Chapter 13
Thirteen
DARCIE
My knee bounced out of control as I waited for the guys to return. Hank had banned me from the control room after I’d asked too many questions. Tiny had returned an hour ago and had given me a grin. I hoped it meant they were doing well, not that he’d had fun besting them.
I rechecked my phone, but there hadn’t been any new messages since the last time I checked it only five minutes earlier. I’d already emailed Lennox and journaled out my frustration, leaving me with nothing else to occupy my time. I’d even taken off the short wig and sideburns, changing into tight jeans, crop top, and jacket. Everything I could think to do, I’d done. Not even looking at cute boots had quelled my anxiety.
Huffing, I threw myself back on the couch just as the door opened. Laughter floated in, and I jumped up and knocked into a guitar case. I spotted Grayson first and stumbled at his appearance. When Waylon and Brooks came into view, they weren’t any better. Rolling my lips inward to suppress a laugh, I took in the three of them. Grayson cocked his hip and did a runaway walk toward me.
“What do you think, Sunflower? Is truck stop chic my new look?”
“Absolutely not.”
Grayson stopped before me, scoffing in fake shock as he reached out and pulled me into his arms. “I’m deeply wounded. I look hot in everything.”
“If anyone could pull it off, it would be you, Pretty Boy. But I happen to like it when I can see your hair.” I tugged his hat off and let it fall to the ground and ran my fingers through his flattened curls. His eyes closed briefly, and he tugged me closer, nuzzling his nose in my neck. He smelled of oil and sweat, which wasn’t horrible, but I missed his expensive cologne and hair products. Even though we all gave him shit for it, I loved how much care he took of himself. “You could use a shower,” I muttered.
“I was hoping you’d take it with me.” He lifted his head and wiggled his eyebrows.
Giggling, I glanced at the other two. Their outfits were just as horrible, but I didn’t care. They were mine. I reached out for them both, and they joined our huddle, wrapping their arms around me and Grayson.
“Ah, group hug,” Grayson teased. “I knew you slackers loved me.”
“Shut up, Pretty Boy,” Waylon groused.
“He’s been like that all day,” Brooks said, kissing my temple. “How was your day?”
“Long without any of you. Tank helped me with the server.” I blew out a breath. “We found something.” That had them all pulling away, their faces concerned as they looked at me.
“Have you heard from Maddox?”
“He’s on his way back.” I checked my phone. “He should be here in a few hours. He didn’t say much.”
“Probably didn’t feel it was safe,” Brooks muttered. I nodded in agreement.
Before I could dive into what I’d found, the door to the other room opened, and my dad stepped through. He surveyed the three guys and nodded for them to follow him. The earlier laughter and lightness vanished as we filed into the room.
The room was crowded, and I blinked, wondering how out of it I’d been not to notice so many people arriving. Mack sat on Tiny’s lap beside Cueball, Rooster, and Shotgun. The other two guys were strangers but nodded when my eyes met theirs.
“Cueball, Rooster, Shotgun, you remember my daughter?” They smiled and gave me a warm greeting.
“Good to see you, Darcie,” Rooster said, giving me a toothy grin. Granted, he was missing a few, but it was kind nonetheless.
“You too. How’s the kids?”
“Good. My oldest is in high school now. If you have time, you’ll have to stop by and see them. Brenda would love to see you, too.”
“I definitely will.”
“Crow and Doc,” my dad said, nodding to the two strangers, “let me introduce you to my daughter, Queen.” He paused, letting the name sit in the space. I felt the goosebumps rise on my arms, and for the first time, I felt the shift as my dad deferred to me.
“It’s an honor,” the shorter of the two said. “I’ve heard so many stories; it’s nice to put a face to the name. I’m Crow, the resident clean-up guy, and this one’s assistant when he needs it.” He wrapped his arm around Doc’s shoulder. The older man nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Great!” Hank clapped and gestured for us to take the remaining seats around the long table. “Let’s discuss how these three did.” He grinned wide as my three boyfriends grimaced and took a seat. Bubba pulled me into his lap before I could take the empty one. I rubbed his beard and settled back in his arms.
Mack leaned forward and pointed a remote at a projector on the wall. He went through the rankings from their test, and all three guys scored close to one another, with Grayson slightly in the lead. He preened at me, but it dropped off when they went into round two. I glanced at Brooks when Mack stated he’d performed the best. His blush was too cute. I squeezed his hand, linking our fingers together.
