Burnin' Love [Men for Hire: Firemen 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (16 page)

“We need to talk.”

He half-expected Wade to make a joke, saying something about their breaking up, but Wade was as serious as he was. Paul had on his usual stern expression.

“About Daisy,” added Troy.

They’d talked about everything else on their way to Destiny, including Melissa’s future and the possibility that either John or Charlie had set the fire. Daisy had told them what Melissa had said, confirming their suspicions. They’d already called their buddies at the station who would forward the information to the police. The authorities were hunting for both John and Charlie, but so far, they’d had no leads.

The one thing they hadn’t talked about was how they’d bring up the idea of sharing with Daisy.

“I think Troy and I”—Wade glanced at him to make sure they were still in agreement—“have always had it in the back of our minds that we’d end up sharing her. As you know, we’ve had a thing for her since high school and now it’s more than that.”

Paul sipped his drink, whatever he was feeling locked behind that calm exterior. “I get that, but I thought we agreed to let her decide who, one or all of us, that she wants. I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. You’re talking about a lifetime. Not just until we go back to Tulsa.”

Troy wouldn’t let anything be unclear. Paul had to know where they stood. “That’s right. She’s the one for us.”

Wade sidled over to him, physically supporting him. “That about sums it up.”

“And what about what we did? Was that a one-time thing? Or am I shit out of luck from now on? Are you trying to cut me out?”

Paul had become a close friend of theirs and to make him feel less than that didn’t sit right. “Naw. Like we agreed, the final decision is up to her. But I’ve got to ask. What are you to her, Paul? It’s not like you have the history, past and present, that we have with her.”

His dark eyes lifted off the ground and stabbed into him. “What are
you
two to her?”

He was right. They hadn’t said anything about a commitment, and yet, he knew Daisy well enough to know that they weren’t one-night, even multiple-night flings. “She cares for us. That much is certain or else she wouldn’t have had sex with us.” He drove home his point. “And I’m not talking about just today.”

The slightest flicker of concern slid across Paul’s face and was gone. “So you think that because you’ve been with her that one other time before today that she’s chosen you. Is that it?”

“I’d say it puts us in the lead.” Wade shrugged. “Wouldn’t you?”

Paul took another drink. “Not necessarily.”

“And why’s that?” He was getting at something. Troy could feel it in his bones.

“Because we had sex, too.”

Troy didn’t know why he hadn’t anticipated that. It was obvious from the way she looked at Paul, the way she shot him one of those glorious smiles he’d kill for, that she was attracted to Paul. And that she cared for him.

“Where?” Wade sounded hurt. Did he think Daisy had to tell them everything she did?

“You don’t need the details.” The irritation in Paul’s tone made the air around them thick. He took another sip, probably to give them time to settle down.

“So she cares for you?” It didn’t bother Troy. Paul was as close to him as a second brother would be.

“Yeah.”

“And she’s said as much?”

“Has she said as much to you?”

They were at a standstill. All three of them cared for her. All three of them had had sex with her, not once, but twice.

“Do you love her, man?” Troy had to ask. At the same time, he asked himself that question. His answer came to him a moment before Paul’s.

“Yeah. I do.” It was said much like a challenge.

Wade watched the exchange with a kind of curious look. “That’s understandable. She’s easy to love.”

Troy’s laugh was bitter-sounding. “I guess we kind of jumped the gun earlier.”

“How do we tell her what we want? Where does that leave us?”

It was the second time Troy had ever seen Paul even the slightest bit nervous. Yet he could understand it. If he thought he had a chance of losing her, his nerves would be jangling all over the place.

“It leaves us standing on the edge of the abyss and waiting to see which, if any, she chooses to save. Just remember what we agreed on. Whichever man, or men, she doesn’t want is just shit out of luck.”

Troy didn’t want to think that way. If she chose one of them over him, he’d have to leave town. Being around her without having her as his would be too painful. But Paul was right. “Agreed. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“So when do we bring it up?”

