Heath & Wyatt's Hostage

Heath & Wyatt's Hostage

Jade James

Heath & Wyatt's Hostage Copyright © November 2009 by Jade James All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions. eISBN 978-1-60737-497-8 Editor: Maryam Salim Cover Artist: April Martinez Printed in the United States of America

Published by Loose Id LLC 870 Market St, Suite 1201 San Francisco CA 94102-2907 www.loose-id.com This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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About this Title Genre: Multicultural Suspense Ménage Previous Title: Stone's Prisoner Heath is surprised when information on a hit leads him to Cadie. He hasn’t seen her in two years, and during that time she’s been the star of his most erotic fantasies. Persuading her that he and his brother Wyatt are the men who will protect her is nearly impossible. His only recourse is to take her as his hostage, and when he does Heath realizes that a threesome affair is inevitable as well as losing is heart to her. Lust was what she felt, the first time Cadie laid eyes on Heath. Now he’s back in her life with intentions of protecting her. But Cadie has never acted like a helpless female. Heath has other plans though, and takes her as his hostage. Surrounded by Heath and Wyatt, it’s impossible not to act out on the desire she feels for both, and it doesn’t surprise her one bit when she begins to fall in love. With a will of steel, Wyatt holds back the raw, carnal feelings he has for Cadie. The last thing he wants to do is cause a rift with his brother. But Cadie is a temptation he can’t control. He’s falling in love with her, and he’s surprised when Heath notices. But he’s even more stunned when Heath’s willing to share her forever. Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, ménage (m/f/m).

Chapter One Heath Crain scanned the streets, making sure no one was around to see him break in. It wasn't his usual protocol, and he hated resorting to this method, but this particular case called for extreme measures. He took his time, gazing at the houses across the road from where he was standing, and then shifted his stare back to the quiet avenue. He peered from the corner of the house, making sure he was hidden from view, and waited until a lone car passed by before making his move. Heath slid a metal pick into the lock, jiggling it a few times before it gave and the door opened. He closed the door, left the lights off, and made his way through her foyer and into her living room. The sun was just setting, and only a few rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, but it was still enough for him to see. He spotted a chair in the corner and sat down, tightly gripping the manila file folder in his hand. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration eating at his gut. He had never found himself in this particular predicament. With his experience as a bounty hunter and years in the military, Heath should have been used to surprises. But nothing had prepared him for what Aaron Tames, his favorite snitch, had given him earlier in the day. A file with information on a hit. And it wasn't a normal hit by Mafia standards: a “you owe me money, you die” hit. No. It couldn't have been that simple, because if it were, Heath would've handed the file and all the information over to the local precinct. And that would have been the end of it. But this particular kill order was for one Cadie Franklin. The same Cadie Franklin who had changed his cousin's, Stone's, life by coming forward with evidence that helped Stone and Valerie reconcile their relationship. It hadn't mattered to her that the proof in her possession confirmed that her brother, Dexter, was one deranged man bent on destroying Stone. She came forward despite her familial ties, and Heath had to admire that.

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He had read the file over and over again. Whoever ordered the hit had done their homework fairly well. The folder contained every detail of Cadie Franklin's personal life: a copy of her birth records, the fact that she was the majority stockholder in her brother's company, a job history, and recent photographs of her. Fuck! He was beyond irritated. He'd spent several hours questioning Aaron, who had stolen the pictures and file off the desk of a hit man named Grant Thomas. Aaron admitted it was a stupid, reckless move, and he had been lucky that Grant hadn't been around to witness his breaking and entering. But Heath could only praise Aaron's hastiness. Heath offered to put him up in a hotel for two weeks in Orlando, Florida. It would be nearly impossible for Grant to find Aaron under an alias, and even more difficult when Heath had used his own finances to fund the trip. Though Heath suspected immediately that Grant wasn't the hit man's real name, he ran a background check. His suspicions were correct, though. He found nothing: no credit cards, no addresses, no work history, absolutely nothing. And other than the folder containing the information on Cadie as well as the time and place of the supposed hit, Aaron had nothing else. Heath had paid Aaron for his time and information, then sent him on his way. And after notifying his boss—who had in turn notified the local police captain to pick up the alleged hit man—Heath had impulsively offered his and, his brother/partner's Wyatt's, services to the police to protect her, supposedly to save the precinct from having to put an officer on her. The lie was perfect in the sense that the authorities would just think he was doing them a favor. He was disgusted with the fact that he couldn't wait to see her again. He'd never fucked or fallen for anyone who was involved in a case, or even indirectly involved. Instinctively he reached in his shirt pocket, searching for the pack of cigarettes he usually kept there. Shit! He'd quit smoking six months ago. But it was times like this that he craved the nicotine to calm him. A huge ball of lust settled in the pit of his stomach; he didn't know if he could control it, especially when she had starred in some of the hottest erotic fantasies he'd ever imagined.

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Now he had to face the woman who had been locked in his mind for the past year. And during that time, Heath had visualized making love to her in every nasty position he could think of. He often woke up with a raging hard-on that masturbation couldn't sate. There were several things about her that he found attractive in a way that jolted him. He found himself wanting to pursue her, wanting to know every last detail about her. Her sassiness and her ability to stand up to him were arousing. The physical reaction he had to her scared him, but it intrigued him even more. He wanted to fall to his knees and lick her, starting at her toes and inching his way upward. Her mocha-colored skin was a mixture from her African American mother and white father. Her flesh beckoned him, and oh, how he wanted to take his time tasting her. Her brown curly hair fell to her shoulders, and the strands appeared so soft that he found himself wanting to bury his fingers in them as he tilted her head back for his kiss. The sound of keys jangling knocked him out of his thoughts. Heath sat up in the chair as he heard the lock open. She was home, and he was suddenly nervous as to what her reaction to his presence would be. Mere seconds passed before she made it to the living room and kicked off her shoes. Heath placed the folder on the table and watched as she pulled her shirt out of the waistband of her skirt. Heath leaned forward, gripped the sides of the chair, holding himself back, when all he really wanted to do was jump to his feet, back her against the wall, and fuck her. But he shook the thought away. He was here for a job and nothing else. Mixing business with pleasure often led to more problems. Heath watched as Cadie moaned, stretching her body upward. That position pushed her breasts out, making them strain against her shirt. Now all they needed was a bed, and he'd be able to make love to her all night long. Hell, he'd do it standing if it meant that he'd have his cock inside her. Heath leaned to the side of the chair and flicked on the lamp. “What the fuck?” Her voice was full of shock, and he felt like an ass for intentionally scaring her that way. But the feeling quickly faded to astonishment. He watched, amazed, as her arms dropped, one swinging to her side, only to come forward again with a gun aimed at his face. Heath wasn't surprised at her reaction. She was a retired cop and was trained in how to defend herself. His cock rose, swelling hard against his jeans. Oh he was one perverted fuck,

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getting hard at the sexy-as-hell sight she made and not giving a shit that she had a weapon pointed at him. But not all his brain went straight to his dick. He was smart enough to know that any sudden moves would most likely have her firing that gun. Her eyes grew wide, surprise etched into her face, her gaze flicking from the top of his head to his booted feet, recognition settling in her stare as she lowered the gun, though the tension in her body still remained. “So you've resorted to stalking me now?” Heath smiled. That wasn't the response he was expecting, but he definitely appreciated her sassiness. He raised his brow. “It caught your attention. But the word stalking would imply that I have been harassing you, when in fact this is the first time I've seen you in a year.” “Has it been that long?” She didn't wait for an answer. “If you wanted my attention, a phone call would have sufficed.” She chewed on her bottom lip. He noticed her tightened muscles going lax. “I wanted to make an impression.” Cadie flicked the safety back on the gun, removed the holster from her body, then placed it and her weapon on the table. “You've succeeded and made a lasting one by scaring the crap out of me. Let's cut to the chase. What do you want?” “It's a bit more complicated than what I want. It has to do more with what has to be done. A lengthy explanation would be required.” She arched her eyebrow, a smirk crossing her luscious lips. “Care to elaborate?” “I don't think you'll like the outcome.” “I doubt I will. But feel free to take a shot at it.” He smiled. “At my own pace.” “You purposely being obtuse?” He was so turned on at this point that if she weren't in the room, he would have taken out his cock for some relief. Hell, masturbating in front of her didn't seem like a bad idea, as long as it relieved the pressure. It would sure get a reaction out of her. “Is that a compliment?” Cadie shrugged. “You're a big boy. You can figure that one out on your own. You're obviously here for an important reason. From what I could tell when I first met you, you seem to be a focused man, but that in itself can be your downfall. Because you also appear to be the type of man that takes action first and ask questions later, hence the breaking and entering. Whether I

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like the reason why you're here or not won't deter you from any decisions you'd have to make or have already made. And I put heavy emphasis on already made, since I've pegged you for the dominant type. But let me warn you ahead of time, the 'I am he-man' attitude isn't going to work with me. So get to the explaining part.” His cock jerked against his pants as he rose to his feet. A woman who spoke her mind. He loved that about her. He saw when she dropped her gaze to glance at his erection, and he couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips. There was no way he'd be able to hide his reaction to her, and even if he could, he wouldn't. “Why did you retire so early from the force? And what made you choose to volunteer at the shelter?” “That's a lot of questions you're asking. It's obvious you've been snooping around on me. What I'd like to know is why.” “You going to answer my questions?” “Not until you answer mine.” “You're in danger.” She laughed. “From what? In case you haven't noticed, Mr. Crain, I can take care of myself.” “I've noticed. You left the police force with no indication as to why. From what I've read, you don't need to work. Why the career change? You're currently helping others in a domestic shelter. Isn't that correct?” She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. He could tell she was becoming more annoyed. But honest to God, he wanted to know everything about her. He admired the fact that, though her brother, Dexter, had left the majority of his company to her upon his death, Cadie volunteered at the shelter because she wanted to. “From what you've read? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” She walked over to him, a total package of sensuality as her hips swayed. He knew she was irritated at his words, which meant she was up to something. But he was more than intrigued, and he wouldn't stop her. She stopped inches from him, and his cock pulsed at her nearness. She reached up and grabbed his shaft, wrapped her hand as far as it would go around the fabric of his jeans, then tightened. Fuck! He almost groaned. She'd caught him off guard, and the smirk on her lips

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proved she knew it. “Unless you foresee yourself never satisfying the hunger between us, you will tell me what this is about now.”

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Chapter Two Brave words for a woman who just wanted him to tear her clothes off and fuck her brains out. She couldn't help but admit that, at the first sight of him, a surprising hunger had overtaken all her senses. And that was something that had never happened before with any man. But she was more than curious as to why Heath was in her home, and what exactly he knew about her. The question-and-answer session would have to wait. At this moment, her hand was wrapped around his cock, and she was more interested in fulfilling the lust between them. He was about ten inches taller than her five-feet-four-inch height, though the heels she wore now gave her an extra three inches. He looked exactly as she remembered, and how a true rugged man should appear. His black hair was pulled back and tied, giving him a distinctive badboy appeal, the type of man she had always been attractive to. His gray eyes were a shade darker than she remembered, but that was probably because she had his rigid cock in hand. A scar on his cheek curved into a letter C, but what was probably done to mar his beauty only enhanced it. She could see the outline of his muscles, clearly defined through his black shirt, and the sight heightened her arousal. Her nipples pressed against the fabric of her bra. Her thong was wet with her cream, and she closed her legs together in an attempt to rub her throbbing clit. Though at this point, Cadie knew there was only one man who could relieve her from this need. She tightened her fingers around his cock. She was more than tempted to unzip his jeans and push them down so she could get a better look at the long, thick stalk pulsing in her hand. “You're playing with fire.” Perhaps she was. His words sounded thick with desire, and she felt his shaft actually grow longer beneath her hand. From the look in his eyes, he was ready to pounce. And she couldn't imagine why it would be such a bad idea to have him fuck her, right here, right now. Go ahead, Cadie; or better yet, show him what you want. “I want you to make me burn.”

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She grabbed his shirt, pulling it up his body, and he took over, taking it off and then tossing it on the floor. She reached for the buttons of her blouse, but he pushed her hands away, ripping the fabric apart. Buttons scattered on her wood floor, making loud ping sounds. “You owe me a new shirt.” His hands flew to the zipper of her skirt, then tugged it down. “I'll buy you a full closet of them.” He pushed it farther down, his body moving with the skirt, and she lifted one leg, then the other. He tossed it somewhere behind them. “Holy shit. You're fucking beautiful.” She was a woman who took care of herself, visiting the salon on a weekly basis, taking the time to wax certain body parts. But at this moment, he made her feel even more beautiful. Her hand fell to his shoulder as his gaze roved to every part of her body. She was now glad she'd spent so much time in selecting her underwear. It was the one decadence she couldn't live without. The delicateness made her feel even more feminine. And by the look in Heath's gaze, he appreciated it. She wore a black demi-cup bra with matching thong panties. She still had on her gray-colored pumps and nude thigh highs strapped to her garter. As much as she liked the fact that he couldn't seem to remove his gaze from her, she wanted him inside her already. “Fuck me, Heath. I want it deep, and I want it fast.” That got him moving. His gaze darkened. He removed his holster and gun and placed them on the table. He then hauled her to him, grabbed her thong, and pulled, ripping it from her body with a quick jerk. Heath picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He reached below her, and she felt him unbutton his jeans. Too bad she couldn't get a glimpse of that delicious cock she felt pressed against her. She could feel his shaft at the entrance of her pussy, and she tightened her thighs, squirming, hoping he'd get the idea and thrust into her. Heath walked, backing her against the living-room wall. He pushed his cock into her, and she leaned her head back to view his face. This was what she needed from him. Cadie held her breath, savoring the moment where he entered her slowly, his shaft stretching her pussy. He didn't stop until his cock was all the way in and she could feel every ridge on his magnificent flesh. He was huge, but she felt her cream easing the way for him, making her slick and wet. She noticed when he paused for a second, allowing her to become adjusted to his size.

