Trouble Travels in Threes (Trouble, Tennessee 3)

Damn if he didn’t hate that. Every woman Draegan had ever known tapped her blasted foot when she was in a huff. Hell, even Ellie tapped her foot.

Then again, he couldn’t blame Ellie. After all, she was an angel for living with his brother Allister. Shoving aside all other thoughts, he let everything register.

So while Draegan had been dragging his feet, taking his own sweet time and trying to decide whether or not he would give up his days as a bachelor, Serena had—what, been talking to the detective and forgot to mention the fact?

Not on the sly, he reminded himself. She hadn’t been unfaithful. In fact, if anyone had been untrue, it had been Draegan. He’d known from the beginning that he was falling for her, so what had he done? He’d taken off on a last run, tried to sow his wild oats and when that didn’t work—because a man had a rather difficult time getting it up when only one woman made his dick hard—he threw himself into his work, convincing himself Serena needed time to heal.

She’d healed, all right. Apparently she’d been playing Bane and Draegan this whole time.

“I ought to turn you over my knee,” Draegan said tightly.

She blushed like crazy.

“If you do, I’m watching.”

Draegan sneered. Fuck. Damn it to hell. And fuck.

He hadn’t planned on sharing Serena. He didn’t want to share her.

“This was never part of the plan.”

“Actually it was, Draegan,” Serena said, her face full of mischief. “Think about it. Why would any woman in Trouble want only one man when she’s used to seeing the women around there pampered and doted on by four or five?”

“Four or five?” Now Bane wasn’t so doggone cocky.

“Yeah, buddy,” Draegan drawled. “Like you said, it’s a McCall code of conduct. Guess you haven’t met my cousins from Memphis. As a matter of fact, they’ll be coming through sometime later this year.” He smirked at the little minx, now plumb pale by the mention. “You did say four or five. Right, darlin’?”

“I was just making a point, Draegan.”

“Were you?” He wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered at her ear. “Then how’s this for a point.” He cupped her breasts and groped her right in front of Bane, watching as the detective’s eyes became hooded and dark, practically mesmerized. “See, baby, this is where I have a slight problem with sharing you. The detective—Bane—isn’t used to our way of life. He hasn’t been around for the shows or seen the way the men in Trouble ‘dote’—as you pointed out—on their women.”

Her arm curved around her head and his neck. “He’ll be a fast learner.”

“Do you think so?” Draegan asked, sliding his hand down the front of her skirt and watching as Bane’s face turned red and his eyes became heavier. “See, I’m worried about Bane and I’ll tell you why.”

Serena’s body swayed one way and then another. She played with the wisps of hair at his nape. “Why?”

“Because it’s hard to share someone you love. It’s difficult to stand by and watch another man take what it is you want.” He thrust his fingers inside her wet pussy and loved it when she rocked against him, her ragged breaths and subtle whimpers filling his blasted head. “And I don’t think Bane has what it takes to watch me fuck you. But we’re gonna find out real soon.”

“Soon?” Bane leaned back and gave Serena a heated look. “What’s wrong with now?”

Chapter Six

Serena was dumbfounded. She paced the length of her small living room cottage at a loss for thoughts, let alone words. And yet she needed to talk to someone.

As soon as Draegan had dropped her off, she’d called Ellie Hunter, a close friend and resident at Trouble. She wanted Ellie’s advice. If anyone knew how to juggle relationships, Ellie did. She lived with four men.

Apparently sensing how much Serena needed a friend, Ellie had promised to come right over. Now here she was walking back and forth, gnawing on her thumbnail and watching Ellie sip and savor her glass of wine like it was an award-winning vintage from 1999.

“Want to talk about it?” Ellie asked gently, left to probably assume the worst.

Beyond a quick hello, Serena hadn’t opened her mouth since Ellie had arrived there. She really didn’t know where to start.

Ellie patted the seat beside her. “Come sit down, hon.”

Serena released an exaggerated breath. “I can’t sit.” She walked another pace of two. “This is worse than I thought.”

“Maybe it’s not as bad as you think.” Ellie gave her a warm smile. “How about I start for you?”