Paul shrugged. “I would’ve said first chance we get. But now that she’s telling us to back off, I think we have to wait until we feel the time is right. Let’s not push it right now. She’s already got enough on her plate.”

“Damn. Women are fucking hard to deal with.”

Wade nodded. “You can say that again, bro.”

* * * *

They hadn’t said anything about the future. Daisy tried as hard as she could not to let that bother her. It was only because Melissa’s mishap in the kitchen had ended their time together so abruptly. At least that’s what she hoped it was.

Either that or they’re only interested in a temporary thing.

She turned on the shower, then stepped in once the water was warm. It was a shame to wash away the scent of them. But at least it couldn’t wash away the delicious sensations still coursing through her body.

Actions spoke louder than words. She’d believed that all her life. Until now. Although they’d shown her with their touches that they cared for her, she wished they would’ve told her as much.

It doesn’t matter. I know how they feel. Actions don’t lie.

Yet she knew that no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she’d still have doubts until she heard them say the words.

Melissa’s accident had frightened her. They couldn’t afford to let their guard down again. For that reason and because she needed to hear how they felt, she was determined that they’d keep their hands off each other. They all needed to keep clear heads.

“Girl, that’s one hard promise to keep.”

And yet, as she stared at her reflection in the glass surrounding the shower, she knew it was a promise she had to keep.

* * * *

Daisy had called a time out after that first delirious night in her home. For herself. For the men. But mostly for Melissa. Three blissful days had gone by since then and with each moment that came and went, she grew a little more relaxed.

Or at least, relaxed about Melissa’s situation. But relaxed around the men? That was another thing altogether.

She sat on the front porch, listening to the squeak of her chair as she set it rocking. As had become her habit, she watched the sun go down and nursed a hot toddy. It didn’t matter that the weather was too warm for a hot drink. As far as she was concerned, she could be lost in the Sahara Desert and still want her hot toddy.

She could hear Paul and Wade talking behind the house. They’d discussed everything from the level of the water in the nearby creek, to their favorite sports team’s chance to win the next game, to detailing the Range Rover. Yet the conversation always led back to what might happen with Melissa.

It wasn’t worth the breath it took to talk about it as far as Daisy was concerned. Melissa still had to make up her mind about keeping the baby, returning to John or Charlie, or—as Daisy and the men suggested—starting a new life in another city where neither John nor Charlie could find her and the baby.

She was deep in thought when Troy came out of the house. He settled into the chair next to her and took a sip of his beer.

“Are you sure I can’t talk you into trying a hot toddy?” They’d had the same conversation before and she already knew his answer.

“No thanks. It’s too hot. I don’t know how people can even drink coffee unless it’s in the dead of winter.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Thanks. I will.” As he’d done so often over the past few days, he put his hand on top of hers. “Can I talk you into going upstairs with me? With us?”

She loved that he always asked her that. But he had to know her answer already, too. “Not yet.”

“Daisy, it’s been three days. If nothing’s happened by now, it’s not going to.”

“You don’t know that.”

“True enough. But it’s a good bet.”

Before meeting the men and Melissa’s troubles coming into her life, she would’ve taken that bet. But not now. Although she hated to admit it even to herself, the fire had scared her more than she liked. What if she’d been in bed with them? She shuddered to think about the dire consequences if they’d been too involved to notice.

Since then she’d driven herself and them crazy with her refusal to share their bed. Instead, they’d shared hot glances as well as brief caresses whenever they got near each other. Each touch, each whispered word, each plea and even demand that she come to them had riddled her body with need. She didn’t think she could hold out much longer. Once Melissa finally made up her mind, then she’d run to them. But not before she knew Melissa and the men she loved were safe.

She drew in a breath and picked up Troy’s aroma. Whether it was their different shaving cream, aftershave, or their own personal chemistry, she could tell one man from the other. Troy’s spicy scent drifted over to her and she took a sip to cover a sigh.

“So we’re still waiting on Melissa to make her decision?” His fingertips danced over the top of her hand as he toyed with the flesh covering her knuckles.

