Rescue Party Page 2

  “You can go naked. We won’t mind.” Clay grinned.

  She rolled her eyes. “Still the player, Clay? I’ll suffer and drip dry.”

  “No, you’ll catch a chill. We’ll find you something. I’ll set you up in the guest room.” Steve guided her to the back bedroom.

  She’d peeled off her socks when someone tapped on the door. “Come in,” she said.

  “Might not be a great fit but they’re dry.” A shirtless Dean set a pair of boxers, a T-shirt, and a zippered sweatshirt on the guest bed.

  Trying not to stare at his muscled shoulders and perfect abs, she couldn’t deny the arousal. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to interrupt your reunion.”

  “Are you kidding? Having a woman marooned with us is a dream come true.” He winked at her.

  She didn’t quite believe it but ignored him. “What’s with Clay?”

  “Back home. Computer guy at the factory. Dream job, right?” Dean smiled.

  “Sounds as if it’s a good job. Bad boys are hot but also can be just bad.” She refused to fall for the stereotypes that got women into trouble so often. Just because they turned her on didn’t mean they were good relationship material. She liked small-town life because people were judged by their character, not race or religion. People knew if you were trustworthy or not. Interracial dating in college had been a bigger deal than it ever was in Lucky Springs.

  “He’s not so bad anymore. People grow up. He served in the Army Reserve and got a college education. He matured. Don’t sell him short.” Dean nodded. “Get changed and come out to the living room. Steve is making a fire.”

  “Fire? It’s humid around here today, and we’re going to add heat? We can just throw the clothes in the dryer.” She shrugged.

  “It’s just a small fire in case the power goes out. We don’t want to tax the system. You can hide in here if you prefer.” Dean stepped back into the hall and closed the door.

  The room was cozy. The bedding and wall trim was done in burgundy and navy. Manly but styled. Dean had to be a flirt? Now? It hit her differently with Clay around. Steve and Dean were always nice and overly friendly, but two gay men could fawn over women and it meant nothing. Her lust was her problem. Throw Clay in the mix, and it was off balance for her. She shook them off and removed the wet clothing.

  Naked, she dried off with the towels and let the air circulate all over her body to cool off her adult thoughts that were still around.

  Despite her mother’s pride over Kacy being the smartest and most serious of the sisters, men had always given more attention to the more forward girls. Kacy wanted a man who appreciated more than her body.

  Her random thoughts made Kacy pause. Was she avoiding the men or just preparing herself for catching up with Clay? She slid on the dark green boxers and light green T-shirt. Getting her bra to dry out was priority one on the clothes front. She wasn’t big like her middle sister, but she wasn’t tiny like her baby sister either. Men’s T-shirts had no support for cleavage.

  Removing the clip and shaking out her long hair, she checked her image in the mirror. Not bad under the circumstances. The high beams under the shirt could be from the cold, not from the arousal surging through her body. Stuck in a house with three hot men. Two of whom she trusted and loved as friends but happened to be in love with each other. Then there was Clay. The bad boy crush she’d refused to admit in high school.

  Only her sisters knew she’d lusted after Clay, and they’d agreed he didn’t want a good-girl honors student. White guys were one thing—Kacy didn’t believe in limiting her options—but dating outside of your high school sphere had seemed unimaginable at sixteen.

  Not that he wanted to date her or screw her back then. They were the same year, and he’d been in her homeroom every year, every day and looking hot. He had a lot of the girls but never put any time or effort in her direction.

  She put the historical nonsense behind her. Teenagers were hormonal and dramatic. She’d thought she’d gotten over high school years ago, but somehow Clay still tapped that need to be desired in her.

  With a sigh, she grabbed her wet clothes and headed out. The smell of a real wood fire greeted her. Barefoot and barely dressed, she walked quietly into the main room. Dean and Clay were talking. Then she saw Dean lean over and kiss Clay.

  A bolt of desire shot throughout her body and settled into a throbbing between her legs. Clay didn’t resist and was in nothing but a pair of boxers. She watched both men for erections as she padded into the room and hung her bra and panties on rack in front of the roaring fire. Then she added her jeans and shirt. “Don’t mind me.”

