interrupted her thoughts. “Hum? Oh, nothing. Just thinking about what all I need to do before the baby comes.”

 

174

Marla Monroe

“Love, you’ve got a long time till the baby arrives. We’ll get whatever you want done accomplished.” Steven squeezed her arm. “I know. I was just thinking about it.” “Why don’t we go on up and take our showers and get ready for bed?” Greg stood up and stretched, dropping the book he had been browsing through on the end table. “I’m all for that. I want a hot bath.” Janet slid out of Steven’s lap. “You’re going to turn into a prune with as many baths as you take, woman.” Steven followed her toward the stairs. They headed straight for the bathroom as soon as they made it upstairs. Greg ran a bath while Steven took a shower. Then Greg took a shower while Steven helped Janet finish up her bath and dry off. Then all three met at the bed nearly an hour later. “Baby, your skin is so soft. We want to put lotion on it for you to keep it that way.” Greg eased her to the bed, holding a container of lotion in one hand. Janet smiled. This was shaping up to be headed in the right direction. She arranged herself on the bed in the middle so both men could climb up next to her. The first touch drew a moan from her as hands smoothed the lotion over her shoulders followed by another set of hands working at her calves. They worked together to lotion her up and mellow her out. By the time they had finished her back, she was nearly dozing. Then they had her turn over, and the fun began.

 

Their Independent Bride

175

Chapter Nineteen Greg leaned over her and licked along her lower lip. He drew back and smiled at her. She smiled back and ran her tongue lightly over the area he had just licked. “That’s so fucking sexy, baby. I’m going to kiss you, Janet. Do you want me to?” “Oh, yes. I want to feel your mouth all over me, Greg.” He lowered his head to sip at her lips before thrusting his tongue past them to run alongside hers. He licked along the roof of her mouth before running it around to tease hers once again. Then he ate at her mouth with his, mingling their breaths until both needed to break for air. Steven had continued massaging her body with the lotion until he reached her breasts. He stopped and leaned in to suck at one nipple. She shivered at the contrast of cool air from his warm mouth. Then he blew across the wet nub and furthered the sensation. Greg drew the other nipple into his mouth and teased it with his tongue. When Steven repeated the same thing on his side, Janet moaned thrusting her chest farther outward to encourage them to take more. “Baby likes having her breasts played with.” “Don’t talk, suck, Greg.” He chuckled and bit the little nub, making her gasp. When he pulled back and pinched it, she threw her head back and closed her eyes in ecstasy. The slight bite of pain really got her juices going. She could feel them flowing between her legs. God only knew what she would do when they actually got around to touching her down there.

 

176

Marla Monroe

As if reading her mind, Steven moved down toward her pussy. He groaned when he found her hot and wet, waiting on him. “Greg, she’s soaking wet already. I can’t wait to taste her sweet cream.” “Please, Steven. I need you.” She rocked her pelvis to capture his attention. Just when she thought he never would, Steven thrust his tongue between her pussy lips and licked her slit. He gathered her juices with his tongue then poked his tongue deeper into her pussy. Back and forth, he ran his tongue over her slit and around her clit. He managed to avoid rubbing over it but got close enough that she could almost feel the heat from it. As Steven began to push two fingers inside of her cunt, Greg latched onto her nipples with his mouth and fingers. He pulled and pinched while he licked and sucked. Then he changed tactics and bit and nibbled while he stroked and scratched. The constant change kept her off balance so that she couldn’t build her climax. She thrashed on the bed and grabbed Greg’s hair with her hands. She pulled on it, demanding that he give her what she wanted. “What do you want, baby? What do you need from us?” “I need someone to fuck me. Please! I need to come, Greg. Please let me come.” “In a little while, baby. First we want to play. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to play with our pretty nipples and hot little pussy. Right, Steven?” “I’m just getting started down here, love. I’m not ready to stop yet.” Janet thought she would go crazy before she was allowed to come. Two weeks of sexual frustration had built to an overwhelming density so that she felt as if once she ignited she would explode. Steven thrust his fingers in and out of her hot, wet cunt until she was thrusting her hips in time with his plunges. He curved his fingers and stroked her hot spot, sending burning tendrils of pleasure straight

 

Their Independent Bride

177

to her clit. Janet nearly screamed when the first burst of pleasure struck her. He backed off and began thrusting again while he licked around the little nubbin. “God, please! I need to come. Please, please, don’t tease me anymore.” “Steven.” Greg didn’t say anything else. Steven began stroking her sweet spot again as he sucked on her clit. Together, the two men drove her up and over until she was screaming their names. Before she had even caught her breath, Steven had his cock positioned at her slit and pressing inward in an effort to enter her vibrating cunt. Greg kissed her face all over, telling her how pretty she was and how much they loved it when she came. He stroked her belly and then moved back to tease her tits again. Both men had their eyes glued to where Steven’s massive cock was slowly disappearing inside of her pussy. The spot where they were joined seemed to be more interesting than anything at that moment. Janet found her eyes drawn there as well. Steven’s forehead glistened with sweat as he pulled out and pushed forward over and over in an effort to bury his dick inside her hot pussy. She swore she could feel every ridge and vein pass through her as he plunged in and out of her throbbing cunt. “Fuck, you’re so tight, love. I’m going to come before I even get in you good.” Steven thrust one last time and his balls slapped against her ass. He stopped and leaned down to kiss her. His salty sweat dripped to her mouth. She licked her lips and smiled up at him. Then she squeezed her cunt muscles and listened to him curse. “Fuck, do that again and I’m a goner.” She held off doing it again because she wanted him to fuck her. If he came too soon, she would miss out on the delicious rub of his cock over her hot spot. He began stroking in and out of her in long, slow glides that took her breath.

