Briar's Cowboys (3 page)

While he was a proponent of education, he’d regret losing the pair. They’d taken to ranching like the proverbial ducks to water. They’d soon be replaced by a new pair, since his boss liked to give city folk the Wyoming experience, but Jax would miss them.

“Hotter. There’s nothing like a lady ruling over her ranch house. Too bad she plans to sell. I’d love to see her stick around.” Still, there was always the chance she’d get bored and take off like his mother had. Maybe, it was for the best for Briar to sell and leave. City girls never adjusted well out here, but Jax and his men could have fun with her until she went back to Chicago.

Driving close on his own four-by-four, Ram gave Jax a shove. “Maybe you can convince her otherwise. I’m sure you have some charms at your disposal.”

“Nice,” Jax laughed. “I couldn’t do that. She’d think I was seducing her for a job. I want to run this place, but I don’t want anyone, especially her, thinking I’m sleeping my way into it.”

“That would be a role-reversal of sorts, wouldn’t it? Do you think she has a casting couch?” Cannon quipped. “She could cast me.”

Jax shoved the younger man so hard he tumbled off his vehicle in a round of hysterics. “Sometimes you’re a teenage boy,” Jax growled. “I’m not taking advantage of her. Neither are you.”

“You worry too much about what other people think,” Ram said. “No one’s going to see Briar and think ‘Jax is just trying to get a job’. They’re gonna think, ‘What a lucky sap’. Trust me on this.”

“Maybe Hawk and I should take a shot,” Cannon interrupted before Jax could respond. “Multiples are the Daly way. If she’s from here, she’ll be expecting that.” Undaunted by Jax’s glare, he climbed back on his four-wheeler and grinned, proving he’d purposely goaded the man.

“No,” Jax replied flatly. “Besides, you have Hawk.” He gave the man a wave. Hawk had already taken up a station on the other side of the herd and now watched the rest of the team with tilted head. No doubt, he wondered why Cannon had ended up on his ass—or maybe not. Cannon tended to be impertinent and crass, a combo that regularly got him in trouble.

“We like girls,” Cannon argued. “It’s one of the things that most confuses my parents. They don’t get why I sleep with Hawk when I like women, too. They want to know why I can’t find a nice Boston girl, settle down and have three or four kids. I hear about it every time I go home, especially if Hawk isn’t with me. A girl like Briar would make them happy, especially if everything you’ve said is true.”

Jax doubted Cannon’s parents would be any more thrilled with a ménage relationship than they were with a gay one, but he didn’t say so.

“It is true. Briar is stunning. But I don’t want to hear this crap from you. Not now.” Probably not ever. “Go over there and help out Hawk. Ram and I will take the sides. I left the gate open on my way in so we can drive them right into the next pasture without problems.”

When he glanced over at Ram for acknowledgement of the order, he found the man looking at him speculatively. A glint in Ram’s eye said the cowboy was planning something. Cannon was outwardly rowdy, but Ram was the real troublemaker. He got his job done, and he respected Jax, but Ram was a rule breaker and liked to push Jax’s limits.

“Not now,” Jax warned.

“Whatever you say, boss,” Ram replied. He tilted his head enough to hide his eyes behind the brim of his hat. That was a sure sign he wasn’t dropping his plans, whatever they were.

In some past life, Jax supposed he’d been awful. It was the only reason he knew for the crap he endured from these guys every day. He was being tried and punished.

He huffed out a breath as he took off for his station. Robert, the Flying D’s owner, had known exactly what he was doing when he’d saddled Jax with these three. Nothing tested mettle like a rebellious crew.

Still, he was fond of each and every pain in the ass, from Cannon to Ram.

Ram watched Jax go, Jax’s dog, Brawlins, trotting along behind his vehicle. He tried to corral his thoughts and get to the task his interim foreman had given. They had too much work ahead for Ram to indulge in scheming, no matter how tempting. People got hurt when others weren’t paying attention. That wouldn’t be because of him.

He’d worked with Jax for three years now, and he knew that tight-ass lawyer better than anyone. Jax needed an intimate, permanent relationship more than anyone Ram knew. He needed to belong, and Ram intended to see it happen. God knew, he’d never seen Jax drawn as strongly to anyone. The man was damn-near obsessed.