  “A beautiful woman is nothing to mind. You’re something to admire.” Steve set his clothes on the rack, as well.

  “I think your boyfriend is confused.” She pulled an ottoman close to the fire and sat on it.

  “Nah, Clay was a little confused before, but that’s okay. Dean and I like to share the right people.” Steve hugged Clay from behind.

  The idea of Clay with other men, and the proof of it before her eyes spun her brain while turning her on even more. Why men together did it for her made no sense, but it was true. “I guess I couldn’t be safer in a convent.”

  “You think you’re safe?” Clay chuckled.

  “She’s perfectly safe.” Dean shoved Clay back a bit into Steve’s body.

  “Yeah, we’re not going to hurt her. But you’re looking at her as much as I am.” Clay stared at her breasts without shame or subtlety.

  She folded her arms over her chest. “It appears you like being sandwiched between two hot men. If you’re all gay, why are you looking at me?”

  Steve and Dean grinned. Clay slid from between the pair and knelt in front of Kacy. “I’m not gay. I like women every bit as much as men.”

  “We all do. Bisexual, not gay.” Dean kissed Steve, crossed the room and flipped on the radio.

  “Bisexual?” She nodded and looked Clay in the eye. “At least all those girls didn’t give up their virginity for you to prove a lie. Guess I just wasn’t of interest.” She took the opportunity to poke around a little and see what the real Clay was about.

  “That’s not true. Plenty of men were interested in you.” Steve rolled out blankets.

  “Yep, but you were a good girl. No point trying to seduce you then.” Clay ran his hands over her feet. “You’re warming up.”

  Having him so close, she felt as if she were in the fire. His muscled chest rippled, and she wanted to run her fingers over his body. All of them were bi? They were all looking at her. It was another fantasy of hers since high school days she’d never shared with anyone. One man was enough for most girls, but the idea of more than one wanting her and pleasing her plagued her dreams. She’d written it off as overcompensating for not having men interested in her.

  “So you didn’t go after me because I was studious and not a slut?” she asked Clay.

  “You didn’t put yourself out there much.” Clay shrugged.

  “That’s all history. I’ll make some tea.” Dean turned up the volume on the radio and headed to the kitchen.

  She stared at Dean’s ass as he left. Three such hot men alone with her, it was a dream. She wasn’t the type of woman this happened to, and now that it had, she was clueless as to how to take advantage of it…if she even dared to. She wanted it, but most of the time when she got adventurous, she ended up embarrassed. They might be flirting and playing nice to relax her, but that didn’t mean it was real.

  “I play it safe. That’s my nature.” She watched the fire for a bit so they wouldn’t think she was leering at them.

  “Nothing wrong with safe,” Steve said.

  The radio crackled. “Weather update! Lucky Springs is experiencing flash floods. The mayor has asked all residents to stay where they are if safe. If you are on low-lying ground or experiencing flooding, please call 911 or the fire station. Most roads are nearing a foot deep in water and dangerous to drive on. Stay inside and tuned to this station for more up
dates.”

  “That’s that. I’ll make some sandwiches. Clay, be nice to our guest,” Steve said.

  “I’m a guest, too,” Clay returned as he felt her feet again. “Warming up nicely.”

  Kacy shook her head. “You don’t live here? You seem quite at home.”

  “I still have a place at my uncle’s. Some cousins are staying there, too. I don’t move too fast.” Clay slid his hands up her calves.

  The hot touch made her gasp, but she pressed her lips together. Once in control again, she smirked at him. “You don’t move fast with men and good girls. Just the wild girls?”

  “They don’t mind. You don’t like me?” He massaged his way down her legs and feet until he rubbed her red polished toes.

  “I don’t know you as an adult. Wild teenage boys aren’t what I wanted for me or my sisters.” Kacy had a habit of honesty. Why couldn’t she play the flirt and be coy as easily as other women? She just lacked the player gene.

  “What do you want now?” He looked her in the eye.

