Loose Id, LLC
www.loose-id.com

Copyright ©2011

First published in 2011

NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Loose Id Titles by Stephanie Ganon

Stephanie Ganon

* * * *

Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice, especially those that might be found in our BDSM/fetish titles without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Loose Id LLC nor its authors will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles.

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.

Loose Id LLC

PO Box 425960

San Francisco CA 94142-5960

www.loose-id.com

Chapter One

Kevin “Duff” McKay grimaced, tugging the brim of his Stetson over his eyes. The Oklahoma sun was still hours from reaching its peak, yet in the twenty minutes since he'd come outside, he'd already worked up a sticky sweat, his white undershirt clinging to him.

After feeding the chickens and relieving Hillary of a pitcher of milk to go with breakfast, Duff moved on to care for the horses. Since the college kid he'd hired to help with chores was off visiting family, Duff had loads to do. Not that he minded one bit. Since his retirement from the police department two years ago, he craved activity. Keeping up the ranch had proved to be a wonderful outlet for his energies.

As he walked toward the barn, the sound of whinnying horses caught his attention. Grant was known to throw up a ruckus every now and again. Duff's partner, Bo, claimed the gelding did it to proclaim his manhood despite his lack of balls. The other horses, Rock and Doris, rarely chatted, but they'd joined the conversation as well. Duff couldn't help but wonder about all the fuss.

From the moment he walked inside, Duff sensed something wasn't right. And then he saw them.

Footprints.

He'd cleaned the barn himself the previous evening just before a light summer rain had drenched and muddied the fields. There had been no sign of footprints when he'd said good night to the horses.

The footprints certainly didn't belong to him or Bo. No. They were far too small.

Gazing around the barn, he saw that nothing appeared to be out of place. He checked on the equipment, but the mower, rakes, saddles, and bridles remained in their rightful spots.

He scanned each box stall. Doris and Rock calmed down immediately, but Grant, a scenery chewer if there ever was one, stomped a powerful hoof and snorted. There were six box stalls altogether, and the one directly beside Grant was empty.

Or was it?

The footprints disappeared into the half-open stall.

Should he grab a rake? Run back to the house and get his gun?

Something about the footprints dared Duff to investigate. The size... They were so tiny. What if a child had somehow wandered inside? He shook his head. A child—or anyone for that matter—would have to travel out of their way to hide in his barn. Their nearest neighbor lived almost two miles away, for goodness’ sake. No, whoever was here had a specific reason for being here, and Duff made it his business to find out why.

Inhaling a long breath, he leaned against Grant's stall and peeked into the one beside it. He squinted, his vision slowly acclimating to the darkness. The outline of a slender form drew his attention. His heartbeat raced to a gallop.

The sleeping trespasser lay in plain sight just beneath the window.

Duff placed his hand on the door to slide it fully open, hesitating when the intruder stirred. Righteous anger surged within him, swatting away his fear. He'd be in there all morning opening the stall by inches if he kept this up. He slid it open full force, no longer caring about the noise.

The intruder jumped to her feet, staggering backward until she slammed into the wall. Her face, the same face that had plagued Duff's dreams for so long, became visible as she huddled under the window. He stepped forward, cutting the distance between them, and instinctively reached out with a trembling hand to caress the golden red hair dancing across her shoulders. The shock of her presence enveloped him. Bringing his arm back to his side, he was shamed by his first impulse to reach for her, to touch her.

Duff watched her move forward, crunching dry hay beneath her bare feet. Each step made her wince. He gazed at her swollen feet, noting the dried blood and scabs crusting over the tender skin. She halted, leaned on a wall, and stared at him.

"Lily Dumont,” he whispered. “What in the world brings you here?” His heart hammered, and he struggled to catch his breath the longer he stared at her.

She looked down, her long, thick tresses hiding her expression. She hadn't seen a comb in days, and her hair was matted in places, fused together with mud and other debris. What had once been a pretty, white summer dress was now caked in filth. Dried mud clung to her body from her hair to her feet. But the dirt did nothing to hide her beauty.

"I didn't know where else to go.” Her deep blue eyes were wary, and Duff noted the beginnings of bags forming under them from too little sleep. “I needed a...friend, Duff. And you were the best friend a girl ever had."

Duff almost snorted. Best friend, huh? Is that why she'd left him three years ago, fleeing like a thief in the middle of the night? When he'd awakened to discover the woman he loved had bailed on him for another man, he'd thought he would never recover. He'd not heard a word from her since, though he'd kept abreast of local gossip that said she'd become a hired whore.

He'd laughed bitterly upon hearing that spicy bit of fluff. He'd always taken care of Lily when she lived with him, but perhaps she preferred her payment in cold, hard cash?

Yeah, right. They were the best of friends.

"Where are your shoes? And what happened to your feet?” Better to keep his mind on the present, Duff figured. He'd rather be cool than angry, but the way she looked at him—that same feisty, dirty look she'd always leveled on him—Duff wasn't sure how long he'd be able to contain himself. God, he loved hating her. But hating her had been a lot easier when seeing her hadn't been an option.

Lily stepped forward, but her legs immediately gave out, sending her reeling. He snapped into action, drawing her body against his wide chest, lifting her off her road-bitten feet. They gazed at each other, their eyes engaged in a silent conversation. She put her head on his shoulder, finally relaxing into the safety of his hold.

Grant snorted and stomped.

"Right back at ya, buddy,” Duff mumbled.

"He's been doing that all night,” Lily said, a yawn in her voice. “I don't think he likes me much."

Grant's just a good judge of character, Duff thought, carrying her out of the barn. Way better than me. On autopilot now, he carried her easily across the field, a little annoyed when her deep, even breaths proved her to be anything more than an inanimate object. Whenever he looked down, he was confronted by her full breasts straining under her thin dress.

Perhaps you'd best stop looking down, buddy.

Duff hated how she fit so snugly in his arms, perfectly comfortable, as if she had every right in the world to cling to him. Even worse was the way his own body betrayed him. His jeans were suddenly too tight as the beginnings of a mean erection demanded his attention.

"I've sure missed this,” she whispered, her warm breath caressing his ear. “It's just like old times, big guy."

"Yeah, Lily. Times I'd like to forget,” he snapped, his stiff prick making a liar of him.

"Hmm, someone's a little testy."

This time he ignored her. Conversations like these only ended one way: Lily flat on her back with his cock deep in her snatch. As tempting an idea as it was—just to shut her up, mind you, not for any other reason—he doubted Bo would appreciate his problem-solving skills.

Duff settled her weight into the crook of one arm and pushed the back door open. After wiping his feet on the mat, he carried her to one of their empty bedrooms, thankful Mrs. Calloway stopped in once a week to make the beds and do some light dusting. Otherwise Lily would have been sleeping on a bare mattress.

"You can catch some z's here. I'm sure you remember this room well. After you get up, maybe you'll be ready to talk."

"I'm ready to talk now, Duff,” she said, her eyelids heavy. She stretched out, and her round hips undulated across the bed. Duff bit his bottom lip at the sight.

Angered by his own weakness, he moved to leave, determined to put some distance between them. “Well, I'm not ready. Get some sleep."

Shutting the door on her devilish glare, Duff hesitated. How would he explain Lily to his partner?

The fragrant smell of bacon wafting through the house made his stomach growl. There would, no doubt, be homemade biscuits cooling with fresh, creamy butter dripping down the sides. Eggs were always on the menu. And perhaps today there would be lightly salted grits since they'd not had cereal in a while.

Bo did most of the cooking and seemed to do all he could to get Duff fat. But Duff wasn't falling for it, no matter how good the cooking got. He always worked off the extra calories, going at the chores double-time to fight the bloat.

Duff peeked inside the kitchen. Bo stood in front of the stove whisking up an omelet. Duff's belly tightened as he watched his partner. Bo's thick, prematurely graying hair looked tousled, spiking across his head in a wayward pattern. He'd outfitted his tall, lanky frame in his preferred attire: relaxed jeans, a black T-shirt, and slip-ons.

"Morning, handsome."

Bo didn't turn, but the slow blush creeping across his neck proved he'd heard the greeting.

Puzzled, Duff patted him lightly on his ass. “Excuse me, sir, perhaps you didn't hear—"

"Oh, I heard you all right.” Bo touched the omelet's edges with the spatula. “Hand me that plate, Duff. As usual, you're right on time."

Duff did as he was told. “You saw her, didn't you?"

"Yes. I looked out the window and saw you carrying her across the field. I'd planned on doing some transcribing after breakfast, but when I saw her, I decided to put on extra food. What happened to her? She all right?” He lifted the omelet from the pan and set it on the plate Duff gave him. “How did she get up here? Other than ours, I don't see any cars outside."

Duff stalled for time by removing his hat and setting it on top of the refrigerator. Pulling up a chair, he sat and waited for Bo to take the seat opposite him. When Bo finally did, Duff exhaled, stunned by the love coursing through him. It'd been this way since they'd first hooked up. Even having Lily there couldn't change that, regardless of how his body reacted.

"I don't know much about what happened to her or why she's here yet. All I know is she's dead tired and looks like she's been through the ringer. I put her in the green bedroom and told her we'd talk after she got some sleep."

Bo nodded thoughtfully while chewing on a piece of crispy bacon. “I knew who it was the moment I saw her. Lily, right?"

Duff nodded.

"Jeez, you said she was pretty, but—"

"I used to joke I was dating a movie star,” he mumbled, reaching for his coffee mug. “Even dirty as she is, she's the prettiest girl I ever met in my life. I can't believe she's still got all that glorious hair. I would have thought she'd cut it by now, the way she used to fuss about it."

"I can definitely see why you were so hung up on her—at least before you met me."

"And that hasn't changed,” Duff said. “You do know that, don't you?"

"Duff, if I thought I had anything to worry about, I would tell you. You know I don't hold my tongue. I'm just curious, is all. I wonder what brought her back here, and what she'll say when she discovers you're a changed man."

Duff threw back his head and laughed. “Changed? What you mean is gay, right?"

"I prefer incorrigible homosexualist, but gay will do."

"You and your made-up words. You think you're real clever, don't ya?"

Bo feigned surprise, his eyes growing round. “Don't you?"

"We both know you can be very clever when you put your mind to it."

"So...how do you feel about her being here? The way she left, well, things between you were never resolved, and even when I met you, you were still so angry."

"Can't say I've thought about it much.” His appetite suddenly gone, Duff stared at the congealing butter on his plate, wishing he could change the subject to anything else at all. After three years, Lily had come back into his life. Duff felt nothing but numb. Maybe the shock hadn't worn off yet.

After he'd seen how beaten up she looked, he didn't think about anything other than getting her safely inside. Now that some time had passed, though, the old bitterness was creeping in. He'd been cursed from the moment he'd met her—doomed by love, and later, consumed by hatred.

She'd probably never lost a bit of sleep over how she'd used him up and sucked him dry until a better opportunity had come along. Where was her fancy lover now? Had she ditched him too, or had he been the one to say adios?

He watched as Bo removed the plates from the table and loaded the dishwasher.

Bo Lawrence had saved him, coming into his life during a time when the last thing Duff had expected was to fall in love again. Falling for a man hadn't surprised him as much as discovering he remained capable of love.

But Bo had made it so easy.

Bo was a good-looking man, and his dark brown eyes were his best attribute by far. Duff often compared it to gazing into pools of hot milk chocolate. Of course, he also had a hankering for Bo's six-feet-two form, flat stomach, and plumpish yet somehow muscular ass. The shock of thick, graying hair on a man not yet thirty-five also gave him a thrill. Duff liked to pull that hair at night, and fortunately Bo wasn't tender-headed.

Duff went to him and swung out a hip, bumping his partner playfully. Bo smiled and handed him the utensils, which Duff dutifully fitted inside the dishwasher's slats. He enjoyed these moments the most. Their easy silences never hid underlying tension. They just got each other and had from the very beginning.

They had literally run into each other at the supermarket one afternoon when Duff had discovered his food supply dwindling. After he narrowly escaped Bo's rogue shopping cart, they got to talking, and before Duff knew it, he had a dinner date that turned out to be more date than dinner. He'd just instantly liked the clean-cut younger man with the quick banter and the sweet smile, and invited him over for burgers and beer.

