Read Point of Contention (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Online
Authors: Louisa Neil
point and mine. I want the freedom to fuck both of you. I’ll take my
loss of his touch, but I’ll cherish how you made me come this
afternoon.”
“At your service, ma’am, whenever you need the release.”
“As long as we’re away from the lodge and Stuart doesn’t find
out. I just don’t want to live with his ‘I told you so’ look for the rest of my time there.”
“I know you’ll move on after the contract, and I understand why,
but I am enjoying having you in the kitchen with me.”
“Me, too, I like my job. It’s a shame we couldn’t just find a happy
medium for all three of us.”
“With time, my dear, sometimes things change. Besides, you want
Stuart as your mate. And you just want the freedom to invite me to
join in occasionally.” He stared at me with a strange smile.
“What?”
“Just a curiosity, what if Stuart gives you a counteroffer?”
“Such as?”
“Well, if he decides to let you enjoy him and another man, what
would you say to him asking another woman to join you?”
“You’re a troublemaker, Travis, and enjoying this too much. And
you know the answer. I’ve had my experiences with women. I enjoy
women, but I don’t get the same sexual turn-on as I do with men.
Besides, some women get jealous, and that’s what I’m trying to avoid.
If Stuart asks another woman, most likely she’ll think she should get
all his attention. I’m into cocks, fucking and sucking them. Women,
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even with toys, just don’t have the same just effect for me. Call me
indelicate, but if he offered a woman with a cock, I might be
interested!”
Travis burst out laughing. “Been there, done that, as you would
say. I think if he knew in advance the woman had both sets of
equipment, he’d make an informed decision. But I wouldn’t spring it
on him as a surprise.”
“I suppose that’s another issue not to mention to Stuart. But can I
ask you a question?”
“We’ve always been blunt, go ahead.”
“When you and Stuart used to share women, did you share each
other too?”
“No. We’ve had a third man who serviced us once, but Stuart and
I are both into women. We did better when we shared just one woman
and gave her our attention.”
“So I guess we just aren’t meant to be a threesome.”
“Not just yet, but you never know with time.”
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Chapter Ten
Kay knew come October the fishing would dwindle and she’d get
her afternoons back after hunting season closed at the first of the year, but the difference left her exhausted in the evenings. Which was a
good thing, she decided. It kept her from having too much time to
think about Stuart Drake. After her last fiasco of inviting herself to
see the dogs practice and having him ignore her, she’d gone to town
and gotten a library card. Now, when she had spare time she spent it
in the cool room filled with books. The short drive relaxed her, and
she especially enjoyed reading the out-of-town newspapers.
The head librarian, Grace, was rapidly becoming a friend. About
her age, she’d been born and raised in the Wilmington area, coming
home after college with a broken heart. The following year, she’d
taken the job and hadn’t looked back. While Grace didn’t seem to
date or at least tell Kay about her dates, they enjoyed lunches together on Mondays when Kay was in town. Occasionally they’d meet for a
movie or to shop in the early evenings. Tentative still, Kay understood
that friendship developed over time, and she was just happy to have a
female friend to talk to occasionally, even if they weren’t to the
“baring your soul” stage.
Happy with her job and especially with her performance at it, she
had fallen into a comfortable routine. Travis lavished her with praise
often, and even Stuart had stopped by several times to compliment a
certain lunch or dessert. It didn’t slide past her that he always made a point of doing it when there was other staff present. He still hadn’t
mentioned anything about her garden and neither did she.
Travis was using, with regularity, the fresh herbs that she was
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growing. She had small vines of tomatoes and cucumbers growing up
stakes Hoyt had brought her one day to supplement the chicken wire.
While he ignored the garden mostly, occasionally he would take her
aside and give her a tip or suggestion. She welcomed his input and
even earned an occasional smile from him. Only Stuart kept his
distance, and she figured it was for the best.
Kay knew Travis and Stuart often had men’s night out on
Mondays. She never asked where they went or let on that she even
knew. Only Martha’s occasional comment gave her inside
information. She still swam most evenings while the guests were
eating and had done some research on riding a horse. Kay hadn’t
mentioned to anyone that the idea was appealing to her.
The only problem she had to deal with on a daily basis was Jimmy
Timms. He was summer help, signed on for May, June, July, and
August to run the fishing boats. As captain, he oversaw the other
marina staff as well as maintenance on the boats. Her contact with
him was limited to lunches for their guests as well as the crew. Kay
had smiled and laughed at his attentions in the first few weeks he was
working there. It seemed to her he was always in the kitchen, standing
just a bit too close for her comfort. Many a time she turned directly
into him. While trying to maintain a professional tone, she’d asked
him to refrain from being in her space while she was working, telling
him she’d run him down one day. He laughed and nodded at each
request, yet always seemed to be too close. He hadn’t been outright
rude toward her, but she knew the warning signs.
By the second week, he was reaching to touch her shoulder or
arm, and she found herself pulling back sharply. By the beginning of
the third week, she’d had enough.
She was tired and hormonal and hot. It was her last nerve he got
on that morning, standing close behind her and running his fingers
along her neck. It sent a sick chill through her, and she lost her
composure. Kay swung around so fast his coffee sloshed over the rim
of his mug.
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“Don’t touch me, Mr. Timms, ever again. Do I make myself
clear? I’ve asked you repeatedly to stay out of my workspace, and you
insist on dogging my every step. Now you’ve made me spill coffee on
you. Please keep a proper distance!” She’d held his look and waited
for an answer. His eyes had squinted while he stared at her, deciding
how to answer. Kay kept her stance, not backing down. Unfortunately
everyone else in the kitchen had overheard, the noiseless space
invading their standoff.