Though Ram had yet to meet Briar, he’d seen pictures of the red-haired vixen. It was no wonder Jax wanted her. Though Ram wasn’t the settling down sort, his whole being had reacted to her, too. Likely, his response in person would be just as strong.

His musing was cut short as Jax released two sharp whistles. As one, the group of them started herding the cattle toward the gate to the next pasture. Ram wove his four-wheeler in an s-shaped motion, pushing back smart-ass beasts who wanted to break rank and go their own way. Once one went, he knew several others would follow and give the crew a whole lot of extra work. He wanted compliant cows today. He had other things to do.

Working with him, his border collie, Shanny, barked at a couple of the troublemakers, helping to keep them in line. The cattle responded well to the herding dog and veered back to the main group.

“Good dog,” Ram called, and the dog responded with a happy yip.

This drive was actually fairly easy. Normally, a crew this size would drive a much larger herd, but since the number of head had been greatly diminished by Briar’s dad and Jax wanted all the stock in home pasture before the blizzard hit, they all worked together. They had a ways to go today.

By the time they closed the gate, shutting the cattle into the enclosure where they’d weather the storm, it was mid-afternoon and the snow had started to fly in earnest. Over the past hour, it had thickened from flurries to a fall so thick at times that he’d been unable to see as far as the other side of the herd.

Ignoring the outraged moos of the tired cattle, Ram sped toward the barn with his head down against the stinging flakes. He needed to change out his all-terrain vehicle for a pickup truck. On days like today, his aching body reminded him why he’d left the rodeo circuit, and he wondered why he’d thought ranching was a good alternative. His entire frame throbbed from the cold and the pace they’d set.

Shanny yapped at him as she followed him into the big barn. Jax and Brawlins followed. After the men stowed the four-wheelers, Jax met him by the truck and let the two dogs inside while Ram leaned in and started the ignition to warm the cab.

“You okay?” Jax asked after Ram had tossed his hat on the dash then shut the animals inside. Ram shoved a hand through his hair to loosen the matted strands. He didn’t want to discuss the pain. Talking would make it worse. He grabbed a bag of fortified feed from a pallet near the wall then tossed it into the truck bed.

“I’m fine. Looking forward to a fire and whiskey tonight.” That was as much of a complaint as would ever pass his lips. He could do as much as the other three, and he wasn’t a whiner. “Did Cannon and Hawk head over to the bales?”

Jax nodded slowly, his eyes narrowed. He threw a couple sacks into the back before he spoke.

“You’re hurting. Maybe you—”

“I said I’m fine,” Ram growled.

“You shouldn’t—”

Before Jax could finish, Ram grabbed him and shoved him against the truck. Jax’s hat fell to the ground beside them and Ram flattened his body to his friend’s, imitating the intimacy they sometimes shared when the lonely days on the range got to be too much. They both loved women, but needed the closeness of another human. Ram had always played with both men and women, but it had all been new to Jax when they’d first gotten together a couple years ago.

“Does anything feel broken?” Ram grated, grinding his hips to Jax. He ignored the man’s annoyed expression and the possibility his friend was about to kick his ass. To Jax, work time was for work, and sex should never cross into that arena. Still, Ram’s cock swelled as he felt the hard male frame against him. Jaxon’s body was like rock, solid and sculpted from years of ranch work.

“No,” Jax replied. “Not broken, but—”

Ram shoved a hand between them and grabbed Jax’s rigid cock through the layers of clothes covering him. Roughly, he jerked his hand up the length the way Jax liked, knowing it would distract the man from Ram’s physical problems.

“This isn’t broken either,” Ram rasped. “Is it for me or that sweet, little redhead in the house? Doesn’t matter to me. I know you’re going to fuck us both if you get the chance.”

“Ram—”

“And I don’t mind. As long as you don’t trade me for her.”

“No, it’s… Hell, Ram!” Jax grabbed the back of Ram’s head and yanked the man’s mouth to his. In an instant, Jax took over, claiming Ram’s lips and sweeping his tongue inside. The cold that had gripped Ram’s bones retreated as heat shot through him and the taste of coffee and Jax infiltrated his senses.

He pressed closer to Jax, seeking the sensation of the powerful man—his equal and his mate. If only the two of them could acknowledge the fact. Ram kissed him back desperately, sure Briar would eventually edge him out and willing to take what he could get now.