Later that night when Bo had touched his knee, his strong hand moving up to unzip Duff's jeans, there had been no hesitation. The sex had been electric, and Duff wanted more. In the days following their first encounter, he'd struggled with doubt, battled with notions of who he was and how his life was supposed to be lived. But love won out. Within a month, he realized he'd found his ideal lover and companion. Bo moved in soon after.

Bo dried his hands, and Duff shifted behind him, winding his arms around Bo's hard midsection.

"What's that about?” Bo asked. “Not that I mind."

"It's about loving you so much it hurts sometimes. It's about leaving this kitchen and going off to our bedroom for something a little more satisfying than breakfast."

"Better than my omelet? What could we do in the bedroom that would taste better than my omelet? Did you taste the biscuits? Those were homemade, hot stuff."

Grinning, Duff took Bo's hand and steered him from the kitchen. Lily's sudden reappearance had thrown him for a loop, and the more he thought about it, the less he wanted to know her reasons for returning. His man had a way of taking his mind off anything that irked him, and Duff's wordless plea begged Bo to perform some of that magic again.

Once inside the bedroom, Duff remained standing as Bo sat on the edge of the bed.

Bo wrapped his arms around Duff's middle, pulling his lover closer. Duff sighed, sensual heat spreading through him as Bo's firm yet gentle touch melted away his ills. Bo's wet lips swept liquid flame over Duff's taut abdomen, teasing and tempting, building a fire below until his balls ached for release.

Moaning softly, Duff thrust his hips forward, raking his hands through Bo's hair. “You haven't even really touched me yet, but I'm damn near comin',” he rasped, his face contorting at Bo's tortuous licks across his hard stomach.

Bo responded by flicking his tongue along Duff's navel, spelling out his wicked intentions with fluid precision.

Duff let his hands fall to Bo's shoulders, heart racing as his lover unfastened his jeans and forced them down his hard, swaying hips. A lustful stare passed between them. Bo pulled down Duff's briefs, and both men's gazes drifted to the long, thick cock. Duff rocked slightly on the balls of his feet in his desire for contact.

"Touch me,” he growled. “I don't think I can wait much longer, Bo. Shit, I know I can't."

Bo's eyes twinkled in the dim light of the bedroom. “You're so greedy. You gotta have everything now."

"Just you,” Duff said.

Hot semen dribbled from the engorged tip, and Bo licked it away lovingly. “So good. So sweet."

"Oh God.” Duff groaned as Bo's lips enveloped him, sucking him inside his mouth. “Grab my balls. Squeeze ‘em. Squeeze ‘em the way I like."

Bo did as he was asked, and he soon covered Duff's mounting pleasure from top to bottom, stroking his lover's cock with one hand while clinching his balls in the other. Duff ached all over, the excitement rolling inside him, overtaking his senses. He was a rock. So hard, growing bigger each time he thrust inside Bo's soft, wet mouth.

"Oh, Bo.” Duff was swept up in pleasure, enveloped in the pulsing heat of his lover's mouth. He parted his lips in a guttural moan as Bo heightened his pleasure. He was lost in the sensation racing up his spine, arching his hips into exquisite torture. His chest tightened as the hunger inside him was fed, satiated, erupting like a steaming geyser, a climax of the body and the mind. “Oh, yeah, Bo..."

Duff could scarcely catch his breath as Bo slid his cock from between pursed lips and darted his tongue across the tip, licking him clean. The darkness he'd felt closing around him because of Lily's presence receded, replaced by the love shining in Bo's eyes. He shuddered as another wave of sensual torture spread through him.

Duff sighed when Bo placed a kiss on the pulsing head of his cock and released him.

"You really needed that. You feeling better?"

"It's definitely a start.” He reached for Bo's shirt. “Let's get you out of these clothes."

They undressed and climbed into bed. Duff buried his face in the hollow of Bo's neck, wallowing in his clean, masculine scent.

So many emotions surged up in these moments, but Duff was incapable of explaining himself. The love he felt for Bo lived in him every day, growing and changing but always present. It anchored him, providing safety and security through all of life's storms. Bo had always stood beside him, had been a tireless lover and friend during a coming-out process that had often put Duff at war with himself. Bo had remained steadfast in the face of Duff's denials and about the affection growing between them, weathering Duff's anger and confusion, loving him through the worst of it, and backing off when Duff had needed time alone with the uncertainty that haunted him.

How could Duff feel so good yet so horrible at the same time?

He lay in the arms of the man he loved, riddled with sudden doubts about his ability to be a good lover and friend—and not for the first time. Worse were the feelings he'd battled all morning since Lily's arrival, feelings he'd assumed to be long dead and buried. But those emotions had only slumbered, too easily awakened when she reappeared. He felt choked with bitterness and anger, on the verge of exploding with rage.

There had been a strange sense of relief too. Relief at seeing her again. Relief in knowing she was all right. Despite her faithlessness, Duff had never wanted any harm to come to her. None of that changed what she had done or how she had made him feel after she'd picked up and left. And though Bo's love had been a salve for much of Duff's pain, he realized the wound had not completely healed. It remained raw, itchy, and one hard tug would be all it took to rip open the scab.

Duff swallowed hard. He wasn't the best with words, but luckily for him, Bo was patient. “I love you, Bo,” he said thickly. “I know I don't always know how to go about it the right way, but I love you with all of me."

"I know it, so stop choking yourself up, okay? Now you don't have to say it again for another six months."

"But that's just it. I need to remember to say it every day. You need to hear it every day."

Bo wiggled around, his rock-hard erection poking Duff's abdomen. “You show me love every day, Duff. To me, that's better than an epic poetic soliloquy.” He ran a seductive hand across the head of Duff's cock, sending a jolt of pleasure through him.

Duff sniffed, fighting off impending tears. He placed a gentle hand on Bo's neck. “I want you. I want you to do it to me."

No more words passed between them.

Duff rolled onto his stomach, raising his thighs to ensure his engorged penis wasn't crushed. Setting his head and upper body on the soft pillows, he arched his back. He wanted to merge with his lover, to be devoured by him. Nothing more. He burned in anticipation. His pulse quickened at the familiar sound of Bo unsheathing a condom.

"Mmm.” The warm lube dribbling across Duff's exposed asshole drove him wild. He drew in a long breath to steady himself, then relaxed against the pillows.

He felt Bo kneel behind him and grab his hips. That one movement sent Duff's heart racing. Bo rubbed his cock across Duff's taint, then pushed in, his thrust slow and gentle. Duff groaned and swayed his hips, moving to meet him. Though his lover had only worked in the tip, Duff still felt swollen and full, each thrust sending a jolt through him, rocking him with involuntary spasms.

Moaning, Bo lunged forward hard, filling Duff completely, intensifying the sensations spiraling through him. Duff drew in a shocked breath. He succumbed to agonizing pleasure as Bo stretched him, deepening their connection. He closed his eyes, fighting for breath to scream, whimpering as Bo's hot cock seared him, sending molten pleasure through his system.

"Yes,” he hissed. “Fuck my ass. Fuck it good."

Bo obliged him, throwing his back into it. Duff spread his thighs greedily and worked his man, tightening his muscles across the length of him. He reveled in the feel of his lover, in the pleasure each raised vein and ridge brought against his nerve endings. Shuddering hard each time Bo slammed inside him, Duff moaned unashamedly, his balls drawing tight as Bo's plunging hips sent him into exquisite agony.

"Please,” he begged. “Just like that."

Bo's hands gripped his waist, forcing them closer, sending Duff into whimpering, breathless ecstasy. Sighing, Duff pressed his face into a pillow as sensual heat spread through his balls and glided upward, nesting inside his belly, threatening to make him explode.

And he did explode—over and over and over, Bo's name tumbling from his lips as he thrashed. Spent, he collapsed onto the wet spot beneath him and moaned upon Bo's release.

Lily watched through a crack in the door and finally understood the change in Duff.

She backed away from the scene, swallowing tightly. Seeing Duff with someone else, groaning in the arms of a man, was like a kick in her gut. It was an interesting development, to say the least, but she wasn't the type to allow a setback to undo her best-laid plans. She'd made a mistake, one she'd spend the rest of her life making up to Duff if he'd let her. If she had to form an alliance with the stud in order to reunite with the only man she'd ever loved, she would do so with gusto.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Two

Lily went outside to the porch and sat in the rocker, her tired bones and battered feet painful reminders of her journey home. But this place wasn't exactly her home any longer; her decision to leave had seen to that. She belonged to no one. Her parents had orphaned her long ago, and she'd spent the better part of her youth relying on the horniness of strangers.

Until Duff.

Sighing, she tried to stop her sneaky thoughts from returning to the scene in Duff's bedroom, but no matter how she tried, all she could see was Duff making love to another man.

At first, Lily wasn't sure if she'd hallucinated the whole thing—three days with little sleep could do that to a girl, after all. But the longer she'd lingered in the doorway—the raw aroma of the men's passions wafting out to her—she could no longer deny what she saw.

Did I drive him to it?

She grinned. Even she wasn't that conceited. No. Duff had a new love in his life, and it just happened that he loved a man. It was as simple as that because Duff was that simple. If he loved someone, he took care of them in every way he knew how. This time it appeared he'd found a handsome young man to dote on. Lucky boy.

She should leave. That would be the decent thing to do, after all. But when had she ever done the decent thing?

Lily racked her brain in search of an answer. Yeah. Screw doing the decent thing.

Those were the kinds of thoughts that kept getting her into trouble. Given two choices, she'd always choose the worst, most harmful one. She loved Duff, but instead of making a life with him, she'd run off. What gave her the right to return now, pushing her way into his life when he'd so clearly found happiness?

She had no right. Even the love she'd never been able to outrun didn't give her the right to intrude and, perhaps, hurt Duff all over again.

She'd never given anything to Duff except heartache, and the way things were going, she knew she could be setting the men up for far worse if the bastard she'd run away from came looking for her. But where would she go? Who, other than the softhearted Duff McKay, would take her in?

Heavy work boots sounded, alerting Lily that she was no longer alone. When Duff came through the door, her pulse jumped in spite of what she'd witnessed ten minutes earlier. His lover followed close behind.

"Lily Dumont, this is Bo Lawrence. He's my...partner. He lives here."

She smiled, hopping up on her sore feet to shake hands. “Good to meet you."

The men stood awkwardly as if they were waiting for something. But Lily's surprise had dwindled, and it pleased her to see them so puzzled at her acceptance of their status.

Finally, Bo ended the silence. “You hungry, sweetheart? Pardon me for saying this, but you're looking kinda lean—like it's been a while since you had a good meal."

"I'm hungry enough to eat both of you. Last meal I had was yesterday, as I've been trying to hold on to the last of my money."

Duff shifted uncomfortably. “How'd you get out here, anyway? Where's your car? Hell, woman, where are your shoes?"

"My car broke down about two miles south of here.” Her gaze drifted to her feet. “I walked the rest of the way in my bare feet because that was the way I escaped."

"Escaped? Now, that sounds like the beginning of an interesting story, one I'd like to hear.” Bo grinned. “You come on back in, and we'll fill you up. Afterward, if you wouldn't mind, we'd like to hear all about it. Is that fair?” He took her hand.

"Lead the way. I hope you have lots of food, because the way my stomach's talking, it means to empty your pantry."

"Duff, will you look in the medicine cabinet and get something for Lily's feet?"

They went inside, leaving Duff to contemplate what he'd just seen. He'd forgotten how easygoing Lily could be, her charm effervescing over whomever she met. But she could also be conniving and cruel.

Still, he needed to know exactly what had brought her back here. And how she planned to explain the way she'd left.

Bo squeezed Lily's hand and led her to the bathroom. “Get freshened up, hon. I already laid out some clothes for you to change into. Unfortunately, the only clothes I think won't be overlarge are the sweats and tees. Oh, and there are a couple pair of those holiday slippers that look like ballet shoes for you to wear. Leave your dress in the bathroom hamper. I'll wash it and have it back to you in a few hours."

"Thank you,” she whispered. “I know I look a wreck."

"It's nothing soap, water, and a good meal can't fix, Lily."

Before heading into the kitchen to heat up something for their guest, Bo stopped in the bedroom and sat at the bed's edge. His heavy heart bothered him. Ordinarily he wasn't an insecure sort, yet the brief interaction he'd witnessed between Duff and Lily tugged at him.