“Sorry, baby,” he started, and she took a step closer, narrowing
her eyes toward him.
“I am not your baby or anything else to you. From now on, unless
you have business that pertains to the guests’ meals, I’d prefer it if you kept your distance from me. Both at work and off.” Kay knew she
should reign back her tone and didn’t. She’d had enough of the
playboy and his leering ways and his innuendos that made her feel
dirty after he’d left. He was always just short of being crude with her.
Lisa intervened, ending the staring standoff between them. “Mr.
Timms, is there a problem with the meals?”
Both Kay and Jimmy had turned to look at her, Kay thankful for
her presence.
“Just getting some morning coffee,” he replied, with a slimy grin.
“Then you have no reason to be pestering Kay when she has so
much work to do.”
“Now, who says I was pestering her? We were just teasing each
other,” he started, only Kay jumped in before he could continue.
“No, Mr. Timms, I’m not joking or teasing with you. I’d prefer
you kept your distance physically from me, do you understand? Your
only business with me is about lunches, and that’s supposed to be
handled by e-mail the night before. If there are any last-minute
changes that need to be handled, please call from the dock. I’ll not
stand for you in my workspace any longer.” Her tone had become
courtroom low, her eyes daring him to look away. For a pregnant
pause, all three of them stood quiet.
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“Hey, I don’t need the hassle. It’s your loss, babe,” he tossed over
his shoulder as he left the kitchen. Kay relaxed her posture and smiled
at Lisa.
“Thanks, I can’t stand him always breathing on me.”
“You should have told me sooner,” Lisa said.
“I figured a few rude comments and he’d back off. I was wrong,
obviously.”
“Men. You just can’t figure them out.” Lisa turned away and left
quickly. Kay was glad for her backup this morning, but when she saw
Travis later in the day, she made a point of telling him about the
episode in case there were any repercussions. He promised her he’d
keep an eye open and not to worry about Jimmy.
* * * *
Kay sat on the ground in the second kennel, stroking Chloe’s ears.
She’d been moved a few days earlier because they weren’t sure of her
due date, only that it should be close. Stuart had said he wanted her
sequestered from the rest of the dogs but not isolated. She’d heard his
footsteps on the gravel walkway before she saw him.
“Evening Stuart,” she said, letting him know she knew he was
there.
“Kadence, how’s she doing tonight?” He didn’t enter Chloe’s pen,
only commanded the rest of the dogs to be quiet while they spoke.
Finally, he let himself in and petted the dogs, keeping the fencing
between him and Kay.
“She seems stressed, or maybe just tired. I suppose if I was
carrying a litter, I’d be tired too.”
“Did you want a family?” he asked out of the blue, surprising her
with his question.
She didn’t hesitate to answer, and she seemed to stun him when
she did.
“Yes, I do. But when I realized my choice of husband wasn’t
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great, I made sure it wasn’t an issue.” She watched Stuart and
wondered what he was thinking. Had his thoughts gone back to the
telephone conversation he’d eavesdropped on and understood her
rationale? She added, “At least I wouldn’t have been carrying five or
six.”
Stuart laughed. More like seven or eight.” Kay gave him a
horrified look and broke into laugher as she stroked Chloe’s belly.
She knew Stuart watched her hand and wondered if he was
debating how she’d stroke him. He left the dogs quickly, giving her a
brief good night as he did. Kay laughed at his quick retreat.
* * * *
Kay sat with the dog a little longer, wondering what had sent
Stuart running this time. Shaking her head, she said, “He’s just afraid
of me,” talking to the dog who only stared at her. “Maybe you have
the right idea, old girl. Just do the deed and move on.” Kay stood and
dusted off the back of her jeans, only to turn and realize Stuart was
still there.
“I’m not afraid of you, Kadence.” His voice was a low growl.
“Could have fooled me, Stuart.” She left the pen and locked the
gate, forcing herself to confront him.
“You should be…” he started when she got closer to him. Kay
was sick and tired of playing this game with him. First Jimmy this
morning and now Stuart.
“Men!” she said aloud as she pushed past him, only to have his
arm come out and stop her progress. He looked at her, and she held
his gaze, not flinching or backing down.
“I’m not afraid of you, Stuart, on any level. I’m an adult who
makes my own choices. You’ve made it quite clear that I’m not yours.
So let’s just drop the pretense and move on.” Again she refused to
look away, instead staring down at his large hand on her upper arm.
Kay figured he was deciding what to do or say and was disappointed
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when he dropped his hand from her. Her arm immediately felt cold
where his fingers had held her.
“Why didn’t you tell me Timms was bothering you?”
“Because I wanted to handle him on my own.” She watched him
before adding, “Did Lisa tell you?”
“No, Travis mentioned he was annoying you. I’ll speak to him
tomorrow.”
“No, don’t. It will only make it worse. If he starts up again, I’ll let
you know. Hopefully with Lisa’s intervention this morning, he’ll back
off.” She hesitated, then laughed. “I lost my temper this morning. I
don’t think he’ll want anything to do with the shrew that confronted
him today.”
“You have a bad temper?” he asked, laughing at the concept.
“Just don’t piss me off,” she told him. “Seriously, he’s like a
child; the more you warn him away, the more he’ll pester me. Just
drop it for now, and if he starts up again, I’ll handle him differently next time.”
“And how will that work?” he asked, seriously wanting to know.
“If he touches me again, I’ll drop him.” She said it with clarity