Becca Van (8 page)

* * * *

Over the next week Janie’s injuries healed. Her skin was still discolored in a few places from the bruises, but they were nearly all gone.

She was still being hampered by nightmares that she couldn’t remember. Once she awoke, she only recalled a cold, evil laugh. She wasn’t sure that she wanted to remember them, though she wished she could think of some detail that might help the Elite Dragons track the man down. Sighing with frustration, she walked down the steps of her men’s house and made her way toward the main house, intent on seeing Brooke. Her friend had spent quite a lot of time with her the first couple of days she was back home, and for that Janie was grateful. Brooke had kept her from going insane with boredom. Seton was giving her orders left and right and still not allowing her to do anything other than make a cup of coffee. She just wanted to scream. At him preferably.

Lander wasn’t as hard or as cold as Seton, but he was still just as bad as his older brother in his own way. Lander coaxed and cajoled her into relaxing by suggesting she play card games or board games with him, when what she really wanted to do was saddle up one of the horses and go for a ride. Janie had never had anything to do with horses before she arrived at the stud farm, but to her delight Seton, Wolf, and Lander had each spent time with her in the first months of her stay, teaching her how to ride and care for the horses.

What she wouldn’t give to saddle up and head out for a good gallop. The prospect of the wind on her face and the exhilaration of travelling at such speeds was too much to ignore. Without hesitation, Janie changed direction and headed for the barn which held the horses used for riding around the stud. Breathing the crisp spring air as the sunshine warmed her skin, she looked about to see if anyone was watching her. No one was taking any notice of her, and her three men were nowhere to be seen. With a sigh of relief, she slipped inside.

Creeping along the shadows against the wall, Janie headed for the tack room and retrieved a bridle and saddle. Sticking her head around the corner, with still no one in sight, she headed to a gentle mare named Missy. When the horse was tacked up, Janie led her out into the sunshine and over to the old tree stump that she used as a mounting block.

Janie guided her horse around the back of the buildings. She held her breath until she knew she was out of sight of the house, and then she finally relaxed. She urged the horse into a trot and then a canter and couldn’t help but laugh in delight for the first time in over a week. She felt so free when she rode and cherished the time away from overbearing males. It wasn’t that she didn’t love them, but sometimes a girl just needed time to herself. Urging her mount to a gallop, she leaned over Missy’s neck and laughed again.

Many minutes later, she slowed her horse down until finally they were at a walk, allowing her and Missy to catch their breath. She felt lighter and freer than she had in days. The feeling made her think of her men. Janie realized in that moment that she hadn’t told Seton or Lander how she felt about them. Only Wolf knew that she loved them. She was going to have to rectify that situation as soon as they were all together, and she vowed it would be tonight. Having waited long enough to consummate their relationship, she planned to put things right tonight. The three men hadn’t touched her at all since she had been back in their home, and now that she was well again, she was going to seduce them into making love with her.

Giddy with excitement and arousal, she turned her horse back toward the house. She came to a halt when she saw another horse and rider galloping toward her. Reining in, she waited and took a deep, steadying breath when she saw it was Seton.

He pulled his horse to an abrupt stop, the animal’s hooves kicking up clods of dirt as it reared. She looked up into his eyes. There was fire shooting out at her, and it wasn’t from sexual desire.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You could have fallen off and injured yourself,” Seton snapped.

“I was perfectly safe. You and your brothers taught me to ride, and we’ve gone out many times for a good run,” Janie stated calmly.

“You have to be the most irresponsible woman I know. Don’t you know you’re supposed to let someone know where you’re going? How would we have known where to look for you if the need arose? You can’t just take off on a whim and not tell anyone where you are,” he said angrily. “And you’ve only just recovered from a beating. You shouldn’t even be riding.”

Janie had never seen Seton so mad. He was usually so calm and in control, but he looked ready to erupt. Even though she hadn’t set out to anger him, she realized that this was what she wanted. She wanted to know the real man beneath that cold façade. She loved him and wanted to see that calm crack, to see the real, passionate man beneath, but she also wasn’t going to let him run roughshod all over her.

“I wouldn’t be riding if I was still healing. I am healed, Seton. I had to get out for a while, but I’m sorry I didn’t let anyone know where I was. I won’t be so remiss again.”

“I don’t care whether you think you’re healed or not. You will do as I say,” Seton commanded emphatically. “Now get your ass back to the house.”

Janie looked him up and down as if he was something nasty she had stepped in then lifted her chin and looked at him down her nose.

“Go screw yourself,” she muttered haughtily and kicked her mount into a gallop just as Seton growled low in his throat.

God, what had she done? Pulling the tiger by the tail had never been an antic of hers. The shit was about to hit the fan, and she had a very bad feeling that she was the fan.

