Dare to Succeed [The Dare Series 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “This is stunning. My God, I could live out here in this cabana. It’s like a small house.”

  “I love sitting out here sometimes at night with the fire going. It’s relaxing,” he told her and she stared at him. She absorbed his light brown hair, his sensational body, and how tall he was. He must be about six feet three. He towered over her and especially as she stood there wearing tennis sneakers.

  “I bet it’s nice.”

  He looked at her, reached out, and caressed a strand of her hair as he held her gaze.

  “You should come over one night and enjoy it with me.”

  She swallowed hard. God, he’s so appealing. But that fear of being hurt had her lowering her eyes.

  He stepped closer and placed his hand on her waist and one on her shoulder then to her neck and under her hair.

  She looked up toward him.

  “Are you afraid of me?” he asked her, shocking her.

  She opened her mouth to respond and then closed it. How could she respond to him? Yes, he scared her but he also aroused her, made her want to be close to him, but she also felt that for his brothers and she was fighting it to avoid a conflict of interest with personal life and business.

  She felt his thumb caress her lower lip and he pressed against her.

  “Tell me you’re not sacred of me or my brothers. Because if you are then we need to do whatever we can to make you feel safe and secure with us.”

  “I’m just working for you, Monroe. It’s not necessary to make me feel safe and secure when I’ll only be here a few days longer.”

  “No. That’s not true. Not when I want you here more than just to work. I want you to join me by a fire at night. I want to get to know you better. I want to…taste you,” he said as he stared at her lips. She panicked and pulled away.

  “I should get back to work.” He grabbed her hand and turned her around. He pulled her close.

  “Do you feel it? Are you attracted to me and to my brothers?”

  “Monroe, this isn’t a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we’re going to possibly do business together. I don’t want there to be a conflict of interest when things don’t work out.”

  “You sound so sure that things couldn’t work out on a personal and business level. I’m more optimistic, baby,” he said and smiled softly.

  “I’m more of a pessimist when it comes to men making promises.” She pulled back but he pulled her closer, making her gasp.

  This close to him, inhaling his cologne, seeing that intense look in his eyes as she stared way up toward his firm expression did a number on her body.

  “Real men don’t hurt women and make promises they can’t keep. I get the feeling someone hurt you. But I’m not him, nor are my brothers.”

  He was so serious and intense. She didn’t want to face this right now. This was what she was afraid of. She looked way.

  “Please, Monroe, don’t say such things to me. It will make matters worse.”

  “How so when we’re both feeling this attraction?” he asked.

  “It won’t work out. Not with having a business relationship.”

  “You don’t know that. Besides, we want to support you, help you in achieving your goals and dreams because that’s what good men do for their women.”

  “But I’m not your woman,” she said, her voice cracking.

  He smiled softly.

  “Oh, we’re working on it, but you’re resistant. Why?”

  She took a deep breath. How could she think with him holding her in his arms and up against his solid, muscular chest? His cologne was invading her senses and making her lose her focus and thought.

  “Can you release me? I can’t think like this.”

  “Good, maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe you’re overthinking this and letting go and just feeling could help you see we’re for real?”

  She began to shake her head and he cupped her face between his hands and held her gaze.

  “Ah hell.” He sounded so frustrated and emotional but before she could stop him Monroe kissed her deeply, sending her from a mindful state to a lustful one in no time at all.

  She could feel his thigh press between her legs then his hand move down her hip over her ass, pulling her snugger against him. She in return couldn’t resist touching him, feeling every inch she could touch with her hands. He devoured her moans, explored her mouth thoroughly with his tongue while he used his hands to explore her body. She felt faint, aroused, ready to burst with pleasure, and it scared her. No one ever made her feel this way from kisses alone.

  She tried pulling back but he wouldn’t allow it. She felt her body being lifted and then her ass gently hit the granite countertop of the island in the cabana.

  He pressed his body between her thighs, causing her skirt to part and his crotch to press snug against her sensitive mound. She wiggled and rocked and he countered against her crotch and she could feel his hard erection. He cupped her breast and she moaned deeper then pulled back.

  “Monroe. Oh God, Monroe,” she said his name and pressed her palms against his chest as she tried to catch her breath.

  He kissed along her throat, her chin, and then her neck. She tilted it upward, loving the feel of his firm, masculine lips against her sensitive flesh. He pulled her thighs around his waist and caressed his palms up her calves and thighs then to her hips until he cupped her breasts with both hands.

  “My God you taste and feel incredible.”

  She felt the tears in her eyes. So instantly she wanted so much more than she could allow. She couldn’t let her guard down. She would get hurt again and this time would be worse than before because there were three men who could ruin her completely. It was so crazy to think of Caldwell and Max right now after what she just shared with Monroe, but she did. She felt it and understood that they came as a package. As one.

  “Please, Monroe, we have to stop. We shouldn’t have done this.”

  “Why not?”

  She heard the voice and swung her head around to see Max standing there in uniform. He looked so hard and commanding as he stepped closer. Monroe didn’t stop cupping her breasts or kissing her neck. Her lips parted as she took in the sight of Max as he approached. The uniform, the gun and handcuffs, his entire macho, masculine, sexy appearance had her tilting her face up toward him. He reached out, cupped her cheeks between his hands, and brought his lips down over her mouth.

