Saving Emily (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4
“Home.”
Taking his gaze from hers, Cole looked at Adam and raised an eyebrow in query. Adam didn’t have to ask because he already knew his brother was asking him if he’d decided to let her go and shook his head.
“No,” Cole said firmly.
Emily gasped, pulled away from Adam, and looked up at Cole. “What do you mean no?”
“No, you’re not going home. You’re staying here.”
“No, I’m not,” Emily said emphatically.
“Yes you are!” Cole’s tone was soft but firm and Adam knew his brother had been pushed to his limit. He only ever used that tone when he was really pissed or upset.
Adam moved around Emily when she put her hands on her hips and made a pfft sound. There was such fire in her eyes and it made them sparkle. He wondered if she looked like that when she was coming. He couldn’t wait to find out, but of course he and Cole would never touch her while she was still hurting. But once she was healed, all bets were off.
She was theirs. Theirs to love and protect. Theirs for her to lean on and take care of. He wasn’t an arrogant ass and knew she could take care of herself, but he needed her in his life. Needed to be able to hold her and love her and know that she was safe. He felt possessive of her and as far as he was concerned she would never be hurt again. Not if he could help it.
“You’re not going back to live in that cabin by yourself,” Cole said.
“But I’m not by myself, my brother…”
“Is no longer here.”
Adam waited for the explosion after Cole’s last statement and he didn’t have to wait long.
“What? Where is he?”
Cole sighed as he looked at her, shrugged his shoulders, and then he turned away.
Emily followed Cole into the kitchen. Adam frowned when he saw how stiff she was walking, but held his tongue for the moment. He knew a confrontation was imminent and he hoped that his older, dominant brother put his foot down.
Adam didn’t want her going back to that cabin either. They had no idea where Chris had gone off to and didn’t want to take the chance that he could come back and hurt her again. Cole poured himself a cup of coffee and then turned around and leaned against the counter. He was watching Emily, but playing it cool as he sipped from his mug, but Adam knew he was anything but cool. Every muscle in Cole’s body was as tense as a spring.
Adam moved further into the room and poured himself some coffee, too. What he really wanted was a shot of whisky, but he stood back to see what would happen next.
Emily stomped her foot and walked right up to Cole, snatched the mug from his hand, and slammed it onto the counter, spilling some of the drink.
She lifted one arm, winced, dropped it back down, and then lifted the other. Adam felt some of his tension dissipate when she poked Cole in the belly and tried hard not to laugh. His brother had at least a foot of height on her and to see her standing up to someone so much taller than her was awesome.
“Where is Chris? What have you done to him?”
Cole looked at her incredulously and then glanced over at him. Adam smirked but then wiped the smile from his face when Emily looked at him for a moment. When she gazed back at Cole, he grinned outright. She was magnificent with her long, wavy, white-blonde hair flowing down her back and fiery sapphire-blue eyes.
Cole placed his hands on Emily’s shoulders and drew her in closer as he bent down so his face was next to hers. “I fired him. He left and I don’t know where he’s gone.”
“Y–you fired him? Why?”
“Why?” Cole roared but quickly tempered his voice when she flinched. “How can you ask that after what he did to you, said to you?”
“H–how do you—” She didn’t get to finish her question.
“I was in the tack room and heard everything. I saw him hit you. Do you honestly think I was going to let him get away with hurting you?”
Emily’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. “He’s all the family I’ve got left.”
Adam saw the flash of pain in Cole’s eyes as he gently pulled Em against his body and hugged her.
“You don’t need him anymore, sweetheart. You’re staying with Adam and me.”
“No, I can’t,” she sobbed.
“Yes you can, and you will. You may as well accept it.” Cole kissed her temple. “Besides, your things have already been moved here and your cabin is already occupied by another ranch hand.”
Cole ran his hands over her shoulders and down her arms before clasping her forearm.
Emily swayed and moaned with pain. Cole released her arms and caught her around the waist just as her legs buckled. He scooped her up into his arms, carried her across to the table, and sat down with her on his lap.
Adam hurried over and sat next to them. He was really worried, because Emily’s face had gone totally white.
“What is it, sweetheart? Did I hurt you? I didn’t mean to hurt you, Em.”
“My arm,” Emily gasped as she clutched at her left arm just below her elbow.
“Adam, help me get her shirt off.”
“There is no need to—”
“Don’t argue,” Cole ordered and nodded at him to help with her shirt.
Adam pulled the front of Emily’s shirt open in one harsh tug, scattering buttons everywhere. He tried not to look at her bountiful lace-covered chest, but when her breasts were practically staring him right in the face and they were spilling out of the delicate lace red bra, he was in trouble. His cock hardened instantly. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the shirt off her good arm first and then gently worked it over her injured arm.
Cole sucked in a breath and Adam knew he was having a hard time keeping his hands to himself, too. His brother’s eyes perused over every inch of bared skin. When Adam removed the shirt from her completely, he and Cole growled at the large bruise on her arm.
