Monroe, Marla - Their Reluctant Submissive [Knights in Black Leather 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (24 page)

She couldn’t tell what was going on, but there was a lot of talking and activity. There were a lot of strange noises that scared her. Without realizing what she was thinking, Kelly wished the guys where there with her. She didn’t like being alone like this. That thought stopped her. Why did she instantly want Marx and Jackson there with her? Was it already too late and she had developed a need for them?

Unlike before, that need didn’t feel all consuming. It merely felt comfortable. She realized that it was their comfort and strength she longed for. She wasn’t expecting them to take over for her and direct her feelings and thoughts. She didn’t need them to tell her what to do next. But was it the next step? That thought worried her. She was still thinking about it when the same nurse who had stuck her head in the door earlier returned.

“Hey, do you need anything? Your heart rate went up. I know what’s going on next to you is frightening when you’re back here alone.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay. I just had a coughing spell a few minutes ago, and it always makes me antsy.”

The nurse smiled and nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right outside at the desk if you need me.”

Kelly watched as she checked a few things then left again. The sounds from next door had softened some, and there didn’t seem to be as much activity as before. She hoped and prayed the patient had made it.

Thirty minutes later, the door opened again, but this time, it was Marx and Jackson who stepped inside the room. She was so happy to see them that she started crying. It embarrassed her that she was acting so emotional and worried her that she was too attached to them at the same time. Before she could say anything, both men had crossed the room and were kissing her cheeks while patting her head and hands.

“Shh, baby. It’s all right,” Jackson whispered in her ear.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying.”

“The nurse said that she thought you were upset over what had happened with your neighbor over there. He’s okay right now.” Marx seemed to be trying to reassure her.

She gulped and nodded her head. Maybe he was right and that was what was wrong. She gave both men a tremulous smile.

“Thanks. You’re probably right. I felt so bad for him. Did he have any family out in the waiting room?”

Jackson shook his head. “We were the only ones out there.”

“That’s so sad. I wonder if he has any family close-by.”

The idea that the poor old man was alone made her sad. She sighed and closed her eyes. Then Jackson was laying something carefully in her lap. She looked down and saw the pretty wrapped gift. Her eyes flew to him then Marx.

“What is this?”

“It’s a get-well gift.” Jackson laughed.

Kelly couldn’t help but smile at them and immediately ripped into the paper. She had recognized it as coming from Heavy Trinkets. She couldn’t imagine what they might have gotten her that was something that size. When she opened the box and found the books, she stopped and looked up again. Her face heated at the fact that they had gotten her erotic romance books.

“Have you already read them? Tessa didn’t think you had, but if you have, we can take them back and exchange them.” Marx seemed even more nervous than she was about the gift.

“No! I mean, I haven’t read them yet. Thank you so much.” She turned the books over facedown so the sensual covers wouldn’t be staring them all in the face.

Jackson chuckled and pulled the box and shredded wrapping paper off the bed. She licked her lips and noticed Marx following her tongue with his eyes. It had her body heating up all over, once again.

“How was everything at the store? Are they busy? Did Steve say anything about my coming back?”

Marx shook his head and frowned at her. “You’ll go back when the doctor lets you go back. Don’t worry about it. Your job won’t be going anywhere.”

“They seem to be doing fine. Marx asked about getting some of your jewelry together to take out to the house so when you felt like it you could work on it,” Jackson said.

That made her smile. She would have something to do and still be working. She would need the money to pay off the hospital bills for one thing. Not to mention she would need to save up her money to be able to get another apartment. Kelly didn’t realize she was frowning until she noticed Marx and Jackson scowling at her.

“What?”

“Why are you frowning? You look like you’re thinking about something you have no business worrying about.” Marx settled his hands on his hips.

“I can’t help it. I need to be working. I have bills to pay, and now I have a hospital bill on top of everything else.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about the hospital bill, baby. The owner of the apartment complex is responsible for it as well as your deposit and two months’ rent. It was his fault the apartment building caught fire in the first place. He’s lucky he isn’t in jail.” Marx’s small smile looked more like a sneer than an actual smile.

Kelly could tell he didn’t like her landlord one bit. Of course, if it was true and the fire had been his fault, she didn’t much like him either. Not only had she nearly died, but she had lost everything she owned as well.

“Enough about that. How are you feeling? Looking forward to moving to your own room?” Jackson sat on the edge of the hospital bed and took her hand between his.

“I’m doing fine. I’m coughing a lot, but other than that I feel pretty good. I wish my voice would get back to normal though.”

“Don’t worry about that. It’ll be good as new in no time.” Jackson ran a finger down her cheek.

She hoped Jackson was right. It really bothered her. Although the doctor had reassured her she wouldn’t have any scars from the burns, Kelly couldn’t help but worry that her raspy voice would be off-putting to the guys. Another episode of coughing grabbed her, and Jackson and Marx were instantly standing next to her telling her she was okay and holding the pillow to her side where her cracked ribs hurt.

When she had recovered again, Marx handed her the water. His expression was hard to read. She worried that he was already tired of dealing with her. She’d been nothing but trouble since they had taken her on as a sub. When she handed it back to him, she was surprised when he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips.

“The nurse is going to come chase us out any moment now. Get some rest, kitten. We want you ready to move to your room tomorrow. No running a fever tonight. Understand?” He winked at her, and some of Kelly’s anxiety bled away.

“Thanks for the books. I really appreciate it.”

Jackson tapped the books in her lap and smiled. “Just make sure you think of us when you’re reading them, babe.”

