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  Johnny finally took up the challenge and joined her. Within seconds of him standing under the stream of water, he took her into his arms and held her at first. Then he tilted her chin and kissed her tenderly on the lips. It was the sweetest kiss, though she knew he was aching for more. The evidence pulsed against her stomach.

  She barely reached all three of the men’s chests. They were well over six feet and she was only a short four feet and eleven inches. She pressed her lips harder against his until they parted and the kiss deepened. His tongue entered, explored, danced a tango with hers. She sucked him into her mouth hard, returned the kiss with all the passion she felt.

  Johnny pulled her from underneath the small fall. They stood on the ledge basking in the sunlight, but neither of them felt the warm rays. He tore his lips away to kiss her nose, her forehead, then down to her neck. He slipped the bikini strings from her shoulders and bared her breasts. Topaz looked at his face. His eyes filled with wonder and desire as he cupped her breasts and massaged them tenderly, then bent down and took a nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  Her hand stole to his throbbing cock and encased it. For some reason, she felt bolder with Johnny. The velvet skin felt so wonderful beneath her stroking fingers. The veins throbbed as she stroked and she wiped away a drop of precum and rubbed it around the head. Feeling further down, she cupped his taut sack and squeezed gently, then she put pressure on the g-spot between his cock and his balls and rotated her thumb. He groaned as he switched to the other breast and suckled her nipple.

  Topaz felt he was close to orgasm. Encasing his cock again, she pulled the skin back and forth, until he suddenly stood up straight and looked down into her eyes.

  “Topaz, I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted any woman. I think I’m falling in love with you,” and he kissed her while his hands stole down to her bikini bottom and pulled it down. His hand was between her legs, his fingers exploring, feeling, parting her pussy lips. His thumb was on her clit, rubbing, teasing it, until it throbbed so hard, she thought she’d explode. He entered her oozing pussy with a finger and pushed up hard, only to withdraw immediately. Like Chad, he suddenly stopped and crushed her against him. “Not like this, my love. Not like this,” he whispered near her ear.

  He’d already made her come and he needed release so she held his cock again and continued to move the skin back and forth until he shuddered and his semen spurted against her belly. They stood there for a while, just holding each other until Johnny stepped back and held her by the shoulders.

  She watched him drink in the naked sight of her for a moment before he gently pulled up her bikini bottoms, then tied the strings of the top at the back of her neck.

  Topaz didn’t say anything, just gazed back into those beautiful, warm eyes, eyes that were filled with love and longing. The feelings she was developing for the three men were confusing. She couldn’t differentiate between one brother or the other, but she’d let Johnny go further than Sam and Chad. Maybe he’s the one who will claim my soul?

  Johnny climbed off the ledge and swam to the shore with swift strokes. Topaz stood under the fall for a few moments to wash his come off her stomach, then followed him. Once she got to shore, he stood before her, his gaze now very serious.

  “Topaz, how do you feel about me?”

  “Johnny, I don’t know right now. I feel very confused. I have feelings for all three of you.”

  A spark of jealousy flitted across his face. “Sam and Chad, did you—”

  “No. Not as far as you. But I won’t lie. Both have seen me naked. Both have kissed me.”

  “I’m falling in love with you. What you allowed just now was dangerous. I felt your hymen. You should have told me you’re still a virgin.”

  “Yes. I know I was playing with fire. If you’d have been any different, you wouldn’t have stopped, but I would have stopped you. I trust you, Johnny. You’re sweet, thoughtful and kind. You’re not like Chad and Sam, although Sam isn’t as bad as Chad.”

  “So how come Chad saw you naked and kissed you?”

  Topaz felt blood rush to her face. “I’d rather not say.”

  “And Sam? You went swimming yesterday. Sam did as well?”

  “Yes,” she said in a small voice. “And neither of us had bathing suits.”

  “You are flirting with fire. This could set brother against brother.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want bad blood between you because of me. Maybe it’s better I leave and go back home, let you three run the ranch.”