It looked really bad, such a dark blue color, and it looked like there was quite a bit of blood underneath her skin. He clenched his jaw in fury. The bruise was the size of his hand and the darker marks on the outside edge were in the shape of a horse’s hoof.
Adam turned away, hoping she didn’t see how angry he was, and went to the freezer for some ice. As he turned back, he roared with rage as he saw all the other bruises covering her back.
Emily jumped and then looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Adam couldn’t speak, but he wanted Cole to see what he was seeing so he nodded his head toward Em’s back. Cole followed his line of sight but he couldn’t see her back because of the position she was sitting in. His brother gently cradled Emily with one arm and leaned her forward so she was supported by his other arm. He looked at the marks covering her back and Adam watched the blood drain from his face and his lips pulled into a tight line. Her whole back was covered in marks. Some were fresh, red and blue, others were a yellowy blue color as they faded.
Emily trembled and tried to bury her face into Cole’s chest, but his brother wouldn’t let her. Cole swallowed audibly and then eased her back against him and nudged her chin up. “Don’t hide from me, from us, Emily. Adam and I will never hurt you.” He paused and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. “How long?”
Adam could see that Em knew what Cole was asking and was glad that neither of them had to clarify. “Four years.”
“Fuck,” Cole yelled, standing to his feet with Emily cradled in his arms. “Bring the ice.” Cole started carrying her from the room and after a moment Adam rushed after him.
Cole sat down on the edge of the large tub with Em in his lap, so Adam placed the ice bags onto the vanity and then turned the bath on. Cole reached up Emily’s back and unhooked her bra with one hand.
Emily lifted her good arm and held it over her breasts, keeping her bra in place, and stared up at Cole with what looked like shock. “What are you doing?”
“Undressing you for a bath,” Cole said.
“I don’t need your help to get undressed or to have a bath,” Emily snapped.
“I don’t need looking after. And you have not seen my naked body,” she said, and Adam held in his smile when he saw her blush. Cole ignored her and then pulled the button on her jeans. She grabbed at his hand and flinched when she moved her injured arm. “Leave me alone.”
When she shifted and squeezed her thighs together, Adam wondered if she was doing that so Cole wouldn’t be able to get her jeans off or because she was turned on. When he looked at her chest her saw that she was panting and her pulse was beating rapidly at the base of her throat. Plus her nipples were poking at the material of her bra.
Oh yeah, baby. You’re not immune to us at all, are you?
Cole’s anguished voice drew Adam’s attention.
“I can’t.”
“What? Why?”
“We should have known,” Cole said in a tortured voice. “He was living here on our land and hurting you.”
Emily must have seen the pain on Cole’s face because she reached up and cupped his cheek as she stared into his eyes. Adam saw the tears she was trying to keep at bay and his heart broke a little more for all the suffering she’d had to endure at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and protect her.
“No one knew. I didn’t want anyone to know.” She stifled a sob.
“It’s not your fault, baby.” Adam’s voice came out sounding hoarse but he needed her to know she wasn’t to blame. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, but you should have told someone. If not me, then Cole. We would have protected you.”
“He’s all the family I have left. Now I have no one.” The tears in her eyes spilled over and onto her cheeks.
“That’s not true, Emily.” Cole gently wiped at her face, being careful not to touch her bruise. “You have Adam and me. We’re your family. Now stand up so I can get these jeans off of you.”
Emily stood but backed away from him. “I can do it myself,” she said in firm voice. “Please leave.”
“I’ll relent for now, but once you are in the bath, you are to put ice on that arm. When you come out, we’ll talk more.” Cole turned and left the bathroom.
Adam reached over her and placed the cloth wrapped ice on the side of the tub and then turned off the faucets. “Yell if you need some help, baby.” He gave her a last lingering look and then he, too, left the bathroom.
He was so agitated he wanted to hit something, but that would only scare Emily more and that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Chapter Four
Emily sighed as she closed the bathroom door. Taking off the rest of her clothes, she sank down into the warmth of the bath. Thoughts raced throughout her mind as she soaked some of her aches and pains away. She picked up the ice and put it on her bruised arm, thoughts racing through her mind as she wondered what she was supposed to do now.
With Chris gone, she had no one left. Although Cole and Adam said they were her family now, that wasn’t the case, no matter how much she wished it were true. Would they expect her to leave? Would they fire her, too? When her thoughts started giving her a headache, she pushed them aside and just relaxed in the warm water.
She didn’t have the luxury of a bath in her cabin and she relished the quiet as some of her pains soaked away. When the water started to get cool, she quickly washed her body, being careful as she washed over the bruises, and then she got out and dried off. The ice had also relieved some of the pain in her arm and she was able to move it more without it hurting so much.
She wrapped her body with a towel and another around her damp hair, just as the bathroom door opened. She looked at Adam’s hand when he extended it to her.
“Come on. I’ll show you where your clothes are.”
Reaching out with her good arm, she clasped his hand and nearly gasped when warmth traveled up her arm, to her breasts, and down to her pussy. Moisture gathered on her folds and as she walked she was aware of her labial lips rubbing together. Cream wept from her pussy onto her thighs and she was glad he couldn’t see her upper legs.