 

178

Marla Monroe

“Oh, God, Steven. Please,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. “What, love? What do you want?” “I want you to fuck me hard. I need more.” “I don’t want to hurt you.” “You won’t. Please, Steven.” “Give her what she wants.” Greg tucked her hair behind her ears then kissed her temple. It was all Steven seemed to need to hear. He pulled out and shoved back in. He picked up the speed, ramping up her pleasure as every stroke rubbed over her G-spot. Her orgasm seemed right on the edge. She could almost reach it. Then Steven reached between them and thumbed her clit. She came screaming his name. “Fuck, that’s it love. Come around me. Squeeze my cock.” He shouted out her name as he spurted cum deep inside her. When he finished, he collapsed, catching himself on his elbows so that he didn’t put all of his weight on her. She wouldn’t have cared. She was still trying to recover from her own climax. “Move over, Steven. You’re making it hard for her to breathe.” Greg shoved the other man off of her. “You just want your turn.” “Naw, I’m not going to tonight. I’ll see how she feels in the morning.” “Greg? Don’t you want me?” She couldn’t believe he wasn’t going to make love to her. She thought they were coming along so well. What was going on? “Baby, I want you, but you’ve been hurt. I know the doctor gave you the all clear to go back to regular activities, but you’re pregnant, and I don’t want to wear you out in one night.” “I’m fine, Greg. Don’t do this to me. You’re putting me in a box again. I’m not too fragile for you to make love to.” “Janet. Honestly, I’m scared that I will hurt you so soon after your accident.”

 

Their Independent Bride

179

“You won’t. I would tell you if I didn’t feel up to it. Don’t make me beg, because I won’t.” She sighed and started to get up, but Greg stopped her. “You don’t have to beg, baby. I would never make you beg. I’ll always take care of you.” “Then take care of me.” Greg dropped his head for a second then looked back at her again. His eyes had grown darker. Janet knew she had won. He wouldn’t back away now. “Roll over, baby. I’m doing this my way.” She rolled over and got to her hands and knees. He squeezed her ass cheeks then spread them wide. “Look at that pretty ass, Steven. One day we’ll take you together again, Janet.” “Why not tonight?” “You’re not ready, yet, baby. Give it a few more days. Please.” She looked over her shoulder at him and saw the desperation in his eyes that she understand. She nodded. He bent over and kissed down her spine before lining up his cock with her slit and pushing his way inside. It felt glorious to have him there again. His dick was so different from Steven’s. She pushed back to help him thrust inside of her. He groaned when she contracted her cunt around his cock. He retaliated by squeezing her ass. It was her turn to groan now. She loved him playing with her ass, even if it was only to squeeze or spank it. He tunneled his way in and out of her sensitive pussy. The deeper he delved, the hotter she grew. She wanted him to bump her cervix. It felt amazing when he did, and in this position, as long as he was, he could do it with every thrust of his cock. “Deeper, Greg. Please, deeper.” He began to push harder and deeper until he bumped against her cervix. The sweetest kind of pleasure-pain enveloped her as he

 

180

Marla Monroe

repeated the move. She dipped her head and began to meet him thrust for thrust, push for push. Steven was suddenly at her breasts with his mouth and fingers. He sucked at her nipple then lightly bit it as Greg pounded into her cunt. Her breasts bounced around Steven’s mouth and fingers. He chuckled and pinched one as he licked the other. The combined attention had her teetering on the edge of release once again. She couldn’t believe she had gotten to the point of climax so soon after the last one. They had the ability to drive her crazy. She could remember that about them now. She could remember that they always took care of her needs first. But still, she couldn’t remember how she really felt about them and they about her before the accident. “Aw, hell. You’re quivering all around me, baby. I’m not going to last.” His voice was raspy as he fucked her pussy in short, tight plunges now. Steven found her clit and began pressing on it rhythmically until she plunged into the deep well of pleasure and climaxed once again. This time no sound would escape her mouth as she wordlessly mouthed Greg’s name over and over. Greg thrust into her spasming pussy twice more before shooting his cum deep inside her cunt. He rested his head against her lower back as he struggled to regain control of his breathing. Janet had already collapsed the front half of her body to the mattress with just her ass sticking up, impaled as it was by Greg’s softening dick. “All right, Greg. Your turn to get off of Janet. She needs to get comfortable.” “You go wet a cloth so we can clean her up.” Greg managed to get out around pants. Janet smiled at the way he leaned against her. Then he was moving off to the side, pulling her over to lie next to him. “I love you, baby. I wish you could believe that.”

 

Their Independent Bride

181

“I want to, Greg. I know you and Steven are good men. I remember that you were always good to me. I can remember that much now. I hope I will remember more soon.” Steven returned with a warm, wet cloth and began cleaning her up. She knew her face had grown red by the heat that suffused her cheeks. She wasn’t used to someone cleaning her up down there. Evidently, Steven noticed it because he kissed her thigh and smiled at her. Then he climbed up in the bed after disposing of the cloth. “I love you, Janet.” Steven kissed her chin, her nose, and then rained little kisses down her neck before nipping at her shoulder. “Aw, Steven. I know I care about you both so much. I feel almost as if I can say the words, but I don’t remember. I need to remember.” “Don’t try so hard. It will come to you.” “I’m going to get something to drink. Do you want anything, baby?” Greg squeezed her thigh before getting out of the bed. “I’d love some water. My mouth is dry.” “All that screaming you did,” Steven teased. She popped him on the arm. “Ow.” “Behave while I’m gone, you two.” Greg walked out of the bedroom without bothering to put anything on. She guessed that since there was no one around for miles, it didn’t matter. Then Steven was nibbling on her neck and shoulder again. “No hitting. That’s childish.” Steven sucked on one of the spots he’d nipped earlier. “Talk about childish, biting is just like a kid. You have an oral fixation, Steven.” “I won’t deny it, either. I like sucking and biting your tits especially.” She laughed and then giggled when he ran his tongue down her neck. It tickled and he seemed to know just how to do it. It proved that they had been fairly close before. If only she could remember.

