Passion, Victoria 6: Hailey's Secret (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Oh. Won’t we be interrupting?”

  Chance smiled when Hailey’s face turned red. “They invited us over, honey. I don’t think they would have done that if they had plans. Besides, Connor said to tell you if you argued that Simone really likes you and wants to see you again.”

  “She does?”

  “Yeah, so go get a jacket or something and let’s go.”

  Hailey spun on her heels and hurried to her kitchen. When she came back to the living area she was shoving her license in her pocket and she had her keys in her hand. She grabbed a sweater from the back of the sofa and then stepped out onto the tiny porch next to him. He watched as she locked the door and then Chance held his hand out to her. Hailey looked up at him eagerly yet shyly, but still placed her hand in his without any hesitation and he led her across the backyard, and then down the driveway toward the ute. Roman was already in the driver’s seat and Dillon in the front passenger seat.

  Chance helped Hailey up into the truck and when she was buckled in Roman backed out of the drive. Dillon half turned in his seat to face Hailey. “How are you feeling, sweet thing?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Did you get much sleep?” Roman glanced toward Hailey in the rearview mirror.

  “No,” Hailey sighed.

  “Have you thought about going and seeing the Doc?” Dillon asked. “He could probably give you something to help you sleep.”

  “I don’t want to rely on drugs to help me sleep. If he finds me and I’m too groggy to run or get away from him then I could end up…” Hailey’s breath hitched in her throat and Chance saw the moisture forming in her eyes. His heart broke over the pain and fear she’d experienced at the hands of that monster and as much as he wanted to offer her their spare bedroom, where he and his brothers could keep her safe, he wasn’t sure she would accept it yet. He glanced at Dillon and he could see that his brother was having the same thoughts as he was having but he caught his eye as Dillon opened his mouth and shook his head slightly and mouthed the word, wait.

  Chanced reached over and took her hand in his, offering her what little comfort he could. What he really wanted to do was release Hailey from her seatbelt, pick her up, and pull her into his lap, but if they were seen by the law Roman could end up being fined for having an unrestrained passenger so he didn’t do any of those things.

  They had headed in the opposite direction than the day before yesterday, toward the west of Passion, and had three more farms to look at. Chance was beginning to worry that Hailey hadn’t said another word since Dillon had asked her about seeing the doctor again, but he was content that she was still holding his hand.

  Roman slowed the truck and turned down the long, rutted gravel drive. From what he could see so far, this place looked like it hadn’t been kept up. The grass was nearly waist high, the fences were falling down, and when he caught sight of the house, barns, and corrals, Chance didn’t even want to get out of the ute. No wonder the price on this place had been so low.

  Roman pulled the truck to a stop but didn’t turn off the engine. “I don’t think it’s even worth our time to look inside. The house looks like it’s ready to fall down.”

  “So do the barns,” Dillon said.

  “What do you think, Hailey?” Chance asked.

  “Um—I—Ah…”

  “Me, too,” Chance smiled. “Let’s head to the next place, Roman.”

  Roman turned the truck around and then headed back down the driveway. Hailey breathed what sounded like a sigh of relief and squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you didn’t want me to get out and take a look. I was scared that I would step on a snake.”

  “We wouldn’t let anything like that happen to you, honey.” Chance leaned forward so Hailey could see his eyes. “We couldn’t live with ourselves if you got hurt under our watch.”

  “You couldn’t?”

  “No. Hailey we are all very attracted to you and would love to have a relationship with you. You’re a very beautiful, brave, intelligent woman and we would love the chance to explore this attraction between us.”

  “I…”

  “Let me finish, sweetheart.” Chance lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it to soften his command. “We won’t ever push you into doing something you don’t want to do. And if you think you could be with us then we would let you be in control of everything.”

  “You would?” Hailey asked breathlessly.

  “Yes, we would, baby,” Dillon answered and then interrupted when Hailey opened her mouth again. “Don’t answer yet, Hailey, take all the time you need to think and decide about what you want.”

