Accepting Eva [Slick Rock 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (9 page)

Adrenaline pumped through her system, causing her to want to flee. Just someone mentioning that asshole’s name caused her to panic.

“What did he do to you, sugar?” Gray reached over and clasped her hand in his. His fingers stroked over her skin until the pad of his finger rested on her inner wrist.

“He hasn’t done anything other than ask me out.”

“I don’t believe you, Eva.” Quin reached out and gripped her chin between thumb and finger so she couldn’t look away from him. “Tell us why he frightens you.”

“I can’t prove anything. I’ve never seen him do anything wrong.”

“All right then. Tell us what you suspect he has done.”

Eva licked her dry lips and thought over all the creepy things she suspected Tim of. “I think he’s been in my bedroom.”

“What makes you think that?” Pierson asked in a calm voice.

“Some of my panties and bras have gone missing.”

“Son of a…” Quin cut off his own curse. “You think he took them?”

“Yes.”

“Tell us the rest, Eva.” Gray’s grip on her hand firmed.

“When he sees me, he looks at me like he knows what I’m wearing beneath my clothes.”

“Is that it?”

“No,” she sighed, knowing the three Badon brothers weren’t going to quit until she’d revealed all. “He’s left things for me.”

“What type of things?”

“I’d find a rose on my pillow when I woke up in the morning and a couple of times he’s left toys. The house is always locked up at night. With just mom and I being on our own for so long, we became almost obsessive about securing the house. I think Tim may have found the key my mom gave his. He’s been coming into my bedroom while I’m sleeping.” She shuddered.

“Toys?” Quin raised an eyebrow. “What type of toys?”

“Once I found a vibrator and another time I found a small box. When I opened it there were two balls in it and they were connected by a string. I have no idea what they are but I just know whatever the message is it can’t be good.”

“Ben Wa balls,” Gray growled.

“What?”

“Never mind,” Quin said. “Is that it?”

“No.”

“Shit! Tell us the rest.”

“I woke up to find a butt plug on my spare pillow with instructions and a bottle of lubricant next to it.”

“Fuck. This guy is sick.” Gray scowled at her. “Why didn’t you call the cops? You could have had him charged with breaking and entering as well as stalking.”

“I can’t. His mom is my mom’s best friend. It would devastate them both.”

“I would rather them be devastated than have you in danger, baby,” Quin said. “He’s a sick fuck. Have you thought that if he doesn’t get you to go out with him he could end up raping you?”

“I told you I don’t even know if it is Tim who’s breaking in and leaving those things.”
I know damn well it’s him, but I can’t prove it and I don’t want to hurt his mother. She is such a sweet, gentle woman. It would devastate her to find out what her only son has been doing.
“I’ve never heard him or caught him. I don’t know how he does it. He must be really quiet.”

“I’d love to confront this bastard and pound on him for scaring you,” Gray said in a growly voice.

“Tim’s just as big as you are. You would end up killing each other.”

“Just because he’s big doesn’t mean he has any muscle.” Quin scrubbed a hand over his face.

“He does. Tim was in the army.” She hesitated and then went on, “That’s not all.”

“What else is going on, baby?” Quin asked.

“I’m worried that Tim may have followed me.”

“What makes you think he knows where you are?” Gray picked up her hand and threaded his fingers with hers.

Eva drew in a shaky breath. “I thought I saw him a couple of times.” She shifted in her seat. “I can’t be sure though, because both times I only saw the back of his head.”

“Okay,” Quin said. “Never discount a gut instinct. If you think this guy has followed you, then we’ll look into it. And that settles it. You’ll just have to stay here. There is no way I’m letting you go back home. You’d be in danger.”

“Excuse me?” Eva asked.

“You heard me, baby. Get used to the idea. Besides, you don’t want to leave. All that stuff before was because you are scared about your feelings for us. Do you honestly think we don’t know you are beginning to care for us, Eva? Well, let me tell you something, sweetheart. We care for you, too, and there is no way in hell we’re letting you get away.” Quin got up off the bed and headed toward the bedroom door. “Now move your ass, baby, we have some sightseeing to do.”

Eva’s mouth gaped open as she watched Quin leave without a backward glance. Gray released her hand and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re special, sugar, and I know you don’t realize how much, but we are going to make you believe it.”

She was still in shock with the way Quin had just blurted out that they cared for her. She wanted to jump off the bed and run after him and throw herself at them, but she wasn’t that brave. It filled her with hope that they didn’t feel any pity toward her and honestly had feelings for her.

When Pierson took her face between his hands and planted a light but sweetly emotional kiss on her lips moisture pricked the backs of her eyes. “We could have everything together, darlin’. Don’t push us away before we even have the chance to find out.”

Gray enjoyed taking the river cruise with Eva and his brothers. She had taken in all the sights and obviously loved the tranquility of water because she was more relaxed than he had ever seen her before. There had been a few exhilarating moments as they had shot various rapids on the tour. Though Eva had clutched at whoever of them was nearest, she had laughed the whole time. Today she seemed to have more vitality, and her cheeks were still pink from the experience and the fresh air.

Quin turned off the highway into some picnic grounds they had found online, and Gray helped Eva from the truck while Pierson grabbed the basket and blanket they had stowed in the back. Gray wondered what time Eva had woken up to have made all the food for their picnic and then their breakfast. She had risen before any of them, as she usually did, and took such good care of them that he wanted her in their house permanently. But not just because of her nurturing side or the sexual chemistry between all of them. Although it had only literally been weeks since they had met Eva, Gray was in love with her and he knew his brothers were as well. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until neither of them could breathe. He wanted to strip her down and love on her body with his hands and mouth until she was writhing with pleasure, and then he would sink balls-deep into her tight, wet pussy.