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“I've been dreaming about this, Cadie, ever since I first laid eyes on you.” She didn't need nice words or compliments right now. “Quit it with the flowery prose.” All she needed was for him to keep moving. He pulled out, then pushed back in, his hands tightening on her hips as she gasped. She never imagined he would be this good—this hot. Her nails dug into his back, and that's when she remembered the scars she had seen before. Someone had marred his flesh, so she moved her hands and rubbed his back. She squeezed her thighs around his waist, hoping to ease the pressure off her clit. “Move, Heath. Pretend there isn't going to be a tomorrow, and fuck me like this will be the last time you ever see me.” The words were perhaps overly dramatic, but she couldn't help that. She was living in the moment, and frankly she couldn't care less about tomorrow. “Hold on tight.” She squeezed every muscle in her body and held on for dear life as he moved, thrusting his cock in and out of her. He plunged deep, the tip of his shaft hitting her womb, then retreating, only to start all over. Her pussy gripped him, trying to hold him, attempting to keep him within her. He lifted his hand, holding the back of her head as he fucked her. She moved with him, helpless to do anything else but satisfy the hunger building within her. “You're so wet and tight, Cadie. I love the way your juices soak my cock and the way your cunt grips me.” And at this point, she desired everything about him. She pressed her lips against his, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. The kiss was hot, desperate, an extension of the way they both felt as they climbed closer to ecstasy. He fucked her like he couldn't get enough of her, and she felt the same way. Heath broke the kiss, then fastened his lips to her neck, sucking on the skin. Her flesh burned, and he grabbed her hair, pulled on the strands, tilting her head to the side. He sucked harder, and she knew that was going to leave a mark. But right now, she couldn't care less. He shifted his hips, bent his legs, then shoved his cock even deeper. The position hit her G-spot directly, and before she could even inhale a deep breath to prepare herself, Cadie burst around him. Her pussy grasped his dick, the spasms rippling around

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him as her juices spilled. He plunged his cock, fucking her through her orgasm, growling an animalistic sound before he stopped moving, held himself still, and shot his cum deep within her. Her sole focus for the next two minutes was trying to slow down the fast pounding of her heart and the way her body trembled. She tried desperately to get ahold of herself. She prided herself in having control in all situations, and it was hard for her to believe that this man did what no one else could—made her lose the power she had over herself. Heath lifted his weight off her, and Cadie lowered her legs. She stepped away from him. Refusing to give him a glance, Cadie retrieved her clothes and dressed, without her underwear. She needed to change her ripped shirt, and a shower would have been lovely right now, but both would have to wait. By the time she regained some of her composure and turned to face him, he was fully clothed. She was blushing like a teenage schoolgirl under his hot gaze. It was as if he were undressing her all over again. And on the heels of that thought came the realization that she could feel his cum between her legs. Condom. Damn. He hadn't used one, and she was even more of an idiot for not remembering it herself and insisting he wear one. She cleared her throat. “We didn't use any protection, but I haven't been in a relationship in over two years. I'm on the pill for regularity and have been routinely tested by my doctor.” “I can provide you with my health records. I get an examination every six months, and I've always used a condom.” That was a first for her too. She never had sex unprotected. She shook her head. She still felt like a moron, but she believed he was clean. “You don't need to do that. I believe you.” “Nevertheless, Cadie, I will show them to you, once we arrive at my home. You have no reason to believe that I'm truthful, but I will prove to you in time that you can trust me.” Arrive at his home? She narrowed her eyes. “Wait a minute. I don't remember anything about agreeing to go anywhere with you. In fact, you still haven't told me why you're here.” He walked around her and put on the holster and gun. Cadie watched as he grabbed a file from the table beside her lamp. He handed it to her. “Read it. Your life's in danger, and the only way to keep you safe is if I have you under our protection.”

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Our protection, as opposed to just his? Why did it feel like she was running in circles every time she spoke with him? Frustrated, Cadie opened the file and scanned through it quickly. But it was difficult to concentrate on what the hell was going on when his words angered her. “The fact that you've been purposely obtuse since you arrived hasn't been lost on me. Let me clue you in on a couple of things, Heath. First, I can take care of myself. Contrary to what you may believe, I've been doing it for quite a while now. For heaven's sake, I was on the force for six years before I quit. Second, I don't need your help, nor do I appreciate the runaround you've been giving me since you arrived.” Heath stepped closer to her, and with him just inches away, she could see the anger in the lines of his face. She wasn't scared, though. He might be upset, but Cadie knew he wouldn't hurt her. She didn't know how she knew that, since she didn't really know him, but her gut instinct told her that he would never harm her. But with a move that stunned her, Heath grabbed her wrist and handcuffed her left arm to his right one, all in the span of a few seconds. “What the hell are you doing?” “We're going upstairs to your bedroom. You have fifteen minutes to pack a suitcase. You're coming with me, Cadie, and obviously I'm not taking no for an answer.”

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Chapter Three Heath watched as Cadie walked ahead, her stride as quick as she could manage, though she was still cuffed to him. He had removed the handcuffs upstairs so she could put on a shirt, but as soon as she slipped the last button in, he had bound her to him once more. She suddenly stopped, almost forcing him to run into her as she turned to face him. “I pegged you for an alpha male who took charge, without regard to anyone else. And it looks like my intuition once again was right on the ball. But I don't take kindly to anyone who pushes me around. You'll regret that you did.” Heath heard the threat in her words but chose to ignore it. He didn't really have time to deal with her anger or the fact that she was trying to bait him into an argument. His priority was to get her out safely and keep her that way. He'd already acted like an ass by having sex with her, knowing her life was in danger. He should have immediately gotten her out of her home. Instead, he'd fallen head over heels in lust with her at first glance, and his cock hadn't gone down since. Thrusting into her hot sheath had only whetted his appetite. He wanted more. And for the first time in his life, he honestly thought his willpower wouldn't survive being around her. “Get in,” he ordered. He followed Cadie as she climbed over the middle of his truck to the passenger seat. He was forced to lean forward and got a good view of her thighs as she pulled her skirt up. He hadn't been lying before. She was beautiful, and if protecting her hadn't become his job, he would've spent every waking second coaxing her into his bed. Handcuffing her and simply taking her hadn't been his intention. But Heath had known that reasoning with her wouldn't be enough. She wasn't the only one who had him pegged for what he was. He also knew that she would be stubborn and refuse any help he could provide. He had seen her obstinate tendency the first time he'd met her two years ago at Stone's home, and she hadn't changed one bit.

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Heath slid into the driver's seat, then twisted his body toward her, removed the handcuff from his wrist, then hers, and in no time had her other arm bound to the passenger-side door. He reached for her bag and the file. He placed the folder on her lap, then tossed her suitcase to the rear seat and closed the door. “You're really enjoying this bondage thing?” An image of her being bound to his bed came to mind, and his cock lengthened in response. “I would love nothing better than to tie you down and take my time with you, sweetheart, starting from you beautiful toes to your luscious mouth. But your home isn't safe.” He started the car and steered out of the parking spot. “Now, what kind of woman would I be if I rewarded your barbaric behavior by having sex with you?” “The kind of woman who likes when a man takes charge.” “You know untying your hair might be a good look for you. Put on a loincloth, then toss me over your shoulder, and you'd make the perfect caveman.” A surprised laugh erupted from his lips. Sparring with her sizzled his blood. “You'd be the only woman I'd let see me in a loincloth.” She snorted. “What's this really about, Heath? You said my life was in danger.” “It's all in the file, Cadie. But long story short, I was able to obtain information on a hit from a source I trust. You are the target. Bastard even had pictures of you. I took the information to my boss, Jager Strong. He consulted with the local precinct, and I convinced both of them that you would be safest under the protection of my brother and me.” “Why would you involve your brother in this? And what in the hell would make you think that I would need your protection?” By the sound of her voice, she was still fuming. “My brother happens to be my partner in business, and—” A loud explosion burst through the quiet residential neighborhood. Time seemed to freeze as he fought the need to speed away from her street. Instead, he stopped the vehicle, gripped his steering wheel, and tried to control the sudden rush of adrenaline that seemed to be pumping fire

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though his blood. He turned to the sound of the crackling fire as Cadie screamed. Her house was up in flames, and by the way it was burning, nothing would be salvageable. He turned to face her. “I won't let anything ever happen to you.”

**** She'd lost everything. And the most important things, like family pictures and jewelry that had been handed down to her from her mother, she would never be able to replace. That's the part that hurt the most, since the pictures and jewelry were the only things she had left of her parents and brother. Once she realized she and Heath had cheated death by a few minutes, it took a while for her heart to stop racing and her hands to stop shaking. She shuddered. If he hadn't literally taken her as his hostage, they would be dead right now. She heard Heath report the explosion to someone on the phone, but for a long while, she said nothing. She kept her mind purposely blank and concentrated on the scenery that passed as Heath drove. She heaved in a big breath and then released it slowly. Time to see what the hell she was up against. She opened the file on her lap. There were a few photographs of her. She put the pictures aside for now and read the paperwork. A few minutes later, the trembling returned. Someone was trying to kill her, and she didn't even know the reason why. The hit man was offered one million dollars and had been paid half up front. Fear gnawed at her belly, and she had to fight back the need to run. She jumped as Heath took her hand in his. “Hey, you're shaking.” She hadn't realized the car had stopped. She tried for a smile. “Very astute of you.” He chose to ignore the comment and instead replied, “I'm not going to let anyone hurt you.” She honestly didn't know what to say to that. “Thank you.” He reached over and removed the cuff from the door and then her wrist. She noticed the large home. “Where are we?” “My home and office in Rockland County. It's the safest place for you right now.”

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She had to agree, but still, she didn't want to become anyone's burden. “I can just as easily go to the police.” “We'll call them when we get inside. But they aren't going to offer twenty-four-hour protection. Wyatt and I can guard you until we figure out who's behind this.”

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Chapter Four Police Captain Winston Rowe arrived within fifteen minutes of Heath's calling him, along with Detective Paul Luca. Rowe appeared to be in his late fifties. He had a kind face and smiled as he introduced himself, which eased her nerves by a fraction. It took another hour for Detective Luca to write down their statements. And in that time, Cadie desperately tried to push away the fact that she'd come close to death. She felt wired and couldn't calm herself enough to stop trembling. She had never been involved in a life-and-death situation as an officer. Her assignments had been pretty tame compared to what she'd just escaped. And her respect for people who had endured this type of trauma shot through the roof. “Our precinct received numerous calls about the explosion,” Winston said. “I have patrol cars there now, along with the fire department. When I received Heath's phone call, I had to come down myself. Heath and my nephew, Jager, have already spoken to me about protecting you and working alongside our precinct. It isn't the first time we've worked together. I have no problem doing it again, as long as they keep me updated. To my understanding, Ms. Franklin, you're a former police officer?” She couldn't stop her body from shaking. “I am.” And perhaps Heath saw it, because he stepped closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Feeling his body so close to hers helped calm her. “Rest assured that we always protect our own,” Winston replied. “Your safety will be our top priority.” “I'm going to need a copy of the police report,” Heath said. “Will do,” Winston replied. “I'll fax it over to Jager's office in a day or two. You two be careful, and if you need any assistance, you can reach me anytime.”

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The tea Heath laced with brandy aided in calming her nerves. But she wasn't prepared to deal with the blond-haired man who entered the living area clad only in a pair of blue jeans. Her gaze immediately went to his smooth, muscled chest. He was ripped, the muscles lean and defined. The way he walked toward her and Heath was titillating. He reminded her of a panther—all sleek lines and reeking of power. The man stopped inches away from her. He was handsome, but his black-eyed gaze unnerved her. Heath placed her bag on the floor. “Wyatt, this is Cadie Franklin. Cadie, this is my younger brother and partner, Wyatt.” She could see no physical similarities between Wyatt and Heath, though both of them were extremely handsome in their own way. She extended her hand. “It's nice to meet you.” His large palm enveloped her tiny one. “It's a pleasure.” As soon as she touched him, a flash of heat raced through her body. Wow! She pulled her hand back. That was the last thing she expected. Goose bumps broke out on her arms as arousal whipped through her body, and she hoped to hell neither of them noticed. “You don't look anything at all like Heath.” He smiled. “My brother takes after our father's side of the family, while I favor our mother's.” “Wyatt, why don't you show Cadie to the guest bedroom while I speak with Jager?” Heath asked. “And then you and I need to talk.” Wyatt reached for her bag. “Sure. This way.” Cadie turned to Heath. “Since this all revolves around me, I'd like to be involved in any discussions as well as any decisions you'll be making on this case.” Heath arched a brow, fisting his hands, and she got the impression that her request bothered him. “I've showed you the file on everything we have so far.” The little devil inside her wanted to push him. “It wouldn't surprise me if you did it as a way of controlling me. Your dominating tendencies should stay solely in the bedroom.” Her heart jolted as his eyes seem to blaze at her remark, and she could easily picture herself tied to his bed while he showed her what true domination meant.

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Heath reached up and ran a finger from her cheek to the curve of her chin. “You say the word dominate so often now, Cadie, that it's beginning to make me think you want to be tied to my bed. Don't worry, though. I'll save it for our second or third time together.” Damn! He knew exactly what she wanted. Either he was telepathic, or she was just easy to read.

**** Wyatt set Cadie's bag down on the bed and turned to face her. She was even more beautiful in person than in her picture. Her looks blew him away, and he wouldn't mind the simple pleasure of staring at her all day long. Her hair fell over her shoulders, the soft curls a shiny brown. Her skin was flawless, smooth, and he itched to touch her. Her body was curvy in all the right places, and he could easily imagine himself fucking her, holding her hips as he plunged his cock deep inside. Her breasts appeared to be the right size for his hands; he was tempted to bare them and find out what color her nipples were. The thought not only caused his shaft to lengthen beneath his jeans, but it stunned him. Though he and Heath had shared women before, Wyatt had never been with one who inspired such lust and desire that he wanted to go to his knees and lick his way up her body slowly. He shifted, hoping to hell she hadn't noticed his hard-on. “You seem to love pushing his buttons.” Her lips curved into a smile. “He's an arrogant ass.” Wyatt laughed. “Sometimes he can be. But he's harmless.” “I doubt your brother can be described as harmless. Nevertheless, what I stated to him goes for you as well.” He walked two steps closer to her; then he forced his body to stop when he was just mere inches from touching her. He fought the need to push her into a corner to see how far her claws extended, and whether she'd scratch or purr for him. “Which part is that, Cadie? Are you speaking about wanting to be dominated?” She coughed, then cleared her throat as a dark red blush spread through her cheeks. “What the hell is it with you and your brother? You know very well that's not what I meant. I was speaking about wanting to know everything when it comes to this case.”

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He smiled, enjoying her flustered state, and he wanted nothing more than to feel her lips against his. “How was I to know that's what you meant? You didn't clarify yourself in the beginning. But now that you have, I know where you stand.” “Well, I sure as hell hope so.” “Help yourself to anything. Our house is your home. Towels and bedsheets are in the closet. Anything else you need, just ask one of us.” Wyatt stepped around her and walked out of the room before he did anything absolutely stupid, like kiss her.

**** “You've fucked her.” The words sounded like an accusation, but Wyatt couldn't help that. Nor could he help the fact that it was pure, raw, hot jealousy that ate at his gut. It was the first time he'd ever felt like this, and he didn't like it one bit. And as crazy as it would sound to anyone with a sane mind, it wasn't that his brother had actually fucked her that bothered him. It was the fact that he hadn't been there to share in their lust and the ecstasy that followed. Heath arched a brow and leaned forward, his hands slapping the hard cherrywood office table. “Don't be a crude asshole. You have a problem? Get it off your fucking chest now!” Wyatt ground his teeth so hard, the enamels threatened to crack. “I have no problem. I simply stated a fact.” “I don't like your tone. And I sure as hell didn't know I needed your permission to have sex with anyone.” Wyatt slid into the seat across from Heath's. He would have rather walked out and barricaded himself in his own office with a nice glass of rum, but there were things that needed to be discussed. “Are you in love with her?” Fuck! He hadn't meant to ask that. Heath sat back. “I get it now. You're attracted to her.” There was a blank expression on Heath's face. There was no censure in Heath's voice, nor anger. And Wyatt hated the fact that Heath could read him so easily when he didn't even know what his brother was thinking. “Who wouldn't be? She sure as hell wasn't what I was expecting.” She'd been a pure pleasure-filled surprise, and Wyatt didn't know if he had the strength to keep his distance from her.