  “No. I don’t want you to leave.” He pulled her into his arms again. “If it’s a contest between the three of us, then so be it. If you choose one of my brothers, I won’t hate you for it.”

  “Right now, I’m not into choosing anyone. I’m fighting with these new feelings, Johnny. Emotions I don’t understand. It’s all happening too fast.”

  “I don’t know how you could have feelings for Chad. He treats you like shit.”

  “As I said, I’m very confused. I need to sort out these feelings.”

  “Well, I’d best get dressed. We’ll sit and eat our lunch here and then ride home. It’ll be late afternoon before we’re back at the ranch.”

  She knew he felt bewildered, hurt even, but at least she’d been honest with him. After taking off the wet bikini, she quickly dressed, at the same time looking at Johnny’s broad shoulders and back, tapering down to a narrow waist, his firm ass, his muscular legs. He’d turned his back to her while he put his clothes back on.

  Once he was dressed, he walked to his horse, patiently waiting by the water’s edge, and returned carrying a Tupperware container and a thermos. He sat down on the sand and patted the sand beside him. “Come and sit down.” He opened the container and held it out to her. She was hungry now and the chicken legs looked enticing, as did the sandwiches. After hungrily devouring a chicken leg and roast beef sandwich, she eyed the thermos. “Coffee?”

  “Probably tea.”

  “Good. Can I have some?”

  Conversation was stilted now and she was glad when they finished eating their lunch and headed back to the ranch.

  As Johnny had predicted, it was almost dinnertime when they arrived home. One of the stable hands took both horses into the stables and Johnny walked beside her back to the house. “Topaz, you won’t tell my brothers what happened?”

  “Nothing happened.”

  “It did and you know it.”

  “I won’t say anything. I promise.”

  “You told me about Chad and Sam. How do I know you won’t tell them what happened between us today?”

  “I told you I have feelings for all three of you, that they’d kissed me. You asked. I can’t lie. Neither have they declared any feelings for me, like you. That makes it different.”

  “But what if they ask?”

  “I doubt they’ll ask, but if they do, I won’t lie to them. I won’t go into any detail.” Topaz noticed the troubled expression on Johnny’s face. “Don’t worry. And put a smile on that handsome face of yours, or your brothers will be suspicious.”

  That made him grin from ear to ear. “You think I’m handsome?”

  “Yes. Just as handsome as your two brothers. The three of you could be triplets. I’ll see you at dinner.” Grabbing his hand, she squeezed it. “Thank you for today. I really enjoyed it.” Taking two treads at a time, she bounced up the stairs to her room.

  Chapter Five

  “Since you’re going to be in our face at our yearly Christmas Eve party, I guess we should have a meeting to fill you in so you’ll know the schedule of events,” Chad said, his tone brusque.

  “I’ll ask Corky to join us,” Johnny said and left the dining room to fetch her.

  “It’s a yearly event,” Sam told Topaz who waited quietly. “A Douglas tradition started by our great-grandparents.”

  “I love tradition,” Topaz said.

  “Anyone of any importance will be here.”

  Johnny returned followed by Corky.r />
  The scowl on Chad’s face had not escaped Topaz. He was doing this with the utmost reluctance, but she knew that, for the moment, he had no choice unless he wanted to make a fool out of himself in front of his guests. To her, it seemed more like an ordeal than an enjoyable celebration. Sure, her mother had entertained a little over the years, but usually they were just small gatherings and it was always very casual. This seemed overwhelming, frightening even, but no way would she show them, especially Chad, that she felt that way.

  “Evening, Mizz Topaz,” Corky said as she pulled out a chair and sat.

  “Did you bring the guest list, Corky?” Chad asked.

  Corky dug in her apron pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Like I told you, your daddy gave it to me well before he passed on.” She handed it to Chad.

  “So what all happens on Christmas Eve, Corky?” Topaz asked.

