Tangled (Steele Ranch 3)

When she lifted her head off me, licked her lips, then flicked her tongue over a final pearly drop that slipped from me, I knew it was because she was so generous, so eager to make me feel good. Taking her shoulder, I lifted her up so I could kiss her. I tasted myself, but I didn’t give a shit.

It was Cricket’s turn to come.

“Such a good girl, fucking your men like this. It’s time for you to come,” I told her, our eyes meeting, holding.

Lee had slowed as I came, but he picked up the pace.

Her eyes flared, her cheeks flushed red.

“Come,” I said, my voice deep.

She did, whether it was because of my command or Lee’s skill, I didn’t know. I didn’t fucking care. But I had a perfect view of her pleasure as Lee followed her over, their sounds blending together. Shit, watching her come was the most beautiful thing in the world. Lost, abandoned to the passion of her body, that we brought about, was so special.

She was uninhibited, with us. It was a precious gift.

She was a precious gift.

After Lee pulled out, he scooped her up, placed her on my lap as he went to deal with the condom. Her skin was hot and damp with sweat, her muscles soft. She rested her head on my chest, her hand over my heart. Thinking she’d get chilled, I reached an arm out, grabbed a soft throw blanket from the back of the couch and laid it over her.

When Lee returned, his jeans were closed and he had the loose limbed, sated look of a well-fucked male. I assumed I had the same expression, since I sure as shit felt the same way.

“She’s asleep,” he said, his voice tipped low, studying her. “Let’s take her up to bed.”

So much for relaxed.

“A different bedroom,” Lee clarified, undoubtedly thinking there was no fucking way I’d go near the master bedroom again after killing that asshole.

But it wasn’t that. I wasn’t sleeping with Cricket, risking the chance I’d hurt her again. I stood, shifting so she was secure in my hold. He was right; she was asleep, not stirring.

“Here. You take her to bed.” I handed her off to Lee, fixed my pants, then stroked her hair back from her face. I walked away.

“Sutton,” Lee called.

I turned in the doorway.

“She won’t care if you wake her,” he said, knowing about my nightmares.

I clenched my jaw, my body so fucking tense it was as if I hadn’t just gotten off. “I will. I won’t hurt her. She’s safe with you.”

I turned on my heel and left the house. Cricket would be with Lee. Watched over. Loved. I wanted her, but there was only so much I could give.

11

CRICKET

* * *

“Sutton?” I asked sleepily, hearing someone come in the room.

I felt the bed shift on my left side, thought Sutton had changed his mind about sleeping alone in the bunk house.

I felt the soft kiss on my bare shoulder. “No, baby, it’s me.”

Archer.

His voice was just above a whisper as he slid beneath the covers. His weight had me tilting toward him and his arm came around my hip, pulled me into him so we were spooned. His scent was different than Lee’s. More woodsy. Darker. He was naked, his skin warm and I felt every hard inch of him. Especially the eight or so inches nudging at my bottom.

Lee stirred in front of me, but didn’t wake up. He was on his stomach, one arm up over his head and tucked beneath the pillow. I’d woken up at some point with the need to pee, discovered Lee was the only one with me. Sutton had left. He’d left me with Lee.