There was a raw energy there, and he couldn't ignore it. Knowing how much Duff loved and cared for him could not remove the dull ache spreading inside him. Lily had broken Duff's heart, but she still kept a part of it with her.

Absently Bo ran his hands over the bed he and Duff shared, recalling all that had gone on in this space—hot love, deep talks, promises made. While he felt their bond to be unbreakable, he could not deny the effects of an old flame. Especially the one that got away. Love was funny that way, tying people together even when they were apart.

Despite his misgivings, Bo couldn't bring himself to be jealous of Lily. She was stunning even at her lowest point, and he'd seen hints of charm and good humor. But from the little he'd been able to glean from Duff, she'd had a hard life from the very beginning, and many of her choices had been those of necessity.

Had it been necessary for her to leave Duff, nearly driving him to suicide in the process? Or had it just been another in a long line of Lily Dumont's bad choices?

"Fried apples, Bo? You're making her fried apples? Why didn't you make any for my breakfast?” Duff grumbled, a smile twisting his lips. “You know I love ‘em. You seem to only make them on special occasions."

"And this is a special occasion.” Bo dumped the apple peelings into the trash can. Opening the refrigerator, he removed the butter tray, setting it beside the cinnamon and the sugar canister. “Besides, it'll only take a few minutes. Everything else can be warmed up pretty quickly. I just want to make sure Lily enjoys her meal."

"She's a woman, Bo, and not a very large one, or hadn't you noticed?"

"The little woman you're referring to told me herself that she has a large appetite."

Lily materialized in the kitchen doorway, catching Duff off guard. She looked freshly scrubbed, like a college girl on her way to class. Her golden red hair cascaded around her shoulders in heavy waves, something he knew annoyed her. Without styling implements to straighten out her tresses, Lily's hair could be unruly. To Duff, it was beautiful. There had been a time not so long ago when he couldn't keep his hands out of her hair.

"Something sure smells good.” She eyed them instead of the food.

"Sit down and I'll fix your plate. Apples will be ready in a couple of minutes.” Bo turned away from her, bending slightly to gauge the progress of the bacon and biscuits warming in the toaster oven. “You do like fried apples, don't you?"

"You kidding? I'm from North Carolina,” she said, as if that were explanation enough. “I mean, I moved away when I was six, but one of the things I remember most about my time there was the fried apples so many of the women seemed to prepare for breakfast."

Duff leaned back in his chair, amused as Bo set about making their guest comfortable.

After finishing the apples and spooning them out, Bo added bacon, biscuits, and sausage and then set the plate before Lily. “What do you want to drink? Coffee? Orange juice? Some milk, maybe?"

Lily, who had never been shy about asking for what she wanted, nodded. “I'd like all three, if you don't mind."

"Don't mind at all."

With her order filled, Lily ate with gusto. As she did, her gaze trailed the length of Duff's body, infuriating him even while Bo pretended not to notice.

Figuring he'd been a gracious host long enough, Duff launched into his questions. “What are you doing here, Lily? Who are you running from? What made you think you could stay here?” He grinned wickedly when she coughed up a little of her milk.

"Duff,” Bo mumbled, reaching across the table to touch his lover's hand. “At least allow her to finish her food."

"No, no. I'll answer.” Lily wiped her mouth and glared at Duff. “You're still sore at me, Duff, and I can't say I'm surprised—"

"Why would my feelings have anything to do with why you've come back?” he retorted. “You never cared before. You have to be the most selfish person I've ever met, and I don't expect that'll change, especially at your advanced age."

Bo gasped.

Lily set down her fork. “I guess I deserve that, though I had no idea thirty-seven is considered old these days."

"It is for a woman in your profession,” Duff said. “You're a little long in the tooth to be selling your wares, Lily. I don't care how well those wares appear to be holding up."

"You're thirty-seven?” Bo asked. “Really? You look like maybe—maybe twenty-eight. You're older than me?"

"I've always looked younger—"

"And she's used it to her advantage. Haven't you, Lily?"

"That's right, Duff. I've used that and anything else I could to survive, and you know it!” She slammed her fist on the table and leaned in close until they were eye to eye. “But it was never that way with you."

"At least you didn't come right out and charge me. I almost wish you had, sweetheart. Maybe it wouldn't have stung so much if I'd treated you like the whore you are."

"Duff!” Bo thundered. “That's enough!"

"I think he's just getting started, Bo,” Lily murmured, turning a sad smile on him. “And I'm not going to sit here and pretend I don't deserve it. This conversation was a long time in coming, I guess."

"You're damn right. You're damn fucking right!” Duff yelled. “But you know what? I don't need to know it—whatever it is. You'll never change. You'll always be a broke-down vagabond with no home of your own and no respect for yourself. Other than that tight body of yours, you're worthless. And that'll go too. What will you do when that happens, Lily? When you can no longer find stupid, lonely men to take you in, what will you do?"

Duff half expected Lily to storm out of the kitchen after that blazing insult; Bo certainly would have. That or smack him across his face.

She merely squared her shoulders and leveled him with a look so sexy it was obscene. “Everything you said is true, and I know saying it made you feel better. But will you stop insulting me long enough to admit there was something good between us once? Something real?"

Duff ran a hand over his buzz-cut head and averted his eyes. He felt nauseated, his stomach battling to hold on to that morning's breakfast. “I'll admit I was a fool to ever think you could change. That I'll admit. But I'm not gonna allow you to keep changing the subject, woman. What's got you so jumpy that you had to crawl back here with your tail tucked between your legs?"

Lily's voice dipped to a whisper. “It was Shane Doherty, but you already knew that. We had some trouble—hell, the whole relationship was trouble. After he started beating me, I knew I had to get away or be killed."

Duff laughed, a long, deep belly laugh not without humor. Well, of course it was Shane Doherty! Who else would it have been? Lily had run off with that drunken loser, and the whole town knew it. “I wish I could say I'm surprised, hon, but I can't."

"Nor am I. I knew who I was dealing with when I left with him."

"And you still went. Why?"

Duff enjoyed watching her squirm. First she looked at Bo, who had clammed up during the proceedings. Eventually her gaze flittered down to her trembling hands, but she remained mute.

Duff reached over and gripped her wrist. “Answer me. Why did you run off with him?"

She exhaled a long, hard breath. “Because I wasn't good enough for you, Duff. Isn't that what you want to hear? Never have been, never will be!” Her eyes glittered with tears. “What's a woman like me to do with a good man, huh? I couldn't stand it, I guess, you being so kind and thoughtful and patient. You...loved me, and I wasn't used to that. But I was used to men like Shane. I know it doesn't make any sense, but I couldn't go on with you, the way you looked at me like—like I was something special."

Duff couldn't bring himself to look at her. He stared across the table at Bo's pallid face, keeping Lily in his periphery.

He hated knowing Doherty had abused her, and for a second, he wouldn't have minded choking the life out of—Who was he kidding? That was bitterness talking. There was no way in hell he'd ever have laid a finger on her no matter how badly she'd behaved. Even thinking about what she'd gone through boiled his blood, despite their rocky history.

He just didn't understand why it still hurt so badly. He'd started a new life with Bo, and he was damned happy. But she still had the ability to make him crazy.

That realization was enough to make Duff uneasy. He was still weak for this woman, and that could spell problems for him and his happy home if he didn't act quickly. The last time he'd allowed her into his life, she'd nearly destroyed him, and as horrible as that had been, he had way too much to lose now.

"I'll call Tim Watson to tow your vehicle. Maybe he and his son can fix it, get it started for you. I'll pay for it. But after that's taken care of, Lily, I want you gone—out of our lives for good, all right?"

She wiped her eyes.

Bo stared at the floor.

"Thank you, both of you,” she whispered. “I appreciate it."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Three

After retreating to the guest bedroom, Lily reclined on the firm bed and gazed up at the ceiling. She'd once slept in this very room after leaving a bar with Duff the night she met him. She'd sized him up from across the room and watched him sip his beer while trying not to stare at her too much. Lily knew she'd go home with him that evening, but instead of a direct come-on, she'd played the only other card she had in her deck.

Pity was her ace of spades.

She'd never had a problem starting a conversation with the good ole boys she ran across. Duff McKay had been no different, at least in that regard.

After a few minutes of polite chitchat, she claimed the empty stool beside him. “I been staying at the motel a few doors down."

"Why would you be staying there?” He arched his brow. “That fleabag isn't—Well, it's just not the sort of place I'd imagine you being comfortable."

"It's not so bad, especially when you have nowhere else to go,” she answered honestly. “When you've traveled as much as I have, most any warm bed will do. Except it gets expensive after a while. I haven't found a job yet, and I don't know how long I'll be able to make it."

"Hmm.” He ran a callused finger along the lip of his bottle. “You're alone? Where's your family?"

She bristled, withdrawing a little. She disliked talking about her background, but her isolation was usually what made men pity her. She roped them with her beauty and reeled them in with her tale of woe. The more she backed off, the more they pressed.

He was obviously interested.

"Look, I'm sorry if I—"

"Nonsense, it's just that I really am alone in the world, and whenever I think about that, it makes life that much harder.” Chugging from her own bottle, Lily almost laughed at his expression. A mixture of pity and interest settled over him, his jaw clenching the longer they talked. “My parents died a long time ago, and I went to live with my aunt and uncle. Then when I was sixteen, my uncle died and my aunt ran me off. I haven't seen her in years, and I don't much want to."

Duff set down his bottle, a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. “If you want, I mean, if you'd like to, you can always stay with me until you get on your feet."

Lily exhaled a long, hard breath, her heart ricocheting inside her chest. Who was she to turn down a handsome man and a warm bed? She liked the way he looked at her, like she was a real person instead of a late-night trick. He seemed genuinely interested in her story, concerned about her plight, and she couldn't remember the last time that had happened.

When's the last time I picked up a nice guy?

She couldn't recall offhand, and the longer she chatted up the good old boy with the dusty boots and clean fingernails, she realized she didn't much care.

She decided to allow herself a night off. Tonight wouldn't be about business. Just pleasure.

After a few moments of pretending she couldn't accept his kind offer, she left the bar with him. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to his white farmhouse. She was surprised when he led her to a room that clearly wasn't the one he slept in each night.

Two nights later, Lily crept inside Duff's bedroom and slid under the sheets beside him, enveloping him with frenzied heat. She'd assumed he'd be grateful to have her warm body beside him, but the joke was on her. She screamed herself hoarse all night long—begging, pleading for just a little bit more.

What was supposed to last a few weeks became a two-year affair, until Lily left without so much as a good-bye.

At the time of her departure, she'd thought she was doing the right thing. Falling in love wasn't something she felt equipped to handle; it would only slow her down and make her soft.

Yet by the time she'd walked away from Duff, it was already too late. She had cursed herself for hurting him, then chastised herself for caring at all.

A tap on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She propped three pillows against the headboard and leaned on them, steeling herself for another argument. “Come in."

Bo ducked his head inside. “You okay?"

"I'm getting there.” She gestured for him to sit. “Where's Duff?"

"He and Rock are circling the woods, I imagine."

"Rock?"

Bo grinned. “One of the horses you bunked with last night. Rock's the chestnut stud in stall two."

She nodded, not unfamiliar with Duff's habit of riding to let off steam. Except when she'd last stayed there, just one horse had resided in the barn.

"What happened to Valentino?"

"He developed bone cancer not long after I moved in. It really devastated Duff.” Bo paused, his gaze darkening. “Looks like he could be headed for another fall, Lily, except this time, I'll be here to pick up the pieces."

She looked away to escape the directness of his stare. “I get it. I'm the villain of this piece, and it's not undeserved—"

"I'm not here to shame you.” He reached out, caressing her knee until she looked at him. “But you have to admit you've put us in an uncomfortable position."

"I'm sorry for that. And as soon as my car's fixed, I'll be on my way. It'll be like I was never here."

"I doubt that. You were still here for a long time after I moved into this house—if you were ever really gone. And now you show back up on a lark, without so much as an apology to Duff—"

"Like he wants to hear anything I have to say, Bo? You saw how he was. He hates me!” She pushed his hand away. “Do you know what it took for me to come here?"

"A tank of gas? From what Duff got from rumblings around town, you weren't that far away, right? Somewhere on the Texas-Oklahoma border. So stop pretending you underwent some great sojourn to return home, sweetheart. I'm not buying it."

"Well played.” She drew her knees up to her chest. “So I guess this means you think you have my number."