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Heath sighed. “Neither was I. She fires my blood, Wyatt. And at the same time makes me feel things I've never felt. I could understand why you would be attracted to her as well.” Damn, he felt like an idiot for bringing it up in the first place. Here was a perfect chance for his brother to be happy, and all Wyatt could do was mess that up. “Where does that leave us?” Still, he asked the question, because he needed to know. “It isn't the first time we've shared. The decision has always been up to the woman, but she's not like any other woman we've had sex with. Basically I have no idea where the hell that leaves us. One thing's for sure, though. I'm not letting her go. We'll discuss this further later. Let's move on to the case.” Wyatt felt like a complete idiot. Heath was right. Cadie's safety was their first priority. “Go ahead.” “I've contacted Jager. A bomb exploded at Cadie's home a few minutes after we left.” Wyatt's gut clenched, his stomach twisting into knots. He never imagined living a life without his brother, and the fact that Heath and Cadie had come so close to death sickened him. “Hell! Why didn't you say something when you first arrived?” “What in God's name could you have done? I contacted the authorities, and we'll have a report as soon as possible. In the meantime, we need to figure out why she's become the target of some insane bastard. I've reviewed what Aaron gave me over and over again, and I can't find a trace of anything. Jager has contacted several people and put the word out for a Grant Thomas.” Wyatt fisted his hands. “I've also read the file a few times, and nothing leaps out at me.” “Hell!” Heath ran a hand through his hair. “We're missing something here.” “Let's think this through,” Wyatt said. “Grant must have been desperate to plant a bomb inside her home. Obviously changes had to be made to their plan once he found the file was missing. Suppose we stage a news conference and state that Cadie somehow survived the explosion, but she was injured and being held at a certain hospital. We could set a trap that way. The killer would have to show up to take the video he needs, if he wants to get paid by the bastard who ordered the hit.” “I'll contact Jager. It's worth a shot. But we're going to need a woman who looks similar to Cadie.”

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“How about Letty Garcia? Both women are of similar build and coloring, plus she's worked with Jager before.” Heath narrowed his eyes. “Given our history together, I don't think bringing Letty into this operation would be a very good idea.” Wyatt held back his laughter. “It's been quite a while since you last saw her. Who the hell else has the experience to do this? She served in the military for five years, and she's worked with Jager on some of his assignments for about a year.” “Call her, but it's yours and Jager's job to make sure she stays in line.”

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Chapter Five Four hours later, Cadie walked out of the bedroom. She'd napped, then showered and dressed, and felt a little more in control—well, as much in control as she could feel in this situation. She stopped, her stomach tightening, the flutter of nerves beginning low in the pit of her stomach as she sensed him. It amazed her that she instantly knew Heath was behind her, even before he spoke. “How do you feel?” She turned at the sound of his voice. Heath had also showered, his hair still glistening wet and the scent of soap filling the air. He was barefoot, his jeans riding low, and wearing a black tank that clearly showed the muscles in his arms. Her clit began to throb, and her nipples tightened at the mere sight of him. And she craved more. She wanted him to take her against the wall as he had done earlier in her home. She swallowed. “A tad better.” He reached behind him and brought some papers around. “Here.” She took them. “What are they?” “A record of my physical. It states that I'm clean.” Her gaze dropped to the medical information. And there it was, written in black lettering. But she hadn't been worried about that. She trusted him. Still, it touched her that he was concerned about her. “Thank you for showing them to me.” She gave him back the papers. He rolled them up and put them inside his pocket without removing his gaze from her. “Are you hungry?” Just like that, a light switch inside flicked on, and all she could think about was having his cock inside her again. “Very.” And she was, but not for food. For him.

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He closed the distance between them and backed her up against the wall in the hallway. “You have a thing about walls?” She sure as hell hoped he did, 'cause she didn't mind it one bit. He stopped just as her back touched the flat surface. “I have a thing about fucking you against walls.” Oh that was hot, and so the answer she wanted to hear. But it wouldn't be fair to take him up on his offer, especially since she owed him one for handcuffing her in the first place. She didn't want him thinking she would become a melted puddle of arousal as soon as he came near her, though every time he did, all she could think about was fucking him. Cadie wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her body against his, and slipped her tongue between his lips. He tasted dark, spicy, and it aroused her to such a heated level that she slipped her hands his pants, touched the head of his cock, and rubbed his precum across the crest of his shaft. He groaned, and she sucked on his tongue as she touched him a moment longer. All she wanted to do was fall to her knees, take him into her mouth, and suck him until he came. But she dug deep for her strength and removed her hand from the inside his jeans. She surprised even herself. Who the hell knew she was this strong? “Payback's a bitch. And here's a tip for you: next time you want to handcuff me, make sure it's solely in the bedroom.” He brought his arms up, trapping her against the wall as a dangerous glint suddenly entered his gaze. Instinct told her to run, and she tightened her muscles, prepared to do so, until she heard Wyatt's voice. “Am I interrupting something?” She bent and stepped to the side, freeing herself from the cage Heath created. She turned to Wyatt, but not before catching the steamy look Heath threw at her. “No, you're not.” “I've made dinner,” Wyatt said. She heard the wariness in his voice. “Good, I'm starved.” She left and followed Wyatt without glancing back.

**** Dinner was an awkward affair, with Heath watching her as if he could eat her alive, and Wyatt simply concentrating on his meal.

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The silence was unnerving and definitely needed to be broken. She sipped at her glass of white wine. She could feel the heat of Heath's stare, and she couldn't help but be nervous. It seemed as if he was trying to figure her out, and for some reason that bothered her. “I'm assuming you guys have had a chance to talk about who you think is behind this. What have you come up with?” “We have no leads so far,” Wyatt answered. “But we were able to come up with a plan. We'll tell the public that you survived the explosion and were injured. The police department is working in conjunction with the agency we work for, and arrangements will be made at St. Vincent's Hospital to secure you a room. Letty Garcia will play your double. She served in the military for five years. If the killer gets too close to her, she has the combat skills to stop this creep. Our team will be watching her at all times, though.” “She's not the only one you know with the skills. I've attained quite a few, and I can always go in myself.” Heath fisted his hands on the table. “There is no way in hell you are going to be involved in this. I couldn't take it if you were hurt.” Did he really think that? Or was he using it as an excuse to keep her out of the way? “I'm more inclined to think it's because you don't think I'm capable.” “Putting you in danger is out of the question,” Heath replied. She'd drop it for now. “Has she worked with you before?” Wyatt nodded. “She's worked with Jager a few times, and I'm sure he can convince her to do so once again.” “So both of you are bounty hunters? Do you enjoy what you do?” “Though Heath and I are only two years apart, I've always admired the man my brother has become. So it wasn't a hard decision when he informed me that Jager had an opening at the agency.” She turned her head. “And you, Heath? Do you enjoy capturing criminals?” His gaze pierced her soul, and she forced herself to look at Wyatt, who gave her a small smile. It was odd, but she felt immediately comfortable around Wyatt. She could already tell the differences between them, one being that Heath was way more intense than Wyatt.

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“I take great pleasure in bringing a person down,” Heath replied in a low tone. “When the individual thinks playing with the hunter will go unnoticed, and they're so focused on their flight, that's when I go in.” She gritted her teeth and turned to Heath. His voice sent a wave of heat through her body. What would it feel like to have both brothers arousing her? Shit! Where the hell did that idea come from? She shoved the thought away. She should not even be contemplating a ménage with them, and who the hell's to say that they would even agree? “I get the feeling your answer has more to do with me bowing down to you than you actually capturing a criminal.” “The only time I'd like to see you on your knees is when you plan on using that luscious mouth to please me.” Lust shot through her body, making her clit throb and her panties dampen with her cream. Damn! He seemed to know exactly what turned her on. And she loved it, her insides melting like ice cream on a warm summer day. She pushed her plate of food away. “And would you invite your brother to lick my pussy while I sucked your cock?” Wyatt growled. She jumped and once again found herself on the verge of flight. She understood immediately that she was pressing both of them too much. Heath burned her with his gaze, and she could tell he was hanging by a thread. Perhaps, that wasn't a very wise thing to say at this moment. But she had no control when it came to them. She was done for, so hot for it that she couldn't even control her own mouth, let alone the way her body heated as she watched them. “Have you ever had a threesome, Cadie?” Wyatt asked, his gaze filled with desire. How could she answer that? “No. But I know that your brother has.” “How in the hell would you know that?” Heath rose to his feet as his muscles shifted, then tensed. She stood as well. She could sense Heath was just waiting to pounce on her. She couldn't tell if he was livid, aroused, or both. Wyatt now appeared relaxed, watching her, but she sensed that he too wanted her. She knew she was pushing them even further, and soon they would have no choice but to act on their desire. And that was exactly what she wanted. “I wasn't sure that I knew it one hundred percent. But it must be true, because you're not denying it. It was the way you looked when we first met. You answered the door for Stone. You looked satisfied and

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disheveled, as if you'd fucked all night long. I put one and two together and came up with the threesome.” The last bit was said with sarcasm, but she couldn't help that. Though she had no claim to Heath, the thought of him in another woman's arms ticked her off. Heath walked over to her and stood close. “Your cynicism actually turns me on.” Oh, she just bet it did, which was why she did it. Pressing them and then waiting for their reaction was foreplay to her. She wanted them. In her peripheral vision, she saw Wyatt rise and walk over to her, then around. He now stood behind her, and she almost orgasmed from the nearness of both men. “The answer to your question would be 'yes,'” Heath said, the tone of his voice low and arousing. What was he talking about? She licked her lips. “What question?” She bit back a moan as Wyatt pushed her hair to the side and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. She wanted to turn around and tempt him as she was doing to his brother. Heath bent his head and brushed his lips against hers. For a second, she thought he'd give in to their desire, but he pulled back. “Yes, I would invite my brother to suck your luscious cunt while you wrapped your lips around my cock.” Cunt. The crude word should have bothered her, but it only made her hotter. Heath pulled her against him, and she felt his hard cock against her stomach. Wyatt pressed his body behind her, his shaft pushed up against her back. How would it feel to be naked between them? Her panties were damp with her cream, and her clit was stiff, throbbing with arousal. “Looks like I made it in time for the show.” Cadie gasped and turned to the female who stood at the entryway of the kitchen with her arms crossed. Cadie couldn't tell if that was jealousy she heard in the woman's voice or something else. A second later a large male stepped in behind the other woman. The woman and the man both looked dangerous. And if she'd been alone, Cadie probably would've lunged for something she could use as a weapon. But the man did nothing but stand there and watch the four of them.

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Chapter Six Heath didn't know if he wanted to strangle Letty or shoot her on the spot. And there was absolutely nothing he could do about the raging hard-on underneath his pants. He gritted his teeth and held back the need to carry Cadie out of the kitchen and into his bedroom. Yeah, strangling Letty was looking more and more like a better prospect. Cadie stiffened and stepped away. “Who the hell are you?” He heard the anger in her voice, and he couldn't blame her. She was hot as a rocket, and he and Wyatt were on the verge of literally taking off with her before the damn interruption. “My name is Letty. This angry beast behind me is Jager,” Letty answered before turning her gaze to Heath. “I'm reporting for duty, sir.” He ignored her statement, though her mocking tone wasn't lost on him. She was baiting him, and he would not lose control easily. As a matter of fact, he never had. Not with Letty. They'd dated a few times, but he had been the one to break it off because they had been better off working together than trying to develop a relationship. He'd never even slept with her, and to this day he wondered why Letty spent most of her time provoking him. He respected Letty, had even worked side by side with her. Her devious work ethics in capturing criminals had to be admired, and her fighting skills were vicious. But all he ever felt for her was admiration, and that was the reason why he even considered bringing her back for this mission. Working with her was as far as he'd ever go. Now that he'd found Cadie, he wouldn't even consider looking at another woman. Only she burned him and got him going to the point where he lost his prized control. He didn't even give a shit that he did. Because losing his power meant he'd get close to her, touch her, and bind her to him in the most elemental way. His cock jerked and throbbed at the idea of spilling his seed, marking her as his.

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He knew Wyatt felt the same way, could even see it in his gaze, and Heath couldn't blame him one bit. Cadie was special, and if he had to share her with anyone in this world, it would be with Wyatt. “I told you to keep her on a leash.” He glanced at Wyatt and then Jager. Letty placed a hand on her hip and arched a brow. “Why, Heath. You should know by now that I'm never under anyone's control.” Cadie took a step toward Letty and fisted her hands. “You come in here as if you own the place. Have you fucked them?” Now that was one question Heath hadn't been expecting. He was sure he heard jealousy in her voice, and as irrational as it sounded, it pleased him, because that meant Cadie cared for him. “Them? As in Wyatt and Heath?” Letty laughed. Cadie tried to take another step forward, but Heath wrapped his hand around her arm and held her against him. “Are you going to answer it truthfully or simply try and deny it?” She practically hissed her question. “I like you,” Letty replied. “I can admire a person who says what's on her mind and doesn't mince words. And no, I've never fucked either of them.” Cadie nodded. “Thanks for answering the question.” Jager grabbed ahold of Letty's arm. “I apologize for the interruption, but once this little tiger found out that we were headed this way, I barely had the time to park the car before she jumped out.” Letty threw Jager a mocking grin. “Not my fault your age is apparently showing by your not being able to keep up with me.” “Well, now that the pleasantries are done with, we'll give you three a moment and wait for you in the living room.” Jager tugged Letty and forced her out of the room. Cadie turned to face him and Wyatt. “I apologize for acting so irrationally. I don't usually behave that way. Actually, I've never behaved that way.” “I don't mind you acting this way. It shows you care.” Heath smiled as her brow went up at his words. “Your arrogance is astounding. Don't presume to know how I feel.”

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Sparring with her made his blood sizzle and his dick hard in just seconds. She turned him on like no other woman ever had. But still, he needed to take care of business with Jager first. And perhaps in the meantime, Wyatt and she could get to know each other a little better. He felt no jealousy at the thought. In fact, having Wyatt share in the pleasure Heath found with Cadie would help convince her that once they caught whoever was after her, the relationship between the three of them was far from over. It didn't shock him that he was already thinking of their future. And it came as no surprise that he already knew he and Wyatt wanted her more than any other woman. “Why don't you and Wyatt go over the files we obtained and see if anything jars your memory?”

**** Wyatt clenched his teeth and concentrated on the grinding pressure against his enamels as he led Cadie to his office, while Heath dealt with Jager and Letty. His dick was as hard as granite, and the jeans he wore rubbed his erection, setting his nerve endings on fire. He was on the verge of taking her, and to hell with what anyone thought about it. Still, he held back, not wanting to frighten her. He closed the door, walked over to the leather sofa, and sat down. She followed, sitting inches from him, and he forced himself to contemplate the papers spread out on the coffee table. “I think we should talk first.” “Talk?” His muscles flexed, then tensed. That wasn't what he was expecting. He turned to her. “About?” She scooted closer to him. “I think you know what it's about.” She licked her lips, placed her hand on his knee, and gave him a sultry, heated look. He was on the verge of ecstasy with just one hot glance and a touch from her. His cock jerked against his pants. “Explain it to me.” He was hanging on by a mere thread of strength. “I want you. Just as much as I want Heath.” Her hand crept closer to his shaft. “I hope you don't think I'm too forward. I've never been embarrassed about my feelings, and I don't intend to be now.” Finally, her fingers reached him, touching, then stroking his length through his jeans. Shit! What in the hell was he supposed to say to that?