Adjusting his hard, aching cock, he watched the gentle sway of her hips as she moved. He didn’t see the slight limp she walked with or the bars on her leg. All he saw was the woman of his dreams. Quin and Pierson had the picnic area set up in minutes. Moving in closer to Eva, Gray took her hand and helped her down to the blanket. Together they passed out the food. Their woman was a veritable marvel in the kitchen, and he sighed after he inhaled the aroma of cooked chicken, potato salad, and a tossed salad. He also caught the scent of something sweet.

“What time did you get up, sugar?” Gray queried.

“Um, around five, I think.”

“As much as we appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into this picnic,” Quin said, “we don’t want you running yourself ragged, baby. This is your day off, too. We could have just gone to the mall and bought food or taken you out for lunch.”

“Speak for yourself,” Pierson piped up. “Eva, this is all delicious. If you want to cook, I for one welcome every mouthful you’ve prepared.”

“I didn’t mean I don’t appreciate what she’s done, Pierson.” Quin scowled at his brother. “But Eva needs rest, too.”

“I…”

“Guys,” Eva interrupted, “please don’t argue. I know what you meant, Quin, but I’m used to getting up early and I’m sure you’ve all realized how much I love to cook.”

“You are getting dark smudges beneath your eyes, darlin’.” Pierson handed out the plastic cutlery and began to load his plate with food. “We are worried about you. Are you still having trouble sleeping?”

Since Gray was sitting next to Eva, he heard her draw in a long breath, even though he knew she was trying to hide that fact. He turned toward her and saw an expression he’d never seen on her face before and couldn’t quite discern what it was.

“I’m fine.”

Gray realized she wasn’t fine at all and hoped she would open up more with them but decided to see if she would trust them with whatever was worrying her without pushing her. Trust worked both ways, and he needed her to trust him and his brothers without being too commanding. He could be just as determined and dominant as Quin, but this time he felt the need to let Eva open up on her own terms. Quin obviously wasn’t as patient.

“You aren’t fine, baby. Tell us why you are having trouble sleeping.”

“I said I’m fine, Quin.” Eva glared at his brother where he sat on the blanket across from her. “Just leave it alone, okay?”

Gray looked from Quin to Eva and back again. Quin’s eyes narrowed into slits and he glared at Eva with frustration. Eva stuck her chin out toward his sibling, and he could see if he or Pierson didn’t butt in and change the subject, a fight would result.

“You make the best food, Eva. It all tastes delicious. Thank you, sugar.”

“You’re welcome,” Eva replied and concentrated on her food. The silence and tension was so thick Gray swore he could have cut it with one of the plastic knives brought for their picnic.

“Stop changing the damn subject,” Quin snapped. His words were directed at Gray, but his eyes were still on Eva. “Damn it, Eva, we want to be able to help you. If you won’t talk to us, how the hell are we supposed to know what is going on with you?”

“Maybe you aren’t,” Eva replied vehemently.

“You aren’t happy with us, are you, darlin’?” Pierson voiced the one question Gray would never have had the guts to ask. And from the look Quin shot toward his brother, he wasn’t too happy either.

“I’m not sad,” Eva replied, and Gray let go of the breath he hadn’t known he was holding until then.

“What is going on in that beautiful head of yours, sugar? We don’t mean to pry, but your welfare and health mean a lot to us.”

Gray placed his plate on the rug and reached out to gently caress her face with the tip of a finger. When Eva looked up at him, he could see how forlorn she felt. He wanted to pluck her off the rug, pull her onto his lap, and envelop her in his arms, but he also needed her to tell them why she was so sad.

“You only feel sorry for me,” Eva blurted and her cheeks slowly turned pink.

“Eva, we don’t feel pity for you.” Gray frowned. “Why would you even think that?”

“Then why are you so worried about how much sleep I get, as if I were an invalid? Just because I’m disabled doesn’t mean I’m a delicate flower.” Eva was as red as the tomato on her plate by now. “I don’t appreciate being babied. That’s why you waited weeks to kiss me, isn’t it? I know you aren’t the type of men to wait around for what you want. You’re scared I can’t handle you. And it’s what everyone else always feels toward me.”

Gray was stunned. Eva’s sassy side had made an appearance, and he couldn’t believe how much he’d misread her. But it made sense—Eva knew she had been running from her feelings for them, and now she wanted them but was too scared to come out and say it.

“Eat your food,” Quin commanded and pointed toward her plate. “When you’re done we are going to talk about your insecurities.”

The rest of the meal was eaten in tense silence. Gray kept his head down as he ate to hide his smile. He knew Quin was just biding his time, planning how to show Eva that they knew she could indeed handle them.

Once everyone was done, Gray and Pierson began to clear away the remnants of their picnic.

“Come here, Eva,” Quin demanded.

Eva eyed his outstretched hand and shook her head and then rose to her feet.

“I’m going for a walk,” she stated, turned, and began to walk away.

Gray looked at Quin and saw he had planned on baiting Eva. There was a decided sparkle in his brother’s eyes and the knowledge that Eva would balk at another command from Quin. His brother stood up and had snagged Eva around the waist before she had taken more than five steps.

“You will do as I say when I tell you to do something.” Quin growled through clenched teeth. “This is your only warning, baby. The next time you go over my knee.”

“Don’t you dare threaten me, you asshole.”

“Oh, it wasn’t a threat, Eva. If I decide you’re going over my knee, you will, and you’ll like it. That’s a promise. And I know I have already told you to watch that mouth. You are going to get a spanking, so next time you want to cuss, you’ll think about it before you even speak.”

Quin lifted Eva up into his arms. One arm slid to her knees and the other wrapped under her shoulders. Eva shrieked and wriggled, trying to get free, but Gray knew that wasn’t about to happen.

“Stop!” Quin ordered. “I don’t want you hurting yourself.”