Free to Love (The Colson Brothers Book 8) Page 4

  “You can’t save the world Myk. You’re a great surgeon, but you don’t know if you’d have done any better than your replacement.”

  “No. I don’t. That’s the problem. If I was there he’d have at least a better chance. I let him down, and his family.”

  “Your family comes first wife. Your family needed you. Blame me if you want, but I think we both know the lesson you need to walk away with here.”

  “Doesn’t make it any easier.”

  “No. It doesn’t. I want you to check out the clinic tomorrow. We have two months until deliveries are put on hold until March, maybe later. Make sure we’re prepared. Every year I get more people up here. I’d feel better knowing you had us covered better medically.”

  “Nice guilt trip Cord. Well played.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll take a look. I’m going to take her to bed now.” She slid her arms under Eve and started to stand.

  I got up and took the sleeping beauty from her. “Turn off the lights.”

  “You’re not sleeping between us.”

  “Watch me.” I headed down the hall and had Eve tucked securely under my arm before my wife could get herself into bed and under my other arm. “Oh yeah.” I felt my whole body melt into one with theirs. “This is a nice fit.”

  “Wife stealer.” Myk yawned.

  “I’ll share, but tonight, this is mine.” I own this moment. Too bad I slept through most of it. It was the best sleep I’ve had in what seems like forever.

  I woke up to a stealthy blonde trying to work her way past me to Myk. I waited until she was square on top then planted both hands on her ass and opened my eyes. “Hello.”

  She bit back a smile before finding her apology. “Sorry. You’re in my way.”

  My body responds automatically to the female body. I dug my fingertips into soft flesh pulling her down so she can feel what she’s done to me. “I like being in your way.”

  Myk shoved a pillow between our faces and stole my fun. “Put that away.”

  I groaned. “She’s the one that rubbed her tits all over my chest.”

  “To get to me.” Myk argued as Eve settled on her far side.

  “Via me. She could have gotten off the bed and walked around.” I pointed out.

  “Can mommy and daddy stop arguing until after coffee please?” Eve begged.

  I propped my head in my hand and settled on my elbow to enjoy the view, and maybe annoy my wife a little. I moved her almost black hair off her face. “We should have gotten an Eve years ago.”

  “Probably. She grounds me. You make me mad.” She replied simply.

  “You need me to make you mad. That’s how this works.”

  “I know. Evidently I need both. I think that’s part of why shit fell apart with Eve. I sunk myself into work because I needed the anger she’s not capable of giving.”

  “Until the other night. It seems the only way I can get your attention is to piss you off.” Eve chimed in.

  “Don’t start Eve.” Myk scolded her but hugged her hand to her chest. “Your goal was to get my attention, not necessarily piss me off. It’s my fault you had to go so far. We’re done with that. Shit’s going to be different now.” Myk doesn’t dwell.

  “I just want to know which one of you I get to kiss first. Seriously Myk. You’re killing me.” I teased trying to lighten the mood here.

  She kept Eve’s hand in hers and elbowed me in the chest. “Down boy. I saw enough disappointed females faces today to know you’ve been dipping your dick everywhere you can.”

  “Ah shit. Denise. I forgot. She’s going to be pissed when she realizes I lied about you two being vacationers, or whatever I told her.” I fell on my back knowing this is going to suck. “I’m surprised you didn’t run into her yesterday.”

  “We hit one barn then went fishing. Eve shopped on her way home, hence the fish. Evidently I suck at fishing.” Myk complained.

  “You’ve always sucked at fishing. You’re too impatient.” That got me poked and kicked out of bed by both women. Best start to my day in… well fuck, ever.

  My days vary as far as how busy I am. Some days I work almost a full twenty-four hours, other days I work three or four. Sometimes a bunch of us go off on hunting trips for a week or so at a time. Those are more like a vacation than work.

  Today is one of those down days where I’m not really needed so I’m doing random shit around the house here. When you build your own house into the side of a mountain shit shifts. Bolts and nuts mysteriously loosen. The house is secure, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t shift.

