Rescue Party Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Rescue Party Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Dragon

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Want to read more about the residents of Lucky Springs? Also Available from Resplendence Publishing

  Also Available from Resplendence Publishing

  www.resplendencepublishing.com

  Rescue Party

  A Lucky Springs Story

  By Cheryl Dragon

  Resplendence Publishing, LLC

  http://www.resplendencepublishing.com

  Rescue Party

  Copyright © 2013 Cheryl Dragon

  Edited by Darlena Cunha and Caitlin Green

  Cover Art by Kendra Egert

  Published by Resplendence Publishing, LLC

  2665 N Atlantic Avenue, #349

  Daytona Beach, FL 32118

  Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-60735-692-9

  Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Electronic Release: August 2013

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

  To all those who know love is color blind!

  And to Cheerios for creating a great commercial!

  Chapter One

  Clay Fulton and his friends watched the skies nervously. The water rose slowly in the streets as rain pounded the town. A low-level hurricane had swept up the Gulf, and while most storms were nothing major for centrally located Lucky Springs, this one had produced excessive rainfall. Add in gusting winds, and it was a good day to stay inside.

  “We might be in for a flood,” Clay said. The former Army Reservist’s brain planned in terms of emergency action. The small town he grew up in rarely had extremes in weather, but a lot of the land was low lying.

  “You’ll just have to stay here. We’re on high ground.” Dean hugged Clay from behind.

  Men still felt new to him, but Clay leaned back into it. Privately, he knew he was bisexual, but he hadn’t put it out there publicly yet. Before, he’d strictly done women, and the men thing wasn’t quite second nature yet. He needed some reassurance. “You’ll get sick of me.”

  “Not a chance.” Steve sat on the window seat that looked out from the huge log cabin. “In this weather, we should stick together.”

  Clay discovered Steve and Dean were a couple when he returned to Lucky Springs. After high school, he’d gone into the Army Reserve and got a college degree, but nowhere else could be home. He was big into cheerleaders in high school, and a little real life experience taught him he’d been searching for more.

  Things had changed when Clay was invited to one of the sex parties and found them there, as well. An open secret for most of Lucky Springs, private sex parties kept things interesting since there wasn’t a BDSM or swingers club in town. Not even a strip club or adult bookstore could be found until the next big city…more than two hours away by car.

  Being back in the small town where in high school he’d been a top jock and really wild felt oddly comforting and also a little bit of a let down. He wasn’t the stud with big dreams anymore. He’d peaked in high school and went into the Army Reserve to pay for college and receive some discipline. Being back home felt safe, and his job at the factory in the IT department suited him.

  “You’re quiet.” Dean pressed into Clay’s back. The tall, sexy man had dark brown hair, brown eyes and was a year younger than Clay.

  The desire hummed through their bodies. Being with men wasn’t something Clay had ever thought of until the Reserve where hot, hard men were all over and not shy about what they did or where. And even still, Clay hadn’t done anything with men until these two.

  “He misses all the action. He’s bored with Lucky Springs.” Steve stood up and pinned Clay between the bodies of the other men.

  The hunk sandwich made Clay’s blood pound in his veins. “Not bored. How could I be with you two around? It’s just this storm feels different.”

  “I think he’s missing women. We need to hit another party.” Dean trailed his hand up Clay’s tattooed arm. The pattern went from elbow to shoulder.

  “A woman is nice. The right woman is harder to find.” Steve kissed Clay softly.

  Giving in to the distraction, Clay kissed Steve back. The confident man was an inch taller than Clay and a year older at thirty-one. He’d shocked many Lucky Springs residents by coming back from college with his best friend’s younger brother as a boyfriend. Dean swore he knew all along Steve was the man for him.

  Steve pressed into Clay and kissed Dean over Clay’s shoulder. Clay still couldn’t quite believe he was part of their relationship now. Of course, before the party, he’d have bet every penny he had they’d never fuck a woman. Seeing how fluid sexuality could be opened new worlds to him.

  “I’m not in the way, am I?” Clay wasn’t sure if this would be forever, for now or where he even belonged. He didn’t want to leave. Of that much he was sure. Men weren’t a replacement for women. In fact, he hadn’t lost his lust for women at all. It was different, and being bisexual answered a lot of questions for him.

  “Never.” Dean slid his hands over Clay’s crotch and teased his cock through the denim.

  “Sharing is good.” Steve nipped at Clay’s neck.

  “I don’t think he can go too long without pussy. Remember all the stories of him in high school?” Dean teased.

  Clay’s face felt hot, but he wrapped his arms around Steve’s broad shoulders. His dark hair and piercing green eyes had always intrigued Clay. Now he understood he was attracted to men even in high school, and facing it had been too hard. He’d instead certainly enjoyed all the girls.

  “Half of it was probably made up.” Steve claimed Clay’s mouth again, and their tongues tangled.