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He gritted his teeth, trying to calm the urge to come. His strength evaporated and was replaced by a lust that heated his insides. She brought her hands together and unbuttoned his pants. “Yum. Commando,” she said as she swept her thumb against the crown of his shaft, wiping a bead of precum that had erupted from the slit. He lifted his hips, then pushed his pants down, and once again she licked her lips as if she was imagining how he tasted. She wrapped her hand around his length. “Now how do we go about relieving your pressure?” His heartbeat raced as if he'd been running a marathon, his chest tightened, and his cock throbbed painfully. He couldn't hold back the hunger any longer. He rose to his feet, pulled her to her own, and stripped her clothes off, as well as his, in just a few seconds. Luckily, for what he had in mind, the couch was long enough, and he quickly maneuvered them into a sixty-nine position. Wyatt spread her thighs apart and took his first glimpse at her hairless mound. The lips were red, and they glistened with her juices. He inhaled deeply, and her scent reached his insides, gripping him in a feverish lust, hardening his dick further. “I simply love a man who knows what he wants.” Her words sounded breathless, aroused, and his balls drew up tight as her warm breath reached his shaft. He clenched his stomach as the heat in him built. “You have to be absolutely sure, Cadie, that this is what you want.” He forced the words out. And heaven help him if he had to stop. But he would, if that's what she wanted. “I've never wanted anything more.” Exactly the words he wanted to hear. Wyatt moved his hands and pulled the lips of her pussy apart. He gave her a slow, sensuous lick and savored the sweet, musky scent of her cream. Cadie whimpered and tilted her hips toward his mouth. He groaned as she wrapped her lips around his cock, sucking on the head. Just from the lashes of her tongue against the crest, he felt like coming. How the hell was he going to be able to last long? Fire surrounded his dick as she ran her tongue against the throbbing vein along its length. His balls were achingly tight, and his dick pounded in lust. He was going to burst in seconds, and he wanted her right there with him. With his tongue, Wyatt drew a circle on her clit. Her juices filled his mouth, and he drowned in the taste of her. Her flavor brought something primitive out of him. He wanted to mark her as his, so everyone would know that she belonged to him.

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She was wild now, her mouth taking his entire length and licking with speedy strokes. She was a hot, wet cavern of ecstasy. He slid one finger into her pussy as he took her clit into his mouth. The muscles in her thighs tightened, and she moaned around his cock; he suspected she was just moments away from coming in his mouth. Cadie's hand cradled his balls, and she began to massage them. His cock pulsed, and a stream of precum released from the slit. She took him to the back of her throat, just as he pushed his tongue inside her. He licked and sucked her, and she screamed around his cock as she came into his mouth, flooding it with her essence. His body was hot, his flesh coated with sweat, and he followed her into paradise, his dick jerking twice before shooting his cum into her mouth. His heart pounded fiercely as he gently lapped at her pussy. She stroked his dick with her tongue in a soft, heated pace. Wyatt lifted his head as he heard the door open. Heath glanced at him and then shifted his gaze to Cadie. “I guess I missed the party.”

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Chapter Seven Cadie couldn't help but think awkward moments were becoming more and more common around Heath and Wyatt. It would be just her luck that she had to deal with ineptness while getting her hormones under control, which was extremely hard to do when she'd just experienced a mind-blowing orgasm. Cadie watched Heath as she and Wyatt dressed. Heath had entered the office, closed the door behind him, and said nothing. She didn't know what Heath was feeling; his expression gave no hint, and it made her want to hit something. She ran a hand through her hair. “What are you thinking?” Heath walked over to her and smiled. “About?” By the knowing grin on his face, Heath knew exactly what she was talking about, but he was going to make her spell it out. She never expected to feel this way about two men, let alone brothers. She had no regrets, but she imagined it would cause a lot of complications between them. But then again, Heath did have experience with threesomes, and that made her wonder if Wyatt did too. She was overanalyzing it. She clenched her teeth and mentally counted to ten. Now was not the time to get into it with him. “What you just saw.” Heath stood inches from her. And just like a switch, she went from frustrated to horny within seconds. She had to fight back the need to rub her body against his. What was it about these men that made her so insane with lust? She had been through so much in the last few hours, and she should have been worried about other things that took precedence. Still, when she was around them, she could only concentrate on the lust rising like a tide within her. “I thought we were clear on this,” Heath said. “It turns me on seeing you pleasured by my brother. You look amazing when you come apart in our arms. I'm just sorry that I couldn't come in sooner or, even better, join in.”

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He gave her a heated look. What the hell could she say to that? She blushed and swallowed against the knot in her throat. “Take a second look at the pictures and notes in the files. See if anything leaps out at you,” Heath said. She was grateful for the change in subject. Wyatt sat down, and she took a seat next to him. Pushing both men out of her mind took a huge effort, but she managed to focus on the papers spread on the table. Minutes ticked by, and the silence helped her clear her mind and concentrate on the file in front of her. Her gaze swept over each photograph. There were several, all of her either doing errands or at the entryway of her workplace. But there were two that she kept going back to. Out of all the photos, these seemed to leap out at her, because they were specifically taken on the two different days she had visited her brother's bank. Could the pictures have something to do Michael Skorsky? It was too much of a coincidence that the head of safety deposits and trusts had disappeared shortly after she had agreed to see him. She lifted the photos and showed them to Heath and Wyatt. “Maybe it's nothing, but it's still a little too weird to just disregard.” “What's the problem?” Heath asked. “These pictures are of me exiting North Fork Bank. They were taken a few days after I was notified that Dexter had listed me as the beneficiary for the safety-deposit box he had with the bank. I met with the man who contacted me, Michael Skorsky, the head of safety deposits and trusts. When I got there, he had me fill out some forms—standard procedure, he said—before handing the keys to me. That's how I came across the DVD of Valerie, your cousin's wife. I found it a bit strange that there was nothing else in the safe-deposit box.” “The DVD of Dexter setting Valerie up,” Wyatt murmured. “Yes. Michael claimed that he only had my name as beneficiary, but no address or telephone number. He also stated that it took him months to find me after Dexter's death. I found it more than odd. My brother was meticulous when it came to things like that, so I called Michael and requested another meeting.” Wyatt scooted to the edge of the couch. “And then what happened?”

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“We set up an appointment to meet a week later. I arrived on time, and when I asked for him, the staff member at the bank told me he was gone.” “Gone?” Heath asked. She nodded. “He'd quit his job. I was there Monday morning, and according to his boss, Carole Fills, he called in on Saturday and resigned. Carole said she found it odd, but Michael gave no explanation as to why he was leaving. She also stated it was so unlike him. He worked at the bank for five years.” “That is strange.” Wyatt chimed in. “It's definitely something to look into. I'll contact Jager and see what he can pull up on this guy.” “Good idea,” Heath said. “In the meantime, the plan is all set for tomorrow. There will be an update about the explosion at your home, but we'll withhold your name and the location of the hospital. Even without it, the hit man will know who you are. Jager knows someone at Channel Eleven, and he's agreed to report tomorrow morning that you survived the explosion, as well as your whereabouts. And that's when we'll be waiting for Grant.” She shivered. “Why would he even fall for it? You saw the way my house blew up. No one could've survived that.” “We're taking a chance on this,” Heath answered. “And the reporter will say that you were on the verge of entering your home when it exploded. It's all we've got to go on for now.” Cadie nodded. She wanted all this to be over and done with. The thought of Heath or Wyatt getting hurt sickened her. “We should be getting a copy of the police report in a day or two. It's clear a bomb was planted in your home,” Heath said, “but it doesn't hurt to go over the facts.” “Cadie, there has to be a reason why someone is after you,” Wyatt said. “For example, even a deranged stalker would use obsession as a cause. Is there anyone who would have a motive to harm you? Maybe someone from your past? Or someone linked to Dexter?” Her eyes watered. It was hard to hold back any emotion regarding Dexter. He was her only sibling and had intentionally hurt others in his life. She had never truly known him, but he still didn't deserve to die. Wyatt reached out, grabbed her hand, and gave it a squeeze. She took a deep breath and released it. “Did you know the police initially thought Dexter had committed suicide? As if my

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brother would jump off a twenty-story building and take his own life. No matter what he'd done in the past, I know for a fact he would never do that.” “I agree with you. He didn't seem like the type who would take his own life,” Heath said. She sniffed. “I haven't spoken about my brother's death to anyone since it happened. I think it's because it pained me to think of him as someone I never knew. How could one man cause such heartache? Who even knows how far Dexter had gone when it came to getting what he wanted?” She shook her head. “I'm not expecting to ever know why he did the things he did.” Her gaze flicked from Wyatt to Heath. She licked her lips, leaned back against the cushions of the sofa, and stared at the ceiling. “The police never found any evidence as to who was behind Dexter's murder. The case remains open. About a week after Dexter passed, I received a phone call from his attorney. He informed me that Dexter left sixty percent of Franklin Oils' stock to me. The other forty percent was left to the vice president of the company, Andrew Harding. I was shocked that my brother would leave me with anything. And it was around about that time that I handed in my resignation to the force.” “Why were you so surprised that your brother left you a portion of the company?” Heath asked. “I've never had an interest in working at the company my dad had built. That was more Dexter's niche, and he did it very well. I was always the free spirit, while he was the hard worker. I wasn't exactly sure what I'd do with my life, and after taking law-enforcement classes in college, I felt compelled to give it a shot. I did well with it, though my father and brother begged me to quit. It hurt when they didn't support me. I didn't let them know that, though. I pretended I didn't care what they thought, so I kept refusing their requests for me to resign and continued my work as a cop. My parents passed away, and it felt like I'd lost everything. I moved on, still working for another two years. But then Dexter died, and it just wasn't the same anymore. My mind wasn't on the job.” It was so much easier to tell them about herself while she wasn't looking directly at them. She didn't know the reason. Perhaps it was because she couldn't bear to see any pity in their gazes; because if she did, she'd have no strength to continue telling them about her past. “Being accepted by my father and brother was important to me. As a little girl, it was the one thing that I always looked for. My mom was the one who supported me in anything I did.” Damn! She hadn't

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cried since Dexter passed, but she wanted to now so badly. She shook her head and cleared her throat in an attempt to gain control of her emotions. Wyatt squeezed her hand once more, and she looked up as Heath walked over to her, then got on his knees. “You are a strong and beautiful woman,” Heath murmured. “If your family couldn't see that, then they were fools.” “I second that,” Wyatt interjected. “Anyone would have to be blind to not see how courageous, sexy, and wonderful you are.” She didn't know what to say to that. She wiped at the tear that had escaped her eye, and cleared her throat once more. “Getting back to the subject of Dexter's company, Andrew has tried to buy me out numerous times since I gained control. I don't know why. I told him that he could run the day-to-day operations of the company. I can only assume that he feels safer being in charge one hundred percent. But even though I have no interest in running the company, I can't bear to let go of my family's legacy yet. Maybe in the future I'll decide to, but for now I want to hold on to it. Andrew has offered me millions of dollars, and the last time we met, he made it clear to me that I would regret not accepting it. I couldn't believe I didn't put this together sooner. He has more to gain from my death than anyone.”

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Chapter Eight It was past midnight by the time Heath entered his bedroom and stripped off his clothing. He didn't think he'd be getting much sleep tonight. He was tense and kept replaying the events of the day over and over in his mind. It had been one huge, bumpy, emotional roller coaster of a ride, and he didn't see it stopping anytime soon. Cadie had gone to bed around eleven, while Wyatt departed soon after. Heath had been tempted to follow her. But he held himself back. It had been a hellish day for her, for all three of them. The signs of weariness were in her eyes and in the tight lines around her mouth. He had felt like taking her in his arms and promising her that everything would be all right. And it would be. He'd make sure of it, because Heath would give his own life to protect her. Though he and Wyatt were involved with her, Heath wasn't too sure she was ready for both of them to make love to her at the same time. He could acknowledge that his feelings for her seemed rushed, and he hoped to hell they didn't overwhelm her. If she felt too pressured, he and Wyatt would take a step back, but Heath wouldn't give up on her. He slid between the sheets. Tomorrow was going to be a long one. He needed to be physically and mentally prepared for it. With Jager and Letty on a conference call with him and Wyatt, they'd gone over every inch of the plan. Cadie had gone to bed hours earlier. Catching the hit man would require top-notch skills, and he expected everyone involved to be at their best. A knock startled him out of his thoughts. “Come in.” Heath sat up and then turned on the lamp on his nightstand as the door slid open. Cadie stood in the hallway, wearing just a T-shirt. She stepped into the room. “I couldn't sleep.” He pulled back the sheets. “Climb in.” She shut the door, made her way to the bed, and lay down. She rested her head against his shoulder and laid an arm on his stomach as she pushed one of her legs on top of his. At the feel

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of her skin against his, and her scent reaching his nostrils, Heath's cock lengthened. It was definitely going to be a long night. Controlling his desire for her was going to be hard with her so close to him. “What's going through your head?” Maybe conversation would take his mind off how sexy she looked. That, and the fact that she needed her rest. “This time yesterday, I was at the shelter. It's hard to believe that my life's changed so much in just twenty-four hours. And as I lay in bed, I couldn't help but think about all of it.” He kissed the top of her head. “You're hanging in there pretty well.” “What else can I do? I'm not the type of person that breaks down.” “You don't have to be a certain type of anything to feel. Cadie, you can always be yourself with me.” “So I'm still not sure how this thing with you and Wyatt is going to work out.” He hadn't been expecting the change of topic, but he went with the flow. “Why don't we just wait and see where it's heading? None of it has to be rushed. There are no rules on how a threesome should be played out. We can take our time with each other, focus on our feelings, and see where that leads us.” She raised her head and rested her chin on her hand on top of his chest. “I still don't get how you're not jealous. I have to admit, if I saw you with another woman in your arms, I would be insane with envy.” Her lips tilted up into a smile. She was drawing soft, airy circles on his flesh with the tip of her finger, and he had to force himself to concentrate on the conversation. “You don't have to worry about another woman.” Ever. He left that last word unsaid. He wasn't sure how she'd react to his thoughts of their future. But he'd definitely stake his claim soon. “I don't know how threesomes work with other couples, but for Wyatt and me, it's always been about pleasuring the woman first. There's a rush of ecstasy in watching you being aroused and fucked by the both of us. But you're different, Cadie.” “In what way?” “In the way that I feel more for you than just physical attraction. I've thought about you often enough over the past year.” And at times he found himself forcing thoughts of her from his mind because the idea of being with her was becoming an obsession.

