“You know when to keep quiet. That’s another promising start. Remove your jeans,” Nash instructed.

  She could’ve told Nash the only reason she had kept her frustration to herself was because her need spiked so high she feared where more would lead her, but why squash his delusions? Kicking off her flip-flops, she loosened her jeans and wiggled out of both them and her panties, shoving the garments aside with a push of her foot. The cool air from the overhead fans did nothing to lessen the fiery spread of lust enveloping her from head to toe as she stood there and waited out their slow perusal of her complete nakedness.

  Nash reached down and shocked her when he ran one finger over her waxed folds, the light caress eliciting a gush of moisture she prayed remained hidden. When both men grinned, their eyes fixated between her legs, she glanced down to see the glistening proof of what that one touch had done to her along the seam of her puffy folds.

  “Well, what do you expect?” she snapped, refusing to be embarrassed over a very healthy reaction.

  “Calm down, baby. We couldn’t be more pleased.” Randy’s teasing look turned hard when he clasped her hand and led her to the thick, braided rug spread out in between the fireplace and sectional. With a tug, he instructed, “On your hands and knees, parallel to the hearth and sofa.”

  Okay, I like doggie style, she thought as she got into position, her body on board with everything so far. But when the guys pulled their shirts off then moved their hands to the waist of their pants and loosened them just enough to look even sexier, her mouth and throat went dry as dust. They were both broad shouldered, Randy’s black pelt of chest hair narrowing down to a thin line over his six-pack abs to disappear inside his jeans, Nash’s light sprinkling of dark brown curls making it easy for Alena to notice the tight pucker around his nipples. Oh, good lord, she groaned in silence as she admitted she was doomed to respond to whatever they did to her.

  “Um, what…”

  “Head to the floor and no talking,” Randy interrupted as Nash pulled open the small drawer in the end table and retrieved the new butt plug they had picked up for her.

  Before she could comment, Nash knelt behind her and Randy gave her yet another position to get into. “Clasp your hands behind your back, keep your face turned toward the sofa.”

  She struggled into position, shivering from the sheer decadence of the pose, her cheek pressed to the soft rug, her hands gripped together behind her. The awkward position and self-imposed restraint of her arms worked to enhance her arousal instead of diminishing it, another eye-opening revelation. Nash added to that feeling of lewdness when he knelt behind her upraised butt and pushed her thighs further apart. Cool air wafted over her exposed sheath, sending a shudder of heightened awareness and longing through her.

  “Have you ever used a butt plug, anal vibrator, or probe?” Nash asked conversationally as he rubbed the greased round tip of a plug over her anus.

  “No, just… oh!” The narrow end slid past her tight sphincter without fuss, but as he continued to push, the burn from the stretch of the wider part took her breath away.

  “Just what?” Randy reached under her and slid one finger inside her damp pussy to tease her protruding clit with a few strokes aimed at diverting her attention and easing her tension.

  “Just fingers.” Her breath released on a whoosh when the plug went in as far as it could before the round base held it snugly in place. Between the unaccustomed, full sensation in her butt and the light touches grazing her clit, all her senses soared to high alert.

  “Deep breath, luv.”

  “Damn it, English,” she swore when he pumped the plug in and out in a few shallow dips right when she had gotten accustomed to its feel. A hard swat blistered her right buttock, diverting her attention with a different burn. “Okay, I get the point,” she moaned when those little plunges set off small licks of pleasure along sensitive nerve endings she had been ignorant of until now.

  “Good, then we can move on.”

  She bemoaned the removal of Randy’s fingers until the guys shifted to where she could see them without straining her eyes anywhere but up. Watching Nash lower his zipper until his impressive cock sprang free and Randy removing his wide leather belt then folding it over with obvious purpose had saliva returning to pool in her mouth, forcing her to swallow with convulsive difficulty to keep from drooling. Keeping her mouth shut right then was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but Randy’s low murmured praise of “Good girl” made her effort worthwhile. Something she’d have to think long and hard about later, much later as she eyed Nash taking a seat on the sofa in front of her and Randy stepping out of her sight.

