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  Lily's voice dipped to a whisper. “It was Shane Doherty, but you already knew that. We had some trouble—hell, the whole relationship was trouble. After he started beating me, I knew I had to get away or be killed."

  Duff laughed, a long, deep belly laugh not without humor. Well, of course it was Shane Doherty! Who else would it have been? Lily had run off with that drunken loser, and the whole town knew it. “I wish I could say I'm surprised, hon, but I can't."

  "Nor am I. I knew who I was dealing with when I left with him."

  "And you still went. Why?"

  Duff enjoyed watching her squirm. First she looked at Bo, who had clammed up during the proceedings. Eventually her gaze flittered down to her trembling hands, but she remained mute.

  Duff reached over and gripped her wrist. “Answer me. Why did you run off with him?"

  She exhaled a long, hard breath. “Because I wasn't good enough for you, Duff. Isn't that what you want to hear? Never have been, never will be!” Her eyes glittered with tears. “What's a woman like me to do with a good man, huh? I couldn't stand it, I guess, you being so kind and thoughtful and patient. You...loved me, and I wasn't used to that. But I was used to men like Shane. I know it doesn't make any sense, but I couldn't go on with you, the way you looked at me like—like I was something special."

  Duff couldn't bring himself to look at her. He stared across the table at Bo's pallid face, keeping Lily in his periphery.

  He hated knowing Doherty had abused her, and for a second, he wouldn't have minded choking the life out of—Who was he kidding? That was bitterness talking. There was no way in hell he'd ever have laid a finger on her no matter how badly she'd behaved. Even thinking about what she'd gone through boiled his blood, despite their rocky history.

  He just didn't understand why it still hurt so badly. He'd started a new life with Bo, and he was damned happy. But she still had the ability to make him crazy.

  That realization was enough to make Duff uneasy. He was still weak for this woman, and that could spell problems for him and his happy home if he didn't act quickly. The last time he'd allowed her into his life, she'd nearly destroyed him, and as horrible as that had been, he had way too much to lose now.

  "I'll call Tim Watson to tow your vehicle. Maybe he and his son can fix it, get it started for you. I'll pay for it. But after that's taken care of, Lily, I want you gone—out of our lives for good, all right?"

  She wiped her eyes.

  Bo stared at the floor.

  "Thank you, both of you,” she whispered. “I appreciate it."

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  Chapter Three

  After retreating to the guest bedroom, Lily reclined on the firm bed and gazed up at the ceiling. She'd once slept in this very room after leaving a bar with Duff the night she met him. She'd sized him up from across the room and watched him sip his beer while trying not to stare at her too much. Lily knew she'd go home with him that evening, but instead of a direct come-on, she'd played the only other card she had in her deck.

  Pity was her ace of spades.

  She'd never had a problem starting a conversation with the good ole boys she ran across. Duff McKay had been no different, at least in that regard.

  After a few minutes of polite chitchat, she claimed the empty stool beside him. “I been staying at the motel a few doors down."

  "Why would you be staying there?” He arched his brow. “That fleabag isn't—Well, it's just not the sort of place I'd imagine you being comfortable."

  "It's not so bad, especially when you have nowhere else to go,” she answered honestly. “When you've traveled as much as I have, most any warm bed will do. Except it gets expensive after a while. I haven't found a job yet, and I don't know how long I'll be able to make it."

  "Hmm.” He ran a callused finger along the lip of his bottle. “You're alone? Where's your family?"

  She bristled, withdrawing a little. She disliked talking about her background, but her isolation was usually what made men pity her. She roped them with her beauty and reeled them in with her tale of woe. The more she backed off, the more they pressed.

  He was obviously interested.

  "Look, I'm sorry if I—"

  "Nonsense, it's just that I really am alone in the world, and whenever I think about that, it makes life that much harder.” Chugging from her own bottle, Lily almost laughed at his expression. A mixture of pity and interest settled over him, his jaw clenching the longer they talked. “My parents died a long time ago, and I went to live with my aunt and uncle. Then when I was sixteen, my uncle died and my aunt ran me off. I haven't seen her in years, and I don't much want to."

