Guarded for Pleasure Read online

  “Good.” She smiled, striving for the calm Rick had tried to give her. “I’ll head down there now.” She stood on shaky legs, pushing their hands away when they tried to help her. “I really appreciate you checking it out for me.”

  “Meg.” Luke took a step toward her.

  She held her hands up, waving him off as she backed away to the door. “Really, I’ll be okay now. I let my imagination run away with me. Sorry for freaking you out, Rick.”

  She bumped up against the solid form of Phil. It was hard to keep track when there were three men in the room with her.

  “That’s not going to happen,” Phil said with a shake of his head. “You’ve been keeping secrets. And it appears they’ve finally caught up with you. Your only way out of this might be telling the truth.”

  She shook her head. “I…I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I think you know exactly what we mean…River.”

  Her head whipped around at Luke’s words. She knew her eyes were wide, that all her secrets were exposed in that one unguarded moment of shock.

  “How?” She shook her head, then laughed, trying to play it off. “I’m sorry. River?”

  “The person who broke into your apartment left some things for you. Among them was this.” Luke held up a piece of paper. Her own face smiled back at her, along with that of her two best friends, Tara and Kat.

  She remembered when they’d made those flyers, how excited they’d all been to launch a business all their own. Kat’s brother had put the money up for them, liking the idea of his very own Charlie’s Angels. That had made them all giggle. Especially since they’d had the same thought themselves. That time seemed so far away.

  “Now would be a good time to start explaining things, Meg. I mean, River,” Phil said, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her toward the couch.

  She walked automatically, no fight in her. What did she say? The truth? What if the truth pulled them into the downward spiral with her?

  “Stop thinking, River, and start talking.” Rick sat on the coffee table in front of her. How sad was it that she wanted to crawl back into his lap again—to feel safe and secure with his arms around her.

  Phil sat on one side while Luke was on her other. It made her feel overwhelmed. It made her feel caged in and wasn’t that a feeling that dredged up memories. She pushed to her feet and turned to walk.

  Luke put his hand out to stop her. “You’re not leaving until you tell us what’s going on, River.”

  “It’s the only way we can help you,” Phil added.

  “I will,” River said, taking Luke’s hand and giving it a squeeze before pushing it away. “I just…I need to move. I can’t…”

  Luke moved his hand, understanding in his eyes. “Pace the entire room if you need to.”

  She nodded and let her eyes soak in the atmosphere. The room was very masculine. Varying shades of brown meshed and fed off one another. Furniture was big and bulky but perfect for the three men who lived here. And she could attest to how comfortable the couch was.

  No clutter. No family pictures hanging anywhere. Yet, it managed to look homey and comfortable. Maybe it was the pile of papers visible on the dining table, the book lying face down on an end table, or the shoes kicked off by the door.

  She was on her second turn around the room when she finally felt able to start talking. In the back of her mind, she prayed it was the right thing to do.

  “I went to the police academy.” She smiled, memories of that time rolling through her head. “The other two girls on the flyer went with me. We met the first day, and that was all it took to seal our friendship for life.”

  The laughter, the tears, the million and one times one of them wanted to quit and the other two talked them out of it. It all filled her head. She missed them, ached to see them again. But they’d decided before she left to have no contact until they could figure out how to get Raymond to leave her alone. Six months and he still hadn’t found another woman to turn his obsession on?

  She shook her head. That was petty and beneath her. She wouldn’t wish Raymond on anyone else.

  “Meg? River?” Rick prompted her to continue.

  “Sorry.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Memories.”

  She began pacing again, arms wrapped around her waist, seeing nothing but the faces of the past.