Kelly’s face grew warm at his words. She had no doubt he was thinking that she would get all hot and horny reading them. He was right, too. She always needed a session with her vibrator after reading one of the erotic romances. What was she going to do now that she didn’t have her trusty B.O.B. now? Looking up at Jackson and Marx, she could tell they had some ideas on the subject. She didn’t think her face could get any hotter, but their smoldering looks turned up her thermostat in an instant.

* * * *

Jackson grinned at Kelly’s obvious discomfort. Not because he wanted to embarrass her, but because he knew what she was thinking, and it was obvious that she liked what they were thinking about. He and Marx both took a step toward the bed as the nurse walked in to send them out.

“She needs her rest if she’s going to get to move tomorrow. You guys go home and come back tomorrow around nine.”

“Oh, we’ll be back before then,” Marx assured Kelly before they walked out. “Take care, sweetheart.”

Jackson wanted to go back and hug her one more time, but they’d already stayed longer than was normally allowed. The nurses had been more than accommodating when they were able. He couldn’t wait for her to have her own room so he and Marx could stay with her round the clock. They would take turns, but someone would be with her all the time. He didn’t want her to be lonely for even one more minute than was necessary.

“She seemed to like the books.” Marx started the truck, and they pulled out of the hospital parking lot.

“Yeah. It will keep her thinking about us, too. I want her to keep us in the back of her mind all the time. The more she thinks about us the better our chances of convincing her to stay with us.”

Marx nodded. “I don’t want to play around anymore. I want to claim her and make her ours.”

“Marx, we can’t hurry her. She needs to trust us enough to tell us about her past before we broach a permanent relationship with her. We stand the chance of losing her if we push her too fast.”

He watched his brother’s face as he fought his impatience. He felt the same way, but knew they were already walking a fine line with Kelly. He wouldn’t risk the fragile bond they were forging. In the meantime, they would shore up their link to her by showing her patience and how much they cared about her.

Jackson had already come to terms with the fact that he was head over heels in love with her, but he wasn’t sure Marx had allowed himself that pleasure yet. His brother was so much more cautious and reserved. All the time they had been growing up, Marx had been the quiet one who rarely talked or expressed himself, but he could always count on him to be by his side.

When they pulled up outside the ranch, Jackson climbed out of the truck and headed for the house. Fully expecting his brother to head out to check in with the foreman, he was surprised when Marx followed him into the house. His brother disappeared around the corner of the living room as he headed toward the office. There was no telling what Marx was up to. He would find out sooner or later. For now, Jackson had work to finish so he could spend more time with Kelly.

While he sorted through invoices and bills, his mind kept returning to some of the things he and Marx had picked out for Kelly. Seeing her in some of the sexy outfits would no doubt drive him and his brother wild with want. The question was would she accept them and wear the clothes for them?

“Jackson, I’m going to head out and make sure everything is going okay with getting the cattle moved to the south pasture. I have my phone if you need me.” Marx’s head was poking in the doorway when Jackson looked up.

“Sure. Be careful. I’ll have dinner ready about six.”

With a nod, Marx pulled back, and a few seconds later he heard the door close, indicating his brother had left through the back door. Jackson sat back in his chair and thought about the need to make some changes around the ranch to free up more time to spend with Kelly. He needed to hire an office manager to handle the paperwork, and they needed more hands so Marx wouldn’t feel the need to help out as much.

Jackson knew good and well that his brother would still spend time out on the ranch because it was in his blood, but with added help, he wouldn’t have to spend as much time away from the house. He would talk to the other man about it later. The sooner they got the extra employees settled, the sooner they could spend the time with Kelly instead.

He settled down to work, and when he next noticed the time, it was close to five. He needed to get to work on dinner. He was starved and knew that Marx would be even worse when he got home.

By six, dinner was ready and Jackson had just finished setting the table when Marx walked in the back door. The other man pulled off his hat and washed his hands before grabbing a seat at the table. They quickly served their plates and began eating. Jackson eased into the conversation about hiring help to free up more of their time.

“Sounds like a good idea to me, but I’m not sure where we’re going to find help. Most everyone in town has a job that I know about. I won’t let just anyone work on the ranch, Jackson.”

“Neither will I. I’m thinking about putting an ad in one of the trade magazines. That will keep the riffraff from showing up. Not sure about how to advertise for an office manager though. I’ve got to think about that. I don’t know of anyone in town that might be interested in that job either.”

Marx nodded and took a sip of iced tea. “That’s probably a good idea on the trade magazines. Go ahead and advertise for the office manager in there, too. You might get lucky and find someone with actual ranch experience, as well as business knowledge.”

They tossed around some more ideas while they finished up eating. Then Marx handled the cleanup while Jackson settled in the living room to watch TV. He was caught up in an interesting movie when Marx joined him sometime later. He wasn’t sure what made him look over at his brother, but he was surprised to see him leaning back in the recliner with his eyes closed. That wasn’t like Marx.

“Is everything okay, Marx?”

“Fine.” He didn’t open his eyes.

Jackson turned off the TV. “You don’t look like its fine. What’s going on?”

Marx sighed and opened his eyes. “I’m worried about Kelly. I don’t think she feels entirely comfortable around me. I think if she did, she would have already talked to us about her past.”

“Normally, I would say you’re probably right, but I don’t think that’s the case with her. I think she’s just so caught up in fear that she isn’t letting herself relax enough to tell that she can trust us. Don’t take the blame on you when it’s not your fault.”

“I’ve never worried about coming on too strong before because it didn’t really matter all that much. It matters this time, though. I don’t want to screw up our chances with her.”