  This was bad. Very, very bad, but felt so good and so right at the same time. He plunged his tongue in deeply and she felt her tank top being pushed up, her bra unclipped in the front and then lips, tongue, and teeth latch onto her nipple and breasts. She moaned and shook as her first orgasm hit her hard, causing Monroe to pull her against him. It felt like he was trying to devour as much as her breast as possible with his mouth.

  Max kissed her deeply and ran his hands along her other breast as he tugged on her nipple and feasted on her lips. When he released her lips she panted for breath. “Oh God slow down. Please, I can’t take it.”

  “Yes, you can because you’re meant for us.”

  Caldwell. Oh God, Caldwell was there, too, now. He walked closer and Max stepped to the side only for Caldwell to cup her cheeks and look over her breasts. Her tank top was pushed up nearly to her neck and Monroe was feasting on one of them.

  “You look like a goddess, baby. I’ve dreamt of this, of you allowing us in.” He leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. He pulled back and held her gaze as if he were testing the waters, seeing if she were okay with this. It was like he took her words about slowing things down seriously, but she now wanted to taste him, too. She pressed closer and he moved but waited for her to close the distance between their lips. Right before she touched her lips to his, feeling the desire to taste him, Caldwell smirked and she poured all her emotions into that kiss. There was no turning back. She allowed them this close and boy did she want more of them.

  * * * *

  “I could feast on he
r for hours,” Monroe said and Max mumbled in agreement as he suckled Alicia’s breast. Caldwell chuckled as he released her lips and kissed her nose and then her lips again smiling at her. She looked shocked, aroused, and flushed from this intimate moment.

  Max and Monroe lifted up and both had a hand on her thigh. She pulled her tank top over her breasts, not bothering with the bra right now.

  “Are you okay?” Caldwell asked. She whispered yes but shook her head no. He chuckled.

  “I think you’ll be just fine,” Caldwell told her as he caressed her cheeks with his knuckles. He smiled at her and she looked shocked. Her hazel eyes sparkled.

  She slid down off the island, lowering her head. “I should get back to work.”

  “Oh no, there’s a lot for us to discuss,” Max said, placing his hand on her waist, stopping her from moving. Caldwell looked at her face go flush and her tank top was so low half her breast was pouring from the top. She was well endowed.

  “Like what?” she asked, her voice low and sexy, but seemingly unintentional. She shyly pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “Like how this happened,” Caldwell said to her as she looked at him.

  “Like how it’s going to happen again and often,” Monroe added. She opened her mouth to speak but then Max spoke.

  His hands on his hips and that firm sheriff expression he gave when he meant business. “And how things are going to change around here. We’ve been patiently waiting for you to realize how we felt.”

  “What do you mean, Max?” she asked.

  He reached out and fixed her tank top. The feel of his thick, hard fingers caressing under the strap and repositioning it aroused her. She shivered with desire.

  “We want you, Alicia. Have since the moment we laid eyes on you months ago. We’ve been patient. Hell, you’ve pushed us to our limit. God, how we’ve wanted to touch you, taste you, and claim you ours.”

  “You have? Why? What is it that you want from me?”

  “Everything. All of you. Your heart, your love, whatever you’re willing to give,” Monroe said to her.

  Caldwell watched her hazel eyes fill with tears. She looked away and took an unsteady breath.

  “I can’t. I’m sorry, but I’m just not capable.” She pushed between them and tried running but Caldwell stopped her. He turned her around and held her in his arms as she cried.

  “Damn, baby. Talk to us,” he said.

  “Who hurt you, Alicia? Who made you so untrusting and fearful?” Max asked and Caldwell felt his chest tighten. Was that the case here? Had a man hurt her? He wanted to know everything. He wanted to protect her. He ran his palm along her back and rubbed her there, consoling her as she calmed down.

  “We’re not him, Alicia. We’re not him.”

  * * * *

  Alicia was embarrassed and felt so confused. She loved the way it felt to be with these three men, and she loved how they kissed her and touched her. She wanted more. She wanted the things that bound hearts and souls together when there was truth and honesty, but what if these three men were just out for an affair? A good time and nothing more? Could she accept that? Could she live with herself? She knew the answer was no as the tears stung her eyes. She loved the feel of Caldwell’s strong arms holding her. She felt protected. Especially with Max and Monroe there, too. What if they were lying? What if they just wanted sex?

  She pulled back.

  “I don’t sleep around. I won’t be part of some game or a list.”

  “What game? What list?” Max asked.

  “A list of women you’ve had sex with in town and out of town. I won’t be another notch in your belt,” she said and held Max’s gaze.

  “Why are you looking at me and saying that? Hell, baby, I haven’t been with a woman in over a year’s time. I take sex very seriously, too.”

  “She means the list, Max. You know the one that gossip started about you because no one ever sees you with a woman,” Monroe said to him.

  “I never heard about a list. Who the hell started that?” Max asked.