 

182

Marla Monroe

“Okay, you two. Break it up.” Greg walked in carrying two glasses of water. He sat on the edge of the bed and handed her one once she had gotten settled. She sipped the delicious water and was so glad it didn’t taste funny like so many of the weird plants did. She tried to keep from gulping since it would only give her a bellyache. “Thanks. I was really thirsty.” “I can tell. You’ve almost finished the entire glass off. If you want some more, you can have mine.” “No, thanks. This is enough. I don’t want to have to get up in the middle of the night to pee.” “Especially since you would have to wake one of us up to let you out of bed.” Steven grinned then held up his hands when she made to pop him. “Are you about ready to call it a night, baby?” Steven set her glass on the bedside table next to his. “Yeah, I’m tired. Someone wore me out tonight.” The two men grinned, obviously pleased with themselves. She shook her head and settled back under the covers. Greg lay down and got comfortable before turning out the light. She snuggled between them and thought about how good they made her feel. Her heart seemed to be divided, though. Why? Did she love them or not, and what did it matter in the long run? They were married and would be together for the rest of their lives. If she never remembered, she had the here and now. Janet mulled it over and over in her head until she began to ache. She needed to stop worrying over it and get some rest. The men were going to both be home for a few days since it had started snowing. They weren’t sure if it would stay very long, but so far, it was accumulating fast. She hoped it would help cement their relationship to the point that her remembering wouldn’t have a bearing on anything.

 

Their Independent Bride

183

“Don’t worry so much, baby. I can hear your mind working all the way over here. I almost wish you wouldn’t remember so you won’t remember how hard I was on you.” “You’ve told me that you were, so I am prepared for it. I’m glad you did. It wouldn’t have been good for me to suddenly remember something about you that you hadn’t told me about.” “I’ll always be honest with you, Janet. If you don’t believe anything else about me, remember that.” “Good night, Greg.” “Good night, baby. Sleep well.”

 

184

Marla Monroe

Chapter Twenty Janet woke up early the next morning needing the bathroom. She grinned. Since Steven had complained about her waking one of them up, she chose him. “Steven. Wake up.” “Hmm? What?” “I need to go to the bathroom.” “Are you sick, love?” “No, I need to pee.” “Aw, hell. You did that on purpose.” He groaned and rolled over to the edge of the bed before pushing himself up to a sitting position. “Thanks. Sorry, Steven.” “Right.” He shook his head, but he smiled. She gave him a quick kiss on the mouth before hurrying to the bathroom. Once she was back in the bedroom, she decided she was wide awake and wanted something to eat. Steven had lain back down and was snoring softly. She grinned and grabbed up her clothes to put on out in the hall so she wouldn’t disturb them. She was starving by the time she finally made it downstairs. The kitchen was bathed in the soft glow of early morning light. She looked outside and found that more snow had fallen during the night. She could no longer see the path the men had shoveled out to the shed. They wouldn’t be happy about having to shovel it again. She sighed. That meant more time away from the house. She hated for them to be outside while she was stuck inside alone. She fixed breakfast and was able to eat everything on her plate. Then she downed the nasty prenatal vitamin and iron pill. Between

 

Their Independent Bride

185

the two of them, it was a wonder she was able to keep her food down. They were nasty and smelled even worse. She was just about to add wood to the fireplace and start the fire back up when Greg bounded down the stairs. He looked relieved to see her but then furrowed his brows when he focused on her bending over the wood stacked by the fireplace. “What do you think you’re doing?” “Starting the fire. It’s chilly in here this morning.” “You don’t lift anything around here. You know better, baby.” He cocked his head when she started to say something. “Don’t even think it. The doctor told you the same thing. No lifting.” “Fine,” she groused. “Would you mind starting the fire for me, great, big He-Man?” “Funny.” She watched as he arranged the logs then stirred the embers from the night before. Then he added some kindling, and the embers sparked a small flame that soon grew into a roaring fire. She grinned. It felt good to back up to it and warm her ass. “You look like you’re about to break out into a purr or something.” Greg ruffled her hair. She frowned at him and smoothed it back down. She needed to wash it tonight. It was getting unmanageable. Mostly it was because she liked that they did it for her. It felt so decadent to have someone else wash her hair and comb it out. She grinned. That was something she suddenly remembered. Her memory was coming back in pieces and patches. “Do you want something to eat before you go out and shovel snow again or what?” “Huh?” He just looked at her. “It snowed again last night and your path is covered.” “Aw, hell, no.” He rushed over to the window then let out a longer set of curses.

 

186

Marla Monroe

“Well I’m glad you got that off your chest. I’m going to go make you and Steven something to eat.” “Yeah, thanks, baby. I can’t fucking believe it. I just knew the snow was over with. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky yesterday.” He walked over to the staircase and yelled up them. “Steven! Get your ass down here. We’ve got to shovel the damn path again.” “The hell you say?” he called back down. Janet smiled and walked into the kitchen. She quickly fixed them something filling and watched as they wolfed it down before dressing in warm coats, gloves, and hats. She gave them each a kiss and told them to come in and warm up again soon. When they opened the door, a small hill of snow fell inward on the floor. “Damn, sorry, love. I’ll get the shovel and clean out from the door first.” Janet took the dustpan and shoveled the snow back outside before closing the door against the chilling cold. Then she mopped up the wet mess. After that she washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. She settled down in front of the fire on the couch and began reading through one of the books again. She had already read all of them once, but she was starting back over once again. She wanted to be sure she understood everything. She hadn’t said anything to the men, but there was always the chance that she would deliver at home before they could get to the doctor, or even on the way there. She wasn’t too thrilled with the idea, but it was a long way to the city. A little over an hour later, the kitchen door opened and the men hurried inside. She got up to clean up the mess again, but Steven was already mopping it up. She smiled at him then helped them out of their coats and hats. “I have coffee if you want some.” “You’re a lifesaver.” Greg immediately grabbed a mug and poured some. He poured some for Steven, too, but hurried to the living room ahead of him.

