Arctic Adventure (Men of Alaska Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Loose Id Titles by Cheryl Dragon

  Cheryl Dragon

  Men of Alaska 3:

  ARCTIC ADVENTURE

  Cheryl Dragon

  www.loose-id.com

  Men of Alaska 3: Arctic Adventure

  Copyright © April 2015 by Cheryl Dragon

  All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  eISBN 9781623008833

  Editor: Crystal Esau

  Cover Artist: Anne Cain

  Published in the United States of America

  Loose Id LLC

  PO Box 170549

  San Francisco CA 94117-0549

  www.loose-id.com

  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.

  Warning

  This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id LLC’s 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.

  Dedication

  For all the Men of Alaska fans who had to wait for the next book!

  Acknowledgment

  Thanks to my amazing Alaska goddess and guru Jennifer Allison for making sure I’ve got it right and telling me bonus stories in beta reads!

  Special thanks to Wendi Zwaduk for helping me with this and supporting me while stuck sitting in the hospital with my dad.

  oxox

  Chapter One

  [Ladies’ Night at the Anchor’s Up bar drew a big crowd. Tiffany James had no interest in drunk men being annoying. But her girlfriends were determined to have a girls' night out. They’d invaded Tiff’s home to make sure she didn’t ditch them.

  “Why don’t we just go over to the bar in Homer? At least that’s different people,” Tiff suggested. “Or stay here. My house is big enough, and I have wine.”

  “Be quiet and purse your lips.” Bethany wagged the lip liner at Tiff.

  Resistance was futile. Bethany went about sprucing up Tiff’s normally functional look. She wasn’t a tomboy, not anymore. But having only brothers, she’d learned to avoid male taunts and prove she could do anything they could. Normally her hair was pulled back and she wore minimal makeup for her day job.

  Now Bethany, the only other single girl, added her touches to Tiff’s look.

  “We don’t need different people. We just want to enjoy some drinks out together.” Gretchen dabbed on lip gloss. “Thanks for being the designated driver.”

  Tiff wanted to retort that they could pretty much walk home from the Anchor’s Up. Sterling wasn’t a huge town. Gretchen had a trio of hunks who’d happily pick her up. Melody had a ménage of her own. Sterling wasn’t big, but it wasn’t ordinary either.

  “Maybe Bethany will finally settle on a group of men?” Melody teased.

  “Please. You and Gretchen can be domestic. I like playing this field.” Bethany stepped back from Tiffany and nodded.

  “Thanks.” Tiff checked out the damage in the mirror. Her thick brown hair looked okay down. Loose waves were apparently in, so she looked trendy for a change. Bethany had stuck to neutral colors. Bronze eye shadow and lip gloss over the liner. It wasn’t too sparkly, so Tiff didn’t argue.

  “Maybe Tiff will find some guys before Bethany has one-night stands with all the single men in Sterling and Homer.” Mel rolled her eyes.

  Tiff and Bethany laughed.

  “I’m not holding my breath.” Tiffany smacked Mel’s hand away when she tried to open another button on Tiff’s green blouse.

  “That’s why she wanted to go to Homer. Fresh meat.” Bethany spritzed perfume on and dropped the bottle back into her bag.

  “Not that fresh. I know most of the people in Homer too. Until tourist season kicks in, it’s all the usual suspects. They’ll go after Bethany first anyway.” That was a relief actually. Tiff wiped her hands on her dark skinny jeans. The knee-high brown boots made her feel odd, but they were a holiday gift from the girls.

  “Tonight isn’t about men,” Gretchen insisted.

  “Male overload.” Tiff laughed. “You poor thing. Three sexy men is a lot to live with.”

  Gretchen blushed. “No, I love them all. It is a unique relationship, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. On the other hand, some free drinks and time with the girls is good too.”

  Sure, they could drink for free on Ladies’ Night, but Tiff never went alone. It wasn’t worth the jokes. People asked her insane questions that only grew more gross or perverted when people were drunk. Being a paramedic, nothing shocked her, but even when she was off duty, she was on. She’d lived her entire life in the small town on the Alaska Kenai Peninsula, and everyone knew her.

  “Pop out a couple of sons, Gretchen, and you’ll be in testosterone hell.” Tiff couldn’t resist.

  “Please, I’m not even married. Kids can wait.” Gretchen crossed her arms over her ample cleavage.

  Mel, Gretchen, and Bethany were all plus-size. Tiff felt quite comfortable with them. At a size 12 or 14, depending on the outfit, she never felt delicate and dainty like some women. She was average. Some men loved full-figured women. Tiff never seemed to hit any man’s fancy.

  “They just proposed on New Year’s Eve. Don’t rush. Maybe a summer wedding?” Gretchen glanced at her diamond ring.

  “You better get Dana at the Sterling Inn to lock in a date now, or it’ll be gone. You’d be better with a winter wedding, no tourists. Cheaper,” Tiff said.