  Duff set down his bottle, a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. “If you want, I mean, if you'd like to, you can always stay with me until you get on your feet."

  Lily exhaled a long, hard breath, her heart ricocheting inside her chest. Who was she to turn down a handsome man and a warm bed? She liked the way he looked at her, like she was a real person instead of a late-night trick. He seemed genuinely interested in her story, concerned about her plight, and she couldn't remember the last time that had happened.

  When's the last time I picked up a nice guy?

  She couldn't recall offhand, and the longer she chatted up the good old boy with the dusty boots and clean fingernails, she realized she didn't much care.

  She decided to allow herself a night off. Tonight wouldn't be about business. Just pleasure.

  After a few moments of pretending she couldn't accept his kind offer, she left the bar with him. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to his white farmhouse. She was surprised when he led her to a room that clearly wasn't the one he slept in each night.

  Two nights later, Lily crept inside Duff's bedroom and slid under the sheets beside him, enveloping him with frenzied heat. She'd assumed he'd be grateful to have her warm body beside him, but the joke was on her. She screamed herself hoarse all night long—begging, pleading for just a little bit more.

  What was supposed to last a few weeks became a two-year affair, until Lily left without so much as a good-bye.

  At the time of her departure, she'd thought she was doing the right thing. Falling in love wasn't something she felt equipped to handle; it would only slow her down and make her soft.

  Yet by the time she'd walked away from Duff, it was already too late. She had cursed herself for hurting him, then chastised herself for caring at all.

  A tap on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She propped three pillows against the headboard and leaned on them, steeling herself for another argument. “Come in."

  Bo ducked his head inside. “You okay?"

  "I'm getting there.” She gestured for him to sit. “Where's Duff?"

  "He and Rock are circling the woods, I imagine."

  "Rock?"

  Bo grinned. “One of the horses you bunked with last night. Rock's the chestnut stud in stall two."

  She nodded, not unfamiliar with Duff's habit of riding to let off steam. Except when she'd last stayed there, just one horse had resided in the barn.

  "What happened to Valentino?"

  "He developed bone cancer not long after I moved in. It really devastated Duff.” Bo paused, his gaze darkening. “Looks like he could be headed for another fall, Lily, except this time, I'll be here to pick up the pieces."

  She looked away to escape the directness of his stare. “I get it. I'm the villain of this piece, and it's not undeserved—"

  "I'm not here to shame you.” He reached out, caressing her knee until she looked at him. “But you have to admit you've put us in an uncomfortable position."

  "I'm sorry for that. And as soon as my car's fixed, I'll be on my way. It'll be like I was never here."

  "I doubt that. You were still here for a long time after I moved into this house—if you were ever really gone. And now you show back up on a lark, without so much as an apology to Duff—"

  "Like he wants to hear anything I have to say, Bo? You saw how
he was. He hates me!” She pushed his hand away. “Do you know what it took for me to come here?"

  "A tank of gas? From what Duff got from rumblings around town, you weren't that far away, right? Somewhere on the Texas-Oklahoma border. So stop pretending you underwent some great sojourn to return home, sweetheart. I'm not buying it."

  "Well played.” She drew her knees up to her chest. “So I guess this means you think you have my number."

  "All it means, Lily, is I won't be playing any of your games. The best way to get my help is to be direct, as I don't like underhanded tactics. You're a pretty woman, but your beauty hasn't taken you far, and it won't unless you learn to give as much as you take."

  He stood and went to the door. “You going to be okay?"

  "I think so. Thanks."

  Bo smiled tightly. “If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, all right?” He pulled open the door and left her alone.

  Lily considered his words, especially the ones about giving.

  But what did a woman like her have to give other than the obvious? Could she muster the courage to give the only thing she'd never dared offer another human being? Did she even know how?

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  Chapter Four

  Lily crept downstairs to the cellar, stumbling through the darkness. She pressed her battered body against the wall, not daring to flip the light switch.