 

Their Independent Bride

187

“It’s colder than the North Pole out there.” Steven hurried to the fireplace and tried to bump Greg out of the way. “Play nice, you two.” She grinned at them then curled up on the couch, tucking her feet underneath her. “How much more do you have left?” “Another two hours’ worth, I think.” Greg kept his hands behind his back to warm them. “When you come back in, I’ll have some chili cooking for lunch. How about that?” “I like that idea.” Steven smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Play your cards right and I might even have a special treat for you later.” “Oh, really.” Greg cocked his head. “What sort of treat?” “I’m not telling you. It will be a surprise.” “Leave her alone, Greg. She might decide not to give it to us if you push her.” “Smart, Steven.” They warmed up for another twenty minutes then redressed in their outerwear and walked back out into the snow. At least it wasn’t snowing anymore. At least not right now. She looked out at the sky from the window. There were still quite a few clouds in the area. That couldn’t be good. She quickly got to work on the chili and soon had it simmering on the stove. She would make corn bread to go with it. She wouldn’t have to make it for another hour. The men would need to warm up once they returned, before eating. It would give her time to whip it up and cook it. Once again, she settled down on the couch with her baby books. She followed the signs and symptoms that progressed through pregnancy and noted the ones she was having. According to them, she was a few weeks further along than the doctor seemed to think she was. She shrugged. Either way, she was going to have a baby. The

 

188

Marla Monroe

date didn’t really matter in the long run. She just wanted a healthy baby. Sometime later the sound of the back door slamming jolted her from the impromptu nap she had obviously taken. She quickly got up and nearly fell. She’d moved too fast and gotten dizzy. She had to remember to move slowly, or she was going to fall and the men would be all over her. When she entered the kitchen it was to find Steven and Greg shucking their coats, gloves, and hats as fast as they could. This time Steven didn’t clean up his mess. Instead he raced for the fireplace. Greg was right behind him. She glanced at the clock and realized they’d been out there close to two hours this time. With a sigh, Janet cleaned up the floor yet again and headed toward the living room to check on the men. They stood directly in front of the fireplace with their butts as close as they could get to it without standing in the middle of it. “You were out there an awfully long time this time. I sure hope you finished.” “We did. That’s why we were so long getting back.” Steven actually shivered. “I’m going to make the bread while you warm up. Lunch will help warm you up from the inside out.” “Thanks, baby. We really appreciate it.” “What’s the treat?” Steven asked. “Not until after lunch. It might spoil your appetite if you get it beforehand.” Greg sniffed the air but shook his head. She was sure he was sniffing for a dessert. She hadn’t made one for lunch. She planned on something else, only she would be the one getting the real treat. They finished up lunch without leaving even a scrap of bread. She couldn’t believe how much they could eat in one sitting. “Go ahead into the other room and relax by the fire. I’ll be in there in a few minutes.”

 

Their Independent Bride

189

“Want some help with the dishes, love?” “No thanks, Steven. I’ll get them. Go on.” She made quick work of the dishes and left the boiler from the chili to soak in the sink. She wiped her hands on the dish towel then smoothed them down her pant legs. Why was she so nervous? She quickly walked into the other room before she could talk herself out of it. “Okay, you guys. I’m going to help warm you up. Stand up for me.” They looked at each other but stood up and waited for more instructions. She smiled tentatively then drew in a deep breath and got to her knees in front of them. Then she began unfastening Greg’s jeans. He put a hand on hers. “What are you doing, baby?” “I’m going to have my dessert. I want to suck your cock. Yours and Steven’s.” “You don’t have to do that, love.” Steven reached over and ran his hand under her chin. “I’m not doing it because I think I should or have to. I’m doing it because I want to. I want to suck your dicks. I don’t remember the taste of you and have to know.” “Are you sure?” Greg didn’t seem convinced. “If you let go of my hands, I’ll show you.” Greg seemed to think about it. Then he looked over at Steven and sighed. He let go of her hands but finished unfastening his jeans himself. She reached inside and pulled out his cock. It was already standing at attention. Clearly the idea of being sucked had done wonders for it. She glanced over toward Steven and found that he’d taken matters into his own hands and had his dick already out and was slowly pumping it. She shoved Greg’s pants down a little more. Then she licked the stalk up and down several times as she slowly pumped it with her hand. Then she leaned over toward Steven and opened her mouth. He

 

190

Marla Monroe

obliged by placing his dick within easy licking distance. She licked him up and down as well, but he had a pearl of pre-cum at the top of his cock from pumping it. She wanted it and leaned over some more to lick it from the tip of his spongy cockhead. She hummed her approval. Then she licked across the slit again just to hear him hiss out a breath. He didn’t disappoint her. In fact, he pressed his cock closer to her questing tongue. She lapped at the slit as another drop of cum emerged. He was so different tasting than Greg. Where Greg was slightly bitter, Steven had a slightly tangy flavor. She moved back to lick at the top of Greg’s cock. She sipped at the cum that began to roll down the side of his dick. He groaned when she lapped at the stalk as if it was a bowl of milk and she was a cat. When she’d sipped it all up, Janet sucked at the head then lowered her head over his cock to see how far she could take him. He was so long. Taking only part of him was a feat unto itself. He groaned when she swallowed around him. “Aw, hell, baby. That’s it. Suck me down.” She took him to the back of her throat and swallowed once again before backing off and turning to Steven. He’d been waiting patiently for his turn. Well, if you didn’t count the fact that he was stroking his cock. She nearly giggled. He had such a look of intense need that she quickly sobered at the realization that it was for her and her alone. Janet sucked on just his cockhead before sliding down the massive dick. She raked it lightly with her teeth on the way back up, causing him to hiss out a breath. She rolled her eyes up to watch the expression on his face when she ran her tongue beneath the edge of the cap. He threw back his head. She moved back to Greg, teasing him by licking up and down his cock before swallowing him down fast and deep. He growled. She sucked, hollowing her cheeks, as she came back up. She repeated it several times until he was fucking her mouth. She could tell he was

 

Their Independent Bride

191

getting close when he grasped her head, his fingers digging into her scalp. She took him by surprise and began to roll his balls in her hand. “Fuck, baby. I’m gonna come.” She sucked even harder and was rewarded with ribbons of his cum down her throat. She licked him clean when he had finished. Then she smiled up at him, placing a kiss on his dick before going back to Steven. She didn’t play around this time. Instead, she sucked him down her throat and swallowed around him. “Yes! Just like that, love. Do it again.” She repeated it over and over. He started meeting her with small shallow thrusts of his hips. She grasped his hips with her hands as he fucked her mouth. He began going deep enough that she had to relax her throat to take him. There was no way she could take him all, but she did her best. The faster he went, she could tell he was getting closer by the way he grimaced. She sighed when he shouted out and began to empty his balls of his cum into her throat. She swallowed convulsively as he filled her mouth. When he had finished, she licked him clean. He massaged her scalp, telling her how good she’d done. “That was amazing, love.” She smiled up at him. Both men helped her to her feet, but it was Greg who carried her over to the couch and sat down with her in his lap. She laid her head against his shoulder and sighed. Steven sat next to them and pulled her feet into his lap, massaging them softly. They sat there for a long time before either man spoke. “Thank you, baby, for that. You definitely warmed me up. How about a nap?” Steven added his agreement to it. “A nap sounds like a good idea.” “I’d like that. But let me down first.” Greg let her slide off his lap with a questioning look.