  The erotic vision of Nash sliding his hand up and down his long, thick cock in slow stimulation accompanied the snap of leather across her buttocks, the soft lash just enough to sting and set her pussy to tingling. She kept her eyes steady on Nash’s stroking hand through the next swat, and the next. Her shoulders relaxed as the light snaps turned soothing, building a slow warmth across her buttocks. Nash palmed his seeping crown then spread the moisture down his ridged length, a tempting sight that had her salivating to take him in her mouth.

  The next swat snagged her attention, the searing heat and pain it left behind zeroing straight between her legs. She bit her lip, concentrated on watching English masturbate, determined to not only prove to herself she wasn’t a slave to her body’s demands, but to show them she had what it took to accompany them to that party.

  “I did warn you’d risk my belt if I caught you snooping again, Alena.” Randy laid another, slightly harder stroke below the last one, pleased to see her slit creaming even more. It was always the most independent women who were the most sexually submissive, and despite the trouble she had caused him, she was proving to be a delight to take in hand. “Three more, then we can play.”

  She clenched her hands when he took aim at the under curve of her fleshy buttocks, gasping when the next one landed across the top of her thighs and cried out when he delivered the last slash across her ass again with a little more swing behind it. Dropping the belt, he released his cock and knelt behind her.

  “Do you like watching Nash get himself off, Alena?” Another deep probe with his fingers into her slick heat accompanied his question.

  Alena had trouble following his question and forming an answer as the throbbing burn covering her buttocks on down to her thighs had her sheath pulsing in heated response. Or was that from the deep strokes of his fingers inside her, the teasing glides over her aching clit, the soft press against her g-spot? The seeping proof of Nash’s pleasure drew her tongue across her lips, made her ache to taste him as he gave her a warm smile and cupped his sac in his other palm. A hard swat right where the belt had landed caused her to jump and curse, but she managed to hold her position and her tongue.

  “Answer me,” Randy ordered.

  “Make up your mind, either I can talk or I can’t,” she returned, letting her aroused frustration win this time. Another slap reignited the pain, but if he thought that was a deterrent, he wasn’t as knowing as she had given him credit for.

  “She’s got a shit-eating smirk, mate,” Nash drawled.

  “Does she now?” Sheathing himself, Randy grabbed her reddened buttocks and thrust into her wet heat. “Let’s see if I can wipe it off. No coming, Alena, and no talking.”

  Crap, crap, crap. Once, just once she wanted to get the upper hand with these two. How was she supposed to keep from going off like a firecracker when each stroke lit up another fuse? The full sensation of having both orifices stretched and filled worked to spike her arousal despite the slight discomfort. She wanted to shut her eyes and bask in his hard possession and these new feelings, but then she’d miss seeing Nash bring himself to orgasm, so she kept them open and took each pummeling thrust with a deep breath and building lust.

  A soft cry slipped past her pinched lips as the small tremors leading up to a climax started to ripple around his thick erection, his thrusts increasing until he rammed into her over and over with such force her upper body slid back and forth. Her squashed nipples abraded on the carpet and sent shards of electric zings to her core, adding to the overwhelming buildup of pleasure. Then he used his thumbs to rub the tender spots left from his belt just as Nash erupted with a shout to spew his release into his pumping hand, the sensory overload forcing her to admit, “I can’t…”

  “Come, Alena,” Randy demanded, wincing at the desperation his guttural tone revealed. The tight clasp of her pussy spasming around his dick proved to be too much and as her orgasm creamed his length, he let go with a low groan, the pleasure ricocheting throughout his body so intense he shook with it.

  By the time his head cleared, Nash was cleaning himself up and Alena was breathing heavily and shaking from either the pleasure or dealing with what they had just subjected her to. Withdrawing from her snug warmth took effort, but Randy managed to do so and rid himself of his condom and her of the plug then leaned down to help her up. When she fell against him, he could feel her damp body shivering, her hot breath panting against his neck and the rapid beat of her heart against his. Glancing over her red head, he returned Nash’s nod then picked her up and sat on the sofa with her in his lap.