  Eve is keeping me company in the laundry room while Myk takes a shower. “How did you and Myk meet?” She asked curiously.

  “I found her in a box while my buddies and I were dumpster diving.” I handed her the screwdriver in exchange for the hammer.

  “How did you end up marrying her?”

  “Long story. Not a pretty one either.” I tapped the bolt making sure it’s good and straight then pointed to the socket wrench. “Change that socket to a one-inch and hand it here.” Surprisingly Eve is good with tools. She mentioned doing most of the handyman shit around the house because Mykela dislikes strangers poking around her personal shit. That sounds like her.

  “Was she hurt? Like raped or something?”

  “She wasn’t hurt, but she was hungry. She’d just been born. I grabbed her and wrapped her in my jacket then took her to the club. Doc nursed her back to life and she kind of became our mascot. Giving her to social services wasn’t an option.”

  “So what did you do? Adopt her?”

  “More or less. My father gave her to his right hand, a guy that went by Machete. He and his wife couldn’t conceive so she pretended she didn’t know she was pregnant. The club has a lot of pull so nobody questioned it.” I climbed down and let my eyes take in the cleavage of one of my ‘modified’ shirts. I can’t wait to bury my face in there.

  She stepped out of the way and covered the eye candy. “So she was adopted.” She urged me to continue.

  “More or less. Her mother was nice enough, but Machete was a dick. You’ll have to ask her about that part of the story, it’s hers to tell, not mine.” I started down the hall to my office to check some of the other beams.

  She followed with more questions. “What do we do now? Are you and Myk getting back together? Where does that leave me?”

  I turned around just outside the door to my office to give her my full attention. “Mykela will always be mine. Even apart we’re still together. Now you’re with her. You took care of her where, and when, I couldn’t. For that you have my eternal gratitude. I like you Eve. I want you to stay, so does Myk. I’ll have her naked body just as soon as I know she’s ready. And if you decide you want to join in, or spend some time alone with me, then you’re more than welcome.”

  “I guess I just don’t understand what this all means for me.” She looked down at the screwdriver in her hand.

  I touched her chin lifting it so I can look her in the eye. “It means a fresh start for all of us. Let’s just take it one day at a time. Fix your shit with Myk. I’m going to be doing a bit of that myself. Between us, let’s not overload her. She’s kind of hard to catch when she takes flight.”

  Eve offered me her hand to shake. “Deal.”

  We shook on it and at the same time a strange sort of bond formed between us. We’re not alone in the Game Of Myk anymore. I have her back, she has mine. We both know what she needs, even though they are very different things. What Myk needs from me is nothing like what she needs from Eve.

  Eve and I found a comfortable comradery after that. She’s quite funny in her dainty little way. Then again she’s not little, and she knows tools, but for some reason to me she’s a strange little sunflower that needs protecting, if not a little tending.

  We found Mykela behind my laptop at the kitchen bar shortly before time to put some dinner in our bellies.

  Eve bounced over causing her to close the lid on the computer. “Why do
you do that??”

  Mykela turned and gave her full attention to Eve. “Some things you don’t need to see or know. Are you cooking for us or what?”

  Eve cringed oddly. “Did you kill a chicken?”

  My wife nodded proudly making me roll my eyes as I grabbed a beer from the fridge. “I did. I cleaned it too, so all you have to do is pretend it’s one from the store. Make the one I like for dinner. I think you’ll find his highness likes it too.”

  “I’ll eat anything.” I drank from the bottle. We brew our own up here, and bottle our own. In fact the guy who’s in charge of all this really should market this stuff. It’s damn good. Unfortunately he has a hard enough time keeping up with our demand, and I don’t particularly want any more people up here.

  Myk shook her head. “Which has become painfully clear after touring your valley.”

  I laughed, “Not my fault. I’ve made it very clear where I stand, but they still seem to think they can wear me down.”