"All it means, Lily, is I won't be playing any of your games. The best way to get my help is to be direct, as I don't like underhanded tactics. You're a pretty woman, but your beauty hasn't taken you far, and it won't unless you learn to give as much as you take."

He stood and went to the door. “You going to be okay?"

"I think so. Thanks."

Bo smiled tightly. “If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, all right?” He pulled open the door and left her alone.

Lily considered his words, especially the ones about giving.

But what did a woman like her have to give other than the obvious? Could she muster the courage to give the only thing she'd never dared offer another human being? Did she even know how?

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Four

Lily crept downstairs to the cellar, stumbling through the darkness. She pressed her battered body against the wall, not daring to flip the light switch.

"Lily? You hiding from me again, woman? Don't make me come looking for you."

The cellar door opened, and Shane's form was outlined in the doorway. He lurched forward, gripping the railing tightly as he descended the stairs.

"You down here, bitch?"

She slumped against the wall and wished with all her might that she could simply disappear. She wished for safety. Most of all, she wished she'd been strong enough to stay with Duff.

The roar of a thunderclap catapulted Lily from her dream and out of bed. She gritted her teeth in terror as a streak of lightning illuminated the night sky, and bolted from the room, sprinting to the other side of the farmhouse as if the devil himself were at her sore heels. Thunder had always filled her with dread. Dreaming of Shane worsened the fear creeping through her. There was no way she would sleep through the night.

Just as she prepared herself to knock on their door, it swung open. She launched herself into Bo's arms.

"Shhh. Hush now,” he mumbled, his eyes still half closed. “I heard you running up here. What's got you so worked up?"

"I'd guess the thunder.” Duff leaned against the headboard with a book in his lap. “Am I right, Lily?"

Her teeth chattered so hard she could only manage a nod. Grasping Bo's hand, she allowed him to lead her to their king-size bed and didn't hesitate when he offered her a spot in the center.

Duff grunted. “Is this really necessary?"

Lily tried to summon a retort, but all she managed to do was cry. The tears spilled quickly, her violent sobs surprising her even more than the men.

Duff's expression softened along with his tone. “I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Just forget what I said. There's plenty of room, Lily."

"No.” She shook her head and used the bottom of her T-shirt to wipe away the tears. “It wasn't what you said, exactly. I'm just so nervous. On edge. The storm made it worse, I guess.” She didn't mention her nightmare, even though it had shaken her even more than the storm had.

Bo climbed in bed and pulled the sheet until it covered Lily's chin. “That better?"

She laughed despite her fears. “You're tucking me in?"

"Just making sure you're comfortable. Are you okay enough for me to shut off the lights?"

"Duff was reading. I don't want to disturb him."

"Well, since you're talking about me like I'm not here, I'll tell Bo to tell you I was just about done."

She reclined on her left side, facing away from Duff. It wasn't a tight squeeze, so she lifted her knees a little, assuming her normal sleeping position. After a few minutes, Bo's deep, steady breaths signaled he'd fallen asleep. Duff slept like a rock and made no sound. Heavy rain still pelted the house, but the rolling thunder soon abated.

Lily closed her eyes and yearned for a dreamless sleep. Her nerves were on edge, and even the comfort of a cushy bed didn't always get the job done. She'd have to keep her tossing and turning to a minimum or risk being sent back to the lonely bedroom down the hall.

Just when she was getting comfortable, she suddenly could not catch her breath.

Her eyes flew open, but she felt paralyzed. Sputtering and groggy, she tried to identify the reason breathing had become difficult. Seconds passed, a slow panic creeping through her, crouching inside her belly. Just when she'd made up her mind to scream, Duff shifted, pulling her body against him, his powerful arms enfolding her.

Oh.

Her first thought was to move away. If she could simply lift his arm and roll over, she'd no longer be crushed beneath his powerful body. Yet each of her movements seemed to tighten his hold. She lay helpless in his iron grip.

"Duff,” she whispered. “Honey, you need to move over."

"Who—what?” he muttered, his eyelids fluttering. “No. Go back to sleep."

"I can't with you crushing me.” She pushed against his arm.

He mumbled something Lily didn't understand and finally repositioned his arm, only to lift it higher. His long fingers tangled in her hair, and she gasped, recalling the way he'd always played with her hair when they made love.

Must be dreaming.

"Duff?"

"Shh.” He leaned forward, claiming her lips.

She froze. His hands seemed to be everywhere, roaming her body with abandon as he deepened his kiss. He felt like hot granite against her soft flesh. For a moment she lost herself in how wonderful it felt to have him touching her again. Every move he made was sweet torture, but if she didn't stop him soon, there would be no going back.

He settled his weight on her, his thick cock rubbing at her thighs. Lily shook her head in an attempt to free herself from the kiss. “Duff, stop it. Please. What you're doing... You'll wake Bo if you don't stop."

"I'm already awake.” Bo flipped over to face them. “I have been for a while now."

"Oh, shit.” Duff shook his head. “Oh, God. What have I done? I thought—” He stopped short, and a strangled groan escaped him. “I was dreaming; at least I thought I was. No wonder it seemed so real."

"Don't stop,” Bo whispered. “Unless Lily wants you to.” He touched her breast, caressing until her nipple puckered and ached to be sucked. “I've been wanting to do that."

Breathless, Lily looked between the two men, straining to see expressions partially illuminated by the hall light. They were playing her, right? Could they really be this cruel? She almost laughed aloud.

Duff's large hands at her crotch told her he was deadly serious. He ripped away her panties, tossing them aside. He sat up and leaned over her, his breath warm on her lips. She trembled a little at the sight of his neck, the pulse there beating hard and fast.

"Do you want me to keep going?” His finger circled her clit, spreading her cream across her already dripping sex. “Do you want me to stop, Lily?"

She turned to see Bo's reaction. His lush lips were parted in expectation. He bent his head, sucking her nipple through the thin material of her shirt.

"Oh, God,” she moaned. “Yes. Yes, I want you."

Duff traced his fingers across her pussy and stroked her clit.

Bo grunted, leaning up on an elbow. Lily gasped as he ripped off her T-shirt, laying her bare. “Dear Lord. You're beautiful from top to bottom."

Lily had never experienced a shy day in her life, but tonight she felt uncertain. It all seemed too much, too awkward, too good. “Is this...all right?” She was overwhelmed.

Duff's gaze softened. “It's more than all right with me. I think I can speak for Bo and say it's damn fine for him too."

"I can't think of anything righter.” Bo flicked his tongue across her swollen nipple. “But first we'll need party favors.” He pulled something from his nightstand, and Lily heard the unmistakable sound of a package being torn open.

Bo climbed to his knees and stroked his partner's chest, caressing down his abdomen. Placing a hand over Duff's cock, he rolled the sheath over the head, inching down until it covered him.

"There,” Bo said, his voice oddly soothing. He palmed her breast, hefting its weight, rolling the nipple slowly between his fingers. “Tell him what you want, honey. Say it loud and proud, and no fair being coy. Tell him."

His words sparked a fever in her. She wanted so badly to please him—to please both of them. “I want him inside me."

"And once he's inside, Lily, what do you want him to do?"

"I want him to fuck me."

"And what will you do while he's fucking you?"

She swallowed hard. “I'll...I'll be fucking right back,” she moaned. “I'll fuck him. We'll fuck each other."

Bo's smile was triumphant. “That's exactly what I wanted to hear.” He kissed her, and it was sweet and passionate, sending her desire into overdrive.

Duff moved between her legs, lifted her thigh, and rested it on his forearm. “Someone's...eager."

Trembling in her anticipation, she lifted her other thigh. “Oh, you don't know the half of it. I haven't been laid well in years, and I crave you so much I dream of it.” She wrapped her legs around him, mewling as he pressed his cock to her aching clit. Wanton in her arousal, she thrust her hips out and wiggled beneath him, teasing him until he groaned.

"Stop that. Maybe I'm not ready yet."

"Oh, you're more than ready.” Bo reached out and encircled Duff's cock. “Any more ready and your nuts will explode."

"Please.” Lily dug her feet into his sides, urging him closer.

She was no longer thinking clearly. She wanted. She needed. She ached. But that was all. Nothing else mattered except this moment.

Their gazes connected, and Duff pressed forward, thrusting hard, one, two, three times. Her eyes closed as the pressure built inside her, already threatening to explode. He buried his cock to the hilt. He throbbed inside her, touching every hot, wet part of her until her breath caught and she shuddered beneath him.

"Fuck,” he moaned, finally moving again, this time with slow and deliberate strokes, filling her until her juices completely covered him. He lifted her legs higher, lunging forward until his balls smacked her ass.

She sucked in a breath and lifted into the brutality of Duff's thrusts, opening herself to his savage assault. Pleasure-pain erupted from his hard, plunging hips, battering her as she succumbed to the exquisite feeling.

Yes. This was what she wanted. For him to hurt her. For him to get the last of his rage out of his system.

He lunged forward, burying his face in her neck. She could feel his ragged breaths, his accelerating heartbeat against her. He sank his teeth into her, drawing an agonized sigh.

Tears of joy streamed down her face as she matched him stroke for stroke, giving as good as she got. Swept up in sensation, she gave in to the agonizing pleasure. Bo pressed his lips to hers, and she moaned into his mouth, sucking his sweet tongue. He moved to her neck, searing her with hot kisses.

Lily smiled so hard her face hurt, and she didn't much care how goofy she looked. Duff pulled out with a groan and crouched over her, his breath coming in shaky bursts. He remained rock hard, and his expression was unreadable.

Bo leaned over her stomach, flicking his tongue across her clit as he slid Duff's condom off. One touch from Bo was all it took to send Duff into orgasm, and his hot cream flowed all over her quivering belly and thighs.

As he tended to his lover, Bo's erection touched her thigh. Lily instinctively reached down and took him in hand, jerking him.

"Whoa,” he moaned, surprised. “Just like that, Lily."

She worked down to his balls, which she cupped in her palm before moving back to his shaft. Had she been able to move, she would have put more elbow grease into it. Bo arched across her body, worshipping Duff's cock.

It seemed all too surreal—all too pleasurable and passionate and intense.

Bo bent toward her open flesh again, his first licks tentative until he established a rhythm that made her body hum.

"Go slow,” Duff instructed quietly, caressing Bo's back. “She likes it slow."

Yes. Slow. It thrilled her that Duff remembered what she liked. He lent his expertise to his willing and able pupil, who ate her with zealous attention. Bo kissed and suckled her clit, laving sensual flame through her until she fought for breath to scream. It felt so good, so right. As if on instinct, he built her pleasure until it spiraled through her system.

By the time she felt Bo's cum dribbling on her fingertips, she was again lost in her own screaming orgasm.

Bo ran his tongue across her trembling sex. He continued moving up her belly, her breasts, searing her quivering flesh with kisses that soothed and sated. His last kiss claimed her lips. It was tender, gratifying.

She swallowed hard when Duff lay beside her and positioned an arm across her waist.

Lily lay between them—relaxed and satisfied inside their arms, trapped between them. The storm had long ago died down, but she still couldn't sleep. While not unduly concerned about enjoying both men, she knew there would be repercussions.

But which of them would suffer the most?

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Five

Bo leaned over Duff and watched him feign sleep. As much as last night had surprised him, he'd pretty much guessed Duff's reaction even before they'd fallen asleep. Denial. Avoidance. And a side of “it doesn't matter” was definitely on the menu.

But what had happened did matter, though he knew trying to talk to Duff about it would not be easy.

Bo had awakened in the grandest of moods, ready to take on the world. He'd settle for taking on his hot lover and the pretty redhead staying with them, of course. But if the world had beckoned that morning, he thought he might have the stamina to do his part.

He wanted to talk about this. But that wouldn't happen until Duff was ready.

What an unexpected experience, he mused.

And unexpected pleasure.

Relief flowed through Duff when Bo left the bedroom for his morning shower. He'd felt his partner's eyes on him, had heard the questions that went unasked, but until he could sort out his feelings, Duff would keep them to himself.

Not that talking would make anything better or change what had happened. Why people always insisted on talking about the past was lost on him, and he'd just as soon not develop another bad habit. While he indulged in an occasional beer or shot of bourbon, he'd given up cigars around the same time he'd dropped another unnecessary vice. More accurately, the vice—in the form of Lily Dumont—had dropped him. Hard.