  Hailey nodded her head and turned to look out the side window but just before she’d turned away, Chance had caught the beginnings of a smile on her sexy mouth. That gave him hope and his body filled with excitement. He shifted in his seat to ease the tightness in his crotch but it didn’t help much. Hopefully by the time he got out of the truck, his erection would have diminished. He didn’t want Hailey seeing his condition and getting scared. He was glad he’d finally taken the bull by the horns and laid the cards on the table and hoped he and his brothers could move forward now that she knew they wanted her, but they would move at her pace if she was willing to give them a chance. Hailey hadn’t looked like she was frightened or alarmed at his declaration and that filled him with a little more confidence and optimism.

  Maybe they could be together after all.

  * * * *

  Roman had been as hard as a rock from nearly the first day he’d met Hailey and it had been difficult to keep his desire at bay, but now that Chance had told her what they wanted from her, maybe it would be all right to let his desire to be with her show a little more. He glanced in the rearview mirror but he couldn’t see her. Hailey was sitting too close to the window and was out of his range of view. He would have given anything to see her face when Chance had spoken to her, but he would have to wait until he stopped the truck. Luckily it wasn’t far to the next farm and then he would be able to talk to her face-to-face again. He looked at Chance and his heart filled with hope when he saw that his brother was smiling as he looked at the back of Hailey’s head. Maybe they had a chance with her after all.

  Please, God. Roman wasn’t a very religious man but knew that Hailey was it for him and his brothers. He’d never seen them look at woman the way they looked at Hailey. She was it for them, too. Now all they had to do was to convince Hailey.

  He slowed the ute, turned on to a well-maintained drive and then drove at a slow pace so they could all take in the land and buildings. There was only one barn and corral and although the house looked well kept, it was smaller than the house Hailey had liked the other day. There was only a verandah on one side, too, so to him that was a minus. In fact, he wondered why he and his brothers were even bothering to look because Roman already had his heart set on the house and land that Hailey had been so enthusiastic over the other day. But any time spent in her company was good so he decided to go through the motions of looking. He pulled the truck to a stop close to the house, turned off the ignition and got out, and then he opened the back door and helped her down.

  “What do you think, baby?” Roman released Hailey’s waist when she was steady on her feet and stepped back. She looked so damned adorable as she glanced about while nibbling on her lower lip. He wanted to pull her into his arms and soothe her tortured flesh with his tongue but he held still.

  “It’s pretty, but the house isn’t as big as the one we saw the other day and you’d probably need to put up more out buildings.”

  Roman moved in closer to her again and slung an arm around her shoulder. He was pleased when she sighed and leaned into his side. “Do you want to take a look inside?”

  “Yes.”

  Roman walked her to the door and was happy that she didn’t try to pull away from him. In fact, she wrapped her arm around his waist and laid her head against his upper chest for a moment. It was then that he realized that Hailey no longer f
linched away from him or his brothers when they touched her and hadn’t done so since the first night they had encountered her at the club. Things were definitely looking up as far as Hailey was concerned.

  He unlocked the door and guided her straight into the living room. That was a con, too. The other house had a small entryway and didn’t lead straight into the living space of the house.

  He and his brothers followed Hailey around as they explored and Roman knew this house wasn’t the one for them. There wasn’t as much land, the house only had three bedrooms and the kitchen was so small you wouldn’t be able to swing a cat in it.

  “I don’t like this house.” Hailey shivered and moved closer to him again. “It has a bad vibe.”

  Roman pulled her into his arms and hugged her close and when she shuddered he ran his hand up and down her back. “Let’s go.” He guided Hailey outside and heard her sigh of relief.

  Dillon moved up close to her until he was pressed against her back. Hailey shuddered again and when she looked up at him, Roman knew it wasn’t because of the uncomfortable vibes from the house. The desire in her eyes took his breath away and even though he wanted to bend down and kiss her until they were both gasping, he held still. It seemed that Hailey liked being sandwiched between him and Dillon.