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“You've also entered my head once or twice.” “Only once or twice?” She smiled. “Well, maybe a bit more than that. I've been curious about something ever since I first met you. I hope you don't think I'm too forward, but what happened to your back?” “I was on a special assignment in Iraq when my vehicle struck a roadside bomb. I was thrown from the truck. It took the medics two days to remove over one hundred bomb fragments from my back and legs. I was lucky that day, but two out of the three men accompanying me weren't.” It took him months to stop having nightmares where he would see their dead faces, frozen in shock, staring back at him. “I'm sorry. That must've been so hard on you.” “The hardest thing I've probably ever been through.” He sighed and reached for the lamp, then turned the light off, pushing the memory away. “We'll have to be up in a few hours. Why don't we try to get some sleep?” “If you ever need to talk more about it, I'm here for you,” she replied softly. Her words meant that she cared for him, perhaps more than just physical attraction. He wished he could tell her how he felt, but he didn't want to push her. He'd do it soon, though. Because holding back wasn't going to do any of them any good. She laid her head against his shoulder, and within minutes she was sound asleep. The tension in his body made his muscles tight. It took him an hour to relax and follow her to sleep.

**** The alarm clock beeped, forcing Heath out of his sleep. He reached for the Off switch and pressed it. Five in the morning. Time to put his plan in to action. Wyatt should be up by now and getting ready. He closed his eyes, relishing the way Cadie draped her body over his. The shirt she wore had ridden up, and because of the way her leg was lying over his thighs, he could feel the heat of her pussy. His cock stirred. He'd like nothing more than to sink his dick inside her and stay there until the both of them orgasmed over and over. But priority number one was keeping her safe. And for that, he needed to catch whoever was after her.

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Chapter Nine Heath adjusted the volume on his earpiece. “No movement so far?” He was dressed in hospital scrubs, hidden in the storage closet, right across from the room where Letty was in character playing Cadie. Waiting in the dark shadows, he had the perfect view. The only light filtering in was from the two-inch gap left by the door, opened wide enough to allow him to see who entered her room. Call it intuition or just years of knowledge in dealing with criminals. Heath knew in his gut the bastard was going to show up soon. And Heath was ready for him, strapped with a gun and silencer. But he'd only use them if things got really hairy. His first choice was the needle filled with Demerol in his vest, and he made sure he had enough of a dose to knock out an adult male. That way, things were done quickly, without the possibility of injury to anyone. “Nothing out of the ordinary,” Jager replied. “But I watched the news around five this morning. As planned, Cadie's whereabouts and condition were mentioned. Uncle Winston said this particular ward in the hospital was under partial renovations, and ten rooms were available, with only three being currently used. By using this section, we minimize the threat of a civilian getting hurt. Wyatt is at the information desk to monitor the comings and goings of the patients, doctors, and nurses. We also have cops in security clothing at all exits. Now the game is to sit and wait.” “Hopefully the asshole will make an appearance soon,” Letty replied. “I'm ready to get this over with.” “I don't need to tell anyone that we need to be extremely cautious,” Jager replied. “This isn't your average street criminal. Chances are, this guy would rather die than be sent to prison.” “Yeah, yeah, boss,” Letty said. “We've been over this a dozen times already. Careful is my middle name.” “I don't need you being a hothead, Letty. Play this one by the book,” Jager said.

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“This isn't my first assignment,” Letty said. “I know the rules, old-timer.” “Shit! Letty!” Jager growled. “Get yourself under control, or I'll pull you out now!” “We don't have time for any of this.” Heath jumped in. “We need to concentrate on our surroundings. Wyatt, is everything okay up there?” “Not too busy yet, but it's only six thirty,” Wyatt replied. “I suspect it'll get busier once breakfast is served in half an hour, and doctors begin to make their rounds at nine. Either way, there's nothing else we can do but wait.”

**** Cadie couldn't help her gaze straying to the clock every five minutes. The time now read 1:00 in the afternoon. It was noon when she had awoken and found a note on the pillow bedside her. Heath and Wyatt had risen early, and both were at the sting operation, risking their lives for her. It was a hard concept to grasp. Other than her parents, no one had ever cared for her that much. But Heath and Wyatt could be hurt—or worse, killed—all because of her, and that scared the shit out of her. When the plan had been set into motion last night, she hadn't expected that she would be left alone today. With no one around to try and take her mind off what was happening, she couldn't help but worry. She wished she could do something instead of sitting here helpless. But chances were, if she arrived at the hospital, her presence would only cause them trouble. It was still hard to wrap her mind around everything that had happened in less than fortyeight hours. And the one thought that kept popping into her head was the fact that she'd had sex with two brothers. She was a straightforward person and refused to beat around the bush. But she never imagined that she would be so aroused by two men. They were hard to resist, and it seemed she had no self-control when she was around them. Though Heath and Wyatt seemed fine about their attraction to her, the thought of causing a wedge between the brothers sickened her. Cadie eyed the clock again. There had to be something she could do. It wouldn't be hard for her to take the Heath's truck, which was parked in the driveway and look for a pay phone. Using the one at Heath and Wyatt's home wasn't an option, because she wasn't sure it couldn't be traced. But she needed to call Andrew and see if he was in any way involved in this mess.

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That was the safest thing to do. How much trouble could a few questions over the phone cause? Her mind was made up. She headed for the set of keys she'd seen Heath place on top of the desk by the foyer. She would make sure to be back before Heath and Wyatt returned.

**** Wyatt couldn't deny he was falling for Cadie, and he hadn't even known her that long. It would sound silly to anyone, and it did even to him. But it didn't stop him from analyzing the mind-blowing encounter he'd had with her yesterday. Heath hadn't mentioned a word about it. And though threesomes weren't new to them, Heath and Wyatt hadn't discussed the feelings they both had for Cadie. He itched to be back at home with her, to have his cock buried in her silken, hot pussy. Her mouth wrapped around his dick, sucking him to orgasm, had been heaven. But the feel of her wet sheath surrounding his shaft would be a million times more than that. His blood heated at the thought as his dick rose and hardened. Shit! A very noticeable hard-on in the hospital, underneath a male nurse's uniform, was the last thing he needed. He took a few deep breaths and tried as hard as hell to regain his composure. He glanced up and noticed a male nurse walking down the hall. Something was off about him. The nurse slowed down at each room, took a quick glance inside, and kept moving. Wyatt saw that he pushed a medicine cart. So why not pop into each room and distribute the prescribed medication? It was a nurse's job to do just that. Wyatt watched, gritting his teeth, realizing that he was staring at Grant Thomas. The description Aaron had given Heath was pretty darn close to the man Wyatt was observing. Grant kept his head low and appeared to be concentrating on what was in the cart. But Wyatt knew exactly whom he was staring at. Grant made no eye contact, said no cheerful “good morning,” as was common from the hospital workers Wyatt had passed, or stopped by to converse with. Grant made no attempt to play the character he was clothed as. Wyatt also had the list of who was on call today, and the nurses on shift who were supposed to dispense the medicines all happened to be female. Even if Wyatt hadn't spent a few hours going over Grant's file last night, the fact that the nurse was a man would have alerted him. Wyatt rose to his feet as soon as Grant passed the nurses' station.

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“Code red. Target identified. Thirty paces from Letty's room,” Wyatt whispered into his mic as his body tensed with adrenaline. “Following at fifteen paces. Everyone set?” “Yes,” Jager replied. “Ditto,” Letty answered. “Hell yeah,” was Heath's response, his voice deep and low with intensity. Wyatt knew exactly how his brother felt. He wanted to rip this bastard into pieces for daring to harm Cadie. And as Wyatt silently followed Grant, dipping into a corner hidden by a wall, he prayed everything went smoothly for all their sakes.

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Chapter Ten Drops of sweat slid down Heath's back as he watched Grant stop a foot away from entering Letty's room. Heath gritted his teeth as a ball of tension coiled in the pit of his stomach. The urge to charge out of the storage closet was great, but he waited. Fuck! He needed to time this right, or all hell would break loose. Just a few more seconds and the killer would be on the threshold. Anticipation made his blood boil hot and his gut clench. He had the feeling this wasn't going to be an easy takedown. Heath silently slipped his feet between the door and archway as he reached for the needle in his vest and unclipped the holster that held his revolver. He needed to be ready, his firearm easy to pull out, in case the Demerol didn't work. Heath's lips curled in disgust as he observed Grant reaching under the cart. Grant pulled out a gun equipped with a silencer. The killer stepped toward the doorway, his feet silent against the tiled floor, and entered Letty's room. “Advancing now,” Heath whispered into the mic. He slowly pushed the door open and slipped out of the closet, making it across the hall in five steps. Grant was already in motion, raising his gun toward Letty. Heath couldn't see Letty from his angle, but he heard her curse. Heath aligned his body directly behind Grant's. He brought his hand that held the needle high, aiming it toward Grant's shoulder, and pushed the hypodermic needle through his uniform, then into his flesh. He released the liquid quickly, and the syringe was empty within a second. Grant stiffened in shock, cursing loudly, and Heath took advantage of his surprise as he reached for the hand that held the gun, trapping it with his own. But Grant wasn't going to be taken down so easily. His gun discharged, the strength of it vibrating down Heath's arm, causing both men to take a step back. Letty cursed once more, but Heath could only pray that the bullet hadn't hit her. Heath grabbed Grant from the back, and wrapped his arms around Grant's body. He attempted to throw Heath off. But Heath wouldn't allow anything to deter him, and he hung on. Grant threw his weight back, pushing Heath. A few more struggles and a couple of curses

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later, Grant collapsed, his body falling into Heath's, the Demerol finally taking its toll. Jager was the first to reach them. Heath finally let his gaze rest on Letty. “You okay?” “I'm fine. It's just a graze,” she acknowledged, rising to her feet. “Shit, Letty!” Jager growled as Heath stepped aside to let him through. She lifted the hospital-issued gown, showing them both her injury. “See, it was nothing. The bullet passed the top of my shoulder, and hit the wall behind me.” Heath turned to check the hallway. Wyatt was making his way to him. Heath glanced down at Grant's body. “Went down pretty easy, bro.” Heath shrugged. “Could've been a lot worse. Let's just get the hell out of here so we can question this piece of shit.”

**** “My God, Cadie, I thought you were in the hospital.” Andrew's voice came through loud and clear, with no hint in his tone as to whether he was truly worried about her. Even if she did hear sympathy, she still couldn't afford to trust him. “I heard about the explosion. Are you okay?” Okay? She was far from okay, but there was no reason to tell him that. “I'm as well as can be expected in this situation.” “Cadie, I want to help you. Is there anything I can do? Tell me where you are, and I'll send a car for you.” “What makes you think I'm not calling from the hospital?” No reason to make him think she wasn't there. Cadie gripped the pay phone tighter. “Are you behind this, Andrew?” “Behind what?” Was that a sneer she heard in his voice? “Behind the explosion at my home. Behind trying to get me killed. Was this because I rejected your offer to buy me out?” “Cadie, who have you been talking to? You've got the wrong impression. Come and meet with me. We can discuss all of this and solve it amicably.” Solve it amicably? What was there to solve if he were innocent? Damn it! He was involved in this somehow. “I notice you didn't deny it.”

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“And I notice you are being as hardheaded as usual. It would be better for all parties concerned if you came to my office and discussed this with me!” She didn't know what to reply to that, so she hung up the phone. Her palms were sweaty, and she was trembling. This man had her shaking, and she knew it was because if he weren't the mastermind behind her attempted murder, then at the very least he was involved somehow.

**** Andrew hit the Disconnect button on the phone and turned to the equipment that traced every call that came into his office. Hopefully he had kept her on the phone long enough to get a location. A loud beep rang, alerting him to the fact that the call trace was complete. “She suspects I'm behind this,” he muttered, trying to keep his voice from trembling in fear. “That's not my problem. It's yours,” a female voice stated. “I am tired of playing these games, Andrew. That spineless coward Grant couldn't kill her.” “Grant is a top hired gun,” Andrew countered. “He didn't come cheap, and surviving an explosion a miracle. It rarely ever happens.” Marina Franklin rose to her feet, and Andrew tried not to let the dread swirling in the pit of his stomach overcome all his senses. But his gaze remained riveted to the beautiful woman walking toward him. Never mind that she had a seven-feet-tall bodyguard waiting by the door. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. She slithered toward him and reminded him of a snake, ready to strike. She was Dexter's widow, and at first glance she appeared to be a beautiful, hard, businessminded woman who exuded high class. But Andrew knew inside her lay a cold, black heart. He had witnessed, not five minutes earlier, Marina killing a man without even blinking. Andrew had watched as she pulled a GLOCK from her purse, aimed it at Michael Skorsky's head, and blasted his brains out. Poor bastard. He had been paid fifty thousand dollars just to get close to Cadie. His only job had been to meet with her a few times to get information out of her. The DVD of Dexter setting up Valerie had been the perfect reason for Michael to get close to Cadie, and Michael had the means and position at North Fork Bank to make it look like Dexter had left her a safe-deposit box. But then Michael had quit his jobs months ago. Andrew hadn't known where he was, until Michael phoned him, and threatened to go to the police with

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everything he knew if Andrew didn't pay him one million dollars. A supposed meeting had been set at Andrew's office to pay off the idiot, but as soon as Michael entered, Marina killed him. The body was still on Andrew's office floor, and now Andrew had to find a way to remove it from his office, along with cleaning up the blood and parts of Michael's brain splattered on the wall. “We need her gone now!” Andrew fought the urge to run from his office. Marina watched him, probably contemplating what to do next. He needed to come up with something quick. He had no doubt that Marina wouldn't hesitate to kill him. He removed his gaze from her and watched the computer screen, which revealed Cadie's whereabouts. “She's in Rockland County. I have the exact location.” “Send someone reliable, Andrew. I will not tolerate any mistakes this time.”

Oh, how she ached to kill the blundering idiot now. Her palms actually itched with the need to shoot the bastard right between the eyes. But killing Andrew would force her to look for another one that would take his place, and that would not do. Time was of the essence. And she hadn't slept with the fat bastard for no reason. She needed him, even if it was just for a short while. She was highly annoyed. She absolutely hated having issues unresolved, and worse than that, she looked a horrible mess. Her Diane von Furstenberg suit was splattered with blood, and her Jimmy Choo shoes were practically ruined. Killing Dexter had been simple. But getting to that point had been slow and arduous. Wooing him had taken her over a year before he proposed to her. And it took her even longer to wait until Dexter changed his will. The bastard had wanted a son from her, and she had agreed, with the condition that if anything should happen to her husband, all assets would go to her. Suffice to say, she never gave him that son. What she did give him was death. Two empty bottles of whiskey later, a heated bout of sex in the balcony, a fierce kiss, then a whispered good-bye against his lips and a shove off the ledge. That part had been easy. The

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alcohol had rendered him helpless. Her beloved assistant, Jacko, lifted Dexter's body, then dropped him to his death. Her alibi had been airtight, thanks to Andrew, with whom she'd supposedly discussed business all evening at his home. Andrew was in love with her, and she used that to her advantage. Dexter had been found the next morning, and she had to play the part of the distraught widow. She immediately requested to see the detective in charge alone, and with an incentivefilled blowjob, a bribe of money, and even more sex, her name was never mentioned by the media. No one knew that she had been married to Dexter, and neither did they know that she was the one who had orchestrated his murder. But her darling husband hadn't been as deeply in love with her as she had thought. She had found out a week later through his attorney that though Dexter's home and bank accounts had been left to her, the majority of Dexter's Franklin Oils stock was left to his sister, Cadie. Sex was truly a powerful thing, and men were stupid enough to do her bidding every time she spread her legs. Her husband's attorney, Stuart Miller, was no different. Once he was satisfied, getting information from him was easy. If something should ever happen to Cadie, Marina would be the sole beneficiary of it all. And that pissed her off more than anything. No one would stand in the way of her and the three-hundred-million-dollar company her husband had owned. No one. “I'll send for—” Andrew stammered. She raised her hand, silencing him. She was truly disgusted with him, and she had to force herself to look away before she gave in to her desire to shoot him. She had married Dexter for money, though the sex had been a nice surprise. But having to use her sexuality to get what she wanted was becoming tiring. And she had no plans of sleeping with Andrew again. But she did want to kill him slowly. “I have a better plan.” Marina turned to the hulking man standing by the door. He had been with her for ten years, ever since her darling father had hired him to protect her. “Jacko, come here.” She pressed her lips against Jacko's until she felt his arms wrap around her waist. She broke the kiss and took her time staring at him. She loved his numerous piercings and tattoos,

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and especially the one that happened to be of her name. He was a man and a lover she would never get tired of. “I have a job for you.” “Anything you want, Marina.” He purred as he tightened his hold on her. Oh, how she loved him.