  Bethany threw Tiff a scolding look. “Or ask Dana tonight at the bar. I’ve invited her to come along. She’ll make a special deal for you.”

  Tiff sighed. “Right. Sorry. I’m too darn practical.”

  “That’s why I like you.” Melody grabbed her purse. “Let’s go while we can get a table. I feel a busy wedding season coming on.”

  Tiff liked Mel’s down-to-earth style. For someone who made custom gowns, Mel wasn’t overly romantic. She’d fallen for a trio of boat builders and moved to Alaska after doing a friend’s wedding here. Gretchen had been out of work, and Mel hired her to do PR for the businesses. It all sort of fell into place.

  They liked Tiff because
she knew Alaska. When they needed help and didn’t want their macho men to help or teach them, they turned to Tiffany. “Let me grab my gun.”

  “You don’t need that.” Bethany waved it off.

  Tiff shook her head at Bethany and grabbed her handgun from her bedroom. Sliding it into her waistband and clipping it to her belt at the small of her back, Tiff knew better. A lot of people thought this was Alaska lite because it was the southern end. The weather wasn’t as extreme, and there were plenty of places to eat. Everyone who wanted them had plumbing and electric, and the ports allowed fresh supplies to be delivered daily. They weren’t bush people, but bears didn’t care about big city or backwoods. They could be anywhere and everywhere.

  “There are bears. I’ve got bear spray in my bag,” Mel said.

  “Exactly. Spray is smart, I’m just a gun girl. Bullets don’t care about the direction of the wind. Bears wake up hungry and grumpy. Speaking of hungry, let’s go. I’ll buy some appetizers.” Tiff held the front door open. Part of her wanted to hide in a booth and just talk with the women.

  A bigger part of her wanted to see if that recently arrived Alaska State Trooper she’d run into and flirted with, as much as she knew how to flirt, was there. She’d given Phil her number, but he hadn’t called. What else was new? A hot man in town and he acted like he was into her and then nothing. She didn’t even want to talk to the girls about it. Too embarrassing.

  Her partner Tony, one of Gretchen’s men, hadn’t made any cracks, so maybe she’d been too subtle? She remembered Phil’s smile and impressive muscled form. Men in uniform were hard to resist. Phil Henderson hadn’t been wearing a wedding ring, so that was a good sign. Plus, something about the way he’d talked told her he wasn’t from Alaska.

  That only made him more attractive. He might need some help. Phil definitely wasn’t from Sterling, so he wouldn’t have a preconceived opinion of her. Ménage was a nice fantasy for her, but one right guy could work too. Group relationships were a historic hangover around here, a tradition from the days when there were way too many men and Alaska had been even deadlier than today.

  As Tiff drove, the women chatted about wedding gowns. Whatever Gretchen picked would be perfect. Tiff knew some people thought group weddings could be odd, but blending the traditional with the unconventional appealed to her. Maybe someday she’d settle down.

  You couldn’t miss the bar near the docks with the huge word Anchor glowing in neon blue. The women grabbed a round table in the corner before the old-fashioned wood trimmed bar started to fill up. Bethany and Tiff had a view of the room. Bethany was busy flirting, but for Tiff it was habit. Maybe she was scanning for Phil, but she wouldn’t admit it. Drinking cola and eating fried cheese soothed her.

  “Crap,” Tiff muttered.

  “What? Is someone looking for medical advice?” Gretchen glanced around.

  “No. Two of my brothers are here.” Tiff shook her head at them.

  “Cute.” Bethany nodded.

  “No, just no.” Tiff rubbed her forehead. She’d need a drink if Bethany went home with any of her brothers.

  The duo swaggered over and smiled. “Ladies. Tiff, not even drinking. Good girl.” Dave, the oldest, always took the lead.

  “She’s so nice to be our designated driver.” Bethany was never at a loss for words. “You’re Tiff’s brothers?”

  “Two of them. Dave and Derrick. Bethany, Melody, and Gretchen.” Tiffany introduced people.

  “There is Dana. Good.” Gretchen waved her over.

  “Don’t let Tiffany jinx you. If you’re looking for men, she sort of has bad luck.” Derrick winked.

  “If the men are like you, we’re safer for it,” Mel shot back.

  Tiffany smiled. “Mel and Gretchen already have trios. Bethany is playing the field.”

  Dana sat down and gave the men disapproving looks. “Hi, girls.”

  “Another single woman over thirty. We’ll let the ladies gab, drink, and snack.” Dave nodded to his brother.

  “You two must be getting lots of ladies if you’re here bugging your sister and her friends,” Bethany called after them.

  “Sorry about them,” Tiff said.

  “Jerks.” Dana sipped her wine.

  “Always were. Overprotective yet teasing all my life.” Tiff stood up. “Anyone want another drink? I’m going to order more cheese poppers and crab dip and charge it to their tab.”

  “Get us another round.” Bethany nodded.

  Gretchen leaned in to Dana. “I need to talk to you about a date at the Inn.”