 

192

Marla Monroe

“I’ve got to run to the bathroom. I don’t think I can make it up the stairs.” She ran into the one off the living room by the office. For some reason she had already gotten to where she had to go more frequently and more urgently than usual. When she emerged a minute later, the men were standing at the foot of the stairs, waiting on her. “Come on, love. Let’s get you upstairs.” He pulled her in front of him and urged her up the stairs. When they arrived in the bedroom, Greg began helping her out of her clothes. She gave him a questioning look. There really was no need to remove their clothes for just a nap. “You’ll be more comfortable without them.” Steven helped her up into the bed and pulled the covers around her. Then the men undressed and climbed into bed next to her. They cuddled around her, stroking her body until she began to drift off to sleep. The last thing she heard was Steven’s and Greg’s “I love you.”

 

Their Independent Bride

193

Chapter Twenty-One Janet woke up to a tongue at her pussy. She looked over to find Steven smiling at her. He was facing her and began playing with her breasts now that she was awake. The dual sensations went right to her clit. She could only moan and enjoy it. “I want to see you come, love. You have the most intense expression and make the cutest noises when you do.” She couldn’t talk with how they were manipulating her. Words wouldn’t form. All she could do was moan and accept their ministrations. Greg was licking her pussy up and down, all along her slit. Then he sucked her pussy lips into his mouth. She couldn’t be still for the life of her. When he thrust two fingers into her hot cunt, she called out his name, nearly begging for more. With Steven sucking and pinching at her breasts, it wasn’t long before she was demanding more. Instead of giving her more, they backed off some, making her growl at them. They chuckled and started increasing the stimulations again. Steven nipped and bit at her nipple while twisting her other one. Greg curled his fingers and located her hot spot and stroked it while ringing her clit with his tongue. Janet threw back her head as her climax built higher and higher. “Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God.” The men seemed to take that as a sign because they attacked her with new fervor. Steven increased the pressure he put on her breasts while Greg latched onto her clit and sucked as he stroked her sweet spot over and over.

 

194

Marla Monroe

She grabbed at the covers, unable to reach Greg’s head with Steven at her breasts. Her climax stole over her in a massive wave. Blinding lights flashed behind her eyes with the intensity of it. She heard herself mewling then screaming. Finally, Greg brought her down gently. Steven stroked her body, murmuring over and over how much he loved her. There was no way he could fake the sincerity in his voice. She believed him. The other man gave her one last lick and crawled up her body to kiss her. She could taste herself on his lips. It wasn’t unpleasant. “Aren’t you going to fuck me now?” she asked them. “Make love, baby. And no, that was all for you this time.” Then he whispered that he loved her and kissed her chin. “Let’s get up and start dinner. I’m hungry.” Steven rolled out of bed and reached out for Janet’s hand. Janet let him draw her out of the bed. Then she stretched, knowing that she would be the sweetest sort of sore from the recent bouts of sex and multiple orgasms over the last twenty-four hours. She wasn’t going to complain, though. She was going to enjoy it as long as it lasted. “What are you looking so happy about? You’d think that you had just had the best orgasm of your life.” Steven smiled down at her as she was getting dressed. “Oh? I guess I wasn’t paying attention.” “Love, you screamed. I think you were paying attention.” “Come on, you two.” Greg bounded down the stairs ahead of them. Janet followed Steven at a more sedate pace. She didn’t see any reason to be in that much of a hurry. Greg wasn’t acting like the Greg that she had made him into in her mind. He had told her that they hadn’t exactly hit it off before and that he’d been overly demanding. Now he was acting more like Steven. She shrugged it off and decided that everything was slowly working out. He’d said that he loved her, and she truly believed that

 

Their Independent Bride

195

he did from the sincerity on his face when he’d said it. Now if only she could remember how she had felt about him maybe things could get back to normal. Until then, she felt unbalanced. She walked into the kitchen to find the two men waiting on her. She couldn’t help staring at them. They were two prime examples of what a man should look like, handsome yet rugged. They stared back with questioning looks. “What do you two plan to do in my kitchen?” “Um, help?” Greg asked. “I don’t think so. You can sit at the table, and I’ll make you some coffee, but you’re not helping me cook.” They grinned with what looked like relief and took their seats at the table. Janet quickly put on a pot of coffee and began gathering what she would need to make dinner. Once the coffee was ready, Steven jumped up and poured them all a cup. She sipped hers absently as she took out a loaf of bread that she’d left to rise. Realizing that she needed the preserves she’d seen in the cellar, Janet opened the pantry door and then the cellar door and started down the steps. “Wait!” Greg jumped up from the table and raced across the room. “Don’t go down there. Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it for you.” “Nonsense. I can get it myself. You said you had covered up the place you think the creature had gotten in through. I’ll be careful.” She started back down, and he stopped her with a hand on her arm. Something drifted through his eyes. “Let me go first then. I don’t want to take a chance.” Janet saw a little of what he must have been like before her accident. Bossy only began to describe what she saw. He was almost too sure of himself. He had expected her to stop and do what he said. When she hadn’t, he’d visibly reigned himself in and tried again. She could tell that it had cost him to compromise. The fact that he had done it at all told her that he was sincere about relaxing his rigid