Jax slid his tongue against Ram’s while he angled their heads for a deeper kiss. Ram lifted his hands to cup Jax’s face. A faint brush of stubble tickled his palms. A female had come into their lives, but for now, he had a man—his man—until what would be came to be.

Ram surrendered to the moment, leaving the future for later. His aches and pains seeped away as Jax overwhelmed his senses. Ram thought of nothing but “more”. He reached for the zipper of Jax’s coat, wanting to be closer—

“Oh!”

Startled, Ram jerked away from Jax and turned at the sound of a surprised gasp behind them. He struggled to bring himself completely under control as he faced the new owner of the Last Chance and hoped his erection wasn’t evident against his jeans. As he lifted his gaze, he sucked in a breath at the sight of the woman standing there. Jax had vastly understated Briar’s beauty. Her red hair fell wildly around her shoulders while dark lashes outlined eyes the color of spring leaves. She hadn’t put on a jacket, leaving her lush curves open to his perusal as he followed the line of her figure from pert breasts to softly rounded hips and long, jean-clad legs. Her nipples had peaked against the cold and pressed against the front of her gray T-shirt.

He swallowed as a second powerful shot of fiery heat poured through him. Jax had chosen well. Briar was perfection in a sleek, curvy package.

And if she accepted Jax, Jax would share her with Ram. For the first time, a picture of them as a unit entered his thoughts, but he pushed it away just as quickly. Whatever happened would be temporary on his part. Jax had always spoken of finding the one woman who eventually would be his and only his, even if there was sharing before the marriage. That didn’t leave room for a third, and Ram had always accepted that.

“Hello,” Ram croaked, far from the smooth greeting he’d planned to use when he finally met Briar. He glanced over at Jax, seeing half of what Briar must see. Jax’s face was flushed and his lips were swollen from the intensity of their kiss. His dark hair was tousled from Ram’s fingers clutching at the strands. Ram wanted nothing more than to kiss him again. He gave Jax a dark smile, telling him exactly that.

Jax groaned quietly, deep in his throat.

From the corner of his eye, Ram saw Briar shift from one Ked-clad foot to the other then take a step backward.

“I, uh…I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said. “I just wanted to know if the four of you wanted coffee or hot chocolate and if you ate lunch. Um…” She backed closer to the door. “I can go and leave you to…” She bit her lip and waved a hand as if unsure how to express what she’d seen or what she intended to leave them to resume.

“No,” Jax and Ram exclaimed together.

Ram caught her wrist before she made it to the door then curled his hand down to snag her fingers. “Don’t go. You didn’t interrupt. We just—”

His words stalled as she turned to him, and he got his first close-up view of her face. She was stunning, with near-flawless, pale skin. Three tiny freckles marked her nose. Wide, clear green eyes stared at him, filled with a mix of surprise and interest. The tip of her tongue shot across pale pink lips made to be kissed.

Immediately, he understood his friend’s obsession as the image of her mouth on him—around him—skittered through his thoughts. His cock responded to her, and he knew she might very well become the object of his dreams, as well. There was no way he wouldn’t fantasize about her on her knees and sucking his cock tonight. Another slice of need cut through him and apparently shown in his eyes because she made a small aroused sound.

She wanted him. No, he acknowledged as her equally hot gaze skittered to Jax, she wanted them both. Maybe he wouldn’t be alone in his cot tonight. Perhaps he and Jax would be at the main house servicing its mistress. He liked that idea.

Briar’s hand shifted against his and he realized he still held her fingers. Her question still hung in the air, unanswered. He smiled. “Coffee would be great. It’s cold as hell out here…Briar. Thank you. I’m Ram, by the way, and I’m very pleased to meet you. Welcome back to Daly.”

“Thank you.” She glanced at Jax then back at him, looking confused by what she’d seen and what was passing between the three of them now. She bit the side of her lip, appraising them, but she didn’t ask any questions. “I’ll go heat water then. It
is
cold out here.”

“Briar,” Jax said. He stepped to Ram’s side and shrugged off his coat. Not awaiting her permission, he slung the garment around her shoulders. Clearly, he and Ram couldn’t let her run off without confirming she had a chance with them—and that the two of them had a chance with her. Getting her warm would give them a few more minutes. They had to move quickly. Daly wasn’t the place to take one’s time with courtship. If a claim wasn’t made, there were plenty of other cowboys willing to step in.