"Even a dog doesn't return to its own vomit,” his grandmother's sweet voice reminded him.

And neither would he.

While Hillary and the horses wandered the pasture, Lily scooped and measured oats. She filled the trough, barely sidestepping Grant, who trotted up and nickered at her, exposing his teeth in an equine grin.

"Oh, so you can be friendly?” She playfully slapped his flank. Grant preened.

She'd had to get out of the house that morning before facing either Duff or Bo. She was consumed by what had happened, unable to take a step without feeling a deep ache at her core. Every breath reminded her of being enveloped by them, surrounded and smothered by hard bodies and hot skin.

She'd returned for Duff but had gotten more in the bargain than she had anticipated—something unexpected, passionate, and sweet. Bo's tender kisses had been a revelation, and she'd luxuriated in the kind of affection she'd not experienced in some years.

And Duff. Being with him again was as it had been in the past—incredible pleasure mixed with pain, intense connection matched by rough play. He'd used his anger as he fucked her, burying his rage deep inside her willing body until she'd begged for release. But he had not let her go, would not, until she'd lost total control, trembling as much from her bittersweet tears as the orgasm he pulled from her.

But sex, no matter how spectacular, wasn't the same as Duff's love. She'd run away from his love when it was hers to lose, and her loss was now Bo's gain.

Sighing, Lily leaned on the fence and wondered if it was still early enough to sneak back inside without running into anyone.

Duff's determined footsteps crunched the grass behind her.

"I can't believe you took care of all this.” His tone was a mixture of admiration and incredulity. “How long you been awake? You got all the animals out and fed ‘em already?"

Lily nodded, relieved Duff hadn't come outside to criticize. “I've seen you do it a million times. Of course, when I last stayed here, there were fewer bodies, but the general idea is the same.” She quickly averted her gaze, not wanting him to notice the heat spreading across her cheeks.

"You did a fine job, Lily. Really. Thank you."

"It was no problem. I appreciate what you're doing, getting your friend to get my car running and all. It's truly the least I could do."

Duff looked about to say something before he pulled back, retreating inside himself as was his habit. His dark eyes held a question—one Lily knew he'd never ask.

Best to keep things light, she decided. “Is Bo up yet?"

"Yes. He has a little work to finish, so it looks like you and I will be dining on frozen waffles this morning."

She groaned. Neither she nor Duff could cook worth a damn, so she supposed they'd take what they could get. “Who am I to argue?"

Once inside the kitchen, she went to work, opening the freezer to retrieve the waffles, pulling syrup from the cabinet. Duff worked beside her, scooping coffee and frying bacon. Breakfast was ready in record time, probably because neither spoke during preparation. Not one word had passed between them since their return to the house, and Lily couldn't tell if she should be worried or glad.

Duff ate silently, barely seeming to chew anything he swallowed. The few times he looked up from his plate were unsettling since his normally expressive eyes were cold and blank.

I'm supposed to play along like last night didn't happen. But Duff knows me better than that.

How could he fuck her all night long and then turn around and pull this? When he dared look at her, it was as if he was looking at trash. But he was working under an old assumption. Her days of being used and tossed aside were behind her, and she definitely wouldn't take any more shit from a man she cared for this deeply.

She stood and undressed without preamble, tossing her sweats to the kitchen floor. Duff's expression remained cool, but Lily's experienced eye told her he boiled inside.

"Don't do that.” He set down his fork. “Don't make a fool of yourself, Lily."

"The only fool is you if you're gonna sit there pretending you don't want to throw me across the kitchen table and fuck me.” Lily went to him, posing, twirling. She almost giggled when proof she'd won the battle became evident, tenting Duff's jeans.

His face burned crimson as he rammed his shaking hands in his lap. “Stop being silly."

"Who's the one being silly? I'm trying to talk to you, goddamn it, and the only time I know you see me is when I'm naked!"

He snorted but warily studied every inch of her.

"I came back for you. I came back to make it all right again.” She reached out to stroke his chin, hesitating when he didn't pull away. “I am so sorry. That's all I can say, and I know it's not enough. But if you let me back in your life—"

"You can't come back into my life!” he roared, smacking away her hand. “I love Bo. Can you understand that? He's nothing like you, Lily, and it has nothing to do with him being a man, either. He's good and honest and dependable. You've never been any of those things a day in your life. How am I to believe you can change now?"

"But I can! I'm ready to do that for you. You once believed in me, Duff. Let me prove to you that I'm worth it."

"It's too late."

She dangled on a thread so thin one hard breath would send her into oblivion. But she couldn't—wouldn't—fall. She went to him, positioning her body until he was forced to look at her. Then she lowered herself onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Duff's thumping pulse was visible at his shirt collar.

Lily pulled his hand to her pussy, daring him to touch deeper. Their gazes locked. Duff jerked away his hand, rubbing her nectar between his fingertips.

"I can't, Lily. I just can't. I know what happened last night was...” He shook his head as if shaking off a nightmare. “But I just can't cheat on Bo.” He stood, momentarily embracing her before gently setting her on the floor. “Get dressed. Bo needs to make a run into town in a little while, and he wants to get you some clothes."

He turned his back and with slumping shoulders ambled out of the kitchen, leaving her alone to dress.

Bo popped the trunk and placed their purchases inside. “You hungry?” He gestured at the fast-food restaurant several doors down. “I could use a burger."

"I think that's an excellent plan.” Lily gazed at her feet, unable to stop staring at her new running shoes. “Thanks so much for these, Bo."

They walked across the parking lot, avoiding the coasting cars and nodding at fellow shoppers. Bo held the door open for Lily. Inside, the lines moved briskly, and their orders were ready minutes later.

At their table, Lily thanked him for the third time, causing Bo to scowl.

"Don't say it again,” he said. “It's really no big deal. You needed a good pair of shoes, and I was glad to do it."

"But a hundred twenty dollars worth? Those fifteen-dollar kicks would have been more than enough. And the clothes... Fifty-five dollars for jeans?” She'd liked them so much that after Bo paid for them, she'd ducked inside the changing room and pulled them on.

"The jeans look amazing on you, so the money was definitely worth it. As for those cheap shoes, they would have worn out in a week. Besides, my life's pretty cushy. I have a little money saved up, I work from home, and Duff's benefits ain't exactly peanuts.” He swiped an onion ring from her tray. “These have absolutely no flavor."

"I know.” She wrinkled her nose. “The batter needs seasoning."

"Speaking of seasoning,” Bo said, his face breaking into a huge grin, “and let's be clear—this is a really bad segue—I thought last night was pretty...spicy."

"It's all I can think about. Duff, on the other hand, wants to pretend it never happened."

"I know. He won't even look me in the eye. It's like he felt he'd cheated on me or something."

She sighed and reached for her strawberry shake. “He does. In fact, I think he hates me more now than he did before. When I first came back, I was simply the whore who'd left him. Now I'm the whore who fucked his boyfriend."

Bo's expression darkened. “About that. You could have been almost anything, Lily. Beauty aside, you're no dummy, so I don't understand how you wound up—"

"An old whore?"

Bo looked at his plate.

"I was more of a professional girlfriend, but I get the idea."

"There's nothing old about you. Seriously, did you happen to take a look around the mall? I didn't see one woman who could hold a candle to you. Not one."

Lily shrugged. Being born pretty wasn't much of an accomplishment. She'd done nothing to work for it; she certainly hadn't deserved it. Beauty had always been part of her packaging, and if she was being honest, it probably hurt more than it helped.

"I'll bet every one of those women you saw has at least one person in their lives who loves them. Someone who depends on them. That's pretty to me, Bo, especially now that I'm beginning to see lines and creases I've never seen before. My youth was wasted on being pretty, and when I'm old, I'll have absolutely nothing to show for it. So fuck pretty."

He folded her hand inside his own. “You think that's the only reason people like you?"

"I know it. I'm not exactly a good person, am I? Good people don't do the things I've done. If I looked on the outside the way I feel inside, I'd never get close enough to anybody to hurt them. They'd see me coming.” She bit her bottom lip, anything to stave off the unexpected tears she felt swimming to the surface. “The only good thing I ever did was making sure I never got pregnant. Surprised, huh? I'm vigilant about that because I don't know if I could go through with an abortion, but I also know that no kid deserves to have me for a mother."

"What a kid deserves even less is to be raised by someone with such low self-esteem.” Bo squeezed her hand. “You don't need Duff or the world at large to be hard on you. You're your own worst critic. Maybe that's why things have been so rough for you."

"I don't know any other way to be."

"Have you ever tried to be different? How will you know unless you try, Lily?"

She smiled, though she felt anything but happy. She didn't know quite how to take Bo sometimes, and that made it difficult to know how to play him.

I'm doing it again, aren't I?

Finally she admitted it to herself. If she let it out, maybe—maybe it meant she had a chance. Maybe she could change.

"I threw myself at Duff today. While you were in the bedroom working, I took off my clothes and tried to fuck him in the kitchen.” Watching Bo's expression, she went on, ready to accept his anger. “He didn't want me. Said it would be like cheating on you, and I guess he was sort of right. I'm sorry, Bo. It won't happen again."

His loud chuckle startled an elderly woman walking past their table. “I already knew. I took a break from transcribing to run into the kitchen for a quick bite. But I heard you and Duff talking and decided it would be best if I didn't intrude."

"You heard us—everything? And you didn't say a word?” Her whole body trembled, her nerves at the very edge. “And you still took me shopping and bought me all those nice things? Why would you do that? Why didn't you throw me the hell out? Shit, I would have!"

He shrugged. “What do you want me to say, Lily? I like you. I have from the moment I saw you. I liked you even more last night. And I doubt there's much you can do to change that."

"But you know about me. And what I did to Duff...” She trailed off. “You really like me, Bo?"

"Don't look so surprised, Red. You're too hard on yourself. Anyway, no matter what you've done in the past, Duff loved you once, and to me that means you're good people. It's hard to fake that for any length of time. If you were truly rotten, Duff would've sent you packing before you had a chance to leave him."

"Thank you,” she whispered. “I'm glad you like me, I guess. Now if you could just convince Duff of my fabulousness."

"Sweetheart, you're gonna have to do that all on your own."

Back inside the car, Bo felt Lily's hand on his knee. The unexpected contact tightened his abdomen. He froze, his hand on the car keys as she moved up his thigh, stopping on his crotch.

"We could go over there,” she whispered, nodding toward the far corner of the parking lot. There were no cars in the available spaces. They would be alone and able to do anything they wanted.

Bo swallowed hard, surprised by how easily her touch aroused him. If this was a leftover morsel from last night's tasty meal, it was certainly having an effect on him. But the look in her eyes told him otherwise. She may have been horny, but her come-on was about something else entirely.

"How many times are you going to thank me?"

She jerked her hand away. “I-I thought you might want... I'm sorry if I did anything wrong."

Bo's stiff cock wanted to tell her she'd done no such thing, but reason finally overtook passion. “There's nothing wrong with wanting to show someone you care about them. Sex is a wonderful way to express that, and I'm normally all for it.” He grinned as she turned a shy gaze on him. “But the problem comes when sex is the only way you express love. You thanked me earlier, and I accepted it. That was enough; you don't have to do anything else. I already like you. You haven't been here long, and I already feel like you're a friend, like I've known you for quite some time."

"Really?” she asked, her eyes shining.

"Hell yeah. Why wouldn't I? Now, I'll admit, some of it is shallowness on my part. I'm a sucker for a pretty face—male or female."

"Hence Duff."

"That's right. But I like you for more than just your shiny hair and long legs and remarkably perky breasts."

"Imagine that,” Lily mumbled.

"Ain't it the darnedest thing?” He leaned over, grazing her ear with his lips. “I'll also admit that knowing you taste like ripe peaches is enough to drive me to distraction.” She shuddered against him, and he knew her heart was racing as much as his. “But the next time we're together, it's going to be because we want it, not because you owe me. Not because you think you need to apologize or work off a debt. Okay?"

She wound her arms around his neck, holding on with all her might. Her tears fell on his neck, hot and violent, shaking her whole body. “Oh, Bo. If I'd met someone like you a long time ago..."

"I'm here now."

They sat together for a long time, not speaking. Bo thought Duff would be displeased by this turn of events, but he could no longer view Lily Dumont as some conniving harlot. Especially when she'd so quickly managed to make her way into his heart.