Seton felt rage boiling up in him so high and hot he was scared he was about to blow. He hadn’t ever heard Janie so angrily supercilious before. And for her to talk to him like she just had when she knew he was already irate with her made him see red.

Anger had never been a big problem with him before. His cool control was one of the traits his brothers and teammates often envied. So why was one gorgeous female able to ruffle his feathers so easily? God, he hated losing the tight restraint he kept on his emotions. No one had ever been able to goad him the way Janie did.

Squeezing his legs firmly around his horse, he sent his stallion into a full-out gallop. It didn’t take long for him to catch up with her. The stallion he was riding was more powerful and had more stamina than any of the other horses. He caught Janie looking back at him from over her shoulder, and he was close enough to see the panic in her face.

She turned back to the front, leaned down over her mount, and kicked it, hoping to outrun him. She didn’t stand a chance.

Seton was beside her within another two strides. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he hauled her shrieking form from the saddle and onto his lap. Slowing his pace, he kept her safely within his arms, banded around her waist.

They were within sight of the yard, so he didn’t stop until he was outside the stables. One of the hands grabbed the reins of Janie’s horse, and then he held Seton’s stallion steady as he dismounted, taking Janie with him.

“Put me down,” she demanded through clenched teeth.

“No.”

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Seton didn’t answer but was thankful she had stopped wriggling in his arms. He carried her toward the house and didn’t stop in the kitchen, where his brothers were sitting. Giving a jerk of his head, he indicated for Wolf and Lander to follow.

Placing her on her feet when they were in her bedroom, he noted the defiance in the glare she gave him.

Without taking his eyes from the irate woman in front of him, he asked his brothers, “Did you know she had snuck out of the house?”

“No,” Wolf replied.

“Ah, no,” Lander answered.

“Did she tell you she was going for a ride?”

“What?” Wolf asked. From the corner of his eye, Seton saw him turn to Janie. “You shouldn’t be riding off by yourself, darlin’. It can be dangerous, and no one would have known where to look for you if you ended up in trouble.”

“Gee, where have I heard those words before?” Seton asked facetiously.

“Look, I know now that I should have told someone I was going for a ride, and for that I am sorry. But I’m not sorry about going out and having a little time to myself,” Janie stated vehemently.

“You have pushed me too far today, sugar. You need to learn that you can’t just go off by yourself without letting one of us know where you’re going. Have you forgotten that you were kidnapped? That Smith, even though he’s incarcerated, was not acting alone? For God’s sake, Janie, for all we know the place could be surrounded by the enemy, and what were you doing? Sneaking out for a ride. Are you crazy?” Seton yelled the last question and felt his brothers’ eyes on him.

Seton knew he had never showed so much emotion before, and that only seemed to rile him further.

“You are going to learn that you need to abide by our rules. I don’t care how much you want to go riding or do anything else for that matter. You will tell someone where you’re going and will be at all times. Better yet, you won’t go anywhere unless one of us is with you.”

“So what? Now I’m a prisoner?” Janie asked with a sneer.

“No, you aren’t a prisoner, but you are under our protection. And as such, you won’t do anything to jeopardize yourself or the rest of the team,” Seton stated in a steely voice.

“I wouldn’t.” She muttered her reply, then a frown crossed over her face. Seton could see his words were finally taking effect. “It wasn’t my intention to put anyone in danger. I’m sorry.”

When she lifted her gaze to his he could see moisture in her eyes but pretended not to notice.

“I didn’t think. I just wanted a little time out. I haven’t had a moment to myself since I got back. I was going stir-crazy,” Janie explained.

“Do you promise not to go off by yourself again, baby?” Lander asked and moved up next to her.

“I’ll try,” she replied.

“That’s not good enough, sugar. You have to promise not to go off alone again,” Seton stated, taking the two steps which brought him to stand in front of her.

“I’m just not used to answering to anyone besides my parents. Even though I did sneak out with the intention of being alone, I didn’t think about the consequences. I didn’t think about the danger to you and the rest of the team. For that I apologize,” she reiterated.

“That’s not what this is about, Janie. The team can handle themselves. It’s you we’re worried about. For God’s sakes, don’t you know you mean more to us than anything else?” Seton asked with frustration.

How could he get it through to her that he cared for her? He wanted to put her over his knee and spank her ass for giving him such a scare. That was a hell of an idea. Maybe he still should. That way she would think twice about taking off on her own again, and Seton had a feeling that Janie would enjoy his hand on her ass as much as he would.

“Take off your clothes, sugar,” Seton demanded. In his peripheral vision, he saw his brothers stand up straighter. His brothers would know what he was about and wouldn’t contradict him. They had to show her how much she meant to them. That they valued her and her safety more than anything else.

“W
−
What?”

“You heard me, Janie. Take your clothes off.
Now!
”

“What for?”

“Don’t make me any more pissed off than I already am, sugar. Just do as you’re told,” he replied and looked at her expectantly.