  Tiffany smiled. Gretchen’s wedding would be a great topic of conversation. Being a bridesmaid wasn’t high on her bucket list, but Tiffany would do it for a friend. Her work partner was one of the grooms as well. It felt right to be part of it.

  After giving the bartender their order and where to charge it, she grabbed a fresh bowl of snacks and turned to head back to her table. She spotted Phil out of the corner of her eye. The man was hot and casually dressed. She wanted to go over and say hello. Then she saw who he was with.

  Sean Grendle and Mick Butler. Her stomach knotted, and a chill hit her. Instead of wanting to be noticed, she wished for invisibility as a superpower, like she had so many times in high school.

  Two of the sexiest guys she’d grown up with had turned into grown men full of muscle and confidence. Plus, they knew Phil… She couldn’t catch a break.

  Sean looked up and locked eyes with her. He was one thing, but Mick was back too? She pretended to be looking for her friends and glanced right by him with the practiced focus she used in her job. She could scan a crowd full of drunk people and find the injured ones who needed her.

  Damn! Sean and Mick… When the hell did they get back in Sterling?

  * * * *

  Being home again was refreshing. Sean had spent some time with his family and laid low as far as socializing. He and Mick knew what this town was about and were ready to settle down. Phil was new to the group, and they’d given him time to get used to things before they started anything.

  Spotting Tiff, Sean enjoyed the rush of lust and affection. Tousled brown hair, big brown eyes, and a curvy figure. “Mick, look. I told you she’d be here.” Sean waved at Tiffany, but she had her head down and went to a table. His friend and high school crush had always been complicated. Nice to know some things hadn’t changed.

  “I don’t know why you want to dredge up ancient history. Her brothers are still around too. I saw two of them.” Mick glanced around the room again.

  “Her brothers were your friends. You said we need the right woman. It’s time. She’s it. You know she is.” Sean grinned at his longtime boyfriend. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, tall, and solid muscle—he stood like an Alaska State Trooper even in civilian clothes. It was Mick’s idea to move home to Sterling. The obstacles involving Mick’s family and Sean’s busted-up leg were finally behind them. Sterling was home, and the weather was better than towns north. Best of all, the group relationship raised no eyebrows at all.

  Mick liked things orderly and could keep his calm in the face of gay bashers and drunken crazies. He wasn’t going to overreact or rush into anything, even if he wanted Tiff to become part of their group. Sean was less patient.

  “That’s the woman I talked to. The paramedic.” Phil started to go over.

  “Hold on.” Sean preferred nature and sports to law and order. How he ended up with two troopers in his bed he’d never know. Phil making the move for the group? Not the best idea. “Tiffany is the paramedic who gave you her number?”

  “Yep. I was working traffic on the highway, and there was a fender bender checked out. She and a male partner showed up to clear them.”

  “Maybe she’s got men?” Mick suggested.

  Sean took a deep breath. Juggling these two wore on his well-trained hunter patience. “Would Tiff give Phil her number if she was taken?”

  “She didn’t strike me as a flirt.” Phil shook his head. His brown short hair, sharp gree
n eyes, and quick smile had plenty of women paying attention tonight, single or not. New men got noticed, especially with Phil’s military build.

  “She was as sheltered as you can be around here. Tiff has a lot of brothers. Four. Big guys who are as overprotective as her father.” Mick sipped his soda.

  “Didn’t her mom stand up for her so she could have some fun?” Phil shrugged.

  “Mom went back and forth a lot taking care of her ailing mother in Florida. I remember Tiff’s grandmother being around sometimes. Gave all the kids attention and helped run the house. The girlie stuff was never Tiff’s comfort zone.” Sean sighed. “She wanted to keep up with her brothers.”

  “Looks like she’s grown up now. What’s the problem?” Phil asked.

  “She sort of had a crush on Mick, and he was friends with her brothers. So he never gave her the time of day. Teenagers are dumb.” Sean understood why Mick did what he did, but Tiff might not be forgiving.

  “I knew I wanted to be a trooper, and they move you around a bit at first for experience in different posts. I wasn’t looking for complicated in high school,” Mick replied.

  “But you were with Sean in high school?” Phil asked.

  “That was different,” Mick said.

  “Yeah, we both knew we weren’t going to stick around Sterling after graduation. I wanted to explore Alaska with extreme sports and hunting. He wanted a uniform.” Sean grinned at Phil. “We had fun together. I had no idea we’d run into each other in Anchorage and you’d cement the deal.”

  “But ménage here is normal. With a woman too?” Phil asked.

  “Yep, kept the peace—less fighting over available women. The families were safe. Fewer prostitutes, but that was back in the 1800s. Now it’s just quirky.” Mick chuckled.

  “Quirky?” Sean softly punched Mick’s shoulder.

  “It’s not normal. People talk about it even in Alaska.” Mick shrugged.

  Phil nodded. “If you’re bisexual, it’s ideal. So what was your history with Tiff, Sean?”