Duff hadn't moved an inch since Bo and Lily had left to go shopping. Instead he patted the remote in search of something noisy and stupid to while away the time. Unfortunately for him, there were far too many options, and he and the TV wound up quitting on each other.

The house's stillness comforted him, allowing him time to hash things out.

What Duff most needed was to concentrate on the worst decision he'd ever made. Allowing Lily Dumont back into his home—back into his life—could destroy what had taken him years to build. He should have sent her packing. But coward that he was, he'd allowed that siren to get her soft, experienced hands on Bo.

Duff wasn't stupid. He'd seen it. Seen it with his own eyes. Bo was smitten—as smitten with that no-account lady as much as Duff ever was.

He chided himself for these weaknesses of will, but thinking about her always led to thoughts of sex. Now that she'd done it to Bo, Duff had no illusions. The man was a goner.

If Duff had been a religious man, he would have considered his thoughts sinful, even more so than his sinful flesh. In his youth, his mother had warned him about fast women, of how they'd steal his heart right before pocketing his wallet. But he'd managed to make it to nearly forty years old before taking leave of his senses and allowing pussy to run roughshod over his mind.

But it had been more than the sex, and Duff knew it.

The night they'd met, Lily had sparked something he'd assumed was dead inside him. He'd never been so happy or ever felt as good. Her leaving, of course, had the opposite effect—throwing him into a funk so black he'd even considered suicide one angry, lonely, drunken night.

And here she was trying to do it all again—to both him and Bo? Hell, no.

Oh, he'd been weak all right, but that was human, and he was allowed one mistake. But he'd be damned if he would allow her to take away one more inch of his self-respect. Or an inch of anything else for that matter.

Duff got on the phone to check on Lily's car. He needed to get her the hell out of there. And soon.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Six

When Lily returned with Bo, she was surprised to see Duff waiting on the porch.

"I talked to Tim Watson while y'all were out. He says he and his son will be here around nine tomorrow to drop off Lily's car.” He eyed their bags and her new sneakers and jeans.

Bo was tight-lipped. “Good to know.” He stepped past Duff and went inside, leaving Lily and Duff alone.

She set down her bag and slumped in the rocker. “Tim always did have a way with cars. Whatever the problem was, he took care of it quick, didn't he?"

Duff stared off into the distance rather than look at her. “That's why he's been looking after my vehicles for the past fifteen years. He's good at what he does, and he doesn't try to price gouge old friends."

His voice sounded as rigid as his body, each word clipped and perfunctory. The wall he'd started building that morning was higher now, nearly insurmountable, and Lily wasn't sure she had the strength to scale it. Yet every time anger and self-pity attempted to seep in, she dismissed them. She'd brought this on herself, and she'd accept the consequences.

What she would not do, however, was beg. “After I put away my things, I'll come back out to help you round up the animals for the night."

"No need,” he said. “But I appreciate the gesture."

Knowing him the way she did, she thought it better to back off, since talking to him while he was this pensive would only lead to a blowout. “I'll get my stuff packed. Let me know when the car is fixed."

She followed in Bo's steps, confident she was leaving Duff to ponder a world without her in it.

Lily didn't register the intruder's presence until it was too late.

She awoke to a hand clamped over her mouth. The other leveled a knife against her throat. He pressed down lightly, trailing a line of blood along her neck.

"Don't say a word,” Shane Doherty whispered. “You're coming with me, Lily, and you'll do it quietly. I got my gun in my belt just in case you decide to run. So don't."

Terror knotted her belly as she followed Shane's instructions. He pulled her from the bed, pushing her toward the door.

"We're leaving through the back so your boyfriend won't hear. If you scream, you'll be dead before he reaches you. Understand?"

She nodded, already resigned to her fate. She'd been a coward all her life, and she wouldn't begin fighting now. Getting Duff and Bo involved was the last thing she planned to do.

No. Let them think she'd snuck off as she had before. She would do whatever Shane demanded, anything he desired, if it meant keeping Duff and Bo safe.

As they moved through the house, her heartbeat was deafening—like a drumbeat sending her closer to her doom. Stumbling through the dark, she bumped into a large flowerpot.

"Whoa,” he whispered, righting the pot before it crashed to the floor. “Don't do that again, Lily.” Yanking her arm painfully, he pulled her body against him, and they continued their journey.

"I didn't—” She stopped, realizing her voice was too high. They'd finally made it to the door, so nothing she said would make a difference anyway.

"Open it. Take your time. I know it squeaks."

Breathless, she reached for the door with a trembling hand, frightened of what Shane would do if she dared make a sound.

Pop!

Lily turned in what felt like slow motion to determine where the sound had originated. Shane lay on the floor. She launched herself backward against the door and tried to make sense of what she saw.

"You all right, Lily?"

Bo?

Her vision began to clear, and she quickly picked out Bo's slight form in the darkness. His black T-shirt had given him cover, but as he approached the door, the light on the back porch illuminated him.

"Shit.” Duff followed close behind. “Don't know why you're pretending to be dead, Doherty. My man here is a damn good shot, and I happen to know he only meant to scare you.” He flicked on the overhead light, and everything swam into focus.

Shane remained motionless, filling Lily with both dread and relief. She saw no blood, but that didn't mean he wasn't wounded.

"Let's see here.” Duff reached down, flipped Shane over, and squeezed the arm he had so artfully fallen upon. He withdrew a bloody hand and wiped it on his jeans. “You all right, Doherty?"

"Fuck! Goddamn it!” Shane was on his feet instantly. “I'm—I'm gonna call the law."

"Go ahead. One of my buddies will come down promptly. Then you can explain why you broke into my house and tried to kidnap this pretty lady."

Shane rubbed the tear in his shirt until his fingers came away bloody. “You tried to kill me."

"If I had been trying to kill you, you'd be dead,” Bo assured him.

Shane turned his ire on Lily, his cowardice exceeding any pride he might have. “Did you really think I wouldn't find you? That I wouldn't know the first place you'd go when you decided to run?"

Lily glared at him. “I'm surprised you can find your own dick. I never could."

"Oh and this"—he gestured at Duff—"homo's dick makes you come running?"

"Hard,” she said, and she wasn't just tossing low blows to hurt Shane's poor little feelings. In addition to being a drunken abuser, he sported a less than impressive endowment.

Duff cleared his throat. “Much as I've enjoyed this reunion, Doherty, it's time for you to leave. If you come back, you're gonna need more than the law to help you."

Shane shook his head. “I don't even know why I bothered. This bitch ain't worth the hassle.” His smugness dissipated when Bo leveled the pistol on him. “I thought you'd know better than this, McKay, but it looks like she's got you whipped...in spite of your friend."

"Keep lipping off and the only one around here who'll be whipped is you, Doherty."

"I doubt that.” As quick as a cat, Shane pounced, pulling Lily to him. Removing the gun from his belt, he pressed the muzzle to her head. “I'm leaving, and I'm taking her with me. You try to stop us, and she'll be dead before you get me."

Bo's focus never wavered. “You try to take her out of this house and you'll be dead before you make it to your car."

Lily shook her head. “No. No! Just let me go.” She craned her neck in an attempt to make eye contact. “I'll go with you, Shane. I want to go."

"The hell you will.” Bo's trigger finger twitched.

"But I want to!” Her mind raced for any words that would defuse the situation. “I appreciate your hospitality, fellas. But my man says it's time to go.” She pressed her body closer to Shane and tried not to shudder in disgust. “I'm ready."

Duff's words astounded them all. “Let her go, Bo. He wants her. She wants to go. I don't particularly want her to stay. It's a win-win."

Lily winced. She hadn't realized Duff's hatred for her ran this deep. The knowledge stung more than anything he'd ever said.

"Are you crazy?” Bo looked at Duff like he was a stranger. “What the hell are you saying?"

"That it's time to take out the trash,” Shane said, his hearty laugh shaking Lily to her core. “McKay, you're a lot smarter than I gave you credit for.” Snagging his hand in Lily's hair, he forced her to the door. “We'll be on our way."

She smiled at Duff and Bo before being pushed out the door.

Duff grabbed Bo's arm.

"You can't just let her go with him!"

"Who can't?” Duff asked. “Besides, Mike Hartwell called not an hour before y'all came home to tell me Doherty was back in town. I even know the motel he's staying at."

Bo relaxed a little, and Duff was glad to see his partner already had the gist of the plan.

"We'll give Doherty a few miles’ head start. Then we get her."

Bo embraced him. “We'll get him too."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Seven

An hour after leaving Duff's, Lily stared out the passenger side window as Shane guided his rental into a motor lodge's parking lot. He got out and went to the passenger side, offering her a hand. She jerked away and kicked at him until he backed off.

"Oh, now, don't be that way, little lady,” he drawled, grabbing her arm. Once she was on her feet, he kissed her, and she recoiled from the taste of expensive whiskey and bad breath. “If you don't behave, I'm going to have to teach you a lesson, Lily. You don't want that, do you?"

She didn't resist when he led her to the room. The inevitability of it all wasn't lost on her, and frankly she'd grown tired of fighting it. This was her lot in life—the path she'd chosen. She'd best make peace with that and try to make it out alive.

Once inside, Shane shoved her to the bed like she was no more than a sack of potatoes. “You haven't said a word in over an hour, sweetness. How long you gonna keep this up?"

Lily didn't respond.

"Fine by me. Besides, you know I've never been much for women who talked a whole lot. But a screaming woman is a whole ‘nother thing entirely.” He launched at her, backhanding her hard enough to lay her flat.

The taste of warm copper flooded her mouth. She scrambled up the bed to get away, the whoosh of her own terrified screams sounding in her ears.

"No need for you to talk, Lily. I mean to do all the talking from here on out, and you'll damn well listen, won't ya?” He unbuttoned his bloodstained shirt and flung it to the floor. Fingering the small gash on his arm, he scowled in the mirror. “Damn fag tried to kill me."

She watched in horror as he touched his belt buckle and recalled the savagery of his slaps, the way the leather welted her skin.

She waited for his next move.

He suddenly laughed. “It occurred to me that I ought to kill you—to simply put you down like the miserable bitch you are."

Lily sucked her swollen lip. Shane Doherty didn't have the balls to kill an ant. A liter of liquid courage wasn't enough to make a man out of him. If she ever broke her vow of silence, she'd make sure to tell him just that.

Grumbling to himself, he poured a shot of whiskey into a paper cup. “You want some?"

Lily rolled her eyes.

"More for me, then.” He downed it quickly and poured another. “This is some good shit. The best.” He dipped a finger into it and flinched as he rubbed the alcohol across the wound on his arm. “I'm gonna have to find a drug store; otherwise, this thing could get infected.” He poured another shot.

Good. She wanted him to drink. He liked booze even more than he liked hurting her.

"I don't know what you thought you were doing,” he whispered. “Did you really think I wouldn't find you? That I wouldn't know exactly where you would go? How stupid are you, Lily? Did you think I would make it easy?"

She'd thought he'd be too piss drunk and angry to care. She'd thought—after bashing his face in with a lamp—he'd get the message and leave her alone. So maybe she was stupid.

Simply asking him to stop beating her had done little more than increase the frequency of his attacks. Why she'd assumed violence would get her message across was now a mystery—oh wait, since men like Shane only understood violence, she'd reasoned a bump on the head would shake his devotion to making her life a living hell.

Yeah. Stupid.

He prowled the space in front of the bed. He was just warming up, and as soon as he'd made his usual grand declaration about loving her enough to kill her, he'd come for her. And the pain would begin. So would the begging and crying.

But not tonight. And never again.

Lily withdrew inside herself so much she barely heard Shane's speech. Not that she needed to listen very closely. She knew it by heart.

You have to kill him.

There was no urgency to the thought. It was simply there.

It was suddenly so clear. It made sense. And the kicker? The voice in her head belonged to a man she barely knew. Bo, her friend, had crept into her subconscious and offered his advice.

If you kill him, he won't be able to hurt you again. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You'd be able to sleep through the night, Lily.

Shane marched back and forth, pontificating about bad girls who deserved to pay. The glint of his belt buckle caught her eye, and she almost doubled over from an all too recent memory. She scanned the room, looking for anything that could save her.

That's right, hon. There has to be something in here to do the trick, Bo told her.

No, no, there isn't. The damned lamp is bolted to the desk! There's nothing I can use.