  “Wear you down?” Eve asked innocently, and adorably, looking confused.

  “Cord has more money than sense.” Mykela complained. “No doubt they hope to be the one to change his bachelor ways.”

  “But, you’re married.” Eve pointed out.

  “They don’t know that.” Myk shot me a dirty look.

  “What?? You’re the one that left. You know what happens when you shut me down.” I reminded her playfully. I don’t want Eve to think we’re about to get in a fight. Myk is far from the jealous type. I have to admit I’ve missed our banter.

  “Yeah well, just make sure it doesn’t come back to bite Eve in the butt. I can handle anyone who decides to fuck up and confront me, she can’t.”

  “Hey!” Eve took offense. “I can handle myself!”

  “Yes, but I don’t want you to have to. Cord should clean up his messes anyway.” She scolded me with a look to match her words.

  I sneered at her. “There’s nothing to clean up. Not my fault they can’t listen.”

  “Seriously Cord. You need to deal with it. I keep hearing about some chick named Denise with an attitude problem.” She informed me seriously.

  “I’ll see what I can do. You know me, I don’t do the sentimental bullshit.”

  Myk elbowed Eve playfully and leaned in like she was about to share a deep dark secret, “This from the guy that kisses like a fucking god.”

  “And how would you know wife??” I challenged pretending to be suspicious.

  “I watch TV.”

  “Wait, does that mean he kisses better than me?”

  Myk palmed her forehead.

  I laughed and winked at Eve, “When you’re ready I’ll show you how it’s done.”

  That got me chased from the house.

  5

  Mykela Colson

  This is ridiculous. “Cord. Leave that poor girl alone.” If he makes me get up I’m going to punch him in the gut. Although that would probably just hurt my hand. Cord has always been fit, but building this place has hardened him. He’s stronger than I remember. Faster too.

  He stopped tickling poor Eve then saw to it she didn’t escape his lap but settled in comfortably instead. “What?”

  “You two are annoying. It’s like watching horny teenagers.” This all started about a week ago. One minute they’re avoiding each other, the next it’s all I can do not to laugh at them. Eve is happy. Honestly that’s all that matters, but the giggling gets old.

  “You know, I don’t think I ever actually tickled a woman before. Every time I tried tickling you I got my ass kicked.” Cord shared.

  “As you rightfully deserved.” I remember all too well. I broke his finger one night when he was drunk and just stupid enough to push me a little too far.

  “I got you back.” He reminded me.

  “Can you two stop already? Must everything be a fucking competition? Or an argument?” Eve complained leaving Cord’s lap. “I’m going to pet an emu or some shit.”

  “We don’t have emus, but there are a couple ostrich’s down there.” Cord teased.

  “Yeah, sneaky mean fuckers. I told you about the one that stole my sandwich.” Eve pulled on her boots and grabbed Cord’s truck keys leaving us in her happy dust.

  It’s the first time we’ve been alone in days. An eerie silence fell between us.

  “I ordered another truck for you to share. It comes in pieces, so it won’t be ready for a few months.” He informed me as he put his ankle on top of his knee.

  “Thanks.” I looked over at him from the couch. “Where’s the money coming from Cord? Shit’s just not adding up here.” I’ve been meaning to ask since we got here, but the personal shit was more important than the financial at the time. I know where he got some money, but there’s no way his mother’s trust fund paid for all this.

  “Mining. I give the government their cut in exchange for letting me squat here.” He replied simply.

  “What are you mining?” I didn’t know there was anything up here.

  “Mostly oil, but I found silver last year I’m going to talk to them about here soon. I just wanted things to settle with us first. Some of the people hear already harvest the silver and make jewelry to trade for cash in town when they need it.”

  “How do they get to town? I mean, I know how I got there, but I can’t imagine everybody would be able to make that trek, and don’t see you flying people down at their whim.”

