ALEX
Alex lifted her onto Jesse’s saddle and then Jesse climbed up behind her. Tears streamed down her face as they spurred their horses away from her home. Jesse spoke softly to her, trying to give her comfort.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you,” Jesse said. “We’ll protect you.”
Mattie sniffed. “I don’t think I should leave her.”
“Lass, if you don’t go with us, you will wake up in the morning married to Frank. Is that what you want?”
Alex was certain there was no way Frank would risk her getting away after what had happened today. And it sounded like her stepfather was greedy.
“No,” she said.
“Your mother loved you so much that she was looking out for you. Don’t dishonor her by going against her wishes.”
The woman was silent for a few minutes as they rode in the direction of town. She leaned her head against his chest and Alex was sure Jesse’s cock responded, growing hard.
“What did Momma mean you would explain to me about where you live?”
Alex smiled at her. “Bridgewater is a place where every woman has two husbands to look out for her. This way if something happens to me, Jesse is there to protect you and our children.”
Her brows came together in a frown. “But I can’t marry you both.”
“No, legally, you’ll be married to Alex, but you’ll be both of our wives. The wedding vows will go for me as well. Alex will say the vows, but my heart will also be included with them. Once you’re married to us, there will be no going back. You’re ours.”
Her eyes widened with the knowledge that she would have the two of them. The girl was an innocent, and yet, Alex could see the fire inside her, just waiting for someone to ignite. And he couldn’t wait for the two of them to ignite the passion in her.
Mattie chewed her bottom lip, fear in her eyes. “It’s just, I don’t know either of you.”
“Do you think we’re good men?” Jesse asked.
“Of course,” she said.
“Are you attracted to us?” Alex asked, certain she was at the way she responded to their touch. The way her breasts seemed to swell and her nipples had hardened enough he could see them through her chemise when the shirt she wore fell open.
Would she lie to them? Because if she did, she would soon find herself over his knee.
Her sapphire eyes gazed at him. “Yes, but I’m nervous.”
Jesse leaned around her and kissed her lips. “Thanks for being honest. We’ll take things slow. But first we’re going to get you married. That way Frank and his father can’t take you away. Then we’ll take you home. We’re men and we can’t wait to get you alone.”
“What will we do?” she asked, her voice breathless.
Mattie angled her head and leaned back against Jesse, staring up into his eyes. Alex couldn’t help but feel a little jealous, but his plan had worked. Soon, they would both be sharing their bride.
Certain she was an innocent, she had no idea what would happen tonight and he could see the fear and her innocent anticipation.
Jesse kissed her again, a lingering kiss, and Alex could see she was affected by his lips. When they broke apart, he gazed down at her. “We’ll take it slow and when you’re ready, we’ll make you ours.”
Mattie turned and faced Alex. “And you as well?”
“Yes, Mattie, from the first moment I saw you, I wanted you. I can’t wait to undress you, tear that soiled gown from you and gaze at your lush body.”
A blush crossed her face. “What about children?”
They both chuckled.
“We can’t wait,” Jesse said. “If you get pregnant tonight, we’d be pleased.”
When they reached town, they soon found a judge willing to marry them.
Today, he’d been dreaming about a wife, wishing for one to come into their lives and suddenly there she was in front of them. As Mattie and he said the vows, Jesse stood as a witness, both of them committing to her.
The dress she wore was the same one Frank attacked her in. Grass stains marred the front, but their woman looked dignified and regal, her blonde hair hung in curls down her back. Beautiful and he couldn’t wait to get her home and remove that horrible dress from her and burn it.
“You may now kiss your bride,” the judge said.
It was their first kiss, and yet, he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. If they were home, he would have her melting from the touch of lips, but here with the judge, he gave her a brief kiss, saving the best for later.
“Congratulations,” he said.
Just then the door to his office burst open.
“Stop. She can’t marry him.” An older man came rushing toward Mattie. Frank running behind the older man.
Jesse moved to guard Mattie, putting her between them, blocking the man from reaching her.
“Too late,” Jesse said his voice almost gleeful. “Alex just married her.”
The man’s cheeks flushed with anger.
“Undo the vows,” the man said. “She doesn’t have my permission. She’s going to marry my son.”
“No,” Mattie said. “I don’t need your permission and I’m not marrying Frank. Alex is my husband.”
The man’s face turned red and he glowered at her. “You’re going to regret this.”
Jesse stepped up to him. “If you want to live, don’t come near Mattie or I will kill you.”
“She’s my stepdaughter. She’s not right in the head.”
“I’m very sane. Your son tried to force himself on me today. These gentlemen rescued me and Alex offered to marry me. We’re done.”
“You’d go off and leave your momma dying to get married?” the older man said, his eyes glaring at her. “You’re a selfish bitch.”
Mattie began to tremble and Alex feared she would change her mind.
Instead, she did her best to get around Jesse, her fists doubled. He laid his hand on her arm to restrain her.
“Oh, I regret the day you came into our lives. Momma knew what the two of you were doing and made me leave.”
That was enough. Anger rushed through Alex at how these men had treated her mother and Mattie and the urge to beat them senseless was building and about to explode.
“Stop,” Alex said in a quiet, deadly tone. “Leave now unless you want the judge to witness your killing.”
“This is not over,” Edward said. He grabbed his son. “Let’s go. Soon you’ll be dead men.”
The two men walked out the door and the judge sighed. “Boys, you know I have to report this to the sheriff.”
“Yes, sir,” Jesse said. “Why do you think Mattie’s dress is stained and the bodice ripped. Because of Frank. We’re just lucky we came along when we did.”
And now they had the woman they had been dreaming of.
Mattie sighed. “No, I’m the lucky one. Judge, I’m begging you to please let me know when my mother passes. I didn’t want to leave her, but she insisted I marry Alex. And I’m so thankful I did.”
The man nodded. “Of course. I remember your father. He was a good man.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Let’s head home, so we can make it before dark,” Jesse said, gazing at Alex.
The man was sending him a warning. One that said they needed to get home before Frank and Edward found help. They needed to get home, so they could give their bride the attention she deserved. They needed to get home before their cocks exploded.
“Congratulations, Alex and Mattie,” the judge said.
The three of them walked out of the judge’s chambers. Alex tensed and looked around for the two scalawags, but they were nowhere to be seen.
As Alex helped Mattie onto Jesse’s horse, he shook his head. “Jesse, I think we married ourselves a little spitfire. She was ready to punch Edward.”
“You’re protecting me and I protect what’s mine. You two are now my men,” she said.
Her words made Alex want to spur his horse and get home as quickly as possible. It sounded like she had accepted their marriage. Tonight they would make the blonde spitfire theirs.