She stood nibbling on her lower lip, eyeing him with trepidation, but he stared her down. He heard her sigh, and then with trembling fingers she began to remove her clothes. Seton didn’t know if the trembling was because she was turned on or if she was nervous, but she continued complying with his demand until she stood before him completely naked. Janie had the body of a goddess. She was soft and had curves in all the right places. He clenched his hands to stop himself from grabbing her and sinking into her warm, wet pussy.

When he moved around her, she kept her eyes on his to see what he was about and then, as if she had forgotten she was naked, she lowered her head and raised her arms to cover her breasts. Reaching out, he stayed the action, waiting until she once more looked at him.

“Do not cover yourself in our presence. You have a beautiful body, sugar. Don’t try and hide it from us.”

“I’m not beautiful. I’m overweight,” she mumbled.

Seton sat on the edge of the bed, reached out, and pulled her onto his lap. “You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen,” he stated, running his hands up and down her sides, following the contours of her body. “Your skin is like silk. So soft, warm, and smooth. Just what we need.”

Moving his hands over her in light caresses, he hid his smile when he felt her shiver. With every pass he got closer and closer to her voluptuous breasts. Her breath hitched and held, but he teased her by brushing the tips of his fingers beneath the soft mounds of flesh. Goose bumps rose on her skin, and her areolas tightened until her nipples were hard little nubs. Finally, when he couldn’t hold off another minute, he covered her breasts with his hands and heard her sigh.

Seton kneaded her flesh and pinched her nipples until she began to writhe on his lap. His cock, restricted by the denim of his jeans, was so hard it was painful. He wanted to release his shaft and relieve the ache but knew if he did he would lose himself in her body. He wasn’t ready to do that just yet.

Moving his hands to her rib cage, he flipped her over until she was across his lap on her stomach. Wolf and Lander moved in close and began to smooth their hands over her delectable body.

“What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.

“I’m going to make you remember not to go anywhere without one of us by your side,” he replied and mentally cursed that his voice was deeper than usual. She turned him on so much that even he could hear the desire in his own voice.

“How are you going to do that?” she asked and wiggled around so that she could look up at him.

“I’m going to spank you.”

Seton tried to catch hold of her, but she slipped right out of his grasp, only to be stopped by Wolf’s firm hand on her shoulder. She shook off his hand, glaring at Seton.

“Don’t you dare hit me,” she snapped.

“There’s a difference between hitting and spanking, baby,” Wolf rasped in a deep voice.

“There is not,” she replied.

“Yeah, darlin’, there is,” Lander answered.

“I won’t ever hurt you, Janie. That I promise,” Seton stated. He beckoned to her.

He read the hesitation in Janie’s face, but she came back to him. Seton reached around and put a hand on her hip. “Let me show you.”

She stilled when he stroked her skin, and Seton could all but see the gears turning in her head. When she met his eyes, he held her gaze steadily.

“Okay.” She lay down again at his bidding. Seton ran his free hand over the fleshy globes of her ass.

The first smack was light but had just enough strength in it to leave her butt cheek pink. Janie yelled with indignation but not with pain.

“Ugh, never mind. This is stupid! How dare you spank me!” Janie began to wiggle, but he held her down easily by placing a hand in the middle of her back. Wolf and Lander didn’t let him down. They moved in and took hold of her ankles and wrists.

“Oh I dare, sugar. By the time we’re finished you’ll be begging for more,” Seton stated.

“I will not.”

He didn’t reply. There was no real anger in her voice now, and Seton heard more than a little interest. He set about spanking her to the edge of reason. Making sure never to hit her in the same place twice, his hand landed on her flesh again and again, and the noises she made turned from outrage to passion, until finally she was lifting her hips up into his hand.

Sliding his hands over the now-heated skin of her bottom, he moved down until he reached her pussy lips and smiled at his brothers. She was dripping wet and had coated his fingers from just a light touch. Wolf spread her legs by pulling her ankles apart, and Seton glanced down to see her juices coating her thighs. The musky aroma emanating from between her legs had him salivating for a taste.

Picking her up with ease, he placed her on the mattress on her back. Her eyes were glazed over with desire and her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushed with arousal. Rising to his feet he pulled his sweater and T-shirt off together, and her eyes zeroed in on his chest. Licking her lips, she followed his hand and stared intently when his fingers flicked the button of his jeans.

Her eyes widened and her breaths came more rapidly as he eased the zipper down over his engorged cock. When he moved his hands to the waistband and stopped, she looked up at him with such heat in her eyes it was a wonder he didn’t go up in flames.

Seton growled low in his throat and pushed his jeans down over his hips. Since he wasn’t wearing any underwear, the restriction on his cock released immediately. He sighed with relief. Janie gasped, but she didn’t take her gaze from his hard, bobbing dick. She licked her lips again, and that was the catalyst which broke his control.