  “You were wonderful, Alena. We’re both proud of you.” He kissed his way down her cheek as she lay pressed against his chest, nibbled the soft skin between neck and shoulder and stroked his palm down her chest, her waist, around her hips, down her thigh then took his time retracing his path. Her knees were bent, tucked against his side, shielding her pretty, plump folds. He’d give her that privacy this time since she was new to their demands, but only this time. “I love your body. You’re so soft,” he squeezed her breast, “so warm,” he rubbed her waist, “and so fucking responsive,” he kneaded her buttock.

  The renewal of discomfort left from the lash of his belt roused her the final stage and Alena opened her eyes to see Nash striding down the hall. She wanted to call him back, couldn’t believe how much she wanted him to stay and hold her too. Her orgasm had been so intense she could still feel her sheath contracting with the lingering pleasure. She had never come like that before, never dreamed that much pleasure was possible. This past hour with them had put all her other encounters to shame, and only one of them had fucked her. What on earth would happen when they both took over her body at the same time?

  After her off-the-charts climax, she found Randy’s embrace comforting, his hard thighs beneath her sore buttocks and his chest hair tickling her still sensitive nipples stirring, and his deep voice speaking such nice words to her soothing. But she needed time to herself to get her bearings. As she pushed up, he surprised her by loosening his arms right away.

  “I need to go.”

  “Okay. I’ll follow you back to the marina.”

  “I’m fine, I don’t need…”

  “I said I’m following you. Deal with it.”

  He didn’t raise his voice, or even look stern, but his insistence came through loud and clear nonetheless. “Fine. Mind if I use your restroom first?”

  Tugging on her hair, he smiled and pointed down the short hall. “First door on the left.”

  Alena picked up her clothes and slipped into the bathroom to get herself together. If only that was as easy as putting her clothes back on. “Ashley, what have you gotten me into?” she whispered aloud, worrying where all this would end.

  Chapter Six

  Randy parked in front of Bryan’s lake house wishing he could’ve brought Nash along for this chat. The Brit had been a cop as long as he had and he could use another opinion that wouldn’t be swayed by friendship. Kevin’s compact SUV sat next to Bryan’s BMW in front of the detached garage behind the house. Anxious to get this over with, he rapped on the front door, relieved he didn’t hear anything he’d be interrupting.

  “Hey, Sheriff. What brings you out here today?” Kevin asked, holding the door open to invite him in. At least he wasn’t balking at having him show up unannounced, Randy thought, putting a positive spin on this visit already.

  “Kevin, it’s good to see you. Sorry to intrude,” he added when he followed Kevin into the great room and saw Joel, Brad, and Bryan gathered around the kitchen table. “I hate to keep bringing this back to you, but I told Portland PD I’d speak with you when I saw you again, and see if you, any of you, remembered anything else about the night Ashley Malloy came out here during spring break.”

  Damn it, he swore. Kevin and Bryan exchanged a swift, conspiratorial look and the other two boys shifted their eyes away before Bryan responded in a bland tone. “I have nothing else. Kev, Brad, Joel, can you think of anything you might’ve missed telling the police when they questioned you?”

  “No, sorry, Sheriff. We met up with Ashley at The Well and she was the only one of her friends who came back here with us. It was just us and, who else was here that night, Bryan? Other than Carlee?” Kevin asked.

  Randy could tell Bryan didn’t like how his brother turned the questioning back on him but he hid his irritation well. If Randy hadn’t known him so well, he never would’ve noticed the slight tic in his clenched jaw.

  “Just two other couples. You already questioned them, Randy.”

  “Yes. After seeing her come in with the guys, they spent the next few hours upstairs, so they didn’t see her leave. Okay. But, if you think of anything, even if you don’t think it’s significant, give me a call. You never know where something she said or did might lead us. Appreciate your time.”