“The standings after round two were Brooks, Bubba, and Grayson. Now, round three was graded as a team, but there were areas where you could gain individual points; in addition, the three of you completed a self-assessment.” Mack cleared his throat, glancing at Hank.
“We’ve run this exercise multiple ways over the years with prospects who’ve trained a lot longer than a day. And yet, none of those, not even Maddox and Darcie, came close to completing the scenario in the time you did.”
My mouth dropped open, and I looked at my guys. They were as shocked as me. Well, at first. Grayson’s smug arrogance immediately shone as he smiled and leaned back in his chair. Brooks blushed, and Bubba just grunted.
“What can I say? We’re pretty awesome,” Grayson said.
My dad snorted. “And so humble.” Grayson merely shrugged, and my dad couldn’t hide the slow smile. “The most interesting factor was how resourceful you were. You had more barriers against you than most recruits, yet the three of you didn’t seem hindered.”
“If you smelled my armpits, you’d disagree,” Grayson mumbled.
This time, I laughed, covering it with my hand. My dad pretended to ignore my outburst, but I caught the amusement in his eyes.
“I was wrong in my assumptions, and for that, I apologize. I wanted you to gain my respect through this, but as it turns out, I’m the one who needs to ask for yours. Darcie is a smart woman capable of choosing men worthy of her.”
“You have ours, sir,” Brooks said, and Bubba nodded. Grayson leaned forward, steepling his fingers together.
“We’d willingly do any task you needed to show how committed we are to Darcie.”
“Even go without your hair product,” Mack teased.
Grayson grimaced but nodded. “For Darcie, yes.”
“Good thing I’d never ask you to sacrifice it.” I smiled at him.
“And that’s why I love you.”
The table laughed, the tension evaporating as the men recounted how my three guys had solved the clues and came to Mack’s rescue.
“I was about to sneak out and visit Tiny when this one popped up in the window,” Mack said, laughing.
“When we heard that monstrosity try to start, we took off, but it was too late,” Rooster agreed.
“And then they managed to stay hidden. How did you do that?” Cueball asked.
The guys recounted the tale, and I listened as my anxiety bled out of me. I’d missed being part of a club. Of having this belonging and community. MCD and the Mavericks had been my life, and I’d felt lost and alone when it was gone.
“So who wins?” Grayson asked, nervously tapping his fingers on the table.
“It was unanimous on our end, with only one holdout on yours.”
Grayson frowned, staring at Brooks and Bubba. He reached around Brooks and smacked Bubba, barely missing me.
“Ow. What was that for?” Bubba scowled, shifting me further away.
“Why didn’t you pick Brooks to win, asshole?”
Bubba rolled his eyes. “Because I picked you, brother .”
“Me, too,” Brooks added.
“What? But? I mean… What ?”
My heart warmed and love spilled out. I loved the relationship these three men had. It was so unique and special.
“You mean to tell me after all that boasting about having Darcie to yourself?—”
“Keep those details to yourself,” Hank interjected
“Yeah, Darcie’s like a little sister,” Tiny said, grimacing.
I rolled my eyes and flicked them off. I heard all about their sexual exploits growing up; they could get over it. Brooks ignored them and turned to Grayson.
“You’ve talked nonstop for the past few hours how you planned to spend your time tonight, and yet you voted for me?”
“Well, yeah. You’re the best and deserve some alone time. Plus, you figured out the escape and safe house.” Grayson shrugged, and his cheeks turned pink.
Bubba reached back and smacked him upside the head. “Idiot.”
“I mean, if you don’t want your reward, I’ll spend the time with—” I started.
Grayson sat upright, his head whipping around and almost knocking into Brooks. “What? No. I want it.” His voice cracked. “I mean, of course, I won. Obviously, I’m the awesomest.”
Laughing, I pushed him away and turned back to my father. He had a soft smile, softening me more to him.
“Your men did well. Once we know more about this gathering tomorrow, I’ll set something up so you can meet the rest of your club.”
My hair stood on end at the statement, and I nodded. My father was on board. He believed in me.
“Great. It’s late, so everyone get some sleep. I have a feeling the next few days will be busy. Thanks for helping,” he said to the other members.
Everyone said their goodbyes and the four of us headed to a truck I’d never seen before. Our motel was another town over, so we climbed in, and Grayson told me about how he’d gotten Big Bertha and the best pie he’d ever eaten. Bubba and Brooks broke off for the other room when we arrived at the motel, leaving Grayson and me in the bigger one.