  "Lily? You hiding from me again, woman? Don't make me come looking for you."

  The cellar door opened, and Shane's form was outlined in the doorway. He lurched forward, gripping the railing tightly as he descended the stairs.

  "You down here, bitch?"

  She slumped against the wall and wished with all her might that she could simply disappear. She wished for safety. Most of all, she wished she'd been strong enough to stay with Duff.

  The roar of a thunderclap catapulted Lily from her dream and out of bed. She gritted her teeth in terror as a streak of lightning illuminated the night sky, and bolted from the room, sprinting to the other side of the farmhouse as if the devil himself were at her sore heels. Thunder had always filled her with dread. Dreaming of Shane worsened the fear creeping through her. There was no way she would sleep through the night.

  Just as she prepared herself to knock on their door, it swung open. She launched herself into Bo's arms.

  "Shhh. Hush now,” he mumbled, his eyes still half closed. “I heard you running up here. What's got you so worked up?"

  "I'd guess the thunder.” Duff leaned against the headboard with a book in his lap. “Am I right, Lily?"

  Her teeth chattered so hard she could only manage a nod. Grasping Bo's hand, she allowed him to lead her to their king-size bed and didn't hesitate when he offered her a spot in the center.

  Duff grunted. “Is this really necessary?"

  Lily tried to summon a retort, but all she managed to do was cry. The tears spilled quickly, her violent sobs surprising her even more than the men.

  Duff's expression softened along with his tone. “I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Just forget what I said. There's plenty of room, Lily."

  "No.” She shook her head and used the bottom of her T-shirt to wipe away the tears. “It wasn't what you said, exactly. I'm just so nervous. On edge. The storm made it worse, I guess.” She didn't mention her nightmare, even though it had shaken her even more than the storm had.

  Bo climbed in bed and pulled the sheet until it covered Lily's chin. “That better?"

  She laughed despite her fears. “You're tucking me in?"

  "Just making sure you're comfortable. Are you okay enough for me to shut off the lights?"

  "Duff was reading. I don't want to disturb him."

  "Well, since you're talking about me like I'm not here, I'll tell Bo to tell you I was just about done."

  She reclined on her left side, facing away from Duff. It wasn't a tight squeeze, so she lifted her knees a little, assuming her normal sleeping position. After a few minutes, Bo's deep, steady breaths signaled he'd fallen asleep. Duff slept like a rock and made no sound. Heavy rain still pelted the house, but the rolling thunder soon abated.

  Lily closed her eyes and yearned for a dreamless sleep. Her nerves were on edge, and even the comfort of a cushy bed didn't always get the job done. She'd have to keep her tossing and turning to a minimum or risk being sent back to the lonely bedroom down the hall.

  Just when she was getting comfortable, she suddenly could not catch her breath.

  Her eyes flew open, but she felt paralyzed. Sputtering and groggy, she tried to identify the reason breathing had become difficult. Seconds passed, a slow panic creeping through her, crouching inside her belly. Just when she'd made up her mind to scream, Duff shifted, pulling her body against him, his powerful arms enfolding her.

  Oh.

  Her first thought was to move away. If she could simply lift his arm and roll over, she'd no longer be crushed beneath his powerful body. Yet each of her movements seemed to tighten his hold. She lay helpless in his iron grip.

  "Duff,” she whispered. “Honey, you need to move over."

  "Who—what?” he muttered, his eyelids fluttering. “No. Go back to sleep."

  "I can't with you crushing me.” She pushed against his arm.

  He mumbled something Lily didn't understand and finally repositioned his arm, only to lift it higher. His long fingers tangled in her hair, and she gasped, recalling the way he'd always played with her hair when they made love.

  Must be dreaming.

  "Duff?"

  "Shh.” He leaned forward, claiming her lips.

  She froze. His hands seemed to be everywhere, roaming her body with abandon as he deepened his kiss. He felt like hot granite against her soft flesh. For a moment she lost herself in how wonderful it felt to have him touching her again. Every move he made was sweet torture, but if she didn't stop him soon, there would be no going back.