  She lifted a shoulder. “Good girls don’t have a lot of options.”

  “A beautiful, smart woman has unlimited options. You just have to want it and believe it’ll work.” He leaned in and kissed her lips.

  The sizzle in the air caught her in a web of heat. She kissed him and ran her hand over his chest down to his abs. “I’m not sure it’ll work.”

  “Me either but those two are good at making things work.” Clay kissed her cheek. “I’ve grown more patient. No rush.”

  “That’s progress.” She leaned back and admired his nearly naked body. All three of them bisexual? The possibilities were endless.

  Chapter Two

  “We’re going to pack some emergency stuff in the truck in case we need to move.” Clay carried a plastic tub toward the door.

  Dean followed with another. “If we’re good here, we can take it to the gym tomorrow for people who can’t get back into their homes.”

  “Flood waters take forever to clean and dry. A lot of people will be displaced.” Kacy shook her head.

  “If they get to the fixes fast, it won’t be so bad. Priority one is everyone’s safety.” Steve nodded. “I’ll throw together some sandwiches. We need to eat and get some rest if we’re going to help people tomorrow. The wind is picking up out there. Get the truck loaded and tie the stuff down.”

  “I’ll help with the food.” Kacy stood up.

  Steve led the way to the kitchen as the other guys went outside. “You okay, Kacy?”

  “Sure. It’s just weird. This kind of weather doesn’t happen in Lucky Springs. And Clay being bisexual? If we weren’t going to be helping people all day tomorrow, I’d ask you to break open a bottle of wine and explain it all.” She opened a loaf of bread.

  Steve grabbed lunchmeat and cheese from the fridge. “We’re all bisexual. Dean and I don’t advertise it. It just took Clay longer to figure it out and accept it.”

  “He was such a player in high school.” She went to work making sandwiches as if it were the picnic for her family reunion. “Now he’s so different.”

  “The Army Reserve helped him mature. When he came back to town, he was a different guy. Still hot,” Steve said. He had seen the way she looked at all of them. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe.”

  “Safe? I’m not in danger with you three.” She laughed, and worked faster on the sandwiches before bagging some. “We should make extra and leave them in the fridge. Take them to the gym tomorrow.”

  “Sure. Sounds good.” Steve studied the curve of her neck but got lost every time she flashed her big brown eyes at him. He was glad she felt safe with them. “I always had a crush on you. Dean, too. Don’t worry, we’re gentlemen.”

  “I wasn’t worried. Even Clay never pushed himself on anyone in high school, and I’d have heard if he crossed a line. Women talk. All his girl chasing makes sense now. Trying to satisfy his sexual needs in the wrong direction must’ve been so confusing for Clay. You’re all good guys. I’m not worried. Boys never chased me.” She chuckled.

  “You were a good girl and opinionated. Guys don’t like to get shot down. Teenagers get their egos wounded easier and handle it worse than adults, and you would have been a challenge. I knew I was into men and crushing on Dean. I also was attracted to smart, strong women. Being bisexual is complicated. We all start somewhere.” Steve stacked the extra sandwiches in the fridge. Steve hadn’t done anything serious with a guy until college, but that didn’t make him less bisexual.

  “That must’ve been confusing for you.” She closed the bread up. “Liking both men and women. I can’t even imagine what that’s like. I always wanted men, but when you see a couple bad ones in action, you learn not to be very picky. My mother loved to say make a boy work for your interest because you owe him nothing for his attentions.”

  “You projected that perfectly.” He brushed a stray strand of curly black hair from her cheek.

  “I was a cold bitch?” she asked.

  “No, but you made it clear any guy would have to work hard for your affections.”

  “So I wasn’t easy and looked prudish. My sisters told me to loosen up. I just never knew how to do that without going wild. As if it were all or nothing. Why am I thinking about all of this? We’ve got a storm brewing, and we’re adults now. That’s all history. I’m glad my teen years are over.” She wiped her hands on a towel.

  “Clay coming back to town brings back some memories and fantasies for all of us. And you weren’t a prude. Maybe some people saw it that way when we were teens, but I work with kids now. Compared to them, we were all prudes. There is something to be said for waiting for the right first date, first love and first time. The right relationship isn’t easy to find, but settling is a bigger mistake.”