  “We were up late drinking, celebrating graduation. Tara was flipping through the channels when she found an episode of the original Charlie’s Angels.” River laughed. “We were up running around, mimicking their poses. It was the best night ever. And that was when our business idea was brought to life, in the wee early hours when the tequila bottle was long past empty. Angel Investigations was born. Kat called her brother Charlie the next day. He owns a ranch in Texas. I could tell from her side of the conversation he’d do anything for her, and she knew it.” She shrugged her shoulders and paced some more. “And that quickly, we had money and a backer. We all had the giggles that we were officially ‘Charlie’s Angels’.”

  “So what happened? Did a case go wrong? Are your friends on the run, as well?” Phil stood and walked toward River, stopping within touching distance.

  “No. As far as I know, they’re home, safe and sound.”

  “When was the last time you spoke with them?” Rick asked softly.

  “Six months ago.” River knew her voice reflected her sorrow at that.

  “Why did you run? Why change your name?” Luke wanted to know.

  “I met a man.”

  They all groaned, and she wanted to cry at the cliché she was living. But instead, she managed a bittersweet smile.

  “Men are definitely a lot of trouble,” Rick quipped, and she knew he was doing his best to lighten her mood.

  “We can’t help you if we don’t know what’s going on,” Phil interjected, the voice of calm reason.

  “We’ve done our best to get to know you since you moved in,” Luke added. “You can trust us, River.”

  “Please trust us, River,” Rick entreated.

  “We can’t protect you against things we don’t know,” Phil added.

  “And make no mistakes,” Luke gritted out. “We will be protecting you. It’s what we do.”

  “We’re bodyguards,” Phil answered her unspoken question. “Protection is what we do for a living.”

  It was too late to walk away. They felt invested in her dilemma now. She’d managed to tug on the male caveman instincts most men seemed to have. She was betting these three had them in spades. They wouldn’t let her walk away now, not willingly. To be honest, if only to herself, she didn’t want to. She was tired of doing it all on her own. Was it so wrong to want someone else to shoulder the burden for just a little while? Did it make her weak? Or human?

  It didn’t matter. She met each of their gazes and knew without a doubt, she was ready to tell them everything. Maybe fresh eyes would bring clarity. Maybe four against one would make her feel safe for the first time in a long time.

  “I won’t go into all the seedy details. We met, started dating, and things began to change. Little things at first like picking out what I wore when we went out. Calling me whenever we were apart to see where I was. He became really possessive when we were around other men. He’d get angry if he saw me talking to someone. He started accusing me of flirting with others, of thinking about cheating on him. He’d back off when I confronted him on it, buy me some little gift sure to make me forgive him. And like a fool, I did.”

  “Wow, you’re human. Imagine that.” Rick shook his head at her.

  “I ran into a few of the guys I’d gone through the academy with. We were laughing and joking around about me being an Angel. I could tell Raymond wasn’t happy, but he was in conversation with the chief of police and mayor…” She shrugged her shoulders again.

  “And you’d had enough? Decided to push him a bit?” Phil prompted.

  She nodded her head. “He was becoming more than I wanted to handle. I didn’t w
ant to deal with the constant jealousy. Plus, I’d found out that day there was a tracking device in the watch he’d given me. A fucking tracking device.”

  “Wow,” Rick murmured.

  “Yeah. So I laughed. I drank. I chatted and flirted with old friends and ignored Raymond most of the night.”

  “What happened?” Luke asked.

  “I’d decided to leave him when we got back to his place. Tell him enough was enough and grab my stuff and go. I’d packed my bags and put them inside the closet earlier.” She heaved a sigh.

  Phil took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. When she didn’t pull away, he tugged her closer and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her back against his chest. She shuddered, soaking up his strength and warmth. Amazing how much that night still affected her.

  “He was quiet in the car. He didn’t yell or say anything to me. That should have been my first clue that things were off. But I was too busy going over my planned farewell speech to him, pumping myself up on righteous indignation. I crossed to the bar when we got back to his apartment. It was habit to go pour him a scotch.” She gave a snort. “He had me trained well, like such an obedient little puppy.”

  “You’re here, so you weren’t all that obedient,” Luke offered with a smile.