“Yes.” Her voice was weak and she found it hard to drag in a good breath.

Even that minor interaction brought major reactions. It was wonderful and strange how he could touch her flesh on her hand and have the result show up in the burgeoning heat between her legs. She pulled her hand away, hating to do so, but knowing that if she didn’t, she might lose her resolve and fling her body at him.

“Then let’s get her to make a decision soon. Today, in fact.” He took her hand again and pivoted to face her.

She had to look at him. To do otherwise was impossible. “I don’t want to force her. Too many people have already done that to her.”

“We have to get back to Tulsa. To work.”

The ache, the longing in his tone overwhelmed her and she dared to lean toward him. He brought his hand to her jaw then slid it under her hair to cup her neck.

“Daisy, we don’t want to leave without you. We need to get back, but we promised to stay with you until this was over and we will. Still, we can’t let her drag it out forever.”

They’d made no promises to her since their last time alone and she’d expected none. Their lives, their mission was in Tulsa. And hers was in Destiny. “I don’t want you to leave.”

They were stuck in a cocoon where time had stopped. And yet they both knew it couldn’t stay that way much longer. Soon they’d have to face the future, whatever it held.

She choked back a moan as he moved in and lightly pressed his lips to hers. He tugged on her lower lip, teasing her to nibble back and she did. His kiss grew stronger, needier, as she swept her tongue along the seam of his lips.

To want him, to need them and not be able to do anything about it was pure torture.

The squeak of the front screen door had her pulling away from him.

“I’m sorry.” Melissa, barefoot in a white, apple-covered dress that Daisy had purchased for her during their shopping trip, stood in the doorway. She looked vulnerable and innocent. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Daisy cleared her throat and brushed her lips with her fingertips. She sat back in the chair and cupped her drink in her hand. Funny how she and Troy had kept hold of their drinks the entire time they’d kissed. Was it because they needed to hold on to something? Anything? “Do you need me, Melissa?”

“Yes. I came to tell you that I’ve made my decision.”

“You have?” Daisy was on her feet and pulling Melissa into the chair on the other side of her. She held back the urge to hurry her along. Making the decision had to have been hard for the young girl, and even if she didn’t agree with it, Daisy would back her up.

“Yes.” She folded her hands in her lap, but even then, Daisy could see that they shook.

“It’s okay, you know. Whatever you decide, we’ll be there for you. Right, Troy?”

Paul and Wade rounded the side of the house and came up short. Paul came striding up the steps first and took to the railing in front of the women. “What’s going on?”

“She’s made her decision.” Daisy held up her hands, warning him to take it easy. “Just hold onto your horses. No pressure.”

“Who’s pressuring her?” Paul rested one leg on the rail and crossed his arms.

Daisy put her hand on top of Melissa’s. “Tell us whenever you’re ready. And take a big breath. We’re all friends here.”

Melissa did as she’d suggested, drawing in a long, slow breath. When she let it out, it seemed that she was releasing the weight of the world from her shoulders. “I’ve decided to keep the baby.”

Daisy made a point of not reacting. Although she could never have an abortion, she didn’t think it was her place to decide that for another woman. “Okay.”

To their credit, the men remained silent. She knew they wanted to know as much as she did. “And about Charlie? Or John?”

Melissa didn’t hesitate this time. “I don’t want to be involved with either one of them.”

“But John’s the father.”

Everyone turned toward Troy who held up his hands and backed up a step. “Hey, I’m not saying she has to tell him, much less let the jerk raise the kid with her. Still, aren’t there laws to protect baby daddies now? Does she have to let him know?”

Daisy turned to Paul and Wade, but they couldn’t answer the questions, either. “I don’t know. I guess maybe you should. If only to get him to sign over his rights.”

The fear in Melissa’s eyes almost broke her heart. No woman should ever have to be afraid of any man, much less her baby’s father.

“No. I can’t let him know I’m going to keep the baby. He’ll want to be a part of its life. No, please, don’t make me tell him or Charlie.”