  Moaning, Clay backed off the kiss and shook his head. “Most of the stories were true. I wasn’t an honors student. I did a lot of girls. I had no idea it was because I wanted to try guys, too. No matter how many girls I did, it wouldn’t be the same as a guy. Doesn’t mean I don’t want women also.”

  “You know now.” Dean nuzzled the back of Clay’s neck. “We’ll find the right woman and life will be perfect.”

  Clay wanted to believe them. But he’d pleasured and screwed over a lot of women his age in this town years ago. He wasn’t as popular these days. If he came out as gay, they might forgive him. But wanting dick and pussy would only add to the greedy, cocky bastard image. Bad boys in high school were hot. Adult women wanted responsible and successful men. “The women here who know me will think I’m a jerk.”

  “Or you were confused. Don’t underestimate people.” Steve understood the high school games since he was the current football coach, but Clay knew people remembered a lot and held grudges. The scars from teenage years didn’t disappear. As Steve worked his hands under Clay’s shirt, it was hard to care. “Let’s wait out the rain in a more fun way.”

  Ready to agree, Clay tugged his shirt over his head. As the fabric fell to the floor, he spotted something through the window out in the road. “What the hell?”

  Steve turned. “That car won’t make it.”

  It was a small sedan cree
ping along as the water level continued to rise. “The water will cover the tail pipe and the car will drift.” Dean shook his head. “Fire and Rescue won’t get here in time.”

  “We’re here.” Clay fished his keys from his pocket. “My pickup can handle that.”

  Steve stood at the ready but looked unsure of what to do. Dean was a vet, so they had first aid if they needed it. Clay’s brain immediately calculated the needs and dangers. “Steve, you can handle my oversized pickup, right?”

  “Sure. The thing is huge, but that’s good because this water will be nothing for it.” Steve took the keys.

  “Okay, Dean you’ll be in the back with me. Get blankets or whatever just in case. Plus rope. Not sure how this’ll go. First aid supplies won’t hurt.” Clay shoved his stocking feet into work boots.

  Dean gathered what he needed, and Steve helped, they knew where everything was stored in their house on the edge of town better than Clay. Technically, Clay still had a room at his uncle’s house, but he had been staying with Dean and Steve off and on. He never wanted to leave this safe space of open talk and sex.

  Clay watched the car dip into higher water, knowing the engine would cut out in seconds because it couldn’t exhaust. The other two walked up, ready to go. As the trio dashed out the door and into Clay’s pickup, he was grateful he’d gone for the oversized and fully equipped gray Tundra. It had reminded him of the big military vehicles, and his uncle said it was too much car for a keyboard tapper with a desk job. Now that truck would prove its use.

  Steve drove into the water and pulled up next to the small, red sedan with a sunroof. Looking inside, Clay recognized the gorgeous black woman behind the wheel. Kacy Hillen was smart, strong, put together, and had never once looked Clay’s way. The sexy woman now stared at him for help as her engine refused to turn over. The driver’s side window was cracked but not enough to pull her through.

  “Don’t bother. It’s locked,” Clay shouted.

  She popped the manual sunroof up. “Damn it! Help me; I need to get to the school.”

  “Not now, you don’t.” Clay hopped over the side of his truck bed and stood on the hood of her car. He needed to move fast before it became buoyant and was washed away by the building current. They had to get her out of there. “Park it and put the sunroof all the way back if you can. We need to get you out.”

  “What about the door?” She rolled down the window and looked. “Shit!”

  “Water is coming up fast, come on,” Dean shouted as he tossed a rope to Clay.

  Clay fixed the rope through the sunroof and open window before tying it off. They’d at least have a tether. She tried moving the sunroof.

  “The pop up is manual, but the slide-back is electric,” she said.

  “Cover your eyes.” Clay grabbed a crow bar from the back of his truck. When she was covered, he cracked the sunroof off the top of the car and kicked it into the water. “Be careful.”

  Her purse landed on the car’s roof first, and he tossed it into the bed of the truck. “Take my hand, Kacy. I don’t bite.”

  “That’s not what every girl in high school said.” She smiled and tugged the hood of her raincoat up over her head. He saw her mentally prepare herself for something out of the norm, and finally, she grabbed his hand and worked her way up through the sunroof hole until she stood on the seat.

  “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.” Clay ignored the beating rain on his bare torso. He’d be freezing soon, but getting Kacy safe was the priority. Watching her wiggle free of her car was a reward itself. She slid down the windshield.

  Her sexy curves and large, beautiful eyes had intrigued him even back in high school. She’d always been a good girl who didn’t get into trouble or give players the time of day. When her gym shoes landed on the hood of her car next to Clay’s, he was relieved. She’d dressed practically, in jeans, a T-shirt and sturdy shoes. Why she was out in this weather would be a question for later.

  “Pull forward a bit,” Clay shouted to Steve.

  The truck moved up, and Dean let the rope go more. Then he popped the tailgate down so Clay could get Kacy into the bed easily.

  Clay exhaled as he stepped into the bed of his truck and locked it. “You okay?” he asked Kacy.