  She tried to return his smile, but she was too steeped in the past to give it much effort. “He followed me across the room. He spoke quietly. No anger and I think that scared me more than anything.”

  You belong to me. Forever. And I take care of what’s mine.

  I’m not one of your possessions, Raymond.

  You’re mine.

  She could almost feel the spittle fly from his mouth to coat her skin again. She shook with fear. But Phil was behind her, and he wrapped her tighter in his arms.

  “He told me I belonged to him, and that he took care of what was his. I told him I wasn’t a possession. I belonged to no one but myself. He kept repeating I was his, and he’d take care of me. He stalked me around the room. I think it was more for intimidation, looking back at it now. And it worked. I’ve never been so scared. I told him I was done, that our relationship wasn’t working for me anymore. I headed to the bedroom to grab my bags and leave. He followed. Shut the door and flipped the lock, closing us in together. I jerked open the closet and…my bags were gone. All my stuff was back where it had been before I packed. Clothes on hangers, shoes on the floor. I didn’t have to look to know my lingerie was back in the dresser drawers. He reached for his belt, unfastened it and began to pull it off. I was terrified that he meant to beat me with it. But that wasn’t his weapon of choice.”

  “Fuck!” Luke exclaimed.

  “God damn.” Rick bit off the words.

  “Did he rape you?” Phil asked softly.

  She was back in that night, feeling the terror wash over her skin. Not knowing what was coming, what he planned. It had crippled her, cutting her voice off and locking her limbs in place. She could run to the rescue of anyone…except herself.

  “No…” She shook her head. “I wasn’t worthy of him that night. He was disgusted with me. I needed to learn to be a good girl, to listen to him and obey. My behavior would have to be punished. I had to learn what he’d tolerate and what he wouldn’t. I didn’t know what he planned for sure. To spank me, to rape me, to beat me? It didn’t matter. I had to stop him if I could.”

  “I crossed the room toward him telling him I was sorry and begging him to forgive me.” She couldn’t disguise the disgust at her actions from her voice.

  “When I reached him, I crooned how much I loved him, how strong and sexy he was, how no man could ever compare to him. I unbuttoned his shirt, marveled at his chest and abs. I know how he feels about cleanliness, so I told him I loved the smell of his sweat. He kissed me, tossed me on the bed and told me to get ready for him while he took a quick shower. Told me to put on the red outfit he loved so much.”

  She could still see the smug certainty in his eyes. He’d never once doubted she’d still be there when he got out.

  “As soon as I heard the shower turn on, I left. I snuck out like a thief and ran to Tara’s house. But he found me. Threatened me. Followed me every time I tried to leave her house. Had others follow us when he couldn’t.”

  “Did you call the cops?” Phil asked.

  “Yes, for all the good it did me. You see, Raymond is the cops. His brother-in-law is the mayor. His brother is the chief of police. It didn’t matter what I said. Raymond was only trying to show me how much he loved and missed me, and why didn’t I go back and be a good girl. Everything would be fine.”

  “My God, I didn’t know places like that still existed in America.” Rick shuddered.

  “Corruption is everywhere,” Phil stated. “I’m guessing it was a smaller to mid-size town.” They all looked at him. “Easier to control you that way. And you came here, to a large city. Easier to get lost in.”

  “But he’s found me,” she whispered.

  “Lucky for you, he has no power here,” Phil said.

  “And we do,” Rick added.

  River shook her head. “I can’t ask you to help me.”

  “Good thing you’re not then,” Rick grunted.

  “We’re going to help you because it’s the right thing to do,” Luke said. “But I’d be lying if I let you believe that was the only reason.”

  “Luke.” Phil and Rick both said his name, warning clear in their tones.

  “What? I won’t pretend we haven’t all four been playing the game since we first met months ago. Flirting is putting it mildly. We’ve all wanted to get you naked and lose ourselves inside you.”

