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“I’m sure once she realizes we’re serious about a future with her, she will embrace the honesty and trust we require from our wife.”
“Wife?” Aria’s voice thinned. “Don’t tell me you were serious about that?” She shuffled a couple of steps back as Kevin helped her off his lap. “I thought you just said that as part of playing during the scene.”
“Neither of us would be stupid enough to tell any woman we are not serious about something like that. We never raise expectations, but when we do want a woman, we make sure they know.” Keith smiled. “So, now you know.”
“I... this is... you’re...”
“You’re distraught from the spanking and need some aftercare.” Kevin’s deep voice saved her from the unintelligible babble spurting from her mouth. “Go to Keith. He’ll take care of you.”
Before voicing the words springing to her lips that she didn’t need to be pampered because he had spanked her, she found herself sitting on Keith’s lap. She all but purred when he folded her into his strong embrace, gently brushing his large palm over her stinging behind.
“There, little one. You took your punishment like a real trooper. I’m very proud of you. Shh, there now,” he cooed when she released a broken sob that she had no idea where it came from. Gently tugging her head in under his chin, he offered her a safe haven where she felt protected and taken care of. Soon, she completely relaxed in the cocoon of warmth he offered and drifted off to sleep.
The power nap was over within five minutes. Aria found it strange how rejuvenated she felt when she opened her eyes. Stretching lazily, she winced as her sensitive buttocks scraped against the leather seat of the sofa.
“Shit, it hurts,” she mumbled as she sat up, only to turn into a statue as her gaze was caught by the two men watching her with brooding eyes. They stood a few feet from the couch, their arms folded tightly across their chests. The frowns on their foreheads looked like they had been crafted from the same mold. “I guess we’re not done yet,” she snickered in a dry voice.
“We’re done with the punishment. Now, it’s business,” Kevin drawled. “You might be new to the South, but it doesn’t matter where you came from. Trespassing and damaging your neighbor’s property is illegal in this state. Should we decide to lay a charge, you can be sure you’ll be locked up. The law doesn’t abide lawlessness from its community.”
“Come now, Kevin. You’re not going to report me.” Her eyes narrowed as his lips curved into an evil grin. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure he would do just that, purely to see her squirm and beg for mercy. “I guess I’m wrong.”
“You guess right,” Keith said seriously. “This isn’t a game, Aria. We’re part owners of the ranch, and believe me, if it was our oldest brother, Kaden, who found out what you were about, you would already be behind bars. Trust me when I say, he wouldn’t be swayed by a timid smile and a pleading eye.”
“Why do you think old John Harper created the different trail routes? There is no direct access to the waterfall. If you want to make more money by using our land to get to it, I’m afraid you’ll have to rethink your strategy.” Kevin unfolded his arms and hooked his thumbs in the loops of his jeans.
He looked so sexy that Aria found it difficult to concentrate on what he was saying.
“I don’t see the problem. We won’t be using the road or the gate all the time, just now and then, when people wish to have a night out over the waterfall without doing the cumbersome trail run. Besides, it’s only a couple of miles from the gate to the waterfall. You won’t even know we’re there.”
“Really? And what happens when one of your guests forgets to lock the gate or wanders off past the border fence at the waterfall onto our land? How do you propose to keep strangers under control, Ms. Harper?”
“There will be one of my employees accompanying a group at all times. They will be made accountable for every person and their actions while on your land.” Aria kept her voice calm as she reasoned with Kevin. “As I said, it won’t be used all that much, so I really don’t see it as a problem.”
“The moment word gets out that the sought-after overnight hanging treehouses are available without doing the trail run, I can bet you every last penny I own that you’ll be fully booked every weekend for stayovers.” Kevin shook his head. “We’re not debating the issue, Aria. I am telling you; it’s not happening. Our livestock are very important to us. We’re not going to place any of them in danger by having drunk or overeager tourists swamp our land. You’re a tourist guest farm; we’re not. We’re a fully operational farm and therefore refuse to accept the responsibility of anyone getting hurt while en route through our land.”
“You don’t have to. We can sign a contract and—”
“You would do well to listen when Kev talks, Babygirl,” Keith cut her short. It hadn’t slipped her mind how Kevin’s mood had darkened with every protest she raised. “You were already informed this isn’t a debate. You have no right on our land. That is never going to change. Our men are already removing the gate your team was putting up. Before the end of the day, the fence will be restored to its original state. If you know what’s good for you and the perseverance of your farm, make sure it stays that way.”
“Are you threatening me?” Aria squared her shoulders as she glowered at the two men.
“Keith is stating a fact, Aria. You’ve been warned, and we won’t report your conduct to the authorities. Overstep again, and you won’t be as lucky.” Kevin walked toward the patio door. “Let’s go, Keith. We have a full schedule this afternoon.” He hesitated before stepping outside and looked at her.
“I already told you this, but I feel the need to reiterate it now that we all know who we are. You belong to us, Babygirl. To love and to hold, to care for, and protect against all and everyone who wishes you harm. It’s too soon to call our emotions love, but believe me when I say, the day we do open our hearts fully to you, you better be ready because then, we won’t ever let you go.”
The sound of the galloping horses had died down long before Aria snapped out of the state of shock Kevin’s words had left her in. She had aimed to attract their attention as a sub, to become their baby girl so that she could get close to them. Kevin mentioning the word love had thrown her for a loop. Her mind scrambled to compute the impact it had on her. How desperately she needed to be loved. Deep in her heart, what he had promised was what she had yearned for her entire life—to be wanted, needed, and loved for who and what she was, not for what others wanted her to be and expected her to act.
“Oh shit, I’m in so much trouble,” she groaned as she sat down. “Oww!” Just as quickly, she got up to spare her tender behind the added discomfort.
“How dare he throw a wrench in the wheel? I can’t stumble on my mission. I just can’t!”
Still, his words reminded her that with them, there was no pretense. It was all real—their care, commitment, and protection were all there for the taking. All she had to do was reach out and take it...
Except, that wasn’t why she came to Louisiana and accepted the inheritance her step-uncle, her father’s stepbrother, John Harper, had left her... to the annoyance of her mother and sisters.
“They might offer what I crave with all my heart. No running all the time, no looking over my shoulder wherever I go, and most of all, no death.” She snorted at herself. “Liar! You’re here to do exactly all that you just claim you don’t want anymore... and for what?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “To honor a vow that you made to a dead man who never believed you were his own flesh and blood from the day you were born.”