 

196

Marla Monroe

rules some. She could appreciate that. She nodded and backed up so that he could squeeze past her. Then she followed him down the stairs. He looked around and then reached up as she made the last step and helped her down. “I don’t see anything. What did you need? I’ll get it for you.” “That jar of preserves on the fourth shelf.” She pointed to the jar. He pulled it down and motioned for her to go back upstairs. He carried the jar and followed her. Once they were in the kitchen again, he handed her the preserves and returned to the table and his cooling coffee. Greg was still a mystery to her since she couldn’t remember him before the accident. How he was now seemed almost too good to be true. Shaking her head, she didn’t think about it anymore and finished preparing dinner. After dinner she would think about it some more. When dinner was finished, the men insisted on cleaning up, so she headed to the living room and bypassed the baby books for a real novel that she had brought with her. It held her interest for all of thirty minutes and she was back to thinking about Greg and Steven. She couldn’t remember either one of them before the accident, but for some reason, she’d been more comfortable around Steven than around Greg from the beginning. It had to be instinct, and that worried her. If something as basic as instinct warned her not to get too close, what was she supposed to think about his current behavior? Was it all an act? No, she’d seen the sincerity in his eyes, on his face. He truly was in love with her. The longer she fretted over it, the more it bothered her. Finally, with a headache brewing, she put down the book and laid her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. Random thoughts of the two men bounced around in her head. Snippets of memory snuck through to tease at the edges of her mind. She latched onto them as they emerged and soon had a small picture of life before the accident. What she remembered didn’t bode well for Greg.

 

Their Independent Bride

197

**** Greg and Steven leaned back against opposite cabinets and talked. Greg was worried that Janet didn’t believe that he loved her. Somehow, she was aware of the past even though she didn’t actually remember it. It was the only answer he could come up with. “I think she’s warming up to you, Greg.” Steven tossed the dish cloth back and forth from hand to hand. “How do you get that? She stiffens when I touch her and gravitates toward you anytime we’re both in the room.” “You’re overanalyzing it all. She’s attracted to you, cares about and enjoys sex with you. Give her time. She’s forgotten two husbands and knows that she has to live with us even though she can’t remember us. That has to be hard to accept.” “You’re right. I’m pushing her. It’s just that it hurts so damn much to not be able to hug her without feeling her worry.” “Let’s go see what she’s doing. She’s been awfully quiet for the last forty-five minutes. That can’t be good.” They walked into the living room to find her curled up on the couch with her head thrown back against the couch. There was a book in her hand opened, but she wasn’t looking at it. Instead, her eyes were closed. The expression on her face appeared almost angry. Greg felt ice crawl down his back. She was remembering. He would bet anything that she was remembering. Shit! “What are you doing, love?” Steven seemed oblivious to it. Her eyes popped open, and she lifted her head to stare at them. Her gaze drifted to him, and there was a definite change in how she viewed him. His heart sank. “I was reading but got tired of it. The book just doesn’t hold my interest.” “We finished cleaning up.” “Thanks.”

 

198

Marla Monroe

Greg couldn’t speak. He was scared that something stupid would come out of his mouth. Instead, he stared and waited for her accusations. When she didn’t say anything for a few seconds, he finally did speak. “What about your baby books? Have you memorized all of them?” He grinned, thinking that would maybe break the ice. “I’m tired of them right now. I’ll read them again later.” He was right. Her voice had a definite chill to it. He glanced over at Steven. Now the man appeared to realize something wasn’t quite kosher. What should he do? He didn’t have a clue. Instead of hemming and hawing around, Greg chose to go the direct route. “You’ve gotten your memory back, haven’t you?” “Some of it. Not all of it.” “But you remember how you felt about me.” “Yeah, pretty much. You were strict with me and always trying to tell me what I could and couldn’t do.” “Not always. Just when it concerned your health or safety. I didn’t want anything to happen to you, baby. Can’t you understand that?” Greg moved to sit on the couch next to her but far enough away that she wouldn’t feel crowded, he hoped. She didn’t scoot over, but she did look worried. He sighed and leaned back to give her more room. “Hell, baby. I would never hurt you. Do you at least believe that?” “Yes.” She sighed and rubbed her face with both hands. “I’m sorry. Suddenly remembering some things took me by surprise. My head hurts something fierce, too.” “I’ll get you some painkiller for the headache, love.” Steven disappeared up the stairs. “I can’t tell you I’m sorry enough about how I was, Janet. I thought I was keeping you safe. Now I know I was smothering you. I’m honestly trying hard not to do that, but there are some things I won’t back down on. The thing is, I don’t think you would balk at those things except on principle.”

 

Their Independent Bride

199

“You’re probably right. Maybe if you say it in a different way, it won’t bother me so much.” She stared intently into his eyes for a second. Greg started to ask what she was thinking, but Steven returned with the painkiller. Then he ran to the kitchen for a glass of water. Greg waited until she had taken the medicine before resuming the conversation. “Baby, do you believe that I love you?” She nodded but didn’t say anything. “I think I loved you the first time you argued with me. No one had ever done that before. It made me spitting mad, but it excited me, too. It was a novelty. From then on, I enjoyed making you mad on occasion. If you will remember, some of those arguments ended up with us in bed.” She blushed. It was a pretty, pink blush that stole over her face and neck. He smiled and only just stopped himself from running his finger down her cheek. He wasn’t sure she would have appreciated it. “I remember some of those arguments, but not all of them. I still don’t remember how I felt about you. It makes it difficult for me to know if my feelings now are real or not. How can I be sure that if I didn’t love you before, that being in love with you now will last?” “I’ve changed, Janet. For the better. I wish you could believe that.” “I want to, Greg. You have no idea how much I want to believe it. I do believe you love me, though.” “Well, that’s something, at least. Can’t we build on that and leave the past in the past?” “I don’t know if I can. Let me think about it.” Steven cleared his throat and snagged their attention. Greg looked at him with a less than friendly look. “It’s getting late. I think we should go to bed.” “That’s probably a good idea.” Greg agreed with Steven. They weren’t getting anywhere.