Her mind went silent, and she wilted, the last of her courage slipping.

"And I told you to stop dressing that way! But nooo, you have to show everything the good Lord gave you to the whole entire world. I knew you wasn't clean, but my God, can't you at least pretend to be a lady? You need to—"

She noted the change in his pitch before tuning him out again. A few more minutes, maybe. He tossed back another drink. Yes. Another few minutes before he'd strike.

"But I love you, in spite of it all, Lily, and I ain't prepared to give up on you!"

Her pulse jumped. Shane's tirade seemed to be in fast-forward, jerking off the rails. She shrank into the pillows, wishing with all her might she could just disappear.

He'd said he loved her.

While most women could expect hugs and kisses after a similar pronouncement, Lily had discovered Shane's idea of love was rough. His love was usually hard and forceful and doled out with little warning. His love often left scars and bruises.

That's not love, Lily, Bo said wisely. You know that.

She did know.

And by the time another familiar voice spoke up, she already knew what she had to do.

Get him, baby, Duff said. Finish this but good.

Lily shook her hair until it hung like spun gold around her shoulders. She patted the space beside her.

Shane stopped in his tracks, the rest of his speech forgotten. “What's this now?” His voice sounded small and hopeful. “You finally decide to be nice?"

"You know I can't resist you for long, Shane. I was stupid to try this long."

"I'll say.” His gaze darkened with lust. “You need to realize how good you have it. We're happy most of the time, aren't we?” He moved to the bed's edge. “I only act like this when you do something you're not supposed to. If you acted like a proper wife, I wouldn't have to be so hard on you."

Lily batted her eyes. “Wife? But we're not married, Shane."

"I'm willing to, you know that. But I gotta be able to trust you. I can't do that with you traipsing around all the time looking like you're single. Any wife of mine has to be respectable in every way.” He ran a grubby hand across her thigh.

Lily forced a smile to her lips. “So, if I stop making you mad, we can get married?” She'd intended to sound hopeful, but the ring of sarcasm met her ears. Luckily Shane was too far gone to notice.

"It's what I want more than anything, Lily.” As he spoke, he drew closer. “If you start treating me the way I deserve to be treated, everything will be all right. I got everything you need to be happy. Just stop running around like you ain't got sense, and you'll see."

All Lily saw was a drunken loser with a trust fund.

"You're right, Shane, and I'm so sorry.” She reached for his hand and pulled it to her breast. She heaved out a nice long breath and dragged his finger across her nipple, willing it to pucker. “It's time I settled down and acted like a proper woman and a good wife."

"You're finally ready?” he asked with a slow grin. “Even after everything? You ran off, heading straight for McKay—"

"Forget him. I already have."

"And it's about damn time. I'd heard he went homo, but I never believed it until tonight."

Lily's smile was tight. “You never know about people these days,” she mumbled. “But I don't want to talk about them, Shane. This is about us, baby, and our future."

"Our future.” He squeezed her breast, causing her to flinch. As usual his technique was off, and his pleasure meant pain for her. But she smiled anyway. In a little while, he'd never have the chance to paw her again. Now, if she could just get him out of his pants.

Duff steered into an empty space and cut the engine. He glanced at his partner, noting Bo's nervous energy and barely contained anger. “Maybe you ought to stay in the car,” he suggested. “I can handle Doherty on my—"

"Maybe, but you don't have to. I'm here to help, Duff, and this isn't just about you. Lily's my friend now, and I'm not backing off this."

Duff was amazed by Bo's courage and loyalty to a woman he barely knew. “You really like her, huh?"

"You know I do. And no matter how much you try and deny it, you like her even more. Whatever she's done, she doesn't deserve to be smacked around by that clown, and I mean to see it never happens again."

Duff swelled with pride. “All right. But don't go off getting trigger happy.” He patted the gun at his hip. “I'll keep the gun at my side unless I need to draw it. No one needs to die tonight—not even that bastard. We clear, Bo?"

"Crystal."

Duff scanned the room doors. “There: 105 is that one.” He moved toward the door with Bo bringing up the rear.

Before he could knock, a loud crash commanded their attention. “Get away from me! Stop! Stop it!"

Lily.

Duff hadn't planned on kicking in the door. Not that he had much of a plan, come to think of it. But before he knew it, he and Bo were wailing on it, using all their force in an attempt to splinter the hinges.

The commotion stopped for a moment.

Then suddenly, “Bo? Duff!” Lily yelled, and Duff heard the unmistakable sound of a fist slamming into soft flesh.

Duff kicked in the door. “Let her go now, or I swear to fucking Christ I'll shoot you dead."

"Fuck all y'all!” Shane Doherty dragged Lily in front of him. She was shaking like a leaf, blood dribbling from her lip down the front of her torn nightshirt. But she wasn't the only one bleeding, Duff noted with admiration. She'd dug scratches beneath Doherty's eye and may have even broken his nose.

"Remember his gun!” she screamed. “It's in the back of his jeans."

"Not anymore.” Shane withdrew the gun and placed it to Lily's head. “See how that works, baby?"

Duff cocked his pistol. “Let her go."

"Or what, cowboy? Didn't we just do this dance? If you were gonna kill me, you woulda did it back at your place."

"Oh, that's rich.” Bo moved forward, showing his hands. “I'm not carrying, Doherty. Just release the lady, and we'll be on our way."

"Ain't no ladies here. But she's not going anywhere with you.” He leered at Duff. “She's mine, remember? Thought you learned that lesson a few years back. Shit, I'm really confused about why you and your gay boy want her back so damn much."

"His gay boy is more man than you could ever be.” Her sudden hysterical laughter sent a charge through the room. “In every way."

"Wh-what?” Shane seemed to forget the two men. “You had sex with him? What the fuck?” He grabbed Lily and spun her, pushing her backward until she was forced to stare into his eyes. “You had sex with both of them?"

"And it was good.” Tears poured down her cheeks. “Oh my God, it was so good. They made me feel things you never have."

Shane's grip slackened enough for Lily to catch her breath. Her next dig was loud and clear. “You don't hold a candle to either of them in any respect, Shane. And a bitch-whore like me oughta know."

Enraged and drunken, Shane cocked his gun hand back to strike her.

Duff advanced on them, heading off the blow before it made contact. He smashed the barrel of his gun across Shane's fist, forcing him to drop his piece. Clutching his hand, Shane fell to his knees. Lily stood by, her eyes wild, rocking on the balls of her feet.

"You're going to leave town tonight, Doherty, and you aren't going to come back.” Duff stepped on the mangled hand, satisfied when a faint crunching sound sent Shane into hysterics.

"You motherfucking, cocksucking bastard,” Shane moaned. “All this trouble over a two-bit whore—"

"Shut up!” Bo commanded. “Not. Another. Word."

Duff pulled him to his feet, releasing him with a shove.

"Shit...I think you broke it!"

"Too bad. So sad. Start walking. Don't look back."

Muffled footsteps caught their attention. “What in the hell?” An older gent with white hair and loose dentures tottered inside. “I don't know what you fellas think you're doing messing up my motel. I'm calling the police."

"Don't bother.” Duff spoke with authority. “They already know we're here. I'm sorry about the door. I'll pay for it.” Handing Bo the gun, he snagged a piece of paper from the bedside table and scrawled his number on it. “Give me a call when you know the damage."

The man accepted the paper with trembling hands. He eyed Bo suspiciously. “We don't allow no violence here, so I'd appreciate it if you'd put the gun away."

Bo nodded. “No problem. I'll put it away as soon as I'm done escorting Mr. Doherty to his car.” He thrust the gun against Shane's lower back, not even allowing him to grab any of his belongings before pushing him outside. The old man shook his head, leaving Duff and Lily alone.

She wouldn't look at him.

Duff went to her, folding her hand in his. “You all right? Did he hurt you?” He cursed himself as soon as the idiotic question left his mouth. Blood congealed on her neck and dried on her swollen lips. Of course the bastard had hurt her.

He gently pulled her body against him, embracing her. She gazed up at him, her breathing ragged, her eyes wide. “Can we go home now?"

He stroked her chin thoughtfully, glancing up at the sound of Bo's footsteps on the threshold. His partner gave him the thumbs-up.

"I think that's a lovely idea. We're all going home."

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Chapter Eight

Duff and Bo hung back as Lily darted into her bedroom. She'd said little during the drive home, other than begging Bo to join her in the backseat, where she'd sobbed on his shoulder.

"Maybe you should go talk to her.” Duff squeezed his partner's hand. “I would probably just make things worse.” He'd started leaning on Bo more and more when it came to anything concerning Lily.

"Right now, the only thing I plan to do is run her a bath. She'll talk when she's ready, Duff."

They moved down the hall and ducked inside the bathroom.

"Something's not right with her,” Duff said, leaning on the sink. “I know she had a rough night—"

"Did you see her neck? The bastard slashed her throat!” Bo bent forward and twisted on the bathtub faucet.

"He nicked her, but I think it was more to scare her than anything else.” Digging his hands in his pockets, Duff contemplated their next move. “I was thinking maybe she shouldn't leave tomorrow. She's still pretty shook up and everything."

Bo tested the water and reached for the bubble bath. “Do you hear me arguing?"

"Arguing about what?” Lily inquired from the doorway.

She was naked. The drying blood crusting on her neck made her look like a victim in a B-grade horror flick. Her bottom lip was swollen but would probably return to normal in a couple of days. Duff noted the ugly reddish purple bruises at her wrists and shoulders from where Doherty had held her down. They would heal rather quickly too, though he suspected her psychological scars might take longer to heal.

"Who's coming in with me?” She walked toward the tub unselfconsciously.

Bo gazed at her appreciatively before moving aside. “There's just enough room for you, I'm afraid."

She swung her hips playfully, a bounce in her walk. Duff couldn't help but stare. He'd forgotten how quickly she overcame adversity. Not much got her down—or kept her there. Dipping her hand into the water, she turned to Bo. “Perfect."

"Anything for the lady."

Duff rolled his eyes. Bo's crush on Lily was amusing at turns, disturbing at others. What was it about her? She'd managed to enrapture an out and proud gay man; he didn't believe Bo would argue that point. He was smitten, damn it, and Duff felt a twinge of jealousy snaking through him.

But was he jealous of Lily? Or Bo?

She sank into the water and leaned back. Holding her breath, she dunked herself and came back up sputtering. “Who's gonna help me wash my hair?"

Duff cursed under his breath.

"Oh come on,” she drawled. “Don't be that way. Duff, you were always so good at it. Get over here and help me out."

He pretended to hesitate, but inside he was anything but annoyed. He loved Lily's hair to the point where it had almost been an obsession. She knew it—damn her—and had asked him to wash it just to get under his skin.

Well, if that was her plan, it backfired. He wanted to touch it, to run his hands through its silken softness. Most of all, he yearned to pull it, wrapping it around his fingers just the way she liked it when—

"Bo, get out that expensive shampoo you order off the computer. If I'm gonna act like a hair guru or somebody, I need the best products."

Bo threw up his hands. “I'm all out. What I do have is that coconut shampoo-conditioner combo with the silk amino acids. It only cost me fifteen bucks, but it works like a charm."

"Is that why your locks are always so bouncy?” Lily teased. “Gee, your hair smells terrific."

She ducked in time to avoid the washcloth Bo lobbed in her direction.

"I'll be right back.” Bo left the bathroom.

Duff went to her, positioning himself behind the claw-foot bathtub. She looked up at him, and her breasts bobbed through the bubbles, begging to be licked.

"I can't believe you didn't fight me on this, Duff. I love when you wash my hair."

"Me too."

"Yeah? Why do you like doing it?"

Dipping his hand into the water, he tugged casually on a lock of her hair. “I just liked doing it for you, I guess. It always made you happy, and I loved doing anything that made you smile."

Her lip quivered. “I'm so sorry—about everything. I know I've said it over and over, and there's really nothing I can do to change the pain I caused you."

"I think I'm finally making peace with it. I spent years being eaten up with anger, and I resented the hell outta you. When you first showed up again, those old feelings came back full force, and I wanted to make you pay for making me feel like that."

"And now?"

Duff kissed her cheek. “Now I wash your hair. After that, I really can't say."

She reached for him with a wet hand, pulling him into a proper kiss that took his breath away. She grinned at him as she always had—looking a lot like a devilish schoolgirl on the verge of being expelled.