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Chapter Eleven The hot flare of adrenaline still pumped through Wyatt's veins, and he suddenly wished he were at the warehouse where Heath and Jager had taken Grant for a little personal time. He needed to let loose the aggression pounding through his blood. Assignments always had that effect, especially during fieldwork. Ninety percent of the time, he and Heath would have headed straight for the bar after a case like this. And after a few glasses of rum, they would have sought a hot, willing woman for the night. But that was before Cadie. He was going to be alone with her, and it was going to be hard as hell to act all chivalrous when all he wanted to do was fuck her. Shit! His cock throbbed hard just thinking about her silky, wet heat. He wasn't going to be strong enough to deny himself. He couldn't wait. Just as he turned his car around the corner to the block he and Heath lived on, he caught sight of his brother's truck pulling into the driveway. His gut clenched, dread filling his bones. He watched as Cadie stepped out of the car and headed toward the house. Where the fuck did she go? Wyatt sped up, pulling his car right behind the convertible. He reached for his Smith & Wesson, jumped out, and then kicked the door closed. He was in his home in less than a minute. Cadie was still in the foyer and swung around, a surprised look etched into her features. “What's going on?” Her voice came out in a squeak, a red flush staining her cheeks. Wyatt closed the door and activated the alarm. He turned to her, giving her his full attention, while trying to calm the hell down. He placed the gun on the table by the foyer. “That's exactly what I want to know. What in the hell did you think you were doing leaving?” He stalked toward her, his willpower gone and rage filling him at the thought of any harm coming to her. He

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didn't stop his movements until she was pinned between the wall and his chest. He breathed deeply, trying to get ahold of his tumultuous thoughts. “You scared the shit out of me.” She licked her lips and raised her hand against his chest. “You and your brother seem to have this thing about walls.” His cock throbbed in response to the sight of her pink tongue moistening her lips. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the living room. “Where the hell were you?” “I went to make a phone call.” “To whom? And why in the hell couldn't you use the phone here?” He practically shouted the words. He couldn't help it. The fact that they caught Grant didn't mean a thing. Whoever was after her could have easily found her and killed her. And he was terrified of losing her. She pushed him hard. He was caught by surprise with her shove and landed on the sofa. She straddled him, and he immediately felt the heat of her pussy against his cock, even though there were still layers of clothes between them. “I think we should discuss that later. Right now you seem to be a little tense, and I know the perfect remedy for that.” It ran through his mind briefly that she was probably using her sexual appeal to divert him from the anger he felt at the thought of her in danger. But frankly, he had no strength to deny them both pleasure. Cadie unbuttoned her shirt, then stripped it from her body, revealing a white, lacy bra that made his dick lengthen and throb further. He reached for her, then unclipped the front, and he froze. Her breasts were mouthwateringly gorgeous, her hard nipples a delicious brown color that made him think of chocolate, the tips distended with desire. He brushed his thumb against a tip, the touch racing through his insides, heading straight to his cock. Cadie slid off his lap and stood before him. She reached for the condom she had tucked earlier inside her pocket and held it up. “Strip. Now!” She backed away a few inches, giving him enough room to stand. He unbuttoned his jeans, then pushed them down as his cock sprang out, achingly hard. He kicked his pants to the side as Cadie fell to her knees and wrapped her hand around his cock. “Jesus, Cadie.” “I'm so hot and ready, Wyatt. I can't wait any longer.” She flicked her tongue over the head of his cock, and he had to will himself to not come. She stroked him with her mouth, alternating

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between kissing and licking. She released his shaft, ripped the condom open, positioned it over the head, and rolled it down. He bent and grabbed her by the shoulders, then hauled her to her feet. “Cadie.” He lowered his head, pressed his lips against hers, and slipped his tongue into her mouth. He groaned as she grabbed at his cock again, tightening her hand around it. Their tongues tangled. She tempted him with her kiss, drove him out of his freaking mind as her hands roamed over his body. Wyatt broke the kiss and sat back on the sofa. She straddled him once more, and he positioned her over the head of his dick. He took control, slowly lowering her down, inch by tantalizing inch. Tight. She was so tight and hot and wet. His fingers tightened around her hips, and she rode him, her head tossed back, her moans filling the room. He clenched his teeth against the need to explode too soon. But the flare of heat rising along his spine raced to his dick with speed. He wanted to come inside her badly, and hopefully one day he would get the pleasure of it without a condom. “Wyatt.” She moaned his name, her nails digging into his chest, her pussy spasming around his cock. He inhaled the scent of her, and he wanted to take the time to lick her from her toes up. She screamed his name as her orgasm forced her to tighten down on him. She clung to him like a silky, taut fist, and he could no longer hold back the white-hot electricity racing through his dick. His heart stopped; his fingers dug into her flesh as his toes actually curled. Christ! This is amazing. She feels amazing. Never before had he felt this intensity with anyone. He hung on the precipice, and then she whispered his name into his ear, setting off the fireworks that had gathered in his cock. He yelled her name as his cum shot out, filling the condom. Her spasms continued, sending ripples down his dick. Minutes later, his arms were wrapped around her as she laid her head on his shoulder. His heart finally returned to a normal rhythm, but the intense desire he felt for her hadn't died down. “Just in time to barely catch the ending. Why in the hell am I always missing the good stuff?” Heath asked.

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Chapter Twelve “Just in time to barely catch the ending. Why in the hell am I always missing the good stuff?” Cadie closed her eyes as the sound of Heath's voice fluttered in her mind. The warm water pouring over her body only added to the craving running through her blood. She reached for the soap, and spread it on her body. Sex with Wyatt had been incredible. She felt more than she should have with him as well as with Heath. Love was the very thing that could break her, and she had to admit that terrified her. If they broke her heart, she didn't think she'd survive it. Her body was sated, her muscles languid from Wyatt's loving. So why did she still have this burning desire within her? She suspected she knew the reason. Heath. She hadn't heard him come home. How long had he been there watching them? And why in the hell hadn't he joined in? She should have stayed to ask him, but for the first time in their presence, she'd been unsure of herself and tried not to tremble under their stares. So instead she simply walked away without one word. She realized she was trying to wash away the memory of her time with Wyatt because she needed some semblance of control. But it would be of no use. She would never forget the way Wyatt had made love to her, nor would she ever forget the time she spent with Heath. But after they caught whoever was after her, where did that leave her? Not that she was expecting a commitment from them. Though she'd known Heath for a while, this was the first time she'd been close to him. And Wyatt had been an unexpected, irresistible surprise.

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She rinsed herself, turned the shower knobs to off, pulled backed the sliding door, and stepped out. Her gaze immediately went to the man standing in the bathroom, a frown marring his beautiful lips. Heath. He held a towel in outstretched hands, and she made a grab for it. She dried her hair and then made a show of drying her body, all while holding his stare with her own. Cadie blinked and turned away from him. She wrapped the cotton around her, reached for a comb, and then combed the wet strands. She set the brush down and lifted her gaze to his. The fire in her belly spread from within and heightened her need for him. The way he watched her as if he couldn't wait to get his hands on her was titillating. Cadie swallowed. “What are you doing here?” “We need to talk.” “About?” “Several things.” She shook her head. “You aren't a man of too many words.” “Darling, I'm just soaking in the image of you wet. You are breathtaking.” She blushed. “Can you step aside, then? I can at least get dressed before you interrogate me.” He moved aside, allowing her to pass by him. She did her best to ignore the fact that his cock was hard, the outline visible through his denim jeans. “A hands-on interrogation does sound tempting.” Tempting, indeed. Cadie walked into the bedroom, removed her towel, and reached for the lounge pants she'd set on the chair before she showered. She put them on and snatched up the tank top. She startled when she felt the presence of Heath at her back. He stilled her hands by grabbing them with his. “I've missed you.” He whispered the words into her ear. She closed her eyes, realizing in that instant that though the three of them hadn't spent enough time alone for her to even feel this way, she was halfway in love with Heath and Wyatt.

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She turned as he placed his hands at her waist and pulled her against his body. He was shirtless, and she should have ordered him to dress so she could speak to him with a clear head. But the way her nipples brushed against his chest, and the way he pressed his lips against hers, slipping his tongue in, she couldn't find the strength to fight him. The kiss stole her breath, and she felt him everywhere. He pressed his thumbs against her nipples and then rubbed the tips between two of his fingers, all while moving his tongue against hers. His cock was pushed against her belly, and her juices spilled in response to her need for him. He broke the kiss, picked her up, and placed her on the bed. “Heath.” He removed her pants and tossed them somewhere behind him. “We need to talk.” “We can talk later.” He didn't wait for a response, which was fine with her, because she couldn't find the strength to deny him. Not when Cadie felt her desire rise with each touch and kiss. Heath fell to his knees and spread her thighs open. She propped herself up on her elbows. “Cadie, you are so beautiful,” he murmured before dipping his head down. He swiped his tongue on the folds of her pussy and took his time licking her cream. It was decadent, and she was boiling hot with lust. He lifted his head and ran his tongue along his lips. She moaned and couldn't tear her gaze from his. “You taste delicious.” He resumed eating her. She never knew that oral sex could feel this good. Her hands delved into his hair, and she pushed his mouth harder against her as she raised her hips, seeking a deeper connection. Her heels dug into the mattress, and she whimpered at the electricity racing within her. He fucked her with his tongue, alternating between that and sucking her clit. Cadie was moments away from climaxing. She tossed her head, consumed by passion, not knowing which way she began or ended. Heath removed his mouth from her, and she pulled his hair, trying to push his lips between her legs. He laughed, his warm breath flowing over her pussy, sending goose bumps throughout her body. He rose to his feet, grabbed her waist, and lay on the bed with her body draped over him. “Get on your knees,” he murmured.

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She did, straddling him, and then gasped; her heart stopped as she noticed Wyatt in the room with them. She flushed. Wyatt stood in the corner of the room, undressed and stroking his cock. Though she had wanted this, it still came as a surprise. Heath lifted her over his chest, and she ended up straddling his head. Heath's hands gripped her thighs as he resumed licking and tasting her. She moaned, moving her hips above his mouth as she watched Wyatt climb onto the bed. She leaned forward, placing her hands on the bed as he moved toward her. Wyatt's shaft was inches from her mouth. “I need you too,” she whispered, turned on by the desire she saw in his eyes. She swiped her tongue against the flushed head, whimpering when she tasted his musky essence. She opened her mouth wider, taking more of Wyatt's cock in and running her tongue along the vein on the underside of his shaft. She felt Heath move from between her legs. Where the hell was he? She wanted him now, but she continued sucking, loving the way Wyatt tangled his hands in her hair. He took full control, fucking her mouth. Urgency filled her, consuming her entire body. She felt Heath behind her, his hands at her waist as he filled her pussy with his cock. Heath fucked her wildly, while Wyatt maintained his control, his cock hitting the entrance of her throat as he plunged and then withdrew. The sensations swept over her, overwhelming in their intensity. For a second, she tried to pull away from them, panicked at the idea that both had come to mean so much to her in such a short amount of time. But her climax was hovering, and one more plunge from Heath would send her over the edge. She could almost taste the ecstasy, and perhaps both men sensed it in her. Because Heath began to thrust his cock harder, and Wyatt moved his shaft deeper. The orgasm swept her away, stealing her breath. Heath was the first to follow her, his fingers digging into her flesh as he gave a shout, before coming in a heated rush. Wyatt held her head still as he whispered her name, his cock pulsing twice before coming in her mouth. She swallowed, her soul breaking as she wondered how she would ever be able to walk away from both of them.

****

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Andrew was a liability, and Marina couldn't take a chance that the blundering idiot wouldn't have tossed her under the bus just to save his own ass. Marina watched as blood spread across Andrew's pristine white shirt. The bullet had pierced his heart, and his body now slumped sideways. The sight brought shivers down her spine and a swirl of nervousness. Andrew had begged for his life the last few seconds, but she had already made up her mind. She could admit that the decision to kill him had been impulsive, but she had no regrets. Things weren't going as planned, and that's what had brought on the case of nerves. She had sent Jacko out about an hour ago to scope the vicinity where Cadie had made her phone call. But he'd seen nothing worth reporting. The pay-phone booth was located in a gas station surrounded by homes. Sending Jacko had been a waste of time, but it was better to be safe. Now she was close to being desperate. She was going to have to get the address of where Cadie was staying from Detective Paul Luca, and that was going to be a pain in the ass. Revisiting him wasn't at the top of her priority list. She had already slept with him and on top of that paid him a half-million dollars to keep his mouth shut. This was going to get nasty. She hated getting her hands dirty, but if it was going to be done correctly, she'd have to do it herself. Marina picked up the phone and then dialed Paul's cell number. First she'd need to go home and change her clothes. Then she'd go after Cadie. And after that, she was going on a long vacation.

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Chapter Thirteen Heath put down the phone. He watched as Wyatt and Cadie stepped into his office. They'd taken a shower together while Heath used his own bathroom. He had needed the time to think about his feelings for Cadie. The threesome had been powerful, their connection deep, and he didn't think he had ever felt like that about a woman before. He already knew he wanted her to stay with him, but would it be too soon to tell her how he felt? And how would his brother feel about it? Wyatt sat on a chair. “What's the status on Grant?” “I just spoke to Jager,” Heath replied. “With a little persuading, Grant's given us a name.” She arched a brow at him. “What type of persuading?” Heath shrugged. “A little hand-to-hand influence.” “Isn't that illegal?” she asked. “Who's he going to tell? The cops?” Heath replied. “Wyatt and I never claimed to do it one hundred percent by the book. And I'll be damned if we'll start now, when your life is in danger.” “You seem stressed, Heath. I would've thought our recent session would've helped calm your nerves.” Cadie smiled while Wyatt laughed. Heath's cock got hard instantly at her words. She amazed him in so many ways. “Perhaps you can come and help me alleviate the stress once we're through discussing what our next move will be.” “We'll see,” Cadie replied, a smile on her lips as she made her way to the sofa at the side of the room. “What name did Grant give?” Heath placed his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “Andrew Harding is behind the attempt on your life.” “Not surprising.” Cadie shook her head. “I suspected that after I spoke to him.”