  Chance had locked up and only now came down the steps and stopped at Hailey’s side. He leaned down and kissed her on the temple. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  “Yes, I am now,” she sighed and leaned her forehead into Roman’s chest.

  He looked up into each of his brother’s eyes and smiled. Hailey was turned on at being surrounded by him and his brothers and he hoped like hell that she would make a move on them soon.

  “You guys are great.” Hailey exhaled gustily and then she pulled her arms from around his waist. Roman was a little disappointed that she had ended the embrace so soon. He could have stood there for hours just holding her, but he and his brothers took their cues from her body language and stepped back.

  “How’s that, sweet thing?” Dillon asked.

  “Because you take such good care of me.”

  Chance grabbed her hand and led her toward the truck again. “We love taking care of you, sweetheart.”

  Once they were all buckled in, Roman started the truck and after turning around, headed down the drive again.

  “So, how many more places are you going to look at?”

  “Just one more, baby, and then we are going to visit the Triple R farm.”

  “Simone’s a really nice lady.”

  “So are you, honey.”

  Roman glanced in the rearview mirror in time to see Hailey blush. She looked so damn sweet and innocent and his heart filled with joy. He was falling for her fast and only hoped that she was doing the same. He knew that she desired him and his brothers but he wanted so much more than just the physical attraction between them. Hopefully one day soon she would let them make love to her. If she allowed that then with any luck her heart would soon follow and she would agree to be with them permanently.

  * * * *

  Dillon was glad Hailey hadn’t liked any of the farms they’d seen today. He wanted to buy the property she had liked the other day and then ask her to move in with them but he also wasn’t about to push her into anything she wasn’t ready for.

  He watched as she talked and laughed with Simone and knew that the two women were talking about them from the shy glances she kept flicking their way. Simone stood up and grabbed Hailey’s hand, tugging her to her feet. Connor eyed his wife’s body and when he caught Hailey looking at him, he winked and smiled at her. Hailey blushed and then hurried after Simone.

  “What are you up to, baby?” Sam asked in a loud voice.

  “We’re going to make some sandwiches for lunch and then we’re all going to go for a ride,” Simone replied.

  “Is that right?” Sam leaned back in his chair and waggled his eyebrows lasciviously, making Hailey’s blush deepen. Dillon was glad that Hailey had turned away before Sam patted his thighs and said. “Anytime you’re ready, baby.”

  Simone burst out laughing and ushered Hailey inside.

  “How is Hailey?” Connor frowned. “She’s still looking tired.”

  “Yeah, she has nightmares and hasn’t slept the night through,” Dillon sighed. “We suggested she go and see Doc, but she’s too scared that that fucker will find her and won’t be able to defend herself or run if she needs to.”

  “That’s understandable after what she’s been through,” Griff said. “Why haven’t you asked her to move in with you? You could keep her safe.”

  “Believe me when I say we want that more than anything, but I don’t know if Hailey’s ready for that.”

  “At least she’s not flinching anytime a man gets too close to her now. She’s used to you three and stays close to you. That has to be a good sign.” Connor took a sip of his iced tea.

  “Yeah. We just hope she makes a move soon,” Dillon said and scrubbed a hand over his face.

  “That’s a smart thing to do,” Sam said and elaborated when Chance quirked an eyebrow in question. “Letting her make the first move when she’s ready.”

  Connor looked toward the house and lowered his voice when the screen door opened. “She eats you all up with her eyes. I don’t think you’ll have too much longer to wait.”

  Dillon smiled and was glad that their friends could see what he’d thought he seen from Hailey, too. Hope and anticipation filled him with excitement. Maybe things were looking up after all.

  * * * *

  Hailey loved the way Roman, Chance, and Dillon watched out for her while they were out riding with Simone and her men. Dillon rode on one side of her, Roman on the other, and Chance rode close behind. She’d never enjoyed a day more. The Bartram brothers were so attentive and made her feel special, almost cherished, and she didn’t want the day to end. She and Simone got on like a house on fire and even though she felt a little awkward around Simone’s men, she could see how deeply in love the Ramsay brothers were with their wife.