  “Missy, Master John always had me go shopping for the hands and their families. The hands and house servants have their party in the late afternoon with a smorgasbord dinner in the kitchen. The party is held in the big barn, or if it’s warm enough, outside around the tree. It lasts for about two hours. The main party starts about eight that evening and a smorgasbord dinner is served in the dining room at about nine. Around midnight, Master John always read from the Bible. That task will be Master Chad’s now. Unless you want to do it?”

  “Uh, no. Chad is the oldest son. It’s his place to do whatever Daddy John did.”

  “Then Master Sam plays the piano and everyone sings. There will be cocktails, hors d’ouvres and later on, everyone will open their gifts. Master John always bought a nice gift for each family.”

  “Who purchases those?”

  “Master John always ordered them online. They’re already wrapped and ready to go, Mizz Topaz.”

  “Good.” Topaz almost sighed with relief but held it in at the last moment when she saw Chad’s brooding gaze directed at her. “And my task is merely to greet the guests at the door as they arrive?”

  “Yes, Missy, and mingle with the guests.”

  “And what does one wear for this occasion?” As she asked the question, she noticed Chad open the folded sheet of paper and watched his face darken as he scanned the guest list.

  “It’s formal, Topaz,” Johnny said, then almost choked on his wine when Chad’s fist hit the dining table.

  “What in blazes is going on? Why is that bitch’s name still on the list?” he shouted.

  “Master Chad, your father made that list. When he was still alive, you and Mizz Rachel—”

  “I want her name gone. You hear?”

  “Your father—”

  “Is gone.”

  “Master Chad, you can’t take her name off. The Moore family has come to every Christmas Eve party as long as I can remember. You take her name off, you have to take off her parents’ names. You don’t want to start meddling with tradition now, do—”

  “I’ll make my own traditions, thank you, Corky.”

  Corky cocked an eyebrow and looked at Topaz. “Missy? It’s up to you now.”

  Topaz felt uncomfortable. “I don’t like messing with tradition. Neither do I want the Douglas family to become the talk of the town. I feel the names should stay there, even if it’s uncomfortable for Chad. Sam, Johnny, what do you think?”

  She’d hardly spoken when Chad stood sending his chair crashing to the ground. “I’ll not have it! And the first tradition that’s gonna go is what I wanted to do in the first place a couple of weeks ago! At least I can fix that!”

  He stormed out of the dining room. Johnny and Sam glanced at each other and Corky looked worried. “What’s he talking about?” Topaz asked.

  “I think I know. Remember what he said about the tree?”

  Sam nodded. “Yes. I wonder. We’d best get out there.”

  Topaz was first out of the kitchen and at the front door. As she opened it, she saw Chad striding toward the big, lit-up Christmas tree carrying a large axe. “Oh, no,” she hissed. “He is not going to chop it down. Over my dead body.”

  Sam put his arm around her shoulders. “Nothing we can do, Topaz. When Chad is this angry, it’s best to steer clear of him.”

  “I’m not afraid of him.”

  Johnny interceded. “Topaz, just let it go. Maybe it’ll take some of the anger out of him.”

  Topaz didn’t listen. All she could think of was a picture in her mind of that beautiful tree toppling to the ground, of it being turned into firewood. She twisted out of Sam’s arm, evaded Johnny’s restraining hand, ran onto the verandah and down the steps toward Chad who had swung the axe high above his head now. She ran as fast as she could and threw herself at him just as the axe came crashing down. The handle glanced off her head and sent her flying to the ground. As she scrambled up, a fury she’d never known she possessed drove her. “You rude, egotistic animal! You want to behave like a damn gorilla, you can move out of the house and go live in the barn with the rest of the cows and pigs.” She swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks, the wetness that ran down her neck, hardly realizing what it was. Her head spun, a red haze drifted before her eyes when she saw him not even glance at her and raise the axe again.

  “Don’t you bloody well dare!” she shouted and dove toward him. She started pummeling his chest, yanked at his arms, until two shadows loomed behind Chad and pulled him away from her.

  “Chad, look what you’ve done! Get the hell away from her,” Johnny shouted.