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Heath's gut clenched; he couldn't help the angry look he tossed at Wyatt. “What the hell do you mean after you spoke to him?” “When I turned onto our street corner, I caught her parking your truck in our driveway,” Wyatt explained. “Cadie said she went to make a phone call. She never did get around to telling me who she called.” “Are you out of your mind?” Heath reined in the need to shout. “You could have been killed.” “I know how to take care of myself, guys. I was a cop, after all, and I was doing it way before the both of you came along.” “A cop can die too, Cadie, if they're not careful,” Heath murmured, his body still tense at the thought of her being hurt. He took a deep breath and forced himself to continue, when all he really wanted to do was lock her in his bedroom until all of it was over. “Jager and I have spoken to Captain Rowe. Grant is currently being detained for attempted murder. I also picked up a copy of the police report, which details the sort of bomb that was used. Apparently Grant had rigged it so it would go off an hour after you entered your home. He went as far as to admit he was in the vicinity at the time of the bombing. The paperwork on Michael Skorsky is also in. He had two bank accounts; his credit was good; he had no kids and no wife. There was a fifty-thousanddollar deposit made to his account, a few months ago. Jager traced it and found that the depositor was Franklin Oils.” Cadie shook her head. “I left all financial decisions up to Andrew until I could I decide what I wanted to do with the company. I'm such an idiot.” Heath desperately wanted to take her into his arms and tell her that everything was going be all right. “Don't be too hard on yourself. You had a lot of decisions to make in the past year.” Heath watched as she struggled to keep her emotions locked within. Her gaze dropped to the ground, her long lashes fluttering. “I wouldn't hedge any bets that we'd find Skorsky alive,” Heath continued. “Letty is an expert at tracking information, and she found even more info on Skorsky. He'd bought a plane ticket, just yesterday. His flight left about two hours ago, and Skorsky was not on that plane.” “Any chance that he could have changed his flight?” Cadie asked.

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“Anything is possible,” Heath replied. “But I highly doubt it. Too many arrows pointing to foul play.” “So I can assume that Rowe will be picking up Andrew?” Wyatt asked. Heath nodded. “Jager has confirmed that. Rowe and several units are on their way to his office now. If he's not there, they'll head to his home.” Cadie sighed and stood as she watched both men. “What's the next step in all of this?” Wyatt rose to his feet. “Next step?” “Well, Andrew will be in jail, and that'll probably mean that the both of you will be finished with this assignment. Where does that leave us?”

Was she waiting for a declaration of love? Because if she was, Wyatt was ready to give it to her. To hell with what anyone thought. He would commit to her and see where their relationship would take them. He was more than satisfied with the idea of spending the rest of his life with her. The thought brought him immense pleasure. He just hoped to hell Heath would have no qualms about it. The three of them needed to have a talk. But Wyatt watched his brother, waiting for his reaction. Heath remained cool, calm, collected, and oddly silent. Heath normally had no problem saying what was on his mind. Wyatt, on the other hand, wanted to take Cadie back into the bedroom and prove to her why a forever threesome between them would be perfect. She crossed her arms, and the action pushed her breasts out. He was tempted to strip the shirt from her body and love her nipples with his mouth. “Wyatt, Heath, are either of you going to answer me? Or am I just going to stand here forever?” She sounded annoyed, and she had every reason to be. She wasn't exactly asking for a commitment from them, but he sure as hell wanted to give her one. But Wyatt had a feeling Heath was going to be an ass about this. Heath narrowed his eyes. “I can assume you're speaking about our relationship?” Her lips curved upward. “Your cleverness was the first thing I found attractive about you.” “I'm glad I didn't disappoint.”

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Wyatt didn't see where the banter would get any of them. There was a time to be playful, and this wasn't it. “You've become an important part of our lives.” The words were out of his mouth before Wyatt even thought of what exactly he should say. Cadie shook her head and frowned. She turned to him, giving him her undivided attention. In his peripheral vision, he saw Heath tense. “Wyatt, don't speak for Heath. I want you to let me know how you feel.” “I want you to remain in my life.” Wyatt watched as her eyes filled with tears, but he continued. He needed to get his feelings out in the open. She was the one, and he had known it instantly. Time nor separation would change his mind. “I want to see where this takes us. We've only known each other a relatively short time, but there are couples out there who are involved for years and don't make it. I love your smile, I love the way you come apart in my arms when we make love, I love the way you talk, and I could probably state a million other things that I love about you. But most of all, I want you to give me—us—a chance to show you.” She lifted her hand and brushed his cheek. “Don't speak for him,” she repeated, her voice low and sounding full of pain. “Thank you, Wyatt. I can honestly say I feel the same way about you, and there isn't anything in this world that I want more than to experience everything with you.” Her words should have made Wyatt's heart soar, but the hurt in her voice stung him. She turned away from him and faced Heath. He noticed that she took a deep breath and then blew it out slowly. “How do you feel?” Wyatt looked at his brother and hoped that Heath gave her the words she needed to feel cherished by him. “Once Andrew is in jail, I think we should all sit down and discuss our relationship,” Heath replied. Wyatt froze. His brother could be such an asshole sometimes. Cadie stiffened, and Wyatt watched as Cadie walked out of the room. Shit! His brother was a hard-ass, but Wyatt hadn't thought he'd be this foolish. He turned to face Heath. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Heath shifted his gaze from the door to Wyatt. “Nothing. I just thought we could talk about this later.”

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“She's not asking for a damn marriage proposal, and yet you're not man enough to tell her how you feel.” “Watch your words, bro.” Fuck it! Wyatt was not above pounding sense into him. “Do you have a problem with me loving her? Is that it?” Shit! He hoped to hell not. “I'm all for you loving her, Wyatt. In fact, it doesn't surprise me that we found a woman that would complete us. I think sharing women in the past was a way for us to find that special someone.” Wyatt released the breath he'd been holding. “Cadie.” Heath nodded. “Then why in the hell couldn't you tell her that? Are you simply going to let the best thing that has ever happened to us walk away?” “Fuck! I panicked, all right? What if she only wanted to be with one of us?” Unbelievable. Wyatt had never seen Heath this rattled. “You could actually see how she felt about us if you'd listened hard enough. Don't mess this up for us because you're too scared. You've been there for me my whole life, Heath, and known what's been right for us. I'm laying it all on the line for her and telling you to open up your heart. She's the one.” Heath ran his hand through his hair. “Damn. I screwed this up big-time.” “No,” Wyatt replied. “It isn't too late to let her know how you feel.”

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Chapter Fourteen The waiters brought their coffee and omelets to the table. Cadie reached for her cup and sipped. Wyatt had thought it would be a good idea to get her out of the house, and she'd quickly accepted, agreeing that maybe some fresh air would do her good. But Heath hadn't come, and she hadn't seen him at all this morning. She watched as Wyatt dug into his breakfast with relish. She tried a couple of bites but gave up. She wasn't at all hungry. She was more worried and tense than anything else. She'd gone to bed last night alone, too tired and hurt to think of anything but sleep. Though her heart had soared briefly at Wyatt's words, a part of her had hoped that Heath would state his feelings too. Instead he'd brushed her off, and the pain had almost been too much to bear. Walking away from them was going to be tough, but sticking around would be harder. She placed her cup down. “Where is Heath?” Wyatt pushed his nearly empty plate away. “Captain Rowe found both Andrew's and Michael's bodies last night. Both died from gunshot wounds. Heath, Letty, and Jager are together trying to put the pieces together.” Now she could add nausea to the lists of things she was feeling this morning. “They're both dead? Who would do such a thing? Did Andrew kill Michael, then himself?” “No. The position of the wounds make it impossible for them to be self-inflicted. As of now, we don't know who truly is behind this. But it is pretty obvious that Andrew wasn't the mastermind.” “All this because of the company? I mean money has to be the motivator, but who else could be involved?” Wyatt rose to his feet, reached inside his pocket, and pulled out money, leaving it on the table. “Selling would have meant that whoever has the hit on your life won. Is there anyone we're missing, Cadie? Anyone you can think of that might be able to shed some light on this?”

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The only one who came to mind was Dexter's attorney, and now she truly felt like an idiot for not speaking to him before. “Stuart Miller. He is Franklin Oils' attorney, and was Dexter's personal one. He may know something. I mean it couldn't hurt to try.” Cadie slid from the booth and stood. “Do you have his phone number?” She reached for her cell. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

**** Cadie's heart pounded fast as she still struggled to come to terms with what Stuart had just told her. Replaying the words to Wyatt didn't make her feel any better. In fact, it made her feel worse, because it finally sank in. She'd never known Dexter. And no matter how much she wanted to, she never would. Marina Franklin. Who was she? And more importantly, why hadn't she come to seek Cadie when Dexter had passed? Why had Cadie never known Dexter had married? How could her own brother keep that a secret from her? What the hell else had he hidden from her? And when in the hell would this never-ending puzzle end? Question after question kept popping into her brain. And she realized maybe she would never know the answers to any of them. It was still hard to believe Andrew was dead and that whoever was after her had murdered Michael as well. She'd thought Andrew was behind it all. But Wyatt was right. His murder sounded nothing like a suicide. A bullet to the chest, Wyatt had said, and that definitely did not equal one killing oneself. Add that to the fact that Andrew's body was found in the same office. The police would have to take Dexter's murder more seriously. It didn't take a genius to realize that all three deaths were connected to one another. Wyatt walked into the living room. “Here, drink this.” She grabbed the glass he offered her and drank. The liquid burned going down but heated her stomach immediately. “Thanks. Did you speak to Heath?” “I just gave him the rundown on what we found out from Stuart. He's going to make a stop at Stuart's office and ask him some questions. Rowe is in the process of pulling Marina's file to see what he can come up with. In the meantime, all we can do is wait.” “Let me have another shot.”

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He grabbed her glass and walked to the kitchen. He was back in seconds with her refill. She gulped it down quickly. “Do you think she's behind this?” She felt the effects of the brandy immediately, and she appreciated the fact that it created a warm buzz, mellowing her out. The pain and nervousness she felt had edged off a bit. Wyatt sat next to her. “It would seem that way. Marina hasn't made an effort to contact you. That alone sounds suspicious.” Why? Another question to add to her list. She was exhausted, and she didn't want to deal with any of this right now. She rose to her feet. “I'm tired, Wyatt. I'm going to head upstairs and take a nap for a few hours. Wake me when Heath gets here.” He stood, and she pressed her lips against his. She slid her tongue in his mouth as he wrapped his arms around her waist. The kiss was soft, tender, and she savored it for a few moments. There was nothing she wanted more than to invite him up with her. He moved his hands, arousing her to the point where she almost forgot the fact that she needed to be alone. She broke the kiss. He reached up and ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “If you need me, I'm here.” “Thank you,” she whispered. She turned and walked toward the stairs. “And Wyatt?” “Yes?” “I love you.” She focused on the stairs, climbing them. She felt better knowing that he now knew she loved him. Leaving him was going to be hard. But she couldn't ever be with just him, not when she loved his brother just as much. That would cause too much tension, and probably hatred, between them. And there was no way she would ever come between Heath and Wyatt.

**** She slid from the bed as soon as she heard Wyatt's loud voice. Her gaze shifted from the door to the clock on the table. She'd been asleep two hours. “How in the hell did you get this address?” Someone was in the house.

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Cadie snatched her phone, opened the closet door, and slid inside. She dialed Heath. Ring. Come on, Heath, pick up. Ring. Pick up, dammit. “Cadie?” “Heath, someone's in the house,” she whispered. Her palms were sweaty, and she jumped when she heard what sounded like glass breaking. “Where are you?” “Upstairs in the bedroom.” “Listen to me, Cadie. I'm about ten minutes away. Look for a place to hide, and stay there.” She couldn't leave Wyatt downstairs alone any longer. “Your brother needs me.” “Wyatt is trained to respond to this. Stay hidden.” “Heath, I love you. Just as much as I love Wyatt. I just wanted to let you know that.” “Cadie, please—” “Be careful. Good-bye, Heath.” She disconnected the phone. The urge to run downstairs and see Wyatt was overwhelming. Please don't let him be dead. There had to be a weapon somewhere around here. The pair of scissors she'd seen in the top drawer of the nightstand would be better than nothing.

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Chapter Fifteen Oh my God! Cadie fisted her hands and tried to control the trembling in her body. She had to keep it together. Cadie's gaze immediately fell on Wyatt. He was on his knees, blood dripping from the side of his face, but thank God he was awake. Wyatt narrowed his eyes, and she noticed when he tensed. She knew exactly what he was thinking, and tough shit. She wasn't going to leave him alone. The man behind Wyatt was tall, dark, heavily muscled, and looked like one mean asshole. He held a gun to Wyatt's head, but he appeared to be examining her, his cold black gaze sending ripples of fear through her. His lips, nose, and ears were pierced with barbells. Cadie turned slightly and saw a woman sitting on the leather chair. She was thin, with long, dark hair, and was oddly dressed, as if she were going to a boardroom meeting, complete with a suit, heels, and a large clutch. The woman seemed to only care about her appearance—she kept running her fingers through her hair, then touching her clothes. Marina. It had to be. How in the hell had she found Heath and Wyatt's home? “Marina.” Marina rose to her feet. “And you must be Cadie. I apologize for meeting like this, but I had no other options.” Cadie noticed that Marina talked as if they were the only two people in the room. This woman had to be deranged. “You obviously had no problem finding the place. What I'd like to know is how.” Marina shrugged. “I guess there's no harm in telling you, since you're going to be dead in a few minutes anyway. Does the name Detective Paul Luca ring a bell to you?” Cadie shook her head.

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“He worked for the local precinct and was very helpful in locating you. But Jacko here got a bit jealous when Paul wanted more from me.” Cadie swallowed. None of this was going to end well. “More?” “Sex, my dear. Sex. The thing all men want. But Jacko broke his neck.” “You killed him?” “If it matters to you or your handsome stud here, he died quickly. I, of course, wanted to take my time and make him suffer, but Jacko has these jealous fits of rage. It's very intriguing to watch. I'm actually debating if Jacko would let me play with your stud here.” Over my dead body. Cadie didn't dare mumble the words, but she shifted her gaze for a moment. Jacko hadn't removed his gaze from her, and he still held the gun to Wyatt's head. How in the hell was she going to help Wyatt? “Speaking of studs, where is the other one?” Shit! Heath. “Other one?” “Playing the idiot will get you killed more quickly. Paul indicated that this one had a brother. Where is he?” “Out of town, and not due back for another week. His itinerary is in his office, if you'd like to see it.” Cadie tried to sound convincing, but she hoped to hell that Marina would not call her bluff. Changing the subject was the thing to do. “Why kill Dexter, Marina?” “That, of course, is pretty obvious. Upon Dexter's death, the company was supposed to belong to me. But your dear brother was a tad smarter than I gave him credit for. And he gave you his portion of the company instead.” Marina narrowed her eyes and reached inside her bag. She pulled out a gun. “That really pissed me off.” Bitch! “He probably gave you the world, loved you, and this is how you repaid him?” “Dexter was always a means to an end. The sex was actually good.” Jacko growled, a low, deranged sound. “But no one is as good as Jacko. He's my one true love.”