We were quiet as we undressed. Grayson’s eyes never left me, taking in every inch of my body I exposed. Once I was naked, he led me to the small bathroom. It wasn’t as luxurious as his shower at home, but it was more about spending time with him.
“Why did you vote for Brooks?” I asked.
“Because he’s my brother, and I want him to have good things.” He shrugged.
“You deserve good things, too.”
“I know. Believe me, I do. This isn’t me feeling unworthy, but I started thinking about how I can’t be selfish in this relationship. I’m just lucky my brothers are smarter than me.”
He rinsed my hair, massaging my scalp as he washed it. It was soft and gentle, and I loved every second of it. His hands slowly ran over my body, bringing my arousal to life. But he never touched me long enough to satisfy the growing ache. Grazes and caresses were gone as soon as they were there. Feeling his smile against my shoulder, I grumbled and spun around, taking his dick in my hand.
His eyes widened, and he swallowed. I stroked it once. Twice. Then squeezed. He gulped, his eyes meeting mine.
“Okay, I get it. Don’t edge, Sunflower.”
The water turned off, and he hauled me into his arms and sat me on the counter. His hands cupped my face, and our lips met in a fervent kiss. My legs wrapped around him, but the water made the hold slick, and I kept sliding off.
“Fuck, let me dry you off.”
Grayson picked up the towel and dried us off in quick swipes of the rough material. When it grazed against my nipples, I arched into his touch. “Please, Laws.”
The towel dropped, and I was lifted in its place. Grayson carried me out of the bathroom and lowered me onto the bed. He followed me down, slotting himself between my legs. We made out for a while, kissing and taking the time to be with one another. Hands and lips grazed over my body, and I trailed my fingers along his muscles until I couldn’t take it any longer.
“Now, Laws.”
It was all the permission he needed. My legs were placed over his shoulders, and his cock edged itself in. We panted, our eyes locked as he entered me slowly. Whimpering, I gripped his biceps and wiggled my hips. I needed more.
Smirking, he kissed me on the lips a second before he withdrew and snapped his hips back in with force. My eyes rolled back, and I moaned at the contact. Arousal flooded me, and it didn’t take long for me to get close to the edge.
“Fuck, Sunflower. You take me so good. I always convince myself I imagine how amazing we are together. But then I enter you, and I’m reminded how perfect your pussy is. It wraps around me so tightly, hugging my dick and squeezing it nice.”
“Yes,” I moaned. “Give me more.”
Grayson chuckled, leaning back and lifting me. On his knees, he held me in his arms as he lifted me up and down his cock. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, holding on for dear life as he fucked me. Stars erupted behind my eyes, and tingles raced over my body. My nails dug into his back, spurring him on as his pace increased. His hands squeezed my ass, gripping me so hard I was sure to have his fingerprints there tomorrow.
“Grayson,” I gasped right as my orgasm crested. My walls tightened around him, and my muscles tensed as my orgasm crashed into me. I held on to him for dear life as I rode it. His hips stuttered, his movements becoming sloppy before he tipped over and cried out.
“Damn, Sunflower.”
“What?” I asked.
“I wasn’t ready for that to be over. I have plans for us all night.”
“That was just the appetizer. I have faith you can rally.”
He laughed, the movement making us both groan. Grayson laid me on the bed and grabbed the towel he’d used earlier to clean us both. While he recovered, we munched on food from the vending machine and watched trashy TV.
We spent the night wrapped up in each other’s arms, fucking all over the room, and having the best time. As much as I loved the group moments, these were important, too. I wanted my guys to know how much I cherished them on their own.
Lying in his arms, I traced a few freckles on his arm with my fingers. “Thank you, Grayson.”
“No thanks needed, Sunflower. Orgasms are mutually beneficial.”
I laughed. “No, I mean for being so amazing. You were so welcoming to me when I arrived at the house, and after Brooks told you about our history, you didn’t give up. You’ve supported me and our relationship from the beginning. You’re the glue, and it didn’t surprise me that they both voted for you. They wanted you to know how much they loved and appreciated you, too.”
“Wow. I…” He swallowed, his eyes teary. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t really see myself that way. But I like it. I love you, Darcie.”
“I love you, Grayson. You’re more than a pretty face.”
“I know. Thank you for reminding me.”
He kissed me softly and made gentle love to me before we eventually fell asleep.