Adam showed her where her clothes were in the closet and dresser in the room she had awakened in, and she wondered who had moved them from her cabin. From what Cole said earlier, she suspected he had and even though it made her a little angry over his take-charge attitude, she was also glad. She didn’t really want to go back to that empty cabin in case her brother came back and hit her again.
“Come out to the kitchen when you are dressed. Dinner is ready.”
Emily dressed quickly and then walked to the kitchen. She stood in the doorway as she watched the two masculine, handsome men preparing the finishing touches to their meal. She must have made a sound because Cole turned toward her.
“Take a seat, sweetheart. It’s almost done.”
Sitting down, she watched as they brought the food to the table. There was steak, mashed potatoes, and salad, as well as crusty rolls warm from the oven. Cole and Adam sat on either side of her and then started loading their plates with food. Emily was astounded by the amount of food they put on their plate and didn’t realize she was staring until Cole grabbed her plate and piled a heap of food onto it.
“That’s too much. I can’t eat all that.”
“Try,” Cole said in a firm voice and then pointed to her plate.
Rolling her eyes toward the ceiling she picked up a small dinner roll and started nibbling on it. Once she started eating she demolished half of everything on her plate and sat back with a sigh when she was full. She then watched the men consume everything on their plates and hid a giggle when they went back for more.
“You don’t eat enough, baby,” Adam said eying the food left on her plate.
“Yes I do. I’m full. I’m a lot smaller than you are. If I ate as much as you two do, I’d be as big as a house,” she replied.
Cole leaned back in his chair and looked at her arm before meeting her gaze. “How did you hurt your arm?”
Emily explained how Chris had frightened Star when he had stormed into the barn, making the horse rear.
“I’ll kill him.” Cole growled through clenched teeth.
“He’s my brother. Please don’t hurt him,” Emily whispered.
“Yes, he is your brother. Did that stop him from hurting you? Did he protect you like he should have?” Cole asked in a hard voice.
Emily just sat at the table, her eyes pleading with him to understand. Cole gave her a scowl, shoved his chair back, rose to his feet, and then stormed out of the back door, slamming it behind him.
“He’s right you know,” Adam said quietly. “Your brother was supposed to be protecting you, not abusing you.”
“He’s all I have.”
“No, Emily, he is not. You have Cole and me. You just don’t realize it yet.”
Emily ignored Adam’s statement and rose from the chair. She started clearing the table. Adam helped her and they worked together companionably until everything was cleared and wiped down, with the dishwasher running.
“Come on, baby,” Adam said gently, taking her hand in his. “Let’s go watch a movie.”
Adam put the movie on and sat down beside her. She could feel the heat from his body seeping into her and she wanted to lean against him and snuggle up with him, but she stayed still and tried to keep her heavy eyelids open as she watched the movie.
* * * *
Adam was aware of Em’s struggle to stay awake. Even though he didn’t look at her directly, he watched her from the corner of his eye. Every time she blinked, it took her longer and longer for her lids to open again until finally they stayed closed and her breathing evened out. He placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in against his body.
He
loved the way she felt in his arms, so small, delicate, and feminine. When she rubbed her cheek on his chest and sighed, he smiled and kissed the top of her head. She trusted him and Cole, otherwise she would have put up more of a stink over having her stuff brought over to their house. He just hoped they could take the next step and start a relationship with her.
Adam glanced up at Cole when he entered the living room and smiled when he saw Emily asleep in his arms. He and his brother always thought along the same track and Cole’s next words proved it.
“We can’t let her leave, Adam.”
“I know. But we need to give her some time to heal and become more comfortable with us. Be patient, Cole, she’s been to hell and back.”
“We’ve been waiting for her for so long, now that she’s here I don’t know how much longer I can wait.” Cole sighed. “Let’s get her to bed.”
Adam scooped Emily into his arms and headed toward the master bedroom. Cole followed and helped to remove her shoes and jeans, leaving her T-shirt and panties on.
“She’s so fucking gorgeous,” Cole whispered. “So small, but look at all those curves.”
“Don’t. I’m having a hard enough time without you adding to it.” Adam pulled the covers up over her body.
“I love her, Cole, and I know you do, too. I’ve seen you watching her the last few years as she grew into womanhood. Just give her some time. She needs to get over her fear first. Then we can work on the rest.”
“Yeah I know, but she’s still so young. She’s only twenty-five. We’re way older than she is.”
“I don’t think that will bother her any. I think she likes us, too. I felt her shiver after she ran into you when she was trying to leave earlier. “
“It was probably fear.”
“I don’t think it was. I think she was aroused. She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t trust us at least a little. She’s too scared of men right now. I’ve seen how skittish she is around the other hands but she’s not that way with us. I wish I’d taken more notice before. All the signs were there but I just thought she kept away from the men because she didn’t want them asking her out. Damn, if only I’d realized,” Adam snapped and then sighed, knowing it was too late now and he couldn’t go back to change the past.