  “I fly them on a schedule. The chopper is also our emergency exit. If there’s a fire I can have the whole place evacuated to a pre-established fire safe area. There’s three of them actually. If somebody has a sudden need for a hospital I’m registered to land on the roof of the one in town. Takes me about forty minutes to get there, but it’s the best I can do. I have one paramedic and an old retired doctor. You met them. Did you think about doing some work down there?” He changed the subject.

  Ugh. Here we go again. “I told you. I’ll do any emergency shit, but I work in an ER for a reason. No attachments. Patch ‘em up ship ‘em out. I hate that personal shit and you know it. Eve’s already making us friends and forcing me into dinner dates. I don’t need to know what their private parts look like too.”

  He laughed and pushed up out of his chair. “You’re such a dick.”

  I couldn’t fight the smile. “I know.”

  A shadow formed over me just as his big ass came down guiding my legs up onto the couch as my back hit the cushions. Colson blue eyes took me all the way back to our first time. It’s one of my favorite memories. One of few I dare to go back to on occasion when needing motivation.

  I should kick him to the floor, but I’ve missed this face. I let my fingers rake his beard effectively scratching his cheeks and jaw. “How is it you never seem to age?”

  His body settled down alongside mine without crushing me. “How is it I hate you and love you so much at the same time? We really need to work on this bickering shit. It’s upsetting Eve.”

  I groaned curling up into his chest. I think I was fourteen the last time I sought this level of comfort from him. “But I missed that about us.”

  “Not me. I think the only reason I didn’t go after you when you left is because I was just plain wore the fuck out from it.” That hurt. Unfortunately he’s right. It is draining.

  “We have to stop bringing up old shit.” I suggested. “I need the banter, but it doesn’t have to be serious shit. Does that make sense?”

  “It can be both. The banter is fun I agree, but I can’t take the arguing over old shit anymore. If you need to say something to me just say it. Let’s fight about it and move on.” He kissed the top of my head.

  “Don’t you have something to say to me? I’m the one that left you here.”

  “Nothing I haven’t already said. Look, I’m sorry I tried to take you off the grid when you weren’t ready. After what happened I thought it was the only way to protect you.”

  “I know. The idea of living up here still freaks me out. What happens when I get bo
red?” I asked finally. Cord knows I need constant stimulation. So far I’ve been busy chasing Eve all over this little valley, but how long will that last?

  “There’s usually something to do, but I know what you mean. November through February it’s almost impossible to fly down out of here. It can be done, but it’s harder to find decent visibility, and I don’t like flying via radar alone up here. Any other time I can take you into town.”

  “I miss my job.” Being a cardio ER surgeon in a large city like Phoenix with it’s many snowbirds keeps me hopping. Here I’m just skipping around through the tulips. I hate flowers, they make my nose itch. If you can’t tell, I have a lot of hate and anger piled up inside me. Some piles are just too big to move.”

  “You can carve up some cows for me. It’s almost harvesting time.”

  “Gee thanks. Although it might be a good way to vent some aggression.” I admitted realizing he might be onto something.

  “I wish I could make all your aggressions go away.” He hugged me to him and slid down so I’m on top of him now into a position long lost between us. God I’ve missed his big arms around me. Even before things got physical between us I’d sleep like this in his arms. My protector. Too bad I couldn’t protect him. Poor Cord never stood a chance.

  “Right now I just want to sleep here.”

  He kissed the top of my head again. “You know you used to sleep here when you were small enough to fit in my backpack.”

  “You used to put me in that backpack too. I’ve seen the pictures.”

  “You loved it. So did the chicks. Too bad I was too young to do much about it. By the time I was you were five and no longer cute.”

  “I was cute!”

  “You were a psychotic pain in my ass.” He reminded me. “You did horrible things to my girlfriends.”

  “You had lousy taste in women. I was looking out for you.”

  “By leaving dead squirrel pelts hanging from their bumpers??” He rolled pinning me under him.

  I smiled still proud of myself for that one. “She screamed like a little bitch.”