Free Cowboy Rescue [Men for Hire 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Jane Jamison Page B

out, hands off her.”
    “Aw, man. That’s not fair. Mike’s already—”
    Brad’s hard glare slid to Jack. “I said hands off. Got it?”
    His brothers grumbled their agreement. He just hoped they’d keep it. Another look at Maria had him wondering if he could keep the promise, too.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Does anyone need anything else?”
    Jack jumped away from the window of the second bedroom as Maria appeared at the door. He couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was in her shorts and T-shirt. Other women had to get all dressed up with expensive gowns and jewels to look half as lovely as she did in plain old hangin’-around-the-house clothes.
    “No thanks. We’re okay.”
    He started to tell Brad to speak for himself, but doing so would’ve made his older brother suspicious. As far as Jack was concerned, he’d never be okay until he got Maria into bed. And, despite what he’d promised, he was determined to make that happen as soon as possible.
    He’d tried to tell himself to keep the promise Brad had forced him to make. Had, in fact, repeated the promise more than once to his brothers and even to himself. But damn it, a man could only take so much. And once he met the woman of his dreams? He could take even less.
    Brad swung his legs off the bed and started toward the door with Jack not far behind him. “Mike’s going to take the first watch, then me, and then Jack. That way one of us will be awake at all times in the living room. Unless, of course, you’d like one of us to stay in your bedroom. You know. If it’ll make you feel safer.”
    Fuck. Why didn’t I think of that? Talk about a perfect excuse for getting into her room. Alone. All night with her.
    Maria’s emerald eyes darkened, signaling her yearning. He took a slow inhale, moved to the door, and, sure enough, drew in the scent of her arousal. If she said yes, he was ready to pounce on the chance to be that man standing guard in her room.
    “Uh, no thanks. I’ll be okay knowing you three are taking care of me.” She stepped back, crossing the narrow hall to place her hand on the doorknob to her room.
    “Okay, then. I guess we’ll be hitting the sack, too. Mike, you’re up.”
    Mike heard Brad’s call from the living room. He lifted a hand that held one of the many sandwiches he’d already eaten during the evening. “I’m on it. Just helping myself to a bite to eat.”
    “Don’t eat her out of house and home, bro,” admonished Brad.
    “No, it’s okay.” She waved a hand at Mike, who lifted his sandwich in salute. “I want all of you to make yourselves at home. Feeding you is the least I can do.”
    Jack inhaled, loving the way her usual spicy scent mixed with the heat he imagined coming off in waves from between her legs. Her nipples were pebbled, ready to be touched. All he had to do was reach out and skim his thumbs over them.
    “Well, then, good night.” She gave them one of her perfect soft smiles, opened her bedroom door, then eased into her room.
    Jack craned his neck trying to keep her in sight as long as he could. She’d already pulled the sheets down on her bed. Was it an invitation? Or was he making more of it than was there?
    Brad shoved him against the doorjamb. “What the hell, man?”
    “Don’t even think about it.” Brad put his face an inch from his. “She needs protectors right now. Not sex partners. Once we’re through with the job, then we bring up the idea of her and us together. Until then, keep your hands off.”
    “She’s the one.” Jack shoved his brother away. “The more I’m near her, the more I’m sure of it.”
    Brad grabbed him by the collar of his denim shirt and pushed Jack into their bedroom. “Get some sleep, little brother. If you’re lucky, you’re going to need the energy.”
    Brad realized his mistake as soon as he’d finished speaking. “To catch the creep that’s bothering her. Not to show off your moves in bed.”
    “Sure. Of course. I promised, didn’t I? I