Tri-Tip (Grade-A Beefcakes 3)

“You’ve got three,” I corrected. She was dating—a very bland term for what she had going—Porter’s cousin, Gus Duke, as well as two other guys, Kemp and Poe.

“You’ve been up front with them all along. It’s not like anyone can get away with dating two men at the same time on the sly in a town the size of Raines without them hearing about it.”

I was dating Porter Duke and Liam O’Malley, the new sheriff of Raines County. Right from the start, I’d told them I wanted to keep things casual. Not exclusive. Well, I was exclusively dating the two of them, but not together. I’d been interested in both of them from the very beginning, but had no idea how to tell them that. I still didn’t, but tonight I was doing it anyway.

“I work too much to do anything but take it slow,” I told her.

I had the hots for Porter and Liam, and I’d wanted to get to know both of them. They’d been receptive to fun, easy dates and the fact that I was going out with the other. Over the past few months, I’d been out with them, separately, to dinner, gone hiking, even bowling. Both were charming, smart, successful men—sexy, too—and I wanted both. These past few months had only confirmed that. Parker and her men proved that I could have both Porter and Liam, that my heart didn’t have to settle. And she wasn’t the only one. Ava, who ran the Seed and Feed, was engaged to Colton and Tucker Duke. Two men.

“Honey, glaciers move faster than you do,” Parker added.

I frowned at her words, although she couldn’t see me. We’d been friends growing up, but had lost touch over the years. She’d moved back to town a few months ago to be the temporary sheriff and we’d reconnected. The fact that she’d been Liam’s boss for a few months before he was elected into the position, and the fact that she was also dating a Duke herself, made her think she was an expert on my dating life.

“It’s one thing to casually date two guys at once, but I draw the line at sleeping with them at the same time,” I replied.

“Unless it literally is at the same time.”

My body heated at the idea of being the filling of a Liam and Porter sandwich. I’d fantasized about it, touched myself and climaxed at the mental picture of being in bed with the two virile men. One dark, the other fair. Big hands meant big dicks and I squirmed in my seat hoping I’d get to confirm that with them. Hopefully tonight.

“Exactly. So that’s why we’re meeting at Cassidy’s, to tell them that I want to be with them. Together. Enough with casual dating.”

“Good, because there’s no doubt those two have blue balls.”

“You’re worried about them? What about me? Have you seen them? I’ve been dating two hotties and haven’t gotten more than kissed.”

“That’s your own making,” she countered. “If you’d talked to them about this weeks ago, there’s no doubt in my mind you’d have gotten both of them in your bed by now.”

I made a funny whimper sound. A mixture of worry, horniness and agreement.

Parker laughed. “Fix it. I’ve seen the way they look at you. They are into you. Seriously. Give your vibrator a break and go for the real thing. Times two.”

Times two sounded fabulous. I’d never been with two guys before. My technique in bed was pretty much limited to missionary and a few other non-Kama Sutra positions. Taking on two dicks at once was well beyond my experience level. But I wanted to go for it anyway. With Porter Duke and Liam O’Malley. I wanted it all with them.

With the engine off, it was getting cold fast, but thoughts of being with those two kept me warm. Kissing them had been thrilling enough. And that had been on the mouth. What could they do to other places on my body?

My phone chimed and I looked at the screen. Another call. I didn’t recognize the number.

“I’ve got to go,” I told Parker.

“Call me tomorrow. I want all the dirty details!”

She hung up and I switched over to the other call.

“Hello?”

“Jillian Murphy?” The man’s voice was deep and one I didn’t recognize.

“Yes,” I replied.

“This is Bob at the Jumping Jack Pawn Shop in Clayton.”

All the eagerness I’d had all day for my date with Porter and Liam was gone. I stared out the front windshield at the piles of snow at the curb, the way the bright lights of the businesses on Main Street looked inviting, even in such cold weather and the way it was dark so early. Especially Cassidy’s restaurant where I’d hoped to get something to eat after a long day at work—with really handsome company.

Now? Knowing what the guy was going to say? It was going to be hard to be excited about anything. Any mention of my brother, Tommy, these days was all bad and somehow involved another mess for me to clean up. My appetite for greasy cheeseburger and fries was gone.

“Yes, hi.” It was rude that I didn’t sound very excited to talk to Bob, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m guessing you know why I’m calling,” he replied.