  By the time they rode back into the yard of the Triple R farm, Hailey was pleasantly tired from spending the day in the fresh air and the exercise. Maybe tonight would be the first night she would sleep through. After saying good-bye and thanking their hosts, Chance lifted her into the truck and then they were headed back home.

  “Did you have a good day, honey?” Chance smiled at her.

  “The best.” Hailey smiled back and then covered her mouth when she yawned.

  “Would you like to do that again soon, baby?” Roman asked.

  “Yes, that would be wonderful.” Hailey saw Roman look at Dillon beside him and then at Chance in the rearview mirror and the smile he gave his brothers was full of happiness. Hailey had never seen that look on a man’s face when it came to her, and warmth formed in her heart. She made these three men happy and it made her feel worthy. In fact, whenever she was with them she felt special and lovable and wanted more of that.

  She leaned her head against the window and Simone’s words echoed in her mind. “Those three really like you, Hailey, and I can see by the way you look at them that you like them, too. I know you’re scared of intimacy and you have every right to be, but I think if you let them make love to you that they would be able to take all your fears away. Making love with the right man or in our case, men, is like touching the heavens. The Bartram brothers would never do anything to hurt you and if you asked them to stop they would immediately.

  “Why not take a chance? I think you could have something really special with them.”

  “What if I freak out and end up making a fool of myself?”

  “You could never make a fool of yourself, Hailey. If they overwhelm you and you start to get scared just say stop. Those three men would never think less of you. They want you so damn bad. It’s there in their eyes, but they haven’t pushed you into anything, have they?”

  “No.”

  “Take a chance, girlfriend. I think t
hey can put your fears to rest.”

  Hailey did want to take a chance and be with them, but wasn’t sure she was brave enough.

  * * * *

  Chance helped Hailey from the truck and held her hand. “Do you want to come in for some coffee, honey?”

  “That would be nice, thanks.” Hailey was glad that the day wasn’t over. She loved spending time with the Bartram brothers and didn’t want to be alone. Roman came up behind her and hugged her. “Why don’t you stay for dinner, baby? We can order some pizza and watch a movie or two.”

  “Okay.”

  Dillon came up to her other side and took her other hand in his. She was surrounded by their big bodies and their heat, and her body responded to their closeness. Hailey was getting used to feeling desire in their presence but the ache was becoming more intense. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask them to make love with her but she just couldn’t find the courage to say what she wanted.

  They led her inside and talked about the nice day they’d had over coffee. Again the men asked her opinions about the farms they looked at and they listened to her avidly as she gave them all the pros and cons to each place they had visited. When the pizza was delivered, they loaded their plates and settled on the sofa to watch the movie. Hailey was so tired she managed to eat two pieces of the pizza before her eyelids began to droop.

  The men finished eating and Roman grabbed a cushion and placed it over his thighs and patted it. “Lie down, sweetheart, and take a nap.”

  Hailey knew she should probably go home but she didn’t want to be alone and cherished every moment in the men’s company, so she did what he said and laid down with her head on the cushion. Dillon was sitting on the other side of her and when he lifted her feet up over his thighs and she sighed with contentment. Even though she tried to stay awake, she was fighting a losing battle and soon her eyes drifted closed.

  He was back again. She could hear him breathing and the rustle of his clothes as he moved toward her. Hailey tried to keep her breathing deep and even but he must have known she was awake or he just didn’t even care. He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back over onto her back, covered her mouth with his hand and ripped her nightgown from her body. She cried out but the sound was muffled beneath his hand. She struggled and slapped at him trying to get free. He released her mouth, grabbed hold of her hands, pulled them up above her head, and held them securely to the mattress with one large hand. She screamed out before he could cover her mouth again and jerked upright. “No!”