  “Probably a woman you didn’t reciprocate feelings for,” Caldwell told him.

  Max looked at Alicia. She was so distrusting. What if even this banter back and forth were a game?

  She turned around and took a deep breath.

  Max caught up with her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pressed her close. Even his hugs, his embrace felt incredible. She was fighting every sensation.

  “Baby, don’t believe any of that. I don’t sleep around. What I tell you is true. Hell. I’m hard to live with and get along with.”

  “Ain’t that the truth,” Monroe said, joining them, acting like he was teasing.

  “Don’t do that. Don’t pretend to banter, to say things like that as if it’s true.”

  “Don’t you believe us?” Caldwell asked now standing in front of her.

  “I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Believe that we’re honest men and that whomever hurt you can’t ever do it again when you’re ours.”

  “I care about you, Alicia. I want to get to know you, gain your trust, your love,” Max told her then kissed her neck.

  “As do we. We’re not the bad guys here. You’ll need to trust that we’re not lying, Alicia,” Caldwell told her.

  “I think we should sit down and talk about this,” Monroe said. She shook her head.

  “No. I need to get back to work and I need time to understand this.”

  “What’s to understand? You’re attracted to us and we’re attracted to you. It’s simple,” Caldwell told her.

  Max released her as she shook her head.

  “No, it isn’t. This is a different type of relationship. Sex, dating, or whatever is not simple. It’s complicated and messy and only leads to sadness and broken hearts. I don’t know if I can handle that again, so I need some time,” she said.

  Monroe took her hand and brought it to his chest.

  “Someone hurt you so badly that you think all relationships cause pain? That isn’t true, Alicia. Whomever he was he didn’t know dick about taking care of a woman and commitment.” Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak only to close it.

  “I think this is a very bad idea,” she said, her voice shaking. Monroe pulled her closer, wrapped his arms around her, and smiled.

  “No, baby, it’s a great idea. Trust me. I promise this is real and my brothers and I won’t ever hurt you.” He leaned down and kissed her and before long she was wrapping her arms around his shoulders kissing him back and getting lost in the feel of his arms and the intensity of his kiss. She wanted more, and suddenly getting hurt, losing everything didn’t seem as important as feeling these sensations and the desires Monroe, Max, and Caldwell brought out in her.

  * * * *

  Monroe pulled from Alicia’s lips, lifted her up into his arms, and began carrying her over toward the large round lounge chair that could fit them all comfortably. It had an attached awning that hid the sun and a sheer curtain to keep out the bugs and provide privacy. He lay her down and sensed his brothers joining them. Placing his hand on her belly under her tank top, he stared down into her eyes. She lay there looking edible and also very afraid.

  “Tell us what exactly you are afraid of and why, and we’ll work it out right now,” he said to her as he eased his hand under her tank top, teasing her breast but not cupping them.

  Yet.

  He saw her nipples harden beneath the tank and she squirmed as Caldwell joined her on the other side. Max leaned on his side below and began to caress her calf.

  She looked at them then back to him.

  “It’s not that easy,” she told him.

  “Sure it is,” he said, easing higher and letting his fingers graze the underside of her breasts.

  “Monroe,” she whispered. He kissed her neck.

  “Yes, baby.”

  Caldwell pressed his palm over her belly and hip then up under her tank top. “You have some body on you, Alicia. A body
I can’t wait to explore.”

  She pressed her hand over Caldwell’s.

  “We need to slow down. This isn’t fair. The three of you against one.”

  “Awe, baby, I can guarantee that three on one will be quite the exciting experience for you,” Caldwell said then cupped her breast and ran his thumb back and forth over her nipple. Monroe chuckled but Alicia pushed his hand down and sat up. She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “That’s what I mean. You guys are seducers. That’s not what I need in my life.”

  She went to move and Monroe placed his hand on her belly while Max stood up and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

  “Now wait one minute. We are not seducers. Sure we’re experienced and a bit older than you are but we’re mature enough to know what we want, and we want you, Alicia. In fact, if you’re willing to give us an ounce of trust we’ll prove to you that we’re honest, caring men. Hell, we can be demanding, but guaranteed you’ll love it,” he told her and Monroe heard her gulp.

  “You’re very sure of yourself, Sheriff Gordon.”

  He raised one eyebrow up at her comment.

  “And you’re skating on thin ice calling me sheriff.”

  “Well, you are the sheriff. You probably have an image to keep. One that keeps people guessing what you’re up to. With all the attention you get from the ladies, I don’t know if I want to be part of the local gossip.”

  He uncrossed his arms. “People talk, Alicia. Ain’t nothing I can do about that. Nothing anyone says or thinks matters to me, but my brothers, and you do, and I’ll protect what’s mine with all I’ve got. You take your time to think that over, and when you realize I’m the real thing, that I will protect you with all I have to offer, then we’ll talk, just you and I.”

  Monroe was shocked by his brother’s tone and words but they seemed to affect Alicia as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded her head.

  “I need to head back to work. You two take your time with her and let her know that we’re not going anywhere,” he said and winked at her before he headed out of the cabana and into the house to leave.