  “Fine! Thank you. I didn’t expect to get so bad this fast.” She held the side and sat in the back of the truck bed. Steve had the windows open so he could hear what was going on in the back.

  “Flash flood was no joke this time. The storm system stalled over Lucky Springs, and it’s not letting up. We’ll take you inside,” Dean said.

  “You’ll be safe with us. Where the hell were you going in this weather? Every report says to stay home.” He shook his head.

  Kacy met his gaze with a challenging look of her own. He didn’t mind rescuing people, but the question was valid. She seemed smarter than to run off into danger. Or maybe she was just the book-smart sort of woman?

  * * * *

  She pursed her lips. “I was trying to get to the high school. It’s the building the town owns that’s on the highest ground. The plan is to use that as a shelter.”

  “Right. You’re the events coordinator for the town. I don’t think this is really an event up your alley. And if you can’t get there, no one else can either.” Clay sat next to her as Steve headed back for the house.

  “Once the water is down, it’ll be the perfect location though. Are you okay, Kacy?” Dean asked.

  “Fine. Thanks. Can we pull my car along?” She stood up.

  Dean untied the rope and let it go. “Sorry, the sunroof is already ruined. It’ll fill with water in no time.”

  She groaned as she watched her car drift in the other direction. “Damn it.”

  “Sorry. It’s probably toast. The water will ruin the inside.” Clay shrugged.

  “Crap!” She hit the side of the truck. “I thought I was early enough. People need help. Now I’m stranded.”

  “You’re not emergency services. Coordinating aid is great, but it’s too soon for that now. Plus, you’re closer than you were before. We’ll be fine.” Dean put an arm around her shoulders. “Is your place on low ground? Did you have any water yet?”

  She nodded and mentally let go of the first new car she’d bought in her life. Insurance existed for a reason. Three good-looking white men saved her neck, and she wasn’t exactly being appreciative. “Yes, the driveway was flooded already. It’s still rising. I thought I had enough time. Thanks for the help.”

  “All we can do is wait it out. Going to the high school now won’t do any good. No one can get there,” Clay said.

  “People will need to evacuate. They’ll need essentials while in a shelter situation.” Her job was more festivals and parades, but she loved this town and the people in it. The town employees had been on the phone all day trying to get a plan together. Donations were organized, and aid was called in. She hated the waiting part.

  “That’s for the emergency workers to handle. The governor called up the National Guard so we’ll get support,” Dean replied.

  “If they need extra assistance, your truck would be perfect. This thing is a monster.” She looked at Clay and barely recognized the sexy, smug guy from high school. He was serious and hadn’t groped her at all when he’d helped her into the truck. Without his off-putting mannerisms, his slick body and carved abs were hard to ignore.

  She wasn’t one the boys chased anyway, unlike her sisters who smiled and flirted so easily with all the high school guys. Kacy had protected her sisters from how men could be sometimes. Her sisters craved the attention while Kacy had seen what putting up with bad men had done to one of her aunts. The aunt never felt she was good enough and clung to whatever man gave her attention. The one man who stuck around for a long time put the aunt down only to leave her for a younger woman. Kacy learned the lesson without having to live it; that settling for the wrong man always ended in heartbreak.

  The truck pulled up on an incline, and Kacy held on to Dean and the t
ruck’s side until they finally stopped. Dean was a hunk, and his intense body heat made her relax even in the odd situation. She saw Steve exit the driver’s side as Dean walked her to the end of the truck bed. They were such a cute couple.

  After dropping the tailgate, Clay jumped out and helped Kacy down. His touch sparked something in her. She was always attracted to the wrong men, and she always had to ignore it. Three hot men had her attention, but they weren’t interested in anything but helping her. She was safe, and it was thanks to their quick thinking. “Thank you,” she said.

  Steve handed her purse to her, and she let the men lead her into their house. Once out of the constant rain, she shivered. They were all drenched, and she got a good look at the hot, hard bodies of the trio. Sliding her hood down, she stared for a bit before she slipped out of the jacket. This would be fantasy material for later, but for now, she needed to remember her manners. “I don’t know how to thank you guys.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’d do it for anyone.” Steve gave her a hug. “That’s the best part of small towns. Hopefully everyone else will be smart enough to stay in.”

  She smacked his arm and hugged him tighter. They’d worked together on events at the school and for the football team, especially. The homecoming parade was a big event. Dean devoted time to the animal shelter and came to the schools to teach kids about wildlife and safety. Both were fixtures in the town, and she considered them friends.

  They were the sexy men she dreamed of, but they already had each other. Clay was a new addition she didn’t understand. He’d returned to town, and her teenage fantasies revolving around him returned, but why was he here? Friends with Steve and Dean, perhaps. She accepted a towel when Steve offered one and dried her face.

  “We need to get out of these wet clothes,” Dean said.

  “Sorry, I had a bag, but it was in the trunk.” She looked down at her clinging T-shirt and jeans. Not exactly an attractive outfit.