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Cadie was disgusted. Marina's words actually quieted him down. She had to keep Marina talking. At that very least, it would buy her time until Heath arrived, or until she thought of some way to get Wyatt and herself out of this. “Where do Andrew and Michael fit into this?” “Michael got greedy, plus he was no longer needed,” Marina replied. “And Andrew, well, he became disposable. I figured if you were dead, obtaining Andrew's portion of the company wasn't going to be a hard thing. And you, my dear, haven't been an easy person to kill. Grant failed, and I intended to send Jacko here for the finale, but I didn't want to miss the show.” Things just got worse. Cadie watched as Marina's lips curled into an evil grin. “Let Wyatt go. I'll give you whatever you want. He has absolutely nothing to do with this. Please let him go.” Marina laughed. The loud, shrill sound filled the air, grating Cadie's nerves. “Dear sisterin-law, I can have whatever I want now, and there's no way you can stop me.” “You won't get away with this. Too many people have died because of you, and if you kill Wyatt and me, the cops will eventually find you.” “There is no evidence linking me to any of the murders,” Marina replied. “And just in case the police do come around, it won't be too hard to come up with an alibi.” Cadie took a step closer to her, hoping her advance wouldn't be too noticeable. The scissors were tucked into the waistband of her pants, concealed beneath her shirt. She hoped she could reach them quickly enough. Marina's gaze narrowed, and Cadie forced herself to be still. “There has to be something I could do for you. Or maybe Jacko.” By sheer will, she forced the urged to vomit down and concentrated on making a move. There was no way Marina or Jacko were sane, and Cadie had to use that to her advantage. There was always a slight chance that Marina and Jacko would just decide to shoot them, but there was absolutely no way Cadie could just sit there and do nothing. Marina tossed a look to Jacko. “What do you think, Jacko? Do we have a few minutes to play?” “Whatever you want,” Jacko murmured, his gaze still frozen on Cadie. Marina walked closer to Cadie. A few inches separated them now, and she reached out to stroke Cadie's cheek. She ran her finger along the curve of Cadie's jaw. “You are a beautiful woman, and it's been a while since Jacko's had a treat.”

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“Let Wyatt go, then,” she whispered, forcing herself not to shudder. She knew Marina wouldn't do it, but it still bought her precious time. “It's not going to cost you anything to let him live.” “Cadie, don't do it!” Wyatt yelled. Cadie watched as Wyatt jumped to his feet. Blood still poured from his wound, but somehow he got out of Jacko's grip. Wyatt wasn't quick enough, and he stumbled as Jacko reached for him. Cadie wasn't going to wait. This was the opportunity she needed. She reached for the pair of scissors, and luckily Marina was too enthralled at what Jacko was doing. The gun Marina held was still in the grip of her hand but thankfully not pointed Cadie's way. Cadie wrapped her arm around Marina's neck and stabbed the scissors against Marina's arm. Bile rose in her throat as the steel cut into Marina's flesh. Marina screamed, dropping the gun. Cadie swallowed against the nausea and pulled the scissors out of Marina's skin. Blood spilled out of Marina's arm, dripping to the floor, but Cadie lifted the steel against her neck. Cadie shifted her eyes to look at Wyatt. He was on his knees once more. Jacko held his gun to Wyatt's head. “Tell Jacko to drop the gun now.” “Jacko, if she stabs me again, kill her slowly.” Cadie tightened the weapon against Marina's neck, pressing it against her flesh. If she had to slit Marina's throat, she would. “You sick bitch! I will sign everything over to you, but Wyatt will walk out of here.” The sound of glass breaking and then the popping sound of a gun hitting flesh caused her to jump. Jacko's eyes opened wide, a hole the size of a quarter in the front of his head, before he collapsed to the floor. Marina screamed, and Cadie held on to her tightly. There was no way she was going to let her go. She quickly glanced to the broken window the bullet had come from. The front door crashed open, and she could have fallen to her knees, grateful at the sight of Heath rushing through. “Cadie.”

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He whispered her name as he rushed to her, making her blood sizzle and her stomach flip. Handcuffs in hand, he reached for Marina and clasped them around her wrists, before shoving her to the floor. He kicked her gun away from her and took Cadie in his arms. She could have cried then, but still managed to keep her tears at bay. “Wyatt.” She stepped away from Heath and skidded to Wyatt, falling to her knees. “You okay?” “I'm mad as hell at you for putting yourself on the line like that, but otherwise I'm great.” Wyatt grinned. She pressed her lips against his. “I was so worried.” She lifted her hand to his face. “There's so much blood.” He looked a little pale, and it sickened her that he was injured because of her. “Not to worry. Head wounds always bleed. The bastard just butted me with his gun,” Wyatt replied. “I'm fine, honestly.” “Don't show him too much attention,” Heath said. “Or he'll play up his injuries for weeks.” Cadie heard the laughter in Heath's voice. “I'm just glad you arrived here in time. If you hadn't, I don't know what I would have done next.” “Is everyone okay?” Cadie turned. Captain Rowe, Letty, and Jager walked in through the front door. She grinned. “Everything is going to be fine.” She hoped she sounded confident and relieved, when inside she felt anything but.

**** Cadie slipped out of the hospital room on the ruse of getting some coffee and using the ladies' room. She walked out to the parking lot and reached inside her bag for the note she had managed to write while Wyatt and Heath had given their statements to the police. She opened it, reading the words once more. Dear Wyatt and Heath, The last thing in this world I want to do is leave the both of you. But there is no way I can give you 100 percent of myself without dealing with the past.

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Putting my problems to rest is something I have to do alone. I don't expect you to understand all of it. But I want you to trust me on this. This is something I have to do to move on. Walking away from the both of you is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. But finding myself and putting Dexter's past to rest has to come first. Wyatt, in the past few days you have become my world. I want to experience everything with you, and I can only ask that you wait for me. In the short amount of time that we've known each other, you have come to mean so much to me. I love you. I hope you find strength in my words and know that I will come to you soon. Heath, you are one stubborn, hardheaded man. But I'm just as stubborn. Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I've wanted you. Instead of acting on it, I walked away. But I guess fate had different plans. With you, it was love at first sight, but it took me a while to realize that. I can only ask the same of you that I asked of Wyatt. Trust in the love I have for you. Finding a man to trust and love in this lifetime is hard. But I've been lucky enough to find two. Give me some time, and know that I'll come to the both of you soon. With love, Cadie Cadie folded the paper and pinned it to the windshield of Heath's car. Tears spilled over her cheeks, and it felt like her heart was breaking into pieces, but she walked away. She just hoped that Heath and Wyatt understood her reasons.

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Chapter Sixteen Two Months Later

Sacrifice. She never knew what the word truly meant. And she thought long and hard about what she'd give up to be with Heath and Wyatt. The answer was simple and clear. She'd give up everything, because being with them meant her happiness. And it wasn't because they wanted her to give up anything, but Cadie knew she could never commit herself truly until she'd put her past to rest. And that's exactly what she had done. It had taken her a month to get a clear accounting of Franklin Oils' finances. And another two weeks with Dexter's attorney to draw up papers for the sale of 70 percent of the company. Contacting Heath and Wyatt's cousin, Stone, had been easy. And Stone made it even easier by expressing his interest in the company. His experience in the field and his willingness to answer her questions, make his own lawyers available to her, and show her the finances of his own corporation put her at ease. The business sale and transactions had gone relatively smoothly. Financially, she was pretty much set for life, and she'd give every dollar up to be with Wyatt and Heath. She stood in front of Heath and Wyatt's home, keys in hand, nervous as hell about entering. She hadn't called them at all during the two months apart. She had seen Stone about four times during that period, and she was sure he had reported back to them on how she was doing. But Stone never asked her any questions, and she never divulged any information. She pushed the key into the lock and opened the door. She stepped in, then closed it. Maybe she should have called them before coming out, but what if they refused to see her? She'd rather face them, and she hoped to hell that their love for her had survived. She'd taken her time preparing herself physically. She'd spent the previous day at the salon, cutting her hair into layers, waxing her body, and treating herself to a manicure and pedicure.

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She admitted the indulgences helped build her self-esteem a little. Aside from a pounding heart and sweaty palms, she felt okay. Emotionally was a whole other story. She was a wreck, anxiety and tension threatening to take over her common sense. What if Heath didn't love her like Wyatt did? Both men had given her the space she had requested, but at what cost? Again, too many questions with no answers. The sound of music broke through her thoughts. Cadie followed the tunes and walked into the living room. She froze at the sight. Heath stood, drink in hand, and he was the first to see her. She swallowed against the impending tears. She needed to be stronger than this. “Heath.” He put his glass down. “Cadie.” She turned to Wyatt, and he rose to his feet. Both men took steps toward her. She swallowed and lifted her hand. “Wait. I have to speak before I lose my nerve.” Heath nodded, while Wyatt murmured, “Go ahead.” “Let me begin with this, since part of the reason why I left the both of you was to get my head together. You probably have already heard that I've sold the majority of Franklin Oils, and with Andrew's death, his shares reverted back to me.” “We heard,” Wyatt replied. She nodded. “I still own thirty percent, and with that I can still be a part of what my family built without having to feel overwhelmed. Stone was more than happy to take it off my hands. He seems like the type of man I can trust, and I have to say it helps that he's related to you. It also helped that he made all of his financial records and attorneys available to me. In the end, it wasn't a hard decision.” “Stone relayed all of that to us, sweetheart,” Heath said. “As a matter of fact, before you came in, Wyatt and I were planning on seeing you tonight. Two months is a hell of a long time to be without you.” Coming to see her? Could that mean Heath and Wyatt wanted to be with her? “I've missed the both of you more than I could say,” Cadie whispered. “I love you, and I hope to hell you feel the same way. I do want to spend the rest of my life with you. The thought frightens me. I realize it's because you both have the power to hurt me in a way I'm not sure I'd ever recover from. But by being scared, I'll never know what true happiness feels like. I want to take that chance with you.”

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There, she'd laid it all on the line, and now it was all in their hands. It amazed her how delicate a heart could be, so fragile, ready to break at the threat of anything. But she was no coward, and if she wanted to be happy, she had just made the first leap. Heath stepped forward and grabbed her hand. He kissed her fingers, and a bolt of heat shot through her. “Cadie, sweetheart, I'm an ass for not saying it sooner. Actually I've been an ass about a lot of things.” She smiled. “We both have mulish tendencies.” “I do love you, Cadie. And I'm apologizing for not letting you know sooner. I want you in my life, forever and always.” Her heart leaped at his words. Heath pressed his lips against hers, and she moaned at the way his tongue stroked hers. His erection pressed against her belly, hot and hard. An arm wrapped around her waist, and she gasped as she was pulled away from him. “It's my turn now, babe.” Wyatt grinned. She lifted her arms, laying her hands on his shoulders. Wyatt brushed his lips against hers. “You already know how I feel. But I don't mind telling you over and over again. I love you, and though I gave you the space you needed, I would have never let you go. I'm speaking for the both of us, just this once. Never again will we leave you.” Tears spilled from her eyes, down to her cheeks. This feeling of being loved and cherished was better than she had ever hoped. She turned sideways and glanced at Heath and then Wyatt. “I love you both, and now we can celebrate and start our lives together from here on out.” Heath arched a brow. “The celebrating part has me really excited.” Wyatt smiled. “What did you have in mind?” “This way, boys.” She led them to bedroom she had been using during her stay there. Once there, all three of them stripped off their clothes in a rush. She gazed at their hard bodies and long, thick cocks. Her mouth watered, and she still marveled that she was in love with them. “I have a surprise for the both of you.” Wyatt climbed on the bed and positioned himself in front of her, while Heath was on his knees behind her.

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“What is it?” Wyatt brushed his lips against her shoulders, sending shivers of delight through her body. “I think you'll find it soon enough.” “I love a good search,” Heath replied. She opened her mouth to Wyatt's tongue and moaned as Heath pressed his lips against her neck. Fingers tightened on her nipples, and she managed to reach around with her hand, grabbing Heath's cock while she did the same in her front to Wyatt. Wyatt groaned into her mouth while Heath nipped at her shoulder, thrusting his shaft against the palm of her hand. Her clit throbbed, and her cream spilled, wetting her thighs. Wyatt lay flat on his back and managed to take her with him. She was draped over Wyatt's body, and she maneuvered herself to straddle his thighs. Heath was still behind her, his hands on her ass, stroking her flesh. Lust heated her blood. Wyatt's lips were at her breasts, sucking her nipples. Her nails bit into his chest as he licked and nipped. His mouth was a heated suction, acting like a link to her pussy. She needed them now. Heath's fingers brushed the entrance of her ass, and he groaned. “I think I just found her surprise.” He pulled the end of the plug she had inserted earlier. Wyatt lifted her, and she reached down between them, then wrapped her fingers around his cock. His dick pulsed in her hand, and she squeezed. She pushed herself up and rubbed the head of his cock against her pussy. He groaned, his hands tightening at her waist as she began to lower herself. “Bend forward.” Heath growled as he tugged the plug the rest of the way out. She whimpered as she felt him applying lubricant inside her. Heath pushed the head of his shaft in, and the pressure almost became too much. “Heath.” She moaned. “Easy.” His cock passed the sphincter; he kept a steady, slow thrust until he was all the way in.

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Both men plunged into her, their cocks propelling in unison, thrusting deep before withdrawing. Hands roved over her body as the heat built higher and higher. It was an ecstasyfilled pleasure she'd never experienced before. Sweat coated their bodies while the scent of sex filled the air. Heath reached around her and pulled at the tips of her nipples. Wyatt reached below and stroked her clit. White-hot fire pulsed through her, and both continued fucking her. Her womb clenched, and she tossed her head back, closing her eyes, trying to draw out the pleasure. She wasn't going to last much longer, and she hoped to hell they were as close to bursting as she was. “I can't hold on,” she whispered, squeezing her internal muscles around both shafts. “I'm right there with you, babe,” Heath replied as he plunged into her. “Almost there,” Wyatt whispered. She closed her eyes and exploded around them as stars burst behind her lids. She called out to both, the desire inside her overpowering all control. In the midst of pleasure, she felt Heath give one more thrust before shouting her name and coming inside her in a blistering rush. Wyatt followed a second later, his shaft pulsing, powering into her. She tightened her pussy, and he groaned as he filled her with his seed. She fell forward just as she felt Heath pull his cock out. Wyatt lifted her from his shaft. Heath rose from the bed and headed to the bathroom. He returned with a wet washcloth and wiped her clean before dropping the cloth on the floor. He lay next to her, and with Wyatt on the other side, she had never felt more satisfied inside and out. “I love you both.” She'd never get tired of saying it. Heath brushed his lips against her cheek. “And I love you.” “You'll always be in my heart,” Wyatt whispered before kissing her other cheek. She smiled. Both men held her hostage to their hearts, and now she knew what true happiness meant.

Other Loose Id(R) Titles by Jade James Hunting Hawk Kidnapped Lila's Capture Naughty Fantasies Stone's Prisoner Truth, Dare, or… You, Me & Dupree

Jade James I was born and raised in New York City, and I'll probably live here for the rest of my life. I'm 32 years old and have been married to my husband for 9 years, and I'm a mother to two adorable children. I’ve learned a lot about writing a good story filled with suspense and my goal is to give my readers an escape from everyday life. Email: [email protected] Web site: http://www.jadejames.com Blog: http://www.jadestruthordare.blogspot.com/ Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jadejames/