 

200

Marla Monroe

“Yeah, my head is getting better. Maybe after I bathe the headache will be gone.” Greg watched as Janet walked up the stairs. Her entire body language shouted tired and uncomfortable. Was it the headache or the conversation? He hoped it wasn’t the conversation because they needed to have it and probably more like it before it was all over with. Once in the bedroom, they pulled off their clothes and climbed into bed. She didn’t shy away when he wrapped an arm around her, but he noticed that she did gravitate more toward Steven. It hurt. It tore at his heart, and he wondered if he’d done the right thing in falling in love with her after all.

 

Their Independent Bride

201

Chapter Twenty-Two Several days later, Janet stood watching the snow accumulate outside the kitchen window. The men were out checking the area for prints to indicate any creatures had been around. They also would check the supplies and transport while they were out. They had been out there for over two hours. She was beginning to get bored with no one to talk to. She had stew on the stove warming and bread ready to put in the stove as soon as they returned. She figured toast and stew would be warming, filling, and had been easy for her to throw together. She perked up when she saw them heading back toward the house. They looked cold and tired by the time she could see their faces. She wanted to open the door for them but had agreed not to in case something was lurking around waiting for a chance to get in the house. Instead, she unlocked it and stood across the room with her mop, ready to clean up the mess they would make tromping in snow. “Fuck it’s cold outside.” Greg stomped his boots at the door before walking in. Then Steven emerged with rosy, red cheeks. “At least the wind wasn’t blowing. It could have been worse.” “The hell you say?” Janet covered up a grin by coughing with her hand over her face. They were grumpy after having been out in it. She smiled her best smile and handed each of them a cup of coffee after she had cleaned up the snowy mess on the floor. “Thanks, baby. This will hit the spot.”

 

202

Marla Monroe

“I have stew and toast for dinner tonight. Do you think that will be enough for you?” “Sounds good to me. Your stew is always thick with vegetables.” Steven nodded. The men disappeared into the living room as she slid the bread into the oven to toast. While it was browning, she stirred the stew and turned the temperature up to make sure it would be hot. As soon as the toast was ready, she ladled the stew into bowls and set them along with the toast on the table. Then she went to the door and called the men to eat. They hurried in and sat down. She joined them and they dug in. It wasn’t a surprise that they each wanted seconds. She managed to eat nearly all of her helping and a piece of toast. They were so busy eating, that conversation was relegated to one- and two-syllable words. After the kitchen had been cleaned up, she followed them into the living room and sat on the couch between the two men. She steeled herself not to lean into Steven. Instead, she leaned against Greg. He quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead before resuming his conversation with Steven. She only half listened. Instead, she concentrated on how it felt to be next to him and almost in his arms. They regularly had sex, but the intimacy seemed one-sided, and not on her side. She was holding herself back from him and wondered if that was part of the problem in her not remembering. She resolved not to do that the next time. Having made that decision, she was anxious for the next time. She squirmed as her panties grew damp just thinking about it. She couldn’t fault the sex. It was hot, intense, and wild. He always made sure that she was taken care of before he or Steven came. Greg’s dominant nature played well in the bedroom. It was odd that what she liked there didn’t carry over in the rest of her life. “Janet? Did you hear me, love?” “Um, no. I guess I was off in my own world. What did you say?”

 

Their Independent Bride

203

“It’s nearly eleven. Are you ready for bed?” “Goodness, where did the time go? Have I been daydreaming all this time?” “I don’t know. We were talking about the problems with the last house we worked on.” “Don’t worry about it, baby. It wasn’t anything you would have wanted to listen to, anyway. Let’s head upstairs.” She let Greg pull her to her feet and then followed them up the stairs. When they got to the bedroom, she called first dibs on the bathroom. She got ready for bed before leaving it for the men. Once she climbed into bed, she realized she wasn’t the least bit sleepy. That was thanks to not doing anything during the day but cooking. She wasn’t used to being lazy. Steven used the bathroom down the hall while Greg took over the master bath. They both finished about the same time and slipped into bed on either side of her. Steven faced her and began kissing along her jaw and around her ear. Greg nibbled her chin before claiming her mouth. She loved his kisses. They were so forceful and thorough in how he explored every crevice of her mouth with his tongue. When he finally pulled back, she was panting for breath. He licked along her lips and then nibbled the bottom one before drawing it into his mouth to soothe. She couldn’t get enough of his kisses, but when he began heading toward her pussy, she released the hold she’d had on his head so he could mouth his way down there. “I can smell your arousal, baby. I bet you’re soaking wet.” “I can’t help it. You two turn me on to the point of being ridiculous.” Steven drew her nipple into his mouth and flattened it to the roof. Then he sucked and pulled on it until she was whimpering with need. She needed more, much more. As if knowing, he began to pull and pinch her other nipple as he continued nursing from the one in his mouth. She could feel the draw clear to her cunt.

 

204

Marla Monroe

Greg stopped at her belly button to lick around it before lapping at the sensitive spots at her groin. She nearly came unglued when he sucked on the spot there. She doubled up, jerking her breast from Steven’s mouth. “God! That’s almost painful it feels so good.” She dug one hand into Steven’s hair and the other into Greg’s. “Don’t stop.” “Don’t worry, baby. I don’t plan to. I’m going to make you climax so many times you will lose count.” “I won’t complain.” He slipped between her legs and blew at the wet junction there. She squirmed, earning her a quick pinch on her nipple. “Stay still, love. I’m busy here.” Smothering a chuckle, she grinned then nearly screamed when Greg latched onto her pussy lips and sucked. He probed gently at her opening as he sucked and licked her pussy. Then he stiffened his tongue and thrust it in her slit over and over again. He ran a finger around her slit and then up and down it, pushing it inside just a little ways every once in a while. “Damn it! Don’t tease me. Fuck me, Greg.” “Since when are you calling the shots, babe?” he asked. “I need you, Greg. Please?” She would beg if need be when it came to sex. She was so wrapped up in need that she didn’t realize at first that he had begun to play with her ass. He slid one finger inside her cunt and swirled it around before drawing her pussy juices down to her back hole. Then he pressed a finger in past the first knuckle and on to the second one. Then he pressed all the way down to the webbing. She moaned then caught herself and cut it off. She didn’t need to let them know how excited she was or they would stop and start all over again. She knew how they played that game. Finally, Greg had two fingers inside her ass and was slowly pumping them in and out as she rocked her pelvis in the same rhythm as his questing fingers. It burned so good. Then he added more lube