"Y'all are some horny somebodies.” Bo stood in the doorway holding the shampoo.

"No need to be jealous.” She hooked a finger at him. “Come on over here, Bo."

He scampered over for his kiss, reminding Duff of a dutiful puppy hoping to be petted. He watched them together, and his heart was suddenly so full. It was almost like...like this was the way it should be.

That's crazy.

Yet no matter how he tried, he could not escape the thought.

"Let me put this under your knees, Duff.” Bo unfolded a towel.

"Sure."

With that out of the way, Duff shook the bottle and fixed her with a menacing stare. “This won't hurt a bit, I promise."

"Make it up to me later, Duff."

"Shit, Lily. I think you made Duff blush.” Bo sat cross-legged in front of the tub. “That's a new one."

"I do not blush.” But he did, and his red face was proof.

Lily lay back, shut her eyes, and waited.

"Our very own Sleeping Beauty,” Bo whispered.

Duff opened the bottle and poured shampoo into his hands. He liked the smell—sort of a mix of coconut, banana, and strawberry. Working slowly, he lathered the shampoo in her hair, starting at the roots and working down. “Bo, hand me the comb. It's on the faucet."

Lily smiled. “Thanks, baby. Detangling is a bitch."

The comb slipped easily through the creamy product as he combed her hair. He set down the comb and dug his hands into her scalp, massaging it in the circular motion she'd taught him.

"You're still so damn good at this,” she mumbled. “Just another in a long line of things, I guess."

"What else is he good at?” Bo asked. “I once allowed him to wax my chest, but I regretted it."

"Honey, if I have to explain to you the many, many ways in which Duff is gifted, the last couple of years have been wasted on you."

"Oh, you mean his dick? Shit, I don't consider that being gifted necessarily. That's just genetics and dumb luck."

Lily rolled her eyes. “You couldn't be more wrong. Trust me—it takes talent to wield a monster like what our Duff is packing. The big ‘uns can be deadly if not used properly. Take it from a woman who knows."

Duff yanked Lily's hair.

"Ouch! What'd you do that for?"

"Because y'all are sitting here talking about me and my cock like I'm not even here. Please. Stop. It."

A look passed between Bo and Lily that sent them both into hysterical laughter.

"How ‘bout we stop talking and start doing?"

Duff, who thought it a splendid idea, dunked Lily's head and reached for a towel.

Lily inhaled a hard breath.

"Am I hurting you?” Duff asked. He lay on his side, entering Lily from behind.

"Yes, but don't stop. You know I don't mind a little pain as long as there's a payoff."

"Hmm.” Bo knelt over them, eyeing the action. “I don't know if this is gonna work. I'd have to put her legs damn near at my shoulders to get at her."

"Then do it,” Duff said wisely, his progress not stopping one inch. “Lily's pretty flexible, ain't ya, sweetheart?"

"Oh, shit.” She groaned as Duff finally worked his cock in to the balls. “Fuck! Don't—don't move. Jesus.” When he'd told her he was going to stretch her ass, he'd certainly meant it. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead into her eyes. It stung. Not as much as having a huge cock in her ass, mind you, but it stung nonetheless.

"Don't move, huh?"

"Uh-huh."

"But what if I want to? What if I absolutely need to move, Lily?"

She rolled her eyes and wished she were lying in a position that left her able to punch him. But if she moved, it would be the same as Duff moving, and she wasn't ready for that.

She lay on her side facing away from Duff. The original plan had been for Bo to enter her from the front. But she already felt stuffed and close to bursting. She wasn't sure how much more she could handle.

"Damn it, Duff!” He'd shifted his hips. The bastard.

"Oh, poor wittle Lily,” Bo singsonged, clearly enjoying himself. “I think I may have a solution, one that might ease Lily's discomfort and make us all happy."

"And what might that be?” Duff flexed inside her.

"Duff, you stay right where you are."

Lily groaned. “Really? You must enjoy watching me be torn in half!"

"And I'll make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure this brave woman gets off properly."

Duff gritted his teeth. “Much obliged, Bo. Sacrifice away. I don't know how much longer I can hold back."

Bo lifted her trembling thighs and set her foot on his shoulder. He dipped his tongue to her clit, enveloping her in sensation, moving down to taste and titillate before circling back up to suckle the swollen nub.

"Ooh.” She moved forward to meet Bo's mouth and gasped as Duff moved with her, escalating the searing pleasure tearing through her. The movement started a pleasurable chain reaction. Every lick made her wetter. The more excited she became, the wetter she got, shifting her hips against Bo's dexterous tongue. She thrust against Duff, feeling his cock burn and stretch her, setting ablaze an exquisite agony she'd never before experienced.

As the delirious heat spread inside her, she bit her lip to quiet the scream threatening to break free. She couldn't stop it, couldn't silence the sounds of ecstasy demanding release as Duff pumped in and out at full speed—pounding away any doubts she might have had about letting him fuck her ass.

Duff exhaled loudly and mumbled into her hair. “I'm about...done. I don't think—” Growling, he wrapped her hair in his fist, his final powerful thrust jolting her into a climax all her own.

Dazed, she remained on her side, unmoving. Bo leaned up on his elbow and grinned at them, a mischievous glint in his eye.

A sacrifice indeed.

When Lily was sure that each man slept soundly, she slipped out of their bedroom and went inside her own.

Three days. And yet so much had happened she could barely keep the timeline straight.

She would leave later that morning with few regrets...other than having to leave at all.

But it was for the best, wasn't it? She loved Duff and was truly glad he'd found someone to give him everything she hadn't been able to. So she couldn't be the one to make him happy. So what?

Lily was content to heal an old hurt and perhaps make a new friend. She'd made more progress in three days than she ever had in her entire life.

Now it was time to start over. She'd do it with a heavy heart, but she'd do it.

She lay across the bed and prayed for daylight.

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Chapter Nine

Lily bit into an apple and waited for the coffee to perk. Her car would be arriving soon; she wanted to get on the road as soon as possible.

After creeping out of Duff and Bo's bed that morning, she'd lain awake for hours, searching for answers. Around four a.m., an idea came to her. She'd try something a little different—especially since her time was her own and no one would be looking for her.

Someplace else. Someplace warm. Someplace where my past won't matter so much.

South Florida sounded like a nice place to start over. It had nice weather, interesting people, and perhaps a second chance at a real life.

"I see you're almost ready,” Bo said from the doorway.

"As soon as they bring my car, I'm gone.” Opening a cabinet, she pulled down two mugs.

"Coffee?"

"Sure. Listen, Lily, I know you feel like you should leave, especially after everything that's happe—"

"Duff doesn't want me here—even after what we did—and I don't stay where I'm not wanted.” She handed him a mug and sat opposite him. “He didn't want me here when I first showed up, and I doubt what's happened between us changed his mind."

"Lily..."

"And why do you want me to stay so bad, Bo?” She set down her mug. “Why are you so okay with me staying here? Does watching me fuck your boyfriend turn you on that much? Or maybe you crave danger. I bet you just can't wait for another crazed ex-boyfriend to come looking for me, huh?"

Bo looked puzzled. “Wait. One thing at a time. You want me to be jealous? Is that what you're saying? You want me to throw a fit so you'll feel better about running away?"

She shrugged. “It would at least be a normal reaction considering what's been going on around here the last few days. And if you were thinking clearly at all, you'd know asking me to stay is probably not in your best interest."

"I'll worry about my own interests, okay?” Catching her off guard, he stood, pulled her into his arms, and twirled her around the kitchen. “I'm simply asking you not to rush off without thinking it through.” He dipped her.

Lily giggled. “My goodness, Mr. Astaire. I simply don't know what to say."

"Actually, that was my Gene Kelly impersonation. My Astaire would be a lot lighter on your poor feet."

Sighing, she nuzzled his chest. His arms tightened around her waist, and the now familiar electricity they channeled coursed through her in a shockwave of emotion. They rocked silently. If she stayed, this was what her life would be like all the time...

"This is nice,” he murmured into her hair. “It's been a long time since I've had a girlfriend."

She pulled back. “You've been with a woman before?"

"Does that surprise you?"

"But aren't you...gay?"

"Well, if wanting to spend the rest of my life with Duff means I'm gay, then yes.” Bo brushed a quick peck on her lips. “But that doesn't seem to mean anything when I'm around your beautiful body, so how about we leave the labeling to society?” He palmed her ass, pulling her to him. His erection throbbed against her.

"Hmm, now I know why you want me to stay."

"Seems I'm interrupting—something that's been happening around here a lot.” Duff eyed them from the doorway, his expression unreadable.

She pulled away from Bo. “I'm so—"

"Don't you dare apologize,” Bo told her. He turned to Duff. “She hasn't done anything wrong."

"I know it. I just need to talk to Lily a minute.” He cleared his throat. “Alone, if you don't mind."

Bo seemed hesitant. “Duff, I don't think it's a good idea. She's already leaving. What more do you want?"

"I want to talk to her, damn it, but if you won't leave—"

"Nope, not gonna leave. Up until now, the three of us seemed to make a good team. I'm not going to be sent away like a naughty child, Duff."

Lily looked between them uncertainly. Her lips quivered, and she almost ran from the house into the safety of the pasture. But she needed to say this, and if it was the last thing she ever said to Duff, she wouldn't mind.

"I love you,” she blurted. “I always have. Always will. I'm so happy that you found someone like Bo to love and care for you—especially after the way I left. When I came back, I thought we could pick up where we left off, but that was beyond silly.” She was speaking much too quickly. “I know that now, and I know both of you were more than patient, going above and beyond what anyone would have expected in this situation.

"But I also want you to know that I see it now, my part in all of this, and I'm moving on to a better life. It was you—both of you—who showed me I'm worth it. That I can have better and be better.” She dropped her gaze, no longer able to look at them. “Maybe after I get settled...maybe you wouldn't mind if I wrote to you."

Duff moved in front of her, not speaking until she looked at him. “Where are you headed?” His voice sounded strained, hoarse.

"I'm thinking south Florida. I've never been, but I hear it's really nice."

"Uh-huh. And you really want to live there?"

Lily frowned. “It's as good a place as any, I guess."

"That wasn't my question,” Duff murmured. He scooped her into his arms and dragged up a chair, bringing her down onto his lap with a thump. “Do you really want to live there?"

Oh.

She finally thought she understood what Duff was asking. She turned to Bo, and his sheepish grin made her heart skip “I'd rather not, I mean, I don't want to—"

"Spit it out, woman,” Duff teased. “Since when have you ever had trouble speaking your mind?"

Bo laughed. “Yeah, the suspense is killing me."

She caressed Duff's cheek, a shiver of affection gliding down her back. “I don't want to leave you; I came back for you.” She turned to Bo. “And you're another reason I need to stay on."

Duff squeezed her backside. “Then you will stay. Turns out we need you too."

"We'd love it if you'd consider staying on,” Bo said.

"Oh, you would, would ya? What ever for?"

"Turns out our hired hand won't be coming back. You already know how to prep, and you're so good with the horses, I'd like to take you on."

Her eyes widened. “You're offering me a job?"

"Yes I am. Now, keep in mind I can't pay much, but you'll get room and board."

"And as much of us as you can handle.” Bo shifted his feet.

Duff thumped his leg, rocking her until she became dizzy. “Time's a'wasting, sweetheart. What'll it be?"

Before she could answer, the sound of approaching vehicles drew their attention. From the kitchen window, they saw Tim Watson stop her car behind Duff's Rover. His son pulled up the rear in their SUV.

"Hmm, I'm not sure,” she murmured, pretending to be uncertain. “Can you at least offer one of those cushy 401Ks? And what about dental?"

Bo flicked his tongue at them and headed out to meet Tim.

Duff nuzzled her neck, squeezing her bottom again for good measure. “All I can offer is nightly drilling and fillings anytime you need it."

Thinking she'd burst with happiness, Lily thrust out her hand. “Ugh! You're corny and cheap, but you've got yourself a deal, buddy."

THE END

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Loose Id Titles by Stephanie Ganon

Riding Raw

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Stephanie Ganon

Stephanie Ganon was born in New Orleans but moved to the Northeast where she lives today with her husband, two dogs, and cat. She can be reached at www.stephanieganon.com.

Visit www.loose-id.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Loose Id Titles by Stephanie Ganon

Stephanie Ganon

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