  “I…what?” She was pretty sure she was doing a good job of looking like a fish with her mouth opening and shutting.

  “Are you telling me you don’t want us as much as we want you?” Luke purred, rising and walking over to her. “I’m not saying we won’t help you, or that our help depends on anything that may or may not occur between us. I’m simply putting the truth out there. We want you. You want us.”

  “How does that even make sense?” she asked. “You can’t mean to share me?”

  “Why not?” Rick asked.

  “That…I…What?” River’s head was spinning again, but it wasn’t the stuff of her nightmares this time. No, this time it was her fantasies. “Why would you want to share?”

  “We’ve always been attracted to the same type of women,” Phil said with a shrug.

  “We used to compete for them,” Rick added with a grin. “Until we met a woman who dared us to share her.”

  “Wasn’t so keen on that myself at first,” Luke added. “But I have to admit, it was pretty intense.”

  “I think we were all a little uneasy at first,” Phil admitted. “But we weren’t her first rodeo. She knew exactly what she wanted us to do.”

  “Incredible,” Rick purred.

  “Watching her face, seeing how much pleasure it gave her to have all three of us at once,” Phil murmured, then shook his head. “There’s no way to describe it.”

  “You have to experience it,” Luke whispered. “Imagine the three of us, naked, yours to command. Unlimited orgasms.”

  “When one of us comes, there’s another to take his place.” Rick’s eyes twinkled as he imparted that piece of news.

  “I think we’ve got her a little shook up,” Phil commented.

  “At least she’s not stuck in the past anymore,” Luke grunted.

  No, she was definitely in the here and now. She’d let Raymond chase her for six months. Maybe it was time to take a stand. Maybe these three men could help her make this all end. This wasn’t a small town, and Raymond shouldn’t have any power over her here. In fact, he might be as powerless as she’d been back home.

  She couldn’t deny she wanted them, all of them. It surprised and intrigued her that they felt the same, didn’t bat an eye at the thought of her being with all of them. After listening to them talk about sharing a woman, she was eager to judge for herself.<
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  Was she willing to walk away from this opportunity? With their help and protection, Raymond would finally be firmly in her past. She’d be able to go home again. But not before she gave herself permission to take them up on the offer they were dangling in front of her.

  “What do you have in mind?” she whispered the question. Suddenly, her future had all types of possibilities.

  Chapter Three

  “I want to ask you a question first,” Phil said. “How did you know it was this Raymond who broke in when you haven’t even seen the apartment yet?”

  “He sent me a postcard.” She crossed to her purse and dug out the wadded card she’d shoved inside yesterday.

  God, she’d spent the entire night passed out on their couch. She needed a shower. Good thing it was the weekend and she was off.

  Phil took the card from her. The only sign of his anger was the white of his knuckles as he passed it on to Rick. She wondered how all that tight control would play out in the bedroom.

  “When did you get this?” Luke asked.

  “Yesterday, before I came up to find the apartment door ajar.”

  “About that…” Luke shook his head and gave a weary sigh. “If it was this Raymond who broke in, he was very specific on his task. He shredded all your underwear. I noticed you have a taste for cotton.”

  “I like comfort,” she said with a shrug. “He shredded it all?”

  “He replaced it,” Phil added.

  “With lacy red things.” Luke sighed.

  She shuddered. The bastard. Thanks to him, she’d never wear anything with red lace again. She hated it, absolutely hated it.

  “I’m guessing the pictures we saw in your bedroom weren’t put there by you then,” Luke stated.

  “What pictures? I didn’t have any pictures out.”

  “There are several framed photos of you with a man. Tall, dark, about my size.” Phil was right. Raymond was similar in size to him. They both had those linebacker shoulders and the dark good looks. But that was where the similarity stopped. Raymond would never laugh and joke about sharing her with his buddies. Raymond wouldn’t let her see him dripping with sweat after a hard workout. Phil was nothing like Raymond.