JESSE
Exhausted, they arrived home after midnight. While Alex unhitched the wagon and put the horses in the barn, Jesse and Mattie went into the house.
He sank down onto a chair at the kitchen table and gingerly removed his shirt.
“Let me clean that wound. I still think we should have had the doctor look at it.”
There was no way that Jesse was going to waste more time at the doctor’s office. It was superficial and he would live. He’d survived worse bullet holes than this one.
“Come here, lass,” he said. He pulled her onto his lap and gazed into her sapphire eyes.
“Why did you disobey us? Didn’t we tell you to stay here?”
“Yes, but the note said it was from Alex. That you were waiting on me and I thought you wanted me to come to you.”
While he understood she had been misled, she should have known better. It showed they had not instilled in her that she was to obey them at all times. If someone could fool her so easily, she was in danger.
“You’re under our protection. We would never have you ride with a stranger, even to Butte. We will always come and get you.”
When he’d learned that she left, he’d been so angry, but he could understand her reasoning. But that didn’t mean she would not be punished.
“You’ll be spanked and this time, it will be a little harder than the ones you enjoy. So think on that while we wait for Alex to return.”
She bit her bottom lip. “But I thought I was doing what you wanted.”
A well-deserved spanking would help her remember their word was law.
“Always remember, we would never entrust you to a stranger, a kid. Either Alex or I will accompany you wherever you go. You’re in our protection.”
With a sigh, she stood and went to the sink where she gathered her supplies. When she returned, she took the washcloth and gently bathed his wound, cleaning it. “You were so lucky.”
He reached his hand under her skirt and let his fingers run over the inside of her thigh. “You’re my good luck charm.”
“Tell me what you meant when we were back in the house. What did you mean when you said you knew how Alex felt?”
Maybe it was time, she knew how he’d let down his friend. It ate at him and yet he didn’t know how to repair the damage. If there was any way he could fix the horrible misjustice done to his friend, he would. All because of his temper.
Running his hand over her naked skin, he sighed.
“You know I have a terrible temper and that I protect those I care about. The reason I had to leave Scotland was because I injured someone. A laird’s son, who could do no wrong. I witnessed him abusing a man and I had to stop him. After that fight, I had to leave my family behind.”
Not only had the laird’s son beat a man, but he’d stolen the girl Jesse loved. But if that’s the type of man she wanted, then she wasn’t the girl for him.
She rubbed her hand along his face. “Oh, Jesse, I’m so sorry.”
“Since then I’ve been filled with anger. In Bozeman, Alex and I were in bed with a prostitute when in walked her supposed outlaw boyfriend. Words were said and the boyfriend was going to beat the woman. I took exception to his handling of his woman.
“The next thing I know, I’m fighting this asshole when the woman drew a knife. Whether her intention was to kill me or her boyfriend, we’ll never know. But Alex saved me. When he grabbed the woman’s hand, she drew the knife up and slashed his cheek. Because of me, he will forever wear a scar. And it pains me that because of my temper, my friend was injured.”
While Jesse talked, Alex had come in from outside.
He walked up beside Jesse. “Jesse, it’s not your fault. I would do it all over again to save your life. The woman was crazy and I’m just sorry that we chose her that night. The man dishonored her, and I was putting my pants on to join in the fight when she decided to attack you. Please, the scar makes my boyish good looks appear rugged.”
Mattie pulled Alex into her arms and tried to wrap her other arm around Jesse. “You’re my handsome men and you both make me so very happy. I’m so fortunate you came into my life. Jesse is my strong, silent type who with one look makes me wet and Alex you make me laugh and I love the way fill me. I’ve never known life could be this way and I’m so happy.”
Warmth filled Jesse. “What did you learn today?”
“That no matter what, I am not to leave when you tell me to stay, even when some idiot comes with a message. You will come to get me. I’m to obey you orders explicitly.”
“That’s right,” Alex said. “But that still doesn’t mean you’re not going to be punished.”
“She knows,” Jesse said.
“Then why is she still wearing clothes,” Alex asked.
“Let me finish patching Jesse’s shoulder and then we’ll go upstairs.”
His shoulder was fine, but he did enjoy her fussing over him. The feel of her hands tenderly soothing and touching him. His heart swelled and he realized he could no longer fight his feelings. He loved Mattie. She was their bride. Their perfect bride.
She reached for the jar of salve and he couldn’t wait to spread his wife’s legs. Since they’d gotten home, his cock had swelled, knowing exactly where it longed to be.
She cut a long piece of cotton material and began to wrap it around his shoulder. Unable to resist any longer, he let his digits glide over her clit which he rolled between his fingers. Her eyes widened as she finished wrapping his shoulder, he pulled her down onto his lap.
Alex reached for the buttons on the back of her dress. In no time, he had her completely undone and then lifted the dress over her head, tossing it aside.
Jesse continued to fondle her clit and he could see the passion darkening her eyes. “Lass, I think it’s time we took this upstairs.”
“Are you still going to spank me?”
“Hell, yes,” Alex replied. “We thought we had lost you forever. You deserve to be punished.”
With a sigh, Mattie stood. “My intentions were good. Let’s get this over with.”
Jesse smiled as she turned and walked naked up the stairs to the bedroom, her ass cheeks tempting as they swayed with her body, his cock standing at attention.
“Tonight, we take her together,” Alex said. “I think she’s ready.”
“Damn, I know I am.”
They both ran up the stairs after her.