  “You and Nash coming Saturday?’ Bryan asked as he walked out with him. “I’m expecting all of the regulars and will have the grill fired up.”

  “That’s our plan. Might bring a friend, we don’t know yet.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  Randy understood his frown and his concern over bringing someone new, especially after Ashley’s disappearance. Maybe he’d read too much into their discomfited looks. Bryan had always been a stickler about who he allowed to attend his parties, inviting only close friends and making sure anyone they brought were seasoned in the lifestyle.

  “No, unless you’ve seen her around town. Curvy redhead who’s vacationing here for a few weeks. We’ve hooked up and, let’s just say we won’t ask her if we don’t think she’ll fit in, but from the few times we’ve been together, I think she’ll like what she sees, and whatever we do.” He’d know for sure when they tested Alena’s response to an audience.

  “I think I have spotted her. Wouldn’t mind seeing more of that body myself. You know the score better than anyone. Bring her along if she’s agreeable.”

  Randy pulled away with a sick feeling tightening his gut. Even though he struggled to admit the man he had known for over ten years could be complicit in the disappearance of a young girl, he couldn’t deny there was something Bryan intentionally held back from him. Kevin didn’t surprise him as he and his sidekicks had been in and out of scrapes since they were twelve. But could they really have had a hand in whatever had befallen Ashley, or did they just fear getting blamed for making a bad decision that led to her disappearance? Whatever it was, they were banding together to keep it from him and without proof, or something other than his gut feeling and a few questionable looks no one else would’ve thought anything of, he was still at a dead end.

  A mile before reaching Blue Springs city limit, he pulled off the main road into the parking lot of The Well, not ready to return to his office and make a fruitless call to Portland. The only bar within a fifty-mile radius, The Well did a good business all week during the summer peak season, and kept busy on weekends during the off season. He spent a fair amount of time here himself, both as a patron and as law enforcement when things got out of hand, which was often during spring break and long holiday weekends. Today, however, there were only a few cars in the lot, which suited his need for a stiff drink and a moment to himself to go over his options.

  “Sheriff, how are you?” Zachary, ex-marine turned tattooed biker/bar owner asked as Randy took a seat at the long, beat-up bar counter. It was nice to be greeted by name everywhere he went, he pondered, something he knew Nash was still getting used to.

  “I’m good, Zach, but I’ll be better after a cold one.”

  “Bad day, huh?” He popped the cap off a bottle and slid it right into Randy’s open hand.

  “Let’s just say I’ve had better.” He took a long swallow, not surprised the bartender knew he didn’t make a habit of drinking while on the clock. Sometimes, he found it necessary to bend the rules.

  “I’ll leave you to it then.”

  Grateful for Zach’s ability to read his customers well, he saluted him with the bottle then took another long draw. His thoughts turned to Bryan’s upcoming party, and Alena. Her response to them still had the power to move him. Just recalling the tight feel of her slick channel milking his cock had him shifting with uncomfortable arousal. But it was the way she had snuggled on his lap afterward that got to him the most. He never would have imagined a woman of her fire and independence succumbing that quickly to the need to be held after a new experience had stripped her of her control.

  Taking a wild guess, he would bet she had never come that hard, never pictured herself getting off on the harsher pain of leather and the helplessness of the position he had instructed her into. But, fuck, what a turn-on her responses had been. A week ago he wouldn’t have even considered wishing she’d stay longer, now he couldn’t quit thinking about it. That woman’s fucked with me ever since she walked into my office, he groused, disgusted with the weakness he seemed to have for her, a growing soft spot he knew Nash struggled with also.

  “There a reason you’re in here drinking alone while on duty, chap?”

  With a rueful laugh, Randy swiveled to face Nash as he took the stool next to him. “I was just thinking of you.”

  “That right?” Signaling the bartender, he called down, “I’ll take a pint of your darkest brew, mate.” Ignoring the gruff man’s muttering, he turned again to his friend. “Your thoughts have anything to do with your visit to the Hirsts, or are they centered around our girl?”