 

Their Independent Bride

205

and another finger. The three fingers were a little more uncomfortable as he pushed them past the ring of resistance. Once they popped through, he began to pump them over and over until she was thrusting her pelvis up to meet the finger with her ass. “God, you’re amazing. You take to ass-play like a fish to water. I think you’re ready. Steven, get under her. Janet, climb up on Steven’s cock. I’m going to take this pretty ass. He spanked her when she turned around to mount Steven. The other man held his cock still so she could impale herself on the stiff dick. She could feel every ridge of the thick cock against her pussy walls. She had to come up off of him and slide back down several times before she was fully seated against his pelvis. His pubic hair rasped against her clit when she moved just right. Greg pushed her gently forward until her breasts were mashed against Steven’s chest. Steven rubbed her back as Greg began pressing his lubed cock into her back passage. It burned and pinched at first. She wasn’t sure she could handle it, but then his cockhead popped through the resistant ring to forge deep into her ass. He stilled to let her get used to him being there. With both cocks inside of her, she felt totally stuffed with dick. She swore she could feel them in her throat. The burn from Greg in her ass soon turned into an itch she needed scratched. She shoved back on him impatiently. “Move. Fuck me. Do something.” Greg chuckled, and the movement vibrated into her. She groaned. Then he was pulling out while Steven pushed in. They reversed, and Greg was pushed in when Steven pulled out. They alternated back and forth, driving her higher and higher. The itch began turning into a fire that threatened to consume her from the inside out. Nerve endings in her ass sparked and burned along with the massive fire in her cunt. “You’re squeezing the cum out of me, baby. God, don’t do that. I want to last.” “You think she’s squeezing you? Try being on the bottom sometime.” Steven’s voice sounded far away.

 

206

Marla Monroe

Janet began to feel her climax racing toward her. She didn’t think she could handle it. It was too much. She began to struggle between them. “It’s too much. God! I can’t take it.” “It’s not too much, baby. It’s not enough. Go with it.” It crashed over her, through her until her ears were ringing and stars exploded behind her squeezed-shut eyelids. The roar in her head changed to something else. She was dimly aware of the two men finding their release by the warm cum that splashed against the walls of her ass and cunt. All her attention was on the feelings that overwhelmed her as her memories came flooding back. She loved Greg. She loved Steven, but she loved Greg, too. How could she have suppressed something so massive as what she felt now for him? It burned through her. She had loved him in spite of his arrogant and demanding behavior. How could she not love him even more with the change? Tears began to seep from her eyes as she slowly opened them. Steven’s face paled as her tears splashed on his chest. “What’s wrong, love? Did we hurt you?” He shoved at Greg behind her. “Get off her.” Greg immediately withdrew, being careful not to jar her. Then he was beside Steven looking at her wet cheeks. He looked devastated. “Baby, I’m sorry. I know I got carried away, but I never meant to hurt you. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” He rolled over to sit on the edge of the bed. “No. You didn’t hurt me. It was just too much—too much emotion. It overwhelmed me.” She sniffed and wiped her face with the back of her hand. Steven pushed her hair back behind her ear. “You remember, don’t you?” “Yes. I loved you both. I loved you so much. I can’t believe that I didn’t remember.”

 

Their Independent Bride

207

Greg turned back around and looked at her. There was hope on his face. She hated that she’d gone so long without remembering and caused him pain. “I’m sorry, Greg. I’m so sorry.” “You don’t have anything to be sorry about, baby. I’m the one who’s sorry. I let you down. You never should have had to worry about that damn thing getting into the house. We should have checked it better.” “I love you, Greg.” She held out her arms. He pulled her off of Steven and into his arms. Steven grunted but turned over toward them and rubbed Janet’s lower back where Greg’s arms didn’t have her covered. She wrapped her arms around Greg and held him to her before pulling back and holding his face between her hands to look into his eyes. “I love you like you are, Greg. You didn’t have to change for me.” “I did need to change. I was too overbearing. I didn’t have the right to dictate everything about your life. I’ll still insist you mind me when it comes to your safety, but I won’t fuss about the little things.” “If you do, I’ll remind you who’s boss.” “Me?” Steven piped up. “No. Me.” She grinned and leaned back into Steven’s arms and kissed him. “I never thought I would say this, but I love you, my little independent bride.” Greg kissed her nose. “Do I still get one of you with me from now on?” “Yep, we have a baby to take care of soon, too. You can’t deal with a baby and the garden, too.” “Do I get to choose who does diaper duty?” “No!” both men said in unison. Then they all burst out in laughter as they rolled around on the bed. Janet couldn’t have asked for better men for husbands. She couldn’t wait to see them as daddies.

 

208

Marla Monroe

THE END WWW.MARLAMONROE.COM

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Marla Monroe lives in the southern part of the United States. She writes sexy romance from the heart and often puts a twist of suspense in her books. She is a nurse and works in a busy hospital, but finds plenty of time to follow her two passions, reading and writing. You can find her in a bookstore or a library at any given time. Marla would love for you to visit her at her blog at themarlamonroe.blogspot.com and leave a comment. Or you can reach her by e-mail at [email protected].

Also by Marla Monroe Ménage Everlasting: The Men of Space Station One #1: The Ranchers Take a Wife Ménage Everlasting: The Men of Space Station One #2: The Ranchers’ Bride Ménage Everlasting: The Men of Space Station One #3: The Hired Hands’ Dilemma Ménage Everlasting: The Men of Space Station One #4: Love Between the Hired Hands Ménage Everlasting: The Men of Space Station One #5: The Carpenters’ Helper

For all other titles, please visit www.bookstrand.com/marla-monroe

 

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com