  He settled his weight on her, his thick cock rubbing at her thighs. Lily shook her head in an attempt to free herself from the kiss. “Duff, stop it. Please. What you're doing... You'll wake Bo if you don't stop."

  "I'm already awake.” Bo flipped over to face them. “I have been for a while now."

  "Oh, shit.” Duff shook his head. “Oh, God. What have I done? I thought—” He stopped short, and a strangled groan escaped him. “I was dreaming; at least I thought I was. No wonder it seemed so real."

  "Don't stop,” Bo whispered. “Unless Lily wants you to.” He touched her breast, caressing until her nipple puckered and ached to be sucked. “I've been wanting to do that."

  Breathless, Lily looked between the two men, straining to see expressions partially illuminated by the hall light. They were playing her, right? Could they really be this cruel? She almost laughed aloud.

  Duff's large hands at her crotch told her he was deadly serious. He ripped away her panties, tossing them aside. He sat up and leaned over her, his breath warm on her lips. She trembled a little at the sight of his neck, the pulse there beating hard and fast.

  "Do you want me to keep going?” His finger circled her clit, spreading her cream across her already dripping sex. “Do you want me to stop, Lily?"

  She turned to see Bo's reaction. His lush lips were parted in expectation. He bent his head, sucking her nipple through the thin material of her shirt.

  "Oh, God,” she moaned. “Yes. Yes, I want you."

  Duff traced his fingers across her pussy and stroked her clit.

  Bo grunted, leaning up on an elbow. Lily gasped as he ripped off her T-shirt, laying her bare. “Dear Lord. You're beautiful from top to bottom."

  Lily had never experienced a shy day in her life, but tonight she felt uncertain. It all seemed too much, too awkward, too good. “Is this...all right?” She was overwhelmed.

  Duff's gaze softened. “It's more than all right with me. I think I can speak for Bo and say it's damn fine for him too."

  "I can't think of anything righter.” Bo flicked his tongu
e across her swollen nipple. “But first we'll need party favors.” He pulled something from his nightstand, and Lily heard the unmistakable sound of a package being torn open.

  Bo climbed to his knees and stroked his partner's chest, caressing down his abdomen. Placing a hand over Duff's cock, he rolled the sheath over the head, inching down until it covered him.

  "There,” Bo said, his voice oddly soothing. He palmed her breast, hefting its weight, rolling the nipple slowly between his fingers. “Tell him what you want, honey. Say it loud and proud, and no fair being coy. Tell him."

  His words sparked a fever in her. She wanted so badly to please him—to please both of them. “I want him inside me."

  "And once he's inside, Lily, what do you want him to do?"

  "I want him to fuck me."

  "And what will you do while he's fucking you?"

  She swallowed hard. “I'll...I'll be fucking right back,” she moaned. “I'll fuck him. We'll fuck each other."

  Bo's smile was triumphant. “That's exactly what I wanted to hear.” He kissed her, and it was sweet and passionate, sending her desire into overdrive.

  Duff moved between her legs, lifted her thigh, and rested it on his forearm. “Someone's...eager."

  Trembling in her anticipation, she lifted her other thigh. “Oh, you don't know the half of it. I haven't been laid well in years, and I crave you so much I dream of it.” She wrapped her legs around him, mewling as he pressed his cock to her aching clit. Wanton in her arousal, she thrust her hips out and wiggled beneath him, teasing him until he groaned.

  "Stop that. Maybe I'm not ready yet."

  "Oh, you're more than ready.” Bo reached out and encircled Duff's cock. “Any more ready and your nuts will explode."

  "Please.” Lily dug her feet into his sides, urging him closer.

  She was no longer thinking clearly. She wanted. She needed. She ached. But that was all. Nothing else mattered except this moment.

  Their gazes connected, and Duff pressed forward, thrusting hard, one, two, three times. Her eyes closed as the pressure built inside her, already threatening to explode. He buried his cock to the hilt. He throbbed inside her, touching every hot, wet part of her until her breath caught and she shuddered beneath him.