  Topaz felt dizzy for a moment and swayed on her feet, but strong arms scooped her up. “I’ll take you into the house,” Sam murmured. “Forget about Chad. He’s being an ass.”

  “The tree—”

  “Is not as important as you. Look at you. You’re bleeding.”

  Corky undid her apron and met Sam at the top of the steps. Running beside Sam, she pressed the wadded apron against Topaz’s head. “Master Chad’s gone and lost it,” she murmured. “Mizz Topaz, can you hear me?”

  “Yes, Corky. Stop him. Stop Chad from chopping down the tree,” Topaz said and tried to wriggle out of Sam’s arms.

  “You stay still now. You have a nasty cut on your head,” Sam told her. “Johnny is dealing with Chad.”

  “Make him stop, let me—”

  “Missy, the tree is fine. Master Johnny stopped him and Master Chad’s run off to the barn.”

  “Good. He belongs there,” Topaz said through tight lips, her head now a throbbing mass of pain.

  “Now, now, Missy. Master Chad’s just angry and hurtin’. He ain’t all bad. Put her down, Master Sam, so I can tend to her head.”

  Sam sat her on a kitchen chair as if she were made of porcelain.

  All Topaz wanted to do was run back outside to make sure the tree was safe. Never mind the throbbing headache she had now. That would pass.

  “I don’t think it needs stitches, Missy.”

  “Stitches?”

  “You got hit in the head with the axe handle. You have a cut, but it’s not very deep. Heads always bleed nasty.”

  “That they do. I didn’t even feel it.”

  “You were just as crazy mad as Master Chad. The two of you would make a good pair,” Corky muttered as she cleaned Topaz’s face with a damp cloth.

  “Corky, I’d kill him in two seconds.”

  “Kill who?” Johnny asked as he came into the kitchen and rushed to Topaz. “Is she okay?”

  “She’ll be fine,” Sam said. “And she’s referring to our brother.”

  “Oh. Right now he’s in the barn, ranting and raving like a lunatic and throwing things.”

  * * * *

  Chad threw a rake at the wall and stomped back and forth. “Bitch. Fucking little bitch. I can’t wait till she’s gone! Damnation, Father, why on Earth did you do it? It’s brought nothing but trouble to our house!” He stopped pacing and sank down on a bale of hay, resting his elbows on his knees and his face on his hands. He closed his eyes and tried to force the anger from his mind.
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  “The trouble is your own doing!”

  Chad startled. Not only was he furious as hell, but also going crazy as well, imagining his father’s voice.

  “Have you lost your marbles, son?”

  “Yeah. I am losing my marbles. I’m not only raving mad, but also talking to my dead father.”

  “Over here, jackass.”

  Chad peered around him. Was that a shadow he saw a few feet away from him? Ghosts? Nah, there is no such thing. Dead is dead.

  “That’s what you think. I’m right here beside you.”

  “It’s all in my mind. I miss him like hell and now I think he’s talking to me,” Chad muttered. “Damn, I need a stiff drink.”

  “You could have killed the little one when you hit her with the axe.”

  “I was aiming at the tree, not at her. She did it to herself.” Ah, now I’m answering the voice in my mind as well. Surely, the action of someone losing it.

  “You’re an asshole to that little gal. She’s like the daughter I never had. You treat her fair, you hear?”

  “Fair? What the hell is fair about her walking off with our inheritance?”

  “She’s not walking off with it, I gave it to her.”

  “You must have been out of your mind leaving everything to that little whore!”

  “I’m really getting angry, son.”

  “Angry? Ghosts get angry!” Chad roared with rocking laughter. “Why did you do it, Father?”

  “Firstly, I wanted her to see the ranch and meet my sons. This was the only way to get her here and have her stay. As for my other reasons, you’ll find out soon enough, once you get your mind out of the gutter and appreciate Topaz for who she is.”

  “You making a new will changed my whole fuckin’ life. Rachel broke off the engagement and—”