  “Right, but you get tired of waiting. Though you and Dean are so perfect.” She paused. “It’s none of my business, but you’re adding Clay, so it’s a group?”

  Steve studied her curves. He knew the group needed the right woman and wondered if fate had stepped in today. “Dean is my rock. Can’t live without him, but we never denied we liked women, and sharing another guy is fun, too. When you’ve been together that long, you don’t want to get bored or take each other for granted. We both knew we’d find the right woman someday. I think Clay is an unexpected part of the equation. He reminded us what we love about each other.”

  “So Clay is just for fun? Helping him out of the closet?” Kacy elbowed Steve playfully. “The way you guys interact, it seems more than that.”

  Steve shrugged. “I think he’d figured it out himself already. Dean and I are happy to help him in Lucky Springs. Hot guy in the mix doesn’t hurt. It started as a hook up and grew to something more. But the right woman is essential, long term.”

  “I’m sure it’ll all work out. You two are such a great couple.” She kissed his cheek. “Clay is lucky. I just hope he doesn’t freak out and leave or something.”

  The power blipped, and they both looked up.

  “Let’s get the food into the main room. Grab a bag of chips and the sandwiches. I’ll get drinks.” He went for a case of water in the corner.

  “You three are strong. I’m not sure what good I’ll be tomorrow, but I’m glad you’ll be there to help.” She smiled.

  He picked up a case of soda with his other hand and led the way out of the kitchen. “They’ll need people to organize and pass out things. We’ll do the lifting and help rescue if they need us. Dean is good for first aid.”

  “Damn right, people aren’t much different than dogs and horses.” Dean was back inside and stirring up the fire.

  “I filled the truck’s gas tank with the extra from the garage. I put the container in the back, too. Don’t want to be caught without fuel.” Clay rubbed a towel over his head.

  “Good thinking, Clay. We’ll be set for the morning.” Steve caught Kacy staring at the other two men’s wet and muscled forms. Not everyone had paid attention to the studious girl in s
chool, but Steve had. She’d always admired the attractive men, but you had to watch her carefully to catch her looking. Their work together at the school gave him ample time to observe her. He liked her cautious and practical approach to life. Maybe the right woman had floated into their lives at just the right time?

  The power popped, then nothing but fire lit the room. Kacy froze, and Steve rubbed her shoulders. “Everyone take a seat by the fire. We’ve got food.”

  “I’m not sure I can eat. It looks as if the wind is getting worse,” she said.

  Dean lit up an old oil lamp and set it on the gray stone of the mantel. “If you eat your sandwich, I’ll go into the kitchen and find stuff for S’mores.”

  She tried to hide her smile and picked up a sandwich and a can of soda. “Deal. You better not tease a woman about chocolate!”

  “Never.” Steve watched the group settle in, and the tension eased even as nature flourished its power outside the old log cabin.

  * * * *

  Her chocolate craving satisfied, Kacy still couldn’t sleep. She tossed the blanket aside and rolled over to look at the men five feet away on the other side of the front room near the fire. They were all sprawled together in a sexy tangle. All shirtless and in boxers, they’d kicked off the sheet. She was burning up, and it wasn’t from the small fire still crackling.

  They could’ve put her in the guestroom with a candle or spare oil lamp. Instead, they wanted everyone together with the power out. There must have been some camping or emergency logic to it, but she wasn’t totally clueless. Sure, if a window broke or a tree limb flew just right, it could be dangerous, and in this great room they were far from any windows, no doubt a plus. The spark was there in her mind that maybe they wanted to be near her. Arousal tingled through her body just looking at them.

  Safe with gentlemen, she fought the urge to be wild for a moment. They knew her. It wasn’t as if they were picking up a stranger. But she’d never be reckless with men she didn’t trust, of course, especially three of them. And when would she ever have a chance like this again? Crawling from her spot, she tucked her hair behind her ears and hoped it wasn’t a mistake.